Review -

Devinci Troy Carbon RR Review – how good is the Canadian trail machine

We don’t reckon there are many places on Earth that can rival Canada’s wealth of amazing trails and breathtaking nature. But to really profit from the trails, you’ve got to have the right bike to confront the challenges and get the best of Canada, so is the Devinci Troy Carbon RR up to the task? Developed alongside downhill legend Stevie Smith, we’re curious to see whether this bike can live up to the hype!

Devinci Troy Carbon RR | 150/140 mm (v/h) | 12,73 kg | 7.399 €
Devinci Troy Carbon RR | 150/140 mm (v/h) | 12.73 kg | € 7,399

Trail bikes have had something of a moment in 2016, you could say, and rightly so, these whips are more versatile and potent than even before – and the Devinci Troy Carbon is surely the epitome of this evolution! Climbing or descending, this bike looks like it’ll be a sure-fire grin-generating machine. But does it all stem back to its solid and proven spec, or is it thanks to the finely tuned and meticulously developed technologies that have been woven into the Troy’s construction? Take the flip-chip system for example, which lets you tune the geometry to suit your taste. Then there’s the asymmetrical rear design and Boost standard that lent the developers precious room for shorter chainstays. Plus, the bike was developed in collaboration with one of the world’s quickest mountain bikers. All of these elements have arguably contributed to its geometry, handling and performance—and they amount to a damn good bike.

The flip-chip switches between geometry settings.
The flip-chip switches between geometry settings.

Devinci Troy Carbon RR in detail

Fork: RockShox PIKE RCT3 150 mm
Rear shock: RockShox Monarch RT3 DebonAir
Brakes: SRAM Guide RSC
Drivetrain: SRAM X01 1×11
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth 125 mm
Stem: Chromag BZA Clamp 35 mm
Bars: Chromag BZA 800 mm
Wheelset: DT Swiss M1700 SPLINE Boost
Tires: MAXXIS HighRoller II 29 x 2.3
Weight: 12.73 kg
Price: € 7,399

Devinci haven’t broken any new ground when it comes to the spec of the Troy Carbon, but they have got all bases covered: the RockShox suspension delivers its typically high performance and irons out even the burliest parts of the trails without being too lumbering ( providing you’ve dialed the suspension in correctly). As the stock forks on the bike, the PIKE comes with their Dual Position technology, although even on the steepest gradients we didn’t feel the need to lower the front. When it comes to shifting performance, SRAM’s expertise is no secret, and their X01 is testament to this excellence with every satisfyingly succinct shift. The same applies to the brakes, with the SRAM RSC showing great modulation and letting you get loose content in the knowledge that you can pull the brakes at any moment for the desired anchorage. The cockpit and saddle raise the game on the Troy Carbon RR, with Devinci going all-in with the snazziest parts from Chromag. We’d have loved more drop on the RockShox Reverb Stealth seatpost; 125 mm doesn’t always cover the needs of taller riders so 150 mm is often more appreciated. Firmly mid-field players, the wheels perform decently – although considering the price for the complete bike you might have expected a higher quality model.

Sleek and sexy: the Chromag parts are comfortably at home on this attractive bike.
Sleek and sexy: the Chromag parts are comfortably at home on this attractive bike.
More than adequate: with the 1x11 SRAM X01 you can tackle any gradient and terrain.
More than adequate: with the 1×11 SRAM X01 you can tackle any gradient and terrain.
The RockShox PIKE RCT3 delivers its typically high performance whatever the trail.
The RockShox PIKE RCT3 delivers its typically high performance whatever the trail.
Devinci’s own in-house grips are grippy but not hugely comfortable for long days on the bike.
Devinci’s own in-house grips are grippy but not hugely comfortable for long days on the bike.

The geometry of the Devinci Troy Carbon RR

While figures don’t lie, it’s fair to say that they only tell half of the story – and this also applies to geometry stats for bikes. It might give the impression of speed on paper, but it doesn’t always translate to the trails. Fortunately, the Devinci Troy Carbon RR delivers exactly what it promises, tearing up the trails playfully! The super short chainstays render its steering agile and razor-sharp, while the long frame counteracts with stability and smoothness at speed. On technical, burly sections, the steep head angle is a panacea for woes, ensuring that moisture on your brow is purely beads of sweat on your face and not fear.

Size S M L XL
Seat tube 410 mm 435 mm 470 mm 500 mm
Top tube [hi / low] 578 mm / 579 mm 601 mm / 602 mm 624 mm / 626 mm 650 mm / 651 mm
Head tube 105 mm 115 mm 125 mm 140 mm
Head angle [hi / low] 67.4° / 67.0° 67.4° / 67.0° 67.4° / 67.0° 67.4° / 67.0°
Seat tube [hi / low] 74.9° / 74.5° 74.9° / 74.5° 74.9° / 74.5° 74.9° / 74.5°
Chainstay [hi / low] 424 mm / 426 mm 424 mm / 426 mm 424 mm / 426 mm 424 mm / 426 mm
BB Height [hi / low] 343 mm / 338 mm 343 mm / 338 mm 343 mm / 338 mm 343 mm / 338 mm
Wheelbase [hi / low] 1137 mm / 1138 mm 1160 mm / 1162 mm 1184 mm / 1186 mm 1210 mm / 1211 mm
Reach [hi / low] 424 mm / 420 mm 444 mm / 440 mm 464 mm / 460 mm 484 mm / 480 mm
Stack [hi / low] 597 mm / 599 mm 607 mm / 609 mm 615 mm / 618 mm 628 mm / 632 mm

The Devinci Troy Carbon RR on the trails

Those ultra compact chainstays allow the Devinci to be ridden like a sly fox, carving up turns and hurling along technical trails. On steep gradients the bike is stable, despite its fairly steep head angle, and gives you a real confidence boost. Thanks to the long frame, the Devinci Troy Carbon stays planted, follows your lines superbly and manages to maintain its agility. For skilled riders, it weaves exactly the sort of lines that will get you as excited as a kid on Christmas morning, turning into a serious weapon under an experienced touch.

Whatever the situation, the Devinci Troy Carbon RR dishes out confidence and fierce fun!
Whatever the situation, the Devinci Troy Carbon RR dishes out confidence and fierce fun!

At no cost to its superb downhilling, the Devinci is a mean and efficient climber. With the climb setting on the RockShox Monarch rear shock, the risk of bob is effectively eliminated. There were some clattering internally routed cables that tested our patience, and despite wielding some tools in our defense we couldn’t do much to quieten them.

Like a hunted hare, the Devinci Troy Carbon hits the trails hard with efficiently reckless abandon.
Like a hunted hare, the Devinci Troy Carbon hits the trails hard with efficiently reckless abandon.

Conclusion

If you’re gagging for a ‘do it all’ bike for a regular, unfailing endorphin fix, then the Devinci Troy Carbon RR should be the drug of choice. Coming with a price tag of € 7,399, it’s a lightweight trail bike with a well thought-out spec that will guide you over any trail with reckless abandon and offer your phenomenal support throughout the whole ride.

For more information head to devinci.com