Evil Offering Review
Ever since Evil released the Offering, the American brand’s portfolio has left nothing to be desired! Evil now has a suitable bike for every type of rider. We reveal why the new Offering will be the best choice for most riders.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best trail bike you can buy
Evil’s brand new Offering not only fits perfectly into the line-up visually, but it also slots nicely in the gap between the Following MB trail bike, and its enduro targeted machine, the Wreckoning LB. The bike offers 140 mm travel and 29″ wheels and as is typical for Evil, is available in different build kits, with different shock options. The bike we tested, with an X01 drivetrain and a FOX DPX2 shock, is available for a hefty € 8,274 – but you’ll get only the best components. SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain? Check! FOX Factory suspension? Check! E13 TRS Race carbon wheels? Check! 170 mm RockShox Reverb dropper seatpost? Double Check! Our only point of criticism was the weak SRAM Guide brakes paired with relatively small 180 mm rotors.
The Evil Offering in detail
Fork FOX 36 FLOAT Factory (Serie RockShox PIKE RCT3) 150 mm
Schock FOX DPX2 Factory 140 mm
Brakes SRAM Guide RSC 180/180
Drivetrain SRAM X01 Eagle
Seatpost RockShox Reverb Stealth 170 mm
Stem Race Face Turbine 40 mm
Handlebar Race Face Next R 780 mm
Wheelset E*thirteen TRS Race Carbon
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF/DHR II
Weight 13.22 kg
Price € 8,049
The rear linkage of the Offering features a flip-chip with which you can adjust the geometry from low to x-low. For everyday trail riding, the higher setting is best. In our opinion, super-slack is useful only in bike parks.
The Offering’s rear linkage is well protected, effectively suppressing chain slap. A quiet bike is a good bike, and the Offering is very quiet!
Almost all bikes now have internally routed brake lines. The Offering is a positive exception, the externally routed hoses make maintenance a lot easier and help spare your nerves.
The 170 mm RockShox Reverb dropper seatpost gives you maximum freedom of movement on the downhills. However, riders with short legs should check if it’s too long before buying and switch to a 150 mm model if necessary.
Geometry of the Evil Offering
As you’d expect from Evil, the Offering features Dave Weagle’s Delta System rear linkage and a superb finish. You’ll find high-quality plastic protectors at all the critical points as well as a specially developed chain guide. New for Evil is the longer reach compared to the rest of the range (477 mm in size L) and the significantly steeper seat tube angle of 76° (in the steeper of the two geometry settings).
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 381 mm | 432 mm | 470 mm | 508 mm |
| Top tube | 588 mm | 611 mm | 633 mm | 655 mm |
| Head tube | 104 mm | 114 mm | 124 mm | 134 mm |
| Head angle (X-Low/Low) | 65.6°/66.2° | 65.6°/66.2° | 65.6°/66.2° | 65.6°/66.2° |
| Seat angle (X-Low/Low) | 75°/76° | 75°/76° | 75°/76° | 75°/76° |
| Chainstay (X-Low/Low) | 432/430 mm | 432/430 mm | 432/430 mm | 432/430 mm |
| BB Height (X-Low/Low) | 338/346 mm | 338/346 mm | 338/346 mm | 338/346 mm |
| Wheelbase (X-Low/Low) | 1184/1180 mm | 1209/1205 mm | 1233/1229 mm | 1257/1253 mm |
| Reach | 437 mm | 457 mm | 477 mm | 497 mm |
| Stack | 615 mm | 623 mm | 633 mm | 643 mm |
The Evil Offering on the trail
The steep seat tube angle and the long reach are noticeable as soon as you get on the bike. Your riding position on the bike is comfortably central. On the climbs, the rear linkage remains unaffected by pedal-bob while providing a lot of traction. More often than not we saved ourselves the trouble of reaching for the shock adjustment lever – the Offering climbs well enough without it. However, the focus is clearly on traction and comfort rather than maximum efficiency. The Offering will take its rider to the top of every trailhead with ease and is a lot of fun on long rides too, though it won’t even try to win a sprint to the finish. The rider’s position on the bike feels very integrated “into” the bike, the long reach seemingly framing the rider.
Where is the limit? Das Bike kann garantiert mehr als du!
Paired with the excellent suspension and large wheels you almost feel indestructible. In turn, the Offering is fast, even in the most challenging terrain. The rear linkage is very sensitive with great mid-stroke support. It soaks up irregularities but still provides enough feedback and support for spontaneous jumps and quick direction changes. Despite the increased reach, the balance is excellent and the Offering is very stable and easy to ride. On tight sections, the bike will require you to muscle it around a bit, but changing direction is easy and direct in most scenarios. Beware: flat, easy trails bore this bike, with it feeling a bit sluggish in mellow terrain.
Conclusion
The Evil Offering is the new star in the American brand’s line-up. The bike is extremely versatile, cutting a fine figure both climbing and descending on a wide variety of trails. It’s the perfect mix of a fun trail bike and a potent enduro bike. If you’re looking for maximum propulsion, however, you will find more agile and sprightly bikes. Descending, the brakes significantly dampen the fun – an upgrade should be considered.
Tops
- rear linkage performs excellently on the climbs and descents
- very comfortable
- confidence inspiring
Flops
- brakes not up to par
- slow to get going
Uphill
Downhill
Stability
Agility
Value for money
More info at: evil-bikes.com
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best trail bike you can buy
All bikes in test: Canyon Spectral CF 9.0 LTD | Evil Offering X01 | Giant Trance Advanced Pro 29 | Ibis Ripmo | Pivot Mach 5.5 Pro XT | Propain Hugene Highend | Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt BC Edition | Santa Cruz Bronson CC X01+ | Scott Genius 900 Ultimate | Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper 29 | Transition Sentinel X01 | Trek Remedy 9.9 | YT Jeffsy 29 CF Pro Race