The effortless acceleration of a lightweight mountain bike never fails to impress. Especially in the enduro segment, where downhill expertise and low weight seem to be irreconcilable opposites, this is often forgotten. Bikes weighing up to 17 kilos are no longer a rarity and the range of use of enduro bikes is often limited to bike parks or tours with shuttle or lift support.
If you look at the key data of the Last Tarvo against this background, it quickly becomes clear why our readers voted it one of their favourites. With a total weight of just 12.7 kilos without pedals, our test configuration is reminiscent of the days when you could easily pedal an enduro bike yourself. For comparison: the average weight of our last High-end enduro test was 14.95 kilos.
>> All dream bikes in our test can be found in this article: The readers' dream bikes: The 6 most popular bikes in the test <<
Last Tarvo: The lightest series enduro in the world
But how does Last manage to distance itself so clearly from the competition? Because even a closer look at the components doesn't reveal any lazy tricks. 170 millimetres of travel on the fork, 160 millimetres at the rear, 29-inch wheels, wide rims and heavy Maxxis tyres for plenty of puncture protection - everything on board that makes a true enduro bike. As the components in the upper price range are already optimised for maximum weight anyway, there is only one component left with potential for savings. That's right, the frame. According to our laboratory measurement, it weighs just 2217 grams in size 185 (comparable to frame size L). With this value, the Tarvo has even been able to pin the title of "lightest series enduro bike" on its lapel since its launch. This unique selling point is also reflected in the price. The cost of the frame without paintwork is 4395 euros. Complete bikes start at 6869 euros in the online configurator of the mail order company. However, it's not just the low weight that makes the difference, but also the "Made in Germany" seal of quality. As if that wasn't exclusive enough, the suspension on our test bike also comes from the Freiburg suspension boutique Intend.
Sporty uphill and downhill with the Tarvo
Now to the riding behaviour: When things get fast on the downhill, the long and very slack geometry of the Last Tarvo holds all the trump cards. A 63.7 degree steering angle, 474 millimetre reach and a generous wheelbase - the geometry generates plenty of smoothness. The Intend Edge fork impresses with its sensitive response behaviour. But the upside-down fork also digests big chunks or hard impacts without grumbling. To save weight and increase stiffness at the same time, the rear triangle works with flexing compression struts instead of defined bearing points. The rear offers a lot of progression on the trail. Add to this the low weight and the load can be manoeuvred very easily through the terrain. The Maxxis tyre combination with super grippy MaxxGrip rubber on the front wheel gives a lot of confidence. However, the response behaviour of the rear suspension in combination with the Intend shock didn't quite convince us. The rear end gives more feedback than desired, especially on fast hits. However, we know from past tests with the Tarvo that with the Fox X2 shock you can still feel what's going on on the ground, but the response behaviour is better.
The rear end pumps noticeably when pedalling uphill, which is why the lockout function is often used on long asphalt climbs. Otherwise, the bike's geometry and phenomenally light-footed acceleration make it a sporty enduro bike. The seat angle of 76 degrees is a modern average. Paired with the 474 reach, you sit comfortably stretched out on the bike. If you add easy-rolling tyres to the Tarvo, it not only combines downhill capabilities with a low overall weight, but also offers all-round characteristics at trail bike level.
Conclusion on the Last Tarvo by Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor:
The Last Tarvo has many specialities: Thanks to its low weight, its range of use is wider than that of any other enduro bike. The first-class workmanship and the "Made in Germany" quality seal on the frame are unique.
This is a burden
Dr Jochen Forstmann is a professor of mechanical engineering. He has been developing mountain bikes since the turn of the millennium. Co-owner Jörg Heydt joined the company in 2002. For years, steel hardtails and lightweight aluminium fullys have been the hallmark of the small forge from the Ruhr region. In 2020, the Dortmund-based company celebrated its carbon premiere with the Enduro Tarvo. There are now four carbon models in the Last range. Minimal weight and maximum quality are guaranteed by production at the Würzburg-based lightweight construction specialist All Ahead Composites.
Technical data and notes on the Last Tarvo
Manufacturer information
- Price: 12,922 euros
- Available from the sender
- Frame material: Carbon
- Frame size: 165/175/185/195 (Tested size 48 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 12.73 kg
- Frame weight: 2217 g
- Weight of wheels: 4970 g
- Acceleration of running wheels: 4222 kg x cm²
- Handlebar width: 780 mm
- Frame rigidity (absolute): 45 N/mm
Equipment
- Wheels: Newmen Advanced SL A.30
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai; Maxxgrip Exo+ 29 x 2.50; Minion DHR II; Maxterra DD 29 x 2.40
- Fork: Intend Edge
- Damper: Intend Hover Gamechanger
- Front/rear suspension travel: 170/158 mm
- Brakes: Trickstuff Piccola / 203/180 mm
- Gear system: Sram XX1 Eagle AXS 1x12
- Ratio/bandwidth: 30; 10-52 / 520 %
- Telescopic support / stroke / Ø: Vecnum Nivo 212 / 200 mm / 30.9 mm
Valuation
- Driving behaviour uphill: 18 from 20
- Chassis efficiency: 14 out of 20
- Rolling resistance: 6.5 out of 10
- Weight: 12 from 15
- Inertia impellers: 4 out of 10
- Bottle cage: 3.5 out of 5
- Driving behaviour downhill: 36 from 40
- Front suspension: 22.5 out of 25
- Rear suspension: 21.25 out of 25
- Saddle retractability: 10 out of 10
- Brakes: 14.25 out of 15
- Tyre grip: 14.25 out of 15
- Driving stability: 6 out of 10
TOTAL UPHILL: 58 OUT OF 80
TOTAL DOWNHILL: 124.3 FROM 140
- Other: 25.5 out of 30
- Ease of maintenance: medium
BIKE test rating*: super - 207.8 out of 250 points
*The 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
