I've always been a believer in getting the most bang for your buck, which is why I usually hunt for previous-year closeouts on my road bikes. Looking at the announced 2027 MTB range from Cube, I'm seeing a pretty wide spread in value and intent. They've got the Stereo trail platform, the Fritzz enduro, the TWO15 downhill, and the Stereo Hybrid ONE44 eMTB.
On one end, you have the Stereo HPC Race, which is a 150mm-front and 145mm-rear trail platform priced at £2,199. On the other, the Fritzz C:62 Super TM comes in at £4,999 with 170mm travel, a carbon frame, and mullet wheels. The Fritzz also features a flip chip that allows for either air or coil shocks and weighs 17.2kg.
As someone who prefers a pragmatic approach to gear, I'm trying to figure out if the jump in price is justifiable for the average rider. The Fritzz is more than double the price of the Stereo HPC Race. For those of us who aren't racing downhill or hitting extreme enduro lines every weekend, does that high-pivot design and extra travel actually provide a noticeable benefit for a 'do-it-all' bike?
I also noticed the TWO15 is an aluminium high-pivot bike with 200mm rear travel and a Fox 40 fork for £3,999. While that's a beast of a machine, it seems very specialized compared to the trail options.
Do you think the extra cost of the Fritzz is worth it for someone who primarily rides mixed terrain? Or is the Stereo the smarter value play for most of us? Also, for those who have messed around with high-pivot setups before, does it actually change the ride feel enough to justify the premium over a standard trail bike?