Evil Following / GX I9 Hydra
- Price: $6,299
- Category: Off-road bike
- Frame: Carbon
- Gears: 1×12
- Tires: 29 “x2.5”
What we like about it: The UD Carbon’s lightweight body with 120mm fork travel provides an exciting and explosive ride for your cyclocross races.
What we don’t like about it: The more expensive price set.
Rating: (4.7/5)
Introduction
A good ride is crucial if you are skilled in the cross country good ride is crucial if you are skilled in off-road racing and eager to conquer various sharp descending winding trails with amazing achievements. So the protagonist of today’s presentation – Evil Following / GX I9 Hydra may be able to give you the perfect answer.
“Evil Following is a crazy goat,” is Mike’s best impression of it. 29 inches of standard equipment gives it an extremely strong grip that can handle raised rocks and branches, and the UD carbon exterior is light and strong enough to absorb the damage caused by bumps in the descent.
The UD carbon exterior is light and strong enough to absorb the damage caused by bumps and bumps as you descend. Even on winding trails, the RockShox will not let you down. 120mm of fork travel provides a comfortable and exciting climbing experience.
We have two months of experience measuring Evil Following. To make the results even more informative for you, we’ll elaborate on Evil Following’s performance, key features, components, and specifications while riding. Other versions of the series are also available. If you want to know more about Evil versions, please refer to our review.
Climbing
In fact, as a full suspension bike, the strength of the damping ability may also be an important factor in its ability to appeal to you. The presence of the RockShox Pike Ultimate Charger 2 RC2 is a good example of how strong the damping is. It reduces the vibration that threatens you while eliminating the thumping sound of collisions with the mountain, fork squeezing back and forth between 120mm of travel to present you with a perfect climbing experience.
Silver Star Bike Park
The location we chose for our test was Silver Star Bike Park, known for its fast-flowing trails. A thorny mountain road with a 30° gradient was what we had to conquer this time.
I have to admit that the UD carbon body material is a more adaptable presence than the OCLV series. Even though it flies through most of the depressed loamy ground uphill, it shakes as much as I can accept. I didn’t feel the familiar soreness and numbness as expected.
Perhaps the RockShox Deluxe Ultimate RCT is to blame for that as well. Combined with the tighter compression of the Debonair springs, a lot of the shock from the ground was eliminated between one up and one down.
If you ask me how to maintain a winning speed in xc racing, I’ll tell you: the Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR is my secret weapon. 29-inch tires provide the ultimate stability while maintaining fast rotation, or you can choose 27.5-inch tires for gravelly singletrack trails, but that means more effort. But that means more effort.
I have to admit that I didn’t exert much effort on the 2km uphill, perhaps due to the confidence that comes from Evil Following’s well-designed geometry. The aggressive seat tube angle (77°) allowed me to maintain a comfortable seating position.
I didn’t have to worry about losing control of my front wheel due to road lean, and the extremely low center of gravity allowed me to maintain absolute leadership of the body.
Descending
A quote once stated, “Every great ascent inevitably brings an excruciatingly painful descent.” In my opinion, the Evil Following is not a validator of that statement. You may be concerned that the wide, thick Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR will create drag on the descent.
But multiple descents tell you otherwise. with an inline shock like the V1 Follow, Evil has taken some weight off. The stiffer Super-Boost rear end and 157mm wheels save additional weight. Thus a relative balance in body weight composition has been achieved.
And of course, you can’t ignore the 120mm fork travel to help you on the way down. Although, in my opinion, the Evil Following can be increased in the next upgrade. This is something that could perhaps be learned from the Evil offering v1 to get a more stable body with more travel.
In terms of drivetrain, the Evil Following still follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the SRAM GX Eagle, which didn’t particularly surprise me, but that’s not to say I didn’t like it. The GX Eagle series is the middle of the road between the X01 and the xx1.
It doesn’t bring the extra weight but still delivers strong power delivery. If you don’t mind, you can still upgrade to a Bluetooth drivetrain and save yourself the visual fatigue of unnecessary cables.
Mountain Forest Riding
Of course, mountain travel inevitably requires us to deal with the sudden appearance of rocks and obstacles. This obstruction is often a moment in our vision. There was a fallen acacia tree in front of me, and thanks to the hydraulic discs fitted to the Evil Following I was able to get an emergency brake in the first place.
I didn’t have to exert as much force as the mechanical discs to stop the Evil Following’s progress, and I stopped moving for just a moment, even though the tree was only 30 centimeters away from the front tire.
Main Features
Frame-Evil Following
I have to admit that the color is one of the things that need to be changed on the Evil Following. Currently, the only colors available are blackout drunk and protein powder. This may not be good news for people who love bright colors.
In addition, the UD carbon frame is the object of many cyclists’ passion. It is strong and at the same time, greatly enriches the extensibility of Evil Following. Also, like other premium mountain bikes, internal cable routing greatly improves the annoying problem of tangled cables due to bumps. The integrated rails will give you a more agile and faster transfer experience.
Of course, you can also install special water bottles and mudguards on top of the Evil Following body to suit your needs. If your goal is endurance racing, this may not be a good choice.
Geometry-Evil Following
With a hellish pedigree, the Evil Following is also supported by an extremely exciting geometry. This is also one of the goals that many off-road enthusiasts are looking for.
As we all know, the length of the seat tube affects the maximum and minimum height of the rider, and Evil Following is a more diverse choice that takes into account the size of different people. I chose the medium model for my size, and the 432mm adjustable length is more than enough for me.
At the same time, as I mentioned above, the extreme seat tube angle (77°) allows Evil Following to provide a comfortable seating experience and better weight distribution while climbing. Of course, as compensation, Evil Following has adopted a conservative strategy in the choice of head tube (67.9°), also to provide a better downhill experience.
Of course, the longer front center is one of Evil Following’s selling points, and the 768mm length ensures that you offset the tendency to lean forward over bumps and hard braking. The geometry, which is an excellent stealth configuration, also gives the Evil Following extremely good off-road talent.
Components and Specifications
SRAM GX Eagle, 12sp Drivetrain-Evil Following
The presence of the drivetrain can be described as the bike’s guardian. It provides a constant flow of energy and power to the Evil Following. Of course, SARM is also one of the most popular and trusted brands in my market. Unlike Shimano’s versatile features, SARM is the absolute master of the mountain field.
1×12 speed
The 1×12 speed configuration is the consistent choice of many mountain bikes. You don’t have to worry about having a wide range of speeds to choose from, the 12-speed gear configuration can present you with a great riding experience.
All you need to do is rotate the derailleur with one hand for a silky smooth, fast shift. Not only that, but the GX also has a lighter organization than other models. Knowing how mountain bikes run, the lighter the gear can give you less stress when climbing.
At the same time, the SRAM GX Eagle is equipped with a strong and tough shell that is not only low on fuel consumption and easy to maintain but also maintains a high level of traction and durability to maintain a high life expectancy.
If your goal is the rising section of the xc race, then I believe the GX Eagle will give you the ultimate riding experience. Not only that, but if you are a big World Cup enduro spectator, you can also swap the GX for an AXS or XO1. Don’t forget that the component optionality is also a big selling point for the Evil Following.
lTRP DH-R Evo Hydraulic Disc Brake-Evil Following
Perhaps mechanical brakes must be a thing of the past for many cyclists, replaced by a more responsive and faster hydraulic disc brake.
Evil’s original hydraulic disc brake lTRP DH-R Evo has a highly polished gold finish that better meets the demands of consumers looking for a stylish carbon bike aesthetic. 9mm internal brake levers and internal lightweight pistons with 5mm brake lines are the sources of Evil Following’s confidence.
Not only that, but it requires only a light squeeze for quick braking. You don’t need to exert much effort in this process. In riding, facing a sudden obstacle relies not only on the rider’s quick reflexes alone but also on the hydraulic discs to provide quick emergency braking. In last week’s challenge, the lTRP DH-R Evo gave me the most reliable braking experience.
RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Fork-Evil Following
I have to admit it: the RockShox Lyrik Ultimate is the most central part of the Evil Following upgrade. As the most important component of the shock-absorbing fork, the RockShox Lyrik Ultimate
It can give the most secure and stable riding feeling. But to be honest, the 120mm fork diameter with the top configuration, together with our old friend Charger 2.1 RC2 dampers, independent high-speed and low-speed adjustment eliminates the lack of bumps. Also, the dropper under the seat post is a great killer for clearing bumps.
On bumpy, rough ascents, I’d hardly say they caused me great bruising and soreness for the bumping of the road’s yellow rocks. On the contrary, I enjoyed the rhythm. But only if it didn’t come at the cost of bouts of soreness in my arms the next day, something I had great confidence in with the RockShox Lyrik Ultimate.
Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR Tires-Evil Following
The Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR is another surprise for me from Evil Following. 29×2.5″ size configuration allows you to go up and down with no fear of debris and dead branches. The tread design cleverly balances rolling speed with braking and cornering traction for your riding needs on local trails, enduro races, and world-class downhill races.
Of course, some people may not like the thicker feel that comes with the 29ger, and perhaps the 27,5ger is their favorite. There is nothing wrong with that. So perhaps the choice of tires could be the next direction of change for Evil Following.
Dropper
We have to admit that 120m fork travel is perhaps not the top of the range for the evil range of configurations. After all, the Evil offering v series will even reach a very high travel number of 160mm. This is something that Evil Following may need to improve on.
But you should also note that the design of our Evil Following dropper counteracts most of the jittery feeling. In my size (other models have different strokes), the stroke count of the m model offsets the bumpy feeling of a rough ride. In last weekend’s friendly race, Tom and I started from the base of the mountain together.
Tom’s bike doesn’t have a dropper design, so it took more bumps than I did. That’s the main reason I was able to win.
Rear Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate – Evil Following
Of course, do you think that’s all the damping you’ll get from the Evil Following? The design of the RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate is also its core highlight.
As a follower, the Trunnion 205×65 size is a revolutionary change. It largely reduces the violent shuddering of the rear wheel from encountering bumpy mountainous roads. The rear shock absorber is driven by double-row angular contact bearings, making it feel butter-smooth at the top.
The black finish is the same as the Evil Following, making it easier to maintain and care for. Don’t worry about bumpy rear wheels due to gravel-laden singletrack issues with the RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate, it’s a perfect piece that we’ve designed for two weeks to prepare you for mountain racing.
Testing Of The Other Evil Following Series Versions
In the spirit of objectivity and rigor, we hope you can have more choices in this series. We have measured other versions of the Evil Following series, including the Evil Offering / GX I9 Hydra so that you can better choose the model of your choice.
To be honest, the two share a lot of similarities in many ways. This includes the 29ger’s wide tires, as well as the ultra-highly configurable RockShox Lyrik Ultimate and drivetrain options. You’ll be hard-pressed to spot the differences in terms of overall appearance.
But it’s also important to realize that Evil Offering has made a range of fork upgrades. 140mm of extra travel with 150mm of Debonair travel allows for a more stable and compact feel than Evil Following. 42mm of fork offset results in less offset, and what does that do?
We found that it also means that you have a very sensitive power in mastering the steering of the body. You also can turn more aggressively in sharp corners. If you’re an off-road veteran, I’m sure the Evil Offering / GX I9 Hydra will give you a better idea of the subtle differences.
FAQs
- What is the price of the Evil Following?
The price of the Evil Following is $6299.
- What is the body material of the Evil Following?
The Evil Following is made of carbon.
- What is the fork model of Evil Following?
Evil Following’s fork model is RockShox Pike Ultimate.
- What is the wheel size of Evil Following?
The wheel size of Evil Following is 29″.
| S | M | L | XL |
| 5’3 | 5’6 | 5’10 | 6’2 |
Spaces
| Bike | Evil Following / GX I9 Hydra |
| Frame | Following 120 mm travel, UD carbon fiber, full internal alignment, SB+ 157, integrated chain guide, threaded BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, threaded |
| Fork | RockShox Pike Ultimate Charger 2 RC2, Debonair 130 mm travel, 51 mm offset |
| Rear Shock | RockShox Deluxe Ultimate RCT Debonair, Trunion 165×45, ML1 380 2 Token |
| Bottom bracket | 73mm thread |
| Headphones | Cane Creek 40 Series ZS Integrated Tapered Headphones – Earcups: ZS44/28.6 (top) and ZS62/40 (bottom), Bearings: 36° x 45° – 41mm (top) and 36° x 45° – 52mm (bottom) ZN40 Zinc Coated, Crown Race: 28.6mm x 36° Integrated (top) and 40mm x 36° Press Fit (bottom) |
| Dry | Evil 12 Spec, Length: 45mm |
| Handlebars | Evil Boomstick 7075 alloy, swept back: 8°, swept up: 5° Clamp: 35mm, rise: 35mm, width: 810mm |
| OIZ | WTB Volt medium (142mm) wide Chromium-molybdenum saddle |
| Seatpost | Bike Yoke Revive，S：125mm，M：160mm，L：185mm，XL：213mm |
| Grip | Wicked Palmela Handerson locking |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle，12sp |
| Front Derailleur | Single ring only |
| Crank | SRAM GX Eagle DUB，SUPERBOOST+，170mm，Direct Install 32t，56.5mm Chainline，Lunar |
| Shifter | SRAM GX Eagle，12sp |
| Cassette | SRAM XG-1275 Eagle, 10-52T:10,12,14,16,18,21,24,28,32,36,42,52 |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle with Powerlock |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
| Rim | 120mm |
| Tires | Front：Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR，29×2.5，Rear：Maxxis Minion DHR EXO TR，29×2.3 |
Video
What do we like about it?
- 120mm of high travel plus a dropper design in the rear seat to maintain the ultimate stability.
- Superb traction under the SRAM GX Eagle and silky smooth shifting.
- The 29ger tires provide fast stability and will also resist punctures.
- A choice of drivetrain configuration to suit the terrain according to preference.
- 42mm fork offset for more responsive body steering.
What do we don’t like about it?
- Rare color design.
- Expensive component specifications, for some people, may not be able to afford.
Comparison Table
| BIKE | PRICE | TIRES | DRIVETRAIN | Click View |
| Niner RIP 9 RDO 27.5 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE | $6199 | 27.5”x2.5“ | SRAM GX EAGLE,12 | Click View |
| Ibis Ripmo GX | $6115 | 29“x2.5” | SRAM GX Eagle,12 | Click View |
| Trek Fuel EX 9.8 GX AXS Gen 5 | $7499 | 29″x2.6″ | SRAM GX Eagle, 12 | Click view |
| Evil Offering / X01 I9 Hydra | $3999 | Front：29“x2.5” Rear 29“x2.3” | SRAM X01 Eagle,12 | Click View |
Evil Following / GX I9 Hydra vs Niner RIP 9 RDO 27.5 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE
The Niner RIP 9 RDO 27.5 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE may not be for mountain bikers who are chasing big tires. Because its maximum tire size is only 27.5″, which doesn’t fit the mountain bike habit. So that also means it might not be that fast to add to the speed. In our test, the Niner RIP 9 RDO 27.5 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE is around 26mph, so it’s hard to have an impressive performance in terms of speed.
But what you lose is what you gain. The number of fork strokes is one of the best in the mountain bike world (150mm front and 140mm rear). This is an even better performance than the Evil Following, maintaining ultimate stability even on bumpy and rough flowing trails. Of course, if you are looking for ultimate stability, I still recommend the Niner RIP 9 RDO 27.5 3-STAR SRAM GX EAGLE.
Learn more : Is Niner RIP 9 RDO 29 5-STAR SRAM X01 AXS LTD – X2 SHOCK Splendid? – [Review]
Evil Following / GX I9 Hydra vs Ibis Ripmo GX
The Ibis Ripmo GX is the ultimate stability maintainer. The 150mm front fork plus 147mm in the rear allows it to beat any other mountain bike’s fork travel count, making it a very efficient climber. This is also reflected in the Ibis Ripmo GX’s geometry in the setup. It can maintain a steeper angle to reduce traction on uphill climbs and maintain a comfortable seating position.
Of course, the GX’s drivetrain may not be of much concern to you. If your goal is to race xc off-road next, then you can also swap out the Ibis Ripmo GX’s GX drivetrain for an XX1 setup. The titanium hardware and carbon outer pulley cage will save weight. But it also means you’ll have to spend more money.
Learn More: Ibis Ripmo GX Review – Taking You Off-road
Evil Following / GX I9 Hydra vs Trek Fuel EX 9.8 GX AXS Gen 5
It’s safe to say the Trek Fuel EX 9.8 GX AXS Gen 5 has a heavier body, which we measured at 29.1 pounds. The Trek Fuel EX 9.8 GX AXS Gen 5 might be a bit of a challenge if you encounter an impassable roadblock.
But surprisingly, the Trek Fuel EX 9.8 GX AXS Gen 5’s drivetrain has received a major upgrade. It eschews a traditional cable drivetrain in favor of an electronic Bluetooth drivetrain that’s as tech-savvy as it is advanced. If you don’t want to have countless cables in front of you, Trek Fuel EX 9.8 GX AXS Gen 5 is a great way to try it out.
Not only that but the Trek Fuel EX 9.8 GX AXS Gen 5’s tires were chosen with most audiences in mind. Instead of just a 29ger tire, you can choose a smaller 27.5ger tire size. This also means you have the option of a more responsive body.
I believe the Trek Fuel EX 9.8 GX AXS Gen 5 is a perfect product that will provide a perfect riding experience. But you’ll also have to pay $7,499 for it. That’s a lot of money for your wallet.
Learn More: Trek Fuel EX 9.8 GX Review-How did The Trek Fuel 9.8 GX Become The Perfect Full-Suspension Trail Bike?
Evil Following / GX I9 Hydra vs Evil Offering / X01 I9 Hydra
Many people will argue about the superiority of the x01 and GX drivetrains. I believe this review may give you a more satisfactory answer. The GX drivetrain used in the Evil Following has been tested by us and the Xo1 is best suited for enduro and aggressive trail riding for weight and durability. If your goal is World Cup enduro racing, then the Evil Offering / X01 I9 Hydra may be the right bike for you.
Of course, this all assumes that you choose the GX on the Evil Following drivetrain, and if you are on a budget, you can swap the Evil Following GX for the XO1, which is also possible. The drivetrain optionality is the brightest presence in the evil series. The smaller XO1 can provide you with high-end accessories with stainless steel hardware, full alloy pulley cages (for increased durability), and steel pulley bearings, allowing you to come out on top in the next race.
But if the goal is to use its versatility and cost-effectiveness for everyday training, then I believe Evil Following is still the best choice for you.
In case, the above comments are helpful to you, please remember to share the subscription. Have a great day!
Learn More: Evil Offering / GX I9 Hydra-Explosive Riding Experience
