PINKBIKE
REVIEW: E-TROY BOSCH
Pinkbike delves into a comprehensive review of the E-Troy Bosch, covering everything from geometry and suspension to climbing efficiency and providing an insightful general overview.
Text: Matt Beer, Pinkbike Tech Editor / Photos: Tom Richards
Introduction
When Devinci Cycles debuted the first version of the E-Troy, it didn’t carry the same clean-cut appearance as their non-motorized bikes. Back in June, the French-Canadian brand debuted a redesigned model with a suspension layout that mimics the standard Troy and hones power delivery of the sought-after Bosch Performance CX Line motor.
Three models exist in the E-Troy Bosch lineup built on Canadian-made, alloy frames starting at $6,199 USD ($7,799 CAN). The GX LTD model on test ($7,499 USD, $9,499 CAN) touts a 170 Fox 38 fork at a slack 63-degree head tube angle along with shorter chainstays and mixed wheels. The 150mm travel E-Troy pushes the boundaries of what is labeled as an all-mountain e-bike.
The new Devinci E-Troy is all for tackling the most difficult terrain thanks to a burly fork and a compact rear half, allowing the rider to feel confident without feeling glued to the ground at all times.
Frame Details
Devinci has been making aluminum frames in-house for decades and although there was demand for carbon frames in other model lines, the E-Troy returns to its roots. This aluminum frame is made in their Chicoutimi factory and is all about simplicity.
You won't find pesky cables routed through the headset, the battery is easily removable, and the proven split pivot suspension returns to a traditional rocker link-look.
All sizes of the E-Troy frames roll on mixed wheels with clearance for up to 2.6 tires. There are no geometry adjustments per se, but the E-Troy can comfortably run a 160 or in the case of the LTD model, a 170mm fork.
Visually the new E-Troy is an improvement upon the previous iteration with much cleaner lines and part of that is due to the re-positioning of the motor, which is now tucked further under the cranks.
Suspension Design
Devinci uses a split pivot suspension design for the E-Troy. The layout is claimed to allow for more active suspension under braking due to the co-rotating pivot around the rear axle.
A 185x55mm shock provides 150mm of rear wheel travel, utilizing a trunnion mount. Devinci says that their dual-row bearings and seatstay bridge leads to a stiffer design than the than previous E-Troy.
E-Troy Bosch Riding Test
See how the E-Troy rides on the climbs and down the trails.
Climbing
Just because you have a motor bolted to your bike doesn’t mean that it’ll be an effective climber. There’s much more at play here such as the e-bike’s handling and motor response.
It will be important for riders to look at the effective top tube length as mentioned in the setup. If you find yourself on the upper end of a size, the cockpit can become cramped feeling as those two angles converge - it’s likely taller riders will want to run a higher bar.
With a serious amount of front wheel ahead of you, the steep seat angle and scooped saddle shape keep your weight pushed forward without sliding off the back of the bike.
Descending
Devinci has put together an appealing eMTB for riders who will focus on lapping steeper zones as the front end of the bike overshadows the rear in terms of travel, wheel size and the balance of the geometry. With that said, it isn’t held back on less intense trails are there because there are aspects that allow it to stay on its toes.
Since the weight of full-powered eMTBs helps to keep the center of mass grounded, it’s not necessary to make the chainstays overly long to get the same stability as an enduro bike would require I do wonder how this would carry over on the larger sizes since the chainstays are the same length on the large and extra-large frames.
Adding to that element of security when descending is the long front center drawn out by the slack 63° head tube angle and 170mm Fox 38 fork. Those two components allow you to challenge the steepest tracks and gnarly lines. If that seems like too much for you, then look to the E-Troy GX which comes with a 160mm fork, and steepens the head angle by half a degree.
Honestly, I’ve been waiting for an aggressive e-bike like this, and haven’t ridden one that can descend confidently and remain somewhat playful. The 27.5" rear wheel is without a doubt part of that equation and allows you to move around the bike without getting buzzed when hanging off the back.
Next to the all-around great value and aggro geometry, the best part of the E-Troy was the overall quiet ride. Common complaints like motor clutch and cable rattles were not a concern. The added rubber along the lower swingarm also kept the chain slap to a minimum.
