Kickoff to the endurance test of the Last Asco: How durable is a 12.4 kg trail bike?

As a trail bike, the Last Asco has several unique selling points. The frame is manufactured by hand at Bike Ahead Composites in Bavaria, making it one of the very few carbon frames produced in Europe. For a frame without shock in size 190 (corresponds to frame size L), the precision scales of the BIKE test laboratory stopped at 1942 grams. Only very few trail bike frames with 130 millimetres of rear travel make it under the magic two-kilo mark. This lays the foundation for a low overall weight. As it comes out of the box, the bike weighs 12.43 kilos and significantly undercuts most of the current alternatives. Anyone expecting an astronomical price tag with so many superlatives can at least be reassured. At 6499 euros, the Last Asco is by no means cheap. However, considering the local production, weight and features, it has nothing to hide in the price-performance ranking. In order to keep the quality of their product at a high level, Last only produces 100 Asco frames per year.

But that's not all. Last customers have the choice of ordering the Asco frame in the Heaviduty or, like us, in the Featherlight version. The latter comes with a higher proportion of particularly light fibres in the carbon layup and dispenses with the frame storage compartment of the Heaviduty version. This in turn is approved for a higher weight limit and could also accommodate a 150 mm fork. Which brings us to another feature: The Last Asco is not only lightweight, but also convertible. By replacing the suspension elements, the bike can be transformed into the Celos model as desired with less or Cinto with more crumple zone. The rear triangle does without an additional bearing. Instead, the carbon material flexes itself in a so-called flex pivot. In addition to less weight, this approach also promises less maintenance and therefore hopefully worry-free durability. The endurance test will show whether this is really true. With its handling characteristics, the Last Asco has already scored plenty of points in one of our comparison tests. Even this advance praise needs to be tested in the long term.

Last Asco in detail

• Area of application: Trail
• Suspension travel: 140 / 130 mm
• Wheel size: 29"
• Frame material: Carbon (Featherlight layup)
• Maximum permissible system weight: 110 kg
• Frame weight: 1942 g (BIKE measurement, without shock, size 190)
• Bike weight: 12.43 kg (BIKE measurement, without pedals, size 190)
• Price: 6499 Euro
• Special features: Frame made in Germany, limited to 100 units per year, tool mount, flex pivot

>> We have compiled even more information about the Last Asco here.

Visually, I really like the naked carbon look of the Last Asco. The way the top tube and seat stays merge into each other in a straight line is simply sexy. Technically, the light weight in combination with the progressive geometry is particularly appealing to me. On paper, you should be able to scrub a lot of trail kilometres with it. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

>> Here we answer the question of why most trail bikes today are significantly heavier than they used to be.

Equipment

• Fork: Rockshox Pike Select +
• Shock: Rockshox Deluxe Ultimate
• Gear system: Sram GX Eagle 1 x 12 / 32; 10-52
• Brakes: Formula Cura 4, 203 / 203 mm
• Seatpost / Stroke: Bikeyoke Divine, 185 mm
• Saddle: Ergon SM Enduro Comp Men
• Wheels: Newmen Beskar 30 Base Fade
• Tyres: Maxxis DHF / Forekaster 3C MaxxTerra Exo TR, 29 x 2.50 WT / 29 x 2.40
• Stem: Newmen Evolution SL, 50 mm
• Handlebars: Newmen Advanced, 25 x 800 mm
• Grips: Ergon GE1 Slim
• Headset: Cane Creek Forty

With high-quality Rockshox suspension and stylish parts from Newmen and Ergon, the Last Asco is absolutely functionally equipped. The classic GX drivetrain still comes without a transmission standard and thus saves a lot of money. A few grams have also been saved in terms of weight. The same applies to the tyres. I'm particularly excited about the long-term performance of the Formula brakes. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

>> The pioneer of lightweight fullys from Last was the Enduro Tarvo. Click here for the test.

Geometry

The geometry of the Last Asco is characterised by a long reach value in relation to the seat tube length. Compact chainstays and a slack but not extreme steering angle round off the package. When naming the frame size, Last is guided by body size. The 190 version should therefore fit our 190 centimetre tall test editor perfectly.

>> In aluminium, the trail bike from Last goes by the name of Clay. We tested it here.

This is how the endurance test works

The endurance test of the Last Asco started at the beginning of April 2025 and is scheduled to run for just under a year. The aim is to experience a full mountain bike season, including the winter months, on the lightweight trail bike. Due to our tester's place of residence, the Last will spend most of its time in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps and will certainly get to see the odd alpine hiking trail. The low weight invites you to go on extensive tours with lots of metres of elevation gain and loss. Planned highlights include trips lasting several days on the trails of the Bavarian Forest, the Odenwald and the Palatinate. The Asco will also be venturing onto bike park trails at the BIKE Festival in Leogang at the latest. As a permanent guest in the BIKE fleet, the frame will be a temporary home for all kinds of test parts. At the end of the endurance test, the mechanics at the BIKE test lab will check the parts, frame and bearings for wear and tear. Regular updates on the status of the test can be found in the BIKE magazine and at www.bike-magazin.de.

>> Another lightweight bike, the Arc8 Evolve, recently completed its endurance test.

Permanent tester profile Jan Timmermann

• Age: 32 years
• Size: 1.90 m
• Weight: 82 kg
• Place of residence: Upper Bavaria
• Profession: BIKE editor (Test & Technology team / Head of Fitness Resort)
• Favourite riding style: technical and playful, long tours with a high proportion of trails

The weight of the Last Asco even rivals one or two marathon bikes in its price league. So the 12.4 kilos of the Last shouldn't stop me from indulging in excessive climbing orgies. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

First driving impression of the Last Asco

Last didn't promise too much and the frame size 190 fits me perfectly straight away. The short seat tube can be combined with a long dropper post. To save weight, however, I opted for a bike yoke post with a stroke of just 185 millimetres. The parts from Ergon and Newmen immediately make a high-quality impression. At 800 millimetres, the carbon handlebars are quite wide for a trail bike - I will probably use the saw here in the course of the test. The bobbing of the rear suspension can be switched off with a flick of the platform lever. Otherwise, there's absolutely nothing to complain about in terms of uphill handling and riding position. The long main frame harmonises with my long body and the seat angle is modern, but at the same time not exceptionally steep. This makes the first few kilometres and metres of climbing easy.

>> We tested another super-light trail bike with the Stoll T3.

Speaking of light: tyres and wheels accelerate extremely quickly. This makes handling a pleasure even on flat trails. Whether I will regret the decision to reduce the puncture protection in the course of the long-term relationship remains to be seen. I will also keep a close eye on the Sram GX Eagle drivetrain. After many test bikes with wireless shifting, the crisp feel of mechanical shifting is truly marvellous. The classic shifts gears quickly, smoothly and with definition. However, the gears do not shift through their sprockets quite as precisely as the new transmission drives. Nice: BSA bottom bracket thread and conventional internal cable routing through frame entries promise stress-free bolting.

>> Nobody knows more about long distances on board a trail bike than Ben Hildred. Here we have taken a detailed look at the record-breaking athlete's bike.

The Last Asco also makes a good first impression on the descents with its light-footed agility and lively character. The long reach gives you confidence when speed is required. The chainstay length and head angle match my expectations of an uncomplicated trail bike very well. The suspension does a great job and willingly absorbs big and small bumps. The rear suspension is a little more progressive than the sensitive Rockshox Pike and needs a lot of bump to fully utilise the travel. Perhaps I'll have to look into the subject of volume spacers. The delicate levers of the Formula Cura 4 feel good in the hand. Initially, one of the front pistons moved back a little too slowly. The problem has now been rectified and the Italian bike spoils you with strong deceleration performance.

>> It's cheaper with these trail bikes. 4 hot candidates in the comparison test.

I expect a good trail bike to offer fun handling and all-day touring capabilities. So far, the Last Asco seems to fulfil both requirements with flying colours. Playful manoeuvres and many kilometres are obviously exactly its profession. The equipment is good and works "out of the box". Only time will tell whether the bike will be a long-term match for me. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor

>> More Dauertest report by BIKE editor Jan Timmermann can be found here.