Last year Cube completely reworked their Stereo bike, with 650b wheels and a four bar linkage suspension platform. The Fritzz meanwhile took a year out, but it’s back for 2014, with 650b wheels, a similar revised suspension package and a build kit that makes it look just ideal for the growing enduro racing scene and the style of riding typified by the fledgling format.

The Fritzz shares a lot in common with the Stereo, but the key difference is the alloy frame over the Stereo’s carbon to bring the price down to a more affordable level. The Fritzz features three 650b models with 160mm of travel, and two 26in-wheelers with travel ramped up to 180mm. We’ll focus on the 650b bikes for the remainder of this article, as that is where the interest is this year.

So the Fritzz borrows heavily from the Stereo. It has a taller head tube that is Angleset adaptable, so if the stock 66.5-degree head angle isn’t slack enough, you can dial it out a bit. There are ISCG05 mounts around the bottom bracket shell for fitting a chain guard. The seat angle is 74.5 degrees to help with climbing and the frame is Stealth seatpost ready – the two top models in the range already come with a RockShox Reverb posted installed. All cables are routed internally and there’s a X12 thru-axle out back. Frame weight is a claimed 2.98 kg (6.56lb).

There are three Fritzz models in the range: the Pro, Race and the range-topping TM, standing for Trail Motion. This bike sparkles with real top-end kit; including the Fox Float X shock with remote bar lever and matching Float 34 CTD fork, DT Swiss CSW EM 3.7 wheels with Schwalbe Hans Dampf tyres (which feature across the range), Formula T1S brakes and a Shimano XT groupset. An e*thirteen TRS+ 22/36T crankset is fitted with an e*thirteen TRS chain guide including bash guard. Finishing kit is an Easton Haven stem with custom 750mm Haven bar. Chucking in that Reverb Stealth dropper post ensures that for the £3,199 asking price; this is a cracking deal.

The mid-level Race, costing £2,499, is specced with a Fox Float CTD Boost Valve rear shock and Float 34 CTD fork, Sun Ringle Radium EM wheels, SRAM X9 groupset with Avid Elixir 7 Trail brakes. There’s a Reverb post plugged into the seatpost.

Lastly, the Pro model costs £1,799 and is fitted with a Manitou Radium PRO DC shock and RockShox Pike RC fork. There are Cube’s own EX 23.7 wheels with Formula C1 brakes and a Shimano XT/Deore groupset.

So there you go, three really smart looking bikes well specced for not a lot of money. We’re looking forward to riding these when they’re available.

Price

Fritzz TM: £3,199
Fritzz Race: £2,499
Fritzz Pro: £1,799

More information: Cube Bikes Fritzz