The Fritzz name is now reserved solely for Cube’s 180mm travel enduro smasher, which has been updated with 650b wheels and new geometry for 2015. This year’s 160mmFritzz has been rebadged as the Stereo 160 HPA27.5 to reduce confusion.
The Fritzz 180 is described by Cube as ‘the ultimate super-enduro bike’, and all the figures point clearly in that direction. The low-slung aluminium frame has a whopping 180mm (7.1in) of travel and a longer effective top tube length than the old model (590mm on the 18in frame). This is a bike that’s designed to eat up the bumps and then be pedalled back up the hill.
All the Fritzz 180 models use a special Fox 36 Float fork with 180mm of travel. Though the project started as an exclusive for Cube, the 180mm 36 for 650b wheels is now being specced on a couple of other brands’ longer-travel bikes too.
The short seat tube (400mm on the 18in frame) gives plenty of standover, while the 65.5-degree head angle combines with the longer top tube to increase the wheelbase, creating a super-stable ride. The Fritzz 180 is angled headset compatible too, so a 64-degree head angle is easily achievable.
The Fox Float X shock has a special tune for the Fritzz 180, and is remarkably active feeling considering how well the bike pedals.
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