As an enduro bike, you could say the Devinci Spartan does a pretty good job. For 2018, the Spartan gets a complete makeover with a fully redesigned frame. On the menu: a lighter bike, more aggressive geometry, well-tuned suspension and… a much better climber!
The Devinci Spartan has slimmed down by shedding three-quarters of a pound (310 grams) from the frame alone. Half of this saving comes from the rear triangle, which now features carbon seatstays and chainstays instead of aluminum as on the previous model.
One area where the old Spartan was showing its age was geometry. For 2018, however, Devinci has adopted a much more progressive geometry by significantly lengthening the cockpit. The size Large Spartan’s reach goes from 432 to 465 mm. To increase the bike’s stability, the wheelbase grows from 1182 to 1224 mm with, among other things, the head angle slackened by almost one degree to 65.0° (vs. 65.8° in 2017).
Devinci has always been known for excellent finishing quality, and for 2018 the Spartan comes with particularly well-executed internal cable routing. The cable entry and exit points are designed for easy access, and the exit cables are even secured to the frame to keep the bike very quiet on descents.
Shock options are now more aggressive than ever. The Spartan uses a RockShox Super Deluxe RC3 DB with mount >Trunion maximum length. This is an interesting choice, as it gives you the most consistent feel possible. To deliver a natural sensation, the RockShox shock comes with bearings in the trunnion mount rather than bushings>. Devinci has really worked hard to make the new version of the Spartan a true downhill beast, and you can feel it in the suspension choices!
Of course, if you want to go down, you first have to climb a bit. The 12-speed SRAM GX drivetrain and its 10–50 cassette provide a wide gear range in a simple 1x system. Beyond the drivetrain, the new Spartan makes climbing easier thanks to a shock that isn’t overly affected by pedal strokes. Even in the “open” mode, the Spartan’s climbing ability is obvious. That’s what stands out most when you compare this bike to the 2017 version it replaces. The RockShox Deluxe RC3 still offers three compression settings—open, pedal and lock—for long, less-technical climbs.
Choosing four‑piston brakes makes a lot of sense on a bike like the Spartan. On the GX model, Sram Guide R brakes are used. Their performance is excellent, but Guide RS or RSC brakes would have rounded out this Spartan Carbon GX’s nearly flawless build kit perfectly.
This update to Devinci’s enduro platform shows just how quickly mountain bikes are currently evolving. Compared with its little brother, the 2017 Devinci Troy, you can tell you’re on a bigger beast—but only just. If you want a bike that climbs really better than the Spartan, you’ll need to look at the Django, which is a much smaller bike with 130–120 mm of travel…
So who is this bike for? It’s made for riders who prefer descending but still want to climb everything. When you think of the new trails popping up at Sentiers du Moulin or Lac Delage, to name just a few, you’ll notice that they’re getting more and more technical. A bike like the Spartan lets riders who want to push their limits ride a machine that inspires confidence, while racers will find a well-supported platform that lets them go full throttle.
You can’t ignore the Spartan’s looks! There are plenty of nice paint jobs in the bike world these days, but it’s rare to see one with this level of detail. From some angles, the purple looks dark; at other times, it looks almost neon! It’s the added sparkle in the purple that gives this bike all its style. An outrageously well-executed paint job! For the more reserved among you, there’s also an all‑black version available.
