Posts
298
Joined
6/14/2014
Location
Fresh Prince of Bel Air, MD
US
Edited Date/Time
8/20/2022 9:36pm
Life comes full circle. Almost 20 years after owning my first Evil Imperial I have come into possession of my 3rd Imperial frame, I will be keeping this one forever. I want to do a sort of "resto-mod" build with current parts, an early 2000's retro build would be cool but just won't ride as nice. I'm in the process of building a "mini bike park" on my property so this bike will be primarily used for jumps, drops, features and general goofing off. I have a few idea for the build, I want to run it geared so I can hopefully pedal it up the short climb back to the start ramp. I'm thinking about running the Sram GX DH 7-speed. Deity for Stem, Bars, seat and post (I-beam). Not sure on wheels/hubs, I think I may build my own wheels which may be easier given the "older" 135mm rear spacing. My biggest question is wether to build the bike as a full blown DJ bike or make it more of a trail/freeride bike.
If I built it as a DJ bike I would likely put a 100mm Pike DJ and 26" wheels.
If I built it as more of a trail bike I was thinking I would use a 130-140mm fork and possibly 27.5" wheels in the middle or rear most chainstay setting. Also, are 27.5" rims and tires easier to source nowadays?
Just curious how you guys think I should build it.
Here's my original Imperial from college
Me taking it off a 10' drop
The New frame
And the Geo Charts to help make some decisions about how to build it
If I built it as a DJ bike I would likely put a 100mm Pike DJ and 26" wheels.
If I built it as more of a trail bike I was thinking I would use a 130-140mm fork and possibly 27.5" wheels in the middle or rear most chainstay setting. Also, are 27.5" rims and tires easier to source nowadays?
Just curious how you guys think I should build it.
Here's my original Imperial from college
Me taking it off a 10' drop
The New frame
And the Geo Charts to help make some decisions about how to build it
I actually still have black profile cranks that were on my last Imperial, they've been at the bottom of my parts bin for probably 12 years. They weigh almost as much as the frame, so in an effort to keep this thing relatively light, they will probably stay at the bottom of the bin.
The climb/return trail I'll be building for my trails will be relatively low grade with one short punchy section, I figure on the Imperial I will likely do the entire climb standing, it's only about 2 minutes back to the top. I'm used to grinding up climbs standing from all my SS riding.
Update:
I’ve started to accumulate parts. I was originally going to get 100% new parts but with inflation and gas I figured it the more “adult” thing to do was reuse a few things from the parts bin and source as much as possible from eBay and classifieds. I’ll be reusing X01 cranks and a BB that I’ve had on at least 5 different bikes, Code RSC brakes from my Enduro I’m parting out, and I’m going to use a spare stem, bars and grips at first until I figure out what length and rise I want.
I bought a Pike DJ 100mm, found a guy locally selling a brand new set of Spank Wheels (waiting on adapters), and picked up a 7 speed X01 DH rear derailleur on eBay. Saddle, GX 7 speed DH cassette and chain should all be here this week. Only thing I can’t find is a GX 7 speed DH shifter, and I’ll need a Non-boost chainring.
I also had plans to get the frame powder coated but decided against it for cost savings. I cleaned the frame up really well and I actually think it will look good with a bunch of new parts on a “patina’d” frame.
All I know about it is that it's a 2006 model year and has 666 stamped on the bottom bracket. Never seen another Imperial in this color green. I installed Monster T's and an updated drivetrain along with some decals. In fact, all the parts are new. It's been my daily driver for a minute now and I've been really loving it— Cheers!
Anyways yeah If you remember the serial # or original color of your old frame before it was powder coated you can let me know and I can confirm that info. I just think it's interesting to hear the history of these old parts.
Chain stay has some marks and scratches I think from the chain or tensioner, that’s the only other distinguishing feature. I might be changing the cranks soon, I’ll take some more pictures.
I have only seen one other (what I assume to be) custom green one besides yours and I am pretty sure it was in the UK or somewhere overseas, but it was a lighter shade of green I believe. This frame is a nice deep grass green, but nice and bright in the sun... love the color!
Glad to see you are still in Evil gang— Super hyped about that new build, always love to see updates on what you think of that new setup!
Dear riders,
After 25 years, I've embarked on a rather ambitious project to rebuild my evil imperial bike from scratch, and I'm reaching out to the biking community for some valuable guidance.
As I'm starting from the ground up, I'll need to purchase various components, and I'm realizing that determining the correct sizes for certain parts is crucial. I'm particularly seeking assistance with sizing for the stem, fork, bottom bracket (B
, cassette, rear axle, and crank.
If you have experience or expertise in bike customization, I'd greatly appreciate any advice you can offer regarding the appropriate sizes for these components. Additionally, if you know of any reliable sources or brands for these parts, that information would be incredibly helpful.
Neat project! You could try asking Greg at https://www.buttersuspension.com/, he knows a TON about older MTBs and suspension stuff and I bet he could point you in the right direction (and probably help source parts).
Thank you Dolface !
I talk to Evil Imperial USA, and they told me that the BB is 68/73mm, and that I need to find a crank that fits a 68/73mm BB. How can I be sure that the crank will but the 68/73mm BB ? Is there is particular size for the crank ? Or should I search " 68/73mm + crank ? "
Also, can I just use a 11 cassette with a 1 speed ? so a 1X11 or I must use a 3x11 speed ?
Thank you !!
I don't know anything about that particular bike so please verify all this independently but 68/73 doesn't make sense to me; 68mm is road standard, 73mm is MTB standard (this says it's 73mm: https://products.mtbr.com/product/bikes/freeride-hardtail/evil/imperial…).
This https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1719456/ lists the rear dropouts as 135mm (this is the old quick release standard), and it should fit an 11-speed: https://www.mtbr.com/threads/11-speed-with-135mm-rear.919300/
1x up front is fine, but not Boost.
Really your best bet is to take the frame down to your local bike shop and get them to sort you out
Good luck!
68/73 just means a 68mm shell, so an extra 2.5mm spacer behind each cup of the BB for a 73mm mountain BB.
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