The Last Coal is therefore rather "sensible". There are DT-1900 wheels, Rockshox suspension in the medium Select+ grade and a Shimano SLX drivetrain. Not much bling-bling, but functional throughout. Only the new and fairly inexpensive Sram DB8 brakes were less than impressive due to their weak deceleration.
Looking at the geometry, the Last Coal is also on the smooth side in the MX version with a 27.5-inch rear wheel. By swapping the intermediate piece between the rocker link and rear triangle, a 29-inch rear wheel also fits. The wheelbase is generous, the head angle is the slackest in this test field at 63.7 degrees and the reach is the longest in comparison. Despite the aluminium frame, the Coal is one of the lighter bikes, which has a positive effect on handling despite its length. As the seat angle is also steep, as is typical for a cargo bike, the riding position is a compromise between sport and comfort.
It takes some getting used to: Due to the extremely slack steering angle in combination with the short stem, the steering tends to tip when climbing slowly uphill. When pedalling out of the saddle, the rear end pumps noticeably and requires you to reach for the effective shock platform. Downhill, the Last benefits from its full-throttle geometry and the grippy front tyre. The bike conveys confidence, even when the going gets rough. Whilst the Rockshox ZEB has very good travel, we would have liked a little more support from the rear end, which comes without a shock with adjustable compression damping due to the price.
Conclusion from Peter Nilges, BIKE test manager:
The Last Coal MX delivers a solid performance and provides confidence on the descents, even if the rear suspension could offer a little more counter-pressure. On the climbs, the
the fairly light Last in the midfield.
Technical data for the Last Coal MX
General information
- Price: 4029 Euro (price may be subject to additional costs for packaging, shipping and tuning)
- Frame material: aluminium
- Frame size: 155 / 165 / 175 / 185 / 195 (tested size 46 cm)
- to the website of Last
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 15.09 kg
- Suspension travel (front / rear): 170 / 154 mm
Equipment
- Fork: Rockshox ZEB Select+ Debonair
- Shock: Rockshox Super Deluxe Select+
- Crank: Shimano SLX
- Gear system: Shimano SLX 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 30; 10-51 / 510 %
- Brake system / disc (front / rear): Sram DB8 / 200 mm / 180 mm
- Telescopic post / stroke / Ø: Bike Yoke Divine / 180 mm / 31.6 mm
- Wheels: DT Swiss E 1900 Spline 30 mm
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip / Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra Exo+ Protection TR 29 / 27.5 x 2.5/ 2.4
