My Evil Imperial review.

[Jesus]

My Imperial review.

I finally got mine built up Friday, and was able to get a lot of ride time in this weekend. Saturday was a 4 hour urban ride, as I like to get acquainted with a bike in this setting first. I thought the bike would feel “tiny” in comparison to my other bikes, but it seemed to be just the right size. The first thing I noticed was that I could actually wheelie, and I did a couple of small manuals, which I have never been able to do before. I did a lot of wheelie drops, which I haven’t been doing much of, cause I haven’t had much confidence in that area lately. I didn’t have to put much input into the bike (I am used to a Bullit w/ Monster) for any tricks; the total weight is only 36 lbs, so it feels super light to me. I am also surprised the Evil bash guard didn’t shatter on a few of the hits it took today. I have bent aluminum bash guards on much lesser hits.

Sunday

Time to hit the dirt. I warmed up with a short trail ride, and then went to my warm-up drop. It’s not high, only about 4 feet high to flat, but very fun. I hit it a bunch of times, with nary a problem. Bike felt very predictable.

Next, I crossed the street to a “drop park”. This little area has 3 nice size drops, all to trannies. The sizes are about 5 ft, 7 ft, 8 ft. The 5 footer went fine; I didn’t even think I used any suspension on that one. The 7 footer was interesting…I was expecting to hit really hard, but it wasn’t bad really. I used up about 4 inches on my Sherman, and for once, I didn’t hit my balls on the seat. The 2nd and 3rd attempts were even better. These drops sketch me out on my Bullit, but I was far more comfortable on the Evil.

Now I moved on, because the 8 footer isn’t really that big, but it has a sketch take off and landing, plus I’m a notorious wuss.

Anyway, did about 3 or so more miles of trails, and was really surprised that I was pretty comfortable, seeing as I am 5’ 11”. But it was doable.

Came to my first skinny log ride. Okay, I need some more work on skinnies. I am usually really good at them, better than most around here actually, but the steering is much quicker on this bike, and I would rather practice on something lower to the ground.

Okay, a few more miles and we hit what we call the “creek jumps”. These 2 huge jumps over the creek, that are at the end of a “slalomy” type down hill. Seeing as I have yet to jump this bike, I figured I would hit some smaller stuff first. But, as I got near the jumps, these 2 kids were asking me “Aren’t you the Bike Hell guy?”, “I said “Yes I am.” Kid said “with a bike like that, you could easily clear the jumps”, that was when my wife said “He needs to try something smaller first, this is only his second day on the bike”.

Well the kids gave me this, "look at the wussy on the fancy bike" look. So I decided to give it a go. I don’t want to be labeled a “fancy boy”.

Needless to say, I was scared out of my mind. I was sitting at the top of this hill thinking “am I crazy?” So I said to myself, “just try a bit@h-run, and feel it out”. Well, half way down the hill, I figured what the hell and hit it pretty fast. Did my little Wade Simmons back-n-forth trick and landed perfectly. Went ahead and gave it 2 more runs, with no problems. Still couldn’t believe how plush the bike felt.

On down the trail some more, I hit some doubles, and some various other jumps with no problems. Nothing mechanical even happened, besides having to tighten the headset a little.

I have never gotten comfortable on a bike so quickly, and I had quite a few “firsts” this weekend as well. This is by far, the best bike I have ever ridden. I have finally found something I can do everything on. I will also be doing some DH races on it this year.

The bike is built as follows…

White Imperial
Camo Manitou Sherman
Cane Creek headset
FSA bars & stem
ODI Intense lock-on grips
NYC Freeride bar caps
XT rear shift pod
Avid 8” f & r
Avid FR levers
Avid Flack jacket shift & brake cables
Thompson seat post
Sell Italia seat
Profile SS cranks
Evil bash guard
Easton “Cully” pedals
Ultegra cassette (25t)
Ultegra rear der.
Mavic Dee Max wheels(tubeless)
Michi 2.8 tires f&r
For street Hookworm 2.5 f&r

[Jesus]

another...

[Jesus]

artsy fartsy drop

[John P.]

Holy smokes, Terry. That's one GREAT looking bike. Glad to read that you loved the Imp so much.

Talk to you soon,

John

[TimeBomb]

Your pics and review make me want one even more...

Glad to hear you love it :thumb:

[RaID]

:dog whistle:

very beautiful:love:
glad your enjoying it:thumb:

[sub6]

good LORD man! That is absolutely gorgeous! Geez, and here I thought I had a nice build....:(

:thumb::p

[Jesus]

Originally posted by sub6
good LORD man! That is absolutely gorgeous! Geez, and here I thought I had a nice build....:(

:thumb::p

Your's is okay, but mine's better. :D

[Buetang]

and mine will be the bestest :D

Nice terry, VERY NICE. (where are my special pics?)

[Brian HCM#1]

Very sweet, now I want one:cool:

[Buetang]

GOD! I just looked at this post for the 5th time.... I can't wait till wed/thurs :D

[Booker]

Man that thing is sexy Terry. The pics turned out great. Are we riding urban tonight?:sneaky: :D

[Jesus]

Originally posted by Booker
Man that thing is sexy Terry. The pics turned out great. Are we riding urban tonight?:sneaky: :D

YYEEESSSS!!!!!

I put on the Hookworms yesterday, so i'll be rockin tonight!!!

[Jesus]

Originally posted by .::Buetang::.
and mine will be the bestest :D

Nice terry, VERY NICE. (where are my special pics?)

You want more booby shots?

Huh?

How many other shop owners send their customers pics of they're parts being held by said owners topless wife?

I take customer service to an all new level.:D

[Jesus]

Originally posted by Acadian
you don't need new bikes...

..you need to find time TO RIDE. :rolleyes: ;) :devil:

Not a problem for me, I ride about 5 nights a week.

Weather permitting of course.

[Brian HCM#1]

Originally posted by Acadian
you don't need new bikes...

..you need to find time TO RIDE. :rolleyes: ;) :devil: Thanks Luc, rub some more salt in the wound:(

[narlus]

pretty nice ride for a FANCY BOY!

;)


good write up and nice pics. keep 'em coming.

[Buetang]

Originally posted by Jesus
You want more booby shots?

Huh?

How many other shop owners send their customers pics of they're parts being held by said owners topless wife?

I take customer service to an all new level.:D

indeed, customer service has been brought to a whole new level in my book. I will no longer settle for less, buy a bike see some boobies. :D

[Booker]

Hey man, i am over there all the time and i haven't seen your girls boobies yet. What up with that.:D

[Buetang]

spend 2 G's and you might see them too! :eek:

[Jesus]

Originally posted by Booker
Hey man, i am over there all the time and i haven't seen your girls boobies yet. What up with that.:D

All you gotta do is ask...and BEHOLD!!!!

[Castle]

sweet write up, kick ass bike, Fancy Boy!!!!!!!!!

I had the exact feelings you have when I first got my .243 built up and I still feel that way. Drops to flat are rougher, and tight rocky rooty sections are rougher and take more skill. Other than that everything else is smoother suprsingly drops to tranny felt much smoother on the .243 than on my Stab, as well as larger gap/jumps providing they had nice trannies. Not to mention the bike hops so much easier.

hardtails rock!!!!!!!!!

[Jesus]

Originally posted by Castle
sweet write up, kick ass bike, Fancy Boy!!!!!!!!!

I had the exact feelings you have when I first got my .243 built up and I still feel that way. Drops to flat are rougher, and tight rocky rooty sections are rougher and take more skill. Other than that everything else is smoother suprsingly drops to tranny felt much smoother on the .243 than on my Stab, as well as larger gap/jumps providing they had nice trannies. Not to mention the bike hops so much easier.

hardtails rock!!!!!!!!!

I agree completly.

I have seen the light!

[Booker]

Originally posted by Jesus
All you gotta do is ask...and BEHOLD!!!!

Well i am asking and umm..................beHOLDin my................just show me some pics.:D ;)

[Buetang]

whats all this fancy boy ****? something you're not telling me terry??? haaaaaaay!

[Echo]

Sweet ride man! :thumb:

[Jesus]

Originally posted by Booker
Well i am asking and umm..................beHOLDin my................just show me some pics.:D ;)

I wanna see some pics of your bruised ding ding!!:eek:

[Booker]

Originally posted by Jesus
I wanna see some pics of your bruised ding ding!!:eek:

Man that sucked. It made my eyes water. Do you sell "Bikehell" wee-wee cups? I cant wait to see that bike up close.

[Jesus]

Originally posted by .::Buetang::.
whats all this fancy boy ****? something you're not telling me terry??? haaaaaaay!

Years ago, i used to race road and XC (hard to believe). Anyway, when I was in that mode, I shaved my legs (another big surprise), and my daughter would call me Nancy.

Then last year me and my daughter were watching Cabin Boy, and he was called Fancy Boy over and over. Well, my daughter thought that was funny, so I was no longer Nancy. I was now...

Fancy Boy!!!

I am revealing way to much about myself.

I feel so vulnerable...

[Buetang]

I feel so close to your family.. boobs, nick names. :love:

[Jesus]

Originally posted by .::Buetang::.
I feel so close to your family.. boobs, nick names. :love:

To make you feel even closer, here's something for you.

About a month ago me, tgaines72 (?), Booker and my daughter were on an urban ride. Well, we come to this set of REALLY steep steps, and no one wants to go first. But Thomas (tgaines72?), decides he will give it a go. Well...after about 3 bit@h runs, my daughter says "Why don't you stop acting like a wuus and just do it".

Poor guy didn't know what to say. Just stared at me like WTF?

Gettin trashed talked to by a 12 year old girl!

I was a proud parent that day.

Priceless.

[Booker]

Originally posted by Jesus
To make you feel even closer, here's something for you.

About a month ago me, tgaines72 (?), Booker and my daughter were on an urban ride. Well, we come to this set of REALLY steep steps, and no one wants to go first. But Thomas (tgaines72?), decides he will give it a go. Well...after about 3 bit@h runs, my daughter says "Why don't you stop acting like a wuus and just do it".

Poor guy didn't know what to say. Just stared at me like WTF?

Gettin trashed talked to by a 12 year old girl!

I was a proud parent that day.

Priceless.

I love that story.:D

[Buetang]

haaahaha! I've gotta get up there and ride w/you cats!

[LOOnatic]

Originally posted by Jesus
To make you feel even closer, here's something for you.

About a month ago me, tgaines72 (?), Booker and my daughter were on an urban ride. Well, we come to this set of REALLY steep steps, and no one wants to go first. But Thomas (tgaines72?), decides he will give it a go. Well...after about 3 bit@h runs, my daughter says "Why don't you stop acting like a wuus and just do it".

Poor guy didn't know what to say. Just stared at me like WTF?

Gettin trashed talked to by a 12 year old girl!

I was a proud parent that day.

Priceless.


That's pretty funny.
Almost makes me want to have kids.:D

[MikeD]

There will be karmic justice if you inspire Loo to have children, Jesus, mark my words. Even if you do have the coolest ride and coolest family around...beware!

(Glad to hear you're enjoying it so much...I feel similarly about my Nicolai!)

MD

[Jesus]

found another pic

[remi]

feel free to post some more still porn :D

sooo... nice looking bike !!!

[-dustin]

**** that looks good. i really dig how the white Selle saddle looks. i've never used anything other than PX saddles, so i might have to find a white selle and give it a shot.

i'm actually more comfortable on skinnies than with my previous bike...which was a rigid single speed XC bike (that is now just used for XC).

mind if i pm you with a couple questions?

[-BB-]

Originally posted by Brian HCM#1
Very sweet, now I want one:cool:

You can give me your .243 frame.

Shoot... wait... I have a Pl-X RAD to build up first!!

[remi]

DOn't forget to add that beauty in the sticky burly thread !!

That's where It belongs!

[MikeD]

Originally posted by the Inbred
**** that looks good. i really dig how the white Selle saddle looks. i've never used anything other than PX saddles, so i might have to find a white selle and give it a shot.


Gonna be harder to keep that thing clean than a new pair of Pumas...looks SWEET, though.

I really dig the cleaner looks of last year's colors (though the brown is better this year).

MD

[Jesus]

Originally posted by the Inbred
**** that looks good. i really dig how the white Selle saddle looks. i've never used anything other than PX saddles, so i might have to find a white selle and give it a shot.

i'm actually more comfortable on skinnies than with my previous bike...which was a rigid single speed XC bike (that is now just used for XC).

mind if i pm you with a couple questions?

Just e-mail me at...


jesus@bikehell.com

[ssaddict]

NICE! I am jealous, that is a really pretty build! I love the white and everything matches so well. :thumb:

[Brian HCM#1]

Originally posted by -BB-
You can give me your .243 frame.

Shoot... wait... I have a Pl-X RAD to build up first!! Any day next week:thumb:

[wysiwyg]

Im sorry, but gonna have to show these young upstarts how to do it.

Cant have them gettin too big for their boots.

[Nd4spd]

Brian: You're a traitor:think: :D

Terry that has to be the best build that is color cordinated as weel as being able to do the job.:thumb: I can really see your road/XC background in that build as it looks like you were very particular about the build in general.Very nice job there and thanks for the pics :thumb:

BTW Terry are you able to get the Michelins in a 2.8 that you have:confused: I'm trying to find a shop that might carry them in a size bigger than a 2.2 in a Comp 32.I'm not having much luck in Vt. at all:(

[Jesus]

Originally posted by Nd4spd
Brian: You're a traitor:think: :D

Terry that has to be the best build that is color cordinated as weel as being able to do the job.:thumb: I can really see your road/XC background in that build as it looks like you were very particular about the build in general.Very nice job there and thanks for the pics :thumb:

BTW Terry are you able to get the Michelins in a 2.8 that you have:confused: I'm trying to find a shop that might carry them in a size bigger than a 2.2 in a Comp 32.I'm not having much luck in Vt. at all:(

Check your pm on the tires.

And thank you, I believe I am very color coordinated also.:D

[thevan]

have you found that you can run the hookworms tubless with no sealent?
i threw them on my d 3.1's lastweek and they mounted up tubless! i rode them for a couple days at like 50 psi and they lost no pressure! i was running the high roller semislick to save a little wieght but with no tube in the hookwoms they wiegh about the same anyway...and there 2.5 that roll super fast and look real sweet.

Maybe you already new this but just some FYI...

[Jesus]

I tried it both ways. The front has no sealant, and the rear does. Both are holding air fine.

[LostBoyScout]

Wow, your bike inspires me to do great things with my life. It's amazing!

I know, I'm like 3 weeks late into this one.. but I just wanted to add that in.

[Argonzero]

Thats such a nice bike man, props! :D

[DßR]

uh-oh, somebody let one of the noob's play with the wayback machine....;)

Does he even still have that bike? I thought it made its way to a new owner.....

[GravityFreakTJ]

Originally posted by DßR
uh-oh, somebody let one of the noob's play with the wayback machine....;)

Does he even still have that bike? I thought it made its way to a new owner.....


You are correct DBR ! That is now my Evil,only difference from that pic is it now has Hope M4's.

[Jesus]

This must be the Lazarus of RM threads!

Anyway, I had to sell it cause I was friggin broke!

But things are looking up, so I will soon have the chance to build up another one. For me it is still the best bike ever built, and I will get another one...soon I hope.

Also, I really want the orange or red color, and seeing that they are not makin those colors on this run, I might wait. Or just get one and get it painted.

[Argonzero]

Just looking at Imperial info, and found his bike lol.

[Orfen]

wow that bike looks awesome i keep seeing all these bikes with only front suspenshon in the dh and freeride forum but that one looks so cool
the frame is crazy and so is the evil name lol

[blueimp180]

this is my evil

Fork- manitou sherman firefly 1.5 with camo and 20mm axle with the 90mm lockout
Headset- Fsa Orbit extreme pro 1.5
stem- Raceface diablous 1.5
wheels -Arrows 24" dhx's with hope bulb hubs
tires- nokian 24" gazzis 2.6
seat and seatpost- azonic big drop seat with a salsa seatpost
cranks- profile ss with the titanium bb length 175 chrome
pedals-sun ringle max octanes
bash guard- e thirteen 5 bolt pattern
chainwheel- e thirteen crownwheel 36 tooth
grips- lizard skin odi lock ons
bars-fsa dh 400
brakes - 6 inch rear hfx 9 hydro / 8inch front hfx 9 hydro
10

[blueimp180]

the links to the pictures
http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=view&image=205143

another pic.....
http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=view&image=205144

rate it 1-10

[dexterq20]

Originally posted by blueimp180
this is my evil
That's wonderful. :rolleyes: Next time, try posting a new thread instead of reviving one that's a year old. http://www.cripplefight.com/smileys/bangin.gif

EDIT: In all my infinite wisdom and in an attempt to make a newbie look like, well.... a newbie, I have again bumped this thread back to the top. Oh well.

[blueimp180]

doing that up right now, im new at this site as you can see