Evil Bikes The Wreckoning - Core Bike 2016

Feb 2, 2016
by Olly Forster  
Of all the trends making waves in 2016, the resurgence of 29" wheels is certainly one that can be traced, all be it tenuously, back to one bike and one brand. When Evil debuted The Following early last year, riders all around the world took notice and for a good reason. Combining both progressive geometry and 29" wheels in a manner that not only challenged preconceived notions of what these wheels could do but how much fun you could have on them...

The Wreckoning is here!

Evil Bikes The Wreckoning
Available in 3 sizes ranging from Medium to X-Large and available in either 'Gun Metal Satin' or this gorgeous 'Megalodon Blue' finish. With 161mm of travel, The Wreckoning looks set to keep Evil Bikes at the cutting edge of bike design.

Geometry:

Evil Bikes The Wreckoning
Evil Bikes The Wreckoning

Evil Bikes The Wreckoning
Like the 650b Insurgent and 29" The Following, the Wreckoning features Evil's second generation DELTA Link suspension system and dual-row angular contact bearings.

Evil Bikes The Wreckoning
The custom moulded chainstay protectors look after chain slap and unwanted noise while Evil's proprietary upper chain guide and custom e*thirteen lower guide help keep the chain on.
Evil Bikes The Wreckoning
The stunning one-piece carbon asymmetric swingarm pivots on a 17mm main pivot and features a 12x148mm 'Boost' rear axle spacing to help maximise the stiffness.

MENTIONS: @evil-bikes


Posted In:
Reviews and Tech First Looks Evil Bikes Core Bike


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261 Comments
  • 172 19
 when you low key forget the water bottle holder
  • 65 189
flag allix2456 (Feb 2, 2016 at 12:08) (Below Threshold)
 Eh, as if anyone actually uses them anymore
  • 100 19
 I prefer a bottle to a hydration pack, easier to clean
  • 22 6
 i use mine every ride, from shuteling, no long rides to enduro races
  • 76 8
 bottle cage mandatory for me. I do a lot of short rides (1-2 hours) from my house and would rather not carry a pack. Also much faster to clean and rinse a bottle than a hydro pack
  • 12 4
 Same here @mikericci. If I'm only out for a few hours it's a right pain having to clean a bladder out. Also if the dog comes then she has her own bottle to save having to stop and get a bowl out etc.
  • 278 5
 backpacks come in handy to carry small animals that you rescue while on your ride such as bunnies and little squirrels. especially if they are rabid. all water bottles do is hold frogs and snakes.
  • 98 7
 Bottles are the best. Until next year when backpacks are.
  • 46 41
 I wouldn't buy a bike without bottle cage mounts.....why anyone would ride with a heavy sweaty bag on your back when they dont have to Ill never understand..
  • 25 2
 Look, it's true that not everyone uses a bottle, but many do. How hard is it to just include the bosses? Particularly when there's SPACE!?! Santa Cruz managed to fit a pair, and their shock cuts right across the middle of the triangle! So frustrating..... there's definitely room, and yet trying to drill your own holes would be a very bad idea. That one little feature can be a deal-breaker.
  • 18 4
 It's also much cooler in summer without a pack. No more sweaty back.
  • 9 1
 Not only is there space, but their team members, like Bradford, have them on their bikes.
  • 23 3
 The Enduro specific water bottle drilling they're working on wasn't ready in time for production.
  • 22 28
flag Pedro404 (Feb 2, 2016 at 13:05) (Below Threshold)
 @wydopen Because I don't want a heavier bike, worry about shaking the bottle off and have to dismount to drink. I'll get sweaty anyway.
  • 19 5
 @Pedro404 Adding weight down low on your bike is a much better place to carry it than high up on you body..Not to mention a waterbottle is allot lighter than a backpack.....I ride rocky dh trails several times per week and have never lost a bottle...also reaching down to grab your bottle with one hand and taking a drink isn't very difficult..
  • 4 5
 @Pedro404 You may need to 2x check your bottle system. Bottles are pretty reliable, especially on the inside of the downtube. Also, the overall weight (bike + rider) doesn't suffer with bottles; in fact bottles allow you to move the weight lower on the bike for better maneuverability and handling.
  • 2 9
flag TheOriginalTwoTone (Feb 2, 2016 at 13:17) (Below Threshold)
 @panaphonic the point you missed is in the review it points to the Following starting the trend which is a stretch.
  • 35 2
 I've not cleaned my hydro pack out in 10 years and it works fine and still tastes of water! Just need to use it!
  • 30 2
 What do all you non backpack riders use to carry your tools, tubes, spare cables, and pumps in? I've never understood this heavy backpack thing as mine with two liters of water is easily sub 10 pounds with the aforementioned gear. I get the joy of riding with nothing on but I don't even do short shuttle rides without my little pack.
  • 38 2
 For Enduro am I supposed to have a bottle, a pack, or a fannypack? I NEED TO KNOW TO BE COOL!
  • 4 34
flag wydopen (Feb 2, 2016 at 13:34) (Below Threshold)
 @Zachmozach Just ride a setup that is dialed and not have mechanicals...If i flat I just ride the rim back...also if you really must carry a multitool throw it in your pocket and strap whatever else you need on the frame...
  • 9 4
 @wydopen @sevensixtwo Surely having the weight on your back doesn't affect bike handling as much as having it on the frame, however low? As for losing a bottle and not being able to drink while seated, those might be shitty points, because I never actually tried it, that's just what comes to mind. But the weight thing I stand by. And as Zachmozach says, I also carry tools and a tube, not just water.
  • 30 1
 To each their own but if I flat 3 minutes into a 10 minute shuttle I don't ride my rim down as I'd need a new one. Seems kind of funny as World Cup riders and top enduro riders all have dialed rides and even they suffer mechanicals. I don't want to be that guy walking down a trail because I didn't want to carry what I view as essentials.
  • 4 1
 @Zachmozach: I have two sets of bosses, so I use one for a large bottle and the other for my pump and multitool. I also have a great little Ortlieb saddle bag (yeah, yeah) that clamps only to the saddle rails, and so is compatible with a dropper. Nothing in my pockets, nothing on my back, good for rides of up to three hours in SoCal heat and prepared for most moderate technical problems.
  • 2 0
 @pedro404 Search on Pinkbike. There's been a bunch of articles by the editors, etc.
  • 4 0
 backcountryresearch.com
  • 38 4
 I don't understand, without a backpack, where do you put the extra tube and CO2 that you throw to the guy who only had water bottles?
  • 7 2
 Saddle bag- if you get the right one works with a dropper.
  • 22 1
 @TheOriginalTwoTone I think that panniers work with a dropper too.
  • 6 7
 There are tshirts with some nice pockets... i can fit everything in there for a day trip... plus wear the fancyest troy lee jersey on top of it and still looking cooler as with a backpack besides the waterbottle... because... water bottles aint cool isn't that the main reason u guys hatin on them?
You'd wonder how many times i was helping out guys with no chain tool in their backpack.
Plus big jumps are more fun with a bike thats a little big heavier than with a backpack....
  • 56 0
 Just realized I'm sitting on PB watching people argue about water bottles vs hydro packs... Going to go ride my bike now.
  • 2 2
 4 years into mtb i got to the point were I just take a zip of water here and there and found out the camelbak just adds effort to my body. I do 2-3 hrs ride on the mountain. if i'm planing on a long mtb ride 8-11 hours maybe then is a good idea as for carry snacks and stuff, for short rides I prefer my water bottle. to be fair there is after market options.
  • 7 2
 this is what happens when you "low key forget the water bottle holder" on pinkbike. A huge and quite silly argument erupts in the comments. I kinda like it. better than everyone just drooling over the paint job and opening their wallets.
  • 3 1
 @wydopen not sure where you ride but here in Texas we ride in 100 degree heat during the summer... Water bottle ain't gonna cut it on the longer rides. I prefer riding with a water bottle though when I can
  • 5 1
 I run Swat gear to carry my tools and CO2. I have even run a second bottle if I am going out for more than a few hours. Went away from a pack about 12 months ago and I will never carry one again unless I am going deep into the backcountry.
  • 11 2
 "What do all you non backpack riders use to carry tools, tubes, spare cables, and pumps in?"....they don't, they leech'em off everyone else. An issue as old as the Mountain Bike....lol. As a DH'er, I use my pack as my spine protector....so might aswell toss a bit of water in there : )
  • 3 5
 @zzzogas413 Im good with one bottle up to +/- 30miles/5000ft of climbing..admittedly it isnt usually 100deg but it gets plenty warm.. Anything longer than that and Ill just take one of those thin plastic bottles (like nestle bottled water) in my pocket and drink it before I get to the top...then just crush it and stick it back in my pocket...all our trails are strait up then strait down though so once you get to the top you dont need anymore water...also if you hydrate properly the day before you can get by with one bottle...but obviously there are exceptions...
  • 4 0
 ...and Hot Damn that's a sexy bicycle!
  • 2 0
 Exactly what I thought. Also @Bluefire Spec only had to E29 for a couple seasons before they gave in and offered a 27.5 (which was a mistake IMHO). I'm sure the Following is a fun bike but it didn't re-invent anything.
  • 5 0
 what do you piss in your bladder wtf! throw it in the frezzer after every ride, no germs bugs and clean as the day u bought it, actually better, I hate that new plastic bladder taste, plus any water left over frezzes to make your next rider super cool.
  • 2 5
 It would be a great idea for disposable bladders for the packs. Shear Brilliance!
  • 18 1
 Solution:

Step 1: take hydration pack out of hydration pack bag.
Step 2: put bottle inside of hydration pack..

...
  • 5 1
 I lost water bottles whenever I rode aggressively. They'd fly off on g-outs or little drops and things. What bottle/cage combo do you guys use? Thanks.
  • 10 4
 You water bottle guys crack me up.
  • 6 0
 I can't even imagine evil's reaction to this argument...
  • 16 0
 What do you wreckon they'd say?
  • 2 0
 Roll the empty bladder and stick it in the freezer. You won't have to clean anything again. That said, bottles are nice to mount in a frame.
  • 17 0
 I cram my pack inside my bottle cage.
  • 5 0
 Not as much as guys that have enough gear for a 3 day excursion strapped to their backs for an after work ride..
  • 4 0
 LOL @h-beck83 ^....and for those big trips, zip tie cages to your pack! BE the boss.
  • 9 0
 Top posts are about water bottles. Jeez
  • 1 0
 What happened to the 5'8 hobbits?
  • 8 0
 Sooooooooo anyway, about the bike. Looks pretty friggin sweet.
  • 2 0
 Truth my brother!
  • 1 1
 @Maverickdh00 did that with my Source bladder and it kind of damaged the valve that blocks the flow when you disconnect the hose
  • 16 0
 i can see the marketing / PR people at EVIL now:

PR exec: "hey howd the wreckoning release go on pinkbike?"

20-something intern: "uhhh sir it looks like commenters have taken up arguing about water bottles vs. hydration packs."
  • 3 2
 Just use a strap on and QUIT WHINING.
  • 2 0
 I prefer hand held its easier to change the speed /rotation settings
  • 2 1
 my following has waterbottle mounts... pretty sure they didn't forget them...
  • 3 0
 @manchvegas: The Following has bottle bosses, but inexplicably, neither the Wreckoning nor Insurgent seems to.
  • 7 1
 Anyone tried storing water in their stomach?
  • 1 0
 I do regularly. I fill my bottle with 750mm then drink 1L from a bottle that I leave in my car. It works surprisingly well.
  • 1 0
 Can somebody hint at these bottles cages that are so great? Is it the bottle?
  • 3 0
 When I bought my bottle and cage I went to the lbs and test matched various bottles and cages to see how well they locked together. I found a pair, from different brands that worked really well together with a nice fit. I've never lost a water bottle yet.
  • 4 0
 so if you only have a bottle what do you do when you pinch flat, because I know I fix it on the trail which requires tools and a tube
  • 2 1
 My tool is mounted on the bottom of my cage and in my steerer thanks to Specialized's SWAT setup, and my tube is strapped to the frame using a ski strap. A Co2 can be stored in a jersey pocket or a small pack; I opt for a fanny pack. This also allows room for food, first aid kit, safety kit, and additional tools if need. Mine also has a 2L bladder thay can be filled for long days. But on short days and shuttles I can ditch the small pack and put Co2 in a pocket and I'm good to go.
I mainly use a water bottle to seperate electrolytes and keep just H2O in the bladder. With electrolytes I can put in a good 30-40 miles on a single bottle in the colder months, with zero cramping.
  • 2 0
 I still have a larger pack for BIG days, where I can carry everything including a small saw, 2 tubes, larger first aid kit, pump, additional parts, lube, more tools, armor, a jacket, etc. But for everyday, in town rides, all of it becomes so excessive.
  • 2 3
 This is why you need bottle cage mounts:
www.charliethebikemonger.com/king-cage-stanley-oliver-hip-flask-cage-8040-p.asp
  • 2 1
 Because you can't fit tools, spares, first aid kit, food, thermals and shell jacket in a bottle cage. And I'm yet to find a bottle/cage combo that doesn't fall out once the going gets exciting, sure put a bottle cage on your xc rig but this thing isn't designed for rolling around your local xc loop.
  • 1 0
 @rabatt I ride this trail and many others like it on a 160mm bike several times a week with a bottle in the cage and Ive never lost it
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dT-WL1X3J4&list=FLsk_YAEG5gb8Ick0ZtH5AFw
  • 4 1
 Pinch flats? I don't get pinch-flats or any other type of flats due to running sensible weight tyres and reasonable pressures.
  • 1 0
 This thread..........Meh.

This bike.............@%$#* sexy.
  • 84 13
 ""the resurgence of 29" wheels is certainly one that can be traced, all be it tenuously, back to one bike and one brand...""
The SPECIALIZED ENDURO 29"
  • 9 26
flag TheOriginalTwoTone (Feb 2, 2016 at 13:27) (Below Threshold)
 Yet unoriginal as there have been similar bikes for a long time.
  • 11 23
flag Bluefire (Feb 2, 2016 at 14:46) (Below Threshold)
 @YoKev: The Enduro 29 proved that good-handling, long-travel 29ers could be built, but Specialized also offered it alongside two other wheel sizes, suggesting that 29ers had fundamental caveats. The Following was the first bike to successfully challenge this notion, as to this day Evil has not released a corresponding 650b version.
  • 11 3
 @Bluefire : is the Insurgent not essentially the same thing?
  • 5 2
 @jojotherider1977: The Insurgent and Wreckoning are counterparts, but both have significantly more travel than the Following. I'm not sure what you're getting at. Evil may be compromising their commitment now, but that isn't relevant to the Following's effect on 29er legitimacy.
  • 4 0
 Oh, i was just responding to when you said Evil has not released a corresponding 650b version. I was thinking in terms of the Wreckoning, not the Following.
  • 4 2
 .... please YoKev... please.... S would claim they invented the MTB if Tom Ritchey, Fisher, Kelly, Breezer, Potts, Cunningham etc etc were not alive... actually they kind of do anyhow.
  • 14 0
 29" wheels are making a comeback? When did they leave???!
  • 9 1
 I think I am right in saying that the lenz lunchbox did the long travel short chainstay 29er first, or at least, got it right first.
  • 12 1
 Enduro 29, Stumpy EVO 29 and Trek Remedy 29 come to mind.
  • 5 1
 Yeah Lenz... Way before anyone... And still ahead... But you are talking to the teenyboppers of mtb...
  • 4 1
 A Lenz 'Moth, Evil The Following and Canfield Riot would be my top 3 if I could buy a new bike today. Smile
  • 7 2
 Lol neg prop all you want Specialized fans, it doesn't change the fact that Devin Lenz was hand building long travel short CS 29ers long before anyone at Specialized even thought about the Enduro 29er.
  • 3 3
 *Years before S made a full susp 29er.
  • 4 1
 Luke Strobel winning ...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnoimrkIsn8
  • 1 0
 I wonder if he's going to ride that or the insurgent in the EWS.
  • 1 0
 I do not know too. I think it is more like a DH bike. For EWS if we consider only 29 I think more Trek Remedy or new Santa Cruz Hightower. This new Evil is pretty EVIL
  • 55 7
 The Shrekening
  • 12 2
 youtu.be/D4I9K_plx4s
  • 20 1
 its all ogre now
  • 7 0
 good fucking l0rd
  • 6 0
 I have no idea what I just watched.
  • 6 0
 You know what... I'm getting back on with my work now...
  • 3 0
 Dying of laughter!
  • 2 0
 At least now I know my thoughts aren't quite as messed up as that guys.
  • 28 5
 what about the process 111, that was out before the following, with short travel agreesive riding in mind, damn pink bike. making shiiit up again
  • 12 10
 I rode it and I had very mixed feelings. It handles nicely on smoother trails, no doubts about it, but it's not a bike for chatter. Once you hit a longer rough bit you start wondering: why don't I just ride a Honzo?
  • 5 1
 Except this isn't a short travel bike. It's got 161mm of travel so says the article.
  • 6 1
 Niner WFO anyone? This is arguably sexier doe...
  • 6 0
 Read the first paragraph bud. Refers to the following. Read, then post, it's a process. - see what I did there
  • 2 0
 @jbob27 you speak the thruth! these days, too many 'I haven't read the article before but I post my comment'... If everyone was reading the article til the end, we probably won't have to scroll down for 5 minutes
  • 7 11
flag cuban-b (Feb 2, 2016 at 13:52) (Below Threshold)
 evil is just trending right now. lots of hype. maybe they paid more for advertising on this site? who knows. but there are definitely lots of fanboys. not that i hate it, i just can't understand all the hype around it. just looks like another mtn bike that may or may not fit someone's riding style. they have good marketing i suppose.
  • 15 3
 I agree that the 111 started the short-travel 29er conversation, but I also agree with Forster. I think the Following made 29ers real because it was the first committed 29er. Up until its release, almost every 29er over 100mm was offered alongside a 27.5" direct counterpart or near alternative - the Fuel EX and Remedy, the Camber and Enduro, the Tallboy LT, Cannondales, Pivots, Mondrakers, Yetis, you name it. Meanwhile, plenty of trail and enduro bikes were only available in 650b. The 111 and the Banshee Phantom are the only two exceptions that come to mind, but both seemed like experiments: well-executed and well-reviewed, yes, but also aluminum bikes from niche companies. It's not like everyone went out and bought them.

And EVERYONE went out and bought the Following. Amidst quality control nightmares, Evil's first bike under 150mm was... a full-carbon 29er? It may have been the biggest cycling gamble of the decade - win or die - but it spoke of Walsh and Weagle's absolute confidence in the 29er platform, and it paid off as a smash hit. The Following proved for the first time that a well-designed 29er needs give up absolutely nothing to a 650b bike, regardless of discipline. Therefore, while it is not the original short-travel 29er, I feel it is indeed proximately responsible for the renewed legitimacy of 29" wheels.
  • 8 0
 Does nobody remember the Transition Bandit 29? 130mm rear and 150mm front travel. Those things ripped.
  • 8 5
 Bluefire - there is no way you are running away with not giving credit to Stumpy 29 Evo. This thing was just sick - it stood against everything a potential geo geek could read out from it's geo chart. It's just not supposed to ride this way - But it did.

As I said, 111 may have a nice geo, but suspension is not coping with it and it is the crutch of most modern short travel bikes with big forks, regardless of the wheel size with Blur TRc and 5010 being the best examples. I don't know how Following rides in that respect (I assume it has state of the art suspension design), but if you've ridden a good long travel beast, that can climb well (and many do these days, even if only thanks to shocks like CCDB CS), you will quickly notice how close to the Honzo hardtail, the 111 really is, and while it is all nice and cool, such bike will never be a good primary bike. It may work just fine for someone living among hills, but as soon as he takes it to proper mountains the bike has not much to offer under cocky trousers of slack geo.
  • 2 1
 @WAKIdesigns what tire sizes were you using on the 111? My personal experince with a F/R combo of Minion DHF 2.5(17 PSI)/Ardent 2.4(20 PSI) make for a pretty capable combo in the chatter. The stock Monarch RT is rather unimpressive though.
  • 1 3
 I think it's been Ardent/Minion actually and no it's not about the tyres. Those bikes are great but for quite narrowed down set of trail conditions, or as a second trail bike for longer rides, asking for more efficiency. They are very sensitive for sag setting and work better when set too firm than when too soft.
  • 5 0
 I thought Yeti came out with the SB95 before a 650b was in their lineup...no??
  • 1 0
 Whether you like the 111 or not, I think it pre - dated the following and is the Adam in the Creation Story for this genre of bikes. What will be interesting to me is to see if the short/mid - travel 29er makes the 650 platform superfluous. Thus opening the door for....26 (!) as a viable alternative.
  • 1 0
 I agree about the Process in the rough stuff but read/ assume that the following has the same difficulty but is a little more foregiving due to it being a bit slacker in the HA. Would really like to see a true head to head with all the short travel/slack geo bikes. @TBrandt, what shock are you running that is better than the Monarch on the 111?
  • 1 0
 @Waki: " I don't know how Following rides in that respect (I assume it has state of the art suspension design)". But you know that it has a linkage-driven single pivot, just like the one on the Process 111 ? The pivot point is different and leverage ratio is different, but in general a single pivot is not really "state of the art suspension design" ;-)
  • 4 1
 Can you explain what a cutting edge suspension design could look like, and how exactly a linkage driven single pivot is not one?
  • 1 0
 @dingus518 I added a Debonair sleeve to the Monarch. The bike only ever really liked to use the first 80% of it's travel unless you ran 35% sag with the stock air can, at which point it would get bouncy on pedal strokes. Given it only has 111mm of travel, it's good to be able to use all of it.
  • 1 0
 What about the Spec. Enduro 29? Wasn't it the first truly "downhill" oriented 29er on the market? It was, at least, the first featuring 160 mm of rear travel, right?
  • 1 0
 Process 111 or not the Niner and the Enduro were out way before the 111
  • 1 0
 It's funny reading all this. The small builders, like Lenz are the risk takers. I know the neg props are coming because facts matter little to pinkbikers. The big guys only join something after it's done by a risk taker. They aren't first.

Don't believe me, linked is a 2011 article and it mentions Lenz Lunchbox 6 inch travel and the PBJ 7 inch short cs 29ers.


dirtragmag.com/printraghomegrown-lenz-sport
  • 27 3
 I wreckon they forgot to put a water bottle mount in
  • 13 1
 Quite an evil thing to do for those who do a lot of shorter rides.
  • 3 3
 There's certainly an Insurgent of people wanting one. I hear they have a pretty big Following.
  • 16 0
 They delta low blow with that move.
  • 6 3
 Puns make me crack up like a neon carbon trail frame riding a DH course.
  • 1 2
 theres gonna be a Wreckoning between the water bottle and the bladder!
  • 1 0
 I'll just have my Minion Following me with a water bottle
  • 1 0
 It's a Cage Aux Follie
  • 20 3
 This is the what the santa cruz hightower should've been.
  • 3 3
 This should have been the Hightower.
  • 5 0
 What a disappointment. - tall people
  • 3 2
 Holy eff is the seat over the back axle on the Hightower. Le meh! This Evil though!
  • 2 0
 What a disappointment. - not so tall people also (no small or Xs frame sizes)
  • 1 2
 ^ I agree with the tall people part but not the small people. No one should look like they're riding their Dad's bike. And Niner's upside down bar is just wrong.

F the bidon bolts. This frame is for hard charging. I'm strangely aroused by this frame!
  • 18 3
 Where's The Following Review?
  • 6 0
 Haha, I was hoping someone would ask this again.
  • 15 6
 99% of carbon bikes out there make me go "Meh" but this... I would love to ride it. I can't express how much that thing fascinates me. Potential of being the best, most all round and closest to DH bike, mountain bike ever? Looks like that!
  • 3 0
 What does carbon have to do with it?
  • 3 1
 Carbon carries high expectations due to high price but delivers rarely.
  • 12 0
 haha "all be it". it's one word not three, albeit
  • 7 0
 Evil's The Following . . . a bike deemed so important by Pink Bike that they never followed though on the promised review. What gives?
  • 7 3
 That's the sexists single pivot i've ever seen!
(And that's coming from someone with a fetish for less brake and suspension force interaction.)

Which reminds me... isn't anyone else interested in the suspension type? Seems like a topic worthy of any review.
  • 5 0
 Not really, linkage driven single pivot. Nothing terribly exciting in that, it's the way the whole thing's put together that's exciting. Speaking of which, 160mm 29er? I want one!
  • 2 1
 Yeah really. That is a single pivot suspension. The shock is driven by bad-ass looking mumbo-jumbo but the suspension is single pivot.
  • 6 1
 It reminds me somehow of an older Commencal Meta suspension linkage:
www.nsmb.com/assets/images/Interbike%202008/DD%20Day%202/Commencal%20Meta%206%20link.JPG

Triangle that is on one end connected to the shock and on the other end to a link which is connected to swingarm.
Of course only idea looks similar, I believe that suspension curves are totally different.
  • 7 9
 linkage driven single pivots, if designed rightly, are the best designs hands down.
  • 14 2
 Doesn't seem all that sexist to me. What makes you think the bike discriminates against a certain gender?
  • 8 0
 It's blue. They obviously hate women, all those sexists.
  • 4 0
 I've ridden this bike. You should have heard me going downhill on it. I was hooting and yelling my ass off like I had won the lottery. I also dropped my buddy who normally rides around the same speed as me. Stunningly, ridiculously, epically amazing bike, even despite the wheelbase.
  • 5 1
 so pretty. i bet it freaking shreds. if you still have doubts about evil, don't. i have had incredible customer service the whole time i have had my uprising and no frame problems.
  • 22 1
 What'd you need CS for?
  • 3 0
 Ooooh. A friend of mine has had some serious cracking issues with his Following. CS has been atrocious as well. This is across the pond though so can't judge the states. Suppliers matter a lot you know.
  • 5 1
 He needed it the whole time.
  • 2 0
 i had one of the earlier runs and the bearings didn't hold up as well as i expected (developed some play) and they shipped me new ones within a couple days for free.

and then when i was being the hack of a home mechanic that i am trying to flip the flip chips they weren't budging. i wasn't sure what i was doing wrong and got a response almost immediately (not sure if it was a super tight tolerance or what)

also bought directly from them and had questions about sizing and what have you and that whole process was a breeze.
  • 1 0
 Yeah. I've heard a lot of good feedback when going directly to them. Not sure why it's such a struggle in the UK. Such lovely looking bikes as well on top of that.
  • 8 4
 What a bunch of cry babies. Oh my sweaty back, oh my dirty water bottle, oh I have to clean my water bladder. GO RIDE, have fun, and quit complaining about bikes, equipment etc. Bike looks good, but I like my process better.
  • 1 0
 I'd like to hit that trail but my head angle is only 66 degrees
  • 4 0
 Dear bike industry: these are the proper reach, ETT and stack numbers for an XL bike.
The seat tube is pretty short luckily 9point8.ca makes a 175mm drop post in 34.9 so rejoice.
  • 1 0
 19.5 inches is a fucking joke for an XL 29er
  • 2 0
 175mm drop post solve ftw. Something any tall rider would want.
  • 3 0
 seriously, the lack of 160+ droppers is not good for us 6'1"+ riders.
  • 1 0
 Agreed - all hail 480mm reach.
TT's are too sloped and bikes look ridiculous with a 500mm seatpost. That's just excessive standover - I think most people on the XL are going to have 4" clearance to the TT . . . on the rare occasion they stand straddling the bike.
I'm 6'4" and just find that I don't need a dropper post - it's quite easy for me to get behind the saddle and on steep alpine stuff I've never been bothered by the seat rubbing by sternum.
  • 5 0
 This is the future... maybe not for the short asses like me but definetly for everyone else lol
  • 4 0
 Unreal. When will this baby nursery coloured MTB trend end? Colour fail. I hope it comes in colours other than pastels. #SayNoToPastelMTBIn2017
  • 4 0
 Should have been McLaren orange
  • 5 0
 Luke Strobel winning DH on this bike

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnoimrkIsn8
  • 1 0
 Regarding "progressive" geometry, this has a very similar Reach and Stack to my 2012 Honzo. That's a good thing about very different bikes otherwise. I'm sure this bike would handle rough terrain much faster...if I could afford it.
  • 1 0
 all you had to do to get past the lack of a water bottle area on this bike is to ride with specialized s SWAT mtn bibs. the have pockets on the back like a classic jersey that work enormously when riding weekend rides commuting or enduro.
  • 4 0
 I think shit might hit the fan when people read the last sentence of this article.
  • 3 2
 i have accepted the boost fate of the industry. i understand the reasoning and the design possibilities that it creates.
  • 1 0
 Yeah, happy that I bought the following. Lack of water bottle and boost suck.
  • 4 0
 I'm so torn between this and a Mojo Geometron right now. Please someone help me
  • 5 1
 Geometron
  • 4 2
 The Two couldnt be more different but the Geometron gets my vote! Its pretty cool, Its really long with a low standover. Handbuilt in Germany! I'd love to try one. The Evil is just a plastic sled. Good bikes but nothing special.
  • 2 0
 That's winning the fight right now if I'm honest. I've owned a couple of evil DH bikes and they do ride seriously well
  • 2 1
 Yes they do. But the mojo is very unique, and I like their philosophy.
  • 3 1
 Geometron. It wont break.
  • 5 1
 Neither. Canfield Riot Wink
  • 1 0
 If the riots TT grew an inch you woukd have my vote
  • 2 0
 You're right, the Geometron is in a league of its own in that regard.
  • 5 1
 Time to sell my Tallboy LT, sorry Santa Cruz, was hoping you were going in this direction instead of the Hightower.
  • 3 0
 I'm not a fan of 29 wheels, however bike and geometry numbers looks rad. to my opinion they should spec their XL bike with 150+ droppers
  • 1 0
 Bottle issues notwithstanding, I like the geometry numbers of this rig better than either The Following or the Insurgent. This beast likely will mow over anything, yet it has super short chainstays and a much steeper seat angle than it's aforementioned brethren. At least on paper it probably climbs great and still handles remarkably despite it's enormity.This could be the one I'd sell organs for.
  • 4 0
 I thought 29 was fast, 26 was fun, and 27 was both.
  • 4 0
 camcoz69 Not sure thats correct anymore, we will have to wait for an industry update.
  • 5 0
 The Fappenning
  • 3 0
 Evil throws some very smart and classy work these days... too bad the prices are that classy
  • 4 2
 Cool bike, but just sayin' that the Niner WFO was already here over 2 years ago with long travel, slack, and short chain-stays enabled by ditching the front derailer
  • 5 2
 Not really a good comparison to the Wreckoning. The WFO has longer stays, much shorter reach and its aluminum. The Enduro 29 is a better comparison.
  • 1 1
 Should have been McLaren orange
  • 2 0
 The WFO is ugly as sin in XL, like most Niners. It's almost like they don't want tall people to buy their bikes.
  • 1 0
 Niner, Orange, Specalized, all have fun big travel 29ers. I ride a Niner RIP9 RDO and love it, not as much travel i know but i still love it. Very engaging ride, I'm a convert to 29ers now. But I gotta say that Evil looks the nuts and and I probably will take the plunge once its been on the market for a while and no one is having major issues.
@ibishreddin McLaren orange would look fantastic.
  • 2 0
 When you know that Luke Strobel won the USA DH cu with that bike you know it s working good !!!! www.mtb-downhill.net/how-to-win-a-downhill-race-with-a-29er-bike
  • 3 1
 The new nomad has a water bottle cage now. You can only geta small bottle in it, but it's so much better there than in your jersey or in a pack.
  • 5 1
 Yes. Truth be told, Baby Blue is not very Evil.
  • 2 0
 Bad ass bike that pedals like the Following and descends better than the Insurgent. "It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."
  • 4 0
 I like how Evil is just making up seat tube angles now.
  • 1 0
 The V TT length is stupid long! (although the reach is avg) The Med is longer than a Transition Smuggler Large. I would have to put my Saddle as far forward as possible.
  • 3 0
 You can also run a 180mm fork on it...
  • 1 0
 Where are you finding a 29" 180mm fork?
  • 1 0
 Manitou Dorado
  • 4 2
 Two new 29ers on pinkbike today and they both look good. Does this mean 29ers are back in style?
  • 2 1
 Indeed good looking bike, but I was hoping they would have come out with a new DH. They already had a 29er in their line.
  • 1 0
 Their website says they are developing a new "consumer direct" website... Please ignore the exchange rate while you're at it Smile
  • 2 0
 I think this is the first time in my life I've been compelled to say...Sick Cassette Bro.
  • 1 0
 They make very nice bikes, but when it came down to buying one, I don't know if the price difference from other brands would make me shy away.
  • 1 0
 I can't even begin to count the number of bikes that "re-defined what a 29er should be", and still had heavy front ends and slow handling.
  • 1 0
 Ughh...was looking to order this bike but size Medium is a tad too big for me. I'm only 5'7" so I would need a size small, which they don't offer. -_-
  • 2 0
 So new it's not even on Evil's site. I want more stats!
  • 2 0
 check out bikemag's dream build of one. it has the geo.
  • 2 0
 Thanks!
  • 3 2
 That blue doesnt exactly say evil... Atleast they always make a murdered out frame!
  • 4 1
 Yeah, first glance I thought it was a Juliana. I bet the price is Evil!
Not for anyone under 5'8" - 5'9" though.
  • 3 2
 Two bikes without a size small in one day! Its like the bike gods finally realized that tall people need an option as well!
  • 2 0
 Coming from a current 29er rider..... SO MUCH WANT.
  • 2 1
 Bike reviews should mention if it fits a front derailleur or not. Very interested to see how this stacks up against an E29.
  • 2 0
 HOT DAMN Drool I want this bike sooooooooo badly!
  • 1 0
 Love Pinkbike's timing of press releasing the Santa Cruz Hightower (cool name) and the Evil Wreckoning. Very smart.
  • 2 0
 Megalodon blue......he needed the money.
  • 1 0
 It might be here on Pinkbike but it's nowhere to be seen on the evil bikes website. Marketing Fail!
  • 1 0
 161mm... Coz that extra 1mm makes all the difference... Well thats what she told me anyway...
  • 2 0
 Thats a sweet looking rig! Even for a 29er!
  • 1 0
 That linkage looks pretty sick
  • 1 0
 Guess it's time to sell my enduro 29.
  • 1 0
 Doesn't have the Vivid air shock on this one.
  • 1 2
 Gonna do so much work for you, will take some of the fun/skill out of riding a bike.

I know, I have an enduro 29er and it's an incredible machine, just a little dull.
  • 3 0
 That's called a fast bike
  • 1 0
 Anyone want to buy an enduro 29?
  • 1 0
 Put a 650B shock extension on that...
  • 1 0
 I plan to this spring. If my frame size and rear shock will give it enough clearance...
  • 1 0
 This looks like a fun ride!
  • 1 0
 Glad it has good stack height x larger frames, unlike their other bikes
  • 1 0
 I am glad there is no cage for a baby bottle..
  • 1 0
 Intense Carbine29 seems to have been forgotten in all this.
  • 1 0
 Absolutely massive erection
  • 1 0
 Sick!!!
  • 1 0
 Get Wrecked!
  • 1 0
 No review?
  • 1 1
 In with you on that one. The Hightower looks cleaner.
  • 1 0
 Formula brakes. Hm.
  • 2 2
 Ooo woww..first s.c. now evil..jizz..jizz..whatever..
  • 1 1
 SB4.5C or this......decisions, decisions.
  • 3 1
 You couldn't have picked 2 bikes that are more different. Well maybe a fat bike.
  • 1 2
 Ummm...both are 29" full suspension bikes. Different geometry, yes...but both bikes meet my criteria.
  • 3 0
 One is designed for XC/Trail with 114mm of travel, the other is designed for DH with some pedaling tossed in with 161mm of travel.

Is your only criteria 29 inch full suspension? It just seems like a huge spread of intended use to me.
  • 1 0
 I can dig it
  • 2 1
 Ugly rear end.
  • 1 1
 will pass on evil because of what they did to Cam Zink
  • 1 1
 Can't see the attraction, the linkages look horrible.
  • 1 1
 why not Guide brakes???? not a Maguara fan.
  • 1 2
 Priceless?
  • 1 3
 XL = 19,5''?! Who cares about riders taller than 190cm anyway... :-/
  • 2 0
 I'm 6'6" and ordered one. It's got more reach, stack and ETT than my XL E29 so it was a no-brainer. The short seat tube was an issue until I found myself a 175mm drop 9point8 seatpost in the requisite 34.9. Problem solved in the best possible way.
  • 2 0
 Yea the angle of the seat tube (not quoted ett) will put you well over the rearhub too...
  • 1 0
 Guys, when 187 cm which I believe is 6,1 which size should I take?

btw here Luke Strobel winning on the bike

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnoimrkIsn8
  • 1 0
 The only way to tell is to sit on one.
I'm 188cm, or 6'1.5" but I have a 36" inseam (long legs)

I would like the reach of the Medium, and the Seat post of the XL !
  • 1 0
 Hey @richt2000
I'm almost identical to you 6'2 and 37" legs.
The reach is probably longer on the other bikes you have than you think as you've had to put the seat up so far it's added an inch to reach.
Because this bike has a high stack the reach measurement won't really change much with your length leg.
  • 1 0
 O man!!! I am totally the same, very long legs and short body, always have problems and sizing is the most important for us !!!

Please keep me posted about your choice and the result Smile

Thanks
Patryk
  • 3 4
 Gwinn's new ride?
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