ESSENTIAL2 MY24 petrol MX web

ESSENTIAL

Buy a frame Find a dealer → Features → Build specs & prices → Geometry → Technical details → Frequently Asked Questions
Wheel Size
29"
Rear Travel
130 mm
Front Travel
150 mm
Frame Weight
1800 g
Sizes
M / L
Climbing
 
Rolling Trails
 
Technical Trails
 
Fast Downhills
 
Jumps
 

The Essential is the bike that started ARC8. A bike designed for best fun out on the trails, but as it turned out also light and efficient enough for success in XC racing. Now in its second generation, it has grown more character, expanding its versatility even further. Still at XC weight, it now sports a 64° head angle for a lot of control on steep, technical descents, while the low BB and short chainstays bring the party to the woods.
Staying true to its original spirit, it turns trails into your playground, no matter where you are. Big days in the mountains or just having fun in your local woods, the Essential is your best companion.

221031 TWD Sur ARC8 Herbstshooting 0088 edited 1920p RZ99124
Mirror Media ND7 0901 RZ99383

Features

Build specs & prices

Picture placeholder XT Di2 - Fox Factory
€7,199
Colors
Frame ARC8 Essential, full carbon  
Fork Fox 36 Float SL Factory; 140mm  
Shock Fox Float X Factory; 130mm  
Seat Post BikeYoke Revive; 160mm / 185mm  
Headset Acros AIF-531  
Axle M12xP1.0; 148mm  
Stem Faserwerk Baslerstab 35mm / 50mm  
Handlebar Faserwerk Baslerstab 800mm  
Grips Ergon GA20  
Saddle Ergon SMC10  
Front Brake Shimano XT M8220; 4-Piston  
Rear Brake Shimano XT M8220; 2-Piston  
Front Rotor Shimano CL800; 203mm  
Rear Rotor Shimano CL800; 180mm  
Crank Shimano XT M8200; 32t; 165mm  
Bottom Bracket Shimano MT801 BSA  
Cassette Shimano XT CS-M8100; 10-50T  
Chain Shimano XT M8100  
Shift Lever Shimano XT Di2 M8250  
Rear Derailleur Shimano XT Di2 M8250  
Front Wheel DT SWISS XMC 1501 Spline  
Rear Wheel DT SWISS XMC 1501 Spline  
Front Tire Maxxis Dissector 29x2.4; MaxxTerra, Exo  
Rear Tire Maxxis Dissector 29x2.4; MaxxTerra, Exo+  
Tube tubeless  
 
ESSENTIAL2 MY26 graphit grey MX GX AXS
€6,499
Colors
Frame ARC8 Essential, full carbon  
Fork Fox 36 Float SL Factory; 140mm  
Shock Fox Float X Factory; 130mm  
Seat Post BikeYoke Revive; 160mm / 185mm  
Headset Acros AIF-531  
Axle M12xP1.0; 148mm  
Stem Faserwerk Baslerstab 35mm / 50mm  
Handlebar Faserwerk Baslerstab, 800 mm, carbon  
Grips Ergon GA20  
Saddle Ergon SMC10  
Front Brake Shimano XT 8120 4-Piston  
Rear Brake Shimano XT 8110 2-Piston  
Front Rotor Shimano XT RTMT800; 203mm  
Rear Rotor Shimano XT RTMT800; 180mm  
Crank RAM GX Eagle Transmission; 32t; 165mm  
Bottom Bracket SRAM DUB BSA 73 MTB Wide  
Cassette SRAM XS 1275; 10-52  
Chain SRAM GX T-Type  
Shift Lever SRAM Pod  
Rear Derailleur SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission  
Front Wheel DT SWISS XM 1700 Spline  
Rear Wheel DT SWISS XM 1700 Spline  
Front Tire Maxxis Dissector 29x2.4; MaxxTerra, Exo  
Rear Tire Maxxis Dissector 29x2.4; MaxxTerra, Exo+  
Tube tubeless  
Weight (Size M) 12.2 kg  
ESSENTIAL2 MY26 graphit grey XT XT - Fox Performance
€4,999
Colors
Frame ARC8 Essential, full carbon  
Fork Fox 36 Float Performance; Grip; 150mm  
Shock Fox Float X Performance; 130mm  
Seat Post RaceFace Aeffect R; 170mm  
Headset Acros AIF-531  
Axle M12xP1.0; 148mm  
Stem Newmen Evolution  
Handlebar ARC8 handlebar, alloy; 800mm  
Grips Ergon GA20  
Saddle Ergon SMC10  
Front Brake Shimano SLX M7120 4-Piston  
Rear Brake Shimano SLX M7120 2-Piston  
Front Rotor Shimano CL700; 203mm  
Rear Rotor Shimano CL700; 180mm  
Crank Shimano XT M81201; 32t; 165mm  
Bottom Bracket Shimano MT801 BSA  
Cassette Shimano XT M8100; 10-51  
Chain Shimano XT M8100  
Shift Lever Shimano XT M8100  
Rear Derailleur Shimano XT M8100  
Front Wheel DT SWISS XM 1700 Spline  
Rear Wheel DT SWISS XM 1700 Spline  
Front Tire Maxxis Dissector 29x2.4; MaxxTerra, Exo  
Rear Tire Maxxis Dissector 29x2.4; MaxxTerra, Exo+  
Tube tubeless  
 
ARC8 Frame MY24 essential II graphit grey FRAME SET
Colors
Frame ARC8 Essential, full carbon  
 
Shock w/o shock  
 
Headset Acros AIF-531  
Axle M12xP1.0; 148mm  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

You can’t find your desired specification? We can change that! ARC8 stands for custom builds—whether it’s the spec or the frame color. If you have specific requests, feel free to contact your dealer. They can arrange variations of the listed bikes or even complete custom builds for you.

Geometry

Size M L
Rider Height 160-178 178-190
A Reach 465 495
B Stack 615 628
C TT 596 652
D ST 410 440
Max. Seatpost Insertion 245 265
E SA (virtual) 76 76
SA (real) 71 71
F HA 64 64
G HT 100 115
H Fork Offset 44 44
I Fork A-C 561 561
J CS 430 430
K Wheelbase 1222 1259
L BB Drop 40 40
M Standover 702 704

Technical details

Component Specification Comment
Headset IS52/42 | IS52/42 Acros, cover customized for ARC8
Seatpost ø30.9
Seatpost Clamp ø34.9
Rear Brake Flatmount 180 mm 200 mm with adaptor
Rear Axle 148 x 12 mm M12 x 1, length 178 mm
Rear Wheel Boost (148 mm) rear hub
BB BSA 73 mm
Max. Chainring Size 38 T
Chainline 55 mm
Chainguide 77 Designz FREESOLO V2-05+BSA
Rear Derailleur Hanger Sram UDH
Fork 150 mm travel max.
Shock Size 230 x 65 (130 mm travel), 230 x 60 (120 mm travel) Remote lockout possible
Shock Type Fox Float X, Fox Float DPS, Rock Shox Super Deluxe, Rock Shox Deluxe Air shocks only. Other shock models need to be checked for clearance prior to installation.
Shock Hardware 20 x 8 on eyelet, no hardware on body
Tires 29 x 2.5 max Since the actual tire width depends on the rim and tire model, make sure there is at least 6 mm of clearance between tire and frame.

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Frequently asked questions

We recommend cleaning the rails after every ride and removing any dust or dirt from the wipers. In adverse conditions (mud or fine dust) or after a few days on the trail, it's helpful to apply a drop of suspension fork oil in front of and behind the Slider on the rails. Then compress the bike to work in the oil. Wipe off any remaining dirt once more. We've had good experience with R.S.P HyperWiper, for example. After that, your bike is ready for the next ride.

All shocks we specify for our mountain bikes are tuned in close collaboration with the respective suspension manufacturer and tailored to the bike’s kinematics. Due to our custom suspension layout, standard shock tunes often don’t work optimally and may limit the bike’s performance. For example, the compression tune might be too firm, or the rebound too slow. That’s why we strongly recommend using a shock we’ve specified – to ensure you get the most out of your bike and enjoy every second on the trail.

Unfortunately, the Essential is not approved for use with coil shocks.

In general you can mount any 4-piston brake, if it is a flatmount brake. As far as we know, there is only one supplier offering a 4-piston fatmount version. Unfortunately at this point there is no adapter solution which solves this. 

Yes, the Essential is UDH compatible.

For the Essential, you need a T-Type chain with 116 links. Setup is done on the 7th cog (21 teeth). Setup key position is A. This applies to 32 and 34T chainrings. More info: https://axs.sram.com/guides/fullmount/chain/calculator

The Essential was developed and tested for a maximum system weight (rider, bike, riding gear) of 110 kg. 

It covers well what people call trail or all mountain. But it doesn't mind an occasional XC or enduro race. 

The Essentialis designed to be used with short stems. We recommend stems that are 35 to 55 mm long.