Devinci enters electric mountain bike market with new e-Troy and e-Spartan

By Oscar Huckle

Published: Wednesday, 25 May 2022 at 12:00 am

Devinci has launched its first electric mountain bikes – the e-Troy and e-Spartan.

The Troy and Spartan are current full-suspension models in the brand’s non-electric catalogue.

The e-Troy sports 160mm suspension travel at the front and 150mm at the rear, whereas the e-Spartan is its bigger brother with 180mm at the front and 170mm at the rear. Both platforms sport 29in wheels.

Both platforms are built around a Shimano EP8 motor with a BMZ 725Wh battery.

The frames are aluminium only. They both feature updated geometry and suspension designs compared to the non-assisted Troy and Spartan.

The bikes start from $6,999 / €6,999 and availability in North America and Europe is expected to be from the end of June or early July.

Devinci bikes are not available to purchase directly in the UK or Australia.

Devinci e-Troy

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The e-Troy is far from an electric transposition of its non-assisted equivalent.
Devinci

Devinci’s e-Troy is an electric all-mountain bike sporting a 160mm-travel fork and 150mm-travel shock.

In its non-electric guise, the Troy is a 140mm trail bike, which when launched in December 2020 in its current fourth-generation incarnation, the brand described as a “quiver-killer”.

BikeRadar asked Devinci why it upped the amount of suspension travel compared to the non-electric Troy and Spartan. The brand explained it made the choice because there is now motor assistance and you’re not at a disadvantage by having more travel.

The brand also says the suspension kinematics further benefit from the increase in travel, allowing a more supple feel as opposed to outright pedalling efficiency.

The e-Troy is constructed from 6061-T6 aluminium and the tube shapes are asymmetric, Devinci claiming an improvement in torsional stiffness.

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The battery slots neatly into the down tube.
Devinci

The down tube is offset to the left to allow the battery to align perfectly with the motor, and this construction enables tube-in-tube compatibility.

Devinci says it has no plans to make carbon versions of the new frames, explaining it would escalate the pricing considerably and it doesn’t foresee riders wishing to upgrade.

Motor and battery details

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Shimano is on motor duty with the EP8.
Devinci

Devinci says the Shimano EP8 motor allows you to take on steep climbs and tough trails in full confidence. The maximum torque is 85Nm and an e*thirteen crank is used on the cheaper of the two models.

We previously reported that some Shimano EP8 bottom bracket spindles had cracked when fitted with e*thirteen cranks. Speaking to BikeRadar, a Devinci spokesperson said it will ensure these are installed properly to prevent any issues, adding that, if problems were to arise, it would take care of customers via their local dealers.

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A closer look at the battery charger.
Devinci

Devinci says the new 725Wh battery uses the latest 21700 cell technology that holds 30 per cent more energy. The brand estimates a battery life of 135km on one charge. It is, though, always important to remember this is dependent on the modes used and the terrain you’re tackling.

The charging port for the battery is located on the non-driveside face of the seat tube.

The high-output 4A supercharger is claimed to charge up to 80 per cent from a flat battery in roughly two hours.

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Note the sensor wiring under the hydraulic hose.
Devinci

There is a dropout speed sensor that is internally routed through the non-driveside seatstay, where it then meets and follows the rear brake line. A magnet is used on the disc rotor rather than on the spoke of the rear wheel.

Shock placement

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The e-Troy’s split-pivot arrangement
Devinci

Devinci has chosen to mount the rear shock to the underside of the top tube, differing from the non-electric Troy where it’s mounted vertically, optimising for a split-pivot system.

The brand claims this improves clearance for the shock, bottle and motor, while an “e-bike specific shock tune optimises the suspension kinematics”.

Using a split-pivot also isolates the acceleration forces from the braking forces, and the brand says this translates to a “buttery smooth ride complemented by hyperactive small-bump compliance”.

Updated geometry

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The e-Troy features a slacker head tube angle.
Devinci

As you’d expect from a new mountain bike release, there are updates to the geometry in the fashionable form of a longer reach, a slacker head tube angle and a steeper seat tube angle.

The head tube angle measures 64.8 degrees (down from 65/65.5 degrees on the non-assisted Troy). In a size medium, the 78-degree seat tube angle is identical to the non-electric Troy in its high-setting, as is the 465mm reach.

In our review of the Troy, our tester noted a steeper seat tube angle would be welcome.

Those who are familiar with the Troy will note that it featured adjustable geometry via the use of flip chips. BikeRadar asked Devinci why it has moved away from this feature and the brand explained it has learned via customer research that they weren’t used very often. When they were, it was often in a race scenario to adapt the bike to different terrain.

FrameSMLXL
Head tube angle (degrees)64646464
Seat tube angle (degrees)77.377.277.177
Top tube length (mm)581604633656
Head tube length (mm)95105115125
Seat tube length (mm)400420445485
Chainstay length (mm)455455455455
Wheelbase (mm)1,2361,2601,2901,314
Reach (mm)440460485505
Stack (mm)625634643652

Frame features

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If only all chainstay protectors were moulded.
Devinci

Devinci includes a moulded chainstay protector that looks to be identical in design to the one featured on the Troy, which we found dampened chain slap on review.

There isn’t a heel rub protector on the non-driveside chainstay, as is featured on the Troy. Devinci explains there wasn’t a need to fit one because the tubes are narrower.

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The e-Troy accepts up to 29×2.6in rubber.
Devinci

The maximum tyre clearance is rated to 29×2.6in mountain bike tyres and the frame uses a SRAM universal derailleur hanger (UDH) standard.

Cables are routed internally through the frame and when the in-tube battery is removed, Devinci points to the ease of recabling the bike because there’s a great amount of access.

Enduro double-lip sealed bearings are used for all pivot points, the brand pointing to their precision movement and superior durability.

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While the component spec might not be the lightest, Devinci has opted for dependability.
Devinci

Devinci has moved back to a standard Boost 148 hub standard for the e-Troy. The Troy features SuperBoost, which limits wheel choices with its greater 157mm width.

An e*thirteen chain guide secures the chain, and Devinci employs frame and motor protection to ward against dirt and debris.

There will be two models in the range – one with a SRAM GX Eagle build and one with Shimano Deore.

Devinci e-Spartan

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The e-Spartan is the e-Troy’s bigger-travel brother.
Devinci

Devinci’s e-Spartan is an electric enduro mountain bike sporting a 180mm-travel fork and 170mm-travel shock.

In its non-electric mode, the Spartan features 170mm of suspension travel up-front and 160mm at the rear. Our tester was impressed with the suppleness of the suspension kinematics and frame geometry.

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Gone is the high-pivot. Like the e-Troy, the e-Spartan uses Enduro bearings for all pivots.
Devinci

The e-Spartan interestingly moves away from the high-pivot design its non-assisted sibling uses. BikeRadar asked Devinci why it made the decision and the brand replied that it simply wasn’t its intention with the electric platform.

Like the e-Troy, the e-Spartan is constructed from 6061-T6 aluminium and features asymmetrical tube shapes. Its motor and battery arrangement is also identical, and it too switches to the split-pivot suspension layout.

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Who needs vowels?
Devinci

The frame also features frame and motor protection, 29×2.6in tyre clearance, UDH derailleur hanger and Enduro pivot bearings. Devinci also switches to a standard Boost arrangement for the rear wheel.

Unlike the e-Troy, there will only be one model of the e-Spartan with a Shimano Deore 12-speed spec, although it is not identical to the e-Troy Deore build. Devinci has upgraded the brakes to Shimano XT for improved stopping power, a welcome move considering the more technical terrain the bike will be subjected to.

Geometry

Like the e-Troy, the e-Spartan also sees an updated geometry with a longer reach, slacker head tube angle and steeper seat tube angle.

The frames feature a 64-degree head tube angle (down from 64.5/65 on the non-electric equivalent). In a size medium, the seat tube angle is 77.2 degrees (the non-assisted frame is 77 to 77.6 degrees) and reach is reduced to 460mm from 465/470mm.

FrameSMLXL
Head tube angle (degrees)64646464
Seat tube angle (degrees)77.377.277.177
Top tube length (mm)581604633656
Head tube length (mm)95105115125
Seat tube length (mm)400420445485
Chainstay length (mm)455455455455
Wheelbase (mm)1,2361,2601,2901,314
Reach (mm)440460485505
Stack (mm)625634643652
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Devinci e-Troy GX 12.

Devinci e-Troy GX 12s

  • Frame: Aluminium Optimum G04, 150mm travel
  • Fork: Fox Float 38 Performance Elite E-Bike GRIP2, 160mm travel, 51mm offset
  • Shock: Fox Float X Performance Elite Evol LV
  • Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle with e*thirteen cranks and SRAM PG1230 11-50 cassette
  • Brakes: SRAM Code R, 4-pistons
  • Wheelset: RaceFace Aeffect R30 with HG freehub body
  • Price: $8,099 / €8,899
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Devinci e-Troy Deore 12

Devinci e-Troy Deore 12s

  • Frame: Aluminium Optimum G04, 150mm travel
  • Fork: Fox Float 36 Performance E-Bike GRIP, 160mm travel, 51mm offset
  • Shock: Fox Float X Performance Series Evol LV
  • Drivetrain: Shimano Deore M6100
  • Brakes: Shimano MT-520 / MT-501, 4-pistons
  • Wheelset: V2 Comp Rims on Formula DC-711 / EHL-148 hubs
  • Price: $6,999 / €7,449
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Devinci e-Spartan Deore 12
Devinci

Devinci e-Spartan Deore 12s

  • Frame: Aluminium Optimum G04, 170mm travel
  • Fork: Fox Float 38 Performance E-Bike GRIP, 180mm travel, 44mm offset
  • Shock: Fox DHX2 Performance Elite
  • Drivetrain: Shimano Deore M6100
  • Brakes: Shimano XT M8120/M8100, 4-pistons
  • Wheelset: V2 Comp Rims on Formula DC-711 / EHL-148 hubs
  • Price: $7,349 / €6,999