2016 Devinci Django Carbon 29 GX

The Ride

Some bikes take some getting used to when I first get on them, while with others I feel right at home from the start. The Django 29 falls squarely into the latter category – it was the first bike I rode at the demo, and my first time on the Bootleg trails in about a year, but right off the bat we went and hit some jumps. That’s just a testament to the fact that the Django 29 is an easy bike to get comfortable on.

There’s two characteristics of the Django 29 that stand out the most. First, it really maximizes its use of it’s 120 mm travel. It’s quite supple off the top of its stroke, but it’s also nicely progressive, meaning that it doesn’t feel like it blows through it’s travel. This makes for a great combination of small bump sensitivity without feeling like it gets overwhelmed too easily on bigger hits. And to be fair, I think the Fox rear shock gets some credit here – I rode a Django 27.5 that had a Monarch rear shock, and despite having a very similar linkage design, it was more inclined to bottom out harshly.

The Django 29’s suspension design also does a good job of staying active while on the brakes – the split pivot linkage is one of the best under hard braking.

The second thing I noticed about the Django 29 is that it treads that fine line of being maneuverable without becoming unstable. For full on, high speed DH destruction, the Django definitely isn’t as stable as something like the Evil Following, but the Django 29 is quite a bit easier at “normal” speeds, and it’s more inclined to go around sharp corners without blowing off the outside of the trail. In other words, the Django 29 fulfills its role as an all around trail bike quite competently.

Noah Bodman reviews the Devinci Django 29 for Blister Gear Review.
Noah Bodman on the Devinci Django 29, Bootleg Canyon, NV.

And of course, an all around trail bike wouldn’t be so great if it couldn’t get to the top of the hill without killing you, and the Django does pretty well here. The Django 29, like many of Devinci’s bikes, isn’t winning any awards for being the lightest in its class, but it pedals efficiently and it’s geometry makes for a bike that’ll happily go up steeper climbs without tipping over backwards. Of the “aggressive short travel 29er trail bike” category, I’d say the Django 29 is one of the better climbers I’ve ridden.

As someone who spends a fair amount of time on slacker 29ers, I’d probably opt for the Django 29 with Devinci’s FRG cup installed, which slacks out the head angle by .5°. It’d make the bike a hair more stable at speed, but give up a little bit of maneuverability. That said, for those that struggle with the slower handling of 29” wheels, keeping the bike a little steeper will make it feel more manageable.

And speaking of slower handling 29ers, I had the opportunity to ride the Django 29 back to back with the Django 27.5. Unsurprisingly, the bikes feel pretty similar – both pedal fairly well, have an active, supple suspension, and tread the fine line of stability vs. playfulness. Also unsurprisingly, the Django 27.5 steers quite a bit quicker than the Django 29, and it felt less stable at speed. The smaller wheels are more maneuverable and make the bike feel more playful, but they definitely don’t plow through chunky terrain as smoothly. As someone who tends to prefer a slower handling, more stable bike, I preferred the 29er. If I wanted the smaller 27.5” wheels, personally I’d probably bump up to the Devinci Troy – it has a lot of the upsides of the Django, but in a slacker, longer travel package.

For a breakdown of how the Django 29 stacks up against some of the other 29ers on the market, check out our side by side comparisons of 29er trail and all mountain bikes here.

Bottom Line

The Devinci Django 29 has quickly joined the ranks of “bikes that I’d suggest to a wide range of people for a wide range of trails.” It’s a bike that holds up well when ridden hard, but it doesn’t need to be ridden hard. And that same versatility means that it’s plenty of fun bombing through rough, high speed trails, but it also would work really well as an all-day-in-the-backcountry bike where speeds aren’t as high, and longer range comfort and efficiency are more important.

If you’re looking for a more purpose built 29er, there are bikes that are better at climbing, and others that are better at descending. But for an all around, one bike quiver, it’s pretty tough to top the Django 29.

9 comments on “2016 Devinci Django Carbon 29 GX”

  1. Another great review Noah! Just what I was looking for to help me make my buying decision.

    Any further thought on the FSA dropper post, aside from the weight? I can’t find anything about them online.

  2. Hi Noah,

    I’m considering this bike, for all around trails around Austin, TX. But, a big goal I have coming up in 2017 is Leadville. Any thoughts on this bike and the Leadville 100 course?

    Thanks,
    Miguel

    • Hey Miguel,

      I’ve ridden a bit around Austin, and I think it’d be a fantastic bike for that area. For Leadville, I’ve never done that race, but my impression is that it’s a relatively fast course and has a lot of dirt road. With that in mind, the ideal bike for that race is probably a purebred short travel XC race bike – it’d be more efficient and measurably lighter than the Django 29. Something like the Cannondale Scalpel 29 comes to mind.

      That said, unless you really have your sites set on placing well in the race, I think something like the Django 29 would do just fine. While it’s not a full blown race bike, it’s a whole lot more fun for regular trail riding. In other words, if you want a great all around bike that can handle a big race like Leadville, the Django 29 is a solid choice. But if you’re primarily concerned with the race, and you don’t really care if the bike is less fun for regular rides, I’d look for something that’s more of a dedicated xc race rig.

  3. Just stumbled upon this and the 27.5 review. Nice work here. Not sure if you’ve ridden much in Utah. I’m looking at going shorter travel and think the django might be the ticket for 95% of what I ride. Any idea if it would handle some of Utah’s rougher trails (the whole enchilada, captain ahab, techy trails at deer valley..)

  4. Can anyone offer a direct comparison between this and the following? I get the following has more stable geometry but how do they differ in suspension efficiency, small bump compliance, and stiffness?

  5. ” Django 29 is quite a bit easier at “normal” speeds, and it’s more inclined to go around sharp corners without blowing off the outside of the trail”

    What makes the Django easier to handle at lower speeds than the Following? The seat angle? I’ve also noticed that it was easy for me to blow outside the trail on a turn on my Following but not my 27.5 mojo3. thx

  6. Looking to replace the ardent rear tire that came stock and found your comments on it…what would you suggest replacing it with?

    • Hey Matt – If you like the Highroller II in the front, stick one on the rear as well! HRII’s front and rear is a solid combo.

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