15.6 kg in size 185 | € 8,900 | Manufacturer’s website
The COAL V4 is a progressive aluminum enduro bike from LAST, a boutique German brand based in Dortmund. While the frame is welded in Taiwan, it receives its final CNC machining for threads, bearing seats and contact surfaces back home in Dortmund – one of the key factors contributing to the high quality of LAST frames. The design language is elegant yet functional.
The COAL shares the same frame platform with the Glen but relies on its own rocker and link to create its specific character. The bike can be ordered directly from LAST, and ships straight to your door – no middleman, full control! For € 8.900 you get 170/165 mm of travel and a full-29″ setup, and already on the first few meters on the trail you can feel: the COAL has the potential to play right at the top of the test field.
For an overview of the test field head to the comparison test: The best enduro bike of 2026
LAST COAL V4: Specs and Details
The COAL V4 can be purchased as a frameset or built up completely in LAST’s online configurator. Our test bike weighs 15.6 kg, which puts it below the average weight and makes it the second-lightest bike in the entire test field. The suspension consists of a FOX 38 FLOAT Factory fork with GRIP X2 damper, which delivers smooth response and excellent adjustability. It’s paired with a new FOX FLOAT X2 Factory air shock with monotube design, which is intended to improve durability while maintaining a wide adjustment range.
For maximum freedom of movement, LAST rely on the new RockShox Reverb AXS dropper post with 250 mm of travel – the longest in this test and still fully insertable – very cool. Trickstuff MAXIMA brakes do stopping duties, adding a touch of elegance to the bike while at the same time delivering some of the most brutal braking power in the entire test field. The brakes are paired with 203/203 mm rotors.
The LAST COAL V4 can be customised through the in-house configurator and rolls into our comparison test with a sleek and exclusive spec
All disappear into the frame through elegant cable ports, which are neatly clamped at both ends. Only the rather large cable loop in the headset area could be a bit tighter for a cleaner look. For the drivetrain, LAST rely on SRAM’s electronic X0 Eagle AXS Transmission. The seat and chainstay protectors aren’t massive, but they work reliably and keep the bike pleasantly quiet. The cockpit is high-end, too, consisting of an Intend Grace FR stem and Bike Ahead The Riser carbon handlebars. As with the Pivot, however, the cockpit proves to be extremely stiff, and for enduro riding we would recommend swapping it out for a more compliant model. We did the same and primarily tested with an alloy bar, which definitely provided more comfort.
DT Swiss supply the FR 541 rims and DT 240 hubs. A highlight is the new DEG hub, which practically eliminates pedal kickback. This noticeably improves rear-end composure and traction on high-speed trails. The COAL comes equipped with a MAXXIS ASSEGAI MaxxGrip tire up front and a DHR II MaxxTerra at the rear – both in the robust Doubledown casing – totally appropriate and race-ready! As with most aluminium bikes, there is no storage compartment in the frame, but there is a tool mount on the top tube for all your trail essentials.
Specifications
Fork FOX 38 FLOAT Factory Grip X2 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X2 Factory 165 mm
Seatpost RockShox Reverb AXS 250 mm
Brakes Trickstuff MAXIMA 203/203 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission 10-52; 32
Stem Intend Grace FR 35 mm
Handlebar Bike Ahead The Riser 800 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss FR541 auf DT Swiss 240 29
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI, 3C MaxxGrip, Doubledown/MAXXIS Minion DHRII, 3C MaxxTerra, Doubledown 2.5/2.4
Technical Data
Size 165, 175, 185, 195
Tuning tip: Install more compliant handlebar
The Geometry of the LAST COAL V4
LAST make things easy for you: the four sizes are simply called 165, 175, 185 and 195 – based on the recommended rider heights. Our COAL V4 185 bike comBINES 490 mm reach and a short 430 mm seat tube. That’s really impressive, because the low seat tube ensures enormous freedom of movement and allows a long dropper to disappear completely, which LAST implement directly with a 250 mm Reverb dropper post.
At 63°, the COAL has the slackest head angle in the entire test field, and yet it’s still one of the most agile and playful bikes in our test ;). The chainstays grow partially with the frame size to ensure consistent handling across all sizes. LAST completely forgo flip chips. This keeps the COAL V4 puristic, direct and free of complicated adjustment features – just hop on and ride.
| Size | 165 | 175 | 185 | 195 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 578 mm | 611 mm | 639 mm | 672 mm |
| Seat tube | 385 mm | 390 mm | 430 mm | 457 mm |
| Head tube | 95 mm | 110 mm | 130 mm | 150 mm |
| Head tube | 63° | 63° | 63° | 63.1° |
| Seat angle | 76.5° | 76.6° | 77.1° | 77.7° |
| Chainstay | 430 mm | 430 mm | 438 mm | 447 mm |
| BB Drop | -22 mm | -22 mm | -23 mm | -23 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,214 mm | 1,251 mm | 1,297 mm | 1,350 mm |
| Reach | 430 mm | 460 mm | 490 mm | 525 mm |
| Stack | 619 mm | 632 mm | 651 mm | 669 mm |
The LAST COAL V4 on the trail
Uphill, the COAL V4 presents itself as a solid climber with a pedal-neutral suspension and a rather compact pedalling position due to the steep seat angle. Not a sprinting machine, but efficient and completely uncomplicated.
Downhill, the LAST shows why, after just a few meters, you get the feeling that this bike is one of the best on test. The balance is extremely well-rounded and you stand deep and securely in the bike, which immediately conveys control. The COAL feels super integrated and rides almost effortlessly – without big weight shifts, without fussiness. It’s the bike in the test that, even after a hard day in the saddle, is the easiest to steer down the mountain, and both beginners as well as experienced and ultra-fast riders feel instantly comfortable and can extract all the speed and fun from it.
With no other bike in the test was the grin on our faces as big as with the COAL V4
On the trail, it’s incredibly fun and playful without losing composure. Agility is good, even though it isn’t the most nimble bike in this test – but it scores with a massive fun factor. On flow trails, it even feels a bit more playful than the Pivot Firebird, yet it easily keeps up in terms of trail speed. It deals with high-speed sections confidently, and shines with calmness and control in technical terrain. The suspension is also among the best in the test. It offers strong pop, plenty of traction and remains totally predictable at all times, allowing you to attack berms with solid support. Overall, the COAL V4 delivers an awesome mix of composure and agility – and for many in our team, it’s the most fun bike in the entire comparison test.
Who should take a closer look at the LAST COAL V4?
The LAST COAL V4 is made for anyone looking for a bike that fully justifies its – admittedly high – price tag. Moreover, the COAL V4 disproves the prejudice that aluminium bikes are heavy, because despite its super-robust spec, it remains well below the average weight in this test field. The in-house configurator also allows you to tailor the bike precisely to your needs. So if you’re looking for the most fun bike in the test – one that not only combines a brilliant mix of agility and composure, but also rides super intuitively and securely – then you’ve come to the right place.
Conclusions about the LAST COAL V4
The LAST COAL V4 is proof that a modern aluminium frame doesn’t have to be heavy or “budget”. Light, beautifully finished and combined with one of the best suspension systems in this test, it delivers an outstanding mix of composure, agility and playful handling. It rides intuitively, safely and fast, yet remains easy to control, allowing both beginners and seasoned trail veterans to feel at ease from the get go. The excellent spec, the clean look and the clever configurator concept round off the overall package. This makes the COAL V4 not only the most fun bike in our test, but also the well-deserved winner of our coveted Best Buy recommendation.
Tops
- High-quality workmanship
- Awesome, exclusive spec
- Extremely fun
- Intuitive, safe and fast
Flops
More information can be found on the website of LAST-Bikes.
The Testfield
For an overview of the test field head to the comparison test: The best enduro bike of 2026
All bikes on test: GHOST POACHA FULL PARTY (Click for review) | Instinctiv Kodiak MX 150 (Click for review) | Lapierre Spicy CF Team (Click for review) | LAST COAL V4 | MERIDA ONE-SIXTY 10K (Click for review) | Orbea Rallon E-LTD (Click for review) | Pivot Firebird Team XX Eagle Transmission (Click for review) | Propain Spindrift (Click for review) | RADON JAB 10.0 (Click for review) | Rossignol Heretic GX T-Type (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Bullit X0 AXS RSV (Click for review) | Starling Mega MurMur (Click for review) | Trek Fuel LX 9.8 XT Di2 Gen 7 (Click for review) | Yeti LTE T4 (Click for review)
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Words & Photos: Peter Walker