ARC8 Bicycles – founded 2019, Basel, Switzerland
It was clear from the beginning that ARC8 should not be the classic bike brand. We provide an alternative for people who are tired of riding an off-the-shelf bike by making custom bikes more affordable. As bike enthusiasts, not salespeople, we strive to make the bikes you and we want to ride. Everyone is different and everyone’s riding style is different, and so should be their bikes. Configure your ARC8 the way you want it, or build it from a frame kit. The range covers road, gravel and mountainbike.
The focus of our brand is on the riders. Providing them with the best possible equipment for maximum performance and riding pleasure is our mission. All of the ARC8 frames and associated components are designed with one primary goal in mind: maximum benefit for the rider. This means we can provide you with reliable designs, lightweight frames and all the features you need, but no extra gimmicks for marketing purposes. Our component selection follows the same philosophy: each component is chosen to deliver the best performance.
A defining signature feature of ARC8’s full-suspension mountain bikes is the patented Slider Suspension system. Instead of using a traditional, rotating, heavy rear linkage system, the design utilizes a compact mechanical slider that guides the shock. This acts as a virtually infinite lever arm, delivering an incredibly linear-progressive suspension curve. The resulting frame layout maximizes lateral stiffness, saves substantial weight, and allows the suspension to react sensitively to minor bumps while remaining supportive deep in its travel.
Key bike models:
- Evolve FS: ARC8’s flagship cross-country weapon is recognized as one of the absolute
lightest full-suspension bikes available with the frame weighing just 1,320g (without shock)
yet being a capable and confidence inspiring descender with a slack 65degree head angle. - Essential II: The 130/150mm do-it-all trail bike that originally launched the brand,
packing modern geometry with a 64degree head angle that gives confidence on the
descends into a durable yet XC-weight chassis. - Extra II: For the enduro gravity riders, the Extra II (available in Air or Coil options)
delivers 160mm of travel, modern size-specific chainstays, in frame-storage and a flip-chip
for running standard 29-inch wheels or a mixed “mullet” setup.
