PRESS RELEASE: Devinci Introducing the all-new Ewoc FS. A 24’’ dual suspension kids trail bike featuring 125 mm of rear travel. Young riders will now be able to reap the benefits of a made-in-Canada full-suspension proven platform, that was once only reserved for adults. And for the parents, get ready for some memorable on-trail bonding as this new bike opens a whole new world of trails to explore together.
The Ewoc FS packs the legendary capability of our trail bikes, including the efficient Split Pivot suspension system, into a smaller package that's specifically built for the needs of children from approximately
9 to 12 years old, 133cm to 150cm (4'4'' - 4'11''). Additionally, the Ewoc FS frame, which is made right here in Canada, is built, and designed so it can last and grow with the rider. What do we mean by that? The frame and the fork are compatible with 26-inch wheels. So, by switching to larger wheels and a longer stem, the bike could last an extra year for the kid.
This built-to-shred trail ripper features a super low standover height and a lightweight rider suspension kinematics, which signifies that the suspension will be active and performing efficiently even with low shock pressures. Its 6061-T6 Aluminum frame is coated with a durable powder coat paint because kids are not always easy with their equipment. Also, the Ewoc FS includes a 12-speed drivetrain for optimal gear ratio, a dropper seat post, short cranks, and short-reach brake levers. Cutting no corners in adapting the true Devinci ride feel for the youth. Born-to-ride meets built-to-shred. Unstoppable starts here.
MADE IN CANADA
EWOC FS SX 12S
• Favourite Terrain: Trail
• Wheels: 24'' with clearance for 26''
• 125mm rear travel
• 140mm fork
• Geometry: Confidence inspiring geometry lets kids explore new trails and build skills fast
• Available colour: Gloss | Green Aston
• CAD $2,699.00 | USD $2,099.00
| By bringing to life the Ewoc FS, we are expanding our portfolio of premium and accessible bicycles, allowing every type of riders, even the young ones to take their next step.—Cycles Devinci |
For more details about the new Ewoc FS, including frame tech, specs and build options visit
devinci.com
Videography: Liam Wallace
Product Photography: Andy Vathis
Action Photography: Liam Wallace
Riders: Lucy & Steve Mitchell
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
ABOUT DEVINCI On the surface, the rock of northern Quebec doesn’t seem like fertile soil for a bike brand. But look closer and see a community dedicated to the craft of welding bikes by hand. Witness a tight-knit riding scene steeped in hometown pride. See firsthand the expertise and influence of one of North America’s leading aluminum industries. Then take a step back. And you’ll realize that, while it looks different, this might be the most natural place for a bike brand on earth. You just have to trust the process. A land where passion is true, north and strong, and where expertise is unapologetically Canadian.
That was my original reaction too... but then I asked myself... was my fit Dad riding several 100 if not 1000's of feet of vertical on his rides and was a 7-year old me trying to keep up to him?
The answer was decidedly no and no. He was sitting at home with a Carlsberg in his hands and I was zipping around the neighborhood on my BMX (obviously ... trying only to keep up with other kids my age.
Once you are talking 12year olds and up... Dad's getting older too, that's typically the time they can catch up and even beat Dad up the hill.
But from 6 to 12... it's a balancing act getting kids out on bikes having fun and not being frustrated.
In my family that means separate adult and kids rides (where I pace it back obviously), but this is a personal equation that might not work for all.
The reaction from fellow riders is telling in my mind... universally the conversation starts "how old are you?? I can't believe you made it here" usually followed by praise and a fist bump saying "way to go little man".
E-bikes allow kids to go places they could not otherwise, IE tough trails with Dad in my case. The extra ride time we get together has been worth every penny (and occasional insults ha).
First, I respect and admire parents that have kids and actually spend time with them. So props for that!
For me, riding bikes is more than riding bikes. I started right when I could barely walk on shit superstore bikes, till I could start racing mtb at 14 on a wallmart full rigid. I don’t come from money, and only got a good mtb once I was good enough to get a shop to sponsor me, and so on . I’ve seen the evolution of bike since 1994, and we have come a long ways. I have ridden plenty of E bikes, they are fun for what they are, but to me, it takes a lot of why I ride bikes away.
There is a psychological and physical factor, the satisfaction to finish a big day, or get to climb a really hard hill. The reward after struggling on some moves or any challenge you might find. E bikes, take all of this away to me. I can see myself as a kid having one of those would have taken a lot of my mental game away, and a lot of lessons I learned on bikes that were used in my life to be where I am at. I think young kids getting on those Ebikes very early will miss out on a lot of what riding bikes can give them way passed riding bikes. And also looking forward to get good enough to get a better bike over and over to appreciate them every time. We are in a generation where we all have high end cameras and GPS in our pockets, with instant gratification from scrolling and finding answers to any problem. My situation was a life that new young population is not born into. But 7 year old me would have been stoked on this. So good job @cyclesdevinci
I have a different approach. Whenever I am cycling with my 8 yo daughter (since she was three) i am taking a hardtail, so I can feel all the difference again. and if she is done, we have a tow rope, and I am the engine.
I have 8 and 10 year olds and for them it's all about weight first, touch points second, suspension kinematics third. I'd ditch the SX drivetrain for maybe a 10 (put Shimano Zee 10 - 42 on both kids bikes and it's plenty low enough gearing) or even 9 speed wide range. With 12 speed, the kids would be pedaling at such a high cadence in the big ring and barely be moving and trying to manage all that weight. At least they indicate that the suspension is tuned for light riders, and I wonder if their lifetime warranty is transferable, since the only reason to get your kids a nice bike is because of re-sale value.
Overall, we feel like we're offering a really good package with this bike. The parent choosing to buy the Ewoc FS for his child gets a bike that has a made-in-Canada frame, a lifetime warranty, competitive specs and the possibility to mounts bigger 26'' hoops to keep the bike an extra season.
If spending that much money on a full-suspension bike for your child is not your thing, the broad Ewoc family includes 20'' to 26'' hardtails too.
Thanks!
Super cool the frame is made in Canada. The Norco Fluid builds seem more attractive to me as a parent that maintains their kids' bikes.
I would also add that those ProMax brakes are really great spec for the kids. My son has/had those on his Cannondale hardtail and they have plenty of power for a little kid and a really nice light lever feel and lever shape with good bite so you can get them positioned well to promote 1 or 2 finger braking. These touch points are very important for small hands. Also helps to cut the bar down, I think the Reaper we got from Trestle Bike Park for my son came with a stock 680mm bar which was way way too wide for him.
Aside, I highly recommend following what BikeDads and Andrew Major share about kids bike setups.
That is by far the best username I’ve seen on here!
Other than componentry and fork travel, there is little separating the "high-end" brands from the lowly Polygon D24--which is the bike I ended up buying my 8 y.o. at the time. That bike tipped the scales at 31 lbs w/ an aftermarket One Up dropper, but I quickly got it down to 29 lbs with lighter tires and crankset/bb--at a total cost of $1000 USD with the aftermarket parts included.
My biggest gripe with the claim of being able to clear 26" wheels is that unless you get the bike with 26" thru-axle wheels at the outset, you will have a very tough time trying to source wheels--or you build them yourself, which is what I did--but I've been a pro mechanic for nearly 15 years with a plethora of spares and know-how. Essentially, unless the manufacturer offers these 26" upgrade wheels, consider it a marketing feature at best.
Son's 24" w/ 10 speed 11 - 42, 150mm cranks, 28t chainring has a 1.4 gear ratio in lowest gear.
My 29" w/ 12 speed 10 - 50, 165mm cranks, 30t chainring has a 1.3 gear ratio in lowest.
* I could put a 10 speed 11 - 46 cassette on his bike to put him at 1.3 gear ratio, but I don't have one in spare parts, and he's getting used to it, coming from a 20" wheel with the same 10 speed 11 - 42 gearing that was a 1.1 in lowest. He's also 8 years old and I feel like the trade off of less mental load needing to cycle through gears and weight savings is worth the slightly increased effort on some climbs, we don't have too much sustained steep climbs around here that I'm taking him up, it's more the mellow climbs, and when it does get steep or tiring, it teaches hike-a-bike. If you're not hiking, you're not really mountain biking
www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3823956
(sweet mullet Ripcord, @pgrotten, GLWS!)
Bought first daughter a Spesh Hardrock, well kitted hardtail, think I payed $500ish for it. Bike was easily upgrade-able with parts I had kicking around, bike went to a firend, and came back for daughter number 2, 7 years later. Bit of a tune-up, some better brakes and fork, and was ridden happily for another couple years. Sold it for......$400. Bought a Kona 2-4 (you wanna talk about heavy!) for $700, fiddled with the fork, and had the rear shock re-valved, bike was thrashed daily. Sold it a couple years later for $700. Same goes for her Rocky hardtail, (sold for more than I paid) shes now on her moms old bike.
Similar with Chariots, they retain value quite well, if kept in decent shape
That being said, if they were super passionate about mountain biking, I would be happy to spend the money to get them proper bikes. It’s nice that there are some options out there like this.
Are there different frame testing standards for "kids bikes". This Commencal is so overbuilt for a 60-70 lb kid. I literally can ride it and feel confident that I won't break it at 170 lbs. The Prevelos he was on before were the same way.
32 lbs? That's a heavy kids bike! 4.5 lbs heavier than the Clash (And the Clash is heavy too).
the clash is lighter but is also quite more expensive when you look at the regular price. 3900$ CND
30-32lbs IMO is pretty much the range for a well equipped and reasonnably priced kids full suspension bike.
Now, here is the polarity. Some kids will naturally just want to be on a bike... they dont care what it is, they dont care about bouncing down the trail, they just want to ride no matter what and that is great. I don't think this represents most kids and does not represent mine... so making biking more enjoyable was key to them wanting to ride as a family and to progress. So I spent a lot of time researching kids bikes, trying to understand what gear ratios would be best for the terrain we ride etc...
Ultimately, yes, a full suspension increased enjoyment, especially on the technical trails.... and easier gearing beyond what you think would be necessary really helped keeping the smiles on the climbs.
And yes.. a modern kids bike is designed with leverage curves that allow the suspension to work great. Even if the kid is 40lb.
If you are a weekend warrior doing mellow XC laps with small elevation but punchy climbs and technical riding.. you will get frustrated as these heavy bikes will be difficult to handle by small kids.. shuttle them !
So putting 26" wheels on a bike that had 24" doesn't make frame's reach any longer, nor does it change the wheelbase. Except that the Ewoc's 419mm chainstay is pretty long, so this should probably be a 26" bike to start with, closer to the Commecal Clash Jr, Jeffsy 26 as well as the Norco Sight Youth which really should come with 26" wheels instead of 27.5" (and lose a little reach.)
Is the Devinci's X-Fusion suspension good? The Manitou Machete J-Unit 24" on the others is considered a great kids' fork.
12 speed / 50t seems excessive for a 9YO / 135cm kid and 24" wheel. And harder to keen aligned than 11sp. Or 10.
Norco and Devinci both lose points for not putting a bash guard on. The Norco has 2 ISCG mount points for a chain guide, and you can (unofficially but it works) use them to mount a chain+bash guard. All 3 bolts would be nicer. Devinci looks like it has none, so best you could do is change to a crankset that can hold a bashguard. Kids love to smash their chainring.
Also pretty nice is the Chromag Minor Threat except they lose points for putting a Reba 26 on the S1 (24") build. And no bash. And Chromag pricing. On the other hand, Code RSCs on a kid's bike is pretty wild.
My 11 year old has a 07’ 67r Jekyll with a shimmed down mattoc, 140mm cranks, and a 225lb ti spring on a elka stage 5 with offset bushings, contemporary geometry. cost me around 600.
Looks cool as a 24” bike though
2. shallow, marketing word soup that has no deeper meaning than maybe evoking some images or emotions that encourage buying a Devinci bike.
The choice is yours.