About the 2008 wilson
The first sketches of the Wilson began at the tail end of last
season. feedback from dealers, customers, test riders, and
sponsored riders alike, where accounted on developing which was “a
gravity-biased bike with adjustable geometry that was light”.
The actual prototype went through two versions. Both were tested
extensively over the course of several months by Devinci's test riders,
refinements were made were necessary and things remained the same when
they were on the right track. In the end, a final design was born
Technically Speaking
(Graphics by Devinci)
07 – 08 Wilson, what’s the big difference.
This is the first year for UBikeTV, because
we never got to test the 07 Wilson we got veteran Wilson rider Chris
Cousineau to help us out.
Well to start the frame is 1.5lbs lighter, there is more travel, over 9
inches, and slick new graphics, including a little Icon of Wilson
himself, but how does the cornering compare, and the suspension and
braking and so on.
Cornering: The wheelbase on the new bike isn’t much shorter then the
old one, but the chain stay is significantly shorter. That combined
with the lower bottom bracket and subsequent lower center of gravity
the new bikes gets around tight corners with greater ease. Once the
front wheels around the turn the back end snaps around completing the
turn surprisingly quick. Also the new bike is much stiffer laterally.
It’s braced in two additional spots, and through axle pivots are used
throughout. This is noticed mainly when hitting corners really hard and
drifting at high speeds.
The Suspension: There’s more, not a lot more
but it is one of the first things you’ll notice over the 07 bike. I
started riding with the same shock set up as my 07, but after one run I
had to go and but more air in my shock, another 15psi. The suspension
sucked up everything nicely is fully active no matter how you ride over
the bike, doesn’t lock up when breaking, and pedals well although I
didn’t do a whole lot of that at Bromont.
Breaking: This bike can be shutdown in a split second and shut down
with control. I think breaking however has more to do with the breaks
you choose, your suspension set up, and tires then the chassis. So I’m
not going to get into this.
Overall handling: The 07 bikes were very stable, but difficult in tight
sections, because of the slack head angle and long wheelbase. The new
bike is still very stable, it still has the 64 and long wheelbase, but
the shorter chain stay, lower top tube and significant weigh drop make
more agile in the tighter sections of trail. The lower bottom bracket
is something that most Wilson fans will be really excited about, aside
from better cornering the lower center of gravity makes it tougher for
the trail to knock you of your feet, or even right of the bike.
Pivots: One more thing I should mention there’s no bearings. What????
No bearings? That’s right the Engineers over at Devinci have replaced
all the bearings with a new bushing. These bushings are actually
smoother than the bearings in previous Wilson models, even after a
couple of days in Bromont mud, and this bushing is so durable it will
last longer than the pin that goes through the pivot holding it
together.
Overall the bikes are not drastically different, the 07 is still a good
bike, but small improvements have been made to every little part of the
frame making it perform better. Anyone who has ridden and enjoyed the
07 will love this bike, they can jump on it right away, feel
comfortable and more confident than ever before. There you have it the
new Wilson is lighter, stronger, more stable, more agile, bigger
travel, faster and even safer. I never would have guessed that was all
possible. Now if only they can sell it cheaper too.
Here are the specs for all four models from 4 to 1
We had two problems with this bike.
One.
the big sticker on the downtube is not under the clearcoat like the
rest of them, if everyone rides like we do i hope devinci made extra
stickers because they will need them
Devinci's
anwser "We didn’t clear coat it on purpose because it is a replaceable
vynil. That way, when it’s too scratched, you can change it. We will
have plenty of replacement."
Two. we are sad we din't get to keep the bike
All
joking aside.To sumup. By having the choice of four build kits make's
it more aforable to everyone to ride a hand welded Canadian Design and
Built true DH racing machine
For more info and the rest of the lineup visit Devinci.com
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