Devinci E-Troy Bosch - Long-Term Review 4

Much like the legendary heavy metal band Annihilator, Devinci's latest E-Troy Bosch is a Canadian-made powerhouse and even sports a mean mullet. But unlike the head-banging, riff-heavy intensity of thrash music that only some find soothing, the E-Troy is designed to appeal to the masses. It's aluminum and a tad heavy, but it's priced friendlier than many e-bikes in the aggressive all-mountain category and built to complement any riding style. 

The second E-Troy to join Devinci's lineup, we spent all Fall ripping around on the Bosch-powered model to see how its mixed wheel-optimized geometry and new suspension design would shake out on the trail. 

Highlights

• 6061-T6 aluminum frame
• 29/27.5-inch mixed wheels
• 150mm (5.9-inches) of rear wheel travel // 170mm (6.7-inches) fork
• Split Pivot suspension design
• 63.5-degree head angle
• 78.5-degree seat angle
• 85Nm Bosch Performance Line CX motor
• 625Wh Bosch battery (removable via key)
• Bluetooth Bosch remote 
• Top tube integrated Bosch System controller
• Standard 12x148mm boost hub spacing 
• UDH compatible
• Enduro double-lip sealed bearings used in all linkage pivots
• Sizes: S-XL
• Measured weight (size large, no pedals): 55 lbs (24.9kg)
• MSRP: $7,499 USD

Overview

Devinci has positioned the E-Troy Bosch in the middle of its e-bike lineup, sitting between the E-Spartan enduro and the EP trail bike. While it does share names with the E-Troy Shimano, both bikes are quite different beyond their e-system. The Bosch model uses Devinci's Split Pivot suspension design in a vertical shock configuration, rolls on mixed wheels, and weighs less thanks to a smaller battery (625Wh vs. 725Wh).

The E-Troy Bosch sits firmly in the all-mountain category with 150mm of rear travel and 160mm (optional 170mm) up front. Designed to provide a well-balanced bike, the E-Troy is a strong candidate for a wide range of e-curious riders. From those wanting an e-bike that can handle high speeds and big hits to those who want a fast and capable platform to bust out bigger rides when pressed for time.  

Frame Details

Constructed from stiff yet light 6061-T6 aluminum, every E-Troy Bosch is handcrafted in Devinci's Quebec factory. Living proof of Devinci's commitment to creating high-performing, reliable bikes, every frame is backed by a lifetime warranty.

Compared to the analog Troy, the E-Troy Bosch is bigger and bolder in just about every way, including a longer wheelbase, slacker head tube angle, steeper seat angle, and 10mm more rear wheel travel. It's also a dedicated mixed-wheel bike. These differences are significant and make us believe that an updated Troy is likely on the horizon. 

Bosch Performance Line CX System

The E-Troy pairs Bosch's Performance Line CX motor with a 625Wh battery. While the battery isn't the largest available, it still offers solid range while saving a few pounds. A 250Wh range extender that slips into the bottle cage is available separately if desired.

The Performance Line CX motor has become a highly popular drive unit over the past year thanks to its outright power. It delivers a 340% support ratio with 85Nm of torque and includes an Extended Boost feature that allows the motor to continue delivering power for up to a meter after you stop pedaling. There are five assist modes available (Eco, eMTB, Tour+, and Turbo) that can be customized within Bosch's eBike Flow app, along with checking battery health, range, and conducting over-the-air updates. 

Toggling between modes is handled by Bosch's wireless Mini Remote, which is both tactically functional and small and tidy. If the remote dies mid-ride, riders can use the power button on the top tube-mounted System controller to change between assist modes. 

Suspension Design

Devinci has changed the layout of their Split Pivot design with the new E-Troy. The previous design used a yoke-driven shock positioned horizontally, while the new design sees a trunnion-mounted shock driven vertically via a rocker link. The kinematics are still similar, with the primary goal being to separate braking and acceleration forces to keep the suspension active and improve traction.

Geometry

The geometry package of the Devinci E-Troy Bosch focuses on maximizing the benefits of a mixed-wheeled setup. Compared to the E-Troy Shimano, most numbers have shrunk slightly, notably the chainstay length (from 455 to 438mm) and headtube angle (from 64.8 to 63.5). There are no size-specific angles or lengths between each size, just good old-fashioned sizing S-XL. 

One thing to note is the seat tube max insertion is on the smaller side. Our large test bike came with a 170mm SDG seatpost, and with the post slammed in the frame, it was at the limit of how high we would run our seat. Shorter riders may consider sizing down to receive adequate seat post drop.

Build Kits

There are three E-Troy Bosch models available, starting with the Deore 12S model that retails for $6,199. The more expensive models include the E-Troy GX 12s ($7,299) and the E-Troy GX 12s LTD ($7,499). Both share identical build kits, except the LTD comes with a 170mm FOX 38 Performance Elite fork instead of a 160mm and a top tube integrated controller instead of a handlebar-mounted display. Other highlights of the LTD build we tested include SRAM Code R brakes with 200mm rotors, FOX Performance Elite Float X shock, and RaceFace Aeffect R30 wheelset. 

On The Trail

Our testing took place in the foothills surrounding Boise, Idaho, in dry and loose trail conditions. Our initial cockpit setup was close enough to what we typically ride and didn't require any adjustments. That said, the 780mm handlebar was a touch narrow for such a heavy bike, and some might find the extra leverage from an 800mm bar beneficial.

Narrow trails don't really exist in southern Idaho, so we opted for a more stable setup to match our meandering, fast trails. We set the FOX 38 to 75 psi with both HSC and LSC set smack in the middle, while LSR and HSR placed four clicks past middle for a quicker setup. We set the FOX Float X to 200psi with compression in the middle and rebound two clicks faster than neutral. Our goal with the faster rebound was to keep the bike feeling as light and lively as possible for a 54+ pound e-bike.

Descending Performance

Descending on the E-Troy was a blast! Like most full-sized e-bikes, the extra weight of the motor made the suspension feel very compliant and planted. High-speed chatter was muted, and gnarly sections were easily managed. While the bike was more playful than most full-power e-bikes, it was still heavy, and that weight was noticeable when trying to get the bike off the ground.

Its "playful" demeanor shined most during quick movements on the trail, giving the E-Troy a slashy feel that we haven't found with many e-bikes. The mixed wheels and short chainstays were the obvious contributors to the bike's spritely personality. Cornering was more forgiving thanks to the rear end coming around with less effort, and we didn't have to drastically alter our riding style to accommodate the size of the bike. No preemptive braking was needed to keep in control, and we finished each ride with a healthy grin on our face.   

Rear Suspension Performance

The Split Pivot design works as promised, keeping the E-Troy feeling smooth, controlled, and active under braking. The bike felt best with the compression set in the middle and rebound a tad faster to help the shock recover faster through repetitive trail features. We experienced no real downsides to the rear suspension during our time with the E-Troy. For those wanting to run a beefer shock, you totally can. However, it isn't necessary as the Float X proved more than capable of the task at hand.

Climbing Performance

Blasting uphill, the E-Troy was incredibly comfortable. The 78.5-degree seat angle kept us positioned forward and kept the front wheel under control despite having a 63.5-degree head angle. Even on steep, loose moto trails, the E-Troy was easy to maneuver, and the e-bike-optimized suspension design kept ample traction under power. Thanks to the small wheel out back and the short 438mm chainstays, sharp, slow-speed corners felt easy and, in some situations, snappy. We expected the 27.5" wheel to get hung up on the more technical climbs, but it never did. The power of the Bosch motor kept that little baby wheel rolling fast.

Bosch Performance Line CX Performance

The Bosch Performance Line CX motor was impressively strong and responsive, with noticeable differences between each power settings. We left each mode in the factory setting for testing and found ourselves riding in Eco/Tour+ to and from the trailhead, with the bulk of our time on trail in eMTB. Riding in the eMTB setting struck a wonderful balance of assistance while still forcing us to put in a healthy amount of effort.  

While the 625Wh battery isn't the biggest in the bunch, Bosch claims they've been able to achieve close to the same range as some of the bigger batteries on the market. We found this true during most of our rides, logging 20-22 miles in eMTB mode. We did a few rides in Turbo just for the hell of it and covered a little over 18 miles, 3,000 feet of road/trail climbing, and got back to the trailhead with an estimated range of 1 mile. Overall, the Bosch system had plenty of get-up-go whenever we needed it, with functional assist modes and no obnoxious noises. 

Build Kit Highlights

SRAM Code R Brakes

E-bikes are heavy and fast, so stopping is highly important. The Code R brakes with 200mm rotors did do the job, but not very quickly. They felt a touch underpowered on such a heavy bike and would be the first (and only) component we'd upgrade to boost the abilities of the E-Troy.

Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR II Tires

Maxxis needs no introduction, and not much can be said that hasn't already been said about their tried and true DHF and DHR II combo. A fantastic spec for any e-bike/bike, they hooked up well in our loose over hardpack conditions and helped slow down the E-Troy.

RaceFace Aeffect R30 Wheels

The RaceFace Aeffect R30 wheels provided a compliant ride with decent hub engagement. They're nothing fancy, but they didn't give us any headaches and remained true throughout testing. The 30mm internal width paired nicely with the 2.5" tires, creating ample amounts of grip and control.

As for long-term durability, everything looks great! We developed no creaks and all the linkage has remained tight to spec. Short of staying up on system updates and replacing wear and tear components, we see no concerns with how the Devinci E-Troy will hold up over time.

What's The Bottom Line?

Devinci's E-Troy is a bike that you can ride anywhere, anytime—highlighted by its balanced geometry that makes it a capable and fun bike on any descent, matched with Bosch's powerful and intuitive e-system that can rally up climbs. It might be heavy, but it's built to last, and it's reasonably priced, allowing riders on tighter budgets to join the fun. Suited for entry-level and expert riders alike, if you've been looking to get an e-bike to compliment your analog rides, the E-Troy is a great way to tap into the fun that assisted riding can offer.

Vital MTB Rating

• Climbing: 5
• Descending: 4.5
• Fun Factor: 4.5
• Value: 4.5
• Overall Impression: 4.66

For more information, please visit Devinci.com for more details.

View key specs, compare e-bikes, and rate the new Devinci E-Troy Bosch in the Vital MTB Product Guide.

About The Reviewer

Wyatt Lisk – Age 30 // Years Riding MTB: 12 // Height 6'1" (1.87m) // Weight: 180-pounds (81.6 kg)

A "never made it" Cat 1 downhill/enduro racer that turned to coaching groms and wrenching full-time, Wyatt immersed himself in the world of bicycles since the day his dad told him he was never allowed to ride motorcycles. A born-and-raised Idaho boy who grew up whitewater rafting (but never actually grew up), he is most likely found on the trail with his dog or at a local brewery.