Many Americans are megalomaniacs. Monstrous pickups, super-size menus and endless highways - we all know the clichés. The Enduro from the US label Evil fits the bill. As if a modern enduro bike wasn't enough, the Evil Wreckoning is even compatible with double bridge forks for fearless adrenaline junkies.
Evil Wreckoning: Biking without limits
Readers limit their wishes to the "standard" wreckoning - but that doesn't mean that you can plummet towards the valley any less death-defyingly. The fact check shows: With the Evil Wreckoning, only your own riding ability should decide the limits of what is possible. The full carbon frame with 161 millimetres at the rear is complemented by a 170 mm fork and 29er wheels. Evil naturally gives the beefy chassis unrestricted bike park approval. This is how the Wreckoning looks in our test lab.
If you let your gaze wander along the filigree top tube, you will finally see the trademark of the US label: the Delta rear triangle. Once you have seen through the complicated lever position, you will recognise a supported single link. The fact that the design comes from suspension engineer Dave Weagle maximises the expectations of its function. This much in advance: we were not disappointed. In the lab, the weight of the massive construction is noticeable. 3065 grams (size L) is not exactly record-breaking for a frame costing 3999 euros. Fully assembled, the pedalable downhill bike, as Evil calls the Wreckoning itself, weighs 14.9 kilos. This is actually an average value in this price range.
First-class handling on the Evil Enduro
But now to the driving characteristics. As already mentioned, our expectations of Dave Weagle's suspension skills were not too high. Extremely sensitive at the beginning of the suspension travel, plenty of support in the middle and pleasantly progressive towards the end - that's what the American promises. And that's exactly how it was. The steel spring shock absorbs even the finest bumps greedily, which generates incredible traction. The counter support, for pushing off jumps or pushing through berms, was also clearly noticeable. But it's only when big bumps or rock gardens hit the suspension that the rear suspension really comes into its own. You never get the feeling that the suspension travel has been fully utilised. The Delta system works so well that even the Rockshox ZEB suspension fork from the high-quality Ultimate series can no longer keep up at the limit. In addition, the Maxxis tyres with their simple EXO casing and low puncture protection are more likely to capitulate before the Evil Wreckoning is pushed to its limits. EXO+ on the front wheel, Double Down on the rear wheel - that would have been the more consistent tyres.
The Wreckoning is smooth-running and manoeuvrable
However, anyone who labels the Evil as a pure full-throttle enduro because of the chassis is way off the mark. Because as soon as the speed drops and the cornering radii shrink, the Wreckoning is more reminiscent of a nimble rally car than an American muscle car. Evil's Enduro thus bridges the gap between smoothness and manoeuvrability. Without spacers under the stem, you can conjure up precise direction changes on the trail with a lot of pressure on the front. The very short chainstays and the not too slack head angle also contribute to the balanced handling. The bike also impressed our testers on the climbs. The rear end not only generates grip en masse, but also remains remarkably stable. However, due to the short chainstays, the front climbs a little early on steep ramps. The moderate reach creates a pleasantly upright riding position, which makes long days in the saddle easier.
Motto of the Evil Wreckoning: Go big!
But despite all the enthusiasm about the well-balanced overall package, fast downhill riding remains the Evil Wreckoning's speciality. The first-class handling and its sophisticated chassis give the US enduro bike so much confidence that the American go-big mentality even rubbed off on our test riders.
Conclusion on the Evil Wreckoning by Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor:
With its Wreckoning, Evil shows that extreme geometries and massive suspension travel are not always the key to a harmonious enduro bike. Thanks to its moderate dimensions, the bike remains easy to control even off the beaten track and is a lot of fun to ride. However, the first-class chassis still provides sufficient riding safety in extreme situations.
Technical data and notes on the Evil Wreckoning LS
Manufacturer information
- Price: 7999 Euro
- Available from specialised dealers
- Frame material; carbon
- Frame size; S / M /L / XL(tested size L, 46 cm)
Measured values
- Weight without pedals: 14.92 kg
- Frame weight: 3065 g
- Weight of wheels: 4989 g
- Acceleration of running wheels: 4040 kg x cm²
- Handlebar width: 800 mm
- Frame rigidity (absolute): 37 N/mm
Equipment
- Wheels: Industry Nine Enduro S
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF / DHR; 3C MaxxTerra Exo Protection TR; 29x2.50 / 29 x 2.40
- Fork: Rockshox ZEB Ultimate
- Shock: Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate
- Front / rear suspension travel: 170 / 161 mm
- Brakes: Sram Code RSC / 200 / 180 mm
- Gear system: Sram X01 Eagle 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-52 / 520 %
- Telescopic post / stroke / Ø: Bike Yoke Revive / 185 mm / 30.9 mm
Valuation
- Driving behaviour uphill: 17 from 20
- Chassis efficiency:. 15 from 20
- Rolling resistance: 8.5 out of 10
- Weight: 3 of 15
- Inertia impellers: 4 out of 10
- Bottle cage: 2.5 out of 5
- Driving behaviour downhill: 38 from 40
- Front suspension: 25 out of 25
- Rear suspension: 23.75 out of 25
- Saddle retractability: 10 out of 10
- Brakes: 13.5 out of 15
- Tyre grip: 12.75 out of 15
- Driving stability: 2 out of 10
TOTAL UPHILL: 50 OUT OF 80
TOTAL DOWNHILL: 125 OF 140
Other: 23.5 out of 30
Ease of maintenance: good
BIKE test rating*: very good 198.5 out of 250 points
This is Evil
The name Evil was first heard in the bike industry in 2008. The fact that suspension mastermind Dave Weagle was behind the US manufacturer from Bellingham caused a stir in the scene at the time. Evil immediately signed up the downhill hopeful of the time, Stevie Smith, and freeride superstar Thomas Vanderham as team riders. Today, freerider and Redbull Rampage star Kurt Sorge is Evil's figurehead. So it's no wonder that the brand is particularly popular with the gravity faction.
¹Price may be subject to additional costs for packaging, dispatch and coordination.
²The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements (BIKE laboratory measurement) and the subjective impression of the test riders.
The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.).
Max Fuchs
Editor
