TESTED: ARQ Wire DJ Pro Build 12

ARQ is a new company out of California making a complete dirt jump bike that is ready to hit the trails and the pumptrack. The alloy hardtail called The Wire is a agile and gets noticed at the bike park since the brand is unfamiliar to most. Featuring an ARQ-branded 36mm-stanchion fork, 35mm wide wheels, half-link chain and understated graphics, the Wire is a competitive complete dirt jumper that starts at $1,799 with options for upgrading and customizing at checkout on the Arq website.

- photos by gordo

ARQ Wire Highlights

• 6061 alloy frame
• 26-inch wheels
• 90mm fork travel (as tested)
  
• 69-degree headtube angle
• Half-link chain
• Rear brake only
  
• External cable routing
  
• PressFit BB
• Three frame color options
  
• Measured weight: 24lbs
• MSRP: $1,799 base price - $2,019 USD as tested with Jump 90 fork, Spank Spike Race 50mm bars and Chromag grips
  

Looking at a dirt jumper with no moving parts, there are only so many changes one can make to the geometry setup. This bike is pretty on par with competitors' size medium dirt jumpers, boasting a 420mm reach and a 1067mm wheelbase. There is some chainstay length adjustment thanks to horizontal dropouts and rear wheel tensioners.

Geometry

For a tight and snappy DJ bike, the ARQ definitely lives up to our expectations. Our tester, who is 5’11” and would usually ride a long frame, felt the Wire was a bit short when it came to stability at speed. The 69-degree head angle isn't the steepest out there, but it's not the slackest either. Combine that head angle with the short, 378mm rear end and rotations and manuals come easily, making the bike feel almost like a 20” with bigger wheels. For your average MTB rider, or first-timer on a dirt jumper, the size and tight geo may take some time to get used to. We have been riding our dirt jumpers on the longer side of sizing to make the transition from trail bike to dirt jumper easier to manage. The Wire definitely took some time to adjust to for the first couple of rides, but was worth it in fun, technical scenarios.

Initial Impressions

Setup was simple — slap some pedals on and pump the fork up firm, slow it down, and call it a day. Our fork pressure was 170psi as recommended by ARQ. We wrapped a tube around the cranks for a crank stopper. The cranks spin freely during no-footed tricks unless the chain was unnecessarily tight.

We were sent a Wire with Spank's 50mm-rise Spike race bars. These are a $40 add-on compared to the stock ARQ 50mm bars. ARQ also offers 65mm rise bars for an additional $20 over the stock 50. The 50mm bars kept us centered over the bike, but the 65s would be fun to try. Other than cutting the 800mm bars down and tweaking bar roll and lever position, the bike was ready to rip out of the box. Note that our test bike came with Maxxis Pace tires due to availability at the time. Stock Wire completes come with similar Kenda Booster Pro tires, in your choice of black or tan.

Responsive, flickable and fun are all words to describe the Wire.

Responsive, flickable and fun are all words to describe the Wire. When it came to spins or flips, the confidence was there that the bike would come around. The Wire was very easy to put into a manual andrepeatedly exceeded our tester's comfort zones for pushing technical tricks. Despite the initial adjustment to the short size, the bike prevailed.

Most of the geometry lines up with competitors such as Trek and Commencal’s size medium dirt jump frames except for the chainstays. Reach is within 5mm, headtube within 1 degree, wheelbase within 10mm, but the chainstay on the ARQ about 12 mm shorter than other bikes. While this is not good or bad in our eyes, it definitely took a second to figure out on the trails.

Being that the ARQ's actual weight is 24 pounds on the dot with no pedals and tubes in it, it definitely did not stand out as heavy. For the build quality and sturdiness of the components, we had no worries on the weight. Tires were fast rolling, so it definitely held its own on the trails, limiting pedal strokes in between jumps. The stock Kenda Boosters with low-profile knobs should roll equally well.

Build Kit

The ARQ components were made to get the job done, and there was no question if parts were going to hold up through abuse. Everything from frame to fork to wheels and cranks are ARQ-branded. ARQ’s direct mount cranks and pressfit BB worked without an issue and the 35mm wide, 32h wheels survived months of thrashing. With Chromag grips (+$10 upgrade), a TOR headset, Spank bars and Tektro brakes, this bike had a competitive build among other dirt jumpers in the market.

Fork Performance

While the fork worked well initially, it was also the first and only major thing to give us an issue on the Wire. We opted for the Jump 90 fork which is a 90mm, 36mm stanchion fork built. The Jump 90 is a $170 upgrade while stock Wires come with a Pump100 fork that has 32mm stanchions. The axle is 15x110 boost but can be fitted to 15x100 or 20mm hubs with adapters.

In the first couple of weeks of riding the bike, we noticed a new noise in the fork, and the seals ultimately wearing on the stanchions due to the oil leaking out. We asked ARQ about this and they said this was an early production issue with unequally pressurized cartridges. A fresh fork was sent out and it worked great for the next few months, providing great stability throughout our riding. Unfortunately a couple days ago, the fork seized up, solid, not going through any travel at all. Our local shop investigated it and without a complete rebuild, there was nothing to be done. We're waiting to hear back from ARQ and will update you with the report. We appreciate the rigidity of the 36mm chassis and it feels solid, there are just some durability issues to sort out apparently.

Wheel Performance

These ARQ Bevel wheels were super solid, really going nicely with the rigidity of the frame. The front axle is 15x110 boost with a 10x135mm rear. The hub engagement was lacking compared to any high-end DJ wheels, but we didn't notice an issue when riding jumps. According to ARQ, the wheelset comes in at 2,279 grams. Stock, the Wire features a 14t rear cog, but 13t or 15t are available at checkout for no additional charge. Overall, these wheels remained true and we would recommend them for any budget build at just $500 for a set.

Brake Performance

The hydraulic Tektro rear brake on the Wire is a common sight on complete dirt jumpers. ARQ offered plenty of hose length to wind up for barspins or tailwhips. The stamped lever has edges that are finished, but remain sharp enough along the top and outside edges to cause nicks or cuts in desperate grabs for bars on no-handers or barspins. The brake provides no adjustments and power is minimal. Most dirt jumpers aren't too fussy about brakes (if they use them at all), but mountain bikers committed to front brakes will need to provide one on their own.

Drivetrain Performance

The simple, singlespeed drivetrain worked without flaw. The beefy, half-link chain took all sorts of abuse and backed up the solid cranks when taking harsh impacts. While the chain tensioners were bulky, hanging off the rear axle, they were effective and never caused any performance problems. The small bolts on the chain tensioners did poke through the paint, causing chipping, however.

Noise

This bike was nice and quiet. The only thing that ever made a noise was the developed headset creak. This bike took some good slams from out of the sky, had no maintenance performed, and as it was our daily driver for the past few months, so we're not too surprised or fussed about the creak.

Things That Could Be Improved

If we were going to change anything on this bike, first and foremost would be the brake. Something with a small, smooth lever and any kind of power would be essential. This would put rider confidence to a new level. Upgrading to the Spank bars didn't seem necessary given ARQ's 50mm or 65mm offering, but we would recommend going with the Jump 90 fork and its 36mm stanchions when given the choice over the stock Jump 100 with 32mm stanchions. Internal issues aside, the chassis was stout.

Long-Term Durability

Being a 26-inch-wheeled hardtail, there isn't a lot than can go wrong. We did develop a headset creak, and there is slight paint chipping on the rear end due to the chain tensioners, but the wheels are solid, the drivetrain burly and the frame robust. Our fork issues may be part of early production issues, so we'll have to wait to see about the next steps there.

What's The Bottom Line?

The ARQ Wire is for someone who wants to have a nimble, flickable bike on the trails, pump track and in the skatepark. The ideal rider may come from BMX and wants to try out some big wheels. Smaller riders or someone who just wants a short rear end bike that can be tossed around easily will appreciate the Wire. Here in Boise, ID, we can pedal from dirt jumps to skateparks and pump tracks and the Wire has been the dream to cruise around town with dependable wheels and drivetrain. If we were buying this bike, we'd buy the bike in its stock $1,799 form but upgrade to the Jump 90 fork for an extra $170 to get the 36mm-stanchion chassis, assuming the fork's durability issues can be remedied in the future.

Visit www.arqbikes.com for more details.

Logan Brown: Age: 22 // Years Riding MTB: 3 // Height: 5’11” (1.8m) // Weight: 160-pounds

With experience in all things two wheels, Logan tends to enjoy big jumps and fast tracks. Jumping off roofs and long pedals also tend to find their way into the session. Originally from Southern California, he now resides in Boise, ID, and can be found at the local bike parks or concrete parks.