When it was first launched in 2016 The Wreckoning arguably changed the enduro and trail bike market for the better. It had big 29in wheels, long travel and serious on-trail attitude.
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For 2021, the new The Wreckoning hopes to keep that game-changing mantle with improvements such as a steeper seat-tube angle, longer reach figures, and geometry that's been designed around a 44mm offset, 170mm travel fork.
The rear end also increases in travel by 5mm up to 166mm, while chainstays stay short at 430/432mm.
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Arguably, these updates are long-overdue and they appear to be pretty much bang on the money for the direction enduro bike geometry has been heading in recent years.
2021 Evil The Wreckoning geometry updates
It's becoming clearer by each iteration of bike how crucial geometry is. Like other brands, Evil has jumped on the long, slack and low geometry bandwagon with the 2021 The Wreckoning.
With a 170mm travel fork in the low geometry setting, The Wreckoning has a 64.2-degree head tube angle, a 76-degree seat tube angle and reach figures that span from 445mm for the size small up to 502mm for the extra-large bike.
Although the front centre has grown considerably, up to 818mm – the previous size large had a 776mm front centre in the extra-low position – which, in turn, has increased the bike's wheelbase to 1,249mm (extra-low setting), the chainstays remain the same length from the old version and across The Wreckoning's sizes at 432mm.
Evil claims short chainstays mean "wheelies for days and manuals for months".
While shorter chainstays normally help bikes retain their playfulness, recent trends have indicated an appetite for longer back ends, especially as front centres grow in a bid to address the front-to-back balance of the bike.
Evil clearly knows its stuff, so we don't expect it to have dropped a clanger with the new 2021 The Wreckoning, but until we can test one, the verdict's out on the really short back-end.
| Frame size | Small | Medium | Large | Extra-large |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head tube angle low (degrees) | 64.8 | 64.8 | 64.8 | 64.8 |
| Head tube angle X-low (degrees) | 64.2 | 64.2 | 64.2 | 64.2 |
| Seat tube angle low (degrees) | 76.5 | 76.5 | 76.5 | 76.5 |
| Seat tube angle X-low (degrees) | 76 | 76 | 76 | 76 |
| Effective top tube (mm) | 590 | 609 | 631 | 654 |
| Seat tube length (mm) | 390 | 425 | 460 | 495 |
| Bottom bracket height low (mm) | 354 | 354 | 354 | 354 |
| Bottom bracket height X-low (mm) | 345 | 345 | 345 | 345 |
| Head tube length (mm) | 104 | 114 | 127 | 139 |
| Chainstay length low (mm) | 430 | 430 | 430 | 430 |
| Chainstay length X-low (mm) | 432 | 432 | 432 | 432 |
| Wheelbase low (mm) | 1201 | 1224 | 1247 | 1272 |
| Wheelbase X-low (mm) | 1202 | 1224 | 1249 | 1274 |
| Stack (mm) | 621 | 630 | 641 | 652 |
| Reach (mm) | 445 | 462 | 482 | 502 |
2021 Evil The Wreckoning suspension updates
Along with the geometry, the suspension has also been tweaked for 2021.
Not only has rear travel increased by 5mm to 166mm, Evil now uses a Metric Trunnion mount rear shock system and even specs a coil shock on the bike as standard for all models. The pivot has been widened to help increase stiffness.
Suspension guru Dave Weagle – who's behind many different suspension designs such as the DW-Link seen on Pivot's bikes, including its 2020 Switchblade, the Split Pivot used on Devinci's bikes and Evil's Delta Link — has redesigned the kinematics to have the "pedal-friendly pop of the Following and Offering, combining it with DH suppleness.
Evil has done this by making the bike more progressive the deeper into its travel it goes, which, it claims, should feel like a 200mm travel downhill bike on the descents.
2021 Evil The Wreckoning frame updates
Changes to The Wreckoning's frame include full-length internal cable routing with internal guide tubes to make threading the cables easier and 157mm Super Boost Plus rear axle spacing – a standard first adopted by Pivot in 2016 with the launch of the Switchblade, which is now being adopted by other brands, including Evil.
2021's updates also see improved sound deadening on the chainstays to help combat noise caused by chainslap. The frame's also got an in-built chain guide that's compatible with 30-, 32-, 34- and 36-tooth chainrings with inbuilt silencing.
2021 Evil The Wreckoning models and prices
The 2021 The Wreckoning is available as a frame only or as five full bikes. Prices range from $5,799 for the cheapest full build up to $8,099 for the most expensive.
2021 Evil The Wreckoning SRAM GX I9 Hydra
- Frame: Wreckoning, 166mm travel, UD Carbon, SB+ 157mm, threaded 73mm BSA BB
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate, trunnion 205x65, ML tune
- Headset: FSA No.57/68
- Fork: RockShox ZEB Ultimate Charger 2.1 RC2, 170mm travel, 44mm offset
- Bar / stem / grips: Evil Boomstick 7075 alloy, 810mm wide, 35mm rise / Evil 12 Guage 45mm long / Evil Palmela Handerson lock-on
- Brakes: SRAM G2 RS 200mm (f) / 180mm (r) rotors
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle 10-52t 12-speed
- Cranks: SRAM GX Eagle 170mm, 32t
- Wheels: Industry Nine Enduro S Hydra
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR, 29 x 2.5in (f), Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR, 29 x 2.3in (r)
- Seatpost: OneUp Dropper Post V2 (small: 120mm, medium: 150mm, large: 180mm, extra-large: 210mm)
- Saddle: WTB Volt Pro
- Price: $5,799
2021 Evil The Wreckoning Shimano XT I9 Hydra
- Frame: Wreckoning, 166mm travel, UD Carbon, SB+ 157mm, threaded 73mm BSA BB
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate, trunnion 205x65, ML tune
- Headset: FSA No.57/68
- Fork: RockShox ZEB Ultimate Charger 2.1 RC2, 170mm travel, 44mm offset
- Bar / stem / grips: Evil Boomstick 7075 alloy, 810mm wide, 35mm rise / Evil 12 Guage 45mm long / Evil Palmela Handerson lock-on
- Brakes: Shimano XT M8120 4-piston 180mm (f) / 180mm (r) rotors
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT 10-51t 12-speed
- Cranks: Shimano XT M8130 170mm, 32t
- Wheels: Industry Nine Enduro S Hydra
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR, 29 x 2.5in (f), Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR, 29 x 2.3in (r)
- Seatpost: OneUp Dropper Post V2 (small: 120mm, medium: 150mm, large: 180mm, extra-large: 210mm)
- Saddle: WTB Volt Pro
- Price: $6,299
2021 Evil The Wreckoning SRAM X01 I9 Hydra
- Frame: Wreckoning, 166mm travel, UD Carbon, SB+ 157mm, threaded 73mm BSA BB
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate, trunnion 205x65, ML tune
- Headset: FSA No.57/68
- Fork: RockShox ZEB Ultimate Charger 2.1 RC2, 170mm travel, 44mm offset
- Bar / stem / grips: Evil Boomstick 7075 alloy, 810mm wide, 35mm rise / Evil 12 Guage 45mm long / Evil Palmela Handerson lock-on
- Brakes: SRAM Code RSC 200mm (f) / 180mm (r) rotors
- Drivetrain: SRAM X01 Eagle 10-52t 12-speed
- Cranks: SRAM X01 Eagle 170mm, 32t
- Wheels: Industry Nine Enduro S Hydra
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR, 29 x 2.5in (f), Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR, 29 x 2.3in (r)
- Seatpost: OneUp Dropper Post V2 (small: 120mm, medium: 150mm, large: 180mm, extra-large: 210mm)
- Saddle: WTB Volt Pro
- Price: $7,399
2021 Evil The Wreckoning Shimano XTR I9 Hydra
- Frame: Wreckoning, 166mm travel, UD Carbon, SB+ 157mm, threaded 73mm BSA BB
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate, trunnion 205x65, ML tune
- Headset: FSA No.57/68
- Fork: RockShox ZEB Ultimate Charger 2.1 RC2, 170mm travel, 44mm offset
- Bar / stem / grips: Evil Boomstick 7075 alloy, 810mm wide, 35mm rise / Evil 12 Guage 45mm long / Evil Palmela Handerson lock-on
- Brakes: Shimano XTR M9120 4-piston 180mm (f) / 180mm (r) rotors
- Drivetrain: Shimano XTR 10-51t 12-speed
- Cranks: Shimano XTR M8120 170mm, 32t
- Wheels: Industry Nine Enduro S Hydra
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR, 29 x 2.5in (f), Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR, 29 x 2.3in (r)
- Seatpost: OneUp Dropper Post V2 (small: 120mm, medium: 150mm, large: 180mm, extra-large: 210mm)
- Saddle: WTB Volt Pro
- Price: $7,899
2021 Evil The Wreckoning SRAM AXS I9 Hydra
- Frame: Wreckoning, 166mm travel, UD Carbon, SB+ 157mm, threaded 73mm BSA BB
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate, trunnion 205x65, ML tune
- Headset: FSA No.57/68
- Fork: RockShox ZEB Ultimate Charger 2.1 RC2, 170mm travel, 44mm offset
- Bar / stem / grips: Evil Boomstick 7075 alloy, 810mm wide, 35mm rise / Evil 12 Guage 45mm long / Evil Palmela Handerson lock-on
- Brakes: SRAM Code RSC 200mm (f) / 180mm (r) rotors
- Drivetrain: SRAM X01 Eagle AXS 10-52t 12-speed
- Cranks: SRAM X01 Eagle 170mm, 32t
- Wheels: Industry Nine Enduro S Hydra
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR, 29 x 2.5in (f), Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR, 29 x 2.3in (r)
- Seatpost: SRAM Reverb AXS (small: 125mm, medium and large: 150mm, extra-large: 170mm)
- Saddle: WTB Volt Pro
- Price: $8,099
2021 Evil The Wreckoning frame
- Frame: Wreckoning, 166mm travel, UD Carbon, SB+ 157mm, threaded 73mm BSA BB
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate, trunnion 205x65, ML tune
- Price: TBC
