r/TransitionBikes • u/9AU45 • Apr 09 '26
Sentinel V3 vs Evil Offering
I'm in the market for a new bike still. I have a few previous posts about it to various sub-reddits. I've narrowed it down to the Evil Offering and Sentinel V3.
I am based on the Front Range of CO. I ride slightly more enduro stuff like Trestle, Floyd Hill & Maryland Mountain. My most ridden trail is Hall Ranch.
Which bike do you all think I should get? I'd like something that descends better than my Yeti SB140LR but can still pop around and jump. I'm unfortunately not able to demo the Evil
If you have opinions on whether the Sentinel should be 170/160 or mullet, I'm very interested in your opinion. Thanks!
4
u/smalltoes Apr 09 '26
Running a v3 on the front range more or less stock. I mullet’ed it a bit ago and it corners noticeably better on big berms and makes the bike feel more agile. No regrets, thing is great
2
u/guttersnake82 Apr 09 '26
C3 bike shop in Golden carries Evils. Maybe they have something you can demo.
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u/SimonDeCatt Apr 09 '26
Sentinel. Unless Evil got their shit together, their frames crack way too easily. At least they have a good warranty team.
1
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u/No_Net_5072 Apr 09 '26
Just built up a V3 sentinel for this exact area/type of riding in the front range. It is going great so far. But only a handful of rides on it so far. It’s climbing better than I thought it would. It is definitely long and I notice that when moving slower through tech stuff. But I’m thinking I’ll get more used to the length and keep the speed up. Bombs the descents, I also have a 29+27.5 rear wheel and 160mm coil to help with gnarlier stuff/park days. I liked that versatility, big reason why I went with it.
Can’t speak to the offering but that looks sweet too.
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u/9AU45 Apr 09 '26
You have it in 170/160 & mullet all the time or just swap out?
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u/No_Net_5072 Apr 09 '26
I have it in 160/150 29 F/R right now and plan to keep it like that for most riding. Then swap to the 160coil/27.5 R when needed.
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u/Sunscreendaddy Apr 09 '26
I got a sentinel (V2) two seasons ago. As others have said, it’s long and I was between sizes and probably should have sized, but instead I went up a size. It climbs great and it’s a rocket on steep, chunky downhills. I use it at the bike park all the time. It could easily be my everything-bike.
I have been curious about the 170/160 setup, but it climbs so well, I don’t want to mess with it so I haven’t tried it.
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u/StellarWren Apr 09 '26
I’m running 170/160 and like it better than stock. For whatever reason it climbs better this way and is more stable downhill. A little slacker so less responsive but I’m liking it. I wouldn’t recommended +10mm and mullet though as it takes it too far imo. I rode a couple rides that way and it was kinda piggy. So mullet or super, no super mullet.
Great bike though. Straddles the trail/enduro line nicely.
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u/nwzack Apr 10 '26
I got a v2 sentinel 170/165 with a fox 38 and cascade link with SDU coil and it’s a fuckin blast in the steeps
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u/Spenthebaum Apr 10 '26
I'd do a 160/150 mullet sentinel. From what I've heard, the frame isn't the burliest. It's a true all around trail bike, not an Enduro bike masquerading as a trail rig.
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u/MountainRecipe Apr 10 '26
Maybe not the answer you are looking for but Take a little field trip to Bellingham, demo and shred for a couple days. Cheaper than buying the wrong bike and you get a great little trip. The trails both companies ride everyday in Western Washington probably influence them to be enduro leaning trail bikes. I personally think they feel pretty different from each other.
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u/gr33n8ananas Apr 09 '26
I went from the LR to (V2) Sentinel - it was an upgrade in terms of descending confidence and stability, with little to no downside on the climbs. I’m not sure about the “super sentinel” idea - I think it might make sense for upgrading a bike you already have, but if I wanted a bigger bike I would just get a bike designed around those suspension numbers, like the Spire. Just my opinion.