Bike Review:
Evil Wreckoning
Long Term Bike Review – Is it still Relevant?
I owned my Evil Wreckoning during peak covid so I held onto it for a bit longer than usual. I was really impressed with the bike, but how does it compare today?
This is the second entirely new Wreckoning and while the LS or lightly salted has a few small updates, there were no changes to geo, construction or suspension so if you want more details check out my original video here.
I had some amazing times on this bike including my first time seeing In n out Burger and Goranga. So many new places and new trails.
After well over a year on the Evil Wreckoning it’s still going strong under my friend Ryan but we’ll get to how it held up later in the review.
This may still be my favorite dual 29 enduro bike, that’s not to say it’s the best for everyone or best at everything so we’ll talk about who it’s for later in the video. This was only my third 29r ever and while I was impressed with the first generation of the Wreckoning, it was the first gen Santa Cruz megatower that finally made me believe in 29ers for my riding. This bike was released at the same time that fox introduced the 38 and Rochshox the Zeb which was a huge part in the evolution of long travel 29ers.
Geometry and Climbing:
This is where newer bikes start to rack up points in the loam library. Steeper seat tubes and longer rear centers do a lot for body position and making climbing that much easier.
The wreckoning is no slouch. Efficiency is very good and traction is outstanding. However, its that body position that makes switchbacks something you have to work for and steep, technical climbs require a fair bit of body pressure to keep that front end down especially when setup in the extra low setting.
Overall the Evil Wreckoning may not be the spriteliest climber but it will get you to the top without much trouble.
Descending:
I rode so many features for the first time on this bike. Gouranga, the chief, Blue steel. Whether big jumps, drops or hainous rock features the Evil Wreckoning kept coming back for more. It may not be that fastest bike for every rider but for me it may just be that most fun. And it strikes a great balance of Confidence vs playfulness
Did I mention it’s quiet.
Who’s this bike for?:
I really hope Evil stays with their free ride and fun ethos. Bikes keep getting easier to ride everywhere but that can make them less fun on the edges.
Sure on big jumps the Spire may have felt more composed and at high speed it was going to stay straight but what if you want to two wheel drift, get loose and sideways? Then the Evil Wreckoning is for you.
Final Thoughts:
Its still an enduro bike or a mini dh bike as Evil calls it, but like that would suggest its got more free ride roots.
It’s still going to help you ride out mistakes but it’s also going to encourage you to make them in the first place.
The Evil allows for creativity and doesn’t feel sanitized. And What can I say I like my bikes with some edge.
