[Closed] Evil The Following - anyone got one?

uselesshippy - Member
A mate had one, said it was great, best bike he's ever had, best thing ever, all the way through until it cracked.

butterbean - Member
Couple of guys in the SH Massif had them. Broke them. Said they were great, until they broke. Maybe they are good for the, erm, softer riders out there.

How did these people get in with getting their frames sorted?

Ta

Just an amazing bike. Best bike ive owned. Reliability has been spot on and the Evil Europe guys are brilliant

Oli

Genuine question, what makes the bike so good? The geometry isn't particularly radical so is it the funky suspension?

Geometry was certainly one of the lowest and slackest and shortest of chainstay for a 120mm 29er when it came out. Suspension has a ton of anti-squat, too much really unless you're running a larger chain ring, so it's an efficient pedaller and the leverage curve ramps quickly in the first 1/3 of travel and then more slowly, so it has very good small bump sensitivity, and is hard to bottom out without ramping so fast that it gets harsh in the last 1/3 of the travel or is very difficult to get a decent damping tune.

It's definitely a very well thought through design, which is why it appears to be selling well despite being both expensive and Evil...

Sometimes I wish these forum responses could be limited to those people have either direct experience of a bike or they have at least test ridden one. It's a sad fact that this is not a cheap bike. And many people will not be able to afford it but rather than admit that they justify owning a lesser bike by bad mouthing others.

It's also true that most people don't have the imagination or confidence to try something new, preferring to get the same bike as all there mates and there is nothing with that. I've always been happy to try new bikes if I think the it will make riding easier and more fun. Hence I've had lefty forks, Bionicon etc.

Personally I hope most people reading this thread don't buy an evil following. I've had mine for a month and in my view it's the best bike I've ever had, and I've had some nice bikes. Yeti asr5c, spez camber Carbon Evo, spez enduro etc. I have also just come back from 6 months not riding following a nasty triple break in my wrist. Anyone who has had a big accident on a bike knows the effect that has on your fitness and confidence. My local riding is very steep technical trails and right now the tracks are deep with mud and greasy roots.

Despite lack of fitness, confidence and skill I broke 2 strava downhill segments on first ride. Today I set 4 pbs including a top 5 place on one of local Knarly tracks that was 6 inches deep mud in places. I'm beating my best summer times!

I'm 6ft 3, 35" inside leg. No issues with seat angle, love it. Perfect up and down. The bike gives so much confidence!! Uphill I haven't taken shock out of descend setting, can't wait for summer and better fitness.

I don't want other people to buy this bike because it makes me look a massively better rider than I am, I have a huge unfair advantage over my mates lol. And I like having a bike that's different to the crowds.

There is a reason this bike is called the following - that's what most of your mates will be doing!

And on warranty issue this bike will make you try stupid stuff, it's a 120 29er but you will be wanting to do much more. Mountain bikers do stupid stuff and bikes break. My last spez Evo broke frame after 4 months on a 3ft drop.

On price I think then evil is good value, £4.5k for full carbon beast. Same price as half carbon version of most other top end bikes. If you want a bike that's fast up, awesome fast down, and different from the crowd then get a test ride and decide for yourself.

^^^

On the other hand some who have bought one just want to justify the expense and downplay the stories of dreadful customer service.

Coming onto a public forum and stating an opinion that you wish others didn't have an opinion is both ridiculous and futile. Everyone has them and everyone is entitled to them.

Personally mine is that even if I could afford one the stories of owner difficulties would put me off buying one. If I was well off enough that losing 5 grand didn't matter to me then that might change.

You obviously love yours and I genuinely hope you and other owners don't experience the shoddy CS that some have reported.

many people will not be able to afford it

Despite lack of fitness, confidence and skill

I don't want other people to buy this bike because it makes me look a massively better rider than I am

full carbon beast

Full score on the bullshit bingo score card. 😀
Are you m boys other login.

Despite lack of fitness, confidence and skill I broke 2 strava downhill segments on first ride. Today I set 4 pbs including a top 5 place on one of local Knarly tracks that was 6 inches deep mud in places. I'm beating my best summer times!

Were you straight-lining all the corners, or just riding the fire road next to the singletrack segment? 😉

Woop, the willy waving has started. I suppose it had to at some point.

Were you straight-lining all the corners, or just riding the fire road next to the singletrack segment?

Like I said I really don't care if some of the chumps on here buy a following or not. I was just making the point for those open minded people that are actually thinking about a new bike that this bike really is as good as all the reviews say. I'm no Steve peat amongst our regular riding group I would be classed as average at best, but despite long time of bike the following is really efficient fast climber, with fantastic grip and confidence inspiring geometry on the way down. Think this is partly due to the MRP fork which lbs recommended and shorty front tyre.

Re after sale service Evil admit that original factory on old bikes was below par. Rather than hear say if anyone who actually owned and evil following has experienced a problem please post.

If you ride regular trails, marathon courses, trail centre etc as opposed to full down hill this bike is amazing and well worth a test ride. Personally I wouldn't touch the seat angle. Our local routes on the Malverns are about as steep as you can realistically pedal up in places and the evil climbs better than my camber, not quite as well as my dale flash carbon. But it would eat both on the descent, plus way more fun to ride.

Look forward to more BS from the people on here that don't actually own a following

Look forward to more BS from the people on here that don't actually own a following

As opposed to more bolleaux from people who do?

Our local routes on the Malverns are about as steep as you can realistically pedal up in places and the evil climbs better than my camber, not quite as well as my dale flash carbon

@psycorp 🙂

Your welcome to come and have a test ride Gary. I said It doesn't climb as well as my flash, but it's a lot closer than you would expect. The rear shock format is amazing. Almost no bob even in descend mode. I havent had to move the lever once. I'm running 140 fork and the dale has full lock out but back end on following is epic. Point I was trying to make is that I was taliking from the perspective of someone that has had broad range of bikes and an open mind.

There is a trend to the posts on this thread. Everyone that has a following things it's amazing, confidence inspiring game changing bike. Those that have not even ridden one slag them off, funny that. At the end of the day what makes a perfect bike is down to the individual and the riding you do. For me the following right now is that bike.

Keep smiling haters. See you on the trails.

As opposed to more bolleaux from people who do?

If I was looking to buy a new bike, I'd be a lot more interested in the opinions of those that have spent their hard earned on one, than I would those of people that have never even ridden one... Everything can be taken with a pinch of salt in this world, but when those who haven't even ridden the bike keep piping up, talking BS about how it must be crap or how anyone who buys one can't ride for toffee... Well... You might as well keep your gob shut, you're just turning people off quite frankly! The internet is a wonderful place where the anonymity of not talking to others face to face means you can be as rude as you like to others without any worries of comeback, but shout loud enough and people have no choice as to either agree or disagree with you...

Have you read the independent reviews on this bike? The opinions of the unbiased media that is... There is nothing but universal praise for this bike, it's not for everyone that's for sure, but for those who get it, it really is worth every penny!

Give it a rest son. That bendy bag of bollox up there climbs 'not quite as well' as a CDale flash carbon? Like there's even a comparison to be made.

2 questions... A) Have you ridden a Following? B) Have you ridden some of the more tech trails on the Malverns?

There's no doubt that a lightweight hardtail such as the Flash is gonna fly up smooth climbs, like fireroads and the like. It weighs naff all and is built for speed. The thing is though, the Malverns have some of the steepest and techiest XC trails you will come across in the UK, if you're not just riding the boring stuff that is. The Following is staggeringly good as a climber, way better than I ever expected it to be, in fact it has been the most surprising string to its bow for me. I expected it to be competent downhill, the fact it climbs better than anything else in its class is a bonus that I was never expecting.

One thing to note is that the haters are getting very caugh up in the bike... Those of us that own them know it's still 99% rider, 1% equipment. But when the equipment is good enough to give you an edge, well... It can almost feel like cheating!

At the beginning....

So im looking at buying an Evil Following frame to build up. Reviews are outstanding,

but the only thing bothering me is just how 'busy' the shock area looks...especially when it goes up against the good old British eather.

Has anyone been running one for a while?

How has it been for bearing wear and reliability?

There is a trend to the posts on this thread. Everyone that has a following things it's amazing, confidence inspiring game changing bike. Those that have not even ridden one slag them off, funny that.

I thought they were slagging off the company rather than the bike. It's obviously a sorted bit of kit, with generally good geo but that seat angle alone is enough to make sure it's not the bike for me. then there's the prospect of ever having to deal with any issues *shudder*

Yup Ive no doubt it's a brilliant bike, Its just Evil's rep that puts me off

If I was looking to buy a new bike, I'd be a lot more interested in the opinions of those that have spent their hard earned on one, than I would those of people that have never even ridden one... Everything can be taken with a pinch of salt in this world, but when those who haven't even ridden the bike keep piping up, talking BS about how it must be crap or how anyone who buys one can't ride for toffee... Well... You might as well keep your gob shut, you're just turning people off quite frankly! The internet is a wonderful place where the anonymity of not talking to others face to face means you can be as rude as you like to others without any worries of comeback, but shout loud enough and people have no choice as to either agree or disagree with you...

Have you read the independent reviews on this bike? The opinions of the unbiased media that is... There is nothing but universal praise for this bike, it's not for everyone that's for sure, but for those who get it, it really is worth every penny!

Ha, says the guy who sells a handful of them a year - vested interest much?

I don't think anyone has said the bike is crap - more the company.

It doesn't help when some goon turns up and claims it's turned him from a weekend warrior into Nino Shurter on the ups & Aaron Gwin on the downs. Please.

That gets filed in the same camp as the guy who claimed bolting some ENVE's onto his bike instantly made him 10% quicker.

Hang on, one of these + ENVE's = new EWS champion! What a plan!

For what it's worth, as you replied directly to me - I have ridden one. I don't really like 29ers. having owned a few so it wasn't for me. Even if I loved it, it wouldn't have been for me, as i'm not mental enough to buy an Evil 🙂

I think we need a race to sort this thread out.

Preferably in the Malvern's 🙂

Anyone good with a GoPro can come and film it for the forum.

Id be genuinely interested to see how one compared to a transition smuggler and kona process 111 etc, similar numbers and rave reviews

This is quite a good insight into the shorter travel yet gnarly 29er suspension designs:

http://linkagedesign.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/evil-following-29-2015.html?m=1

(If you understand the graphs!)

Quick simplified explanation - for the best pedalling efficiency you want 100% anti-squat at sag. Less means it'll squat, more means it'll jack up, so either way it'll bob. A progressive (downward sloping) leverage curve is almost always best for a bike designed to be ridden aggressively. Excessive pedal kickback can feel weird and excessive anti-rise will cost you braking traction. It's impossible to get all four main parameters to be ideal - you have to compromise somewhere, with many designs compromising most on anti-rise nowadays.

Id be genuinely interested to see how one compared to a transition smuggler and kona process 111 etc, similar numbers and rave reviews

I've ridden a Smuggler, albeit briefly. For those wanting a steeper seat angle than the Following, this is probably the bike to buy. It pedals very well too, I noticed the extra weight but then it wasn't as high end a build as my Following so not a fair comparison. Think there's about 1lb or so in the frame alone.

The bit I didn't like on the Smuggler though was the rather steep seat angle. It placed me further forward than I felt I wanted to be on the bike, and it also makes the wheelbase quite a lot longer than the following size for size. For the same reasons I didn't get on with as well as my Following, others will love it.

Haven't ridden a Process 111 sadly, did own a Whyte T-129 SCR though for a while before the Following. Great bike, only let down by poor rear tyre clearance and the Fox CTD shock. New 2016 models have more tyre clearance, a better shock, 1 degree slacker head angle and a lower price!!!

What makes this bike so good: It’s as maneuverable as a 26” bike (that’s what it feels like to me) with all the advantages of the 29 wheels.

I still prefer my Enduro 29 when the trail becomes open and rocky. But in the tight and twisty woods the Following is just awesome fun.

Only issue I've had; i snapped the head off a bolt and Evil Europe replaced it FOC. Silverfish wanted £90 for a bolt kit!

Out of interest those claiming to be aware of cracked Followings on the first page please could you point us to the thread this is on/put up photos?

I really want my next bike to be an Evil but will be spending 18 months weighing up whether the new bikes genuinely have a problem or if it's mostly internet fluster.

http://forums.mtbr.com/evil-bikes/cracked-following-990764.html

This is the well known thread on the matter with the crack, and i think it might be the one where they then also have to reject the replacement part (haven't read through it all again)> http://forums.mtbr.com/evil-bikes/cracked-following-990764.html

MTBR thread here - Cracked FOllowing

http://forums.mtbr.com/evil-bikes/cracked-following-990764.html
/p>

[img] [/img]

Evil's view, based on photos provided by the importer, was that this was impact damage and therefore wouldn't warranty it. My LBS sought a second opinion from a local carbon repair specialist, who believed this was a result of a heavy twisting motion on the rear wheel, with the chain stay being flexed outwards and cracking as a result, i.e. not a direct impact. They also noted how thin the frame was at this point, easily being flexed by thumb pressure.
When the replacement rear triangle arrived, the LBS tested the same area and it also flexed with a "crackling" sound. A second replacement was then sent out - this one doesn't flex anywhere near the same amount so has been fitted.
UK law states that the warranty a customer has is with the retailer rather than the manufacturer. Further, in the first 6 months after sale, it is the retailer's responsibility to prove user damage rather than the other way round. Given this and based on the second opinion, plus the flex on the first two triangles, my LBS have decided to honoured the warranty. At this stage, it's not clear whether they will have to cover the cost.

PS For those suggesting I was stupid for posting a thread before sorting the issue with Evil were right - this thread was cited as "not helping my case" in the initial discussions. Thankfully UK law and a decent LBS outweigh such a response.

Evil must love that MTBR page 😉

OK, I'm aware of that one and have discounted it as a one-off. Thanks.

Its interesting to note that if you make a cool looking product and come up with an equally cool name you can still have a market.

Despite sh*t customer service and possibly dubious engineering.

i wouldn't describe it as cool looking or even good looking!

It does ride bloody well though

Just updated mine, finally added a bit of colour (mainly cos I haven't got new decals for the wheels yet!)... Off for a play tomorrow too... Whoop whoop!

[img] ?oh=57f5ebddee36b78785abc44bae10c9d9&oe=5766D5B2[/img]
[img] ?oh=6cb172376958aecb0d03b4851355b144&oe=575C79C4[/img]

Didn't get much use on the sodden trails through the winter I'm sorry to say (but then I hardly did any road riding either to be fair!), but now the trails are starting to dry up again it's gonna get a lot more use soon.

I have one. I claim no special knowledge (I am a Surrey Hills MAMIB) but I see it as the quintessential 'trail bike', assuming trail bike means to you what it does to me.

It's fast up, fast along and fast down. Perfectly capable of XC. (Most rides around here are XC to trails - trails - XC home. Lots of time on the gas a good pace).

I'd describe the suspension as pushy rather than plush. Caveat, I think I've been running it a little over sagged, and I wonder if most people do. Shock pressure is quite high for the optimal sag I think. Anyway I still reckon if you're looking for feather pillow plushness out of the back of your bike, this is not the one. I have bottomed it out and I didn't feel it.

No regrets so far, and looking to keep it not switch it. It's been laid up for most of the winter, had it out for a couple of rides now and am enjoying it.

mboy said re b+:

Personally I think it would dilute the Following's character anyway, it's a sharp and responsive bike that's best with a really quick read tyre and the suspension set fairly firm and progressive. It's all about acceleration and agility where a 29er traditionally falls short, big/heavy/slow rolling smaller diameter tyres would dilute that IMO.

I agree with this, and speaking as someone who really enjoys b+ on my hardtail.

Fit: it did take me a while to get this sorted as I am the unhelpful long-of-leg short-of-body shape. Bumping the spacers below the stem from 20mm to 30mm has made a big difference.

Also don't overlook that it has 2 geometry settings. They really do ride differently, it's no gimmick. Very simplistically, low is sleddy-er, high is agile-r. It came in low and that's how I ran it for some time but I tried it in high and it's a no brainer for my local riding. I'd put it back on low for uplift days.

Mine's in Surrey and a M if anyone needs a go. Nirvana Cycles in Westcott are a dealer too and have a built up demo. They've sold a few now I think.