Cube Litening Super HPC Range 2011 Review
Most people will know Cube for their phenomenal mountain bikes, but in last year we have seen considerable growth in cube road bike portfolio. For 2011 Cube introduced four complete bikes in their super light road bike range – the Litening Super HPC range. All four bikes share same highest quality monocoque carbon frames and some serious top-end kit. All feature tapered steerer tube, press fit bottom bracket and advanced twin mold process.
Litening Super HPC Pro
Very light road bike with HPC monocoque carbon frame for competition and for riders with highest standards. Comes in sexy raw carbon finish with subtle white streaks. Feature full Shimano Ultegra groupset,Fulcrum Racing 5 Evolution wheel set, Easton EC90 fork and FSA/Syntace finishing kit. Weight 7.3 kg(16lb) RRP £2399.
Litening Super HPC Race
Super light road bike with HPC monocoque carbon frame and Fulcrum Racing 5 wheel set. Ultimate stiffness with only 6.9 (15lb) kg total weight. Comes in funky Cube team colour. Features full Shimano Dura Ace groupset, Fulcrum Racing 5 Evolution wheel set, Easton EC90 fork and FSA/Syntace finishing kit. RRP £3449.
Litening Super HPC SL
The lightest complete cube bike made, scale stops at fantastic and unbelievable 6.5kg (14lb). Comest in stealth but colourful raw finish with bright blue stream lining and custom colour wheels. Features full Campagnolo Super Record groupset, Easton EC90 SL carbon wheel set, Easton EC90 SL fork and Syntace/FSA finishing kit. RRP £4499.
Litening Super HPC Di2
Super light road bike for professional racers and riders with highest standards. HPC monocoque carbon frame for ultimate stiffness and Easton EC90 SL carbon wheels for acceleration and high speed.In colourful Cube team finish. Features full Shimano Dura Ace groupset with Di2 ST-7970 shifter and derailleurs, Easton EC90 SL full carbon fork and Easton EC90 SL carbon wheel-set. Weight 6.7kg (14.5lb) -RRP £5679.
All Litening Super HPC frames share following technologies:
HPC Super
Models bearing the SUPER HPC logo are our top-quality products. From many years of experience in the HPC field new optimization know-how is generated time and time again, which is then implemented in the SUPER HPC models. Numerous details of this line are refined and optimized and the limits of what is feasible are pushed ever higher and higher. For this exclusively high-quality carbon fibers and matrices are used. In addition the ADVANCED TWIN MOLD process is used exclusively in order to minimize manufacturing tolerances and to avoid superfluous use of material.
Tapered Steerer
This new steering tube design is more rigid and generates a more secure ride feel even in difficult terrain. Due to the direct power transmission the greatest possible steering precision is generated. With the larger fork shaft the forks become more rigid. At the same time weight is saved due to the absence of bearing shells as the lower bearing is fully integral. On CUBE carbon models the upper bearing shells are also directly in the frame, so that once more a few grams are saved.
Press Fit Bottom Bracket
With press-fit bearings, the outer bearing ring is pressed directly into the frame housing and not screwed-in as usual. With its wider housing, the down tube and the chain stays are joined with the full width. Because the width of the housing is a parameter in calculating the stiffness, every millimeter of additional width gives a significant improvement of lateral stiffness, whilst retaining the comfort-bringing resilience of the chain stays.
Advanced Twin Mold
Folds are prevented to curl up even during the baking session in a continuous control procedure. With this procedure, it is possible to increase the carbon content (and use less matrix resin). The result is similar stability at lower weight. Positive side-effect of this method: optically perfect layering.
Wet Paint Surface
On polished and brushed aluminum and all HPC frames the logos and graphics are applied in multi-layer wet paint. We use this surface treatment technology mainly to save weight.
Road Fools: Ray’s Mountain Bike Park – Crazy Course