First Look: Evil Insurgent - Eurobike 2015

Aug 26, 2015
by Mike Kazimer  
Evil Insurgent

When Evil released the Following at the beginning of this year, the short travel 29er came as something of a surprise to riders who'd been expecting a 27.5” wheeled version of the Uprising (Evil's previous 150mm 26" bike), especially considering the popularity of longer travel all-mountain bikes. The new Insurgent is the answer, a long, low and slack full carbon machine with 151mm of rear travel that's been designed to deliver devilish amounts of fun out on the trail.

Details
• Full carbon fiber frame
• 27.5" wheels
• 151mm rear travel
• 430 - 432mm chainstay length
• Sizes: S,M, L, XL
• Price: $2799 USD frame w/ shock, completes start at $5199.

Evil Insurgent
Evil's DELTA Link suspension design takes care of the bike's 151mm of travel.

Like the Following, the Insurgent uses Evil's DELTA Link suspension design, a modified single pivot configuration developed by Dave Weagle that uses short links between the swingarm and the shock to achieve a dual leverage rate curve. A flip chip allows the head angle to be set at either 65.6° or 64.8° when the bike is run with a 160mm fork, numbers that correspond with a bottom bracket height of either 346mm or a ground-hugging 334mm. Chainstay length is only minimally affected by the geometry changes, ranging from 430 - 432mm. Four frames sizes, S, M, L, and XL will be offered, and with a reach of 472mm for the XL, taller riders should still be able to achieve a comfortable fit.

Evil Insurgent
The Insurgent has a built in carbon chainguide.
Evil Insurgent
The full carbon swingarm uses 12x142mm spacing.

The bike's rear derailleur housing is routed internally (there's no option for running a front derailleur), while the brake housing runs along the underside of the top tube. ISCG tabs are in place around the bottom bracket shell, but most riders will probably choose to use the built in carbon chain guide that's mounted to the swingarm. Speaking of the swingarm, one of the main sticking points about the Uprising was its lack of tire clearance, but that looks to have been addressed on the Insurgent, and there was plenty of room around the 2.3" Maxxis Highroller II on the display model.

The frame alone with a RockShox Monarch DebonAir RC3 shock will retail for $2799 USD, and there will be two different full build options – a SRAM X1 equipped version for $5199, and an X01 kit for $6699. Color options are Murder Black or Slimeball (shown).



MENTIONS: @evil-bikes



Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,716 articles

181 Comments
  • 358 3
 Knolls' new bike, Aggy's movie and a new Evil bike!!! I better call the Dr. This erection has lasted more than 4 hours.
  • 113 3
 No need for the dr. Just go look at the new crack brothers stuff, you should be back to normal in seconds. Be careful tho, you could end up like george from Seinfeld when he "was in the pool".
  • 3 2
 Where can I get the Aggy movie?
  • 26 0
 That or look at the new helmet from Lazer, the Ewok. That will get you all withered.
  • 5 0
 @MDRipper you aint kidding, man laughed out loud on that one. co workers looking at me.
  • 4 5
 ay she's a sexy beast, and i want to do despicable things to her
  • 8 8
 well @upchuckyeager ... if you'll look again at the frame you'll see there are two conveniently placed holes. Take your pick.
  • 3 0
 Finally it's here. Someone told me about theinsurgent two years ago... I thought it was never going to see the light of day. Boy am I glad it has.
  • 6 0
 Love how clean the guide is!
  • 1 0
 Sorry for fat thumbing the down vote +1 to you sir
  • 1 0
 No probs, life is just a ride.
  • 6 1
 I really don't need any more than 150mm travel though.
  • 64 0
 Stop it Pinkbike, you are making so many of us completely useless at work!!!
  • 55 0
 Evil makes the hottest bikes. Need this so bad
  • 7 0
 Hot is the only word you can use to describe it.
  • 9 0
 Evil never looked so good.
  • 20 23
 "Cracking" bike would be my description if it's anything like my Undead and Uprising.
  • 5 2
 Evil never looked so bad! (in the slang way)
  • 9 8
 very hot... very annoying also. Those little delta link bearings last about 2 hours, and the bolts that need torqued to 65 in/lbs (7.3 NMs) are a 2.5mm allen head.
  • 7 0
 I have the following been riding it over a month(100Mile/Week) now and have had no issues with the Delta Link bearings and the bolt alan heads are deeper to avoid stripping.... If you have loosening issues try lock-tite!
  • 5 0
 The Following uses 5mm and 6mm allen head screws.
  • 8 6
 Evil makes the best looking bikes. Shit, h feel like buying this myself, even though I know it's going to break after two weeks and I won't get a replacement for eleven months after they reply to my email six months after I send it...
  • 4 0
 @thestigmk1 I've a Following and those bolts are, if I recall correctly, 5mm and I've had zero issues with them loosening and zero issues with bearing failure / play. Are speaking from experience or just specious trolling?
  • 2 0
 @thestigmk1 I've not had any issues with loosening at all. And I check for obvious reasons.

Indeed, if anything it is a locktite issue, every bike has bolts on its suspension that *could* come loose.
  • 3 0
 i think this belongs in the 'fookin sex' description of bikes.
  • 5 0
 @eljefespeaks @boxxerace Not trolling whatsoever. I own an undead. I love it. However the bearings around the delta link are tiny and wear quickly. The ones directly on the flip chip lasted around one week in the alps even being cleaned and regreased after three days. Yes the bolt sleeve is a 5mm head, but the shaped head-sunk bolt that fits directly into the delta link takes a 3mm key and asking a bolt of that cross-section to manage that level of torque is crazy. I've had many ping off long before achieving full torque (sometimes as little as 5.5nm) when doing a linkage rebuild, and that's using a very good torque wrench.
I'm just hoping they've changed it but from what I can see on their spare parts the delta link bolts remain unchanged. More just a personal gripe based on ownership than a troll. I just wish they would upsize everything a bit.
  • 1 0
 Exactly. My mate has one and it was awesome when it was new. The delta link is good when it's new. Only problem is, things don't stay new for long. Those dog bones and associated bearings are just too small to drive a shock reliably. It is really a shame. The bikes look unreal, it has to be said.
  • 1 0
 the Delta link bolts thread into a socket nut, similar to a chain ring bolt.
  • 39 0
 cant wait for a "luke strobel raw edit" on this bike
  • 35 0
 That extra 1mm for big hucks
  • 4 1
 4.99999 INCHES OF PURE EVIL !!!
  • 35 3
 No SRAM® Boost 148™??? What a way to release an already obsolete bike! Well done, Evil! #sarcasm
  • 29 2
 My wife is going to be so mad....
  • 22 0
 Will it turn her evil?
  • 14 0
 Don't worry. It'll only be "$1500."
  • 15 0
 @Northcounty.. just make sure its the same color as your current bike..she'll never notice!!
  • 7 1
 Did that last time, didn't work. I have resorted to money laundering to evade any unnecessary questioning.
  • 2 1
 Hopefully didn't become so Insurgent.
  • 20 0
 Oooooh that chain guide so clean
  • 1 0
 Chain guide is cool but that chain will be awfully close to the chain stay in the small cog.
  • 14 0
 This new bike is drop dead sexy!!! It's got good looking lines, has a threaded BB and uses a normal 12x142mm axle, as well I like the integrated chain guide. Thank you Evil for making a great looking frame. I might just have to trade my Bronson in for one of these Drool
  • 1 0
 I was thinking the same thing. Love my Bronson but this bike looks unreal!
  • 11 0
 That's such a sexy bike that it was my instinct to close the web browser and look busy when my girlfriend walked in.
  • 9 0
 2.3 high roller is a pretty narrow tire... a 2.3 magic mary might take up the remaining clearance..
  • 3 1
 yea bike looks sick but i need to see some 2.35 schwalbes in there. that maxxis 2.3 is more closer to 2.2 and doesn't seem to be a whole lot of wiggle room in the pics.
  • 9 0
 you mean whole lot of weagle room?
  • 11 1
 Production bike to have bottle mounts?
  • 2 0
 I hope !!! but....
  • 10 0
 They need to get that 275 undead out ASAP!!!!
  • 9 0
 Colour option Murder Black. Yes, please!
  • 5 2
 I'd sacrifice a pig in return for one in blood red....or maybe even a candy apple red w/matte black decals.
  • 8 0
 Damnit Canadian dollar.
  • 2 0
 By the time the bike actually hits... I think/hope we will be in the clear of the 75cent exchange rate
  • 4 1
 I'm a big evil fan and knolly fan and don't know how the hell knolly is charging 6-700 more for there new frame???? It's f'ing crazy especially for us Canadians that are paying a 1.30 on the U.S. Dollar. Good job evil your coming in with a great frame that's a lot cheaper than almost all the high end competitors right now. Good Christ are we going to be paying 5k cnd soon for a frame?? If that's the case God help us allFrown
  • 2 1
 I feel the same. I was set on new Knolly until I've seen price. Come on! Knolly went overboard charging premium for their frame. I can get Yeti for that or Spec. Evil wins this time as it's great bike for reasonable price. Knolly just went retard.
  • 2 2
 Difference is, all the other premium rand bikes won't fall apart, unlike the Evil.

Do you fancy a $600 gamble with their historical odds?

Doesn't matter how good it is, rides or looks, repeatedly burning your customers on every recent bike you have made doesn't win people over.
  • 3 0
 I'm sure a bunch of people have already emailed Evil. But I emailed them yesterday to ask about details. I heard back today (so about 24 hour notice, for those of you stating that Evil's customer service sucks I'll let that speak for itself) the official launch of the bike on their website will be this Friday. All the details will be there.
  • 1 0
 I cant find it did you mean September 4th?
  • 1 0
 I know I can't find it either. All they said was this Friday which I assumed was today.
  • 5 0
 Really clever how they integrated the chain guide. Ah the simple things in life.
  • 5 0
 Now if theyd just make an up to date sovereign..... and i mean out of steel not carbon.
  • 5 1
 "there was plenty of room around the 2.3" Maxxis Highroller II on the display model."

Doesn't look to me like so... in fact looks pretty bare-minimum room left.
  • 1 1
 Yeah looks tight as hell on the seat and chainstays, I was hoping to be able to run debys with 2.4s!
  • 9 7
 Sick bike, but the geo is too aggressive for most people's everyday riding. 6" bike with a 64-65 degree head angle?! Great for Whistler I'm sure. Would be a nightmare to pedal with a stand and mash though. This is coming from someone with a newmad too.
  • 7 2
 Actually that is not true....ive had the pleasure of riding this bike a few times early this year and I can tell you it mashes up and smashes down....its all about if the suspension works or not for any degree of angle to work correctly. Kevin's bikes are on point. Get one and I gaurantee you will agree.
  • 6 6
 why the heck did this get neg-propped? This is absolutely correct. Hell, I have a Following and the head angle is very slack on THAT. 64.8 degrees is a machine that will go downhill awesome and uphill not-so-awesome.

IT is a gorgeous bike, but facts are facts man.
  • 3 1
 I'd say agressive 150+ bikes are all about the down..60/40 ratio maybe.
The benchmark como also dom t climb awesome...slash, nomad, etc
True most Will not need 150+. Look at the trek enduro pros-they race the remedy, not slash.
  • 4 1
 I have owned an Uprising and now a Following.. They go uphill really efficiently. Suspension design is amazing and these bikes motor uphill.. Uprising was a more competent climber than many other high end bikes ive owned. Rip downhill. I have taken the risk buying this companies product since no local shops carry them...So far I am sold. Hope it stays this way.
  • 1 0
 Nonsense, I ride a 140 trail bike 66 HA 442 reach, legs and lungs gives up before bike going uphill, bottle gives up before bike going downhill !!
  • 4 2
 You know what? you know what? I am going to say. If nobody will, I do it :
They didn't stick to 26, didn't stick to 29... now they make this 27.5" wheels just to please all the Joes.
You are a whore Evil, an evil evil sexy whore. An evil sexy whore. An absolute sexy whore. So sexy whore. So f*cking sexy. Hate you.
  • 5 1
 Why isn't a company allowed to offer bikes in all three wheel sizes? Uprising/Following/Insurgent 26/29/27.5

Funsize: 26"
Squidsize: 27.5"
Compensator: 29"
  • 5 0
 I have found my new frame! Murder black YES PLEASE!
  • 3 2
 EVIL that's a very EVIL thing to do to me booooo not long got the following and if I knew you was going to release this one so soooon I just would have waited . Your just evil hate you lol . Only kidding more than happy with the following I don't need more travel but for those that do it will rock your life ))
  • 4 1
 It's not just a shortage of reach that makes it hard to fit taller rider. It's a lack of stack. Nobody wants to spend $3k on a frame and then stick 3cm of spacers in there.
  • 3 0
 Truth. I have a Following and even with 46mm riser bars and about 3cm of spacers I still feel more hunched over than I'd be in a perfect world.
  • 2 0
 XL Enduro 29er has a stack of 655mm on a 135mm head tube. XL Yeti SB6 is 635mm with a whopping 160mm head tube. XL Following is just 617mm on a 120mm head tube. That is a lot of spacers.
  • 2 0
 Built in upper guide is the business, that should be integrated into all bikes that are designed around 1x. Too slack for me and for where I ride. Looks really good tho otherwise
  • 5 0
 Hey PB how about that Following review?
  • 1 0
 Anyone know the seat tube angle? All be it the best 29er I've ever ridden The only negative of my following is that when the saddle it up for peddling, I"m nearly over the rear hub, based on how the seat tube is kinked 1/3 way down...
  • 4 0
 Nice ! Pretty good idea for the chainguide !
  • 1 0
 I wonder how it looks fully compressed after a blind huck to flat? Just give me one day on that bike pls, Evil. I'd give all my money but I still couldn't afford to look even at you.
  • 5 1
 Sweet, ant geo numbers, reach?
  • 4 0
 Most of the relevant geo numbers are mentioned in the article, but here are the full reach dimension (in millimeters): S: 421, M: 438, L: 455, XL: 472.
  • 3 0
 here you should be able to find everything
http://www.mtbcult.it/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/IMG_7892.jpg
  • 3 1
 The only thing that I don't like about this bike is the price.. 2799$ in the USA and from what I read 3399€ in Europe?
  • 1 0
 Awesome reach/tt geo,..at the slight sacrifice of seat angle but I said slight.
  • 1 0
 Oh this makes me very happy!
  • 6 0
 Just buy a plane ticket to the USA and buy it here for the same money, with money left over for whistler
  • 1 0
 Not a bad idea ahah
  • 2 0
 sinki I've read about 3299 but with the new fox shocks.. perhaps that with the debonair rc3 is a little less. in fact even if they have integrate chain guide, I don't understand the difference in price betwenn a following and the insurgent. it's "the same" process...
  • 2 0
 That would make sense, I already asked at the italian distributor and he told me that he will ask and will let me know.
The following in Italy costs 2799€ so, like you said, it's strange to have such a big difference
  • 4 0
 Evil... Hell no! That is one damn sexy bike!! Built in chain guide....hot!
  • 3 0
 Release date? Or did I miss that part?
  • 3 0
 I'd love to see this in a darker flat grey
  • 1 0
 I heard from a friend who owns a bike shop that Evil is planning to go the consumer direct selling model, can anyone confirm if this true?
  • 4 0
 This is indeed true.
  • 1 0
 You could end up getting lots of evil looks at your LBS when you bring it in for them to drool all over.
  • 2 0
 Evil always makes me question my choices in bikes. I need to stop looking at them.
  • 2 0
 Seems like they did improve the shock bearings after all.
  • 2 0
 I want this bike in matte black with red highlights. Sexy bike though
  • 2 0
 Now where is that blue long travel 29er that Strobel was riding
  • 1 0
 I wonder if I get one in Pink my girlfriend might think it's for both of us
  • 1 0
 wtf....Knolly, Evil. I don't like them. Their wheels are too round. Thats all I got folk's......goodnight. Beautiful bike.
  • 2 1
 I hate to be that guy, but I'm curious if it can fit a water bottle like the Following?
  • 2 0
 I need.. I love ????????????
  • 3 1
 The bike is so badass that I think I'm going to actually read the article
  • 3 3
 is it anti-business to say be wary of another frame failure - not impressed with this brand, bike test is one thing but how will it perform for the working man!
  • 2 0
 Built in carbon chainguide. Take note industery!
  • 1 3
 $2799 frame only? Dang. I know it's Evil, stupidly sexy, and Carbonium, but consider Transition's lowest price point next year for the Patrol (and Scout) complete is $2999, and that the Patrol was Decline bike of the year 2015, you've got to really want that Evil.
  • 3 0
 Have a look at the new knolly, yeti this is friggin bargain compared to the other high end brands
  • 3 0
 Yeah, new Knolly is stupid expensive.
  • 2 0
 Shock e2e and stroke? Seat tube angle?
  • 2 0
 mmmmmmmm, nice.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer Please tell me its not boost or pressfit BB?
  • 2 1
 no, it's standard 142*12mm but I think that's pressfit bb
  • 2 0
 I LOVE YOU FOR THIS EVIL
  • 1 0
 Only EVIL can make a bright yellow bike look so tough!
  • 2 0
 this bike looks awesome!
  • 1 1
 Fancy single pivot? Someone please explain the suspension, its late and I don't have the energy to research
  • 1 0
 Wait...What?!?!?
Oh!!!
Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 There is no V2 version of swingarm on the Uprising...
  • 2 0
 Is preeeety
  • 1 0
 that's some fancy carbon fiber
  • 1 0
 Can't stop looking at this
  • 1 2
 One of these bike companies just needs to be honest and go ahead and name their bike the "Boner". Somebody launch the "Boner".
  • 3 0
 Problem is, not many want to throw their legs over someone else's boner.
  • 1 0
 It'd make test riding a bit cheeky.
  • 1 0
 Murder Black & Slimeball.

so.... Black or Yellow
  • 1 0
 Just sewer water under the bike industry bridge.
  • 1 0
 Release date?
  • 2 0
 Just called them. They said the next few weeks.
  • 4 6
 If only they fix their customer service and reliability then this will have to be my next bike.
  • 5 0
 They have a new website coming out soon and when I called they answered first ring. I think they've made big strides as far as quality control and customer service.
  • 2 0
 I sure hope so, might have to delay getting a new bike till next season then Frown
  • 1 1
 Anyone know if this uses a regular 142 rear, or is it Boost?
  • 2 0
 regular
  • 1 0
 No purple - No purchase.
  • 1 1
 I need a first look Cannondale Jekyll.
  • 1 0
 is it 142mm
  • 1 2
 looks like a stressful sus system
  • 1 1
 chain suck time ?
  • 5 7
 but can it fit a proper rear tire?
  • 3 1
 Did you read the article?
  • 4 0
 Yes I did and looked at all the pretty pictures, but a 2.3 maxxis tire is like everybody else 2.2. From the swingarm photo it doesn't look to have much clearance for a much bigger tire and mud
  • 1 0
 2.3 High Roller 2 is comparable to a number of other major tire manufacturers.
  • 1 1
 I can run 2.4 sized tires on the current model of the Uprising. I'm sure this is the same.

Not sure if anyone would, or would want to run anything on an Enduro / trail bike bigger than maybe 2.5. What say ye?
  • 2 0
 Probably not.
  • 1 0
 I don't know how you can run a 2.4 sized rear tire on your uprising, on mine I can barely fit a maxxis 2.3 dhf or 2.3 dhr 2. A specialized butcher sx in a 2.3 is a no go, as well as any 2.35 tire I have ever tried. You might want to check if you were one of the lucky ones who got one of the version 2 rear triangles, but many of us weren't so lucky and with Evil switching their carbon production facility, I heard directly from Rob that getting version 2 rear triangles was going to be near impossible. What say you, now?
  • 1 1
 I think I lucked out when I snagged my uprising @dytrdr6 . Mine was a warranty return for another PB member. Much more room in the version 2. I'll compare it to the V1 spare swingarm out of curiosity.
  • 1 0
 It does beg the question, however, "what were they thinking?".
  • 1 0
 it definitely does,I love my uprising and the new insurgent looks awesome. Hopefully I'm wrong and the new one has tons of clearance
  • 1 0
 I got to the Insurgent for a couple days with 2.4 Maxxis High Roller II's. It had a ton of clearance.
  • 1 0
 TimZim, would you say that a 2.5 magic mary fits?
  • 1 0
 I've never seen one in there but with the amount of clearance the HRII's had I'd say more than likely, with room to spare.
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