We take a closer look at Steve Geall’s Tora EVH downhill bike that takes mixes the old school design with new school geometry and construction.
The Tora EVH downhill bike is a UK-made steel downhill machine that draws on the classic layout of downhill bikes of the Naughties and throws modern geometry and construction into the mix.
UK riding legend Steve Geall’s custom Tora EVH was on show at Core Bike, we took a closer look and had a chat with the man himself about his build and setup.
Frame
Tora Cycles EVH, size Large in anthracite grey. Hand made in the UK from T45 steel, offering up 200mm rear wheel travel. Rolling on a Mullet setup. Standard size Large EVHs come stock with 27.5″ wheels.
The frame takes its inspiration from the Brooklyn Machine Works Race Link.
Steve says: “I like the way steel bikes ride, and was intrigued as to how the single speed bike would race, plus it looks f*cking cool.”
Suspension
Ohlins TTX DH Race fork and an Ohlins TTX 22 coil shock.
Steve runs 190psi in the bottom ramp up chamber, 110psi in the top on the fork. He bought both off eBay, put them on the bike, and just changed the rebound a click quicker and has left them like that since.
The shock has slightly shorter 241 x 75 dimensions than stock with a 548 spring. Steve runs the compression open , 1 click slower on rebound from purchase, but says he’ll be playing around more with settings throughout year.
The mudguards are Rapidracerproducts Race Guards front and back .
Drivetrain
Steve runs a Profile race crank 165mm with a 36t Profile chain ring on a Profile spline drive spider.
The bottom bracket is an 83mm threaded Trickstuff eccentric BB that’s needed to tension drivetrain. The unique drivetrain requires two KMC single speed chains to run. Other chains are available. Sprocket-wise, Steve’s EVH comes with a Profile 36t main sprocket to a 17t on the main pivot, next to that on the same pivot is an 18t which runs to a 19t on the rear driver.
Pedals are the trusty DMR Vaults in silver.
Brakes
If they’re good enough for Aaron Gwin… Slowing the EVH down are a pair of TRP EVO DH-R with Tektro 203mm standard rotors at 2.3mm thick, with organic pads. Steve runs his levers 73mm out at 45 degrees, with the bite at about halfway.
Wheels
This Tora EVH runs on the tied and trusted Hope Fortus 30 DH alloy wheels. 29″ front and 27.5″ rear, both Boost. The rear hub runs the steel freehub.
These are shod with a Schwalbe Magic Mary out front and a Big Betty out back. Both Super Gravity casing, 2.4 width, Evo TL and soft compound. Both wheels are tubeless with Muc-Off tape valves and sealant.
Cockpit
Handling the steering are a pair of 800mm wide alloy DMR Wing Bars in 35mm diameter, 20mm rise with an 8 degree back sweep, 5 degree up sweep. These are rolled just slightly back from upright. A Renthal Integra direct mount 35mm, 50mm length, 10mm rise keeps things in check. At the ends of the bars, you can find a pair of DMR Deathgrips.
Lounge Area
A DMR “Oi Oi ” stealth camo saddle sits atop a , “cheap alloy black seat post I got off eBay.”
Cool custom sh*t
“The whole thing is f*cking cool as sh*t.”
Who are we to argue?
