Cube Fritzz C:62 Super TM review: A high-pivot bike at a bargain price

Conclusion from the BIKE editorial team

Anyone looking for a high-performance bike that tackles the toughest descents with ease might be disappointed by the Fritzz’s direct handling. On the other hand, the bike remains versatile and fun to ride. The handling is excellent and the price is extremely fair. However, you’ll have to be able to put up with the increased noise levels and the extra maintenance required by the derailleur. – Florentin Vesenbeckh, BIKE test editor

Forbidden, Norco, Deviate: frames with a high pivot point are particularly popular amongst iconic boutique brands. The industry giant Cube certainly cannot be counted amongst them. So it’s no wonder that the new Fritzz is causing quite a stir in the community. Our social media launch of the new Cube enduro bike also attracted a lot of attention. The general consensus: “It’s absolutely mad what Cube has come up with here”.

And, of course, there was a great deal of excitement amongst our test team too. The new enduro bike has 170 millimetres of suspension travel at the front and rear. The main frame and rear triangle are made of carbon, complemented by the unique rear triangle design. ‘Unique’ in two respects: Firstly, the kinematics rely on a high pivot point combined with a chain guide, although the pivot point isn’t as high as on the Deviate and similar models. Nevertheless, on the Fritzz too, the raised pivot point should make the rear suspension more forgiving thanks to the rearward-facing wheel lift curve. The second distinctive feature of the Cube suspension is the semi-integrated shock mount. The aluminium rocker is in two parts, with the front section housed inside the voluminous carbon seat tube.

The Fritzz comes factory-fitted with a mullet setup, but thanks to its interchangeable dropouts, the rear end can be converted to a 29er setup. This idea was inspired by the race team, where the taller riders in particular had been asking for this option. The chainstay length increases by 12 millimetres in the 29er configuration. This will give the bike even more stability on rough terrain.

The Prize is Hot

Our test bike, the Fritzz Super TM, is equipped with high-quality Ultimate suspension from RockShox, Sram X0 electronic shifting, Maven Silver brakes and Conti tyres with a DH casing – in short, it has everything that demanding enduro riders need. However, you won’t find any lightweight construction here. The wheels, crankset and cockpit all feature robust aluminium components. As a result, the weight comes in at a hefty 17 kilos. This is a fate the Fritzz shares with many modern enduro bikes, particularly those with a high-pivot rear end. The price of 4,999 euros is exceptionally good value for this package. For the TM entry-level model for 2,999 euros that applies even more so.

On uphill sections, the strength of the rear suspension becomes immediately apparent: the rear wheel literally sticks to the ground and eagerly absorbs both small and large bumps. This allows you to tackle technical sections with great control. Nevertheless, long climbs are not the Fritzz’s forte. Although the riding position is comfortable and the rear suspension barely bounces, the increased weight and the massive tyres simply sap the bike’s responsiveness and forward momentum. The audible rattling of the chain guide doesn’t add to the fun of climbing either.

Hit the trail with a strong character

With its generous suspension travel and high pivot point, the Fritzz was always going to really come into its own on the descents. The riding position is good. The rider is positioned securely and confidently behind the head tube, which isn’t excessively high. When cruising along the trail, the Fritzz surprises with its active and very direct handling. There’s no trace of that sluggish, racing-bike feel. As soon as you head downhill, the riding fun really kicks in. Thanks to the compact chainstays, the Fritzz can be playfully lifted onto its rear wheel – something that isn’t the case with many high-pivot bikes due to the system-induced lengthening of the chainstays when the suspension compresses. It’s only on flat trails that the weight of the bike and wheels puts a damper on the fun. The strong traction is also a real plus on the descents. Whether holding your line through overhanging root sections or braking late on bumpy trails – it all feels very controlled and confident. The chunky DH tyres, which you can ride on with low air pressure, also help with this.

Downhill without end?

However, when things get really rough on rocky terrain and in areas with exposed root systems, the limitations of the Fritzz’s suspension become apparent. Admittedly, the rear end doesn’t lack the reserves to handle hard impacts. However, we didn’t find the Fritzz to be as smooth and forgiving as other high-pivot bikes in this travel class. The rear suspension feels distinctly precise. That typical high-pivot bike sensation of seemingly endless travel just wouldn’t materialise. Perhaps this is also because the pivot point on the Cube isn’t quite as high as on other bikes of this type. The Fritzz therefore needs an experienced and fit rider to fully exploit its potential. The geometry also plays a part in the surprisingly precise and agile handling. Compared to other race enduro bikes, the chassis is on the moderate side. Even our test bike in size XL isn’t overly long in terms of reach or wheelbase. This is something to bear in mind when choosing a size. A shame: our test bike wasn’t particularly quiet on the trail. And we had to retighten the bolts on the head tube and shock mount several times.

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths

• ​smooth handling
• a very fair price
• useful extras and options

Weaknesses

• ​heavy and sluggish off the mark
• Only moderate comfort and load capacity