The Evil Wreckoning has been on my mind for a few years since the last review I did in 2020.

With a fresh spec, including the latest kit from SRAM and RockShox and an XO Transmission drivetrain, this bike feels similar to the previous iteration, but with a touch more refinement and poise. It’s a downhill-oriented enduro machine that strikes the right balance between nimble handling and big-terrain capability.

From the first ride, the solid-feeling rear end and longer front immediately stood out. The short chainstay design—432 millimeters on this build—gives the bike an extra playful, “slicey” feel that’s perfect for snappy cornering on trail. The seated position is decent by today’s standards but in the X-Low setting I did feel my weight was a bit too far back. This could likely be corrected by switching to the Low setting for a slightly better climbing position. However, the Wreckoning is built for descending, so it feels only fair to let it ride to its full potential on steep terrain in the X-Low setting.

Part of what makes Evil bikes unique is the Delta Link suspension system. With 166 millimeters of rear travel, supported by a RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate coil shock, the rear end feels cushy but with excellent anti-squat characteristics that make it surprisingly efficient on climbs. The suspension design keeps the bike propped up under pedaling power—a trait that is especially noticeable while stamping down hard on the pedals while out of the saddle. Despite that firm platform, the Wreckoning still manages to dive into the first portion of its travel with such low restriction that it seems to yield easily to rocks and roots on technical climbs.

Descending on the Wreckoning is an absolute blast. It’s nimble for such a big bike, and the back end kicks out easily for quick maneuvers in tight corners. The frame itself feels stout, with two massive pivot bearings that translate into a predictable, burly ride. It’s still stable at high speeds, with a great balanced nature that allowed me to efficiently make subtle adjustments to adjust traction on-the-fly between the front and rear tires.

Another thing worth mentioning is how quiet this bike is. The RockShox kit with the silent Maxima damping fluid and the frame protection with its well-designed chain management keeps things surprisingly silent. There’s zero rattling or chain slap—just smooth, damped performance that makes the ride feel refined.

This latest build is outfitted with the RockShox ZEB Ultimate Charger 3.1 fork up front, which is incredibly responsive. The damping feels less restricted and more open than previous iterations. Paired with the RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate coil in the rear, the bike absolutely crushes rough terrain, soaking up bumps without beating up the rider. It’s easy to stay in a stable riding position and let the bike do the work. The SRAM Maven Silver brakes with HS2 rotors are a game-changer. As someone who’s been a loyal Shimano user, I’ve been waiting for SRAM to deliver brakes that provide the power I need for steep terrain. These brakes do exactly that, with a shocking amount of stopping power that gave me the confidence to ride harder and faster and brake later into corners on my regular trails.

So, who’s the Evil Wreckoning for? This is a bike for riders who want a long-travel enduro machine that’s nimble enough for technical terrain but comfortable and efficient enough for all-day pedaling. It’s perfect for big, bumpy descents but still lively enough to handle smaller, tighter trail systems. It might be too active and aggressive for a newer rider due to its jibby, quick-turning nature. But for those who love a playful, high-performing bike, the Wreckoning is the ticket for a long travel, yet nimble rig.