Devinci TroyvsRocky Mountain Instinct

Both of these Canadian-bred machines attempt to conquer the all-mountain middle ground, but they take drastically different technical paths. Devinci relies on the refined simplicity of its Split Pivot suspension, offering a bike that feels immediate and 'by the book' without a maze of proprietary settings. It is a 150/160mm platform that punches toward the aggressive end of trail riding, focusing on a quiet, sturdy build—especially the aluminum models which are still handcrafted in Quebec. Rocky Mountain instead provides a 'Hello Fresh' kit of geometry with the Instinct. Between the RIDE-4 linkage chips, a reach-adjust headset, and a chainstay flip-chip, there are 48 possible configurations to get lost in. While the Troy is a more 'set it and forget it' tool for technical winching and heavy descending, the Instinct is a 140/150mm 'coyote' that rewards precision and active rider input. It’s significantly more adjustable, but that complexity means you’ll spend more time in the garage than you would with the Devinci.

The Devinci Troy delivers a 'zen and calm' experience in the rough. Its Split Pivot stays remarkably active under braking, so the rear end doesn't stiffen up and skip when you're late on the anchors into a root nest. Reviewers noted it 'butters through' medium hits with a supportive mid-stroke that prevents the bike from feeling like a wallowy bean bag. The RockShox Vivid Ultimate shock on carbon builds is a standout, using its Hydraulic Bottom-Out to catch deep impacts without the harsh metal-on-metal clank that can plague shorter-travel bikes. It’s a balanced machine that feels 'fluttery' yet planted, encouraging you to arc through turns rather than squaring them off. In contrast, the Rocky Mountain Instinct is the 'fox' of the trail world. It is light, nimble, and demands you jib and pump every feature to maintain speed. However, this high energy comes with a caveat: multiple testers found the stock Fox Float X tune on the C70 builds to be underdamped. At high speeds, the rear end can feel 'busy' and unstable, using up its 140mm of travel too eagerly and forcing the rider to compensate with body positioning. While the Instinct provides incredible traction for technical climbing, its lower lateral stiffness means it 'bends' around turn apexes—a sensation GearJunkie likened to skiing big arcs, but one that might feel too flexy for riders who prefer a razor-sharp, rigid chassis. On the climbs, the Instinct is the sportier partner, provided you use the climb switch. It sits deep in its progressive stroke, which can lead to frequent pedal strikes in technical terrain due to the low 32-44mm BB drop. The Troy, despite its 10mm travel penalty, often feels more efficient out-of-the-saddle because of its high anti-squat levels. It 'rides high' in the travel, keeping the rider perched in a forward, balanced position that makes clearing steep, punchy access roads less of a chore than the Instinct’s more 'backseat' feel.