Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race vs Trek Madone SL 7 Gen 8
Both are race bikes at a similar price. Here is what actually separates them.
The short answer
For a typical all-round rider the Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race comes out ahead (73% against 71%). That is not a universal verdict — change the terrain or the priority and the order can flip.
What actually separates them
- Price
- The Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race is £1 cheaper — £4,999 against £5,000.
- Weight
- The Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race is 0.5kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
- Riding position
- The Trek Madone SL 7 Gen 8 sits you more upright (1.44 stack-to-reach against 1.41). The Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race is the more aggressive of the two — quicker if you can hold it, harder work if you cannot.
- Tyre clearance
- The Cube Litening Aero C:68X Race takes 34mm tyres against 32mm — the single most common thing buyers wish they had more of.
Side by side
| Spec | Litening Aero C:68X Race | Madone SL 7 Gen 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £4,999 | £5,000 |
| Weight | 7.4 kg | 7.9 kg |
| Frame | carbon | carbon |
| Groupset | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 12-speed | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170 2x12 electronic |
| Stack / reach | 1.41 | 1.44 |
| Tyre clearance | 34 mm | 32 mm |
| Lowest gear | 29 in | 27 in |
| Mudguard mounts | No | No |
| Comfort | 35 | 40 |
| Speed | 84 | 75 |
| Climbing | 77 | 75 |
| Value | 4 | 1 |
Neither might be the right answer
This page assumes an average rider. Tell us how you actually ride and we will rank these two against everything else at the price.
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