Development

By accessing the most modern manufacturing processes and the close exchange with researchers in the fields of testing procedures, materials and fatigue, structural analysis and ergonomics, we are constantly advancing our product development. The development team is run by Jochen Forstmann, Dr.-Ing. and professor at the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück in the field of mechanical engineering. Jochen is - just like Jörg Heydt - co-owner of LAST, deeply rooted in MTB sports and passionate about biking. From the first day on, all LAST bikes were developed completely in Germany. We strive to build your bike,reliable and light, for more happy hours on the trail. For two decades now, we have been working together with EFBE Prüftechnik. You won’t find any LAST product not being tested for it’s strength, be it in on the track or on a test stand.

Kinematics concept

"The idea of our kinematics concept goes back to prototypes from 2003, from which our first downhill bike was developed. At that time there was the idea of how the leverage ratio should look like. The goal of the frame development was to achieve this characteristic curve - and not to implement a specific shape or design. The kinematic concept in its function, especially the progression and the high anti-squat, can be found in our bikes today. All our bikes are designed to suit our personal riding style: playful, often off the ground and with pleasure sideways.”

Jochen Forstmann / Founder, co-owner and chief developer at LAST
CAD
EFBE

Performance and riding fun

With our bikes, performance and riding fun are the top priority. In addition to their weight, the geometry and the suspension system form the basis for every bike. For almost 20 years we have been using very progressive suspension designs. Even today, for steel spring dampers, progressive kinematics is still the best option to realize sensitivity, support and bottom out protection. Shocks with air springs benefit when the excessive use of volume spacers can be avoided. Likewise, the forces introduced into the frame and the bearings via the damper are reduced when the transmission ratio decreases towards the end of the spring travel. This allows for a lighter design and less stress on the bearings. Our bikes are equally suitable for air and steel spring shocks.