Graham Agassiz Parts Ways with Evil

Jan 3, 2021
by James Smurthwaite  
Photo by Ale Di Lullo

Graham Agassiz has announced he will not be riding for Evil in 2021 and beyond. Aggy joined Evil at the start of 2019 following a 12 year run with Kona. In his time with the brand, he competed in Red Bull Rampage and starred in films such as Accomplice.


bigquotesAfter two amazing years bleeding black it’s time for me to move on. I can’t thank the Black Collars, Kevin, Chad, Jason, Cal and all the boys enough for all the good times the last couple of years. Here’s to the future. Ruh ruh ruh.Graham Agassiz

Graham Agassiz
Aggy's long travel Rampage rig from 2019, a full bike check is here.

We published rumors earlier in the year that Aggy would be heading to YT next although we have heard nothing since and have no confirmed news at this point. We will update you with Aggy's new frame sponsor as the news drops.

Author Info:
jamessmurthwaite avatar

Member since Nov 14, 2018
1,770 articles

165 Comments
  • 310 9
 Probably just wanted a real DH bike haha
  • 128 132
flag adrennan FL (Jan 3, 2021 at 6:14) (Below Threshold)
 Or tired of cringey marketing for bikes that will get bought up by dentists...
  • 26 8
 BACK TO KONA ! EUH. NO.
  • 46 64
flag chicane32 (Jan 3, 2021 at 6:45) (Below Threshold)
 @adrennan: Or people with a real job!
  • 39 7
 @adrennan: I notice they dumped the bleed black die evil tag line a while back too. Probably a good thing.
  • 77 1
 Probably just wants to actually get paychecks. Haha
  • 36 7
 @adrennan: says the guy who has three bikes in his profile.
  • 37 81
flag thenotoriousmic (Jan 3, 2021 at 8:29) (Below Threshold)
 Never really suited anyway. Trash bike company that doesn’t even have a real downhill bike.
  • 40 26
 @thenotoriousmic: have you ever ridden one? I’d hold back the trash talk until you have.

They are the most surfy and fun bike I’ve ever ridden. They do exactly what they are built for. Wish I could afford one!
  • 27 5
 It is a trail bike with a dual crown. I have two evils (not a dentist..) and I was there at rampage 19'. Aggy gave it all he and his bike could do. Didnt even run a 2nd lap.
  • 1 0
 @shredddr: bleed black is written on all of their stuff still?
  • 15 42
flag conoat (Jan 3, 2021 at 13:18) (Below Threshold)
 @thatguyzack: they ride just like the over-engineered single pivot bikes that they are.

rebound is either deathly fast or retardedly slow, and the rear of the bike never jives with the front, regardless of which fork you're running.

they need to ditch the delta box and move into the 2020's with their kinemetics as well as geo
  • 46 3
 @thatguyzack: they shipped ever single revolt frame they got from a dodgy supplier knowing full well they was going to break and potentially injuring their customers in the process because they would have gone bankrupt if they acknowledged the issue and put in a recall. They chose saving their own skin over keeping their customers safe and that’s why they’re a trash company with such a terrible reputation. It’s got nothing to do with how their bikes ride. They could be amazing right now but I won’t spend my money on one just for that alone. Would you?
  • 20 2
 @conoat: can you explain how the same bike exhibits both overly slow and fast rebound characteristics because of the mechanical attributes of the specific kinematic design in question?

Not ridden one but struggling to get my head around that.
  • 5 21
flag conoat (Jan 3, 2021 at 13:25) (Below Threshold)
 @justanotherusername: it depends on your settings. it goes from too slow to too fast with 1-2 clicks, because of the deltabox kinemetiics. basically, it's as close to impossible to setup as you can get.
  • 20 0
 @conoat: thanks but that’s not an explanation that makes sense when you say the rebound is either ‘deathly fast’ or ‘retardedly slow’ in terms of the mechanics behind why you believe this to be the case.

‘Because kinematics’..... because made up.
  • 10 4
 @thenotoriousmic: might be a different situation (did this happen twice?) but was this the one where they had huge issues in Taiwan but did replace customer bikes? - wasn’t great but this was 9 years ago now too.
  • 5 0
 @conoat: I don't have any experience with Evil bikes or how they ride, but for my DH rig I have two shocks, one RockShox Vivid and one Cane Creek DB. The Vivid usually feels a little slow or a little fast (rebound)with very little difference in clicker settings. Maybe it's the shock, not the kinematics.
  • 7 12
flag thenotoriousmic (Jan 3, 2021 at 13:58) (Below Threshold)
 @justanotherusername: this must have been around 2009. I can’t remember exactly but I don’t care if it hasn’t happed again. It shouldn’t have happened in the first place.
  • 22 12
 @thenotoriousmic: nice one. Yea I mean you should defiantly never buy from them because of mistakes made 12 years ago when by all accounts they have had their shit together for years now. Cool story, as usual.
  • 21 12
 @justanotherusername: Are you stupid? They deliberately sold frames they knew were going to break and could injure or paralyse someone to save their own skin. That wasn’t a mistake, that was a decision. I don’t care how good their bikes are and I’m still hearing mixed reports to this day. That behaviour is unforgivable. Could be some reading your comment now with life changing injuries because of that decision. Would you tell them just to get over it too? Try thinking about things properly in future before posting.
  • 6 1
 @thenotoriousmic:
I never knew about this frame saga. Sounds like quite the disaster for the company. Amazing they survived it in this cutthroat day and age.
  • 21 3
 @justanotherusername: Evil's entire past and recent history history align with their namesake: knowingly putting riders at risk, not warrantying bikes, leaving customers hung out to dry, not issuing recalls (Following swingarm bottom out on frame), not paying filmographers (noted on pink bike ~ 2yrs ago), not paying their athletes (Cam Zink, etc).
  • 8 0
 @adrennan: you're getting downvoted to hell, but evil marketing and quality is a big reason why I didn't grab one as a trail bike this year... I had an Imperial back in the day, and I have the cringey named Chamois Hagar. The CH is still singular in it's class, and I really love it... But seeing some brand new bikes this year with major quality issues and the immaturity of the image the cultivate...turned me away. I saved a boatload and bought an aluminum bike from someone else and am super happy.
  • 6 1
 @thenotoriousmic: I broke a few linkages. Had Gabe fox on speed dial lol. They went to carbon to try stop the breaking. Didn't work.
  • 4 1
 @justanotherusername: have you ridden one? They have 2 different progression rates inherently as part of the suspension design. It's gotten better but still a pain the ass to tunr so you don't die. You can easily mess it up and have the beginning of the stroke super poppy and bucky then the mid stroke be slow and harsh.

Lots of companies produce bikes with the 2 rates but are much easier to tune.
  • 2 0
 @makripper: I hate it when I get bucked in the beginning of the stroke
  • 2 0
 @makripper: i mean if it were possible, I’m sure I’d hate it
  • 5 7
 @thenotoriousmic: well I own an evil bike and I think it’s the best trail bike ever! Their bikes ride so unique and are so fun. Did you get hurt by one of their revolt frames? How do you know that evil knew the frames were going to break?
  • 2 0
 @JorgeF88: you also mention you are a novice in your profile.... Good it works for you. Which one do you own?
  • 1 0
 @conoat: What do you attribute the rebound range issues to?
  • 2 1
 @conoat: That’s the absolute opposite of my experience, never had any problems getting them to ride great...
  • 2 0
 @thenotoriousmic: The way you describe them, they really sound evil.
  • 4 1
 @CircusMaximus: Even my bikes made in the US are a lot cheaper than what evil is selling, and the companies stand behind their produts. When I went to sell the evil uprising I owned years ago, the person I was selling to contacted evil and evil basically told them they should get something else. This was after taking a leap of faith with the uprising after evils known issues.
  • 1 2
 @adrennan: so then really you are bitter because you made a bad decision?
My comment didn’t have anything to do with Evil. It was more on the very tiring dentist cliche. Especially when a person with several bikes is seemingly calling others out for spending a lot of $ on bikes. Was more of a fun jab at any rate. I’m certainly not one to talk about how much others spend on bikes. I’ve got my own problem! Wink
  • 1 0
 @justanotherusername: yeah - they still use bleed black. it's the "die evil" they've done away with. Riders come and go, people get laid off, etc, saying you're tied to a sponsor or working anywhere for life (#4lyfe brah) in 2021 seems a bit off.
  • 2 3
 I read these comments and start to think twice about by my bike choice but then I remember how much fun the new Wreckoning is. It doesn't smash through as well as the 20' Enduro but it's way more poppy and lively. Climbs just as well and it's suits my riding better. A lot of companies have pretty tired marketing, Evil's is kind of silly but I'm not going to let that sway me one way or another.
  • 4 0
 @CircusMaximus: I am undoubtedly a touch bitter about how my dealings with evil went and quite frankly was never impressed with the uprising compared to any other bikes i have had.

My dentist comment has to do with marketing that is all about how blue-collar and hardcore the brand is, now give me 3500 for a frame. the marketing and the price dont align to me.
  • 1 2
 @randalliser: guessing you're either a super duper light rider, or arent riding super fast.
  • 3 1
 @conoat:...and I’m guessing you aren’t that great at setting up suspension
  • 1 2
 @randalliser: not the best, not the worst. Some bikes are bang on easy to dial, some are impossible. That's my only comment here. Evil bikes are.....well.....evil to attempt to setup properly. Call me an idiot for not being able to figure it out, but I can ride and setup most any other bike fairly quickly. So either Evil has nailed it and every other company is dumb as well as I, or the inverse is true. I don't much care which you think is closer to the truth, quite honestly
  • 1 0
 @conoat: I don’t much care about it either tbh.
  • 143 0
 Karpiel signs Aggy. Bender finally lands the Jah drop. 2021 is looking epic
  • 52 6
 Most kids here won't know what you're talking about Big Grin
  • 65 1
 @prevail: There’s no kids here, they’re all out riding..
  • 21 2
 @prevail: Bender is the reason for the evolution of Rampage. He might have never landed half his stuff but he put the idea that things are capable in the minds of future riders
  • 5 0
 @giantwhip: I know that. I follow the scene since 20+ years. But I doubt many 15 - 20 year olds will know him. And if you show them those crazy Armageddon builds from back then they would burn you like a witch Big Grin
  • 6 0
 @prevail: banana seat!
  • 4 1
 is it Jah or Jaw? i've been living a lie then!
  • 2 0
 @jiMMy23: I've always seen it written out as Jah drop.

It's located in Kamloops BC where Aggy is from
  • 2 0
 @prevail: I think everyone knows about Josh. Absolut legend!
  • 2 0
 When Bender returns in NWDII to get redemption he says "I've had to deal with demons and a cleaned stick for the last year". I never understood the cleaned stick part, any americans/canadians care to explain? Still my favorite segment of any thing bike related, ever.

youtu.be/PrE8sT-zMEE
  • 2 0
 @SimbaandHiggins: I think Josh means he's had to deal with (wanting to make) "a clean stick" -- a solid landing & ride away-- since the first crash/injury on Jah Drop.
  • 2 0
 @PinkyScar: gotcha. Thanks!
  • 1 0
 @giantwhip: it's jah
  • 76 2
 It's felt like he's had one foot out of the door in this sport for awhile now. Waiting for him to say he'll be living off the grid fishing and building log houses.
  • 67 4
 Would love to see him go to Transition with Nico.
  • 6 1
 Could really imagine that
  • 11 2
 Would love to see him make the Transition with Nico.
  • 60 3
 Dear God, please let Aggy win Rampage. Amen.
  • 55 2
 Still to this day, my insurgent with a Avalanche shock was the best handling/fun bike to ride.
Pity after only 6 weeks or riding & paying full RRP price for the brand new frame the swing arm snapped,
Evil denied that the frame would “just snap” argued black & blue & they wiped their hands clean of the piss poor warranty they claim to have.
Absolute joke of a company. $3000 frame,6 weeks of weekend riding , no warranty. Seems like a good deal eh.

Still fuming 3 years late.
Anyone considering buying one, just don’t.
  • 6 0
 Do you have photos of the broken swing arm?
  • 2 0
 @cwatt: this was a few years ago now sorry mate. Lost those photos
  • 7 2
 I had a paint issue on a 1 year old Wreck and they sent me a new frame straight away. That was just for paint, wasn't even anything wrong with the frame itself.
  • 5 0
 Swingarm cracked on my insurgent under warranty. Evil wouldn’t even look at it. Great customer service until you have a warranty issue, then they don’t want to know.
  • 2 1
 That sucks, man. My experience has been the opposite. I've owned 3 different versions of the Wreckoning, a Following LB, an Offering, and a Calling...and have only had one warranty issue with something rattling in the frame, which they immediately warrantied. I did have one of their first Uprisings, and that did have issues with the derailleur hanger (that was also warrantied); but they switched manufacturers since then (circa 2015, I think). I'm not a novice rider, and still feel confident that they would take care of me if a problem arose, but this is disconcerting to hear.
  • 1 1
 @steveczech: I'm curious if Evil uses distributors outside of North America that give worse warranty support.
  • 2 0
 @dthomp325: That's kind of what I'm thinking. Either way, it doesn't bode well for the brand.
  • 51 3
 News just in: Mike Levy has just parted ways with his Sanity
  • 38 2
 That’s old news lol
  • 6 0
 He never had it in the first place.
  • 6 13
flag bohne (Jan 3, 2021 at 8:50) (Below Threshold)
 3 days into 2021 and already comment of the year!
  • 6 0
 James Smurthwaite Parts Company with Sadistic Headline
  • 19 2
 I am sure Aggy would prefer to have an full DH bike, but what I am sure is a bigger issue is having to convert 29ers to 27.5" and EVIL sadly appears to be dropping 27.5. Lets be honest, no freerider prefers 29ers, and wining Rampage with one is out of the question.
  • 19 3
 Rumor are, he wasn’t a big fan of their new bike “The bottoming”
  • 15 2
 With Graham’s following I am sure other sponsors will come calling.
  • 16 2
 I’m wreckoning you’re right
  • 6 26
flag will-burr (Jan 3, 2021 at 9:54) (Below Threshold)
 Really? Why? What events? How long has it been since he was on the podium? No hating, I just think there is a big misconception on salaries to freeriders that are in 5-20th place and attend 4 events per year...
  • 22 1
 @will-burr: Are you really uprising against those previous comments? What are you, some kind of insurgent?
  • 11 1
 @dbrc: What is he offering though?
  • 4 1
 f*ck off with that @will-burr:
  • 2 0
 @nyhc00: last I heard, something a little better'er.
  • 1 0
 Who knows, if that was the case you’d think he would have went with a different option a few years ago over the company that was going to make him ride a trail bike with a dual crown.
  • 13 0
 Well, that was short!
  • 7 0
 Was thinking the same but two years isn’t bad. I think it seems especially short after 12 years on Kona.
  • 34 14
 That's what she said
  • 4 2
 @murfio: Oooooh, got 'em! lol
  • 1 0
 @murfio: give her my number
  • 12 3
 YT should change their name. Seems like their roster is mostly dominated by Old Legends.
  • 1 0
 They used to sell bikes at crazy good prices too
  • 7 2
 I have 2 evils. I loved the Wreckoning so much I bought the Following. I am a 25 year BMXer, build jumps in the woods and EVERY other bike I rode just felt like a race bike...too long to playfully manual....or playfully ride in that matter. I am a 10 year bike industry guy, ridden probably 10 or so different bikes from GG, Spesh, Norco, Kona, etc, etc but the MOMENT I got on an evil I was sold. It was the ONLY MTB ive ridden that was as fun and jibby as a BMX bike. for the first time in my life I actually felt at home on a MTB and not like I was going fast in a straight line. When things got weird and I got a little out of line or even off the trial completely, the monster truck just took over and rode me back into safety. The bikes both jump awesome, manual exactly like my BMX's and I can go back and forth on them with no issue at all. They are GREAT in the Bike Park, and on berm slapping, jump lines. Evils are the only bike I feel like myself on... a BMXer.
  • 6 1
 Amazed at the amount of hate from readers that have never even ridden one. Then again, I am on PinkBike...
  • 6 0
 Does anyone have frames in stock to give him?
  • 42 0
 Ellsworth
  • 5 0
 Is this like when Ash separated from Evil Ash in Army of Darkness? "Mr goody two shoes"
  • 7 3
 If Aggy can't get a frame sponsor, then things are looking bleak for the next generation of freeride.
  • 5 1
 Well. The Claw has been without one for a year or more now.
  • 2 1
 Different sport but Seth Morrison hasn’t had a ski sponsor for a couple years either
  • 3 0
 @lognar: I’m not sure Seth is looking for a ski sponsor. He seems pretty happy quietly doing his own thing - that or he’s not willing to do what would be required to secure sponsorship.
  • 1 0
 @lognar: man I forget about Seth sometimes. Those crazy parts where he is BLASTING cliffs with a full face. One of the craziest to ever do it
  • 3 0
 @learningcycles: Exactly my point. Unless you count posting on instagram as a career nowadays. Who knows...maybe it is.
  • 8 0
 Aggy is taking the Grim Donut to Rampage.
  • 6 1
 @craigcanucks: If the headtube survives it'll become the best selling bike of all time.
  • 7 2
 An argumentative turtle is called a retortis
  • 4 0
 My V3 wreck feels much better than my 2020 920 gambler. And they both have a dual crown.
  • 1 0
 Love my V3! First Evil bike for me and so far I'm impressed.
  • 8 3
 back to kona
  • 6 6
 Reading his bike check and all the talk about how they’ve never bottomed the 161mm travel “trail” bike at Rampage- I own an Evil Calling, I love it dearly, except for the rear shock, its factory tune, and Evil’s rec’d settings. I bottomed out so hard I dented my rim on their settings (just under 30% sag). Added a Gnar dog and upped to 25% sag, still bottoming out with regularity. I just bought an X2 shock. Maybe the super deluxe that was on there was just defective or in need of an overhaul (ride hours said otherwise), but rear sus setup and factory tune is the one single thing I can point to from Evil that I haven’t loved. In contrast to that guy’s bike check.
  • 2 7
flag saturnine (Jan 3, 2021 at 6:18) (Below Threshold)
 I don't often bottom mine insofar as I can tell. Now, I'm not hucking or blasting jumps as it is a trailbike
  • 6 3
 I threw an EXT Storia on my Calling and have never been happier. No bottom out, got rid of the roughness in chunk of the air can, and rides like a dream.
  • 7 5
 Have you ridden the wreckoning? That thing is bottomless!
  • 2 0
 he has a special shock tune.
  • 2 1
 I agree their bikes blow through travel to easily, especially with their suggested settings and factory tune. Thus, there is not hardly a bike quite as comparable to its playfulness and agility combined with its prowess in technical terrain, lending to a rig that is a hoot to ride! Although the bike your on is only 131 mm of rear travel with 27.5 wheels, Not much travel if your hucking or charging hard in rough terrain.
Hence, more travel and possibly larger wheels may render less bottom out if your bottoming too often; don't want to ruin that shox !! You can try running 22% sag and add several clicks of compression that helps some but it won't feel as poppy and the bike will ride higher (good -climbing / pedaling / BB height). For this reason CasadeComponents makes a link that increases progression for bottom out resistance and adds additional travel to the Offering but comes with a hefty price.

cascadecomponents.bike/collections/evil-links
  • 2 1
 *Aggy hasn't bottomed his Wrecker with a Push 11.6 shock
  • 4 9
flag conoat (Jan 3, 2021 at 13:22) (Below Threshold)
 welcome to deltabox life. horrible kinemetics
  • 1 1
 @conoat: To be clear, this "Horrible Deltabox life of Kine-Metics" that you speak of, is referring to a Collective of Cows and a Foreigner living in an ancient Greek city having privileges of citizenship ???? Sounds to me more like a state a Utopia! LOL
  • 3 0
 I haven't ridden the Calling, but the Wreck has a very progressive spring curve. Personally I found it was too progressive with an airshock and it rode much better with a coil. It does feel "bottomless".
  • 1 0
 @rburroughs4: I had to add volume spacers to the Monarch for it to feel right. Ultimately, I ride my Calling with a Push shock (from an Offering), and don't think I've bottomed out on any hucks to-date. I hate to Push you to upgrading to an $1100 shock, but I think you can find used ones around $700 on PB. It really does change the feel of the bike without taking away its signature playfulness.
  • 1 0
 @steveczech: Monarch is a terrible shock for these bikes, idk why they spec it.
  • 1 0
 @steveczech: yeah I tried spacers and thought about getting a revalve kit with more HSC but ultimately said f it and bought a new X2
  • 4 4
 It sucks that Aggy is leaving. I’ve been enjoying seeing him in the same bikes I ride doing things I can’t even imagine doing. I will follow his career whatever he goes. Let’s not forget though, that Evil just signed Kurt Sorge, a two time Rampage winner so they still have top free ride talent.
  • 13 0
 Sorge = 3x rampage wins

I’ll watch Agassiz ride on whatever frame, but it would have been cool to see him and Sorge as teammates for a couple seasons.
  • 6 3
 man aggy is my fav, damn i'm gonna drop my plans to buy an evil. hope he doesn't join trek cos i ain't buying that.
  • 4 1
 Great rider, Great bikes. The two together didn't seems like a good fit. Sorta like pickles and peanut butter.
  • 6 2
 Rocky Mtn??
  • 3 0
 Aggy on YT - just confirmed on insta!
  • 5 3
 Well, he ain't Evil anymore.
Big Grin
  • 2 0
 Another darn mug shot cover for my daily dose of emotional adrenaline...
  • 2 0
 Not a great return on their investment
  • 3 1
 Isn’t WAO working on a frame? My money is on that as his next ride.
  • 1 0
 I thought their frame was gonna be a trail bike frame and that they were only working on one currently? I could be wrong.
  • 1 0
 @zanda23: you're not wrong
  • 2 0
 suspect spesh, hope transition
  • 1 0
 @will-burr: dont think it will be hope that dont have a dh bike Wink
  • 1 0
 *they
  • 3 5
 I think the main reason Josh Bender one of the greatest free riders in the world crashed so many times is because the size of his jumps and drops which are bigger than anything done yet today outpaced the capable technologies of the bicycle to handle that type of landing impact.
  • 12 0
 Oh, sweet summer child...
  • 2 0
 what happened, did he accept jesus? lol
  • 2 0
 Just in.... Sam Hill off Nukeproof.
  • 3 2
 I’ve never bottomed out my Wreckoning even at the park, ever
  • 4 0
 you have a too stiff spring
  • 1 0
 That top pix looks like Wyn Masters
  • 4 2
 LOL EVIL
  • 2 0
 Hahaha, my frame, I swear to God it was Reynold's 853 steel when I got it, then it changed to Reynold's 520. That's pure evil.
  • 2 0
 RIP #bleedblackrideevil
  • 8 8
 Accomplice* the*

Probs do some proof reading James.
  • 5 8
 I think the company Evil should change their name who in their right mind would name a company Evil well obviously this is satanic influence, no wonder the company is not blessed by God and doing well
  • 9 0
 ur weird. and i mean that in the nicest way.
  • 1 1
 @DH-Angel User name checks out, and I agree with you.
  • 1 3
 I only see announces of riders leaving teams.
There is no riders joining teams?
  • 2 0
 everyones on santa cruz.
  • 3 4
 Films such as "accompice"? Don't you mean accomplice?
  • 14 17
 Perfect fit for YT i hope its true
  • 4 0
 Hah! You nailed it
  • 2 0
 @ahauck: weird
  • 3 6
 Seeing this one actually hurts
  • 3 0
 Premature enlightenment.
  • 3 0
 Trust me.. It's a good thing.
  • 1 3
 Specialized
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