From Dirt Issue 109 – March 2011
Words by Steve Jones. Photos by Victor Lucas.
Someone has gone to a hell of a lot of trouble on Devinci’s website to outline just why their new Wilson is so special. The Canadian company tell us ‘Split pivot’ is at the very heart of their new bikes, the primary aim of which is to make the suspension ‘transparent’ to the rider. The Wilson aims to be super compliant over bumps of all sizes with good pedalling efficiency – you’re right, it’s not a new idea. And neither is split pivot, a concentric rear drop out pivot placed in line with the rear wheel axle.
Split pivot is one element nevertheless, but it’s the interrelationship with other feature – the swing arm and linkage pivot location – that provides a performance they say is “so good you will hardly notice the suspension at all.” It’s a big, big statement.
But it’s also a true one nevertheless, the Wilson is comfortable in most situations, there seems very little movement on the rear of the bike, there are no weight transfer issues or weird traits, the bike always seems grounded. The Wilson is slightly more ‘wheels on the deck’ than some bikes, but that’s not to say line choices can’t be manufactured, it’s just a shade less instantaneous than on say a Morewood where changes of direction are immediate>>
