Devinci’s Wilson model has gone through a number of changes over the years, morphing from its original inception as a rather tall, more freeride oriented rig, to the World Cup-winning race weapon that it is today. The latest Wilson is no different, with a number of updates since the original race weapon that the likes of the late Stevie Smith, Nick Beer and Mark Wallace raced on the toughest courses the world over, including the switch from aluminum to carbon for the front triangle.
The carbon model comes in a number of kits, ranging from the Carbon XP starting the range at $5,039 USD through to the top end Carbon SL ride seen here, which will set you back $7,959 USD. For those that wish to build their own idea of a race bike, a frame only option is available for $3,359 USD.
Devinci Wilson Carbon SL Details• Intended use: downhill racing/freeride
• Travel: 204mm
• 27.5" wheels
• 63.2° head angle
• 435mm chainstays
• 12 x 150mm rear spacing
• Carbon main frame and seatstay
• Split Pivot suspension design
• 2.5" tire clearance
• External cable routing
• Integrated fork bumpers
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight (size large): 35.08lb / 16.04kg
• Price: $7,959 USD
•
www.devinci.com The SL has a no-holds-barred build, with suspension duties handled by a RockShox World Cup BoXXer and Vivid RC2, Easton’s top tier Havoc DH wheelset wrapped in Schwalbe’s formidable Magic Mary rubber, and a SRAM X01 7-speed drivetrain, topped off with a Chromag bar and stem combo.
Needless to say, out of the box the bike means business with the build very similar to what many top World Cup racers are using on any given Sunday. But how does it transfer to the regular Joe that’s not looking to race the clock and perhaps just wants a carbon DH bike with a top notch spec?
Frame DetailsThe most obvious difference with this model is the carbon frame, and while aesthetically it draws many of the same lines as its aluminum brother, the carbon material was used in an effort to give the DGR team riders more when they were punishing it against the clock. At the highest level any effort to gain a fraction of a second is worth exploring, and what can seem like the smallest of changes to us mere mortals can make a very clear change to the top athletes, which is where Devinci say the carbon construction comes into play
Specifically, Devinci note that the goals with the carbon material were to develop a frame that was stiffer and contained better flex, in turn supplying more direct power transfer. In order to achieve this the engineers looked to create tube shapes that would aid with this, even before digging into the frame’s carbon layup. From here they worked on varying the frame thickness throughout the tubing, tuning the flex based on forces applied to a given area. This tuning of flex is said to improve frame strength in critical sections, like the bottom bracket junction, which Devinci say can’t be obtained with alloy due to the welding process.
Beyond the process of developing the carbon frame, Devinci appear to have done a great job of integrating protection, with cleverly placed rubber sections on the rear stays to help protect the investment riders have made from rub and scuffing via their feet/heels, in addition to well-placed protection against chain slap. There’s also a solid carbon skid plate beneath the lower portion of the downtube, in an effort to protect this part of the frame from impacts.
Despite so many brands jumping on the internal routing train, Devinci have stuck to a clever, externally routed design. The cables run beneath the toptube, keeping them out of harm's way and despite them being attached to the outer of the frame, it remains very clean to the eye. It also makes a lot of sense when considering the quick maintenance often necessary on a race weekend.
Suspension DesignThe Wilson continues to utilize the Dave Weagle-designed Split Pivot suspension layout, which uses a concentric pivot around the rear axle in order to help separate braking from accelerating forces at the rear wheel. When the latest Wilson was developed there were some updates that were implemented based on the experiences of the Devinci Global Racing World Cup team. The shock’s location was carefully changed in an effort to lower the center of gravity, a change that also resulted in a switch to a shock with a more common 9.5" x 3.0" dimensions, versus the more difficult to find 10.5" length found on the previous model.
The rear suspension changes also allowed the team to add in a shock extension (or yoke) in an effort to move the shock out of the way of debris and better clear the mud through this area. Devinci say that in the process of making this change they did adjust the bike's kinematics in order to achieve a more progressive end stroke than the previous model.
Geometry/SizingIt’s no secret that bikes are getting longer as I type this, with some going to relative extremes, while others keep to a more conservative, manageable change. In the case of the Carbon SL Wilson tested here the more conservative side is definitely the case. As noted in our
First Ride posted earlier in 2016, the Wilson is a little cramped in the cockpit, and at 6’3” (193cm) I found the XL to be on the small side. It wasn’t unmanageable, possibly due to my tendency to deny I am as tall as the numbers say and generally ride smaller frames anyway, but the 451mm reach of the XL isn't as long as other bikes in this category. For instance, a size large YT Tues (their largest size) contains a reach of 450mm, the current Specialized Demo in an XL comes in at 460mm, and a Giant Glory is 461mm reach for a large.
This cramped cockpit translates to a tighter wheelbase for taller riders too, with the XL coming in at 1237mm. My current 155mm trail bike contains a longer wheelbase and so do the downhill sleds from Giant and Specialized in the same XL sizing. Despite the shortish wheelbase, I found for the average rider it was fine in this package, but it is interesting in a time where World Cup downhillers and local racers are sizing up in an effort to increase their stability at the high speeds encountered when going against the clock.
Specifications
Specifications
|
Release Date
|
2016 |
|
Price
|
$7759 |
|
Travel |
204mm |
|
Rear Shock |
Rockshox Vivid RC2 |
|
Fork |
Rockshox Boxxer World Cup |
|
Headset |
FSA Orbit 1.5 Zero Stack |
|
Cassette |
SRAM 7sp 10-24 |
|
Crankarms |
SRAM X0 |
|
Chainguide |
e*thirteen LG1+ |
|
Bottom Bracket |
SRAM GXP |
|
Chain |
Shimano 11s |
|
Rear Derailleur |
SRAM X01 DH |
|
Shifter Pods |
SRAM X01 DH 7sp |
|
Handlebar |
Chromag BZA, 35ø, 800mm wide, 20mm rise, 5º upsweep, 8º backsweep |
|
Stem |
Chromag BZA Direct Mount, 50mm, 35ø |
|
Grips |
Devinci Performance Lock-on |
|
Brakes |
SRAM Guide Ultimate |
|
Wheelset |
Easton Havoc |
|
Tires |
Schwalbe Magic Mary DH, Vertstar |
|
Seatpost |
V2 PRO 31.6MM |
|
| |
p.s. Cool bike, I can't look at a Devinci without remembering how rad Stevie was. #longlivechainsaw
#longlivechainsaw
Anyways, just kinda sad there's no mention of him in this whole article really and I think we all are. The biking community is pretty well known for being supportive, it'd be really nice to see the Wilson pay it's respects.
Thanks,
-Guy who thinks Steve is pretty great and likes Devinci bikes and wishes he liked them more then he currently does
p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/2/photos/61336/s780_SS_n3x1176.jpg
m.vitalmtb.com/photos/features/World-Championships-Riders-and-Bikes,4278/Steve-Smith-with-his-Devinci-Wilson-Carbon,42120/sspomer,2
Not really:
Devinci Wilson XP 3,539 USD
Specialized Demo 8 4,000 USD
Commencal Supreme Park 2,499 USD (22% discount)
YT Tues 2,299 USD (has some discount as well)
Trek Session 8 4,000 USD
Giant GLory Advanced 3,000 USD
Of course they are not cheap, but they are not that expensive. Also these are MSRP prices, so it is very likely that they can be bought at a lower price.
Besides it is always possible to buy a used bike, there is no lack of people selling their bikes after one season for much less than they paid.
And having owned a two stroke CR250 in the past, I can attest that it's maintenance is WAY more expensive and frequent than my DH bike.
And a brand new two stroke 125 cc bike is quite pricey:
2016 KTM 125SX: $6799
2016 Husqvarna TC125: $6899
2016 TM Racing MX144: $8400
2016 Yamaha YZ125: $6390
It is great since it means bikes have come a long way and are now mostly really good. Not so great for uninspired manufacturers though.
Aren't those points mutually exclusive?
If the bike is a bit too short for your size, one tends to ride slightly over the back wheel. To bring the weigh back forward and on the front wheel, a rather flat bar would facilitate that.
Or am I wrong?
Not remotely anything approaching an engineer but I recognize the genius of being able to create a bike that carries the same distinctive "ride DNA" across changing frame dimensions, wheel sizes etc..
not made for time, but for fun
Because in real life i think only 30% customers are racers and from them only 10% is interested in micro seconds to win in track....
I had the older Wilson (2012, Alu). And it felt pretty much like a monster truck (I moved from a Specialized SX Trail), great for ramming roots and rocks, but not so good for jumping. But on the review you mentioned the updated Wilson is a good jumper. Did I misjudge the bike because I came from a rather springy bike, or has it changed quite a lot on this update?
Now I own a GT Fury, and even though it's longer and 27.5", it feels better on jumps, and a tad less stable on rock gardens (I guess that is because I had a 40 on my Wilson and am running a 380 on my GT).
Devinci lost me as a customer... HAHAHAAHAHAH........
f*ck off.
Give me props, I tried my best here.