Markellis Posted January 31, 2019 Posted January 31, 2019 It's that wonderful time in life again when the stars and moon align and I get to buy a new bike. I have been on some form of Spez for the last 10 years or so and want something different. So with that being said,are any of the Evil the Following owners using them for marathon and stage races or are they too trail/enduro oriented? I am worried about its climbing abily. I'm a large guy, weigh jumps between 90-96kg I think it's one of the best looking MTB's around but don't want to purchase for looks alone Thanks
Odinson Posted January 31, 2019 Posted January 31, 2019 The MB version? The Following is a bit more of a shredder, but if you've got the legs, I can't see why you couldn't knock out big miles on her.
Markellis Posted January 31, 2019 Author Posted January 31, 2019 Yeah the MB version, does Evil make anything for marathon type riding?
Bizkit031 Posted January 31, 2019 Posted January 31, 2019 Yeah the MB version, does Evil make anything for marathon type riding? No they don’t but IMO that thing will shred the living daylights out of everything up and down.
Grease_Monkey Posted January 31, 2019 Posted January 31, 2019 I ride one, and it can no doubt do it - but that's not what it is made for. It wants steep chunky rough stuff and wants to play. Evil - the brand is just not at all into the marathon game. So for me, even though I love mine, I would not use it for marathon. If you have that sorta dosh to spend on a new bike I's be looking at the Intense Sniper trail. Also 120mm, but more marathon oriented with some trail geo mixed in.
Yo-Yo Posted January 31, 2019 Posted January 31, 2019 I ride one, and it can no doubt do it - but that's not what it is made for. It wants steep chunky rough stuff and wants to play. Evil - the brand is just not at all into the marathon game. So for me, even though I love mine, I would not use it for marathon. If you have that sorta dosh to spend on a new bike I's be looking at the Intense Sniper trail. Also 120mm, but more marathon oriented with some trail geo mixed in. Maybe Intense Primer or a Norco Optic? Maybe even some thing from Ibis like a Ripley? If you're racing and looking to ride in that environment then I'd say there are better weapons to get the job done and still have more of a trail charging angle. There are people who do ride them and well in stage events but it's not the DNA of that bike. If anything it's a great bike for enduro races on the trails we have here. Even some of the new PYGA offerings look like they could be a great mix of speed, distance and fun.
ABrooks Posted January 31, 2019 Posted January 31, 2019 I don't want to derail the thread, but I am also looking for something that is a bit better suited for trail riding than a 100mm xc-bike, but I still want to be able to do longer rides as well if I want to, for instance the K2C or some other 100km+ race. I am not chasing for the best time possible, but I don't want to ride at a snails pace either. I can only have one bike so I am looking for a do-it-all machine although I know there is no such bike.
Grease_Monkey Posted January 31, 2019 Posted January 31, 2019 Closest bikes to do it all in my opinion: - New Giant Trance 29- Evil The Following MB- Intense Sniper Trail or Primer- Scott Spark (non RC version)- Yeti SB100- Specialized Stumpy ST or Camber (no longer made)- And a slew of other boutique offerings Basically any of the newer 120/130mm travel and a select few 100mm travel bikes will be able to take on anything SA trails can throw at them and comfortably do 100km days. There are options like the Santa Cruz Blur, Spaz Epic Evo, Yeti SB100, and Instense Sniper that are more marathon focused, but can do trail riding too. Whether you fo for one of those or something in the 120/130mm range will depend on whether you are a marathon guy that also want to do trails, or a trail rider that also wants to do marathon. It's a good time to be in the market for a new bike.
Christie Posted February 1, 2019 Posted February 1, 2019 Exciting times, shopping for a new bike! Also, good on you for wanting to try a different brand. How about a modern trail bike with adjustable geometry? Im thinking of a Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt, or Canyon Strive? https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2019-Canyon-Strive_carbon-Shapeshifter-150mm-enduro-29er-all-mountain-bike_Shapeshifter-adjustable-suspension-geometry-anime.gif The challenge of trail vs marathon with one bike is that a bike position optimized for descending is more upright (short stem, streight dropper post) than that for XCM (more aero flatter back, possibly setback post and longer stem).
splat Posted February 1, 2019 Posted February 1, 2019 Closest bikes to do it all in my opinion (and mine): - New Giant Trance 29- Evil The Following MB- Intense Sniper Trail or Primer- Scott Spark (non RC version)- Yeti SB100- Specialized Stumpy ST or Camber (no longer made) or Epic Evo- And a slew of other boutique offerings - Pivot Trail 429 - Santa Cruz Tallboy (or even a High Tower ?)- Trek Fuel EX- Scott Spark (not the RC version)- Transition smuggler- Something from Niner- Canyon Neuron - Orbea Occam or Oiz (not sure if they are available here)- BH Lynx 5 (not sure if they are available here)- Pyga Stage (Mini Max or Max)It's a good time to be in the market for a new bike. added a few more from my 'Lotto List'
Delarey Posted February 1, 2019 Posted February 1, 2019 It's that wonderful time in life again when the stars and moon align and I get to buy a new bike. I have been on some form of Spez for the last 10 years or so and want something different. So with that being said,are any of the Evil the Following owners using them for marathon and stage races or are they too trail/enduro oriented? I am worried about its climbing abily. I'm a large guy, weigh jumps between 90-96kg I think it's one of the best looking MTB's around but don't want to purchase for looks alone ThanksI did The U with my V1 last year and it was brilliant. I am an even bigger guy (around 109kg) and I was very impressed at well it climbs. I had a SC Tallboy 1 before that and on some of my very first training rides I was beating my PB's on climbs without even trying. I expected it to be fast downhill, but never would have thought that it would climb better than the Tallboy! I did 4 W2W on that Tallboy and for me the Following ticks all the boxes. Disclaimer: I am obviously not a racing snake so not sure if my experience translates equally if you are pushing for podiums.
dirtypot Posted February 1, 2019 Posted February 1, 2019 What are you going to be doing more of - marathon races or weekend fun rides? I'd always get the bike which is more suited for the riding which you're doing most of. In a marathon race who really cares if you come in 258th or 327th? I'd recommend the Following wholeheartedly for a regular everyday bike. it may not climb like an Epic, but I'd take that for the gains you get when you point it downwards.
ABrooks Posted February 1, 2019 Posted February 1, 2019 Thanks for the info. I will be buying second hand so I will see what pops up in the classifieds. I ride quite a bit of singletrack ie. Jonkershoek & Eden, but if I need to I want to be able to do a 100km race. The Trek Fuel Ex bikes seems like the perfect do-it-all bike or even the Camber.
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