Gavin Richardson
4 October 2025
Evil Following LS - Custom Build
More pop than a mouth full of Rice Krispies and the first bike to start the Downcountry movement.
"If this bike was a featherweight it would still get in the ring with Tyson Fury"
This machine punches well above its weight. Ok, so maybe you wouldn't take it down Champery but let me tell you, the Following can rip.
We had a Demo Following in for some time and I rode it all over, from Wharncliffe to Ilkley Moor and even raced Ard Rock on it.
For a 120/130mm travel bike it takes it all in it's stride. I mean, I bottomed the rear out a couple of times at Ard Rock but nothing major.
Anyway enough of my love for this bike, lets get into our customers build!
The star of the show is upfront, our customer asked for Ohlins so we travel adjusted these RXF36's to 130mm for the perfect trail fork.
Attached a bolt on Mudhugger for our great british weather and it's ready to go.
The Pop Don't Stop
The Following comes spec'd with an inline shock (Unlike the Offering) instead of a piggyback to give the bike its unmistakable pop.
Also it climbs like a mountain goat on speed.
Featuring the same amazing Dave Weagle suspension design that is mirrored accross all the Evil Bikes. The D-E-L-T-A link or 'Dave's Extra Legitimate Travel Apperatus' to give it its full name.
Don't know Dave? Well he's designed the suspension linkage for many bike brands including Ibis, Atherton, Pivot and the old Iron Horse Brand. He is an absolute suspension guru.
Dave actually said in a recent podcast that if he could make only one style of bike for the rest of his life, every bike would be an Evil. That's a bold statement.
A visual explanation of how the Delta system works
Drivetrain Dreams
SRAM's XO T-Type drivetrain is a beautiful bit of kit. The shifting is crisp, precise and set up is relatively easy.
I'm sure you have seen the videos of people standing on these derailleurs to show how robust they are.
No derailleur hanger and directly mounted to the frame means no more bent hangers causing shifting issues! Also the derailleur is fully rebuildable with all parts sold seperately, So if you do manage to smash it up you can fix it without the cost of a full new derailleur!
Plus you can't beat the look of a clean cockpit with wireless pods for both shifter and dropper.
Keeping on the AXS theme our customer went for the new Reverb AXS dropper post. Which was able to slam the whole way in the frame! This is a large frame with a 175mm dropper incase your wanting to do the same.
Pair this with some Maven Ultimate brakes for the ultimate in stopping power. Don't believe the rubbish about these levers requiring more force to pull. But do believe that sometimes they have more power than you actually need, so planning your braking is a must.
Built Not Bought
The rubber is wrapped around a set of custom built We Are One wheels.
Custom built wheels on this one. We built a set of red Hope Pro 5 hubs onto We Are One Triad carbon rims.
The lifetiime warranty on the carbon rims is a fantastic no quibble warranty.
The rims feature a really unique rim design that puts the nipples perpendicular to the bed of the rim. This means there is less stress placed on the nipples when riding.
We build our wheels within a tollerance that is far better than pretty much any machine built wheel. Meaning our wheels will be stronger and last longer than a standard off the shelf wheel.
Our customer paired this with some red Hope pedals to tie the colour in.
A visual representation of how the nipples are in a We Are One Convergence rim
Finishing Kit
The finishing kit on this one was kept fairly standard to Evil's spec. So Evil's own boomstick carbon handlebars, parmela handerson grips and 12 gauge stem.
Whats the spec?
Frame - Evil Following LS Large - Foam Roller
Drivetrain - SRAM XO T-Type
Forks - Ohlins RXF36 (Travel changed to 130mm)
Shock - Rockshox Deluxe Ultimate
Brakes - SRAM Maven Ultimate HS2 Rotors
Wheels - Hope Pro 5/We Are One Triad carbon rims
Tyres - Maxxis DHF and DHR II
Handlebars - Evil Boomstick carbon
Stem - Evil 12 Gauge
Grips - Evil Palmela Handerson
Saddle - WTB VAult
Seatclamp - Evil
Seatpost - Rockshox Reverb AXS
Pedals - Hope F22
Mudguard - Mudhugger bolt on
Final Words
It's not hard to see that Evil bikes are one of our favourite bike brands. This particular model is one of my favourite from the lineup. Of course for big bike park days the Insurgent would be my weapon of choice. But the Following is the bike for all out fun times on a bike.
The video we did below was filmed on a Wreckoning and a Following. Both riding the same trails. Watch the following hit big jumps and even a couple of 360's.
If you want to be part of the Evil clan hit us up and we can help you get your dream bike!
"Building your dream is our passion"
Knock Abart, our little video showing the fun that can be had on these bikes
MEET THE AUTHOR
GAVIN RICHARDSON
Some say Gavin invented the wheel. They are lying of course, but he does build a mean set.
Chief of Cykel House, aging rider and father of 3. Gavin has been riding the majority of his life in multiple different forms. He created Cykel House out of passion and enthusiasm for the sport which cannot be matched.
Always on the hunt for the best products and latest trends his finger is right on the pulse.
Interesting fact - Gavin won a handwriting competition at age 7. What a legend.
Likes - A well built berm, beer and raw sprouts
Dislikes - Stainburn woods, headset cable routing and lycra
