"With the first Extra, we wanted to develop a long-stroke fun machine: smooth and agile, low weight paired with lots of suspension travel, high-quality and affordable," explain Jonas Müller and Serafin Pazdera from Arc8 Bicycles. "Our goal right from the start was to develop fun bikes. Racing was not necessarily our focus, and yet all of our bikes have found their way into the racing circuit."

For the two Arc8 makers, it was a logical step to develop the Extra 2.0 one step further in the direction of enduro and racing, without sacrificing versatility. The "Extra Air" comes as a twentyniner with 160 millimetres at the front and rear, which is at home on trail tours. The "Extra Coil", on the other hand, rolls on 27.5-inch wheels at the rear and 29-inch wheels at the front. Here, the steel shock absorber provides 165 millimetres of travel, while a 170 mm fork works at the front. Bike park fans can easily equip the Extra 2.0 with a 180-millimetre fork.

Slim, light but robust

A striking feature of the Arc8 Extra 2.0 is the relatively thin tubes. Where other manufacturers rely on large tube diameters, Arc8 opts for fewer diameters but more wall thickness. This means that the carbon frame is in no way inferior in terms of stiffness, but is much more resistant to external influences. The down tube is also concave in order to reduce the contact surface in the event of bouncing rocks. In terms of weight, the Extra 2.0 is on the light side. With slider, thru-axle, derailleur hanger, seat clamp, frame protector, storage box cover and air shock, the frame weighs just 2550 grams.

The geometry is now somewhat more race-oriented. While the steering and seat angles of the Extra first model were 64 and 76 degrees and the wheelbase (size M) was 1228 millimetres, the steering angle of the Extra 2.0 is flattened to 63 degrees, the seat angle rises by two degrees and the wheelbase increases to 1273 millimetres (size M low position with 170mm fork).

The frame has a flip chip that allows the rear wheel to be changed from 27.5 to 29-inch without changing the geometry. With the trend towards shorter cranks, Arc8 have lowered the bottom bracket slightly again.

Simple and practical

The frame also features internal but partial cable routing. This allows cables and lines to be arranged individually. Furthermore, Arc8 cables and lines now ride through the head tube and not through the headset, as with the Extra predecessor.

The need for storage space has also been met. The Extra 2.0 has a storage box. Two pockets are slid into the down tube, where there is space for a spare tube, tire levers and a small pump. The mini tool can be attached directly to the lid. This means that everything can be accessed quickly and individually.

Despite the lower shock absorber, there is guaranteed space for bottles with a volume of 500 milliliters; depending on the manufacturer, even 600-milliliter bottles can fit inside. Furthermore, 200 millimeter brake discs are the minimum, and the frame is ASTM (category) 5 tested and therefore approved for racing and bike park use.

Suspension system for lightweights

In the Extra 2.0, Arc8 relies on the Dual Pivot Suspension system. This makes it probably the only enduro bike that manages with just two pivot points on the rear triangle. The rest is done by the slider, which replaces the previous rocker arm and is already successfully used on the Evolve and Essential cross-country and trail models. This slider system corresponds to a very long rocker arm and produces a linear-progressive spring characteristic. This results in a precisely controllable suspension that responds very sensitively at the beginning and then releases suspension travel evenly. This results in a controlled feel throughout the entire suspension travel.

The high progression also makes the system perfect for use with steel spring dampers. Another advantage of Arc8's Dual Pivot Suspension Systems is that progression, travel and anti-squat can be adjusted independently of each other. Overall, the Extra 2.0 offers a very sensitive downhill response paired with a relatively bob-free uphill performance.

One frame, many options

Arc8 offers many options with the new Extra. The frames are available in sizes S, M and L, as well as in the colors Rubino Red, Sage Green and Silver Mist, all with a velvet finish.

From light touring bikes to bike park racers, everything is possible with the Extra 2.0. Nevertheless, Arc8 offers five ideal configurations, two with steel and three with air shocks - Extra Coil and Extra Air.

The Extra Air models are available with the following features.

• Shimano XT, Fox 36 Performance, 160mm for €6499
• Sram GX AXS, Fox 36 Factory, 160mm for €7699
• Shimano XTR, Fox 36 Factory, 160mm Launch Edition for €8999

Extra Coil models

• Shimano SLX, Marzocchi Bomber Z1, 170mm Launch Edition for 5999 euros
• Shimano XT, Fox 38 Factory, 170mm for 7499 euros

Frame kits

• Extra 2.0 frame kit without shock for 3399 euros
• Extra Air frame with Fox Float X Performance shock for 3799 euros
• Extra Air frame with Fox Float X Factory shock for 3999 euros
• Extra Coil frame with Fox DHX2 Factory shock for 4199 euros

A small number of complete bikes are now available from selected specialist dealers. Larger quantities and frame kits will be delivered from March.

arc8bicycles.ch