Right off the showroom floor the Evil is a much more capable bike. The Smuggler has a steeper seat tube that is noticeable when climbing but depending on your area/ability the Evil still climbs great. I do prefer the Evils suspension as well. It tracks better and stays more active under braking. I’d got Offering, especially if you’re think about upping the travel on the smuggler.
Great video. Been torn about letting go of my 5010 to build one of these up. Your video is helping to sway me. I do wish it had that frame storage though - never had a bike with it and it seems most riders agree it's nice to have.
Which version of the 5010 do you have? The bigger wheels and more travel help a ton of the steeper and chunkier stuff. That said the SC Hightower and Trek EX compare well to the Evil and do have the inframe storage.
@@NICADV I have an older 5010. Circa 2016-2017. But I kinda love that it's 27.5. I am a smaller dude (5'8" 140lbs) - so it really does live up to the "BMX of mountain bike" title. I can get real playful with it. Moving up to the offering I will be losing some of that, but everything I see is telling me it's one of the most well rounded bikes available today.
@@saysthetedd Nice! I just got the V5 5010. I've been really enjoying the mixed wheel bikes recently. It definitely helps a ton with how playful the bikes feel.
Great review! Appreciate the honest look at a bike that most think is getting long in the tooth. Good is good! I don't even have an Offering, but I have the Calling, Following & Insurgent in the stable and have been hooked on the ride characteristics for over 3 years now. Bleed Black Die EVIL!
In stock configuration the Smuggler rides more comparable to the Following. If you set it up 140 rear 150 front you may be able to get similar capability, but the suspension on the Evil does a better job of maintaining traction when braking heavy and over square edges. Overall I preferred the Offering especially for the rockier and hardpack trails like you mention.
@@NICADVappreciate the response, considering you know the areas and I was interested in changing to 150/140 on the smuggler, this makes a ton more sense. thanks again!
As far as function, the Evil suspension does a great job of isolating braking and suspension forces. I noticed a bit more anti rise, climbing with the Santa Cruz 5010 but it didn't seem to be an issue descending. Probably the biggest difference was I felt the Evil to be more progressive, which helped with larger compression and flat landings. For reliability, I love the SC ability to grease the lower bearings and it still feels smooth after a pretty wet winter. I had the Evil Wreckoning for a bit over a year and while I did eventually need to replace two of the smaller bearings It was never noticeable until I removed the shock.
When comparing the Offering LS to the latest 5010, do you feel they are close in terms of playfulness and pop? I have an offering, and run it mullet with a the fork at 160mm and 165mm cranks, but I tempted to switch to the new mullet 5010 for a more jibby ride. Is it worth it?
I think the Offering is possibly the most playful and jibby 140 29ers I’ve ridden. It is more capable than the shorter travel 5010. However, the 5010 being a purpose built mullet and having less travel front and rear is more playful. I cannot attest to the way you have your Offering built but if you’re looking for something to trick and hit steeper jumps then the 5010 is the ticket.
@@NICADV Thanks for the thorough answer, that really helps. It looks like even if there are some advantages to the 5010, it may not be worth the change at this point. I remain hopeful that Evil will release a mullet trail bike in the future, like a mullet Calling. I like Evil's shorter chainstays and was slightly disappointed that the 5010 got longer. Evil seems to be more committed to shorter chainstays. Thanks again.
Second you on the shorter stays, and shorter wheelbases as a whole. Recently got on a V3 Offering and it is the most fun bike Ive ridden. Would love to see a comparison to a Scor 4060 who seem to have similar philosophy on geo/playfulness
Agreed, the paint jobs and finish quality of the Scor bikes look great. I haven't found a place to demo them and they don't seem to have a ton of support in the US, but I'll keep looking.
I do like it more than the previous SB130. I felt the traction was better even on steepest terrain, but that also has to do with the body position which is a combination of geometry and suspension. The need for maintenance has also been low on my Wreckoning. I have not ridden the current SB140 that would now be the direct competitor.
@@HenryFlores-do5px The best starting setup for that bike is 20% sag up front and 30% sag on the rear. Rebound is based on air pressure and I would run the low speed compression on the back open with the fork in the center position.
They are two of my favorite “trail” bikes I rode this year. That said, the Evil Offering is the better all rounder. 5010 maybe has the edge on the climb and steeper jumps but on the descents and through chunk the stability of the Offering wins out.
@@NICADV i would have thought the opposite... I have the following and the ibis mojo 4, on steep and tech descent, more easy with mojo (27,5). The following is an absolut playbike for xc, but i was curieuse with offering
I am looking at the 2023 Transition Smuggler (maybe up the suspension to 140/150) and this Evil Offering. Which one did you like better?
Right off the showroom floor the Evil is a much more capable bike. The Smuggler has a steeper seat tube that is noticeable when climbing but depending on your area/ability the Evil still climbs great. I do prefer the Evils suspension as well. It tracks better and stays more active under braking. I’d got Offering, especially if you’re think about upping the travel on the smuggler.
Great video. Been torn about letting go of my 5010 to build one of these up. Your video is helping to sway me. I do wish it had that frame storage though - never had a bike with it and it seems most riders agree it's nice to have.
Which version of the 5010 do you have? The bigger wheels and more travel help a ton of the steeper and chunkier stuff. That said the SC Hightower and Trek EX compare well to the Evil and do have the inframe storage.
@@NICADV I have an older 5010. Circa 2016-2017. But I kinda love that it's 27.5. I am a smaller dude (5'8" 140lbs) - so it really does live up to the "BMX of mountain bike" title. I can get real playful with it. Moving up to the offering I will be losing some of that, but everything I see is telling me it's one of the most well rounded bikes available today.
@@saysthetedd Nice! I just got the V5 5010. I've been really enjoying the mixed wheel bikes recently. It definitely helps a ton with how playful the bikes feel.
@@NICADVhow do you like the 5010 v5 compared to the following? Which do you think is more playful?
@@arhamrasool43 I’m really liking the 5010 the mixed wheels add a bit to the playfulness. If I did it again I’d probably build the 5010 with a 36 fork
Great review! Appreciate the honest look at a bike that most think is getting long in the tooth. Good is good! I don't even have an Offering, but I have the Calling, Following & Insurgent in the stable and have been hooked on the ride characteristics for over 3 years now. Bleed Black Die EVIL!
Thanks, change for the sake of change isn't always an improvement, at least not for everyone. I would love to see a return of the Calling!
In your video at 11:05, what trail is that? Looks like a really fun feature to hit.
If you're talking about the stump jump, It's up in Bellingham
Hey Nick - how do you feel the Offering LS compared to the Smuggler? Front Range Colorado is home, western slope, Moab, Southern Colorado riding
In stock configuration the Smuggler rides more comparable to the Following. If you set it up 140 rear 150 front you may be able to get similar capability, but the suspension on the Evil does a better job of maintaining traction when braking heavy and over square edges. Overall I preferred the Offering especially for the rockier and hardpack trails like you mention.
@@NICADVappreciate the response, considering you know the areas and I was interested in changing to 150/140 on the smuggler, this makes a ton more sense. thanks again!
On evils website they still show the rear coil deluxe shock.
Have they just not updated there website?
I ride a 22’ insurgent and love the bike !
As far as the Insurgent I know they sometimes offer different builds but once they’re gone, I’m not sure if they’ll be offered again.
Great video! Technical question, how the link on this bike compares to the one on the Santa Cruz? About function and reliability and riding position
As far as function, the Evil suspension does a great job of isolating braking and suspension forces. I noticed a bit more anti rise, climbing with the Santa Cruz 5010 but it didn't seem to be an issue descending. Probably the biggest difference was I felt the Evil to be more progressive, which helped with larger compression and flat landings. For reliability, I love the SC ability to grease the lower bearings and it still feels smooth after a pretty wet winter. I had the Evil Wreckoning for a bit over a year and while I did eventually need to replace two of the smaller bearings It was never noticeable until I removed the shock.
When comparing the Offering LS to the latest 5010, do you feel they are close in terms of playfulness and pop? I have an offering, and run it mullet with a the fork at 160mm and 165mm cranks, but I tempted to switch to the new mullet 5010 for a more jibby ride. Is it worth it?
I think the Offering is possibly the most playful and jibby 140 29ers I’ve ridden. It is more capable than the shorter travel 5010. However, the 5010 being a purpose built mullet and having less travel front and rear is more playful. I cannot attest to the way you have your Offering built but if you’re looking for something to trick and hit steeper jumps then the 5010 is the ticket.
@@NICADV Thanks for the thorough answer, that really helps. It looks like even if there are some advantages to the 5010, it may not be worth the change at this point. I remain hopeful that Evil will release a mullet trail bike in the future, like a mullet Calling. I like Evil's shorter chainstays and was slightly disappointed that the 5010 got longer. Evil seems to be more committed to shorter chainstays. Thanks again.
Second you on the shorter stays, and shorter wheelbases as a whole. Recently got on a V3 Offering and it is the most fun bike Ive ridden.
Would love to see a comparison to a Scor 4060 who seem to have similar philosophy on geo/playfulness
Agreed, the paint jobs and finish quality of the Scor bikes look great. I haven't found a place to demo them and they don't seem to have a ton of support in the US, but I'll keep looking.
Do you think this suspension system is better than Yeti ones?
I do like it more than the previous SB130. I felt the traction was better even on steepest terrain, but that also has to do with the body position which is a combination of geometry and suspension. The need for maintenance has also been low on my Wreckoning. I have not ridden the current SB140 that would now be the direct competitor.
@@NICADVcould you tell me the best way to set up the suspension for the fork and the rear shock please I will appreciate it Btw great video
@@HenryFlores-do5px The best starting setup for that bike is 20% sag up front and 30% sag on the rear. Rebound is based on air pressure and I would run the low speed compression on the back open with the fork in the center position.
@@NICADV thanks man.
Great video buddy. Totally agree it’s a single track thrasher. 😊
Thanks, it’s easily one of the best trail bikes out right now. I don’t think Evil gets enough credit.
Any comparaisons with sc5010?
They are two of my favorite “trail” bikes I rode this year. That said, the Evil Offering is the better all rounder. 5010 maybe has the edge on the climb and steeper jumps but on the descents and through chunk the stability of the Offering wins out.
@@NICADV i would have thought the opposite...
I have the following and the ibis mojo 4, on steep and tech descent, more easy with mojo (27,5).
The following is an absolut playbike for xc, but i was curieuse with offering
@@guipol112 The added travel helps the Offering as does the burlier fork.
That trail (parts of it) looks just like the trail mr Freehub test bikes on…. I am going for an Evil for my next bike 😊
They do a great job. If you need a bike soon they're running some great deals on their website.
I've owned 5 evils absolutely love them
@@HybridFitnessEPTX 🤘
How tall are you?
5’ 11”
Steep climbs!
@@evolusd 😅