Steve Smith's Prototype Devinci - Fort William DH World Cup

Jun 6, 2014 at 22:27
by Mike Levy  
Steve Smith s new 27.5 wheel size Devinci Wilson. This is a pre-production model--Devinci is still fine tuning the design but it looks and rides baller so far says Chainsaw...
  Steve Smith's new 650B-wheeled Devinci Wilson. This is a prototype - Devinci is still fine tuning the design - and it features an aluminum front triangle mated to a carbon fiber rear end.

A quick look at the guts of the new lowered linkage on Chainsaw s pre-production Wilson.
  A look at the guts of the new Wilson.

Some tech notes on the new Wilson from when we first showed you an early version of the new bike back in February: The most obvious talking point, at least from looking at this photo, has to be the revised shock position that sees it attached to the rocker arm (Devinci refers to this as the 'Control Link') with a short extension. The Control Link still rotates concentrically around the bottom bracket via two massive sealed bearings, just as on the current 26" wheeled Wilson Carbon, but it differs in shape slightly compared to what is found on the standard bike, and its unfinished appearance also alludes to the fact that the design is far from being locked down. ''This piece is really the heart of the stiffness of the chain stays, and also how the bike reacts to bumps", Dave Weagle, the bike's designer, explained to us when we first debuted that Wilson Carbon in 2012, and we wouldn't be surprised to learn that different versions of the Control Link have been and will be tested during the off-season. The shape of the control link also determines the suspension's leverage ratio throughout its travel, as does the position of the forward shock mount. This is where the short extension connecting the Control Link and the shock comes into play, as it lets the shock be located where required, while also allowing for a short, stiff shape to the link that delivers the correct leverage.

Blue Steel for the new Devinci Hardly. But it s a blue anodized Ti Spring.
  Blue Steel for the new Devinci? Hardly - it's a blue anodized titanium spring.

A bit of a personal touch for Chainsaw from mechanic Nigel Reeves foam padding to keep chain noise to a minimum.
  A bit of a personal touch for Smith from mechanic Nigel Reeves: padding to keep chain noise to a minimum.

Easton Havoc Wheels.
  Easton Havoc DH wheels.

ODI fork bumpers custom mounted to mechanic Nigel Reeves carbon number board mount.
  ODI fork bumpers and custom mounted carbon number plate.

Stevie is rocking the new SRAM guide 4 piston stoppers but utilizing the older rotor.
  Stevie is rocking the new SRAM Guide brakes but utilizing an older rotor.

Dave Weagle the creator of the Split Pivot design that Devinci uses for the Wilson is well known for using eccentric linkages to tweak BB height and head angles on his frame designs.
  Dave Weagle, the creator of the Split Pivot design that Devinci uses for the Wilson, is well known for employing eccentric hardware to allow riders to adjust the geometry of his bikes.


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123 Comments
  • 123 5
 it even looks fast while standing still
  • 21 4
 My thoughts exactly, wow what a bike one of the best looking for a while in my eyes. I can def see some through back to the Sunn Radical + in there which is not a bad thing when the design was proven by the one and only Vouilloz...........Steve for the Win!
  • 12 3
 www.ti-springs.com/Coloured_Ti_Spring/p1892585_11016274.aspx
  • 9 1
 Oops...wrong comment..
  • 2 1
 very interesting
  • 1 0
 Where the seat stay and chainstay meets!
  • 6 1
 I'm not saying I prefer either, but I do hope they carry on last years model, not because it was 26", but I did love the look of it, this is awesome, but different.

As for wheel size, I'm not bothered at all. So many teams are running 27.5 now and they are getting good results to show for it. I am definately game for trying a 650b downhill bike, so it's not that I like the old one for the wheels, I am just saying it was a very good looking bike, as is this, but whilst they obviously share features, they are quite different
  • 4 0
 That lower link eccentric bush and bolt is showing signs of a rock strike.
  • 2 1
 another awesome bike from Devinci

they always have a great visual look as well as suspension function

I miss working for the UK Distributor (Freeborn) because I got to custom build / sell and test ride many of the Devinci bikes, loved my Dixon Split-Pivot such a capable 145mm bike
  • 4 3
 That "blue anodized titanium spring" though!!!
  • 2 1
 With the original k9ine shock bearing that Steve has been running for the last couple of years too..
  • 1 0
 I'm really keen to hear from them about what they are achieving with this new shock placement. The last bike was clearly a machine it would be good to hear where they felt the weakness's were or what areas they have improved on over last years frame. I want one.
  • 6 1
 i wish my rear end was carbon fiber
  • 1 1
 I thought only aluminium could be anodised.
  • 27 1
 Aluminium!!! That's so 2012, and I love it
  • 6 0
 Aluminum, 2012. How about a single high pivot axle path. That's 1990. A floating brake to compensate? That's 1995. Look at the shock linkage, remember Rotech, that's from the 90's also. I guess what's old is new again. I think I'll start riding my 7 year old Stab again,
  • 1 0
 Deeeight is that you?
  • 18 1
 30 comments and no one's mentioned the wheel-size. Must be a record.
  • 13 3
 ano blue ti spring, want.
  • 3 0
 Would've looked even more awesome if he still had those blue Easton proto rims like last year
  • 5 0
 www.ti-springs.com/Coloured_Ti_Spring/p1892585_11016274.aspx
  • 7 0
 Those 'blue rims' your talking about have never existed. They were actually the Schwalbe First Ride tires that had the blue strip right around the edge.
  • 4 1
 I can't quite get in board with those colored springs. There is just something about the colored ones that look off to me. And I'm not against ano parts and colors. My has a lot of gold on it and I've been trying to convince myself a gold ti-spring would look awesome but I'm not there yet. I like the raw titanium color.
  • 8 0
 I hope the frame gets more fine tuning so it is more pleasing to the eye. I still love how the previous wilson looks!!
  • 4 4
 DID ANYONE NOTICE REAR WHEEL !?
ONE RUN AND CHECK IT OUT, ITS ALREADY WITH A BIG DING, WOWWW... well done Easton
  • 1 0
 zenis you havent seen my old ones haha
  • 2 0
 How about that nice scratch on the chainstay in the last pic
  • 8 2
 I think the previous version was sexier. Oh Well. Thanks for the article Smile
  • 5 0
 Sadly I'm not a fan of the frame, but looks aren't everything. she probably rides like a DREAM.
  • 8 1
 I want one right meow
  • 1 0
 Team Ramrod?
  • 2 0
 Really glad to see the industry has learned to cloud the wheel-size change in this last high-end segment of riding with cosmetic tweaks to suspension designs. We've cased the anatomy of what 'works' in suspension and can change various lengths, positions and appearances resulting in similar end-product. Seems changing two or more attributes on a bike with limited performance benefit is the tipping point for blind force feeding to us slobs. Look forward to more of this. Pretty bike.
  • 3 0
 Years ago I remember buying a frame with a Rock Shox rear shock and immediately replacing it since it was garbage. Funny how the times change and now I am looking for bikes without a Fox shock or fork.
  • 2 1
 Same thing here! But I still can't bring myself to buying Rock Shox, though.... all those years of riding crappy RS forks and RS shocks from them, thousands of dollars I've spent on mediocrity.
  • 1 0
 It looks awesome. I prefer the old RGV-esque swingarm shape, but overall it looks better to me. I especially love the long weld between the closely spaced top and down tubes. Has the main pivot moved back a good bit though? Carbon again stay... finally. Thank you Astro Engineering. Please give us molded protectors... velcro is a joke on a frame of this quality. Go on Steve!
  • 2 0
 650B sucks. Mt.bikers follow to may trends. It is really sad to see the sport go this direction. Oh well I guess I can get a great deal on a used 26" dh bike and have enough left over for a new Motocross bike. HaHa
  • 7 4
 I swear what is the mountain bike world gonna do when Dave Weagle is no longer.
  • 16 29
flag Powderface (Jun 6, 2014 at 23:25) (Below Threshold)
 Rejoice.
  • 11 15
flag bxxer-rider (Jun 7, 2014 at 5:43) (Below Threshold)
 a much better place once the overcharging, patent stealing and idea-less man is gone.
  • 1 0
 Ooo.. now this is interesting, you've both caused a stir, lots of weagle love afoot. What is it he's done? Charging more for a good design is not a problem. But it is if you stole it!
  • 1 1
 Dave Weagle and Devinci are still massive c*nts for pretty much halting the next evolution of the radical plus. He got reeeeeally shitty about Trek getting the patent for the concentric axle pivot (which is just too common sense IMO, basically a Kona with the suspension developed properly, hence me moving away from it 12 years ago to design more compact LDSP's and virtual IC's. I would definitely be richer, but i design for innovation, not securing money via royalties untill the next-big-thing) in before him so he took and old design and sneakily, using Legalese, re-patented it and some other vague key features/mechanical systems for his own endeavours. Im not bashing the man's engineering capabilities, but i will say that he seems like a surreptitious little f*ck-weasel.

We used to have one of Voullez's prototype Radicals near the start of the century and have loved them ever since. I got an '09 radical which i still love, so superlight it does Alpine XC (yes, ALL of the uphills) without a worry, I have a '10 finest front end which I am half way through making an adjustable steel "split-pivot" rear end for too. Cant wait for it so ill make my own.
  • 1 0
 Loving the new frame. It appears they've shortened the shock to a more traditional 9.5x3. Hallelujah. Would love to know what tires those are being that First Ride is Schwalbe's proto program.
  • 4 1
 Pretty rad! Stevie, rip it up this weekend!
  • 4 1
 I need to change my undies now.
  • 3 0
 So sexy. And 7 speed?? Or did I count wrong??
  • 3 1
 x01 dh
  • 4 0
 www.ti-springs.com/7_Speed_Conversion_Kit/p1892585_12273455.aspx you can have it for nuts
  • 2 3
 Not that much point to it if the hub flanges are not spaced out to take advantage. Just wasted space. Too bad, if that Havoc hub was spaced to take advantage it would become the most desireable DH hub around!
  • 3 1
 Don't follow ti-springs deraileur adjusting video instructions...that guy hasn't heard of limiting screws...
  • 2 0
 on sram deraileur you can't get the limiting screw to work on a 7speed conversion, that why you need to do what he said on the video
  • 1 1
 Get a longer one OR use the b-tension screw instead. I've manage to do it with 6 speeds so no reason you can't with 7...
  • 2 0
 the screw leight is not the problem, if you have it to far in you can't go on the lower gear... hard to explan but if you look at your derailleur it make sense, the only way you can make this work with ajusting the limiting screw is if you put spacer before the 11t cog so it will push the cassette further on the freehub body
  • 2 0
 I know what you mean. I had that problem when I tried to run 5 speeds.
  • 1 0
 These are some very good looking wheels. Details? Anything new, or just cosmetics? Does the rear one already have a nice bump?
  • 2 1
 They already have a chip out of them in the pic. I wouldn't bother.
  • 2 1
 Already? Its had the fastest bloke on earth riding it so chipped wheels might be expected, no?
  • 2 0
 Second that, what brand/product is the foam padding? I've used the fuzzy velcro stuff for years but this looks even better.
  • 1 0
 It's just bulk padding that he cuts and glues. Probably cab find suitable foam on McMaster's website.
  • 4 1
 i'm sorry, but I like the current model A LOT better, just my preference
  • 1 0
 it not the bike that is making the rider its the opposite... it s the rider who make the bike ride well!!!! go steve!!!!!!
  • 3 1
 So alloy front end, but is that a carbon chainstay?
  • 3 0
 That spring doe
  • 2 0
 Only like 5 people have complained about 650b! It's a world record!
  • 1 0
 650B sucks Better LOL
  • 1 0
 Haha now 7 lol
  • 1 0
 they should put the brake under the pivot instead of on top . would look cleaner if it dosnt hit the split pivot .
  • 4 2
 im gunna say it. That thing looks awful.
  • 1 0
 Darn. I just Bought a Wilson SL 3 rides ago. Now it looks like the ginger-headed stepchild!
  • 2 0
 ....that won the world cup. So I wouldn't lose any sleep.
  • 1 0
 haven't seen a down tube that awesome in a good while
  • 2 1
 Um isnt that rear rotor on the wrong way around?
  • 2 0
 no
  • 1 0
 What rotors is he using?
  • 3 1
 So ugly !!!! damm
  • 1 0
 Look like a praying mantis... really cool stuff
  • 2 2
 So, nobody actually noticed this NOT being a new Devinci Wilson, but a Devinci Chainsaw? Note the rear triangle
  • 4 0
 Incorrect. Chainsaw is for Stevies nick name, the Canadian Chainsaw Massacre. Or, Chainsaw for short.
  • 3 2
 I loyk it! I have no idea why it reminds me of a YT, but it's really nice!
  • 3 0
 It's because of the more abrupt change in angle on the downtube, similar to the YT.
  • 1 0
 Knowing what Nigel can do to bikes this is gonna be sweet!!!
  • 2 0
 Gorgeous!
  • 2 0
 Totally bike porn
  • 2 1
 Canadian rider with a canadian bike!! Perfect.
  • 1 0
 Main frame and linkage bits, probably since it's proto... but rear triangle is probably from Asia like basically all of Devinci carbon.
  • 1 0
 I'm sure they perform wonderfully.....but what a dumb name for brakes!!!
  • 1 0
 Daaaamn, if they put that shock any lower it'd be in the bottom bracket.
  • 1 0
 Anybody tested the Guide brakes on a DH Bike yet?
  • 1 0
 Look who's back
  • 1 0
 Awesome!
  • 8 10
 "Custom mounted carbon number plate". O.M.G. Tell me more, please.
This is what happens when the hype gets blown out of proportion. New bike looks cool, sure, but c'mon.
  • 12 1
 I dont think theres anything wrong by pointing out the # plate. I think youre overreacting
  • 3 1
 Just because.
  • 1 1
 These other races don't have custom mounted plates? Who mounts them then? Do they also get a carbon one, or is Stevie that special?
  • 2 0
 HE IS THAT SPECIAL.
  • 1 2
 its just kike the alucarbon ones or what ever it is they call the carbon aluminium frames
  • 2 0
 What are you trying to say?
  • 1 0
 just like this, ali front and carbon rear www.devinci.com/bikes/bike_377_scategory_101
  • 2 1
 Wow. Fugly.
  • 3 6
 Good to see the brands going back to aluminium. Now they just need to throw some 26'' wheels on this one and it will be one beast of a bike
  • 15 0
 My guess is that they went with alloy only because it's a prototype and carbon molds are super expensive.
  • 2 4
 Maybe, but why the carbon rear then?
  • 11 0
 because the rear end isn't changing. the front is
  • 1 0
 Front triangle does not move as much as the rear one. Lower weight of the moving parts increase efficiency of suspension. Note alloy sus parts in car industry!
  • 1 0
 The rear end is completely different looking to the old model
  • 4 6
 That frame is really ugly, but it won't matter, because when stevie is on it, it'll just look like a blur.
  • 6 0
 I think it looks siiiiick
  • 10 12
 this bike got uglier man, i like the 26 er better
  • 10 5
 There it is! SOMEONE had to gripe about it not being a 26" bike.
  • 6 8
 of course someone did. Big wheels are for noobs and xc after all...
  • 3 1
 26" Divinci, don't mess with success!
  • 3 6
 What's that sticky stuff on the top chain guide?
  • 2 0
 Foam padding
  • 3 0
 from the caption: "padding to keep chain noise to a minimum"
  • 3 0
 Looks like the soft side of Velcro.
  • 2 0
 Sorry I should have been more specific. What brand/product is the foam padding he is using on his upper chainguide? Also, is that just for noise purposes or is it functional?
  • 1 0
 Its just for noise, there is no actual function to it. And I think it actually is the soft side of velcro. Any velcro/hook & loop stuff with the sticky backing should do fine.
  • 1 0
 what work evan better is mastic tape 2229 . its basicly a rubber sticky strip that will last forever . i put it on my chainstay etc. super good ! and clean small looking compared to a tube or lizard skins one
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