Sport And Biking Talk: Video: Evil Wreckoning impressions

Friday, May 26, 2017

Video: Evil Wreckoning impressions

160mm front and rear travel on this 29er.

When we awarded the Enduro Bike of the Year last year to the Trek Slash 29er, a few were distraught that we did not get to try the Wreckoning. It was a contender, a few touted, so we made it our task to get to know the ‘Wreck’. We got one in-house and started riding it immediately. Not knowing how much it weighed and never having tried any Evil bike before, we just rode it. We took it on fire roads, boring trails, fun trails then aggressive terrain and even more gnarly terrain. The experience was eye-opening.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhx1gLudOc4

We talk about our experience with the Wreckoning.

The Wreckoning is interesting to say the least. It’s from a small brand in Seattle with recent hits like the Following and the Insurgent. The company has the most creative model names and there are no model designations or labels on any of their bikes. One can hardly tell the models apart or the bike travel beneath all that carbon fiber complexity of the rear triangle.

31.72 lbs for the Eagle X01 build with 400 gram flat pedals.

The Wreckoning is a true enigma as it is a full 160mm 29er. Most thought it could not be achieved effectively with such a big rear wheel, thus stopping at 150mm travel. But Evil did it. They also omitted the front derailleur and compatibility with Plus tires or tires bigger than 2.4. A chain guide is included by default and the seat post diameter is 34.9mm. These are some of the elements in the Wreckoning that are fairly unique.

Chain guide is included in this rear end that only allows 1x drivetrains.

Riding it has been a revelation and we have many plans for this bike. We’ll write a full analysis of our experience and compare it the Trek Slash 29er and other contenders. We’ll also build a project bike with the Push Elevensix shock and a no-holds barred build that is around 28 lbs.

Eagle geometry is slack and adjustable.

Stay tuned and let us know about your experience with the Wreckoning or other Evil bikes.

Geometry legend.

Available Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, XLarge
Rear wheel Travel: 161mm
Front wheel Travel: 160mm
Rear Wheel Diameter: 29″
Rear Shock: RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 Debonair, 216×63 (+2 Volume Spacers)
Fork Axle to Crown: 571mm RockShox Lyrik 160mm fork
Fork Offset: 51mm
Headtube: Tapered 1 1/8″ – 1 1/2″
Headset: FSA Integrated Tapered No. 58/68 Upper 44mm Lower 62mm Tapered OD
Seatpost Diameter: 34.9mm
Maximum Rear Tire Size: 29″ x 2.4″ (Varies By Brand)
Bottom Bracket Shell: 73mm Threaded
Chainline: 51mm
Chainguide Mount: ISCG05
Maximum Chainring Size: 36t Single Ring
Rear Wheel Spacing: 148mm x 12mm
Front Derailleur: None. Single Ring Only
Brake Mount Type: Post Mount 180mm
Maximum Rear Rotor Size: 203mm
Frame Weight: 7.52 lbs for medium (with chain guide, headset cups and seatpost clamp)
Bike Weight: 31.7 lbs ( medium, Eagle X01, stock build, 400 gram pedals)
Price: $ 2899 frame only, $ 5399 X1 build, $ 6899 X01 Eagle build