The Wilson weighed in at just over 40lb. Power transfer on the Devinci is very impressive (split pivot is said to aid pedalling by reducing excess suspension reaction to acceleration forces) and can be gassed even across flat root sections without much interference. Its nature is entirely upbeat when tackling whatever you throw at it.

All in all the frame design is super compact with a number of distinct features. The bottom bracket shares space with the main pivot and a 89mm stroke Fox shock providing 216mm of travel and a very low leverage ratio that is said to be super responsive to tuning. The medium test bike had a 275 x 3.75 spring fitted, but at the time availability of other springs was an issue. The shock is offset to provide a better chainline and due to its size means less load on both it and pivots, which could mean a longer lasting product. Devinci say the shock is custom tuned.

The whole package is put together exceptionally well, the construction is clean, access to the shock is good, internal cable routing and angles well balanced, but still it’s in the ride that we were most impressed. Cornering and steering on the Wilson is truly inspired, it really is absolute perfection. The Wilson is especially good in the tight, one of its real strengths is that it’s a bike that inspires feet–up drifting with confidence.

It’s the detail that partly enables this excellent ride, the ‘Axis technology’ ‘Optimum G04’, ‘FRG Adjustable’ frame tweaks. The important bit is that the actual ride matches the ‘perfect balance’ wording. And all the other stuff? Look it’s pretty damn good, yes it’s stiff, yes you can adjust the geometry by way of flip–flop pivot, yes it has a low stand over and no we’re not going to argue with the skill base around the factory that makes them world leaders in welding.

At this price though how does it compare with some of our favourite complete bikes of the year, the Morewood and Mondraker? Bottom line is it hasn’t quite got the turn of speed offered by say the 34lb Mondraker or BOS equipped Morewood. I don’t doubt for one minute that this will be the bike that enables Steve Smith to gain more consistent podium space, but for nearly £5700 you should be looking at a full titanium bolt set, Chris King, BOS build.

However, frame pricing on the Wilson comes in at just under £2000, relatively cheap for a hand made Canadian frame. The Intense M9 comes in at £2495 with a Cane Creek shock or £2599 for a V10, so it could be that the Wilson is best looked at as a custom frame build, an option that UK importers Haven are also offering.

Haven Distribution 07827 797 044 www.havendistribution.co.uk
Wilson Frame £1999.99
Wilson SL £5694.99

(Also available as Wilson RC £4249.99 and Wilson XP £3299.99)