It was something of a minor sensation: a new type of damper linkage, geometry data beyond the norm and light as a feather to boot. With the premiere of the Evolve in May 2022, the Basel-based label Arc8 became famous virtually overnight. For the first time, it seemed as if a manufacturer was harmonising uncompromising lightweight construction with high downhill potential on a race bike.
Arc8 Evolve FS: The lightest MTB in the test
Our lab data confirms it: the Arc8 Evolve is the lightest bike in the Comparison. With a total weight of just 9.8 kilos without pedals, the Arc8 even beats the Canyon Lux by 189 grams - which, mind you, comes without a dropper post and only has 100 millimetres of travel. The advantage over the Simplon Cirex 120 is even more dramatic: 1210 grams!
But how do the newcomers manage to distance themselves so clearly from the competition? Even a closer look at the components doesn't reveal any lazy tricks. A 34 mm Fox Factory fork with 120 millimetres of travel, 30 millimetre wide rims, voluminous 2.4 mm Wolfpack tyres and a dropper post - everything on board that gives modern race bikes more downhill potential, but often leads to excess weight.
The secret to Arc8 breaking the 10-kilo mark despite these measures lies in the frame. According to our laboratory scales, it weighs just 1536 grams, making it the best value in this comparison. The minimalist damper linkage with the two guide cylinders makes it possible. This is because the forces from the rear are transferred to the shock by the so-called slider instead of a rocker link. The Evolve also dispenses with the additional weight of rear suspension mounts and instead relies on flexing seat stays.
However, Arc8 only offers a two-year warranty on the delicate frame construction. This leaves a bland aftertaste - especially for bikers who want to subject the Evolve to tough racing. With the 3347 gram Newmen wheels, the Basel-based company set another benchmark in the test. With them, the Arc8 also sets the tone in terms of acceleration.
Born to win
From the very first turn of the cranks, the 9.8-kilo bike makes it clear that it was made for the racetrack. The suspension can be locked via remote, but even in open mode it converts every watt of leg power into propulsion without bobbing. Our testers did not miss a platform. The response behaviour of the rear suspension also earned high praise. The slider technology meticulously smoothes out particularly fine bumps - even under chain tension. This generates traction en masse uphill and in corners.
Not very aerodynamic: the steep seat angle
The riding position feels compact and comfortable for a race bike. At 496 millimetres, the reach is extremely long, but the steep seat angle and minimalist stem place the rider more upright on the bike. According to aerodynamics, this is not ideal for aerodynamics. However, this only plays a minor role on technical cross-country courses. "Some of the courses are so demanding that freedom of movement for equalising movements and safety downhill are more important to me than being streamlined in the wind," comments junior world champion Paul. But the geometry also shows its strengths on the climbs. Without having to actively fight against the rising front wheel, the Evolve climbs even the steepest ramps with ease.
The only drawback: Compared to the fork, the travel at the rear is only 113 millimetres. This means that the candidate from Switzerland is not quite as plush on rough terrain as the Simplon with 122 millimetres of travel. Beyond that, however, the Arc8 is beyond reproach as soon as you follow the fall line.
Safe driving experience despite exceptional geo
Extremely slack head angle, long wheelbase, long reach - no other bike allowed us to recover better on the descents and hold our line more confidently. Even though the rear end gives a lot of feedback, the geometry of the Evolve conveys the most confidence. And thanks to the short chainstays, the candidate is still easy to turn around tight corners. The Evolve not only gets the lactate flowing, but also releases plenty of endorphins off the track. This characteristic is an absolute rarity among ascetic race bikes - almost a small sensation.
Top 10: The lightest MTBs 2023 & 2024 - frame weights in comparison
Cross-country bikes are the supreme discipline for MTB engineers. A huge amount of development work is required to continually raise the supposedly optimised models to a new level.
In order to achieve maximum range of use and minimum weight with full race track suitability, special carbon fibre, innovative frame construction and cleverly composed equipment are used to combat every superfluous gram.
The basis for a super light mountain bike is a super light frame. Filigree damper linkages and the elimination of everything that is not really necessary will enable frame weights of well under 2000 grams in 2024. Including the shock, mind you. And with very good stiffness.
These are currently probably the lightest and most expensive mountain bikes we have tested - the top stars will be competing with them in the 2024 Olympic year. The bare figures.
Overview: The 10 lightest MTB frames 2023/2024 - weighed & tested by BIKE
- Arc8 Evolve FS (size L): 1536 g
- Trek Supercaliber (size L): 1672 g
- Canyon Lux CFR (size L): 1675 g
- Specialised S-Works Epic 8 FACT 12M (size L): 1682 g
- Cannondale Scalpel Series 0 (size M): 1775 g (on test: Series 1, size L, 2052 g )
- Scott Spark RC World Cup (size L): 1780 g (in the test: Scott Spark RC Pro for 6799 euros)
- Pivot Mach 4 SL (size M): 1845 g
- Specialised Epic EVO 8 FACT 11M (size L): 1872 g
- Simplon Cirex 120 (size L): 1880 g
- MMR Kenta SXC (size L): 2125 g
Close behind:
Without integration, as without BIKE test & without BIKE measurement
Conclusion on the Arc8 Evolve FS test
Never before has a race fully been so light, powerful and at the same time so confident downhill. This makes it possible to achieve top times on the climbs and save energy on the descents. But that's not all: thanks to the comfortable riding position and progressive geometry, the bike can also score points off the race track. On gruelling trail tours, for example. In short: lightest bike, fastest bike, test winner! - Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor
Technical data and notes Arc8 Evolve FS
Manufacturer information
- Price¹: 8999 Euro
- Available from the shipper and specialist retailers
- Frame material: Carbon
- Frame size: M,L (tested size 48 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 9.8 kg
- Frame weight: 1536 g
- Weight of wheels: 3347 g
- Acceleration of running wheels: 2495 kg x cm²
- Handlebar width: 760 mm
- Frame rigidity (absolute): 35 N/mm
Equipment
- Wheels: Newmen Advanced SL X.A.30
- Tyres: Wolfpack Speed; ToGuard Compound TLR 29 x 2.40
- Fork: Fox 34 Float Factory SC Remote
- Shock: Fox Float DPS Factory
- Front/rear suspension travel: 121/113 mm
- Brakes: Shimano XTR BR-M 9100 / 160/160
- Gear system: Shimano XTR 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 34; 10-51 / 510 %
- Telescopic post / stroke / Ø: Bike Yoke Divine SL / 125 mm / 30.9 mm
Valuation
- Driving behaviour uphill: 28.5 from 30
- Chassis efficiency: 23.75 out of 25
- Rolling resistance: 12.75 out of 15
- Weight: 25 from 25
- Inertia impellers: 12 of 15
- Bottle cage: 9.5 out of 10
- Driving behaviour downhill: 28.5 from 30
- Front suspension: 10 out of 10
- Rear suspension: 13.5 out of 15
- Saddle retractability: 10 out of 10
- Brakes: 8 out of 10
- Tyre grip: 12.75 out of 15
- Driving stability: 3 out of 10
TOTAL UPHILL: 111.5 OUT OF 120
TOTAL DOWNHILL: 85.75 OUT OF 100
- Other: 20.75 out of 30
- Ease of maintenance: medium
BIKE test rating²: super - 218 out of 250 points
¹Price may be subject to additional costs for packaging, dispatch and coordination.
²The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-170 P.), good (169.75-140 P.), satisfactory (139.75-100 P.), with weaknesses, unsatisfactory.
Max Fuchs
Editor
