Following XX SL Flight A

The third generation of the Evil Following remains a 120mm-travel 29er built for riders who want the efficiency of a short-travel platform without the fragile feel of a pure cross-country race bike. Built around Dave Weagle’s DELTA linkage, the V3 frame retains the aggressive, jump-happy character the model is known for while modernizing the chassis. Evil updated the frame with SuperBoost 157mm rear spacing to increase swingarm stiffness and maintain tire clearance alongside short chainstays. Current iterations, designated as Lightly Salted, also feature a universal derailleur hanger and fully guided internal cable routing. Positioned squarely in the aggressive trail category, the Following prioritizes structural rigidity and suspension performance over absolute weight savings, resulting in a stout chassis that encourages riders to push hard into technical descents and high-speed corners.

Price TBDGen V3

Image pending

Build

Size

Stack	604mm
Reach	460mm
Top tube	612mm
Headtube length	110mm
Standover height	664mm
Seat tube length	432mm

Fit and geometry

Evil updated the V3 Following with a longer reach and a steeper seat tube angle, improving the rider's seated climbing posture compared to previous generations. The geometry is adjustable via a flip-chip in the linkage, offering Low and Extra Low settings. Rather than chasing the slackest possible front end, Evil opted for a moderate head tube angle, sitting around 66.9 degrees in the Low setting and 66.4 degrees in Extra Low. This is paired with a 51mm offset fork to keep the steering response quick and precise at lower speeds.

The rear center is notably compact, with chainstays measuring roughly 430mm across all frame sizes. This short rear end is a primary driver of the bike's maneuverability, making it easy to lift the front wheel or pivot through tight corners. The reach measurements are modern but not extreme, spanning from 440mm on the small to 500mm on the extra-large, providing a balanced standing position that centers the rider between the wheels without requiring an overly aggressive forward lean to maintain front tire grip.

Full specs

Frameset

Frame

Following LS Frameset

Fork

RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant

Rear shock

RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant

Groupset

Shift levers

SRAM XX SL Pod Controller

Rear derailleur

SRAM XX SL Eagle Transmission

Cassette

SRAM XX SL Eagle Transmission Cassette, 10-52T

Chain

SRAM XX SL AXS T-Type Chain

Crankset

SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission Power Meter Crankset

Bottom bracket

SRAM DUB 73mm BSA, 7.5mm Spacer Drive / 3mm Spacer Non-Drive

Front brake

SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth 4-Piston

Rear brake

SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth 4-Piston

Front rotor

SRAM CenterLine X Rotor - 180mm

Rear rotor

SRAM CenterLine X Rotor - 180mm

Wheelset

Front wheel

Industry Nine Solix XC Carbon, 110x15mm

Rear wheel

Industry Nine Solix XC Carbon, 157x12mm

Front tire

WTB Ranger Light/Fast Rolling TCS 29x2.25

Rear tire

WTB Ranger Light/Fast Rolling TCS 29x2.25

Cockpit

Stem

ENVE M6 Stem - 50mm

Handlebars

ENVE M6 Handlebar - 780x31.8

Saddle

WTB Silverado 265 Carbon

Seatpost

SRAM Reverb AXS V2 125mm

Grips

Evil Palmela Handerson lock-on

Builds

The Following is offered in four complete builds, all of which prioritize high-end suspension and wheelsets over entry-level price points. Every model features RockShox Ultimate-tier suspension, pairing a 120mm or 130mm Pike or SID fork with a Deluxe or SIDLuxe rear shock. Wheelsets are similarly premium across the board, utilizing Industry Nine hubs and rims, ranging from the Enduro S Hydra2 on the standard builds to Solix XC Carbon wheels on the top tier.

The lineup begins with the GX build, which utilizes a mechanical SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain and SRAM Code RSC brakes. The X0 build moves to SRAM’s wireless AXS Transmission for shifting under load, retaining the Code RSC brakes for consistent stopping power. The Eagle 90 build offers a slightly different flavor with a lighter SID fork and SRAM's XS-1275 Transmission. At the top of the range, the XX SL Flight Attendant build introduces automated suspension adjustment, a SRAM XX SL Transmission with an integrated power meter, and lighter SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth four-piston brakes, shifting the bike's character toward maximum pedaling efficiency.

Eagle 90

Price TBD

XX SL Flight A

Price TBD

Selected

Reviews

Reviewers consistently highlight the Following’s exceptional cornering and highly active suspension. The DELTA linkage is frequently praised for its dual-progressive nature, offering a supple initial stroke that transitions into a supportive mid-stroke and a predictable "bottomless ramp" (Singletracks) on larger impacts. This suspension kinematic, paired with a remarkably stiff carbon frame, creates a ride that isolates trail chatter effectively, with one tester describing the ability to smooth out rough terrain as a "magic carpet ride" (YouTube).

When pointed downhill, the bike rewards an active riding style. The stout chassis and short rear end allow riders to aggressively square off turns and easily "skid that around" (YouTube) in tight switchbacks. While the suspension provides excellent traction for technical climbing, testers note that the frame's robust construction makes it heavier than dedicated cross-country alternatives, meaning it accelerates with steady momentum rather than explosive speed.

At high speeds, the bike remains composed through rough sections, though opinions diverge slightly on absolute straight-line stability. Most reviewers found the handling precise and predictable, noting the frame's "laser-like accuracy" (Mountain Bike Rider) when threading tight lines. However, a few noted that the relatively steep head angle can feel slightly quick when pushing the bike to its absolute limits on fast, open descents.