[Closed] Can't decide Evil Sovereign or Cove Handjob

I had a HJ for a few years.

Great bike on the twisty technical bits but sold it in the end because I got fed up with the short top tube

Much prefer my new carbon 456. It's even more comfy.

Get a Dialled Alpine cheaper than the Evil, very similar and it is dead good.

Got a Handjob, had it for over 3 years.

It keeps getting left in the shed and then once in a while taken out; instantly reminding me how good it is and then gets thrapped round the woods for an inordinate amount of time until the other bikes feel left out 😀

Love the relatively short TT - although at around 580 effective, with a 90mm stem and a layback post it's great for me

Had an Evil for 18 months or so. Don't think you'll break it. Swapped Float 32s at 140 for Lyriks at 150 which is better. Rides really well - taken it to the Peaks, Lakes, Shropshire and Cannock. Feels just right for me - very stable. Could be lighter but this only bugs me when I have to take a different bike out to races. The only other bike I would fancy is a Ti Sov - probably wouldn't ride anything else.

Dialled Alpine is indeed a very good frame for battering the trails. A friend has one.

I have a BFe, also ideal for that imo. I run mine with a Pike, so just wind it in for the climbs, wind it out for the decents. Both the Alpine and the BFe took a battering in Afan last weekend - both great frames, both took it with ease. I'd say the Alpine was a better climber though.

Out of the two you mentioned, I'd go Evil. Not sure why, just heard loads of good things about it.

Isn't the Hand Job up to a 120mm fork? The Sovereign is a different bike altogether.

It's rated at 130mm I mentioned the HJ because it was another frame I hadn't thought about and it looked like it could build up nicely. I think I have been sold on the Evil frame as a suitable HT frame to replace my spicy with. Now I've just got to convince the other half it's a good idea. and that it's not going to cost us anything really. Honest.

Thanks to all you posters for swaying me finally.

Cheers

Ash

I'd've thought you'd get a handjob if you want to blast about all day & partake in more xc oriented riding & an evil if you want something to blast downhill & be a hooligan on.

.......ahem ......... brand new coloured Sovs arrived at Silverfish today ............

Drop me a mail if you'd like to be tempted further 🙂
Richie@silverfish-uk.com

I had a cove and tbh it was a bit odd. It wasn't right in any build, did a nice lightish xc with rebas (120mm), full xt etc which felt strange and then I swapped to pikes (u-turn @130mm) and beefed it up and it was still a bit lacking.

I'd not have another.

(crappy paint and graphics too)

.......ahem ......... brand new coloured Sovs arrived at Silverfish today ............

😯 WHAT? I automatically want.

[quote.......ahem ......... brand new coloured Sovs arrived at Silverfish today .........

Go tell us what colours this may tip the scales.

I've had a Bfe and an Evil Sov. The bfe is far superior in handling and ability to deal with the rough stuff. Always wanted to try a Cove HJ (had the Stiffee) but thought it was leaning a little to lighter XC riding than either the bfe or Sov.

Those that have ridden an Evil will recommend this all day long, myself included.
It is SO much better than the stifee - am tempted to add "fact" in David Brent style after this statement!

I so nearly bought an Evil, actually went with a Genesis Alpitude -which was possibly most fav. frame ever owned, was like the Evil only lighter and more "twangy".
The Evil has something special about it, assume angles, short wheel base, low BB, all adds up to a bike that wants to be spanked. Hei Hei has one (original 853 tubed one too), it almost gives confidence like a long travel play bike to go mental on it, really is special.

I have ridden a Cove stiffee and found it pants, total dead material that battered you, not a looker, did nothing for me. have ridden 2 on separate occasions with decent builds and can't have my view changed on this.
For something left field, the Genesis alpitude did it all, gave a very small jump type bike that could still cover Xc duties - really was brilliant. Mine was replaced with a Ragley Ti hardtail which is only a little better in my eyes, the Aplitude really was that good!

[img][url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5733030444_bf0a96b703.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5733030444_bf0a96b703.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/61423771@N03/5733030444/ ]Sov[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/61423771@N03/ ]catch two two[/url], on Flickr[/img]

Great bike.

Sovereign owner here. Really like it. Mainly ridden at Glyncorrwg & Cwmcarn (but not much since the twins arrived!!). Usually have Pikes on it. Really like it at 140mm, but is also a whole lot of fun on smoother stuff with the forks wound in (feels like an overgrown BMX). Sometimes think I should have bought a DB Alpine or a Genesis Alptitude to save some money to spend elsewhere, but got a good deal from Skyline and it's too late now... Kind of think sometimes I spend too much time looking at bikes and comparing angles/etc and really should just get out & ride more!!

Saw some cheap deals on the Sovereign somewhere recently. May have been Chainreaction, but lack of sleep is playing havoc with my memory....

Prob been said but these are 2 pretty different frames no?

*hijack* I'm selling a red Mk2 18inch DB Alpine if anyones after one. Email in profile.

Forgot to mention that when I as looking at some Cove frames I was completely put off by the welding. This was a couple of years ago and can't recall if it was HT or FS frames tbh but I do remember how ugly looking the welding was - prettiness isn't an indication of the strength of the weld of course but was enough to put me off. Could be different now of course.

I did notice on the Hand Job frame the welding was a little shonky (don't kjnow if it's a word but it sounds good)

Yes, they are 2 very different frames. Handjob is up to 130mm fork, but is really better suited to XC/trail style stuff, although it is tremendous fun in the swoopy stuff, and you can get away with a certain amount of hooliganity.

The Sovereign is far more "built" and should take more punishment. I also think it might be rated for longer forks?

I spoke to Cove a few months ago and the new handjobs are now rated for 140mm forks but 120mm is still considered the sweet spot.

E-mailed Richie at silverfish earlier and found out there are no changes on the frame from last year except they are producing the sovereign in a bright yellow. He said there should be pics up on their website soon.

mmmmm yellow
[img] [/img]

Oh man, that yellow is SWEET!!!

I want! Not sure £500 or so justifies a change of frame colour from white though. Would certainly go for the yellow if I was after another.

I was going for a black frame until I saw that yellow - what do you recon the yellow frame with red xo bits xtr 970 crank possibly black pikes and pewter ck's with 819 rims and a renthal fatbar and renthal stem? would it work????

I'd try to keep components as black as possible. Black and yellow just work.

btw black frames, from experience show every mark and scratch...

HJ all the way it's a proper do it all bike.
I had it in the south of the UK as a SS, then down the alps riding all day with it. I might even do an enduro (continental style) with it. It get use and use a lot in the rocky south alps and it is brilliant.
As for "hooliganism" what you would consider as "xtrem" in the uk is just normal riding down here or in BC. Stuff like that
[img] [/img]
Plus it being steel, you break it, well get it welded again.

I did this to mine:

[img] [/img]

It made me sad

oooooops not a good advert

HJs Rock...

I love mine..

Bit of a marmite bike, but, meh 🙂

[IMG] [/IMG]

Sorry I still like the yellow for the sovereign though

I have a Cove Handjob and a Dialled Alpine. The Cove HJ is definitely an XC/Trail bike whereas the Alpine and indeed the Evil are very hardcore trail/do it all bikes. They can withstand whatever you can! I dont hear of them breaking but they are much more solid and heavier. The Columbus tubing on the HJ is waifer thin hence the light weight. If you want to jump or use 140mm or more forks, a dialled or the Evil are much better!

That new sovereign frame must be reasonably burly to tale the brace off between the top tube and the seat tube. Has anyone experience of the new model??

looks like the Faction to me, look at the angle of the screws on the adjustable droputs, mine are horizontal, the do the faction in that colour

Had two Handjobs (so to speak) - loved the first one (older model, designed for 100mm fork) but didn't get on with the second one (designed for 120mm fork) as it was too short. Angles are great though - very slack, which is great for more 'aggro' riding.

Got a PA now which is similar, but steeper angles (I'm running a 110-150mm Sektor on it, so can alter the angles a little). Thoroughly enjoying it though, although it is heavier than the second HJ.

You're right skiboy it does look like the faction just e-mailed Richie at Silverfish, as I think i want this colour to replace my Brown Laoierre Spicy.

I owned an older HJ but I sold it as it was jut too flexy. It was disturbing how much you could get it to flex.

Gone and done it just ordered a Sovereign in yellow from my lbs .... can't wait

Nice work - looking forward to seeing that built up.

Liking that yellow Sovereign, the OP should buy that.

The OP has just ordered that and I can't wait.