You will find these topics in the test of the 3 race fullys:
We tested these race bikes:
Click to go to the individual rating
The test report
If you have a choice, you're spoilt for choice. Even if this phrase is as well-worn as a worn-out pair of flip-flops. In the context of this group test, it is certainly justified: Anyone who is currently looking to buy a new race bike knows why. The range on offer is no longer just limited to worn-out 100-millimetre bikes. More and more manufacturers are saying goodbye to pure gram-foxing, skinny tyres and overstretched seating positions. Increasingly demanding race tracks are the reason for this.
Why we test racefullys
In response to waist-high drops, blocked rock gardens and daring steep sections, race bikes with significantly longer and flatter geometries, more suspension travel and more downhill-orientated components are increasingly conquering the race tracks of the Cross Country World Cup. And rightly so? Or are modern racers sacrificing too many of their racing genes in favour of increased downhill potential? To find out, we ordered three fundamentally different racefullys and met up with guest tester and junior cross-country world champion Paul Schehl on his training track in Freiburg.
The three test candidates
The Koblenz-based shipper Canyon represents with the Lux the traditional faction in the racefully segment. Until not so long ago, the 100 millimetres of travel at the rear and front were considered the ultimate for the race track - as were the steep steering angle, stretched seating position and fixed seat post. The stark contrast to this is embodied by the Arc8 Evolve FS. With their radical geometry concept, the Swiss are going on the offensive against the entire race bike prominence. A 65.2 degree head angle, 496 millimetre reach in size L and a wheelbase of 1236 millimetres - such smooth-running dimensions are otherwise only found in the trail bike or even enduro segment.
But the Swiss label is taking the arms race against ever tougher cross-country courses to the extreme. With the combination of radical geometry, a 120 mm fork with thick 34 mm stanchions and a retractable seatpost, the Evolve is set to reach top form downhill. Some of you are probably thinking: "That much downhill potential sounds like a few extra pounds." But puff cake. With its lightweight wheels and feather-light frame, the Arc8 even makes it to the top of the weight rankings.
Between these two extremes lies the Simplon Cirex 120 XT. Like most down-country bikes, the challenger from Vorarlberg uses the classic 100-millimetre Cirex for the petite chassis. However, to equip the bike for the technical demands of the race track, a fork with 120 millimetres of travel is also fitted in the head tube. The rear suspension travel is increased by a little more shock travel. Also a must for every down-country bike: the Vario seatpost. In contrast to the Arc8, the geometry is just as conservative as that of the Canyon Lux due to its classic pedigree. Only the longer suspension travel raises the front end and flattens out the steering angle.
Arc8 - the lightest race bike in the test
During the test rides on Schehl's training circuit, the Arc8 rode straight into the hearts of our testers. Thanks to its unrivalled overall weight, the Swiss bike avoids the conflict between lively propulsion and outstanding downhill qualities. However, the Evolve is the exception. Due to heavy wheels and less ascetic frames, most progressive race bikes end up well above the 10-kilo mark - the Simplon, which weighs around 1210 grams, confirms this. Nevertheless, we are of the opinion that an extremely low weight calms the psyche rather than making you faster. All in all, a slightly heavier bike with better downhill characteristics and more comfort is often the faster choice for racing - as professional racer Paul Schehl confirms.
Racefully? Down-country bike? Or something in between?
What does this mean for all the classic race bikes on the market? Does the Canyon with its steep head angle and short suspension travel no longer have any justification? Does the weight advantage achieved without a dropper post and bulky suspension elements no longer play a role? Of course not. The majority of bikers who are interested in a race bike may never be confronted with the technical challenges of a cross-country world cup. The area of use is often limited to gravel tracks and easy trails. Here you neither benefit from a dropper post nor can you fully utilise the potential of radical geometries. So bikers are still spoilt for choice. Whether you opt for a classic fully, a beefed-up down-country bike or even invest in the radical concept from Arc8 ultimately depends on your personal area of use.
Conclusion on the race bike test
The extreme geometry alone gives the Arc8 significantly more riding confidence than the down-country bike from Simplon. Coupled with its low weight, the Evolve holds all the trump cards both uphill and downhill. But the Cirex also cuts a fine figure in cross-country use despite its extra weight. In this respect, the Lux has to admit defeat with its lower downhill competence. However, the classic race genes and the low weight pay off on the long haul. - Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor
What the testers say
The technical demands in the World Cup are absolutely blatant! More suspension travel, wide tyres and Vario supports increase the weight, but make it easier to recover on the descent and are more forgiving of mistakes. I'm happy to accept a few extra grams for this advantage. - Paul Schehl, guest tester
Paul Schehl, 18, Junior World Cross Country Champion: Paul gained his first racing experience at the tender age of five. His greatest success: winning the Junior World Championships in Les Gets. Before signing with the Lexware Mountainbike Team in 2021, Schehl also competed in the colours of our BIKE Junior Team.
The Arc8 is an exceptional talent. You won't find a bike with so much performance and so little weight anywhere else. Other models with comparable downhill qualities are significantly heavier than classic race fullys. This works on technical CC trails. In the marathon, however, weight still plays the decisive role. - Thomas Weschta, BIKE tester
The bikes weigh roughly between ten and eleven kilos. However, this difference in weight is only noticeable in direct comparison. Much more noticeable, however, is how much more fun the modern race bikes are. The telescopic seatposts on the Simplon and Arc8 alone push the limits of rideability in extreme terrain. - Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor
Arc8 Evolve, Canyon Lux & Simplon Cirex: lab data
Max Fuchs
Editor
