"We have realised our vision of building the lightest and best enduro bike with the Tarvo." The presentation of the new 160-millimetre enduro bike from Last begins with this statement. The development focus of the German mail order company has always been on riding fun and maximum trail performance. All previous models have traditionally relied on aluminium or steel as the frame material. So we were amazed when it leaked out that the Tarvo - an enduro bike with a licence to shred - rolls into the showroom with the lightest carbon frame in this segment. The 2.08-kilogram frame (without thru-axle and seat clamp in frame size 185/XL) is laminated by carbon lightweight construction experts All Ahead from Würzburg.
Flex pivot point in the seat stays
In favour of weight and durability, the main frame and rear triangle are each produced in a single mould. This means that the laminate structure runs continuously without any weak points or joints where material is doubled up. The frame is available without the shock for 3799 euros. But the frame is not only designed to be extremely light. Functionality was just as high a priority in its development. For example, the developers used fully spherical stainless steel bearings with titanium threaded inserts at highly stressed bearing points in order to meet the demands of enduro use. The progressive kinematics are based on a suspension system with a bellcrank and a flex pivot point in the seat stays. Last utilises the direction-dependent stiffness of carbon to create an elastic, lightweight yet play-free and maintenance-free joint.
Adapted to the size of the rider
Convinced by the workmanship and function of the new frame, Last not only grants the Tarvo certified approval for the bike park, but also a five-year guarantee. For high pedalling efficiency, the engineers adjust the position of the main pivot points individually for each frame size, depending on the rider's centre of gravity height. The chainstay length, seat angle and bottom bracket height also change with the frame size. The length of the chainstays is between 430 and 444 millimetres. To make it easier for customers to choose the right size, Last has named the respective frame sizes according to the typical rider sizes of 165, 175, 185 and 195. The 64 degree steering angle promises a lot of directional stability on fast descents.
Last Tarvo as MX version
How the Trailbike Glen MX, the new Tarvo can also be ridden with a mix of wheel sizes. The 29-inch front wheel benefits the rollover behaviour, while the smaller 27.5-inch wheel at the rear improves playfulness. Aesthetes will be delighted by the attention to detail: the internally routed cables, a storage compartment in the down tube for a tube, pump and tools as well as an ISCG mount look very well thought out.
Last Tarvo: Prices and availability
Customers configure the complete bikes themselves. It starts at 5799 euros for the cheapest version. The top version costs 9800 euros. According to the manufacturer, the complete weights range from a very light 12.4 to a still acceptable 13.5 kilograms, depending on the configuration. The first bikes should be available at the end of May. We will be testing whether the Tarvo delivers what it promises in detail in an upcoming issue of BIKE. One thing is certain, however: with its new carbon frame, the Last is one of the lightest production enduro bikes ever and already makes a very well thought-out impression.
