Steve Smith (Devinci Global Racing) competed at the Sea Otter Classic downhill aboard this Devinci Dixon Carbon(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Easton Havoc wheels are wrapped with racer-only Schwalbe Nobby Nic 4-Cross tires with a harder center for faster rolling but softer sides for more traction in the corners.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The chain guide is lined with foam to keep it quiet.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Avid X0 Trail four-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors are fitted front and rear.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Devinci Global Racing mechanic Nigel Reeve says this setup pinches the housing and hydraulic hose less than usual, plus it's more flexible.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Steve Smith (Devinci Global Racing) had his Devinci Dixon Carbon set up in the low and slack position for the Sea Otter Classic downhill.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
So exactly how much braking was required for the Sea Otter Classic downhill course? Not much, judging by the 160mm front rotor on Steve Smith's (Devinci Global Racing) bike.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The e*thirteen LG1+ chain guide bolts to replaceable tabs.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
RockShox provides custom valving for Steve Smith's (Devinci Global Racing) Monarch Plus rear shock.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Out back is a truncated SRAM PG-1070 cassette with just eight cogs and a tight 11-19T spread. The carbon fiber spoke guard is a nice touch, too.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Devinci Dixon Carbon uses Dave Weagle's Split Pivot suspension design.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The rear derailleur cable is routed through the chain stay.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Sea Otter Classic downhill course wasn't particularly demanding so many riders opted for enduro-type machines instead of full-blown DH bikes.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Steve Smith (Devinci Global Racing) uses RockShox's new Pike RCT3 fork.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Steve Smith (Devinci Global Racing) sets his brake levers close to the bar with very little throw.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Truvativ recently released a Steve Smith signature aluminum handlebar with a 780mm width, nine degrees of backsweep, five degrees of upsweep, and 30mm of rise.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Custom etched lock-on grip collars for Steve Smith (Devinci Global Racing).(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
A compact 50mm-long Truvativ Holzfeller stem sits atop the Cane Creek Forty headset on Steve Smith's (Devinci Global Racing) Devinci Dixon Carbon.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The Truvativ X0 carbon fiber crankarms are fitted with a GuideRing chainring and LG1+ chain guide, both from e*thirteen.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Tape is applied to the back of the number plate to give it some heft and quiet it down.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The RockShox Pike RCT3 fork was set at 160mm of travel.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Sometimes a downhill bike isn't actually the best machine for downhill racing. Canadian racer Steve Smith (Devinci Global Racing) headed south this past spring to race at the Sea Otter Classic but given the relatively tame course, he pushed his usual Devinci Wilson Carbon aside in favor of a much lighter Dixon Carbon enduro rig.
Despite having about 60mm less travel at either end and vastly different geometry, team mechanic Nigel Reeve told BikeRadar that Smith still, "wanted it to feel as much like his downhill bike as possible."
Part of bridging that gap came from setting the Dixon Carbon enduro machine in its lower and slacker setting for a 347mm (13.7in) bottom bracket height and 67-degree head tube angle. Reeve said the suspension feel is similar as well even with just 145mm of travel out back and 160mm up front.
Reeve wouldn't go into specific details as far as the internals were concerned but stressed that friction was reduced as much as possible to make the suspension ultra-supple. However, both the RockShox Pike RCT3 fork and Monarch Plus rear shock were also set up with more progressive spring rates than stock, "so he can push it as hard as he wants but not feel like he risks going through the travel."
Other SRAM goodies include a signature Steve Smith Truvativ Blackbox aluminum handlebar, Avid X0 Trail four-piston hydraulic disc brakes with Smith's name sealed beneath the clear coat on the carbon fiber lever blades and comparatively tiny 160mm stainless steel rotors, a short-cage SRAM X0 Type 2 rear derailleur, 170mm-long Truvativ X0 DH carbon fiber crankarms, and a Truvativ stem and seatpost.
Smith used a SRAM PG-1070 cassette out back as well although one that was slightly modified. Instead of the usual ten cogs, Smiths' customized cassette has just eight with a very tight 11-19T spread plus a carbon fiber spoke guard to guarantee that an errant derailleur cage won't ever ruin his run.
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Other special touches include a lined upper cage on the e*thirteen LG1+ chain guide for quieter running, a special Schwalbe Nobby Nic 4-Cross rear tire with harder center rubber and softer side knobs, custom etching on the ODI Lock-On grip collars, and a number plate that's backed with several strips of thick tape to give it a little more structure and decrease noise. Reeve even uses his own zip tie setup for the derailleur housing and brake hose that's supposedly less constricting.
Total weight as pictured is 12.56kg (27.69lb).
The Devinci Dixon Carbon uses Dave Weagle's Split Pivot suspension design
Seat tube length, c-t: 480mm Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 501mm Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): +40mm Head tube length: 145mm Top tube length: 611mm (horizontal) Total bicycle weight: 12.56kg (27.69lb)
