Picture might differ from specification.
Picture might differ from specification.
Fortunately, we were on-site and were able to take over the defective frame directly and provide the rider with a new one. From then everything ran at full speed for us because we wanted to know exactly what had happened here.
We tested frames until they failed, deliberately damaged frames, and tested them again, but we could not reproduce this scenario. The reliability of our products is extremely important to us, which is why we decided to revise the layup of the Evolve FS again to be on the safe side.
The Evolve FS was then tested in addition to the intensive tests at the manufacturer also at the EFBE Institute and passed the test bench tests for ASTM 3 and even exceeded them significantly.
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.
Yes, the Evolve FS is UDH compatible.
For the Evolve FS, 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
We planned to do the Evolve FS in three sizes, S/M/L. But then something very confusing happened: we received the first sample in M size, and riders from 1.60 to 1.80 all seemed to fit perfectly on that bike. Trying to understand it gave us some sleepless nights. Lots of measurements were taken, photos and geometries analyzed. Finally we brought the bike to Andreas Gösele, doctor of the Swiss Olympic team and a well known bike fitting expert. As it turned out, we created a highly adaptable geometry, and an S size is simply not needed.
The Evolve FS is designed to be used with shorter stems than what usual is used in XC. We recommend stems that are 35 to 70 mm long.
Whether you classify the Evolve FS as a cross-country or a down-country bike is up to you. What's important to us is that it's just incredibly fun – both uphill and downhill.
Modern cross-country race courses demand a lot from riders and equipment. That's why the Evolve FS underwent rigorous testing by the EFBE Institute and was cleared for ASTM 3.
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.
"Selbst nach acht Monaten im Dauereinsatz begeistert mich das ARC8 Evolve FS wie am ersten Tag. Den Schweizern ist hier in meinen Augen das perfekte Racebike gelungen: schnell auf der Rennstrecke, spaßig im Alltag und vor allem langlebig."
(...) fast schon eine kleine Sensation. Während der Testfahrten auf Schehls Trainingsrunde fuhr sich das ARC8 direkt in die Herzen unserer Tester (...) Noch nie war ein Racefully so leicht, vortriebsstark und gleichzeitig souverän bergab. Kurzum: leichtestes Bike, schnellstes Bike, Testsieg!
No other bike currently available on the market offers such a good compromise between weight and trail performance.
Read full postARC8 (...) used some well-thought-out solutions and engineering to make a unique bike that may be more impressive than a lot of other XC and downcountry bikes on offer at the moment. And perhaps for a while to come.