Evil Bikes Buyer's Guide

Maybe Evil has never won a World Cup downhill race, but it’s part of a race-winning pedigree that goes back to the iconic Iron Horse downhill bikes. 

In 2006, suspension expert 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 bikes to two consecutive world championship wins before Iron Horse unexpectedly folded. Fortunately, the people behind the race team’s success decided to make something even better. Thus, Evil Bikes rose from the ashes in 2009. 

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 links to achieve complex leverage rate curves and a flip-chip that gives riders “low” and “X-low” geometry settings. The suspension is supple early in the travel, predictable through the middle, and bottomless at the end. It provides the perfect balance between climbing traction and big-hit performance.

There are four Evil mountain bike models, plus a gravel bike, and 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.

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Following

Wheel size: 29”
Rear travel: 120mm
Fork travel: 120-130mm
Head angle: 67.2-67.9° (120mm fork)
Seat angle: 76.5-77°
Reach: 460mm (M) / 480mm (L)
Who it's for: Trail riders with XC inclinations

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. 

Offering

Wheel size: 29”
Rear travel: 140mm
Fork travel: 150-160mm
Head angle: 65.8-66.4° (150mm fork)
Seat angle: 76-77°
Reach: 469mm (M) / 491mm (L)
Who it's for: Do-it-all trail riders

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. 

Wreckoning

Wheel size: 29” 
Rear travel: 166mm
Fork travel: 160-190mm
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

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. 

Insurgent

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

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. 

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

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). 

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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 at (866) 401-9636. 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!