Is That A Five Inch Travel 29er - Video

Dec 2, 2015 at 1:54
by Pinkbike Staff  

If you're easily upset by the relentless encroachment of big wheels, then 2016 could be a bad year for you as the good old wagon wheelin' 29er is set to make a come back, this time as a lower, slacker and far more playful machine. Evil Bikes took a punt on this and got the ball rolling with their hugely popular The Following, which has been turning heads and dropping jaws since it first appeared earlier this year.

NW Cup 2015 Race 5 Stevens Pass. Saturday Practice

So what can we expect to see next? Well, over the coming months we will most certainly start to see more and more brands (trust us on this one) releasing similar chassis - like Nukeproof for example - all of which aimed to amplify what a 29er can really do when accompanied by some progressive geometry. While they won't be for everyone, they do represent a shift in the way 29" wheels are perceived. In the meantime lets start the stereotype bashing with the PNW's Luke Strobel as he shows us what these machines are capable of...


MENTIONS: @evil-bikes



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Member since Jul 22, 2013
3,460 articles

221 Comments
  • 296 2
 What was this race - seemingly with more cameras than a world cup? Was it televised? Can we watch online etc?
  • 188 4
 Love how you look past the wheel size headline and just want to watch some flat out dusty racing!!! Top man Smile
  • 81 8
 Eh? I'm confused. How come the top voted comment so far does't say words to the effect of "26 ain't dead'?
  • 8 4
 what was the race and what was the bike? "prototype"? Or am I missing something? An old video of an evil following prototype?
  • 36 11
 Is that a five inch 29er??? YES IT f*ckING IS, now get over it.
  • 14 1
 The race is one of the North West Cups I believe and you can watch them on mtbmania.com . Its a pretty fun site I would watch these between WC races to get my fix.
  • 3 1
 MTB mania is the biz. Every time I see one of their vids on here I know it's gonna be fun and gnarly.
  • 58 9
 29 aint dead...
  • 4 1
 @cooki3s - thanks, a bit of googling got me here: mountainbikemania.net
  • 2 0
 @leecozens yeah for sure I was watching this wishing it was dry & sunny out!
  • 14 1
 @bigtim .....coz most of us are secretly building 29ers in our bedrooms like me
  • 6 25
flag pigit77 (Dec 2, 2015 at 7:44) (Below Threshold)
 Companies will never stop pushing 29ers. I guess we might as well start getting used to it....
  • 4 0
 Is Luke's bike in this vid The Following, or the Wreckoning/Megalodon? Following is a 5" travel 29er, but the latter is a 6" travel bike, right?
  • 15 1
 @sngltrkmnd Luke is running a new Evil bike yet to be launched, a 140-150mm'ish travel 29", the Following is a 120-130mm'ish travel 29"
  • 1 0
 NW Cup #3 or #4 at Mt. Good Skibowl
  • 8 0
 Heck ya that's us!! Git sum Luke!
  • 1 0
 @SCLuke Gotcha - thanks for the clarification. Weird you got downvoted for your help. :/
  • 2 0
 Insurgent 29 proto is what I'm guessing
  • 14 0
 The Wreckoning is 160mm I believe. The latest issue of Bikemag has Ryan Palmers dream build which is a pimped out Wreckoning. Looks shit hot.
  • 11 20
flag oldmanDan (Dec 2, 2015 at 10:45) (Below Threshold)
 Get him to come to the UK and race the bds on it....
No offence but he would have a much harder race.
That track was wide open. I bet it doesn't fare as well in the Welsh woods......
Just my 2 cents
  • 3 0
 We get theses on late night TV in the southwest. I recorded them and was happy to have em.
  • 7 3
 26 ain't 29 and pizza ain't yogurt
  • 10 0
 @OldmanDan, I bet Strobel could surf it over Welsh roots at mach stupid just fine.
  • 10 22
flag GH29orBust (Dec 2, 2015 at 15:35) (Below Threshold)
 26" is the stupidest thing ever. Zero rollover, zero traction, zero stability, and your handlebar is like a mile away from your wheel. IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!!!
  • 15 3
 Hahaha, what a load of bollocks - A 6" 29er is too big for BDS but a frickin modern DH bike with 2-ply tyres, 63 head angle and 1200+ wheelbase isn't. Drop it baby... Like a Catholic preacher talking about downsides of shagging
  • 20 0
 I think I remember a road bike and a frenchie airing out A-Line this summer. good riders shred on any bike, bad riders (like myself) get hung up on wheel size and forks,
  • 2 0
 nw cup mt hood it was a f*cking dusty like riding in powder @psyickphuk
  • 3 2
 I was thinking the same thing too, tons of cameras.... I thought, "This must be a parody 29er commercial, thats why it has so many cameras." at least i did for the first few seconds... they need to get these guys to cover WC and EWS ASAP!!!!!!!!
  • 1 3
 your comment makes ZERO sense!
  • 2 4
 Parody was my first thought too. Almost too cheesy to be real!
  • 2 8
flag cliffdog (Dec 3, 2015 at 9:37) (Below Threshold)
 Your dumb
  • 14 1
 @cliffdog No, Jack- It is "you're" dumb. You know, spelling and grammar are particularly important when calling someone dumb.
  • 1 2
 #gramspol #urdmb
  • 1 0
 How come the top voted comment so far doesn't say words to the effect of "27.5 ain't dead'?
  • 1 0
 @thefiresermon or should we be saying 27.5 is dead... long live 26 and 29
  • 1 0
 Long live wheelies! Easier to pop on 26, easier to hold on 29.
  • 114 2
 90% rider, 10% bike
  • 7 1
 Truth right here.
  • 42 0
 When races are won and lost by seconds or less 10% becomes a big deal though!
  • 44 3
 99% rider 1% wheel size
  • 10 1
 He won the race by 3s, at 3:45 long, a difference of 3s is 1.3%, so anything that effects your time greater than that is a winning difference.
  • 4 5
 I agree you could put a pro world cup racer on a hardtail and he would win
  • 106 2
 Here's my shocking and detailed conclusion of the 29er I've recently got when asked;

"It's a bike with slightly bigger wheels"
  • 12 50
flag Vanguard (Dec 2, 2015 at 7:46) (Below Threshold)
 And whenever somebody eyes mine, I say:
"It is a bike with slightly smaller wheels. They used to come like this – until the industry went NUTS. By the way, does yours have this boost thing they are talking about now?"
  • 54 1
 Don't knock them till you try one. I was a hater until I had a go on a specialized enduro 29er and boy was it fun 160mm of travel 430mm chain stays very playful and lively
  • 7 1
 me too! I actually tried out of curiosity and instantly bought it! Great all rounder and it even manuals very well..!!!
  • 2 1
 That's what I thought. I think the spesh Enduro 29er has been around long enough to prove a point. (I am still on a 650 though Wink )
  • 8 2
 29ers are fast that's for sure. I am sure we are not far off seeing them at the World Cup (DH that is...)
  • 5 2
 @fartymarty you do realise 29ers have been used at many world cups already...
  • 5 1
 I'm seriously contemplating one of the next-gen 29'ers (Evil Following, Wreckoning, etc)! Question for folks that like them: how tall are you? I'm only 5 '8" with a 30" inseam and my concerns are:

a: don't wanna be stuck with a clown bike that looks goofy
b: when riding super steep trails, how often do you get buzzed by the rear tire when leaning way back?

Thanks for insights! BTW - how tall is Strobel? He looks pretty comfy on that 29'er.
  • 2 0
 @jaydubmah I'm 5'7 and loved my 29er, have since swapped to a 650 though and definitely notice it is less awkward feeling through technical stuff. I've never been buzzed by the rear tire no matter what the size...
  • 3 0
 @jaydubmah

I made the switch to an Enduro 29 after riding one for a day. Love it, hands down awesome all the time! I'm 5'8" and never feel like the bike is big/ getting buzzed by the rear tire. Also, about the people commenting about cracks in the carbon frame...I have 2 friends that have the full carbon version. They haven't had any problems at all. They both weigh probably 100lbs more than me and huck the bike off anything. Direct message me if you have any more questions.
  • 6 0
 Bought an Evil Following a few months ago and haven't looked back. Was on a Trek Slash and the Following dominates in every aspect. Obviously a little less suspension but it handles drops and chunk just as well. Despite all the Evil haters out there, I have been satisfied with their customer service and have had zero issues with the bike. I occasionally get buzzed on the rear tire but overall it's not that much more than a 27.5, I can tell 0 percent difference in descending capability with the 67.5 HT angle of the following compared to the slash 65.5. Go demo a few rides and see what you think, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised
  • 1 0
 @AirBud

How does it pedal? I haven't gotten the chance to demo one yet. Sometimes I wonder if it is more effecient than my Enduro 29
  • 2 0
 I'd take a Transition Smuggler any day! It just looks so fun!
  • 1 1
 @rrsport I mean proper downhill tracks not PMB or similar.
  • 2 0
 Didn't Mitch do the entire season on his enduro..
  • 1 0
 @rrsport and @tblore - thanks so much for the heads up! Much appreciated! BTW rrsport - which 29er were you riding before your switched?
  • 1 0
 @AirBud - being up in Canada, it's pretty tricky to demo Evil bikes. Do you mind if I ask what size you got and how tall you are? Cheers!
  • 1 0
 So pinkbike, where's your review of the following?
I have one and its rad! Only issue may be slack seat angle on really steep climbs (I'm running 140 so that doesn't help), but the bike does reward out of saddle efforts with very minimal rear suspension action. Delta is rad with its tune. ...
Progressive-flat-progressive curve. Monsters trucks stuff, feels poppy n playful, and much deeper than 120 rear. Quick turning bike, even slacked out by 140 fork!
  • 2 0
 @jaydubmah I'm 6'0", bought a large and it fits perfect. When I first rode the bike the cockpit felt a bit small but that was because of the 35mm stem it comes equipped with, I quickly got use to the feel and really like it now, manuals and wheelies rather easy. I also was not able to demo prior to purchasing, I just read a ton and compared geometry to bikes that I have ridden, this bike is insanely fun down hill.
@tblore It pedals uphill pretty good, the bike comes with maxxis minion f&r which are slow rollers. I swapped those out for some Nobby Nics snakeskin which are a little weak for my taste but roll considerably better. I have ridden an S-Works Enduro 29 which pedaled comparable (maybe slightly better than) the Following. However, the S-Works was lighter and had carbon wheels which obviously factors in. As far as descending, the Enduro 29 and Following are equally fun. I rode the Following down the same trail I demo'ed the Enduro on and they both were ridiculously playful and capable of monster trucking over stuff I couldn't manage as easy on my 650b. I'm running the 130mm Pike and there are very few occasions where I feel like I need more suspension. I have bottomed it out several times on bigger drops but even hammering the bike down rough terrain, it soaks up pretty much everything. Agree with @jrocksdh, the DELTA rear is rad, locks out well for the ascents and feels like much more than 120 on the descents. If you are on an Enduro 29 I wouldn't say the Following is a whole lot different, but for folks going up in a wheel size and want something that climbs well and blows your gord on the descents, the Following is a good bike to take a peek at.
  • 1 0
 @AirBud: thanks for the info. Been on sworks E29 for 9 months and love it, though I wish it maybe climbed a bit better (lock the Monarch+ - I am already running Nobbic nic for AM, and will order minion 2.5 for DH) and a slacker head option as I'm considering using it as my park bike and sell my dedicated DH bike (26" Glory). Will have to check the Wreckoning (ideal on paper and big fan of DW - had Iron horse then Ibis for years), but it sounds like the Following maybe isn't really a better climber to start with, and 120mm travel is too little for me (would pick an Ibis Ripley LS otherwise as I loved my Mojos over the years).

I will never go back to 26 after riding a fun 29 like the E29 is. I'm 6'3" 205lbs so XL bike make more sense to me anyway...
  • 29 0
 It's the rider makin' a 29er slow...
  • 20 3
 This article really annoys me. I mean, people need to get with the idea that the rules of how things should be were set a long time ago. We don't need any old hoohaas just thinking they can come along and not play by the same rules as everyone else... 'lets start the stereotype bashing'... Get that apostrophe in there right now!
  • 16 35
flag fr3er1d3r (Dec 2, 2015 at 3:17) (Below Threshold)
 It's simple. Progressive geo on a 29er? It's just going to track a little harder and roller over things easier. Same benefits a 27.5 was marketed for, but just not to the same extent. There are cons to a 29er but I figure in DH stuff, it's pretty debatable.

Things like gyroscopic weight (which the main issue of a bigger wheel is more of that) is less significant on a DH run, I'd think. The sacrifice that really matters is the travel. Maybe it evens out or works in favor, depending on the terrain and rider. I'd say that's very true.

Personally, I'd take a 27.5+ bike over a 29er in just about any situation. I feel like the extra cushion from the fat tires makes up for a lot of the lost travel, while still having the same wheel size benefits (and then some)

That being said...I have absolutely zero experience on a 27.5+ and barely any on a 29er. But the sizes and their benefits are pretty predictable. So I'm just not very surprised that someone won a competitive DH race, 1st place, on a 29er.
  • 8 2
 Fr3erid3r I dont exactly think your all there with you bike knowledge man...
  • 6 0
 **WHOOOOOSSHHHH!!!!* grammar jokes flying faster over your heads than this dh racer
  • 3 0
 I know, I wish I couldve fixed it but Im not on a computer. It wouldnt let fix stuff from my I phone. I was irritated by my crappy grammar. This is why you shouldnt visit Pinkbike when you first wake up.
  • 14 1
 I`m riding my 29er Stumpjumper no in the third season (frame replacement approx. every half of a season)...it is by far the best to ride!!!

Did a couple of runs in schladming,Leogang DH, got 13th at the hobby world DH in Saalbach, did the megavalanche with it. It is the perfect allrounder.

Rode a couple of other Bikes (26" Spec Enduro, Ghost Riot, Giant reign, Santa cruz nomad,....) I will stick to my 29er!!!
Frame cracked again so will get the 2016 StumpJ! Jej
  • 10 0
 Lol frame cracks!
  • 17 1
 Just a thought - you might want to dry a different frame material...or maybe work on your line choice. Just a thought. I know lots of kamikaze riders, and none of them go through frames like that.
  • 2 2
 Wow! Two frames per year; that's pretty impressive! You oughta look at a Chromag 29er!
  • 17 2
 2 frames per year?!?! And you still call this a good bike?!? Wow...
  • 26 0
 It's not that he calls it a good bike...it IS a good bike. He just recognizes that. There are people who know the difference between defects and misuse and admit when they are the problem. I know they are rare, but they are out there.

One of my closest regular riding buddies is a destroyer of bikes. Doesn't matter the bike or what it's built for, he'll break it. But he never once has blamed the bike(s). He knows he's at fault.
  • 5 0
 Before anyone starts yelling bad frame manufacture, please go ride with the gentleman. Some riders are super rough on equipment and somethings got to give. He may be a risk taker who is looking to gap and cut it close even if I means an ugly landing. Lots of variables can cause failure.
  • 3 2
 I have several friends that ride Specialized 29er Carbon Enduros exclusively. They've all cracked them at one time or another. They all seem to get a hairline crack on the downtube by the bottle mount. Ran into another guy with one on the trail, checked his and sure enough it had the crack there as well. Seem like great bikes otherwise, not sure what the deal is with cracking though. Might be something in the layup, but I'm certainly not a carbon expert.
  • 3 1
 I have not had the same experience.
  • 2 0
 @TheRaven...

No offense...but @rafbanax is riding some seriously tough tracks...and I know whenever I ride a long-travel trail bike on a dh track...I always feel like I'm abusing the poor little thing. : )
  • 1 0
 If that's the case, then @rafbanax needs a Demo, not a Stumpjumper or Enduro.
  • 2 4
 What is with this rider error crap? You've been force fed a line from bike manufacturers that you believe and are now repeating as if it is a justifiable cause to not warranty something. If you are on your bike riding a mountain, and all the terrain it may have, then you have not committed a 'rider error'. All bike companies know you will be casing gaps and taking big drops to flat. They need to make their bikes durable enough to take that or call them a commuter or hybrid bike. If you don't realize you are approaching a cliff and jump off your bike and send it flying 100ft down a canyon, I would actually consider that rider error. The truth is, if you are riding an XC bike down a DH trail, you will be going much slower anyway and that bike should not crack, although it's pivots and components would certainly wear a lot faster.
  • 2 0
 Yeah no.

Bikes are designed for particular uses. Just to use Spec as an example - the Epic is for light XC, and should NEVER be used on "Enduro" or "AM" type trails. The Stumpjumper is for Trail or AM but should never be used on a downhill type trail. Etc.

Saying that a mountain bike should be able to handle all the terrain on a mountain is like saying a car should be able to drive anywhere. Use common sense. The Stumpjumper is lighter than the Demo for a REASON.
  • 1 0
 @The Raven I don't know why but i had cracks in my Demo to my Enduro had the same problem Giant went back after a few month because of cracks..... I haven't said that the stumpJ is the right bike for this kind of trails it's just possible to go Downhill and do big gaps with it without any troubles (except the frame). Most of the Endurobikes/Longtravellallmountain what ever.... Wan't be able to withstand the whole season anyway.
BTW I have 65 kg and as a WC Mechanic I can say I'm definitely not one of the fastest....
  • 1 0
 A MOUNTAIN bike should be able to ride a mountain, just like an Off road truck should. A road bike should be able to travel 200 miles on a road like an Accord should be able to drive across country. Granted that if Gwin rode an Epic on a DH course it can break and be no fault of the manufacturer. but if i am. im going 15 mph, not 45 because, you know, Im human. And it shouldn't break. After all, most trails I take for the first time I don't quite k.ow what is in store. I'm not going to take my DH each time I ride something new in case theres a 4ft drop and I can be accused of "rider error".
  • 2 0
 So my Tahoe Z71 should be able to traverse "Hell's Revenge" with no modifications right? I mean it's an "off road truck" so it should be able to handle anything that's not on the road right?
  • 1 2
 I dont know what Hells Revenge is, but if Chevy is advertsing as built for that terrain rather than shuttling kids to soccer (as the vast majority of SUVs are sold to do) then yes. If Spesh is saying the Epic can only be ridden on fire roads and non-rocky trails then sure, dont take it down a rough trail, but if they don't then it should handle it. I see more than a few Epics every year at the bike park on the dh trail. i doubt they broke. My Blur XC sure didnt. But I wasnt able to handle it going over a moderate speed in such rough conditions.
  • 13 0
 I think that the Banshee Prime and Specialized Enduro 29, have been showing people what 29ers are capable of for some time now. All I can say is don't rule out a 29er for your next bike until you have a chance to test one out. It might feel odd for a few corners but once you adapt to the difference, they really can be amazing bikes!
  • 3 1
 And the Process 111, for even longer Wink
  • 2 0
 And Lenz even longer
  • 15 1
 What we are going to see in the coming months is Jarred Graves on the All New Specialized Enduro killing it on the world Cup
  • 1 1
 really?
  • 5 0
 He starts in January. Sworks enduro will have front and rear Ohlins suspension.
  • 4 0
 And the affordable models will have the Lyrik.
  • 14 9
 Isn't he going to jail for child porn?
  • 1 0
 Yes it is coming.....
  • 3 2
 the p0rn guy is called Jared Fogel.
  • 1 0
 Mmm, current AND funny! Nice work
  • 5 0
 Is there any proof of him actually transferring to Spec or is it still just rumors?
  • 4 0
 Sources or it's just rumors...
  • 3 0
 Jarred just announced he is leaving Yeti.
  • 11 1
 psssttt............ it's an industry conspiracy to settle on 650B first for another 5 years before telling everyone that the holy grail is the 29er. Imagine telling you now and have no larger ridable wheels for the next major bike revolution. I have bikes with all wheel sizes cos I'm not sure which guru tells the truth. I thinks my son's 16er rocks cos it can be used in conjunction with another two 4ers. I got myself covered for the next 10 years!... I hope :')
  • 10 0
 Except that switching to 29ers makes more sence than switching to 27.5. Switching to 27.5 to me feels like imagine that all frames and forks were made to exactly fit 2.3" tyres, and that suddenly companies switch to only making 2.4" tyres, so you have to replace your frame and fork if you want to buy new non-second hand tyres.

Too much troubles for not enough difference.
  • 1 0
 Back in the early spring of 2013 Gwin did an interview with Dirt magazine, where he said for non-dh riding 29ers were the fastest wheel size. I just went back and spend like 15 min trying to find it, but I can't.
  • 4 0
 650B was a plot to kill both 26 and 29: 650B vs 26 and 650BPlus / 6Fattie / Boost vs 29ers. Btw, they still can't seem to make good geo on many 650Bs. Right after 26 is super light and super stable, it had to die. Right after they dialed 29er geometry, it needs to get rid of via 650BPlus.
  • 2 7
flag dthomp325 (Dec 2, 2015 at 10:29) (Below Threshold)
 @Mattin

Actually, the reason 650b is so popular is that the benefits of 650b (approach angle and contact patch) are closer to 29" wheels, while weight, stiffness, durability, and geometry flexibility are closer to 26" wheels.

www.pittcycle.com/images/library/features/composite15.gif
  • 7 0
 @dthomp325 that propaganda was made by Giant
  • 3 0
 Which is marketing for saying we made a size in between Wink
  • 5 1
 I have my pitiful share of experience with all wheel sizes and all I can it is about the whole bike not just the wheel. The best example is putting procore into the tyre which will dramatically change rolling and handling. That graph is a Giant piece of bovine feces. 5% of science, 95% Adobe Illustrator. It assumes a situation eliminating all other variables, that every single thing in the bike will remain the same, but the wheel diameter, which never happens in reality, even in the most favorable circumstances - NEVER
  • 2 0
 Yes, the wheel chart size is from Giant, it doesn't mean it's not true. I currently own all 3 wheel sizes, and I prefer 27.5 for everything except XC racing. 27.5 rolls over obstacles noticeably more easily than 26, yet they also handle better than 29 and are more durable and lighter. Obviously geometry and everything else makes a big impact too, but some bikes like the Enduro and Scott Spark are now available in both wheel sizes, so you can test out the wheel size differences for yourself with minimal distractions. I have, and I prefer the 27.5 models for the types of riding I do. I hope bike companies continue to make both 27.5 and 29 so riders can choose what works best for themselves.
  • 1 0
 1+ on that.
I now have all wheel sizes as well. Bought a 27.5 Giant Trance and really dig it. If I had to only have one bike I think it would be a 27.5 trail bike. Side note... took the 29er s.s. ridged out today and it was a blast. They all rock.
  • 4 0
 That graph presents you with a situation where there are 3 paralell universes in which there are 3 Giants Trance 29ers which are exactly the same, the just have different wheels fitted to each one of them. They try to convince you that if you are the one with 27.5 then you are the fastest of them. Bravo! Alternative usages of this graph include: three genetically identical twins running around the woods, each with a different wheel, holding it by the stick put through the hub/ 3 rednecks tossing different wheels removed from bicycles down a hill/ a Priest, a Rabbi and Bill Maher riding unicycles. The only interesting question coming out of it is who rode which wheel. I am switching to 650B, not because of roll over or contact patch but because A - my 26" super bike drops down in value and next year it will be worth nothing, while I want a bike with more travel B - because there are new tyre patterns that will not be available in 27,5"
  • 4 0
 The difference between Giant Anthem 275 and Anthem X 275 is big. Between Enduro 29 and 275 is dramatic. But the difference between Trance 275 and Trance 29 is like wanking with right vs left hand. And presenting graphs to motivate a wheel choice is one of the dorkiest things out there. The true fool is not the guy with fat wallet having no will for consideration and buying what they tell him. It is the guy who reads tons, yet in the end does exactly as marketing tells him, finally adopting the claims as scientific fact in order to find excuse to make a purchase
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns , I cant get enough of your analogies.
  • 8 0
 Hasn't Tracey Moseley been crushing the EWS with a 29er for the past few years? This ain't nothing new... it just shows that its about the rider, not the bike.
  • 8 1
 I have an Ibis Ripley , used it for the BCBR this year , I realize that the BCBR is a different race to this one, but it was the perfect bike for the 7 day race !! A 29 er
  • 5 0
 You guys don't even know what mountain biking is t'ill you've tried 28.3" wheels. But seriously why is anyone suprised that the bike was fast through rock garden's? That's litterally what it excels at the most IMO after trying a giant trance 26, 27.5 and 29.
  • 6 0
 Him riding a long travel 29er on a lightweight "DH" course isn't that crazy. I am sure you could crush it on a Nomad or Tracer just as well. All about the rider not the bike.
  • 2 5
 If it's a pedal-heavy course, you're going to SOL on a Santa Cruz.
  • 1 3
 yah i honestly cant understand why everyone is so amazed. tracks not that rough. Also mitch tried this whole 29 on WC thing a few years back without much luck.
  • 1 0
 Totes propped. The limiting factor for me mashing into rock gardens is rarely travel but pinch flats. If you can solve that, You can ride pretty much most things on a mid travel bike - I assume that a larger wheel size really helps with reducing pinches and he's probably running tubeless anyway.
  • 6 1
 Damn dudes. I used to race downhill at SkiBowl in 1995 on a hardtail with a RockShox Mag 10 fork (the non-adjustable Mag 21). Granted I was much slower and way more beat up at the end up the run than a modern racer.

Oh no! only 5" of travel! what is he going to do!? You can't race downhill with anything less than 8"!!! Well you know what, I will tell you what he is going to do, he is going to win the thing, thats what.
Nice work Luke!
  • 3 0
 that's correct, the mag10 is a non adjustable mag21. almost forgot! i had a Quadra21R which was a non adjustable Judy without the damping cartridge.
  • 4 0
 The mag10 was an upgrade fromm my Quadra, which was basically a stack of polyurethane cylinder sponges and no damper. Man, bikes were shitty back then...
  • 2 0
 My 1" threaded steerer Mag 10 (circa 1993?) had two positions to "adjust" the "damping"; access was under the air caps via a 5mm hex. 40mm of travel, baby.
  • 7 1
 I have a Following and I'm interested in this bike, but the timing of this article is a little bit suspect since Evil is going to announce this bike any day. Paid hype train?
  • 3 0
 plus this vid has been around for a month
  • 10 2
 It's a rare article on PB these days thats not trying to sell us something.
  • 32 1
 Guys, paid hype is called advertising, and it generally is why pinkbike exists. Someone is hosting this site out of the goodness of their heart. Ads pay bills. It's still decent to watch, and we paid no money to view. Take it for what it is, and enjoy!
  • 4 0
 @VwHarman; Great comment. Of course it's advertising! 90% of the video's on Pinkbike are advertising. You know which ones are not: The amateur videos that have no production value and suck to watch for anyone other than the people in them. People are so concerned with "not buying into the hype". Why? I watched this video, looked into the rumors of the new bike that Evil is releasing this month and now I want one. Embrace the marketing.
  • 5 0
 But just because the Great Media Conspiracy has you marching to their beat doesn't mean I'm going to let them manipulate me! Suckers! Back on topic, when do you think we'll be able to buy this bike?
  • 1 0
 Yes, you still have to use your own brain to make decisions on the products you buy, but there's nothing wrong with appreciating good marketing and using it to your advantage. This video clued me in to a new bike coming out that I didn't even know about. Turns out, the bike coming out is exactly what I've been waiting for: An Evil Following on steroids that can work as my "one bike". I wanted a Following, but bought a Patrol instead so I could still ride DH and XC. Now I can list my Patrol for sale and buy the Wreckoning in the spring (or the Canfield Riot).
  • 7 0
 Oh look a 29er going fast through rough terrain. These things are not new.
  • 4 0
 The Following is such a sick bike! Ever since it came out its all I've been wanting to add to my stable for my next bike. Evil did an incredible job with bringing this bike out tup
  • 7 1
 I need an Evil following. NEED.
  • 3 1
 Does look lovely
  • 3 1
 Skibowl Pro Course Record 3:35:41 on 26's most likely or 27.5 Norco Aurum. Thanks Bryn. Strobel slays thou no doubt!!! And if u weigh 145lbs then u don't need 8 inches of travel, lol

www.hurricaneracingoregon.com/assets/results/2014/nwCup3-2014.pdf?=06-30-2014
  • 4 1
 Also Strobel was 2nd 3:37:42 at that race and track conditions were mint i believe. Cant remember but he was on 26's or 27.5 i think not sure. But i do think any top pro rider on a good suspension set up (depending on how rough the track) on 5in to 6in travel could put down the fastest time at a DH event. Especially if theres a ton of pedaling. Like on cannonball to the fire road section, the uphill to the rock garden and the long sprint to the finish area. It's pretty flat all in those areas
  • 5 3
 No offense to the other guys on the list. I am sure would all get two runs in for every one of mine but the only person other than Strobel I have heard of on that list is Team Robot's Charlie Sponsel and he is a self proclaimed failed DH racer. It would be really interesting to see some of the top guys riding various wheel sizes/setups on the same track to see what was actually preferable.
  • 4 0
 Really? NW cup is one of the biggest downhill race series in North America!
  • 6 2
 I am sure it is, still though, none of the top 10-20 world cup DH racers was there (or at least not on that leader board) so it doesn't tell me that much as I have no comparison of how fast those guys are with respect to each other. Would Strobel have won it on a DH bike as well? I don't know.
  • 4 0
 Strobel would have won it on a kids tricycle!
  • 8 6
 Whaaat? So what. There have been 6" 29ers around for ages. LS is quick on anything - could have even won on a 26er. That bike looked hard pressed in a few spots on that track. Great publicity (stunt) methinks.
  • 5 0
 That's what I was thinking when I read the title "Wait...don't I have a 5" travel 29..." *checks 2013 Stumpjumper Evo 29 in basement* "yup that's what I thought, with a 68 degree head angle from 3 years ago nonetheless...OK moving on".
  • 1 0
 The bike in the video is most likely the new Evil Wreckoning. Rumored to have a 65 degree head angle and 6" of travel. Your comment is still valid, but this is closer to a 29" enduro with a more DH oriented geometry. I would bet it is longer and lower also (only problem with the 29" enduro is the high BB). It is not an XC bike like a Stumpjumper Evo.
  • 8 2
 TROOOLL FEAAAAST!!!!!!
  • 3 3
 Yup! All experts on 29er's too by the looks of it...
  • 5 0
 Isn't that the new The Wreckoning?
  • 1 0
 That's what it looks like from the paint job. The Following only comes in black and orange.
  • 1 0
 Definitely the Wreckoning which is a beast of a bike!
  • 1 0
 Every wheel size is beautiful. It's the experience of riding something different all the time if you have the privelage to. Something to learn from and adjust for the sake of experience and having fun. We all can get nit-picky about something, but in the end its two wheels and tons of fun!
  • 2 0
 man i all ways rode a 26 inch bike but i ride a 29er and thay are fast just proves never under eastermate a 29 inch wheeled bike good going luke
  • 5 1
 Hasn't Mitch ropo been doing this for years??
  • 2 0
 Isn't this also track dependent?
I mean a pro could probably win the race in whistler on a 29er but could he do the same in schladming or val di sole??
  • 1 1
 The only thing that matters is that Luke annihilated it. The fact that the bike absolutely rules and looks unreal is secondary and if 26 wheels are still breathing then this might have helped put those tiny things out of their misery.
  • 4 0
 wow this is old video
  • 4 0
 29er 4 lyfe, brah!
  • 3 0
 Just think if he had boost!!!
  • 2 0
 DIdn't know 9ers could do that. Bike aside that was just sick. He burned that shit.
  • 1 0
 Will PB do a review on the following first? Still waiting. So progressive and yet PB just sits on their laurels. Hey do some more mini tool reviews! Whoop whoop!
  • 1 0
 Who needs 650B, when theres 29"? Gonna be the next level i promise. After 29" will have 31"- tires
  • 2 0
 this is one of the gnarliest courses in noth america, wtf luke
  • 1 0
 Ok that's it, I'm putting a 27.5 on the back of my 29r hard tail and going downhilling!
  • 1 0
 And Gwin won without a chain. Big whoop. It all depends on the rider on the right course with the right flow and momentum.
  • 1 0
 That is the wreckoning, 160mm travel 29er. Rides really nice, goes uphill too.
  • 3 0
 Single stage Enduro
  • 2 0
 To answer the question, YES
  • 1 0
 If Evil names a bike "Evil Invader" I am in. Listening to Razor now.
  • 2 1
 I'd rather ride a 26 any day of the week
  • 2 1
 Waiting impatiently for the team-robot update...
  • 9 0
 You mean an ad about Felt bikes or Gravity Components @sup3rc0w?
  • 2 1
 Haha, those did suck... but the man's gotta pay the bills Wink
  • 2 3
 @sup3rc0w - I think He already commented on it on his blog a while a go. I guess he was racing that day Big Grin
@ollyforster - does it hurt you inside?
  • 2 0
 No, I couldn't care less @WAKIdesigns. Really liked what Charlie was doing until recently, but like @sup3rc0w says, you gotta do what you gotta do...
  • 5 4
 Yea I know that you meant no harm, but in which way is it negative to get sponsored? I am not defending him, he's a big boy. What bugs me is the trend to put distrust into brand ambassadors, especially considering the fact that whiny btchs who buy bikes for their own money are willing to stand by them to the grave, rarely being in position to provide meaningful comparison to a bunch of other current offerings. How is that unbiased?
  • 1 0
 Its not, that's what I'm saying. FairPlay to the man, without backing doing anything is downright hard work
  • 1 0
 Olly has a point though, the blog I'd pretty much dead ATM, everything recently has been pointless, useless promotion
  • 6 6
 Blogging is 1% success and 99% cumless masterbation. When you have a job and ride a lot, then it is really hard to find time to write sht and provide good content. Then all sorts of a-holes sht on you all the time so it is hard to stay motivated to keep it up. Team Robot has really poor fluffers. Be better fans for fks sake. So if he writes little that means that Charlie has a life, rides more than you, so be happy for him Wink
  • 1 0
 Not knowing the fine details but +1 for your last comment @WAKIdesigns. Got to wonder how hands on a guy/gal is if they have time to constantly feed a blog.
  • 1 1
 If you don't blog it's not called blogging
  • 1 1
 What are you? Wordpress advisor?
  • 2 0
 wannabe blogger
  • 3 3
 That NW cup was more "Bike Park" than "WC". A short travel 29'er would not stand a chance on a "real" WC course.
  • 5 3
 But darling what you don't get is a short travel 650b would not even stand a chance on this track.
  • 2 2
 I didn't say it would
  • 6 0
 Who cares about "real" WC tracks. Most people only see those on Red Bull TV.
  • 3 1
 pretty sure a 27.5 with the same travel would do just fine on this track. its not even that rough of track.
  • 2 1
 can't wait to see him dominate the DH WC circuit with this 29er..... (lol)
  • 4 4
 Why is this news? There's been 6 inch 29er for years. Evil didn't start anything.
  • 2 1
 Evil fanboys probably neg prop you. You're absolutely correct. The Enduro 29er came out way before that bike.
  • 1 0
 And the Lenz years before the Enduro.
  • 1 0
 I love my Following. EVILIVE!!
  • 1 0
 Im very surprised why 650b+ front and regular 29 rear has not shown up.
  • 1 0
 No, its not...
  • 1 0
 I second that.
  • 1 0
 ... where's Protour ?
  • 1 0
 WAKIdesigns usurped him
  • 2 4
 All you have to do is go to the pinkbike classifieds and you'll find all the Evil following frames people realized they didn't need
  • 10 1
 Can't tell if this is sarcasm or not.. but there are like 3 evil the followings on buys sell and 2 are brand new... I know because I want one haha
  • 6 2
 Make a video like animal lovers do about dogs left in the woods after their owners got tired of them. Be responsible
  • 5 4
 26 over here
  • 1 2
 All rider, a 150mm bike under Luke would have had him kicking even more butt.
  • 2 0
 It was 150mm travel?
  • 1 0
 29ers are far from Dead!
  • 1 0
 Hah... I'll be damned..
  • 1 2
 No mention of the Banshee Phantom anywhere, that bike kills it. It isn't plastic though, so I guess that's why...
  • 1 0
 Yawn...
  • 1 0
 Wreckoning....
  • 4 5
 Are we still on this whole legitimising the 29er thing?
  • 1 1
 "go 29er"
"go 29er"
  • 1 1
 Is it a fake race run ?
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