2020 Cube Elite C:68X SLT Mens Hardtail Mountain Bike - Carbon/Blue

There is absolutely nothing in the world that Cube engineers and product managers like more than being told to build the ultimate bike, no expense spared. In the case of the brand-new Elite C:68X SLT, they really went to town. Kicking off with Sram's XX1 Eagle AXS wireless electronic transmission, they picked only the best of the best for the range-topping marathon hardtail. With crisp, clean shifts, no cables and an incredible range of ratios, Sram's wireless groupset was the obvious choice. Matching Sram Level Ultimate hydraulic disc brakes offer equivalent stopping power, while Newmen Advanced carbon wheels and Newmen carbon cockpit components round off the equipment package, and Fox's Float Factory fork offers 100mm of smooth travel and superb steering precision. The kit is only half the story, of course. A brand-new frame was built for the Elite C:68X SLT, 15% lighter than before and with revised Agile Ride Geometry for a more comfortable ride on long rides and extended cross-country races. Crafted from next-generation C:68X carbon, it's both impressively efficient and surprisingly comfortable, thanks to design features like the tapered head tube and narrow seat stays. With provision for an upgrade to a stealth dropper post, it's the ideal base for our no-compromise marathon machine.

If there's one thing Cube engineers have learnt over the years, it's that you can always squeeze a bit more performance out of a frame. That's why they went back to the drawing board with the Elite. It was already stiff, light, comfortable and agile but the new one is 15% lighter, designed with even greater comfort in mind, and features revised Agile Ride Geometry designed with marathon riding and endurance cross-country in mind. It's all possible thanks to the combination of a high-end C:68X carbon and Advanced Twin Mold manufacturing technology, which gives engineers the ability to add or remove precise quantities of carbon to create the perfect blend of characteristics. Slender seat stays help absorb trail vibration for greater comfort over long distances, while the tapered head tube and Boost axle at the rear help maintain precise steering and incredible pedalling efficiency. There's even provision to upgrade to an internally routed dropper post.