When the Grin One and the Last Coal MX are standing right next to each other, there is a brief moment of confusion. No, it's not an optical illusion, but actually two frighteningly similar bikes. The enduro bikes from Grin and Last look like siblings from different parents: with similar aluminium silhouettes, identical suspension travel, many congruent dimensions in the geometry table, the same tyres and even almost identical frame prices, the two German manufacturers send their bikes into the test duel. Is a comparison just a waste of time? Just buy what you like better?
The opponents
Grin One
- Price of complete bike: approx. 6000 euros (custom build)
- Frame price: 2450 Euro
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Weight: 15.39 kg
- Front/rear suspension travel: 170 / 165 mm
- Wheel size: 29 / 27.5" (Mullet)
- Special features: Startup, flip chip, tool mount, various suspension travel and wheel options
Last Coal MX
- Price complete bike:
- Frame price: from 2499 euros
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Weight: 15.44 kg
- Front/rear suspension travel: 170 / 165 mm
- Wheel size: 29 / 27.5" (Mullet)
- Special features: Online configurator, tool mount, various suspension travel and wheel options
Confusingly similar, isn't it?
While the Last Coal has already made a name for itself among fans of light metal frames, the Grin One is an absolute newcomer. The man behind the start-up is Philipp Brunn. Although he started his own bike company on a blank sheet of paper, Brunn has over 20 years of design experience in the automotive industry. What began as private fun during the coronavirus lockdown went into series production in spring 2025. Brunn ordered 150 frames from Genio Bikes in Taiwan, a renowned manufacturer that also produces Raaw's frames, for example. There are currently no plans for complete bikes, but partner shops provide support with assembly. At Last, too, they have not been welding in their own country for some time now, but source their aluminium frames from Taiwan. However, the small team reserves the right to complete the work in Germany. Bearing seats and threads are reworked on the company's own five-axis CNC machine in Dortmund.
Including the carbon models, around 500 frames leave the Last factory every year. In the online configurator, these can be assembled into complete bikes according to personal preferences. Even in the small print, it seems as if Last and Grin have copied each other. They both offer the option of building the frame with three different suspension travels. With Grin, the shock length determines whether the rear triangle generates 165, 160 or 150 millimetres of travel. The size L and XL frames can accommodate either a 27.5 or a 29er rear wheel without any restrictions. The geo can be adjusted via a flip chip in the shock eyelet. Under load, the conversion between 165, 150 or 126 millimetres, full twentynine or mullet works by replacing the rocker arm.
For individualists, aluminium bikes from German brands are usually a hot tip. The fact that the enduro bikes from Grin and Last are virtually in uniform is astonishing. The underdog and the old acquaintance are in a match of equals. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Close relatives
"Uff, not so easy to spot the differences!" groans one of our test colleagues. In order to recognise the nuances between the fraternal twins, we need a few descents in the Oberammergau bike park. The biggest differences are in the suspension. While the Grin rear suspension comes across as very defined but not quite as sensitive, the Last counterpart whizzes through the rocky terrain with an extremely high level of sensitivity - provided you find the right setup with the unconventional combination of Rockshox fork and Fox shock. The latter requires a lot of air pressure, but always remains forgiving. Only heavier enduro bikes are more plush in the fall line. At the front of both bikes, the mighty ZEB with 170 millimetres of crumple zone in a 63-degree flat position manages to clear everything in its path.
The second striking feature: the length ratio of the main frame and chainstay length is more balanced on the One. Tall riders in particular are better positioned on the bike. The balanced handling creates a great feeling of safety and encourages riders to go for it and step on the gas. Even if it wasn't Philipp Brunn's original intention, we would sign up for the next enduro race on this bike without hesitation. The Coal can also go fast. In addition to the comfortable rear triangle, the longer front triangle gives the bike its confidence. At the same time, the chainstays are an impressive 14 millimetres shorter. The load is light-footed on the rear wheel, dances through S-curves and is still easy to push even at low speeds. Both characters make the fun-o-meter twitch upwards.
Uphill showdown
With so much overlap, will the Uphill tip the scales? There is only a 50 gram difference in weight between the two rivals, although both manufacturers emphasise that it is also possible to build bikes that are a kilo lighter. With an identical seat angle, the Grin sits even more compactly due to the shorter top tube and is already too compressed for shallow low mountain slopes. On the other hand, the rear suspension remains pleasantly bob-free even when pedalling. The load provides more traction at the rear and accelerates the lighter wheels much more agilely despite the standard tyres. In this set-up, the Coal has the edge in the touring classification.
BIKE rating
The BIKE grade is made up of practical impressions from test riders and laboratory measurements. The grade is independent of price. Grading range: 0.5-5.5, analogue to the school grading system. The evaluation took place in the Enduro category.
| Weighting in % | Load | Grin | |
| Uphill riding behaviour | 8 | 1,75 | 3,00 |
| Uphill efficiency chassis | 10 | 3,00 | 1,50 |
| Play instinct | 7 | 1,50 | 2,50 |
| Downhill riding behaviour | 20 | 2,50 | 2,00 |
| Downhill chassis | 20 | 1,50 | 2,50 |
| Driving behaviour grade | 65 | 2,07 | 2,25 |
| Weight without pedals | 6 | 3,50 | 3,50 |
| Impeller inertia | 4 | 3,50 | 3,50 |
| Note Laboratory | 10 | 3,50 | 3,50 |
| Equipment quality | 5 | 1,65 | 1,88 |
| Usability / added value | 5 | 3,00 | 3,00 |
| Transport volume bottle cage | 5 | 3,00 | 3,00 |
| Saddle retractability | 5 | 0,50 | 0,50 |
| Quality / Processing | 5 | 1,00 | 1,00 |
| Note Equipment | 25 | 1,83 | 1,88 |
| Warranty (number of years) | 6 | 5 | |
| Service friendliness | good | good | |
| Frame stiffness front / rear in N/mm | 6,3 / 18,7 | 5,7 / 26,9 | |
| BIKE overall grade | 2,15 | 2,28 |
BIKE conclusion
It's impressive what Grin has achieved with its premiere bike. Rarely have we been so impressed by the first work of a one-man show. However, it still comes up just short against the mature Coal. Thanks to its sensitive rear suspension and touring expertise, the victory goes to Last. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
>> We have already put the Last Coal to the FREERIDE test. You can read the results in this article.
Jan Timmermann
Editor
