2023 Evil

Insurgent - LS / GX I9 Hydra MX

A 29″ / 27.5″ carbon frame full suspension enduro bike with high-end components.

FrameCarbon
SuspensionFull, 168 / 170mm
ForkRockShox ZEB Ultimate
ShockRockShox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate
Wheels29″ / 27.5″ Aluminum
Drivetrain1 × 12
GroupsetGX Eagle
BrakesHydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
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Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Insurgent - LS / GX I9 Hydra MX
Other Enduro bikes
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

26 mph

Insurgent - LS / GX I9 Hydra MX

26 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Sizing
SM

5'2" – 5'8"

MD

5'6" – 5'11"

LG

5'10" – 6'3"

XL

6'1" – 6'7"

🐐 Estimated

Rider Fit Notes

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Reviews
MBR
Evil Insurgent MX 29 GX first ride review - MBR

Apr 2022 · Mick Kirkman

Hit the bike park or get ready for some enduro racing with the Evil Insurgent MX 29 with, you guessed it, a mullet wheel setup. Combining a carbon chassis with 170mm of travel and coil shock, plus Evil’s notoriously cool good looks, its clearly aiming to be among the best enduro bikes out there, and based on our first impressions it may well get there. Need to know Bike Park/enduro machine available with 27.5in wheels and a 180mm fork or an MX 29 configuration (29in front/27.5in rear) and 170mm fork Full carbon chassis with adjustable geometry and Dave Weagle DELTA suspension design using a DH-level coil shock Three build levels available: SRAM AXS, XO1 and the most affordable GX Eagle spec featured here Suspension delivers 168mm rear travel, with a wider/stiffer Super Boost + rear axle Smooth pedalling, urgent sprinting manners and good seated position for climbing makes it easy enough to get around on Evil bikes look cooler than ever, but I still struggle to tell each model apart even after testing most of them since the brand’s mid 2010 makeover. Having a smaller rear wheel on the latest Insurgent MX 29 certainly helps, especially when it’s the only mullet in Evil’s range. That’s not to say it’s not still confusing, as Evil uses the same Insurgent frame to produce two versions of the bike: one with 27.5in wheels the other with MX wheels.   Ready for DH and enduro tracks Originally a 160mm enduro machine, the latest 27.5in Insurgent packs more travel and a longer 180mm fork and targets wannabee jibbers and Rampage huckers more than purebred racers. In contrast, the MX version ridden here bolts a 29in front wheel and 170mm fork to the frame and aims the bike at the same downhill and enduro tracks as the Evil Wreckoning 29er, albeit with a smaller (quicker to turn and accelerate) rear wheel.  Whether the 27.5in Insurgent is nimbler or not, chuck this MX version about and it immediately identifies as an Evil with the brand’s familiar formula for maximising thrills and flattering skills, rather than only focusing on top speed. Frame and suspension It’s reflected in the geometry too, where Evil’s attitude doesn’t fully follow the long-low-slack philosophy of using length to ride ever faster, instead relying on balance and handling, rather than just being planted and stable.  With the familiar curvy carbon looks, comes the familiar DELTA link suspension. It looks complex, but is a single pivot design where the links provide a ‘dual progressive’ curve to provide support around sag, float in the mid zone to maximise traction, all with enough ramp up for bottom out resistance. It makes flamboyant claims for a suspension curve, but I’ve yet to ride an Evil with dodgy suspension, and it’s particularly sweet here with stable, efficient pedalling, precise tracking and stacks of smooth support. Components Evil knows its suspension is a strong suit, so damping is prioritised at every level to eliminate compromises. As such, even the entry-level GX …Continue reading »

Highs
  • Buttery smooth rear suspension. Shorter rear end helps balance the handling on the smaller frame sizes. Killer looks.

Lows
  • Maxxis EXO casing tyres just don’t cut it.

Read Review

Freehub
Bike Review | Evil Insurgent MX 29

Jun 2021 · Spencer Astra

It’s been a while since the Freehub team received a 27.5-inch bike for review. The past few years saw 29-inch bikes move into the spotlight with promises of better stability over chunky terrain, increased traction and an overall faster feel. Evolution continues though, and a new wave of mixed-wheel mountain bikes have come to market to supposedly offer the best of both worlds—snappy fun out back and sheer plow-ability up front married together in one machine that begs to be pushed hard over tough-to-manage terrain. Like other brands, Evil recently joined the mountain bike industry mixed-wheel soirée by taking a tried-and-true 27.5-inch model from their lineup—in this case the Insurgent—and reconfiguring it to accommodate a larger front wheel. Unlike most other brands, Evil made the call to roll out two options for consumers with their new Insurgent: a dedicated 27.5-inch version for the die-hard small wheel fans, and a mixed-wheel monster version that boasts 168-millimeters of travel paired with a 170-millimeter fork. Intrigued, I opted to test the latter build which Evil has dubbed the Insurgent MX. It’s clear from Evil’s advertising that the Insurgent MX is aimed squarely at riders who like to frequent hellishly steep trails as part of their regular riding routine. Here in the northwest corner of the United States, such terrain is usually accessed from behind gated forest roads meaning, of course, that a long and painful climb is required before digging into the main entrée. Immediately, I felt that the Insurgent platform was especially well-suited for this kind of situation. It’s a light-feeling package that doesn’t leave much to complain about on even the hardest climbs. While suffering away I found myself staring down at the bike’s RockShox Super Deluxe coil shock as I tried to comprehend how the Insurgent MX could possibly remain so composed and zippy on the climbs. This is one of the rare long-travel bikes that feels just about the same climbing with your butt in the saddle as it does during extended standing efforts—the anti-squat really is that good. With its slack 64.2-degree head angle (in the steeper of two possible configurations) and short 430-millimeter chain stays, it’s not the ideal bike for eking up 20 percent climbs but it scoots around uphill corners like a bike with half of its travel.

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Pinkbike
Evil Launches 2022 Insurgent with More Travel & Mixed Wheel Option

Jun 2021 · Matt Beer

Everything about the new Insurgent is boosted, from the Super Boost rear hub spacing to a wider, stiffer main pivot.

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Beta
The Beta Tests: Evil Insurgent MX 29

Jun 2021 · Travis Engel

The last bike from our Ely, NV Beta Tests, the Evil Insurgent is uphill-friendly, downhill-focused, and all business.

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Geometry
99 Spokes on YouTube99 Spokes on YouTube
Specs
Build
Frame

Insurgent 168mm of travel, UD Carbon, Full Internal Cable Routing, SB+ 157mm Rear Spacing Integrated Chain Guide, Threaded BB, UDH Compatible

BB StandardBSA, 73mm, Threaded

Hanger StandardUDH

Fork

Rockshox ZEB Ultimate, Charger 2.1 RC2, 29 170mm Travel, 44mm Offset

Travel170mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

Rockshox Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate, Trunnion 205x65, ML 320

Travel168mm

Spring TypeAir

Bottom Bracket

73mm Threaded

Headset

Works Components 1 Degree Angleset

Stem

Evil 12 Gauge, Clamp: 35mm, Length: 35mm

Handlebar

Evil Boomstick 7075 Alloy, Backsweep: 8°, Upsweep: 5° Clamp:35mm, Rise: 35mm, Width: 810mm

Saddle

WTB Volt Pro

Seatpost

Bike Yoke Revive, S:125mm, M: 160mm, L:185mm XL: 213mm

TypeDropper

Grips

Evil Palmela Handerson lock-on

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

SRAM GX Eagle, 12sp

Crank

SRAM GX Eagle DUB, SUPERBOOST+, 170mm Direct Mount 32t, 56.5mm Chainline, Lunar

Shifters

SRAM GX Eagle, 12sp

Cassette

SRAM XG-1275-B1 Eagle, 10-52T, 10,12,14,16,18,21,24,28,32,36,42,52

Chain

SRAM GX Eagle w/Powerlock

Brakes

Hydraulic Disc

TypeHydraulic Disc

Wheels
Rims

168mm

Tires

Front: Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR, 29x2.5, Rear: Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR, 27.5x2.3

Rider Notes
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Last updated March 18
Not listed for 252 days