Introducing The Calling, Evil's New Trail Bike - Video

Nov 30, 2016
by Pinkbike Staff  

Evil Bikes The Calling

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.

Evil Bikes The Calling

www.evil-bikes.com


MENTIONS: @evil-bikes



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Member since Jul 22, 2013
3,460 articles

177 Comments
  • 385 7
 More vids like this and I'm cancelling pornhub premium.
  • 13 61
flag drs140t (Dec 1, 2016 at 5:03) (Below Threshold)
 Lmfao! ????????
  • 4 1
 im a fan of every vid that just contains one cutie/cuty
  • 100 0
 I am still waiting for the Knievel model.
  • 23 2
 hopefully it's their new DH bike.
  • 9 1
 My parents live next to his sister in Florida....She more rad than he was #Elvis'GF Smile !!!

I want the Loretta Model
  • 56 2
 I demand another "Luke-Strobel-coming-out-of-a-shed-and-shred-epic-secret-pnw-trails"-video with this bike!
  • 5 0
 I m sure it will come ! Rad edits everytime!
  • 122 5
 Whats the purpose in having a complete line of bikes in 10mm increments?

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?
  • 14 2
 @scary1: yeah, not sure why you'd pick this over the Following. I guess just cause some people want 27.5
  • 18 31
flag scary1 (Dec 1, 2016 at 8:11) (Below Threshold)
 @dthomp325: yeah,but 130mm? Thats just ....wuh? And honestly, it didnt look that fun in the video. It looked like they were trying to make it look fun
  • 20 0
 @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.
  • 7 19
flag scary1 (Dec 1, 2016 at 9:06) (Below Threshold)
 @g-42: im sure it has more to do that i live in an insanely rocky,bouldery place and anything less than 150 would be horribly unfun
  • 3 0
 @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.
  • 8 0
 @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.
  • 6 0
 @scary1: 130 on 29 is awesome fun! And shredible!
  • 4 0
 @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.
  • 3 0
 @WrenchRy87: insurgent is 142, calling is boost, also the cable entry/exit points are also quite different with more carbon moulded on the Calling
  • 29 1
 @scary1:

An e-bike called "The Appalling"
A run-bike for little kids called "The Crawling"
  • 6 1
 @scary1: The Krakken if it breaks
  • 3 0
 @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.
  • 1 0
 @WrenchRy87: I.e. should be able to make it cheaper...
  • 9 0
 @scary1: The Road Bike should be called "The Suffering"
  • 3 0
 @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.
  • 9 32
flag scary1 (Dec 1, 2016 at 14:08) (Below Threshold)
 How the f*** do i get down voted for stating that i live with boulders and rocks? You people suck
  • 3 0
 @jaydubmah: Those are good!
  • 1 3
 @Cronarkom: Hahaha!
  • 1 0
 @dthomp325: i have the same bike. I think they are compensating for their previous history...and im fine with that
  • 5 12
flag scary1 (Dec 1, 2016 at 14:13) (Below Threshold)
 @Fix-the-Spade: Or "The Boring"
  • 2 0
 @dthomp325: I would think you could apply a lighter layup into the same shape mold, right?
  • 2 0
 @scary1: If it's boring you aren't pedaling hard enough, no thinking, only pain!
  • 11 1
 @scary1: 8" dual crown 29er DH bike: The Swallowing
  • 4 2
 @nsteele: Eeewwww!
  • 2 1
 @scary1: fatbike=the fattening
Kids balance bike= the balancing
Rick Rude= the ravishing
Hard tail= the beginning
  • 27 1
 "
...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 Wink .

Looks like a fun bike Smile .
  • 4 1
 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).
  • 14 1
 60% of the time it works every time
  • 2 1
 @Sardine: can't say I agree with your numbers, but I dig the way you put that. Gonna give it some thought myself.
  • 1 1
 @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 .
  • 2 1
 @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.
  • 22 1
 I could have handled seeing more of a stock looking Raptor charging terrain.
  • 7 1
 Definitely could have used more Raptor mobbing...
  • 5 1
 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.
  • 25 1
 $3k frames is how bike industry bros buy Raptors.
  • 2 0
 @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.
  • 6 2
 No more Raptor, they are going to have to put a rack on the Focus RS.
  • 2 1
 Cheer up, fuck face! That made me laugh.
  • 2 0
 @turbo8: What are you talking about? The 2017 Raptors are shipping right now to bros everywhere.
  • 2 0
 @PhoS: Labour is expensive to make those 3k frames
  • 2 3
 @DGWW: You wann numb 1 carbun frame? 2 dorra.
  • 2 1
 @PhoS: well I guess we know who you voted for...THEY TOOK ARE JAAAABS
  • 2 1
 @DGWW: Not quite. I guess my point was that the mark up on MTB stuff tends to be pretty insane.
  • 1 1
 @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 Smile
  • 2 1
 @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.
  • 1 2
 @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.
  • 1 1
 @twozerosix: Who else is asking 3k for a frame under a direct sales model? Transition? I think most would agree they're overpriced too...
  • 3 0
 @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?
  • 2 2
 @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.
  • 3 0
 @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.
  • 1 2
 @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.
  • 32 11
 Yeti just called they want their colour back!
  • 3 10
flag Carl96 (Dec 1, 2016 at 6:11) (Below Threshold)
 Na, thats Nomad green!
  • 11 0
 Not so much Yeti...a bit more Bianchi...more like Norco Torrent.
  • 5 1
 Or Juliana
  • 13 1
 Nice one. I was a bit absorbed by the music and the scenery though, so the bike took a back seat.
  • 4 0
 the caption shoyld have been " I'll go wherever you will go"
  • 9 1
 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.
  • 11 0
 And here I was thinking I needed 160mm....
  • 3 0
 this is what i was thinking..is this not an enduro trail for 160'ers only!?!?!?
  • 13 1
 I do need 160mm; I can't ride half as well as these guys!
  • 18 1
 I won't ride through the Starbuck's drive-thru unless I've got a full face and 200mm of travel. Just isn't worth taking the risk. Wink
  • 10 1
 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 Wink
  • 3 0
 Freedom Hawk is rad! Good music to get stoked to ride!
  • 13 3
 Now for a revised Following that can fit a biggyback shock?
  • 14 1
 And a threaded B.B.!
  • 7 17
flag g-rock (Dec 1, 2016 at 6:44) (Below Threshold)
 @briceps: and 27.5 plus
  • 10 2
 @gfowkes: No....
  • 7 7
 @briceps: I'm loving Plus on my Mojo 3. Just need a few better tire options.
  • 5 0
 @gfowkes: maybe 2.6 options max
  • 9 0
 Time for a trip to wherever-the-heck Nelson is. Darn you, B.C. why must you be so beautiful and out of reach.
  • 8 0
 Out of reach? Have you seen the exchange rate lately? BC is dirt cheap.
  • 4 0
 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.
  • 2 1
 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! :-)

Bike looks good too...
  • 3 0
 @dthomp325: Yeah, but from Maine it's still a bit of a hike.
  • 2 0
 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).
  • 10 1
 that's the burliest trail bike I've ever seen
  • 14 3
 Devinci Troy?!
  • 8 3
 Transition Scout too.
  • 7 11
flag rrolly (Dec 1, 2016 at 7:08) (Below Threshold)
 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.
  • 4 1
 @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.
  • 12 5
 Knolly Endorphin.
  • 5 1
 @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.
  • 1 0
 @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
  • 1 0
 @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.
  • 1 0
 @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.
  • 2 0
 @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...
  • 2 0
 @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.
  • 2 0
 @txrider1: All true and you could throw a 180mm fork on the Evil as well. So what? At some point mo' slacker ain't mo' better.
  • 1 0
 @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...
  • 1 0
 @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.
  • 3 2
 @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.
  • 2 2
 @rrolly: This was my thinking too, boring looking ride for a 131mm bike. Pass.
  • 4 0
 @rrolly: I'd love to demo this bike back to back with my 5010 and compare & contrast.
  • 1 0
 @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.
  • 1 0
 @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.
  • 1 1
 @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.
  • 3 0
 @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.
  • 9 0
 I like the color description on their website "angry Dolphin" Smile Nice bike
  • 10 0
 It's calling my wallet
  • 7 0
 We wanna see a new DH bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Smile
  • 1 1
 This!!!
  • 8 1
 Interesting that they made no comment that this bike is 27.5 and 26+ compatible... Yup 26+ is a thing
  • 7 1
 after watching that I turned and made a comment to my dog about how much I love riding mountain bikes
  • 7 3
 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?
  • 12 3
 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.
  • 5 0
 Ha, ha. "Be Evil" magazine cover with Kevin O'Leary on it
  • 6 2
 Thats a trail bike!? Even at 130mm it looks like a burly DH bike, Evil rules!
  • 4 0
 I have a feeling a lot of folks will be flogging the angry dolphin in the near future
  • 2 0
 when you start the video going... oh yeah new bike video cant wait to look at bikes... ooooohhoooo shit shit! look at that trail!!!
  • 3 2
 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.
  • 3 0
 The dudes at Evil are super cool and their customer service was amazing. In case anyone cares.
  • 4 0
 Evil is killing it!
  • 3 0
 That was a cool music video!
  • 3 0
 Luke Strobel is the only guy I would watch ride an evil on hiking trails
  • 7 7
 No comments about failing frames and trying to weasel out of warranty claims??? Is it just the UK that Evil have a shocking CS reputation then?
  • 3 1
 Is this a recent thing?
  • 10 2
 That was years ago, their stuff is legit now.
  • 2 2
 @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.
  • 1 1
 @thenotoriousmic: I feel the same way about Fox. I love my Insurgent.
  • 1 1
 @Beez177: what about Fox?
  • 1 1
 @Beez177: awesome looking bike.
  • 2 0
 Nice work EVIL. I like it. Smile
  • 3 1
 I think it's ab time Evil comes out with a new dh bike
  • 1 1
 Thanks! Looks like winter only though...?
  • 2 0
 How much fork travel is it designed for?
  • 1 0
 looks like the spec sections suggests 140
  • 1 0
 @iantmcg: meh, 20mm over stock is usually the ideal max from what I've learned. I'm no engineer or designer though.
  • 3 2
 Looks like Evil is calling it a 27.5/26+ bike... suddenly I'm a lot more interested....
  • 2 0
 Nw rider L.S.
  • 4 3
 Turquise?! Really??? Come on now...
  • 2 1
 Ouch its only £3199 british pounds . bargain
  • 3 1
 YAY Billy!!!!
  • 1 1
 I want to know how this bike does with climbing. all the reviews talk about is how good it is with gravity assist.
  • 1 2
 I want a full travel Evil, not half Evil, no 1/4 calorie evil, no quasi Evil.
1 calorie Evil without the sugar, not! I want fking dual crown DH Evil!
  • 4 7
 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.
  • 1 0
 How does it ride with the 150? Does in steepen the SA and improve climbing? Pedal strikes?
  • 1 0
 @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.
  • 2 1
 26+ has finally arrived! Now we finally have all the wheel size options.
  • 2 1
 Not one mention of water bottle cage?
  • 1 1
 @scary1. Totally agree with every comment. People love to censor people with views they don't agree with. Lame.
  • 1 1
 Unless this is significantly cheaper than the Insurgent I don't really see the point?
  • 1 1
 When's the demo fleet coming to the UK?
  • 1 1
 There quite a few cases in that haha
  • 1 0
 real nice!
  • 1 0
 era ora!!!
  • 1 1
 Anyone know these trails? look sweet! always wanted to get out to nelson
  • 1 2
 It's a shame Evil don't know the difference between "peddle" and "pedal" smh.
  • 1 1
 Finally an Evil with a water bottle holder!
  • 2 2
 No video of phill atwill = no good sales
  • 1 1
 Anyone know what that second trail is? Is it in Nelson?
  • 1 1
 Looks like Turnstiles/Lefty
  • 1 0
 Sold!
  • 1 1
 bike looks very good and the trails are so beautiful
  • 1 0
 those trails are amazing
  • 1 1
 Where was my invite to come ride?
  • 1 1
 Yeah 100-pure Evil bikes)
  • 1 1
 @vinay. Ha!!!!!!!!!!! Good catch.
  • 1 1
 Rocks not dead !
  • 2 3
 Why did I see the YT logo at the beginning?
  • 1 4
 Awesome vid, but a bit sad cus reminded me a Steve Smith in his Truck Frown LONG LIVE CHAINSAW!
  • 1 4
 Where is this video shot at?
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