Such a sick bike! I was torn between this one and the Forbidden Dreadnought for weeks! Finally decided to go with the Forbidden as they were having a huge end of year sale. But man, If I had the budget, I'd pick this one up too lol. But I'm curious. The HA being 64.2, I feel that's slightly off the avg for these types of bikes. I mean, my 2018 Commencal is 64.5 with "outdated" geo and I defintely feel it's sorta steep in comparing to my YT Capra. How's it feel on this bike?
I think it feels really good. Combined with the tall head tube the body position feels spot on. That said if you run it extra low then its right in line with SC Nomad, Transition Patrol and even V5 Meta SX. If I bought one I'd probably run the angle set, that way I could keep the seat angle steep for climbing.
@@NICADVwhat angle set if you don't mind me asking? Also, do you mean using said angle set in regular low setting? Or in extra low? Thanks in advance.
@@erod6468 Evil sells a Works Components headset 1° or 1.5° right on their website. If I was to get the headset, it would just be to have a better climber. In that case I'd run the bike in the low setting with the 1° option. That would slack it out to 63.2° and keep the seat tube angle at 76.9°.
Cool review- I’ve been interested in this bike, but the super boost has always been a blocker. I’ve got nice wheels that I like to take from bike to bike.
Same here, I loved the Wreckoning but was too cheap to upgrade the wheels for the same reason. I ended up having to rebuild both wheels on that bike and just deal with the popping from the I9 rear hub.
Im going on two years with my insurgent 27.5 and still loving it. I have the grey frame since I bought it before they did the LS updates but still the same bike essentially. BTW I am 6'2 and have the size Large frame. If I had the choice to do it over, I would probably get a medium even at my height and long arms. That being said my reachg/geo is a little more stretched out at (492mm) since I am on the full 27.5 wheels. Just thought I would share since I think we are similar in height if I remember correctly. Still a super agile big travel bike and loves to hit big features/jumps. Its poppy feeling even with the super deluxe coil shock mine came withl, I can't imagine how the LS feels with the SDU air shock!! cheers
Stoked to hear you're enjoying the bike. I am glad I got to try it with the air shock since my Wrecker had the coil. The Delta suspension still had that special feel. Running the 27.5 definitely stretches out the reach. In that case, I would agree with you on the medium.
How does this compare to the offering? I would love the extra travel of the wreckoning but worried about significant difference in climbing efficiency. Thank you
It climbs very nearly as good as the Offering. It’s a bit more upright than the Offering when climbing, but it handles switchbacks well and is efficient enough that I didn’t use the climb switch. The Wreckoning is a fine climber but the climbing position is significantly better on the Insurgent.
@@baileycorona1133 I find it effects traction more than efficiency, but if you want more travel and the mullet setup its going to be at least a bit of a trade off.
Yeah, Evil uses Super Boost hub spacing (12x157) on the rear. They aren't the only company but I'm not sure where the industry is going and not all wheel brands make Super Boost hubs.
Just to be up front I do prefer the Insurgent, but they are both great bikes. I found the Evil to climb slightly better even with the slacker seat tube. Over all it's more maneuverable and playful. The shorter rear end of the size large helped with that as did the higher BB. The Evil suspension did not have any trouble at high speed and worked better in the steeps under heavy braking. My biggest issue was that the BB on the Patrol seemed too low even in the high position. I hope that helps.
The big differences I noticed were the suspension and geometry. Specifically the bb is very low on the Patrol even in the high setting. The head angle on the Insurgent is a little conservative. I thought the Evil suspension did a better job of hugging the ground on tech and in the steeps. Overall, I lean toward the Insurgent.
The only thing i would change on this bike are the breaks. I have those breaks on my banshee spitfire mullet and they suck compared to my XTs on my paradox. I cant figure out how sram can't do breaks right
Interesting fact: the people who designed the Evil rear suspension system are the same team who brought you the 2023 SKYJACK SJ3226
Very interesting 🧐
Such a sick bike! I was torn between this one and the Forbidden Dreadnought for weeks! Finally decided to go with the Forbidden as they were having a huge end of year sale. But man, If I had the budget, I'd pick this one up too lol.
But I'm curious. The HA being 64.2, I feel that's slightly off the avg for these types of bikes. I mean, my 2018 Commencal is 64.5 with "outdated" geo and I defintely feel it's sorta steep in comparing to my YT Capra. How's it feel on this bike?
I think it feels really good. Combined with the tall head tube the body position feels spot on. That said if you run it extra low then its right in line with SC Nomad, Transition Patrol and even V5 Meta SX. If I bought one I'd probably run the angle set, that way I could keep the seat angle steep for climbing.
Shoot, can't blame you for that. The Forbidden Sale was a crazy deal on the Dreadnought builds! Had me looking at em as well
@@NICADVwhat angle set if you don't mind me asking? Also, do you mean using said angle set in regular low setting? Or in extra low? Thanks in advance.
@@erod6468 Evil sells a Works Components headset 1° or 1.5° right on their website.
If I was to get the headset, it would just be to have a better climber. In that case I'd run the bike in the low setting with the 1° option. That would slack it out to 63.2° and keep the seat tube angle at 76.9°.
Cool review- I’ve been interested in this bike, but the super boost has always been a blocker. I’ve got nice wheels that I like to take from bike to bike.
Same here, I loved the Wreckoning but was too cheap to upgrade the wheels for the same reason. I ended up having to rebuild both wheels on that bike and just deal with the popping from the I9 rear hub.
You mentioned you tested a size medium, but would buy a size large. How tall are you and what size or reach numbers do you usually look for in a bike?
5' 11" and generally I like a 475 reach
Im going on two years with my insurgent 27.5 and still loving it. I have the grey frame since I bought it before they did the LS updates but still the same bike essentially. BTW I am 6'2 and have the size Large frame. If I had the choice to do it over, I would probably get a medium even at my height and long arms. That being said my reachg/geo is a little more stretched out at (492mm) since I am on the full 27.5 wheels. Just thought I would share since I think we are similar in height if I remember correctly. Still a super agile big travel bike and loves to hit big features/jumps. Its poppy feeling even with the super deluxe coil shock mine came withl, I can't imagine how the LS feels with the SDU air shock!! cheers
Stoked to hear you're enjoying the bike. I am glad I got to try it with the air shock since my Wrecker had the coil. The Delta suspension still had that special feel. Running the 27.5 definitely stretches out the reach. In that case, I would agree with you on the medium.
Yo nick thanks for the sick review! I think you've taken everything from us now! Maybe new bikes on the way soon! Don't be a stranger!
Thanks dude, you're welcome. I'm excited to see what's to come!
Doesn’t the LS come with an angled headset cup to make the bike more slack already?
Huh, It does look like it comes with the 1° based on the spec sheet. Weird that it's never mentioned otherwise
How does this compare to the offering? I would love the extra travel of the wreckoning but worried about significant difference in climbing efficiency. Thank you
It climbs very nearly as good as the Offering. It’s a bit more upright than the Offering when climbing, but it handles switchbacks well and is efficient enough that I didn’t use the climb switch. The Wreckoning is a fine climber but the climbing position is significantly better on the Insurgent.
@@NICADV oh interesting the smaller back wheel doesn’t hinder its climbing efficiency?
@@baileycorona1133 I find it effects traction more than efficiency, but if you want more travel and the mullet setup its going to be at least a bit of a trade off.
Can you expound on what you mean by the wheels being a headache and incompatible with your next bike?
Yeah, Evil uses Super Boost hub spacing (12x157) on the rear. They aren't the only company but I'm not sure where the industry is going and not all wheel brands make Super Boost hubs.
How dose this compare to the patrol?
Just to be up front I do prefer the Insurgent, but they are both great bikes. I found the Evil to climb slightly better even with the slacker seat tube. Over all it's more maneuverable and playful. The shorter rear end of the size large helped with that as did the higher BB. The Evil suspension did not have any trouble at high speed and worked better in the steeps under heavy braking. My biggest issue was that the BB on the Patrol seemed too low even in the high position. I hope that helps.
Delta links is amazing.... have u try the following ?
Yeah, it a lot of fun. I am hoping to get the LS out for a review soon
How does this compare to the Patrol?
The big differences I noticed were the suspension and geometry. Specifically the bb is very low on the Patrol even in the high setting. The head angle on the Insurgent is a little conservative. I thought the Evil suspension did a better job of hugging the ground on tech and in the steeps. Overall, I lean toward the Insurgent.
The only thing i would change on this bike are the breaks. I have those breaks on my banshee spitfire mullet and they suck compared to my XTs on my paradox. I cant figure out how sram can't do breaks right
I’m also a Shimano brake fan, but I can get along with the Codes.