ARC8 / Hometown Bicycles AG
Schillerstrasse 31, 4053 Basel, Switzerland
Opening hours:
Tuesday: 10:00–15:00
Thursday: 10:00–17:00
Friday: 10:00–17:00
Closed on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
You're welcome to drop by, but we recommend contacting us in advance by phone or email so we can make sure everything is ready for your visit.
In our showroom in Basel we have a test flew equipped with all of our bikes. As we know, that this might not be around the corner, we're also visiting selected events, such as the Bike Festival in Basel or the TestRide in Lenzerheide.
Or maybe the dealer next to your place has exactly the bike you're looking for.
Yes. We service ARC8 bikes and carry out bike inspections at our showroom in Basel. For more extensive work, we recommend booking an appointment in advance.
Many damaged carbon frames can now be repaired successfully. We work with specialised carbon repair experts and are happy to advise you on the available options.
You can reach us by email at support@arc8bicycles.com.
We always do our best to reply as quickly as possible. As we're a small team, responses may occasionally take a little longer than usual. Thanks for your patience!
For athletes:
We receive a lot of sponsorship applications from incredibly talented riders. As we're still a relatively small brand, we unfortunately can't support everyone. That said, if you genuinely believe a partnership would be mutually beneficial, we'd love to hear from you. Please send us your application, including a few photos of yourself and a short explanation of why you think you'd be a great addition to the ARC8 athlete team. We're interested in two things:
Why do you want to ride for ARC8? How would a partnership with you benefit ARC8?
For events and race series:
We review all sponsorship requests on a case-by-case basis. Please send us your proposal, including all relevant information (event, reach and visibility, type of support you're looking for).
We're receiving new frames on a regular base. Please have a look on our website to a later date, maybe your desired frame is available at this point again.
We currently work with dealers in 16 countries. If your country isn't listed, please get in touch—we'll do our best to find a solution so you can enjoy your ARC8 bike.
At the moment, we do not sell bikes or framesets in the USA.
For other non-EU countries, shipping may be possible on a case-by-case basis.
Please note that import duties and taxes may apply and are the responsibility of the buyer.
Shipping costs within Germany and the EU vary depending on the parcel size. We generally ship with DHL or DPD.
For deliveries outside the EU, additional import duties and taxes may apply. These charges are the responsibility of the recipient. Please note that we do not ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid).
Yes. While showroom collection isn't available as a checkout option in our online shop, it is possible.
Simply send us an email after placing your order and we'll arrange a convenient collection time.
You can pay via credit card or you can make a pre payment.
After receiving your order, we're collecting your frame from our warehouse. Then it will be assembled and finally packed. This procedure might take up to 10 days.
Unfortunately this is not possible at the moment.
Unfortunately this is not possible. If you're looking for a different product, please cancel your order and place a new one.
Please check your spam or junk folder first.
If you still haven't received your confirmation email, contact us with your name and order details, and we'll look into it as quickly as possible.
Yes. You'll find assembly guides, owner's manuals and technical documentation for all current models here:
https://www.arc8bicycles.de/instructions
You'll find our latest prices and bike configurators directly in our online shop:
https://www.arc8bicycles.ch
https://www.arc8bicycles.de
https://www.arc8bicycles.com
Yes. Custom paint finishes are available.
Pricing depends on the colour and the complexity of the design. Single-colour paint jobs start at approximately €600.
We also offer ready-to-paint frames. Please get in touch for a personalised quotation.
You'll find size charts and detailed geometry tables on each product page in our online shop, including reach, stack, wheelbase and all other key dimensions.
Whenever possible, we recommend visiting one of our dealers—or our showroom in Basel—for a professional bike fitting and a test ride.
You'll find many spare parts in our online shop:
https://www.arc8bicycles.ch/shop/parts
If the part you're looking for isn't listed, simply contact us by email.
Because we want to ship your bike as quickly as possible, we often don't have time to weigh each bike due to the current supply situation.
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.
Yes, that's possible. However, you must use at least one spacer. With a round spacer directly underneath the stem, the cables can be routed below the stem into the headset.
We optimize the geometry of our mountain bikes around forks with a 44 mm offset. While our bikes can also be ridden with a 51 mm offset fork, doing so may alter the bike's handling characteristics and overall ride performance.
Our bikes are supplied with 20 mm of spacers below the stem and 10 mm above the stem as standard.
This gives you some flexibility to fine-tune your riding position while ensuring the steerer tube isn't cut too short.
The custom ARC8 headset developed with Acros is intentionally designed without cable port plugs.
So far, we haven't observed any increased wear caused by moisture ingress compared to similar systems from other manufacturers. Most of our customers ride their bikes without these plugs, and we haven't experienced any unusual durability issues.
As a young brand, we're still expanding our dealer network. To see if we already have a dealer in your area, please visit:
https://www.arc8bicycles.ch/dealers
Bike shops and workshops benefit from special pricing on spare parts. Please contact us at office@arc8bicycles.com and include: company name, location, whether you're interested in becoming an ARC8 dealer or simply purchasing spare parts.
We recommend contacting your ARC8 dealer first. If that's not possible, please email us at support@arc8bicycles.com as soon as possible and include the following information:
- Photos of the damage (from different angles)
- A photo of the complete bike
- The frame number and frame size
- Proof of purchase
- A brief description of when and how the issue occurred
We'll review your case and work with you to find the best possible solution.
Important: Please stop riding the bike immediately if you discover a crack in the frame, fork or any other safety-critical component.
1. If possible, please contact the ARC8 dealer from whom you purchased your bike first.
2. If that's not possible, send us photos of the damaged frame together with the following information: bike model, frame size, frame colour, frame number, a brief description of the accident, proof of purchase (receipt or invoice)
3. We'll review your case and provide you with an offer for a replacement frame.
4. In cases involving more significant damage—for example, if a manufacturing defect is suspected—it may be necessary to return the frame for inspection. In some cases, the frame may need to be sent to the manufacturer in Asia for further analysis. We'll discuss the process with you individually and keep you informed throughout.
The maximum tire clearance on the Escapee is 32 mm on a 22 mm rim. We recommend a combination of a 30 mm tire.
We use a mix of different fiber types. Depending on the requirements, these can be high-strength, high-stiffness or IM fibers.
The Escapee is designed and tested for a maximum total weight (rider plus bike plus equipment) of 110 kg.
No, it is not included. You can order a compatible mount for your GPS device separately through our webshop.
Generally we mount a 52/36 crank. If you desire another size, please contact us - usually we can offer you an alternative option.
Yes, you can mount a SRAM 2x12 setup with a 46/33 crank on the Escapee.
The ICH stem has a clamping width of 6.2 cm.
Stack is measured from the top of the head tube (excluding top cap).
On the Eero, you can ride tires up to 50mm width (700Cx50), when you're using a Oneby drivetrain. However, please note that the tire width may vary depending on the inner rim width of the wheel.
Unfortunately, the Eero is not fully compatible with a road bike groupset. A standard road bike drivetrain from Shimano, for example, is not compatible with the Eero. However, if this is exactly what you are looking for, then it would be possible to use a FSA or Easton crank (in combination with Shimano) or a SRAM Wide groupset.
The Eero has mounts for full fenders and a rear rack. Additionally, you find mounts on the top tubes and under the down tube for more storage.
The maximum load weight for a luggage carrier on the Eero is 10 kg. We recommend an even load and avoiding one-sided loading (e.g. mounting the entire weight on one side only).
Yes. The Eero is UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) compatible.
As we still have a limited number of non-UDH frames in stock, please let us know when placing your order if you specifically require a UDH-compatible frame.
For Eero frames that are not UDH compatible, there is no standard solution from Tailfin. Tailfin does offer a solution for UDH-compatible frames.
On the Eero, we install a handlebar with a 12-degree flare. If you prefer a handlebar with more flare, we can also offer you a handlebar with a 30-degree flare.
The Eero uses a custom Acros IS52/IS52 headset with integrated cable routing (ICR).
It's available in our online shop:
https://www.arc8bicycles.com/shop/parts/arc8-road-hs
If you have any questions about compatibility or installation, don't hesitate to contact us.
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 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.
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.
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
Yes, the Evolve FS is UDH compatible.
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.
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.
The Evolve FS uses a BSA threaded bottom bracket. For SRAM: DUB 73 WIDE; for Shimano: MT800 (BSA) with 3 × 2.5 mm spacers.
The Evolve FS is available in the Fox Factory version with a remote option. However, the variant with Fox Performance suspension components is unfortunately not available with a remote optio
There is an important relationship between head tube angle and stem length. A steeper head tube angle makes for a faster, sometimes twitchy steering, while a slacker head tube angle feels more controlled, but needs more rider input. A longer stem on the other hand will slow down the steering and make that steep head tube angle more controlled, while a short stem will create a more direct feeling and speed up steering. So a short stem with a slack head tube angle will feel somewhat similar in terms of steering like a long stem with a steep head tube angle, but it places you further behind the front wheel, putting you in a better position to attack steep descents with confidence.
It covers well what people call trail or all mountain. But it doesn't mind an occasional XC or enduro race.
The Essential was developed and tested for a maximum system weight (rider, bike, riding gear) of 110 kg.
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 Essentialis designed to be used with short stems. We recommend stems that are 35 to 55 mm long.
The Essential uses a BSA threaded bottom bracket. For SRAM: DUB 73 WIDE; for Shimano: MT800 (BSA) with 3 × 2.5 mm spacers
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.
Yes, the Extra Air is UDH compatible.
For this Extra Air in 29" variant, a T-Type chain with 118 links is required. Setup is the same: 7th cog (21 teeth), key position A, for 32 and 34T chainrings. More info: https://axs.sram.com/guides/fullmount/chain/calculator
Yes. A mullet setup (29" front / 27.5" rear) is compatible with both the Extra Air and Extra Coil.
By rotating the flip chip, the chainstay length is adjusted while maintaining the bottom bracket height when switching between wheel sizes.
If you're unsure about the best setup, we're happy to help.
The Extra Air uses a BSA threaded bottom bracket. For SRAM: DUB 73 WIDE; for Shimano: MT800 (BSA) with 3 × 2.5 mm spacers
The EXTRA Coil and the EXTRA Air share the same frame platform, which means you can install an air or coil shock on both frames, regardless of the color. If you prefer, you can also equip your EXTRA Air with a 170mm fork, or alternatively, equip your EXTRA Coil with a 160mm fork. Additionally, we specify the EXTRA Air as a 29" bike from the factory, and the EXTRA Coil as a Mullet, meaning a mix of 29" in the front and 27.5" in the rear. However, you can always switch between configurations based on your personal preference.
A 2.5-inch tire on a rim with a 30mm inner width fits in the rear triangle. Depending on the tire's actual size, a 2.6-inch tire may also be possible. This, of course, depends on the specific manufacturer.
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.
With the new EXTRA Air and Coil, you can use up to 180mm of front suspension travel. From the factory, we install 160mm (front/rear) for the EXTRA Air and 170/165mm (front/rear) for the EXTRA Coil in the complete bikes.
Depending on the frame size, we use different spring rates.
S: 225 lbs
M: 250 lbs
L: 300 lbs
These spring rates roughly reflect the average rider weight per frame size. We recommend a sag value of 30% - 35% for the EXTRA. If you can't achieve this sag value with your weight, we suggest using a different spring rate. In the table below, you'll find the spring rate we recommend based on your body weight. Additionally, you'll find the stroke and length of the springs, allowing you to order the right spring for you.
The maximum seatpost insertion depth for the Extra Air and Extra Coil is:
S: 280 mm
M: 300 mm
L: 320 mm
Please note that the design of different dropper posts—particularly around the actuator mechanism at the bottom of the post—can vary between manufacturers. As a result, the actual maximum insertion depth may be slightly reduced depending on the seatpost you use.
Yes. All current ARC8 mountain bikes are UDH (Universal Derailleur Hanger) compatible.
The only exceptions are the first-generation Extra (without Slider Technology) and the Evolve Hardtail, which are not UDH compatible.
You can get the EXTRA Coil as a complete bike in a Mullet specification, meaning a combination of 29" and 27.5" wheels. Here, we set the FlipChip to the High/27.5" position. If you prefer a very low bottom bracket, you can also switch to the Low/29" setting, but be prepared for occasional pedal strikes ;-)
Our EXTRA Air comes as a complete 29" bike from the factory. We initially set it to the Low/29" position for perfect bike positioning with a low bottom bracket. However, for more ground clearance and slightly more agile handling, you can also use the High/27.5" setting. We don't recommend the Low/27.5" setting with a 27.5" rear wheel, as the slightly shorter 160mm fork makes the bottom bracket even lower, bringing the cranks quite close to the ground.
Yes. A mullet setup (29" front / 27.5" rear) is compatible with both the Extra Air and Extra Coil.
By rotating the flip chip, the chainstay length is adjusted while maintaining the bottom bracket height when switching between wheel sizes.
If you're unsure about the best setup, we're happy to help.
All suspension shocks specified for our mountain bikes have been custom-tuned in close collaboration with the respective suspension manufacturer to match each bike's kinematics.
Thanks to our unique suspension kinematics, the standard Tune found on most off-the-shelf shocks is often not an ideal match and won't allow the bike to perform at its full potential. This may result in issues such as overly firm compression damping or rebound damping that is too slow.
That's why we strongly recommend using one of the shocks specified by ARC8. This ensures your bike performs exactly as intended, so you can get the most out of every ride.
Yes, that is possible. We have thought of two cable exits on each side.
No, by introducing the 55mm chainline, we were able to create enough tire clearance, allowing you to use a standard 12x148mm rear wheel.
For this Extra 29" variant, a T-Type chain with 118 links is required. Setup is the same: 7th cog (21 teeth), key position A, for 32 and 34T chainrings. More info: https://axs.sram.com/guides/fullmount/chain/calculator
For the Extra 29", you need a T-Type chain with 116 links for all sizes. Setup is done on the 7th cog (21 teeth). Setup key position is A. Applies to 32 and 34T chainrings. More info: https://axs.sram.com/guides/fullmount/chain/calculator
The EXTRA is approved for a system weight of 120 kg. With the ASTM 5 classification, it is also suitable for use in the bike park. These approvals apply to the frame. In some cases, we use components, that are only approved up to ASTM 4 by the manufacturer (e.g. EXTRA Air). Please check this in advance.
The Extra Coil uses a BSA threaded bottom bracket. For SRAM: DUB 73 WIDE; for Shimano: MT800 (BSA) with 3 × 2.5 mm spacers.
We have tested our storage box with a variety of tools. We recommend a maximum tool width of 3,2 cm.
We recommend a pump as compact as possible with a maximum diameter of 25 mm and a maximum length of 21 cm.
To ensure you're always prepared for emergencies on the go, our Storagebox has a dedicated pocket for tire levers and a tube. We recommend using a compact tube, such as the Aerothan by Schwalbe or a Tubolito.