2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker

Related:
jonkranked
Posts
1197
Joined
5/5/2016
Location
Norristown, PA US
5/15/2026 1:06pm
mscofield4 wrote:

The last time they built a DH bike?

Simcik wrote:
Be so cool to see an Evil DH bike again. When Evil first launched with the Revolt in alloy I think they had quite a few warranty...

Be so cool to see an Evil DH bike again. 

When Evil first launched with the Revolt in alloy I think they had quite a few warranty frames. They replaced all or nearly all. Not sure if material, fabrication, heat treating or what, but I remember a lot of them breaking. That was like 15 years ago, if not longer. 

I think the Undead (the carbon DH bike) were much more reliable. Then they shifted their focus to trail and enduro bikes.

Since then, Sorge and others have ridden their enduro (Wreckoning) bike at Rampage and such without seeing that being an issue. I wouldn't hesitate to buy an Evil today.

IIRC the tolerance stacking in the linkage was poor and led to issues (binding) even on the ones that didn't crack

2
Uncle Cliffy
Posts
390
Joined
3/11/2010
Location
Medford, OR US
5/15/2026 1:52pm Edited Date/Time 5/15/2026 1:53pm
jonkranked wrote:

IIRC the tolerance stacking in the linkage was poor and led to issues (binding) even on the ones that didn't crack

I was patiently in line to get one of these, and a good friend of mine was an outside rep. He excitedly texted me when their shipment came in, and then a couple hours later gave me the bad news. My memory might be off, but I think it was only 1 in every 10 frames that were usable. 

5
rgard
Posts
32
Joined
5/2/2024
Location
pemberton, BC CA
5/15/2026 3:50pm
jonkranked wrote:

integrated angle adjustment IIRC

Yep, I had a Commencal mini-DH back in the day with the same setup. Thanks for posting the infamous photo, I spent way too long looking for it this morning. 

3
owl-x
Posts
906
Joined
3/23/2016
Location
Shell Beach, CA US
5/15/2026 4:02pm

I’m not pro-Evil but dude this is like bringing up the Pinto as a reason not to get a new Ford. 

There may be plenty of relevant and current reasons but this isn’t one.

34
TEAMROBOT
Posts
1426
Joined
9/2/2009
Location
Los Angeles, CA US
Fantasy
5/15/2026 4:11pm Edited Date/Time 5/15/2026 4:11pm
owl-x wrote:
I’m not pro-Evil but dude this is like bringing up the Pinto as a reason not to get a new Ford. There may be plenty of relevant...

I’m not pro-Evil but dude this is like bringing up the Pinto as a reason not to get a new Ford. 

There may be plenty of relevant and current reasons but this isn’t one.

I don't buy Ford because of the Michigan Supreme Court's decision in the 1919 case Dodge v. Ford Motor Company.

37
1
jonkranked
Posts
1197
Joined
5/5/2016
Location
Norristown, PA US
5/15/2026 4:25pm
owl-x wrote:
I’m not pro-Evil but dude this is like bringing up the Pinto as a reason not to get a new Ford. There may be plenty of relevant...

I’m not pro-Evil but dude this is like bringing up the Pinto as a reason not to get a new Ford. 

There may be plenty of relevant and current reasons but this isn’t one.

It's more an explanation of why evil hasn't had a dh bike in their lineup for so long

1
5
5/15/2026 4:35pm
owl-x wrote:
I’m not pro-Evil but dude this is like bringing up the Pinto as a reason not to get a new Ford. There may be plenty of relevant...

I’m not pro-Evil but dude this is like bringing up the Pinto as a reason not to get a new Ford. 

There may be plenty of relevant and current reasons but this isn’t one.

TEAMROBOT wrote:

I don't buy Ford because of the Michigan Supreme Court's decision in the 1919 case Dodge v. Ford Motor Company.

I think a better reason is because Ford was a nazi sympathizer. That said, we have more than likely all owned products from companies with ties to the nazis sadly.

12
15
5/15/2026 5:11pm
Madrone with a DH set up is rad!

Madrone with a DH set up is rad! IMG 2781

I emailed them about 5 weeks ago to see if this was a possibility. They said “watch this space”. Glad to see it’s happening. 

9
Evil96
Posts
817
Joined
8/21/2014
Location
Portogruaro, VE IT
5/15/2026 5:12pm
owl-x wrote:
I’m not pro-Evil but dude this is like bringing up the Pinto as a reason not to get a new Ford. There may be plenty of relevant...

I’m not pro-Evil but dude this is like bringing up the Pinto as a reason not to get a new Ford. 

There may be plenty of relevant and current reasons but this isn’t one.

TEAMROBOT wrote:

I don't buy Ford because of the Michigan Supreme Court's decision in the 1919 case Dodge v. Ford Motor Company.

I think a better reason is because Ford was a nazi sympathizer. That said, we have more than likely all owned products from companies with ties...

I think a better reason is because Ford was a nazi sympathizer. That said, we have more than likely all owned products from companies with ties to the nazis sadly.

So what, this crap doesn’t belong to this thread, or any on this website per se 

1
31
Rob25001
Posts
31
Joined
9/24/2025
Location
Hamilton NZ
5/15/2026 5:18pm
TEAMROBOT wrote:

I don't buy Ford because of the Michigan Supreme Court's decision in the 1919 case Dodge v. Ford Motor Company.

I think a better reason is because Ford was a nazi sympathizer. That said, we have more than likely all owned products from companies with ties...

I think a better reason is because Ford was a nazi sympathizer. That said, we have more than likely all owned products from companies with ties to the nazis sadly.

Evil96 wrote:

So what, this crap doesn’t belong to this thread, or any on this website per se 

Well said. Keep your BS at home where it belongs. 

1
28
5/15/2026 5:21pm
TEAMROBOT wrote:

I don't buy Ford because of the Michigan Supreme Court's decision in the 1919 case Dodge v. Ford Motor Company.

I think a better reason is because Ford was a nazi sympathizer. That said, we have more than likely all owned products from companies with ties...

I think a better reason is because Ford was a nazi sympathizer. That said, we have more than likely all owned products from companies with ties to the nazis sadly.

Evil96 wrote:

So what, this crap doesn’t belong to this thread, or any on this website per se 

Take it easy buddy. I’m not trying to derail the entire conversation but also think it’s allowed to have an aside now and again. There’s plenty of off topic quips that go on in this thread. 

37
1
Rob25001
Posts
31
Joined
9/24/2025
Location
Hamilton NZ
5/15/2026 5:23pm
sspomer wrote:
evil DH bike?

evil DH bike?

evilDHbike.jpg?VersionId=Mrx94WC74RRe9evilDHbike2.jpg?VersionId=rG

I love DH bikes. They make my motor hum like a buzzy bee. I get excited just looking at my DH bike and all silly when I ride it and pretend I’m Asa who makes it look SO easy. 

13
5/15/2026 6:00pm
I think a better reason is because Ford was a nazi sympathizer. That said, we have more than likely all owned products from companies with ties...

I think a better reason is because Ford was a nazi sympathizer. That said, we have more than likely all owned products from companies with ties to the nazis sadly.

Evil96 wrote:

So what, this crap doesn’t belong to this thread, or any on this website per se 

Take it easy buddy. I’m not trying to derail the entire conversation but also think it’s allowed to have an aside now and again. There’s plenty...

Take it easy buddy. I’m not trying to derail the entire conversation but also think it’s allowed to have an aside now and again. There’s plenty of off topic quips that go on in this thread. 

yeah I prefer this to arguing about brake mounting standards tbh

19
2
owl-x
Posts
906
Joined
3/23/2016
Location
Shell Beach, CA US
5/15/2026 7:05pm
owl-x wrote:
I’m not pro-Evil but dude this is like bringing up the Pinto as a reason not to get a new Ford. There may be plenty of relevant...

I’m not pro-Evil but dude this is like bringing up the Pinto as a reason not to get a new Ford. 

There may be plenty of relevant and current reasons but this isn’t one.

TEAMROBOT wrote:

I don't buy Ford because of the Michigan Supreme Court's decision in the 1919 case Dodge v. Ford Motor Company.

Damn dude! I just looked this up and at first glance Ford was the homie for doing something other than maximizing shareholder profits but then I read the next paragraph of the Wikipedia and he was doing that, in part, to squeeze out the dodge bros from using their fordbux to make their competitor brand, so that seem like he’d be a god to the Brinance types oh so smart (usually psychopathic) but then I got very bored and realized that there are no winners in that one and Chevrolets have always been cooler than Fords and/or Dodges. My dad had a NASCAR type character who’d say cool car things and one of them was “I’d rather push my Chevy than drive a Ford” and I will say that the rest of my life for sure

was this not part of a Super Bowl ad campaign a few years ago? 

6
4
owl-x
Posts
906
Joined
3/23/2016
Location
Shell Beach, CA US
5/15/2026 7:07pm
I think a better reason is because Ford was a nazi sympathizer. That said, we have more than likely all owned products from companies with ties...

I think a better reason is because Ford was a nazi sympathizer. That said, we have more than likely all owned products from companies with ties to the nazis sadly.

Evil96 wrote:

So what, this crap doesn’t belong to this thread, or any on this website per se 

Rob25001 wrote:

Well said. Keep your BS at home where it belongs. 

Cybertruckers revealed!

18
6
5/15/2026 7:08pm
owl-x wrote:
I’m not pro-Evil but dude this is like bringing up the Pinto as a reason not to get a new Ford. There may be plenty of relevant...

I’m not pro-Evil but dude this is like bringing up the Pinto as a reason not to get a new Ford. 

There may be plenty of relevant and current reasons but this isn’t one.

TEAMROBOT wrote:

I don't buy Ford because of the Michigan Supreme Court's decision in the 1919 case Dodge v. Ford Motor Company.

owl-x wrote:
Damn dude! I just looked this up and at first glance Ford was the homie for doing something other than maximizing shareholder profits but then I...

Damn dude! I just looked this up and at first glance Ford was the homie for doing something other than maximizing shareholder profits but then I read the next paragraph of the Wikipedia and he was doing that, in part, to squeeze out the dodge bros from using their fordbux to make their competitor brand, so that seem like he’d be a god to the Brinance types oh so smart (usually psychopathic) but then I got very bored and realized that there are no winners in that one and Chevrolets have always been cooler than Fords and/or Dodges. My dad had a NASCAR type character who’d say cool car things and one of them was “I’d rather push my Chevy than drive a Ford” and I will say that the rest of my life for sure

was this not part of a Super Bowl ad campaign a few years ago? 

nah I feel like Ford doing stuff that would help the working class cancels out that they were trying to screw the dodge brothers over

4
3
Primoz
Posts
4588
Joined
8/1/2009
Location
SI
5/15/2026 11:08pm Edited Date/Time 5/15/2026 11:10pm
mscofield4 wrote:

The last time they built a DH bike?

Simcik wrote:
Be so cool to see an Evil DH bike again. When Evil first launched with the Revolt in alloy I think they had quite a few warranty...

Be so cool to see an Evil DH bike again. 

When Evil first launched with the Revolt in alloy I think they had quite a few warranty frames. They replaced all or nearly all. Not sure if material, fabrication, heat treating or what, but I remember a lot of them breaking. That was like 15 years ago, if not longer. 

I think the Undead (the carbon DH bike) were much more reliable. Then they shifted their focus to trail and enduro bikes.

Since then, Sorge and others have ridden their enduro (Wreckoning) bike at Rampage and such without seeing that being an issue. I wouldn't hesitate to buy an Evil today.

This might help with placing it in history Smile

14
Znarf
Posts
30
Joined
4/30/2013
Location
DE
5/15/2026 11:28pm
owl-x wrote:
I’m not pro-Evil but dude this is like bringing up the Pinto as a reason not to get a new Ford. There may be plenty of relevant...

I’m not pro-Evil but dude this is like bringing up the Pinto as a reason not to get a new Ford. 

There may be plenty of relevant and current reasons but this isn’t one.

TEAMROBOT wrote:

I don't buy Ford because of the Michigan Supreme Court's decision in the 1919 case Dodge v. Ford Motor Company.

Didn‘t know that one, looked it up and man, that will give me (as a European) something to ponder for a couple of days. Especially in this economy and regarding the purchase of bike parts Smile

And yes, I find this very bike-relevant, even though it touches on politics. 

Taiwan being relevant for many of the parts in this thread, companies producing/buying there solely, could be facing serious challenges. Or not. 

I am very curious for the Tallboy on monday and also pondering the question, if Santa Cruz is still an american company or a european one, because of PON holding? ;-)

4
1
5/16/2026 5:27am

Wait till you hear about Volkswagen! 

19
2
boozed
Posts
677
Joined
6/11/2019
Location
AU
5/16/2026 5:54am

Wait till you hear about Volkswagen! 

Today I looked for some replacement floor mats for my Japanese car and found one manufacturer that puts little Imperial Japanese flags on them.  I wondered what they do if you own a Volkswagen.

6
1
ballz
Posts
498
Joined
7/30/2024
Location
Ouagadougou EH
5/16/2026 7:29am

Wait till you hear about Volkswagen! 

boozed wrote:
Today I looked for some replacement floor mats for my Japanese car and found one manufacturer that puts little Imperial Japanese flags on them.  I wondered...

Today I looked for some replacement floor mats for my Japanese car and found one manufacturer that puts little Imperial Japanese flags on them.  I wondered what they do if you own a Volkswagen.

Totenkopf

Big Bird
Posts
2304
Joined
2/1/2011
Location
Oceano, CA US
5/16/2026 8:44am

Remember the good old days when we talked about bikes on here?

53
1
boozed
Posts
677
Joined
6/11/2019
Location
AU
5/16/2026 3:55pm
Big Bird wrote:

Remember the good old days when we talked about bikes on here?

You mean chainstays?

37
metadave
Posts
1249
Joined
2/15/2016
Location
Revelstoke, BC CA
Fantasy
5/16/2026 4:05pm

Crab talk. 

12
5/16/2026 5:11pm Edited Date/Time 5/16/2026 5:11pm

From what Evil have said (Jason Moeschler) it’s not a DH dedicated bike - there just isn’t the market for them, it’ll be the new Wreckoning but it’s not going to be out anytime soon… so he says.. he’s on instagram as evil.bikes.smooth.operator and answers questions every Friday in his stories. This bike was in it this week. 

14
onxx
Posts
24
Joined
6/24/2025
Location
Laguna Beach, CA US
5/16/2026 5:24pm Edited Date/Time 5/16/2026 5:28pm

Zerode are launching a new frameset, looks like two travel variants, 160 and 140mm. Shadow and Shadow Trail. 450mm chainstays on the large too. Internal frame storage too. Curious what the kinematics are. Looks pretty cool imo!

 

https://zerodebikes.com/products/shadow-origin

Screenshot 2026-05-16 172726
Shadow Origin

Rob continues his streak of only launching bikes like a month or two after I buy something else...

19
5/16/2026 6:07pm Edited Date/Time 5/16/2026 6:07pm

These were launched a month ago, although sounds like delays on deliveries.

3

Post a reply to: 2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker

The Latest