Maybe essentially the most aggressive section of the MTB market is the ‘quiver killer’ path bike. Path bikes are at the moment’s model of what the first-ever mountain bikes got down to be… bikes that may deal with any form of terrain. Since there’ll by no means be one excellent mixture of journey, wheel measurement, and geometry for everybody, Devinci cut up their up to date Troy path bike into two fashions.
I’ve been using the 150mm/160mm Troy, which is extra appropriate for my native trails than the shorter journey Troy ST. The Troy impressed me with its preliminary sensitivity and eagerness to soak up larger bumps, whereas not giving up the help you’d need from a path bike. The Troy’s quick rear finish and MX wheels additionally supply snappy dealing with and fast cornering, making this a succesful and enjoyable bike to journey.
Devinci Troy GX AXS 12S – Fundamental Specs:
For a full rundown of all of the options, specs, and geometry for the brand new Troys and Troy STs try my launch article. Right here’s a fast rundown of the important thing specs on the Troy GX AXS 12S I examined:
The Troy body is constructed from Optimum G04 6061 T6 aluminum. This 5th technology mannequin will get a totally redesigned body with new options like straighter tubing, inside cable routing, in-frame storage, and UDH compatibility. This path bike is on the extra aggressive facet, providing 150mm of rear journey and a 160mm fork. All sizes of the Troy come on MX wheels however will be transformed to full 29” setups.
The whole measurement medium Troy GX AXS 12S, together with pedals, weighed in at 36.29 lbs.
Trip Impressions – Geometry/Match:
At 5’10”, I rode a measurement medium Troy (and for geo reference, examined it with its inventory MX wheelset). Devinci is updated, however not pushing any boundaries with the Troy’s geometry. The Troy is large enough to really feel like a path bike of at the moment, however Devinci has ensured it rides like a real path bike, not a mini-enduro.
This bike doesn’t supply any geo adjustability in the event you hold it on MX wheels, however fortunately Devinci selected very acceptable angles and measurements for it. Because the chart above exhibits, you do have two geo choices in the event you run a 29” rear wheel.
The Troy’s 460mm attain is lengthy sufficient to really feel roomy, however not excessively prolonged. This enables the Troy to keep up a reasonably playful journey really feel and supply a level of stability you’d need from a contemporary path bike. The Troy’s rear finish is sort of quick at 432mm. This mixed with the 27.5” rear wheel makes for impressively agile dealing with and fast cornering. It’s additionally simple to elevate the entrance finish for wheelies and whip the bike round when leaping.
After testing bikes with longer rear ends, I discovered they provide nice traction on actually steep climb sections. Regardless of the Troy’s shorter chainstays, I by no means had any points with rear wheel traction on this bike. Whereas some bikes’ attain and chainstay lengths are nearer by the numbers, the Troy nonetheless feels very well-balanced. I hardly ever felt the necessity to get out of the saddle whereas climbing, however once I did the affordable body proportions made it simple to throw my physique weight ahead or again as wanted.
If I had to decide on a set angle for a present path bike’s head tube, it might be 64°… and that’s what Devinci gave the Troy. This angle is slack sufficient for assured descending on steep, quick, and tough terrain, however it nonetheless handles tight uphill switchbacks properly. A seat mast angle of 77.8° leaves you in an important place for placing energy on the pedals.
Devinci appears to have nailed a super BB peak for the Troy at 343mm. It actually doesn’t really feel excessive, however it appears it’s simply excessive sufficient to keep away from most pedal strikes. After many check rides, I hardly bear in mind tagging my pedals on something, and I did discover them simply clearing a number of rocks or roots I normally be careful for.
Suspension – Setup:
My suspension setup on the Troy adopted my regular recipe for compression/rebound settings, and it labored out very well straight away. Devinci’s linkage does require extra air stress than ‘physique weight = psi’, so I ran 152 psi within the RockShox Tremendous Deluxe Final rear shock for my 135 lbs weight. That put me on the 30% sag supposed for the Troy. All through my testing I by no means felt the necessity to alter the settings; I don’t assume I may have improved upon the Troy’s journey qualities with additional fidgeting!
Climbing:
The Troy proved to be a stable climber, and the one factor that stood out to me was its excellent traction on bumpy singletrack trails. Like most bikes, I might use 40-60% of the journey climbing with the shock in agency mode. Nonetheless, the Troy could be very delicate off the highest, and that offered a snug journey and nice grip even with the shock firmed up.
On clean surfaces, you’ll be able to see the Troy’s rear finish shifting along with your pedal strokes, however that movement is restricted to the primary little bit of journey. With the shock in agency, the bike solely dips barely earlier than its help ramps up and retains it rolling together with good momentum. I additionally seen if you’re pushing exhausting on the pedals, the Troy’s linkage places that energy to the rear wheel very effectively.
After climbing a very technical, tough path I hit 60% journey in agency mode. Even on this rocky ascent, I used to be completely pleased with the traction I acquired in agency. The Troy’s preliminary sensitivity retains its rear wheel planted on the path, so personally I might run the shock in agency for any climb. I appreciated the useful stage of pedaling help and was by no means left wanting extra traction.
I did attempt bumping up the low-speed compression whereas climbing, however rapidly determined utilizing the shock’s agency mode is simpler and more practical. Growing the LSC did present extra help in opposition to pedaling forces and lowered bobbing whereas within the saddle, however not as a lot as merely flipping the shock’s change.
There’s a massive distinction between climbing this bike with the shock in agency versus open mode. With the shock huge open, the Troy willingly dips deeper into its journey with a linear really feel for not less than the primary half of its stroke. Whereas seated, I seen much more bob rolling by dips within the path, and the rear finish moved extra throughout standing sprints. In open mode, I hit 75-80% journey whereas climbing the Troy.
On smoother trails, the linkage itself nonetheless pedals pretty nicely, however on bumpy terrain, the open shock offers simply to impacts and doesn’t match the effectivity of climbing in agency mode. Traction is unbelievable with the shock left open, however the Troy feels much more desperate to climb with the shock in agency.
Descending:
When pointed downhill, I nonetheless discovered the Troy’s initial-to-mid vary softness was its most unusual and spectacular journey high quality. It smooths out small bumps within the path in glorious style, but additionally handles medium and enormous hits very nicely too. As talked about above the open shock affords an initially linear really feel that sucks up bumps willingly, however there’s a level the place mid-stroke help kicks in.
The Troy’s Break up Pivot linkage does an important job of staying composed on rooty and rocky sections filled with medium-sized bumps. The bike stays firmly planted by high-speed chatter and holds a line simply because the linkage absorbs and dulls the impacts of fast, repeated hits with ease. The Troy took the brunt out of virtually each form of impression very capably, making it a straightforward bike to maintain on-line on rougher trails.
The progressivity of the Troy suited me completely. After many rides, I might discover the o-ring proper on the backside of the shock, but I hadn’t skilled any harsh bottom-outs or felt any cringe-worthy wheel impacts. I did handle a number of exhausting knocks, however solely on massive, sharp-edged rocks and the bike nonetheless took these impacts nicely sufficient to maintain me (and the rear wheel) rolling.
Whereas I’ve emphasised how the Troy is gentle off the highest, it’s nonetheless supportive at mid-stroke… however maybe a number of mm’s deeper into the journey than some path bikes. I like this suspension really feel, because it affords top-notch bump absorption but additionally maintains ample help for exhausting cornering, pumping, and leaping. On flowy trails, the Troy’s rear finish was simply supportive sufficient to present it the full of life journey qualities you’d need from a path bike. It simply occurs to eat up hits significantly nicely too.
Whereas I’m not a really heavy rider, I discovered the Troy’s body fairly stiff. One in all my ultimate rides was down a quick, tough run I like to make use of for suspension testing, and the Troy rallied straight by the roughest patches. This isn’t a motorcycle that squirms or flexes noticeably, it stays pointed the place you level it!
Shed Body Storage:
The Troy’s Shed body storage compartment isn’t the most important on the market, however it is going to carry the essential necessities. The latch mechanism is a bit small, however I had no drawback working it with gloves on and it functioned completely. I’m pleased to report I didn’t hear any rattling from the Shed storage compartment all through all my check rides.
Earlier than one journey, I seen I had the device bag stuffed a bit too huge, and it held the underside finish of the storage door barely off the body. I merely rearranged my instruments and acquired the door sitting flush, however that’s one thing riders may need to be careful for. The door is skinny and versatile, so it may be latched however not sitting flush in opposition to the body if one thing inside is pushing upwards on it.
Devinci’s zippered device bag match my massive c02 canister, inflater head, valve core device, plug device, spare plugs, a spare battery for the AXS pods, and a small multi-tool with just a little room to spare. Water apart, that is all the pieces I’d usually carry for a typical journey.
Fortunately, the Troy frames depart a number of room for water bottles. With Devinci’s facet entry cage, the medium body suits a big bottle! There’s not a lot clearance to spare, however sufficient to simply entry the bottle.
Elements:
The Troy will get a 160mm RockShox Lyrik Final fork, which carried out nice and offered greater than ample stiffness for this bike. Dialing within the fork didn’t require something particular or distinctive, sticking with my typical settings acquired it working nice for me.
The Troy’s SRAM GX AXS derailleur acquired barely skippy on me throughout one or two rides however in any other case carried out extraordinarily nicely. I loved exact shifting (even beneath load) and had no mechanical points from the AXS shift pod or derailleur. I additionally assume the bash guard included on the GX crank is a pleasant contact.
The SRAM Code Silver brakes have been nice. They have been grabby by the tip of the primary journey, and with 200mm rotors entrance and rear, they simply supply ample energy and nice modulation. The brakes remained constant and dependable all through my testing, by no means overheating or requiring any upkeep.
I’ve ridden a number of units of Race Face ARC30 rims, and so they have confirmed their sturdiness. I’ve by no means carried out any important harm to those wheels, and the Troy’s held up very well. Each wheels are working spherical and true in any case my check rides.
Devinci caught with ‘tried and true’ Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR II tires. The double-down casings stocked on the Troy are perfect for rougher path networks and saved me rolling with no pinches or punctures.
The SGD Belair 3.0 saddle was snug sufficient, and in contrast to the identical saddle I rode on the Devinci E-Troy Lite I just lately examined, this one didn’t creak in any respect! The 180mm journey SDG Tellis dropper publish offered loads of clearance for a medium body.
As a ultimate contact, Devinci offers the Troy GX AXS a Race Face Period carbon handlebar. I just like the inventory 800mm width, which might at all times be chopped down if most popular.
The Devinci Troy GX AXS 12S retails for $5549. Frames can be found in Gloss/Matcha solely.
