Maybe Evil has never won a World Cup downhill or an Enduro World Series race (yet), but it’s bikes are part of a race- and championship-winning pedigree that goes back to the iconic Iron Horse downhill bikes.
In 2006, one of the mountain biking's top suspension gurus, Dave Weagle, used his engineering skills to take Iron Horse bikes from a simple big-box brand to World Cup winners. Downhill legend Sam Hill piloted these Iron Horse bikes to two consecutive world championship wins before the brand unexpectedly folded. Fortunately, the people behind the race team’s success decided to push on and make something even better. Evil Bikes rose from the ashes of Iron Horse in 2009.
Evil currently has four mountain bike models in its line-up, plus a gravel bike. (The Faction dirt jumper and Epocalypse E-bike are omitted from this guide.) Each bike will suit different riders and terrain. If you’re looking for an Evil bike, this guide will cover the differences so you can make an informed buying decision.
Evil D.E.L.T.A. Suspension
At the core of all Evil mountain bikes is the Dave Weagle-designed DELTA suspension system. DELTA is an acronym for “Dave’s Extra Legitimate Travel Apparatus,” a name befitting the brand’s playful attitude. It uses compact triangular links to achieve complex leverage rate curves. A flip-chip that gives riders “low” and “X-low” geometry settings. The suspension feels supple early in the travel, predictable through the middle, and bottomless at the end. It's designed to provide the perfect balance between climbing efficiency, traction, and big-hit performance.
What is Evil's "LS" Designation
You may notice that newer Evil's have an extra "LS" in the model name. Evil doesn't follow a strict generational/model-year system like many brands use. To indicate that certain models have received an update, they'll tack on a pithy acronym. In the past, Evil has used "MB," which stood for "More Better'er." The current "LS" designation stands for "Lightly Salted."
Lightly salted "LS" bikes began arriving in late 2022, so they represent the most current line-up. They've been slightly updated with SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) which makes replacing bent and broken hangers easier. Evil moved the trunnion shock spacers inside the linkage, so they’re easier to maintain and remove and install shocks. There are new limited-edition colors and the suspension also received some very slight kinematic tweaks. Also, it's worth noting that all of Evil's latest LS bikes use Super Boost 12x157mm rear hub spacing, which is important to know if you're replacing or upgrading wheels.
Are LS models better than non-LS models? Not at all! As the name implies, the improvements are subtle and most riders likely won't even notice.
[button]SHOP EVIL BIKES[/button]
Evil Following LS
Wheel size: 29”
Rear travel: 121mm
Fork travel: 130mm
Head angle: 66.4-66.9°
Seat angle: 76.5-77°
Reach: 460mm (M) / 480mm (L)
Who it's for: Trail riders with XC or "downcountry" inclinations
[product-block handle="2022-evil-following-i9-hydra-protein-powder-medium-gx-1"/]
The Following is Evil’s take on a short-travel trail bike. It keeps weight to a minimum and doesn’t go too long or slack. That means the Following is quick and playful, and it can climb faster than it descends. It's perfect for riders who value pedaling efficiency for big days in the saddle or the occasional XC race. But the Following is more capable than a standard XC bike. The 120mm of travel is extra progressive and poppy, so riders can attack berms, gaps, and rock gardens at speeds that other 120mm bikes wouldn’t dare attempt.
Evil Offering LS
Wheel size: 29”
Rear travel: 141mm
Fork travel: 150mm
Head angle: 65.8-66.4°
Seat angle: 76-77°
Reach: 469mm (M) / 491mm (L)
Who it's for: Do-it-all trail riders
[product-block handle="evil-offering-ls-reigning-blood-medium-x01axs-industry-nine-enduro-s"/]
The Offering is Evil’s do-anything mountain bike. With 140mm of travel, it sits right in the middle of its 29er line-up, striking a balance between uphill and downhill performance. The slack head tube and super long reach edge into enduro bike territory and inspire confidence on gnarly downhills. But the steep seat angle and efficient rear end allow riders to attack climbs just as hard. If you can only own one bike to handle everything from epic all-day trail missions to gnarly downhill tracks, the Offering is it.
[newsletter]
Evil Wreckoning LS
Wheel size: 29” Rear travel: 166mm
Fork travel: 170mm
Head angle: 63.9-64.9° (170mm fork)
Seat angle: 75.7-76.3°
Reach: 455mm (M) / 475mm (L)
Who it's for: Enduro racers, downhill KOM hunters
[product-block handle="evil-wreckoning-ls-clay-porter-medium-gx-industry-nine-enduro-s"/]
Evil refers to the Wreckoning as a “ride-anything, pedal-assisted DH rig.” With the combination of big wheels, big travel, and an ultra-slack head tube angle, it monster trucks over every obstacle in its path. It can even accept a massive 190mm fork for those who seek to ride the gnarliest lines and race downhill at ludicrous speeds. Don’t think that it’s a one-trick pony though. It has the same super-efficient DELTA suspension as its siblings, so you can easily pedal it to the top for more laps.
Evil Insurgent LS
Wheel size: 27.5” & 29MX
Rear travel: 168mm
Fork travel: 180mm (27.5”) / 170mm (29MX)
Head angle: 64.7-65.3° (27.5”) / 63.5-64.2° (29MX)
Seat angle: 77.5-78.2° (27.5”) / 76.2-76.9° (29MX)
Reach: 473mm (M 27.5”) / 492mm (L 27.5”) / 460mm (M 29MX) / 480mm (L 29MX)
Who it's for: Downhillers, bike park riders, freeriders
[product-block handle="2022-evil-insurgent-27-5-clean-slat-medium-x01"/]
For riders who like to mix things up, the Insurgent gives you more options. It’s available in a full 27.5” and a mixed-wheel 29”/27.5” MX version, a.k.a. a mullet. The smaller 27.5” wheels are perfect for riders who live at the bike park, hitting big jumps and throwing massive whips. The bigger 29” front wheel on the MX version increases front-wheel traction for steep lines and rollover for rough trails. In either set-up, the 27.5” rear wheel stays ultra maneuverable, so playful riders can always place the back end exactly where they want.
Evil Chamois Hagar
Wheel size: 700c
Head angle: 66.67°
Top tube: 605mm (M) / 624mm (L)
Reach: 420mm (M) / 440mm (L)
Who it's for: Gravel riders who shred
[product-block handle="evil-chamois-blackout-drunk-medium-rival-axs-wtb-protera-1"/]
For its first foray into gravel bikes, Evil decided to push the envelope by incorporating MTB geometry into a drop-bar rig. With clearance for big 50mm tires, an outrageously slack 66.67° head angle, extra-long reach, low standover, and internal dropper post routing, mountain bikers will feel right at home. No other gravel bike has geometry this progressive. It will keep up on fast and smooth roads, but it really starts to shine when things get rough. Plus, it has one of the funniest bike names in the business (pronounced “Shammy” Hagar, like the singer).
[button]SHOP EVIL BIKES[/button]
No matter which Evil you choose to ride, you’re in for a good time. Still having trouble deciding which bike is right for you? Reach out to our TPC Ride Guides. They can help you understand all the pros and cons, and find the right bike for you. Do you already own an Evil? Let us (and other cyclists) know in the comments what you love about it!
