Review: The Evil Epocalypse is Equal Parts Balance & Brawn

Aug 2, 2022
by Alicia Leggett  
Are you ready for some dark magic? Evil today released its new eMTB, called the Epocalypse, and it's entering the public eye with all the spooky theatrics we've come to expect from the Washington brand.

We've been anticipating this poorly-kept industry secret for a while now, and now that I've spent some time on the bike, I can say that it warrants the noise.

The 166mm Epocalypse comes in one color called Wasabi Shadow - commonly known as dark gray - and there's just one $12k build kit, which I tested in anticipation of its release. This carbon-framed electric beast rolls on two 29" wheels and uses Shimano's EP8 motor and 630 Wh battery, tipping the scales at 50.5 lb (22.9 kg) for a size large.

Epocalypse Details

• Wheel size: 29"
• Carbon frame
• Travel: 166mm rear / 170mm fork
• 64.5°-63.9° head angle w/ 170mm fork
• 442mm - 444mm chainstays
• Shimano EP8 motor
• 630 Wh battery
• Weight: 50.5 lb / 22.9 kg
• Price: $11,999 USD
evil-bikes.com






bigquotesThe Evil Epocalypse loves when the trail opens up to the fast-and-rough, but it doesn't have the excess length and slack angles you might expect. That means it feels alive despite the motor and battery weight it's carrying. Alicia Leggett


photo

Frame Features & Motor Details

The Epocalypse is more or less a motorized version of the Wreckoning, Evil's 166mm freeride and enduro bike, though the Epocalypse features slightly more conservative geometry than the Wreckoning.

The frame comes protected with a skid plate under the motor, rubber chainstay and seatstay coverings, and a "shuttle shield" on the underside of the downtube where a truck tailgate might rub - just in case riders get tired of self-shuttling and want to truck haul their Epocalypses.

There's the same tube-in-tube internal routing that comes standard on Evil's other bikes, as well as Super Boost 157mm rear axle spacing. It also sports a flip chip, which lowers the bottom bracket and slackens the head angle for those looking to transform the all-arounder into a more aggressive downhill machine.

Evil boasts that the techy bits are stealthy, with the power button hidden under the top tube and the wire to the mode selector hidden inside Evil's own handlebar. Still, most of the e-stuff is hard to miss: the controls are in the standard location for Shimano's EP8 motor, with the mode selector over by the left grip and the simple one-button display just to the right of the stem.

The 630 Wh battery comes out in just a few seconds, so that piece is pretty foolproof, as is the straightforward charging port on the non-drive side of the bike, though the charging port cover less so - I struggled to get it to stay closed, though that's a Shimano problem, not an Evil one.

The motor provides up to 85 Nm of torque, more than enough to power up the steeps, so the bike's ability to crank won't be a limiting factor as much as the sheer weirdness and traction troubles of smashing up a rutted, techy wall of dirt.

It uses the same display as the other EP8-powered eMTBs, so the display is still a bit more rudimentary than the Specialized and Bosch screens that display battery life using a percentage, rather than a rougher battery bars image. Regardless, each part of the system does its job.

One of eMTB designers' biggest tasks is to figure out how to fit all the different pieces of the motor, battery, drivetrain, and suspension in one very small zone, and that often doesn't leave room for much, but thankfully there's still space for a water bottle in the front triangle. Depending on the cage, a standard 22 oz water bottle can just barely fit on the large frame. Slightly smaller bottles fit more comfortably. As for the smaller sizes, Evil says the small frame can fit a 16 oz bottle and the medium frame a 20 oz one, but those are rough cage-and-bottle-dependent estimates.

photo
photo


photo


Geometry & Sizing

The Epocalypse is available in sizes S, M, L, and XL, with reach numbers ranging from 438mm to 495mm in the flip chip's standard ("Low," as opposed to "X-Low") position, with the flip chip shortening the reach by 7mm. My large test bike in the "Low" chip setting had 170mm fork, a 482mm reach, a 1263mm wheelbase, and the same 64.5° head tube angle, 75.6° seat tube angle, and short 442mm chainstays shared across all the sizes. Running a 160mm fork steepens the angles a bit, to a 65.3° head angle in the standard chip setting.


photo

Suspension Design

The Epocalypse uses Evil's DELTA suspension design, which stands for Dave's Extra Legitimate Travel Apparatus. Dave Weagle, that is, of DW-link and Split Pivot fame. The linkage-driven single pivot DELTA system stays quiet and level under both pedaling and braking forces. The use of a coil shock seems like a good choice here and helps to counteract any upper-stroke harshness that could result from the same factors that keep the bike feeling efficient - though I haven't ridden the bike with an air shock, nor is it available with one, so that's just speculation on my part.

It's also important to once again nod to the flip chip, which lowers the bottom bracket by 9mm and slackens the head angle by 0.7°, since Evil places extra emphasis on keeping the bike's kinematics consistent regardless of the chip position.


Specifications
Release Date 2022
Price $11999
Travel 166mm
Rear Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate
Fork RockShox ZEB Ultimate 170mm
Headset Cane Creek 40
Cassette Shimano XT
Crankarms Shimano XT
Rear Derailleur Shimano XT
Chain Shimano XT
Shifter Pods Shimano XT
Handlebar Evil Energy Bar
Stem Evil 12 Gauge, 45mm length
Grips Evil Pamela Handerson
Brakes Shimano XT 4-piston
Wheelset Industry Nine Enduro S Hydra
Tires Maxxis Minion DHF Exo TR 2.5 F/R
Seat WTB Volt
Seatpost BikeYoke Revive



photo











Test Bike Setup

Setting up the Epocalypse was straightforward. The bike came to me with a 350 lb/in coil spring, which was the right one for my weight and riding style, so I left that as is and ran the Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate with 11 clicks of low-speed compression.

Up front, I ran the ZEB Ultimate with 67 psi, 13 clicks of low-speed compression, and three clicks of high-speed compression, set up to match the shock's feel.

Other than that? I didn't do anything special. The WTB Volt saddle and Evil's 45mm stem that came on the bike worked well for me, so I didn't have to change any parts for the bike to feel comfy right away.

I tested the bike during the heat of the summer in Bellingham and British Columbia, as tacky dirt and wet roots gave way to dust, ruts, and ever-decreasing traction.




photo
Alicia Leggett
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Age: 26
Height: 5'10" / 178cm
Inseam: 33" / 84cm
Weight: 148 lbs / 67 kg
Industry affiliations / sponsors: None
Instagram: @alicelego_


photo

Climbing

When pointed uphill, the Epocalypse's balance of moderate angles, shorter chainstays, and 85 Nm of torque made it relatively maneuverable for a long-travel eMTB.

The bike sits riders in a comfortable, centered position, and I felt I could easily control both the front and rear ends of the bike. I was glad that the bike wasn't any longer. Compared to the mullet setups that have become common on eMTBs, the Epocalypse rolls on dual 29" wheels, but that extra bit of length is balanced by short-for-a-29er-eMTB 442mm chainstays, so the handling in tight spots both uphill and downhill stays pretty neutral without leaning too quick or too slow, praise the lord - or devil, since we're talking Evil here. The bike is enough of a beast without any extra weight or length to throw around. The head angle helped keep the front end from wandering too much on steep, tough climbs, especially when considering that the short rear end puts the rider back over the rear wheel a bit when grinding hard and digging in for traction.

Efficiency feels much less important on eMTBs than on non-motorized bikes, but it's still worth mentioning that the suspension felt quite well supported while climbing, which made things more comfortable than if the bike had been bobbing around. On dirt road climbs especially, the upright body position, steep seat tube angle, and efficient suspension make it easy to spin away and let the motor do its job.


photo

Descending

I've mentioned it a few times already, but Evil's choice to give the Epocalypse a slightly steeper head angle compared to some of the competition (which mostly sits in the low 64s or even 63s) has been really interesting to me. However, even when riding the Epocalypse in its steeper setting, the front end never felt sketchy because the bike continually felt planted and stable thanks in part to the weight of the motor and battery, and the back end is short enough to keep the bike from feeling unbalanced.

Even without excess length, it feels best at high speeds, cruising through choppy lines compared to picking its way through low-speed tech. While it could hold its own just fine in the slower, twisty spots, it didn't feel quite as at home there and just took some effort to ride - as you'd expect from a 170mm e-crusher.

Despite the freight train feel of many eMTBs, it cornered surprisingly quickly, likely thanks to a combo of the shortish back end, moderate head angle, and well-supported but sensitive rear suspension.

It feels oxymoronic to call the Epocalypse handling "aggressively neutral," but that's kind of how it feels. The bike is ready for just about any trail, but doesn't lean too hard in any direction. It feels great pumped through compressions and pushed at higher speeds, it has excellent traction without feeling dead, it carries momentum and holds off-camber lines easily, and the length is medium enough to keep the twisty sections fun.

It's the same story in the air: the bike stays stable and will pretty much keep going wherever it's pointed. It has enough energy to pop off jump lips and side hits, but it's a calm enough handler to stay predictable.

The Shimano EP8 motor, like all EP8 motors before it, sometimes rattled a bit, but it seems like companies are finally figuring out how to build it into their bikes in quieter ways, and the noise level was actually much lower than on some similar bikes on the rough descents.


photo

2021 Specialized Turbo Levo
Specialized Turbo Levo
photo
Evil Epocalypse

How Does It Compare?

Compared to our current benchmark for eMTBs - the Specialized Turbo Levo - the Evil Epocalypse has 166mm of rear travel to the Levo's 150mm, a 630 Wh battery to the Levo's 700, and sports dual 29" wheels compared to the mullet setup. The Levo's motor is noticeably quieter, and the in-frame display is much more useful than the Shimano EP8 display. The Epocalype's extra travel does come in handy on bigger hits, although the Turbo Levo's wide range of geometry adjustments make it possible to give it more gravity-oriented geometry than the Evil.

For some closer comparisons in terms of travel, Epocalypse finds its home among the other long-travel, self-shuttle rigs out today:

The Santa Cruz Bullit sports 170mm of both front and rear travel and rolls on a mixed wheel setup, but measures longer than the Epocalypse - even in the chainstays despite the smaller rear wheel - making it an aggressive but less maneuverable package than the neutral-handling Epocalypse.

The Specialized Kenevo SL also has 170mm of travel front and rear, but in a much lighter, less powerful package with about half the torque and battery capacity of the Epocalypse. More in line with a normal mountain bike, the Specialized is longer and slacker than the Evil, though its low weight helps maintain maneuverability.

The Yeti 160E might be one of the Epocalypse's most direct competitors, an all-arounder with the same Shimano setup and a similar intended purpose and spec. The 160E, too, features a slightly longer rear end, and most notably a higher price tag by about $1000 for a pretty similar XT build.

photo
photo


Technical Report

BikeYoke Revive dropper post: The BikeYoke Revive dropper post is truly one of the best seatposts on the market these days, so it's great to see the somewhat smaller brand coming stock as part of a quality build kit like this one. The lever has more adjustment than most, so riders are almost guaranteed to find a position that works for them, and it's available in multiple versions and lengths for riders who want extra customization. The lever moves smoothly, as does the post itself.

The dropper has an easy-to-access "Revive Valve" that lets users bleed air out the post in a matter of seconds, something that gives the post an edge over its competition and helps mitigate the air-where-it-shouldn't-be inevitability that seems to come along with hydraulic seatposts.

Shimano XT brakes: Shimano's 4-piston XT brakes are a fine, but not amazing choice here. When it comes to eMTBs, in my book, companies should prioritize brake performance over almost all other components, and those XTs just don't quite compare to the power, modulation, and consistency of some offerings from SRAM, TRP, Magura, and others. The Shimanos have the classic wandering bite point and a little less power that I'd have hoped, but they're not bad - just not exactly the powerhouse stoppers I want to see on an otherwise supercharged build.

Battery and motor: The 630 Wh battery is the biggest one Shimano makes, and it lasts long enough for most rides - even with liberal use of the bike's Boost mode, it took about three hours for the bike to give me a low battery warning, and it's possible to extend that by using the Eco and Trail modes more frequently. Still, on full-powered eMTBs like this one, why not have the best range possible? The Levo has a 700 Wh battery and the Heckler a 720 Wh one, so a few more watt-hours would be nice to see on this bike. Note, too, that the battery range is heavily affected by terrain and rider weight.

The EP8 setup also comes pre-loaded with two power profiles that users can choose from: one that gives riders the full wattage and the other than dampens the power delivery a bit to extend the battery life. Riders can fine-tune their preferences using the Shimano E-Tube Project app, though riders definitely aren't required to download the app in order to ride the bike. To just ride, it's charge, power up, and go.


photo



Pros

+ Maneuverable and balanced, especially for a 170mm bike
+ Excellent suspension performance
+ Great build kit

Cons

- Just one build option with no price point below $11,999 USD
- Some might find the geometry less aggressive than they'd like if they're looking to ride flat-out DH trails only




Pinkbike's Take

bigquotesThe Epocalypse has finally broken cover. The burly machine is built with top-end suspension, a robust feel, and enough travel to hold its own on the gnarly descents, and it has Shimano's most aggressive electric offerings to power it back up for another lap. And yet, it's still maneuverable. Modest geometry keeps the cornering lively and the front and back ends within reach of each other, while the centered weight of the motor and battery work nicely to give the bike lots of traction. It's worth looking at not because it does anything especially new or crazy, but because it takes the existing job of a 170mm eMTB and does that job extremely well. Alicia Leggett








Author Info:
alicialeggett avatar

Member since Jun 19, 2015
743 articles

280 Comments
  • 183 4
 Exo tires on an eMTB designed for gravity? Best wishes!
  • 82 1
 After already spending 12k...
  • 78 0
 Shoulda doubled down on a burlier tire
  • 4 0
 Going tough should be the Verdict @RSN333:
  • 10 22
flag abotchway (Aug 2, 2022 at 12:42) (Below Threshold)
 honestly i bet they did that to save weight. tires weight quite a bit, going from exo to DD tires will add upwards of 2 pounds to the bike and given it's a heavy ebike, they should know better to put tough tires on it but it's still a good way to save weight
  • 8 11
 @cfox109: ...and likely needing to also upgrade the subpar brakes on your brand new 50+lb behemoth.
  • 59 26
 lol, xts are more than enough brake, especially for a 70kg rider. Dunno what the reviewer is on about there.
  • 23 37
flag Balgaroth (Aug 2, 2022 at 14:26) (Below Threshold)
 @gabriel-mission9: she lost all legitimacy when she included SRAM brakes in the list of more suitable brake options. I would sale current Shim as fast as I would Sram brakes so I am definitely not being a Shim fanboy here either.
  • 9 9
 I killed a DD rear with a rim pinch (even with CushCore XC as backup protection) on my ebike in one ride this past weekend. No way an EXO lasts for even one bar of battery on chunky terrain at speed.
  • 5 1
 One could even call this Evil
  • 2 0
 @cfox109: shimano xt...
  • 16 1
 Managed to buzz the stays in the marketing video at 1:12. Impressive it can be that heavy and flexy. Heavy, flexy, expensive, pick three
  • 7 3
 @gabriel-mission9: actually she didn't say aren't enough for a 70kg rider, but there are better options as far as stopping power is concerned, there's a chance that, maybe, a heavier rider buys this thing, it doesn't have to come from a heavy rider as a remark to be valid.
  • 11 17
flag gabriel-mission9 (Aug 3, 2022 at 0:06) (Below Threshold)
 @adespotoskyli: Then in that case she should have absolutely slated the tyres.
It just seems odd to me to single out the XT brakes, which clearly are not the weakest point on the bike. And to then suggest offerings from Magura, TRP (!), or Sram (!?!?) would be better is even weirder. All three brands have major reliability issues, and shimano make saints which are more powerful than xt. Yes shimano have the (mildly irritating at worst) vague bit point. But compared to the actual dangerous issues the other three brands are known for, it is a little disconcerting reading the wording of this review.
  • 9 4
 @gabriel-mission9: what dangerous behaviour TRP or Magura are known for ?
By the way Saint aren't more powerfull than SLX/XT/XTR since they all use the same master cylinder diameter, caliper piston diameters and servowave. Unless the servowave is slightly different in the Saint but that would be mild difference considering hydro leverage is the same.
  • 17 4
 @gabriel-mission9: utter bollocks mate. 4 of the people I ride with have code RSC brakes and they have been faultless, some getting on for 4 years. To call some of them dangerous is just weird. For the record I gave xt's, they are decent and my set don't have the wandering bite point. Stay mad
  • 3 5
 @gabriel-mission9: xt's are weak compared to other brake options, I run magura mt7's for many years,( the same pair and went through shigura mod and back a few times) no issues appart from the weird lever shape. another mt'5 on a friends 161 he raves about them, cura4 are excellent, but I don't know what other dangerous issues you talk about mag/sram/trp but wandering bite point of the shitmanos is one top dangerous issue in my list for many obvious reasons, one being you never know when it's gonna happen, regardless, other issues fall in the longer term testing and aren't obvious from a first ride, that's me just assuming though. Trp's never gave me an issue on the tues except that are weak, sram's on another bike had the swelling issue during hot days but got it solved with new mc internals been top notch since 2015. Basically no surprises, unlike xt's.
tires I guess fall in a deferent category all together, consumables. I
f are flimsy and you know it, you ride accordingly as soon as they wear out you put beffier ones, in my opinion doesn't worth mentioning.
  • 8 2
 @gabriel-mission9: Yeah, Shimano XT is one of the most powerful brakes on the market. Very weird indeed
  • 8 0
 @Balgaroth: TRP are commonly leaky at the caliper. Magura plastic lever bodies crack regularly. Saint calipers are much stiffer than XT calipers, which although it doesn't technically add all out power, it improves power delivery vastly, which effectively gives them more usable power.
  • 7 7
 @gabriel-mission9: and shitmanos caliper aren't commonly leaky?! How about leaky accompanied by cracked pistons as well!
Maguras lever bodies crack when are overtighten by hamfisted idiots,
  • 3 8
flag gabriel-mission9 (Aug 3, 2022 at 1:20) (Below Threshold)
 @foespower: Codes have always given me significant drop in performance over time. They start out great, but after a year of hard use they are seriously tired. I can't imagine running a set for 4 years! And the well known master cylinder issues are flat out dangerous, my most recent set of codes the front lever just stopped returning half way through a day at dyfi, which wasn't ideal... Saints and Hopes tend to stay consistent significantly longer. My last set of saints had wandering bite point, but that was irritating at worst. They never once let me down when i needed them.
  • 4 3
 @adespotoskyli: Yes, the shimano calipers leak when a hamfisted idiot cracks the ceramic pistons. There is essentially no way of cracking the pistons without doing something silly to them while working on them. Magura bodies crack during small crashes that a metal lever would brush off without even flinching.
  • 1 4
 @gabriel-mission9: shitmano's caliper pistons cracking is a well known common issue, no need to hamfist anything. On the other hand I've seen many shitmano, sram and mag cracked and broken lever bodies/mounts because they were hamfisted and when crashed would brake loose instead of just twisting, stop confusing user error with bad design
I've had my fair share of crashes over the years, never broken a lever because I tighten them enough to twist when bashed, bent a lever blade of rsc once though
  • 2 8
flag gabriel-mission9 (Aug 3, 2022 at 1:53) (Below Threshold)
 @adespotoskyli: There is literally no mechanism by which the shimano pistons can crack if they aren't pushed while misaligned. If a piston broke, you pushed on it wonky, simple as that.
The fact that you are trying to defend plastic lever bodies cracking is kinda funny. It suggests a poor understanding of material properties.
  • 1 3
 @gabriel-mission9: lot's of them cracked for no apparent reason, common fault. I don't defend plastics, I know how to properly set up a lever so as to not overtighten it, alu or plastic it will break if it won't budge when you crash, on the other hand a piston cracking by just looking at it wrong is bad design and material option, many years on mags, never broke a lever,
But I've seen many shitmanos ceramic give up,
  • 1 3
 @gabriel-mission9: how flimsy are they when pushed against their own seal crack? Weaker than a rubber ring? Get real.
  • 4 2
 @adespotoskyli: Lol, ok. Things from brands you don't like crack just from being looked at funny even when you cant describe the method by which this occurs. Got it.

And yes, there is barely a mtb rider out there that doesn't know to leave the brake levers loose enough to move in a crash. This is pretty basic stuff. The issue with plastic levers is that they break even when set up like this, during the smallest crashes. Basically plastic isn't the correct material to make a brake lever out of, thats why no one but magura does it on anything but their cheapest, halfords spec brakes.
  • 1 3
 @gabriel-mission9: no things from brands I don't like eg shitmano ceramic pistons crack and disintegrade from the inside, flake around the edges, crack in quarters with no apparent reason, that's why it's called a common issue with shitmanos ceramic pistons. You are the one who has to explain how the hell tenth's of people report these failures and actually posted on the net, what is really interesting is how your theory of misaligned pistons flakes the inner piston edge and disintegrade from the inside on brand new calipers. My guess is bad design as is the inconsistent bite point both in one package. As you stated there's barely a n mtber outhere that can't leave levers loose but they some how can't push the shitmano ceramic pistons back and breaking them? Just do a google search on shitmano ceramic piston failures and come back to me.
  • 1 2
 @gabriel-mission9: Nonsense, piston cracked on one of my sets within 6 months of having the bike and they weren't touched from new apart from changing pads.
  • 1 0
 @Balgaroth: my 4 piston xt's are definstely less powerful than my zee's
  • 5 3
 @Sabrezx: "...apart from changing pads."
  • 5 3
 @adespotoskyli: Doing up a bolt (or a woodscrew in the case of magura... lol) is an entirely different kettle of fish to pushing a caliper piston home perfectly straight in its bore.
I have serviced hundreds (maybe thousands?) of shimano calipers and never cracked a piston. A famously ham fisted colleague of mine once cracked all 4 pistons on a caliper, within 10 minutes of starting to work on them.

i guess I just got lucky, hundreds of times...
  • 4 3
 And to be clear, I agree shimano pistons should be less brittle. The point is though, that they aren't just going to randomly give up on you mid ride. If the piston is broken, then it was almost certainly broken during service, by the person servicing it.

"Won't just randomly give up on you mid ride" should be a given for all brakes. Shimano brakes are some of the best in this regard.
  • 6 2
 @gabriel-mission9: do you mind sharing all of your data with us? Most of us aren’t lucky enough to have industry-wide data about brake failure rates and causes like you are. Unless of course you’re basing these judgements off of anecdotal evidence… but you wouldn’t make sweeping generalizations based on a highly limited sample size, right?
  • 1 4
 @gabriel-mission9: google search tends to disagree with you, most people notice something wrong with their brakes performance, appart from the wandering bite point that worsens as brakes get used more, open up to check, voila! Cracked piston/s and many times flaked from the inside without any visible marks or gouges on the outter surface or other times just fall appart and leaking like hell
Magura fair just ok with their plastic levers for years, you conflate user error and bad engineering/design. Pushing a piston in it's pocket secured by a quad seal isn't rocket science, don't flatter your self.

If you crack, maul or chew a piston by trying to retrack it, what's gonna happen when it's squished against a hot brake pad that rattles, shakes and vibrates like hell trying to stop a 100kg rider and a bike down a steep slope?
  • 1 4
 @gabriel-mission9: wandering bite point is the definition of giving up on you when you need them most. others present early symptoms
  • 1 4
 @gabriel-mission9: from my experience alone, all of "bike mechanics" by trade I've met are by definition engineering illiterate.

Any decent bike mechanic I know come from an actual mechanics/engineering backround. Where wandering brake bite point and cracked pistons means a serious issue.
  • 4 4
 @adespotoskyli: I dont need you to trust I'm good at what I do. Plenty of very good riders already do. (and for the record, there's more than a few qualified engineers who come to me for input on their projects...)

Wandering bite point is annoying. But it wanders by a couple of mm max. At worst it makes your bum pucker for a fraction of a fraction of a second before you realise your brake is now slowing you down effectively (and it can be easily solved with the right brake fluid...). Cracked pistons are caused by "engineering illiterate" bike mechanics every single time. Just cos they didnt notice they broke it when they broke it, doesnt mean they didnt break it. It just means they are likely even more "engineering illiterate" than we previously thought.

Failing master cylinders (sram), levers randomly falling off the bars (magura), leaking slave pistons due to poor tolerances (trp) are genuinely dangerous issues. Wandering bite point is just irritating. Broken pistons are your own fault.
I think we're done here. Laters, xx
  • 1 1
 @cfox109: if you are dropping 12k, I don't think some new rubber is going to keep you from putting the lobster on the table....
  • 3 0
 @conoat: that's not the point, it's an inappropriate component that should't be there
  • 2 4
 @gabriel-mission9: qualified engineers ask you for advice? About what exactly? How to route a shifter cable? Good lord. Bite point is a serious issue, especially with riders that have their levers close to the bars or have short fingers, it causes the damn thing to bottom on the grip and you have no brakes. The reason I keep saying that bike mechanics are engineering illiterate is your exact answer, there's no chance of accepting this kind of standard in any other sport, mx? Street racing? Buggies? Rally cars? Off road? The only idiots that pretend that a random travel increase in brake pedal/lever causing inconsistent braking are bicycle mechanics. This alone speaks volume of the "engineering" standard and
keep disregarding what evidence sugest because you like to present your self as the ceramic piston retractor engineer, still waiting to explain how even brand new brakes have flaking pistons from the inside, I guess hamfisted gnomes maybe?
random anecdotal evidence about falling brake levers ? How did you come up with this?!
Sram's failing mc in previous years is another well known issue and you can find parts to fix them, easy. Can you do the same for shitmano?

Also bite point inconsistency and free stroke ajust screw that does nothing on shitmanos can be remedied when you replace the caliper for a better one, brake fluid alone does nothing
  • 2 1
 @adespotoskyli: Haha, Jesus dude. You have anger problems. It's not my fault daddy didn't love you man. Get over it. You know absolutely nothing about me, what I do, or who comes to me for input on their products. I don't need your respect as an engineer or a mechanic, and the more you whine, the more it becomes clear your respect isnt worth much anyway...
  • 2 1
 And fyi, when you have calmed down a little... you can fix shimanos wandering bite point with a simple change of fluid. Ask an engineer to explain to you why, if you cant work it out yourself. I'm out.
  • 2 4
 @gabriel-mission9: deflecting much?
And no, change of fluid won't help it, it's a temporary fix at best, because it's an inherent design issue

to sum it up,

Shitmanos have brittle pistons that need a special degree in piston retracting engineering (like youself) to push them back for a simple pad change, but numerous cases suggest otherwise, but you insist all are idiots and you are the genious behind the piston retracting method.

Suffer from bite inconsistency that a simple fluid can solve but shitmano all this years didn't figure it out and you did. While this type of performance in any other level of sport is unacceptable, you just somehow think that it's ok

numerous engineers ask you for advice on their projects for what exactly again? Cable routing, fork steerer cutting methods?
  • 2 4
 @Sabrezx: according to gab, gnomes did it!
  • 1 1
 @NicolaZesty314: you don't understand how big a deal a stated weight is for driving sales....while i agree with you, no product manager in his right mind that wants to stay employed would put DDs on it and push the weight up a Kg.
  • 159 4
 Laughed out loud when I saw the price. This sport is ridiculous
  • 37 2
 yup...skateboarding looking more and more appealing...
  • 36 2
 @preach: ask your ankles first
  • 24 6
 I'll buy a top tier trials bike for 2k less before I'll buy an ebike.
  • 6 1
 @gnartar123: more like ask both my collarbones from the northshore days... ;-)
  • 46 0
 @Ride406orDie: Soon you'll be able to say "I'd rather buy a Helicopter for $2000 less"
  • 54 0
 I would be happy my daughter gets into mountainbiking, so i could be sure she never have some money left for drugs...
  • 9 3
 this sport is dirt biking now.
  • 20 1
 Literally more than a factory spec MX bike
  • 9 3
 A Suron X looks a lot more appealing at this point...heck 3 of them for the price of one e-bike at this juncture.
  • 3 0
 It is the Apocalypse after all...
  • 3 2
 @Hookem34: full on 72v conversion with Fox Factory sus and better wheels/tires. THIS thing def ain't going 50mph but the Surron is
  • 27 1
 I don’t think the cost is too bad when you consider how much an aircraft carrier is…
  • 8 9
 This sport is ridiculous when you want to be lazy and be a fat ass. Just look at an Ibis AF and the sport is very well in line with most.
  • 9 0
 I like that they made it $11,999 because $12,000 was just too much
  • 1 10
flag mcozzy (Aug 3, 2022 at 0:29) (Below Threshold)
 Ive never considered pissing around in the woods on a bike as a sport. Its a hobby. Plenty of spare money for my hobbies.
  • 3 2
 Rigid single speed for the win With a dropper and sus forks for the summer that is
  • 4 0
 @DroppingThreeTwoOne: dirt bikes hold resale. This sport is worse
  • 87 6
 And no headset cable routing. Well done, Evil.
  • 17 1
 Obviously not, no bike company would be daft enough to spec that ludicrous design...
  • 4 4
 I really wished she would have made mention of how not long the bike is, I can’t find a reference anywhere..
  • 25 0
 @bigtim: It has spread Acros the bike industry like the plague.
  • 13 0
 There shouldn't be any cables to route for 12k... lol
  • 3 0
 That would have been really evil if they had routed the cables trough the headset...
  • 77 4
 Can't help feeling that 50lb full-fat ebikes with rattly Shimano motors getting released right now seems a bit late to the party. I know the use is much different, but after a slew of much lighter e-bikes were just released with seemingly more refined motors, this Evil seems like it's going to feel very dated very soon, especially at that price...
  • 8 0
 Exactly what I was thinking, but I think there is still plenty of room in the market for the full power e-MTB's. I see so many posts of people saying they ride in Boost 100% of the time.

I think I'd prefer one of the newer/lighter options.
  • 5 0
 Ya, theres a sea of aluminum EP8 bikes out there now, and I get this one is carbon and 2-3 pounds less, but its also $4-5k more
  • 11 0
 I see everyday lot of people riding full weight ebike and in boost mode....
  • 4 10
flag jarrod801 (Aug 2, 2022 at 11:54) (Below Threshold)
 i like the shimano, no rattle, better feel then the bosch
  • 7 3
 Mtb industry innovation/design/production are lagging by 2 years bc of reactions to c19.
And with current economics one may be crazy to shell out serious $ on anything soon.
  • 16 2
 This is my thought on every current ebike.. Outdated in 2 months.
  • 12 1
 Fwiw, I ride and adore a 58 lbs Commencal meta power 29 (coil, gravity casing tires, cushcore) boost 100% of the time. For the “I only ride park” crowd, such as myself, I just want to get to the top as quickly as possible with as much fun as possible (uphill jumping ftw!) and I imagine we’re the target market for for full power bikes. Also, I believe other people when they say they have the rattling from the EP8 but am I the only one with a Commencal/EP8 that has never heard even a whisper of a rattle?
  • 2 2
 @jarrod801:
Think you’re pretty much on your own sadly.
  • 3 0
 @jarrod801: I agree with you. Zero rattle here. The Bosch is hella powerful but I like the Shimano better. What bike is your EP8 on?
  • 4 0
 @PHX77: interesting choice considering there aren’t any real bike parks in AZ, and very limited freeride.
  • 2 2
 @Alexh1983: Curious how you know they are in boost? My guess is you don't...
  • 26 1
 Those slim ebikes have very little range, to the point you have to ask why you are even riding an ebike. To me an ebike should unlock trails that were unattainable, like those 4-5k climbs that took 6 hours to pedal but an ebike can do them in an afternoon, or lapping a downhill loop that has a 2k climb. All of the light weight ebikes Ive seen have gone too far and made them have a pointless amount of range.
  • 2 0
 @SvenNorske: Good question. I got addicted to bike parks while living in the PNW. An ebike makes everything a bike park. People still shuttle DH bikes at certain places here but you’re right, we definitely need more.
  • 1 0
 @PHX77: norco range vlt
  • 3 0
 "seemingly refined" Shimano has unit sales and engineering in 10x the magnitude of these other brands. I'm excited for competition but I'm also not rushing into new designs over advertised 1.5 lbs of weight savings.
  • 1 0
 @BuzzinHornets: people who normally should have an heart attack climbing over 13-15% while they smile and have fun?
  • 5 1
 @cogsci: fair point, but Shimano certainly seem content putting out products are just "good enough" - see brakes that have had floating bite points for years now, motors that still rattle, etc. - so I don't see that corporate budget automatically translating into something that is inherently superior.
  • 4 0
 I just hope that full fat eebs don't become focused solely towards being EWS-E race bikes. I'd like to try daily driving a lightweight eeb, but I do love my full fat for the very reason that it does feel different from an analog bike. Not to mention the great upper body workout if you like to pull off of anything possible.
  • 2 2
 @dividebyzero: I’m with you. Where I live, the battery of the SL bikes would be zapped in a half hour of full-boost climbing, and that won’t always get you to the top of the first lap.
By contrast, a full-fat, full-power rig with a 720 battery and a powerful motor gets me three awesome laps on my local favorite trail in under an hour. And the battery has more left in it than the rider does!
  • 1 0
 @dividebyzero: yes, but the other ebike launched today by Pivot has a battery over 400 watt- hours, the highest I've seen in this new breed
  • 5 4
 With the new motor from TQ and the Fauza system, and all the new bikes that must be coming, I cannot imagine buying a new bike with a Shimano motor, a company that can't even make a brake with a consistent bite point.
  • 2 0
 @cogsci: do you know for a fact that shimano has more sales and engineering in this space? I would think Brose and Bosch have much more experience in this field and at least for emtb that the Trek and Specialized would be the top sellers?
  • 2 0
 @hamncheez: orbea rise hydro is 504wh.
  • 2 1
 @PHX77: Same here, I can't here much noise coming from the motor. Maybe just a bit when I'm in a false flat and at the limit of what my legs can do so the motor assist has to go on and off repetitively.
On the down I can't here anything, and if there is noise, the noises from the trail/rocks/wheels/suspension whatever cover 99% of it.

It's indeed difficult to decide to get an ebike, you know when you order that it's gonna be outdated 2 months later, but in the current situation (which may last forever, hell, what if China invades Taiwan ?), if you wait for the perfect bike to be in stock, you may never have it.
When I decided for a Meta Power I mailed Commencal first to tread waters on the delay, they were confident it'd be there in time (the bike was probably already in the cargo), and except a 2 weeks delay because of some issues in the european port (lack of place maybe ?) I got it as planed.
I'd have rather ordered the mullet but with a 5 months delay at the time (compared to 2 for the 29) it was way too uncertain. Now I don't know if a first batch of the mullet has been delivered in July as it was the initial availability, but now it's indicated as available in november... so I'm glad I got the 29 which I've been enjoying since may.
My goal was not just to have an awesome ebike but also to be in shape, and that works better when you actually have the bike.
  • 2 1
 @inked-up-metalhead: ya but that's 44 pounds, the pivot is a claimed 36. I'd say 40 pounds is the delimiter for these new lightweight ebikes
  • 2 3
 It's kind of their thing. The Following was dated when it came out. They just seem to move really slow.
  • 2 2
 If you listen to the podcast, Mike says that they are riding full blown e bikes and taking them ridiculous places normal bikes cant. Your putting max effort out and dealing with a 50 lb bike too. Like dangling a turbo 4 stroke sled thru the trees i guess? This makes more sense to me but i guess its full on where you ride. If your just using the watts to climb to get a couple more downs in a day a sl makes more sense.

I ride xc, race xc, use cycling as a weight loss tool. Im anti ebikes… i try to climb faster and beat my strava times. Guess i could rocket up them and do the same on a e-supercaliber or something but meh.

Also depends on your friend group. I have a friend in Vernon and no one he rides with rides ebikes. Have a friend that rides in Fernie regularly and his group rides ebikes. Kind of have to fit the mold. Dont want to be waiting for the group all the time or be the guy holding the group up.
  • 5 0
 @solarplex: you don’t have to be anti-ebike just because they’re not made for you. Their application is practicing downhill/enduro, and commuting.
  • 1 0
 @dividebyzero: I agree with this. I like the light wt motors and know that 6Onm is gonna get me all I need to max out speed on the climb for the steep and fun bits. (Based on topping out demo bikes handily in Trail) But why not give a 500w or even 600w battery off the top. And add 50-80% more range..... My next bike is gonna be analog but in a few years......
  • 1 0
 @Chippps: That's a great point on the brakes. The motor rattle is an inherent design flaw in much the same way. Anecdotally I've heard of Specialized and Bosch systems having issues more than I ever heard of a Steps issue.
  • 61 1
 Finally an evil review
  • 35 5
 Yeah, but an eEvil review.... does that count?
  • 9 0
 I was excited for a second and then a little less excited. Don't get me wrong I love me some ebike action but I was hoping for just a regular human powered evil bike review. Grumbling asside, another great review Alicia.
  • 42 3
 E-www.
  • 42 5
 fiist review of an Evil since I landed here (good 8 years?) and it has to be a 50 lbs ebike :facepalm
  • 18 6
 All the other frames snapped on their way to Squamish for a review. This one is e-bike rated so it made it.
  • 36 9
 XT brakes not powerful enough? When some Shimano sponsored DH riders use them over Saints?
  • 19 3
 Yes, that's BS or due to resin pads and small or lousy discs or a poor bleed.
  • 2 7
flag IMeasureStuff (Aug 2, 2022 at 12:08) (Below Threshold)
 Probably needs to run 220mm rotors.
  • 13 3
 I was at the World Cup last weekend in Snowshoe and didn't see a single Shimano rider on anything but Saints. I've used both (with equal rotor sizes) and noticed a big difference in power with the Saints over the XT's
  • 1 1
 @pedalingbobby: Nice to know. Personally have never tried Saints.
  • 4 1
 @pedalingbobby: I can confirm this. I have a pair of Saints and a normal Shimano 4 pot pair. Even with bigger rotors and better pads, the normal 4 pots are wearker than the saints. The biggest difference however is the bitepoint and lever feel. The saint feel much better and solid.
  • 33 9
 On a 50-lb bike, I'll take all the power I can get, thank you very much.
  • 11 4
 Something is not right here, especially when noting that Sram Codes are a better/stronger alternative.

BTW most of my XTR brakes had the wandering bite point problem when delivered. Two keys to fixing it, first is a reverse bleed to start pulling any air out of the caliper. Second is to use the bleed cup at the lever and do the bleed over an hour or two. Sounds crazy, but bubbles will slowly keep coming out for that long. Fill the cup, pump the lever, walk away for 5 minutes, come back, pump the lever a few times, walk away for 5 minutes, repeat. Did this on all of my setups and solved the problem on all five setups. Same worked for two sets of XT's I had as well.

BTW had the same wandering bite point on the last set of Saints I got as well, so Shimano changed their fill process at the factory is my best guess. Used the process above to solve it. Never had an issue with any of my other Saints over the last several years until recently.
  • 3 0
 @alicialeggett: To me the saints are a no brainer on a gravity oriented e-bike.
  • 7 0
 @pedalingbobby: Look at the pit photos from Snowshoe here on PB and Vital, plenty of Shimano guys on XTR and not Saint. I've owned all three, Saint hit harder than new XTR/XT initially but I think ultimate power is about the same. I like the slightly mellower initial feel of the new gen XTR/XT as it's easier to control in slippery conditions.
  • 3 1
 @alicialeggett: You with the bike are somewhere near to an average combined rider and bike weight I'd say. And I don't think most of XT users consider them as weak.
On the other hand, yes I also take all the power I can, that's for sure.
  • 2 0
 @bicycle019: are you sure they were not on XTR levers and Saint calipers?
  • 1 0
 @norfiril: exactly what I was thinking
  • 4 0
 @salespunk: Check out the "Shimano Gravity bleed" on Youtube
  • 1 0
 @SimbaandHiggins: will look it up
  • 26 0
 I thought Evil was scared to send bikes to PB.
  • 11 0
 Well this is an ebike so I think they figured it was ok just this once
  • 4 0
 Since they're located 8 miles from the PB USA HQ these days, I suppose they feel obliged to send over bikes. I've heard mixed reviews on their frame durability, but the suspension platform has me very intrigued.
  • 26 13
 That was back when pinkbike tested bikes instead of just marketing them with "equal parts balance and brawn."
  • 14 1
 @cgreaseman: I’ve been beating the hell out of my Following V3 for about 2 years now and I don’t personally think frame durability is a concern anymore…it’s taken tomahawks down rocky trails as well as you could ever hope for. Escaping with just nicks in the paint. Others may have had different experiences but their current frames seem pretty damn stout
  • 8 1
 @cgreaseman: I have been running a V2 offering for 2 seasons and beat that bike to hell and back. Zero issues and it is as silent as the day I got it. And I do not go easy on my bikes.

The suspension is top notch too my only gripe is having to work on the shock because it's buried deep in there but it is just great feeling when pointing downwards. Not the most efficient pedaler like say a DW link bike but damn near close but smoother going downhill imo.
  • 8 4
 Meanwhile VanCan cracked two Wreckonings last year
  • 5 0
 @BamaBiscuits: I have a V1 following and it's still running perfectly!
  • 2 0
 @BamaBiscuits: have a v3 wrecker and before that a v1 insurgent and have had no issues with either one and im a good sized rider so idk. I think its an old narrative that the data would likely not support.
  • 4 0
 @cgreaseman: I'll take the incredible platform and risk their durability for it, that said I've had my V3 wreckoning since release and its pretty beat up with no signs of giving up
  • 2 0
 @MJW94: yo wudup Micheal lol
  • 3 0
 I have a v1 offering and I've had to replace the front triangle. I slid out and came down on top of my bike on top of a log skinny just the right way to put a nice big crack in the top tube. It's very possible that the same thing would have happened with any carbon bike though—and I do love my bike.
  • 20 2
 Bring on highly anticipated E-rection
  • 7 0
 E-wrecktion. Fixed it for u, stolen from someone else.
  • 1 1
 @LuvAZ: Joke was made a long time ago, just pulling an Amy Schumer for those sweet pinkbike points.
  • 19 2
 12K for an XT build is just ridiculous.
  • 16 1
 Do any ebikes not climb well ?
  • 59 0
 Ones with dead batteries.
  • 22 7
 Traction and handling are still definitely factors on the up!
  • 16 3
 cute name but like all other Evils it can go fk itself for that price
  • 2 0
 are all other Evils more expensive than the common Specy, Santa and company? i don't think so..
  • 7 0
 @NicolaZesty314: no but since you ask those brands can also get fked proper
  • 1 0
 @Kvision: well then we agree
  • 14 1
 But does it have a good warrantEeee??
  • 9 1
 Evil is on point with taking care of warranties.
  • 3 0
 @likeittacky: Can confirm. Broke my front triangle and a new one was on it's way to me same business day.
  • 12 0
 That’s like $240 per lb. I’ll take 8 lbs. please.
  • 1 0
 @Justachillin2 You're an idiot old man. You know you need this for your knees!
  • 1 0
 @h20-50: hmmm, I’m pretty sure you couldn’t keep up with me the other day. Maybe YOU need this so you don’t have to walk up the hills.
  • 1 0
 @Justachillin2: if you can’t handle me at my worst, you don’t deserve me at my best!
  • 12 1
 Looks like my name suggestion, "Incarnate" wasn't picked...
  • 23 0
 It's too heavy to lift into a car, Nate.
  • 3 2
 @andrewbmxmtb: underrated comment
  • 11 0
 And only 14lbs heavier than the Pivot Shuttle.
  • 11 0
 Most impressive thing is that stick holding it up in the picture.
  • 5 0
 @rcrocha; yeah, for $12K and already at 50 lbs., you'd think they could add a kickstand.....
  • 1 1
 Most underrated comment here
  • 11 0
 Missed opportunity to name it "The E-Wrecktion"
  • 8 0
 EP8,, 630 Battery, and 12 THOUSAND frikken dollars. For those reasons alone I'm out. Why anyone would buy this over the gen 3 Levo is beyond me.
  • 2 2
 Yup….or any Bosch (750w battery) equipped bike for that matter.
  • 3 3
 anything is better than that shit yoke fsr that the levo uses honestly
  • 10 3
 Evil was my favorite brand until this bike came out. Nothing against Ebikes I just can’t believe we got hit w this thing before a DH bike.
  • 2 0
 Poor Aggy
  • 9 0
 $12k..........
  • 6 0
 Is it just me or does this bike seem a few years old right out of the box? Like this bike looks like a 2019 or 2020 bike, not a 2022
  • 7 0
 This market is so oversaturated its funny by now.
  • 7 2
 442 chainstays are short!!!???! I know it’s an eMTB but my SC 5010 has 426! Anything under 435=short.
  • 5 5
 29” wheels are bigger than 27.5” wheels
  • 3 0
 @fewnofrwgijn: the Wreckoning is 430mm
  • 1 0
 @jdejace: then he should’ve used that as his comparison
  • 1 4
 Your post doesn't make any sense; 442 is quite a bit longer than 426 and 435.
  • 1 0
 @jdejace: in the high setting
  • 4 0
 Short for an emtb yes. The motors all necessitate longer chainstays to accommodate them since they add bulk around and behind the bottom bracket.
  • 7 3
 After learning about the motor on the Trek, everything else seems primitive. Don't own an ebike yet but I am excited to in the future!
  • 2 0
 Then be excited to pay the forestry and or state tx $$ to ride them and be limited where you'll be able to. The inevitable will happen and don't think those $$ will be for trail maintenance either.

So in a nut shell, be ready to tack on your fees to that 12k!
  • 2 0
 Def gna need some of green new deal rebates lol
  • 4 2
 Overall, looks fun! I like how they hid the tire hot patches in the grass in the main image...looks stealth! One thing I would not want to do is remove the shock to change the spring. There are so many pivot bolts to remove. I think most coil shocks should have a Springdex stock for on the fly spring rate adjustment.
  • 7 1
 Agreed, the Sprindex system is sweet! There are just two upper bolts and one lower that hold the shock in place so it's a relatively quick swap.
  • 7 0
 It takes 2 minutes to take the shock off. It’s 3 bolts, 2 for the trunion mounts and 1 at the base. The rest can be left alone
  • 5 0
 A bike named after the comments section? Bold strategy cotton. Let’s see how it works out.
  • 2 0
 I'm surprised that the reviews never really mention this but as an owner of a bike with an EP8 and the 630 WH batt I have to say that the battery life woefully underperforms compared to other brands. In my experience it's closer to the 500 WH on my old Levo. If you have buddies on Levos etc don't expect to be able to ride as far or if you do you will be working a lot harder.
  • 6 1
 That really is eExpensive.
  • 5 0
 Same 2015 seat tube angle
  • 3 0
 Yep - STA hurts to look at for $12K
  • 5 0
 For fans of literature… “The Horror”.
  • 2 0
 “The mind of man is capable of anything.”
  • 3 0
 The EPO-calypse already happened in the late 90s guys. Old news. Ironically its probably cheaper to buy EPO than a top spec e-bike to climb faster these days.
  • 2 0
 Xt on a 12.000 dollar bike. For 12.000 you should get the best of everything. look at the brakes on a 12.000 dollar motorcycle. More material abs pumps twin discs as high a quality if not better quality materials.
  • 2 0
 Dear product managers, can we briefly address the elephant in the room? I’ll never ever ever spend 12k on a mountainbike. You best forget about it and right quick. Because it’s not going to happen.
  • 1 0
 If I was going to buy an Ebike.. this would ALMOST be it.. but they dropped the ball (BIG TIME) when they stated the warranty will be voided if you fit dual crown forks. Honestly - if any Evil should be able to fit the big boy fork.. its this one.
  • 1 0
 Well, I really like the looks and geo.. Think Evil did a great job here other than Exo tires. I'd personally prefer a closer to 500w battery(lighter) so riders stay in eco/trail most of the time and only use boost very sparingly..
  • 3 1
 All ebikes not specialized or the new trek look like bikes with motors added to them last minute. The handlebar mounted display should be for ebikes kits only.
  • 4 0
 12 grand and weighs 50lbs. Crackers...
  • 5 0
 You lost me at $12,000.
  • 1 0
 Did I overlooked which size Alicia tested?
Due to the fact that with heigth of 5" 10 she is in between size M and L, it would be very nice to know. Also because "the balanced feeling" was focused.
  • 1 0
 @alicialeggett In Europe the bike is available with different build kits including a fox factory one with an air shock. so ist just the north American markets that are subject to one 12K build kit
  • 1 1
 Rocky mtn Powerplay Altitude C70 is $2000+ cheaper with a similar build kit on a carbon frame. Offers more geo adjustment, shorter chainstays, bigger battery, while delivering more torque at 108nm. Plus it is pretty darn quiet compared to all the bikes you brought up for comparison, and especially compared to the shimano system. On top of all that it offers more power assistance settings and more customizable tunes. If I got 10 grand burning a hole in my pocket, I’ll put my money towards Rocky please.
  • 7 3
 the end of an era
  • 7 3
 Looks like a session
  • 3 0
 Ecopalypse? At least it keeps the point of entry the same for everyone =)
  • 4 1
 Pivot drop a new Ebike, Evil ;Hold my beer
  • 2 0
 Lots of evil bikes have really steep head angles by today’s standards. I wonder why
  • 10 2
 Those standards are not always good for the majority of people and trails they ride. Most companies are making bikes too long and slack slowing the bikes handling down and creating a less playful grin inducing ride. Its just garbage if your trails aren't really steep and straight; going mach chicken every time you ride is not how it works, some days your just not pumped to put that much energy into riding but still wanna have fun dorking around; that's were a moderately slack bike will shine.

Although this is where companies should make their bikes to have a stationary BB height (no flip chip) but rather well designed- adjustable HA, Reach and CS lengths would be more welcomed and benefit more riders and for where they wanna ride an the map.
  • 5 0
 Supposedly because they tested the slacker ones and said "nope, that's not how we want our bikes to feel." From owning a Following V1 a couple of years ago and reading other Evil bike reviews, I think Evil prioritizes handling/agility over straight up motoring through boulders.
  • 2 0
 I feel like it’s perfect to have a super slack bike for all The PNW Rockies ect Really anywhere with a mountain. Flat trails of course but you shouldn’t be buying a 170mm bike for that. I’m sure the ride great but it’s weird that a 2 degree difference in two bikes that basicIlly have the same travel both ride great. @likeittacky:
  • 1 1
 @likeittacky: that and the head tube numbers quoted in the article are not accurate to whats on evils website. Im guessing she left the geo chart on 160mm fork and didnt toggle to 170mm. When you do that the this will have the same geo as the wrecker so a 63.9 HTA in x-low. Which is about right for this travel range.
  • 4 0
 @Deanosuar: the website didn't exist when this review was written, and the numbers I gave are the numbers Evil gave me. No "toggling" to do. You're right though, they're based on the 160mm fork, so I'm updating the review to reflect that.
  • 1 0
 @alicialeggett: I've noticed discrepancies on Geo charts with Evil as well as other companies in the past, when comparing. Even on GeometryGeeks website there is misguided information on a 2019-Offering between high/ low settings and different fork travels; where some numbers are actually categorized wrong.
  • 4 1
 One for the fanbois only.
  • 1 1
 Wonder if the size small actually fits a water bottle holder. The Wreckoning size small doesn't come with the mounting for said water bottle. Pretty disappointed when I bought it and the size medium does.
  • 3 0
 A 12k Evil e-MTB is here. Yep, the Apocalypse has arrived.
  • 2 1
 Looks super cool and I know the suspension design is aces but 630 battery and notoriously weak shimano motor got me like…..nah
  • 3 0
 Looks an awesome fun bike to shred on! Great review too!
  • 1 0
 This is 85nm of torque compared to the 30 of the Kenevo SL, that is half. Why don’t you just state the actual torque values instead of being hand wavvy?
  • 2 1
 " just in case riders get tired of self-shuttling and want to truck haul their Epocalypses."
Who lifting 50lbs on an off a truck repeatedly for shuttle laps?
  • 9 0
 Anyone with a pre-2015 dh bike for $1000 Alex
  • 1 0
 @usedbikestuff: I’m cackling over here.
  • 2 2
 I personally love ebikes and I love Evil (I've owned every bike they have made). This misses on most marks for me. In particular, the ludicrous price. I have 6500 in my Orbea rise with every component being superior.
  • 5 4
 Gen Z in a nut shell... No job, no gf, parents basement for free, Torrents, free speech for losers on TikTok. And oh yeah, e bikes too.
  • 2 0
 What glasses are you wearing? @Alicia
  • 2 0
 Those are POC! The model might be the Devour? The very large ones haha
  • 4 2
 At $12k can a dentist afford it?
  • 4 0
 Sure but foolish purchase.
  • 2 0
 Never heard of Evil bikes!? I mean, I only read pinkbike... Hehe
  • 2 0
 Fire the marketing guy that decided not to name it the Evil Kneivel!
  • 5 3
 Pinkbike acknowledge the existence of Evil now?
  • 3 1
 Damnnnnn boi! She thiccc!
  • 2 0
 My alloy Levo weights as much as this carbon evil smh
  • 2 0
 This would probably be the worst bike to have in an actual apocalypse.
  • 3 0
 Evil pricing.
  • 2 0
 12 K or 1/2 that for same fun from other ebikes..hmmm
  • 2 0
 Or a Dirt bike and a new Pedal MTB
  • 1 0
 Wtf happened to evil prices? I remember you just to be able to buy a Following for less than 2500 a few years ago
  • 1 0
 Nice review. Why is it only 12K? Starting price should easily be in the $15,500 price point IMHO......
  • 4 3
 Too bad it's a Steps bike...
  • 1 2
 Totally agree. Bosch motor and 750w battery and I’d be seriously interested
  • 2 0
 An ode to Karpiel.
  • 3 0
 similar weight too
  • 1 0
 Need some Eewings for the eEvil
  • 1 0
 @alicialeggett: which kneepads do you wear by riding this bike? Rapha?
  • 1 0
 Ew, the shock is so out in the open, it looks way off
  • 1 0
 Finally a fitting name for an e-bike.
  • 1 0
 12? No problem evil. All lordes unite for this powercore ebike!!!
  • 1 0
 12k? XT Build? No carbon wheels?
  • 1 0
 Rider weight = fork pressure.
  • 1 0
 All i can see is just bike with a machine.
  • 1 0
 seat tube looks quite slack
  • 2 1
 Also evil cheaper than specy and trek
  • 1 0
 @alicia legget: Is this a measured weigt? Seems low.
  • 1 0
 Yep, that's measured.
  • 1 0
 Is it just me or is this the best E-bike name so far...
  • 1 0
 Nah, my suggestion of "Incarnate" would have made this the best ebike name ever.
  • 2 0
 Almost. I’ll only refer to this bike as the E-Wrecktion
  • 2 0
 Looks old already
  • 2 1
 Whole lotta ugly there and I'm not talking about the E parts
  • 1 0
 £12K for a push bike the world has gone mad
  • 1 2
 Another expensive toy . this is not a mnt bike , it's just a way to destroy mnt bike trails . Pink bike should make another web site for kids motorcycles .
  • 1 0
 So is it officially called “the Epocalypse”?
  • 1 0
 THAT is a fucking JOKE for 12k
  • 3 2
 This looks E-vil
  • 1 0
 Ha
  • 1 0
 E-Evil
  • 1 0
 Every Villian Is Lemons
  • 1 0
 Booo!!!
  • 1 0
 EPOcalypse…
  • 1 0
 E-Wrecktion.
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.069987
Mobile Version of Website