badgerracer profile

I got an Evil Following V3 in October. When giving her a clean on Jan 31st (a Sunday) I noticed a crack on the back of the seat tube. Sent them an email first thing the next morning (Monday) including a picture. Heard back 2 hours later that they would be replacing my front triangle under warranty. Front triangle shipped Tuesday morning.

The following Monday the warranty front triangle arrived. Considering I’m in Alabama, and it came from Bellingham, the turnaround was very impressive. They got me back in action in 1 week.

Almost forgot and had to edit...I had to warranty the rear wheel that came on the bike. An I9 Hydra Enduro S. It kept breaking spokes. Seemed really weird because I’ve had i9 wheels in the past that lasted 3 years with 0 problems. Reached out to them over the phone. They said they must’ve gotten some dud spokes because I wasn’t the first person to have this issue recently. They sent me a shipping label, I sent them the wheel, they rebuilt it and sent it back. I’m not that far from Asheville, which undoubtedly helped, but total turnaround time was 6 business days. That was about a month and a half ago and I haven’t had an issue since.

Seems like both of these issues can be chalked up to QC control during/due to COVID. Parts are hard to get, brands are having to go to alternates, and factories are working overtime just to get out what they can. The takeaway I would say is if you’re buying during this unprecedented pandemic-related bike boom try and make sure the manufacturer will have your bike. Times are weird, and shit happens. Right now the shit will happen more than it otherwise would as everybody scrambles.

I went to Sensus Meaty Paws and now can’t ride anything else...anything thinner and I notice my fingers getting really sore. I do have larger hands though so I guess that makes sense. Still, these do look well designed

That new Jekyll is lookin good.....is that supposed to be posted? Wouldn’t want anyone to run foul of an embargo...

Yeah I’ve loved it. First gave it a go on my 2018 Scalpel SE. Then it started appearing specced on similarish bikes like the Transition Spur and the Revel Ranger. Now I’m running em on my Evil Following and they’re still awesome.

Strongly recommend the EXO+ casing for the Rekon though. I punctured an EXO version on the first ride on my old bike and did it again when demoing a Spur. The EXO version is literally paper mache, but I have yet to damage the EXO+ version

The Dissector is my new favorite tire up front (Southeastern US). Almost all the grip of a DHF without a real rolling resistance penalty. Kind of like a semi-slick that has actual braking traction. 

I typically pair it with an EXO+ Rekon out back and it’s a fast rolling but still grippy trail combo

I’ve only had it for about a week and a half, but I’ve got the 2021 Pike at 130mm on my new Evil Following. I set it up pretty much at Rockshox recommended settings to start. It felt pretty shit. Front end pushing in turns, bad small bump compliance, etc. 

First I tried lower pressure and jam-packing it with spacers...sorta worked. Felt great going fast and shit going slow (climbs, tech bits, etc.).

Then I tried the opposite. Rockshox recommended pressure and rebound but with NO spacers (came stock with 2). Completely different fork. All of a sudden it was amazing. 

I guess that because the new spring rides higher in its travel and has more ramp up you don’t need as many spacers to keep it from blowing through the travel. 

For reference I’m 210lbs kitted up and am at 105psi and 7 clicks of rebound

I’ve only had it for about a week and a half, but I’ve got the 2021 Pike at 130mm on my new Evil Following. I set it up pretty much at Rockshox recommended settings to start. It felt pretty shit. Front end pushing in turns, bad small bump compliance, etc. 

First I tried lower pressure and jam-packing it with spacers...sorta worked. Felt great going fast and shit going slow (climbs, tech bits, etc.).

Then I tried the opposite. Rockshox recommended pressure and rebound but with NO spacers (came stock with 2). Completely different fork. All of a sudden it was amazing. 

I guess that because the new spring rides higher in its travel and has more ramp up you don’t need as many spacers to keep it from blowing through the travel. 

For reference I’m 210lbs kitted up and am at 105psi and 7 clicks of rebound

I’ve been flats only for the first 2 ½ years of my biking career. Tried other systems, crank bro’s and Shimano specifically, but always went back to flats because I could never get used to it. Just felt like standing on a slippery, thin metal pole or something.

But Bontrager Rally shoes and HT T1 pedals have been the only system that I think will get me to switch. The deep and rearward cleat pocket and flex in the shoes actually makes them feel like flats. I’m a fan, and hopefully other shoe manufacturers follow suit and just keep moving the cleat further back.