Road trippin’, turn slashin’, side-hit-jibbin’, nose-bonkin’, sprint-climbin’ attitude, that’s the Calling. Its anti-serious technology guarantees good times 69% of the time (the other 31% you’re climbing). With 130mm Delta delivered travel through our finest formed carbon tubing, 27.5" wheels, and trunnion-mounted-super-deluxe-rear-shock, your only decision is which colour.
@dthomp325: Kona makes the 134 and 111; Transition has the Scout and Patrol; Santa Cruz does the 5010 and the new Tallboy, and the same is true just about everywhere else in full-line brands. Short travel 29ers and mid-travel 27.5s with progressive geometry both make very fun, versatile trail bikes, but they are a bit different in character. I like my 111 - I'm a big/heavy dude, so I don't mind throwing a bit more bike around, and I'm not all that light on my feet to where I really want a super nimble bike. Lighter/smaller riders, or riders who do super agile stuff all the time, however, tend to prefer the smaller wheeled bikes. Both are similarly capable (travel close enough to where the difference is made up for by the wheel size; very similar head angles, etc.), they just have a different feel. And with trail bikes in this range being the overwhelming bulk of the market for these brands, it makes sense to spread the love a little bit.
@scary1: I wonder how many molds they actually have to produce this lineup. Seems the rear end of this bike is the same as the Insurgent, with the layout of the integrated chianguide and chainstay rubber looking identical. If the travel characteristics can be fine tuned with the delta link shape and dogbone length, seems like they could make additional models without much to-do.
@g-42: What he said. I'm one of these smaller & lighter dudes into 130-140mm bikes. Demo'd all the bikes mentioned except the Tallboy, plus Transition Smuggler, Giant Trance and Anthem 29. The arguments for trail 29ers are rock solid, but for whatever reason I like the smaller wheel bikes. It's my sweet spot. The Transition Scout is the most insanely fun bike I've ridden, and that's what I'm saving for.
@scary1: it comes down more to geo than anything. I have an intense spider (so 275 130mm) and the thing rips downhills but anytime you wanna airborne its way easier to do than any of my longer travel bikes have been. Makes it was easier for on the go natural doubles. Not for everyone forsure but if you like to pop over stuff the 130mm bikes are the way to go.
@WrenchRy87: I have a Wreckoning and it's pretty heavy: 7.9 lbs for my large with a Monarch Plus. That's full-on DH frame-weight territory. I can't say I notice the weight while riding, and it is stiff as hell, but I would hope they use different molds and lighter layups on their shorter-travel bikes.
@dthomp325: 8lbs for a six inch travel frame with the shock fitted is pretty good. A lot of quoted weights are either the smallest size, with no shock or somewhat 'optimistic' shall we say.
If climbing and descending each get 100% maximum possible fun I'd say at least 31% of my climbing is fun.
-The first 10% when you're excited to start riding and thinking about all the slow people you're going to blow by and how impressed everyone will be when you spray dust on them on the way down. -Then 20% for all the weird technical rock features to session and feel good about finally cleaning. -The view can account for 1% all the way to 70% (I can't focus on the view on the way back down).
@Sardine: I always try to end a big day in the woods with a panorama moment, just standing around looking at the sunset like caspar david friedrich's wanderer .
@Sardine: Well that kind of matches. If 50% is climbing and 50% is descending and apparently 69% of your climbing is not so much fun (as you say the other 31% is), then 50% x 69% = 34.5% of your ride is not so much fun. That said, then you need this bike. Only 31% is climbing and if you still don't quite like 69% of that, then you're only going to dislike 31% x 69% = 21.4%. That's an increase in fun of 100 * (100 - 21.4)/(100 - 34.5) - 100 = 20.1%. That is of course if you keep enjoying the climbs. If this bike kills that for you (even that 1% enjoying the view), you better keep clear.
Mike Kazimer was right. We shouldn't get too hung up on those numbers bike companies come up with.
Except he was charging a bit of a rough-looking dirt road - nothing a Subie couldn't get up (albeit a bit more slowly), nothing a stock Taco 4x4 couldn't have done at the same speed. Those Raptors are ridiculously capable - it's interesting they were featuring that truck going on terrain (and at speeds) that are well below its capability, but then showcasing a trailbike being ridden on trails and at speeds that most normal punters like me would find utterly terrifying on anything less than an full-on enduro sled.
@g-42: Also note they had two bikes in the bed over the tail gate, which isn't the best recipe for going quick. With a solidly mounted 2" hitch rack the truck could do Mach Chicken no problem.
@PhoS: It's usually around 3X which IS alot, but lots of labour, and labour in China is costing more and more, frame MFG will move to Vietnam, Cambodia etc. Thanks for not starting a huge political argument, felt like I stoked the fire a little to hard with that one
@DGWW: Haha cheers, i'm not looking to start any wars either. I'm an American Engineer so being presented with an overpriced imported product puts me in complex moral conundrum.
@PhoS: how is it overpriced, in your view? There is obviously good market demand; this isn't even the most expensive bike frame in its class. We've established a 3x factor for Asian markups as being roughly what the market will bear while letting the company make a profit. It uses some proprietary tech and a modicum of skill to produce; it's not a $75 hoody.
@PhoS: Evil has a dealer network, as does Transition. Can you name for us a few brands that offer a similar product at a price you deem 'correct' or not overpriced?
@twozerosix: I'm not here to do your market research. Boutique brands are built on hype that obviously isn't sustainable. I don't have a personal vendetta against Evil or anything. Consumers are getting smarter daily and cheap bikes are the future. Enjoy your 1% of the market while you can I guess? Peace out.
@PhoS: ...don't need market research, was just trying to sort out your 'complex moral conundrum' with some numerical data, and asking for facts to support the argument that a $3K frame is 'overpriced'... +/- 10% that seems to be the going rate.
@twozerosix: The data is already out there, and those arguments have already been had. This is a matter of value proposition anyway, and Evil's along with many others is overrated. I'm done here, see you on the trail.
Uni Directional Carbon with One Piece Molded construction from one of the best factories in the business - that means the frame (front triangle) is made from one single mold or the tubes are made separately and then bonded together with glue and extra carbon sheets around the intersections / joints?
I met these guys at Eurobike this summer, great atmosphere, cool people... I am definitely not having the same amount of fun with my office job.
Eh, guys riding what could be any bike...but I found a new band to get amped on! Thank you Evil video for introducing me to the modern day Black Sabbath
I'm only about an easy day's drive away from Nelson. Keep thinking hard about a trip - both in the winter (amazing cat skiing up there!) and summer. Baldface, Retallack - that place has gotta be off the hook.
Out of reach for you!!!! You can drive.... if you wanted to, probably take as long as it would for me, but yeah, you get my drift!! ;-) get there, it looks awesome.
And dirt cheap, the dirt looks like it's worth a million dolllars! :-)
Nelson is hard to describe, can't help but think of beautiful, cool, mysterious, and straight up fun. I was there this past summer and the locals were excellent, took me on the ride of my life. Just watch for the Grizzlies, forget the bear bell and shout into the blind corners (you don't want to surprise them).
They kind of struck me as a little slugglish for a trail bike. On many of the whips it seems like the rider can't quite get the bike around. I would venture to guess the Scout is a lot more playful.
@rrolly: How does it do with pedal strikes? All day every day? I'm a bit concerned with how low these are going in Colorado rocks, but haven't rode one.
@jasbushey: Agreed. As I watch MTB's evolve I have the feeling the people designing them are not riding the same trails I am. Long and low gets to be a problem when taken too far if your trails are tight and rough.
@vikb: unfortunately the endorphin is has about a half inch shorter wheelbase and is a degree and a half steeper. This bike made me want to forget about the endorphin. Although the endorphin is about 1100 for a used frame right now... And 1350 new on Chain reaction cycles... toughy
@txrider1: The Endo is 0.6 to 1.2 deg steeper [depending on the Evil geo setting] with a 140mm fork and you can throw a 150mm fork on their with Knolly's blessing which will slack it out and make it longer. You could made it even slacker with an offset bushing if you really wanted to.
@vikb: I knew I shouldn't have used exact figures without knowing them, lol. But lets be real everyone will ride the evil in slack mode so that's what I was referencing, haha. Knew it was at least a a degree steeper.
@vikb: but also, the same could be done with this Evil. It has the current geo with a 140 fork. A 150 could easily be thrown onto this bike making it around 65.4 degree with a 150 fork. Thus making it still a degree slacker...
@txrider1: I wouldn't ride the Evil in slack mode. I had considered buying The Following and I would have ridden it in High mode. A low BB and super slack HTA is not useful in tight rough forest trails.
@vikb: lol, 180? that's a bit dramatic. we're simply discussing the geo of each bike with an extra 20mm travel over rear. And you started this whole debate btw...
@txrider1: I replied that the Endo fit the category of burly trail bike. I didn't say it was the slackest or longest. I also am not saying slacker and longer is better.
@jasbushey: which, the Evil or Transition? When I watch the video it reminds me of the first time I demoed a Bronson up at Whistler. It was a great point and shoot bike, but it wasn't very playful.
Neg prop me all you want, but look at the video 2:00, 2:20, 2:25 and the 360. I may be wrong, but it looks like the rider is not quite getting quick action on the back.
It all comes back to the way you want to ride. In my eyes the bike looks a little more planted than playful.
@rrolly: wheelbase in medium is longer then Insurgent I believe. What you're going to get from this bike is a much more poppy suspension feel. That is what leads it to be more "playful" That snap is from suspension not geo. Especially compared to Insurgent.
@deadbeat-son: based on my demo of the 5010 and watching this, I'd venture to guess they would be somewhat similar. It's not that I think this bike is bad, it's just for a different riding style.
@michaeldorian: I don't see much in the way of "playful snap" on this bike (affected somewhat by suspension if your rebound is cranked, but the rear end snappiness is more a function of geometry - that's why bikes differ so much even though they may have the same shock). That doesn't mean it's a bad ride though. I see this bike as being a ton of fun on berms and bombing down trails, not a whip around machine; the back ends seems quite anchored.
@rrolly: Your comparison to the Bronson made me think there would be a pretty stark contrast with the 5010. It's considerably more poppy and playful than a Bronson.
Regardless, shorter travel bikes just seem to work well for me on the terrain I ride.
Can't help but think Evil has got some serious product overlap, without much progression between updates. Is the idea of the "quiver killer" dead? Does the industry seriously think the consumer can afford N+1 bikes?
3 different people could choose 3 different EVIL bikes as their "quiver killer" depending on what they were riding and their personal preferences. The fact EVIL makes 4 MTBs doesn't mean anyone needs to own more than one.
In the premium trail bike segment, I expect internal cable routing. For the 99% of the population not racing EWS and changing their cables every weekend, this market is too crowded to be lacking little features.
@Beez177: i know they shipped every single revolt knowing it had a fault and was likely to fail but couldn't afford the recall so I'll never buy an evil if a company is willing to gamble with there customers lives to stay afloat. I'm just interested to see if they've sorted themselves out now or they are still absolute scumbags.
Man, what a waste of a bike mold. The Insurgent with a 150mm fork is all you'd ever need in a trail bike. Should have spent the money on a downhill mold. After riding an Insurgent for the past year, all I want is an Evil DH bike.
@acudoc: I ran the fork in the 150mm position almost all season. It's definitely more a trail bike feel. It steepens the head angle, shortens the wheel base and puts your riding position a bit more over the front axle so you have less wandering of the front tire on climbs and quick switchbacks. And it was still pretty capable on the downs. You only drop the BB a few millimeters so I didn't notice an increase in pedal strikes. I'm running 170mm cranks.
Right now I have it in the 160mm setting and it definitely lengthens the bike and rakes the angle out. I wasn't sure if I'd notice but I did immediately. It has a more descent bike feel in the 160 position and I do feel the weight situated more towards the back now. I ride a lot of XC trail when I'm not on the DH bike so I might drop it back to 150 which suites my local trails. But it's nice to have the option. It's like having two bikes to choose from.
Just saying you should swing your leg over a Wreckoning... might change your opinion, no DH bike I've ever owned can match how much fun I have on mine, even in the bike park!
am i the only person who thinks the terrain chosen to showcase the bike in this video did it no favours? 160+mm for riding burly singletrack in the high alpine please. no doubt strobel could have made that bike sing on some nice flowy pnw dirt tracks, but i spent most of the time watching that video (when i wasn't enjoying the music or production) feeling bad for him #27.5ISDEAD
I want the Loretta Model
On the other hand...they should make a fat bike called "The Wallowing"
A rigid 29r called "The Stiffening"
A road bike called "The Mistaken"
Hmmm....anymore?
An e-bike called "The Appalling"
A run-bike for little kids called "The Crawling"
Kids balance bike= the balancing
Rick Rude= the ravishing
Hard tail= the beginning
...guarantees good times 69% of the time (the other 31% you’re climbing)
"
Must be pretty horrible at descending then, if it climbs twice as fast as it goes down .
Looks like a fun bike .
-The first 10% when you're excited to start riding and thinking about all the slow people you're going to blow by and how impressed everyone will be when you spray dust on them on the way down.
-Then 20% for all the weird technical rock features to session and feel good about finally cleaning.
-The view can account for 1% all the way to 70% (I can't focus on the view on the way back down).
Mike Kazimer was right. We shouldn't get too hung up on those numbers bike companies come up with.
I met these guys at Eurobike this summer, great atmosphere, cool people... I am definitely not having the same amount of fun with my office job.
And dirt cheap, the dirt looks like it's worth a million dolllars! :-)
Bike looks good too...
Neg prop me all you want, but look at the video 2:00, 2:20, 2:25 and the 360. I may be wrong, but it looks like the rider is not quite getting quick action on the back.
It all comes back to the way you want to ride. In my eyes the bike looks a little more planted than playful.
Regardless, shorter travel bikes just seem to work well for me on the terrain I ride.
1 calorie Evil without the sugar, not! I want fking dual crown DH Evil!
Right now I have it in the 160mm setting and it definitely lengthens the bike and rakes the angle out. I wasn't sure if I'd notice but I did immediately. It has a more descent bike feel in the 160 position and I do feel the weight situated more towards the back now. I ride a lot of XC trail when I'm not on the DH bike so I might drop it back to 150 which suites my local trails. But it's nice to have the option. It's like having two bikes to choose from.