Intro
When considering a new mountain bike, there are so many similar-looking bikes on the market being made by so many different companies, it is virtually impossible to (1) know where to begin; (2) quickly figure out which one or two products from a given brand might work well for you; and (3) determine what products from other brands might be the most similar and also worth considering.
So in our new “Blister Brand Guide” series, we provide an overview of the entire product lineup of a brand; highlight how each product stands out from the rest of that brand’s lineup; and help you figure out quickly and easily which bike might work best for you.
In our individual product reviews, we go very deep into the details of particular products. With these Brand Guides, the goal is not Depth, but Breadth. Our Brand Guides and full reviews are designed to complement each other — provide a broad overview of entire company lineups, and then also very detailed reviews of individual products.
Our mountain bike Brand Guides are presented by CBGTrails. Learn more and start planning your trip today at cbgtrails.com, then download the CBG Trails app for info on the 750+ miles of singletrack and 150+ trails in Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley, Colorado.
About Evil
Evil was founded around 2008, making it one of the younger sizable brands in the industry. After working with Iron Horse bikes, which went bankrupt around 2009, Kevin Walsh, Dave Weagle (namesake of DW-link), and Todd Seplavy started Evil bikes with a downhill bike, the Revolt. They have since expanded their line to include a range of full-suspension mountain bikes, though they no longer make a DH bike. Evil is rider-owned, designed, and operated.
Today, their lineup consists of mountain bikes only available in carbon frames (excluding the Faction 2 dirt jumper, which is steel) and a carbon gravel bike. Starting at just over $5,000 for a complete build, budget options are basically nonexistent; however, riders looking for the latest technology can find much of it on certain Evil bikes.
Whereas most brands are either split between direct-to-consumer and traditional retail models, Evil’s goal is to balance both. Online direct sales can cut cost, but local bike shops ultimately provide the mechanical technical support riders need to keep rolling. As a result, you can buy Evil bikes directly from the brand, or through any of their authorized local dealers.
Evil offers a few “preset” builds for each bike and they also allow you to customize your bike by deciding which parts you want. You can also add upgrades, such as bash guards and chain guides. The build kits listed below are simply the preset builds without the additions or changes in options.
Evil’s bikes have a couple of unique features. Each of the bikes listed below features an integrated chainguide that is also removable for those who don’t want one. Each bike (except for The Following) listed below also features a sag indicator that’s integrated into the rear suspension linkage.
Evil does not operate on a model-year basis, instead updating their bikes as they see fit. While most of our other brand guides are separated by model year, expect this particular guide to have the most up-to-date bikes from Evil.
Evil’s headquarters is in Bellingham, Washington, USA.
Current Warranty (for the original owner)
- Three years for frames
- Replacement frames or frame parts available at a minimal charge for non-warranty situations.
- For more information, visit Evil.
Evil’s Suspension Design: The Delta System
(For more on different suspension designs, see our Suspension 101 article)
Before we get into their specific models and build options, here are some things to keep in mind when deciding on which build level to go with, and why.
First, when looking at complete bikes, suspension and wheels are going to make the biggest difference in how a bike really rides. Spend money on those before other things like higher-end drivetrain parts, cockpit parts (e.g., stem, handlebars, etc.), cranks, etc.
Tires make an enormous difference in performance, but are cheaper and easier to upgrade, especially since they tend to wear down quicker than other components. Upgrading a lower-end front tire to something better — and saving the original for rear-tire use — can be a good way to improve a bike while still making use of the originals, since front tires are generally a lot more important than rear tires when it comes to traction.
Drivetrain parts can be upgraded piecemeal as they wear out, or if you just want to upgrade down the line. Higher-end cassettes are mostly just lighter, while higher-end shifters and derailleurs get lighter, smoother, and sometimes last a bit longer as you go up in price.
We’ll outline here the different models in Evil’s MTB lineup, organized from most cross-country-oriented (XC) to downhill-oriented (DH). In other words, the bikes at the top of the list are optimized to pedal and climb uphill very well, while the bikes at the bottom are optimized to handle very rough, steep, and challenging descents very well.
We’ve included some notable information for each model:
Available build kits & their MSRP
- Best Budget Build: These are the build kits that we think make the most sense for people trying to spend the least amount without ending up with a build that’s going to immediately break or need to be upgraded.
- Most Performance for the Price: These are the build kits that we think make the most sense for people seeking the best balance of performance and cost. I.e., if you don’t need to get the cheapest bike, but you also don’t need the absolute lightest bike or all the newest bling, this is the build we think makes sense for you.
- Suspension travel (e.g., 100 mm of travel, 130 mm of travel, etc.)
- Wheel size (e.g., 27.5”, 27.5+, 29”)
- Frame material options (e.g., alloy vs. carbon)
- A brief description of what the bike was designed for and any notable design details.
- Some of the bike’s most direct competitors from other brands
- Which Evil bike it’s most similar to
- Reasons why you should buy it
- Reasons why you should not buy it
Evil Mountain Bikes
(Most Cross-Country-Oriented to Most Downhill-Oriented)
- Front: 120 mm
- Rear: 120 mm
- 29"
- Carbon
The Following is Evil’s 29” mid-travel trail bike, and is actually their shortest-travel full-suspension bike. Updated in March 2020, the newest Following has a longer reach and steeper seat tube angle as well as internal cable routing and 12 x 157 mm SuperBoost rear hub spacing. Can fit a “piggyback” shock.
Consider If:
- The trails you ride are somewhat steep, fast, technical, and bumpy
- You like a full-suspension bike that climbs well
- You appreciate a bike that is poppy and playful
Don’t Bother If:
- You ride mostly smooth and flat trails
- You want a bike more stable than it is poppy
- You want a bike that is stable and very forgiving on descents and wouldn’t mind giving up some climbing ability
- You want an XC-race-style 120mm-travel bike
- GX 19 Hydra: $5,799 – Best Budget Build
- XT 19 Hydra: $6,299 – Most Performance for the Price
- Frame only: $3,099
- Specialized Stumpjumper ST 29”
- Santa Cruz Tallboy / Juliana Joplin
- Pivot Trail 429 29”
- Giant Trance 29
- Intense Sniper Trail
- YT Izzo
- Ibis Ripley
- Norco Optic
- Devinci Django 29
- Cannondale Habit
- Canyon Neuron
- Front: 160 mm
- Rear: 131 mm
- 27.5"
- Carbon
The Calling is Evil’s shortest-travel 27.5” bike, optimized for all-round riding and playfulness. More like The Offering than The Following.
Consider If:
- You ride a variety of terrain and styles
- You appreciate a playful and nimble bike
- You like to occasionally shuttle to the top of descents and / or ride lift-served terrain
- You want a well-rounded bike in terms of climbing and descending
Don’t Bother If:
- You ride mostly smooth and flat trails
- You want a long, stable charger
- You want ultimate forgiveness and capability on descents and wouldn’t mind giving up some climbing ability
- GX: $5,074 – Best Budget Build
- XT: $5,574 – Most Performance for the Price
- XO1: $6,674
- XTR: $7,174
- Frame only: $2,574
- Specialized Stumpjumper 27.5”
- Santa Cruz 5010 / Juliana Furtado
- Giant Trance
- Kona Process 134 27.5”
- Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt
- Nukeproof Reactor 275
- Ibis Mojo 3
- Devinci Troy 27
- Front: 150 mm
- Rear: 141 mm
- 29"
- Carbon
Evil’s best Quiver Killer, the Offering is a do-it-all 29er designed with maximum versatility in mind. More like The Calling than The Insurgent LB.
Consider If:
- You ride a variety of terrain and styles
- You appreciate a good, fast, technical, and / or steep descent, and are willing to climb for it
- You occasionally ride lift-served bike parks or shuttle to the top of descents
Don’t Bother If:
- You ride trails that are mostly flat and smooth
- You want ultimate forgiveness and capability on descents and wouldn’t mind giving up some climbing ability
- GX: $5,799 – Best Budget Build
- XT: $6,299 – Most Performance for the Price
- XO1: $7,399
- XTR: $7,899
- AXS: $8,099
- Frame only: $3,299
- Specialized Stumpjumper 29”
- Santa Cruz Hightower / Juliana Maverick
- Pivot Switchblade
- Yeti SB130
- Trek Fuel EX
- Commencal Meta TR 29
- Scott Genius
- Rocky Mountain Instinct
- Intense Primer 29
- Nukeproof Reactor 290
- YT Jeffsy 29
- Devinci Troy 29
- Cannondale Jekyll 29
- Front: 160 mm
- Rear: 151 mm
- 27.5"
- Carbon
Evil’s longest-travel 27.5” bike. The Insurgent is designed to have a good balance of stability and playfulness. More like The Wreckoning than The Offering.
Consider If:
- You want a bike that is capable and forgiving on the descents
- You enjoy pushing your limits on steep, chunky terrain
- You race Enduro and / or like to shuttle to the top of descents and / or ride lift-served terrain
Don’t Bother If:
- You ride mostly smooth and flat trails
- You are looking for an cross-country-style bike that climbs very well
- GX: $5,799 – Best Budget Build & Most Performance for the Price
- XO1 DH: $6,499
- XO1: $7,399
- Frame only: $2,499
- Santa Cruz Bronson / Juliana Roubion
- Pivot Mach 6
- Trek Remedy
- Giant Reign
- Kona Process 153 27.5”
- Rocky Mountain Altitude
- Intense Tracer
- YT Jeffsy 27
- Ibis Mojo HD5
- Norco Sight 27.5”
- Canyon Spectral
- Front: 160 mm
- Rear: 161 mm
- 29"
- Carbon
Evil’s longest-travel and most downhill-oriented bike. The Wreckoning is designed to handle the roughest descents and keep its speed.
Consider If:
- You want a bike that is capable and forgiving on the descents
- You race Enduro, like to shuttle to the top of descents, and / or ride lift-served terrain
- You want the benefits of fast-rolling 29” wheels
- You enjoy pushing your limits on fast, steep, chunky, and technical terrain
Don’t Bother If:
- You ride mostly smooth and flat trails
- You are looking for an cross-country-style bike that climbs very well
- You want a more freeride style long-travel bike
- GX: $5,799 – Best Budget Build
- XT: $6,299 – Most Performance for the Price
- XO1 DH: $7,299
- XTR: $7,899
- Frame only: $3,299
- Specialized Enduro
- Santa Cruz Megatower
- Pivot Firebird 29
- Yeti SB150
- Trek Slash
- Giant Reign 29
- Commencal Meta AM 29
- Kona Process 153 29”
- Scott Ransom
- Rocky Mountain Slayer 29”
- Intense Carbine
- Nukeproof Mega 290
- YT Capra 29
- Ibis Ripmo
- Norco Range 29”
- Devinci Spartan 29
- Canyon Strive
- Mondraker Foxy & Foxy Carbon
Love my Offering, rides like all of the reviews say. Plush, smooth and yet nimble, climbs surprisingly well, descends like a Bentley. I rode a few of the competitors at a Demo day with a buddy, we would A and B each bike vs. the Evil and we always felt the Evil rode the best, not by a huge margin but enough to notice. I live in the Seattle area where roots and rocks are common, this bike is ideal for these conditions.