Bikes with that certain 'je ne sais quoi '

Knollys were magic back in the beginning. I haven't ridden one in a while so I'm only commenting on my old memories.

My Delirium was an incredible ride, still not sure why I got rid of it. Chilcotin left me underwhelmed, and I've been off the brand since then.

My old Bullit was awesome in the bike park, I haven't ridden anything as fun since.

Totally. I tried not to make it about that. I've had fun bikes that I didn't post. I only mentioned the ones of the dozens I've owned that specifically were magic. The Enduro 29 is functional and eye-opening for so many reasons but there's nothing magic about it. Knollys were magic back in the beginning. I haven't ridden one in a while so I'm only commenting on my old memories. These new Evils are something special (otherwise I wouldn't have bought one). I'd be quick to say if it wasn't.

Which Evil frame did you get? I noticed they only go up to 150mm of rear travel?

Which Evil frame did you get? I noticed they only go up to 150mm of rear travel?

The Wreckoning. 161mm of travel on a 29er is quite a lot. On the Enduro 29 it felt like a big trailbike. On this it feels like two DH bikes.

Of all of the bikes I've owned, the Spitfire is the one I can't ride without a giant grin on my face. It does everything well and is a riot on the downhill. One of those bikes that makes you appear a better rider than you really are (at least in my case).

My Stylus gets a vote, too. Little steel hardtails are the bomb and no-one makes 'em as well as Chromag.

Chromag Surface and V10Cs

The Wreckoning. 161mm of travel on a 29er is quite a lot. On the Enduro 29 it felt like a big trailbike. On this it feels like two DH bikes.

I have an Enduro 29 - I agree that it feels like a big trailbike, but I think describing it that way doesn't give it enough credit. When I was looking to purchase a bike approx. 2 years ago the 3 bikes I test rode were the E29, a Bronson, and a Nomad. I felt like the E29 climbed better than the Bronson and descended better than the Nomad. I felt like the bike really had such a broad spectrum - anything from a burly XC bike to almost a full-on DH bike. I take it that the Wreckoning gives up some on the climbing/XC side and has a little bit more on the DH side (vs. the E29)? I'd be curious to give it a try. I still have a DH bike (mainly cuz I dont want to abuse the E29 in the bike park) but perhaps the Wreckoning could allow me to get rid of my DH bike for good?

I have an Enduro 29 - I agree that it feels like a big trailbike, but I think describing it that way doesn't give it enough credit. When I was looking to purchase a bike approx. 2 years ago the 3 bikes I test rode were the E29, a Bronson, and a Nomad. I felt like the E29 climbed better than the Bronson and descended better than the Nomad. I felt like the bike really had such a broad spectrum - anything from a burly XC bike to almost a full-on DH bike. I take it that the Wreckoning gives up some on the climbing/XC side and has a little bit more on the DH side (vs. the E29)? I'd be curious to give it a try. I still have a DH bike (mainly cuz I dont want to abuse the E29 in the bike park) but perhaps the Wreckoning could allow me to get rid of my DH bike for good?

I thought the E29 was doing pretty good as well until I rode a bike that did some of those things much better. If I lived anywhere else its trailbikeyness would be an asset but there's enough steep danger here that a more descent-oriented bike is worth having. The funny thing is that the Wreckoning is just as good a climber as the E29. It's just not as good of an all-around trailbike.

I would think having a DH bike for the park and an E29 for your all-around bike is a pretty good split.

I think the Meta AM V4 is a helluva good looking bike….wrong wheel size for me, but a nice looking bike for sure.

I think the Meta AM V4 is a helluva good looking bike….wrong wheel size for me, but a nice looking bike for sure.

Great bike… under appreciated. This thing rips.

Best deal in mountain biking right now. Could be a touch longer but it still looks great.

I think the Meta AM V4 is a helluva good looking bike….wrong wheel size for me, but a nice looking bike for sure.

More of a 26er fan? ;)

Best deal in mountain biking right now. Could be a touch longer but it still looks great.

I know the DH bike is getting a reach increase for 17. Seems like every size is bumping up to the next size in Reach