There are lots of reasons why I wouldn’t buy the Evil over very few that would make me.

Other than the sizing, the warranty issue, the customer support (irony hat), etc – the 2 people I ride who got them as serial bike swappers, both broke them (different models).

Actually, thinking about it, every single person I know who has owned an Evil over the years (including me with the Revolt) has broken at least one. That’s spectacular. 🙂

Plenty of choice out there for that kind of bike now.

Hob Nob – Member
There are lots of reasons why I wouldn’t buy the Evil over very few that would make me.

Other than the sizing, the warranty issue, the customer support (irony hat), etc – the 2 people I ride who got them as serial bike swappers, both broke them (different models).

Actually, thinking about it, every single person I know who has owned an Evil over the years (including me with the Revolt) has broken at least one. That’s spectacular.

Heh. I was briefly tempted by a mint second hand following with some remianing warranty on it. Good to read this sort of thing.

All this about Evils breaking, let’s see some pics from those made in the last two years, I can’t supply one as mine is still as it should be.
In the past I’ve had frame failures from the following manufacturers but I don’t see the hate in their direction and the warranty support has been mixed at best!
Marin x 3
Whyte x 2
Trek x 3
Specialised x 1

I *think* the smuggler needs to be ridden more aggressively.

I’m a pretty crap rider, so take this with a pinch of salt, but that’s basically why I sold my Smuggler. Ridden aggressively with weight forward it was an amazing bike. I set times on some descents that were really quite respectable and which I can’t get close to on other bikes. But on days when I wasn’t “on it” (which is most days if I’m honest) I couldn’t get on with it. Basically I couldn’t tentatively mince down stuff, which is my default position as I’d lose control of the front if my weight went back and then lose confidence.

I think this is just a “feature” of bikes with long reach and short chainstays. I’m happier on my 26″ Five with short (425mm) stays but shorter reach than is currently fashionable and I was fine on a Segment that I tested, with longer reach but longer stays.

Marketing is a powerful thing though. I look as the new Orange Stage Four with its longer reach and shorter stays (compared to the older Segment) and still think it must be better, even if my own experience tends to contradict that.

Anyway, getting back to the OP, I reckon the Flare (longer stays) or Following (shorter reach) would be fine (for me), but both would ride very differently to these bikes with long reach and short back ends.

Hmm ok,
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/evil-bikes-warranty-2016-still-terrible
1 year old post where evil blame the rider for the rear wheel hitting the frame even though its a 2.2 tyre and wont warranty the frame.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/evil-bikes-frame-failures
1 year old post – evil refusing a 3 month warranty because of riding furiously uphill.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/evil-insurgent/page/2#post-7105813
2 year old post with 2 evils breaking and Evil suggested a DIY fix by the owners.

http://www.bikemag.com/gear-features/blueprint/evil-following/#BxY5iwWeEwtKeocl.97
This article came out in 2015 to help allay fears though the above goes to show they may not have actually changed.

And that was just the first page of googling evil + warranty.

Evil owners do seem very defensive about the brand.

I ride a Spesh and I’ll quite happily join in giving them a kicking.

I still say you should demo more bikes OP, including the Evil. Life’s too short to end upon the wrong bike ‘cos you couldn’t be bothered to try them out.

I think Evil bikes look really cool, and the only one I’ve seen IRL was amazing and the guy that had in (met on holiday in the Alps) loved it.

wouldn’t ever spend my own money on one though