Devinci

Hatchet Carbon GRX Allroad Bike

We've been pretty confident that gravel riding is here to stay, and confirming these suspicions is DeVinci's second-iteration of its Hatchet Carbon GRX Allroad Bike. Gravel, allroad, call it what you like, what we'll call it is capable. That's because of the crew putting their heads together in the brand's Chicoutimi, Quebec facilities for over 25 years, and with its second iteration, the Hatchet is ready for even more adventures. It comes to us with eager geometry that's ready for lofty tires, and long rides in rough conditions. It features a similar overall shape to its 2016 predecessor, but with a slightly longer head tube, and shorter seat tube. Its seat tube is designed for a dedicated zero-offset post, and with its lower height this means two things — it better fits shorter riders, and the spec’d dropper post improves comfort and handling for technical sections.

This Hatchet is happy adventuring on seldom-used forest service roads, flying down fresh tarmac, or even mixing it up on some buff singletrack, maybe all while on the same ride. Its DMC R-HR, or DeVinci Carbon Monocoque Road-High Resistance technology, uses multidirectional layers of carbon fiber that are laid up in a specific schedule. DeVinci then fortifies the carbon with Nano Powder that reinforces the resin with microscopic carbon tubes. This carbon recipe is completely exclusive to DeVinci allowing it to offer high modulus monocoque frames that are extremely lightweight and impressively durable.

Other standout frame features include the BB86 bottom bracket for efficient power transfer, a tapered head tube for maximum responsiveness, and a slight bow to the toptube and lowered seat stays for improved compliance. Sleek internal cable routing via a port behind the headtube, including dropper post compatibility for getting really rowdy, accommodates mechanical and electronic drivetrains and keeps things looking tidy and out of harm's way. Lastly, the hidden fender mounts allow you to keep mud and road spray from dampening spirits.

We would best describe the Hatchet's ride as mountain bike-esque with the speed and multiple hand positions afforded by drop bars. Headtube angles encroach on hardtail 29er numbers, while the longer reach encourages the use of a shorter stem and wide bars. The chainstays and subsequent wheelbase are quite longer than the average cyclocross bike, and to that, the Hatchet is stable when the going gets fast and rough, yet it still manages to be very responsive and quick to change lines on washboard descents. This frameset will accommodate tires up to 45mm wide and DeVinci specs 40mm Maxxis Ramblers that are eager for any ride. Its 12mm thru-axles at the front and rear keep things stiff and tracking nicely and seem to have become the industry standard on drop bar disc bikes, as have the flat-mount disc brakes.

Completing this build is Shimano’s gravel-specific GRX drivetrain as well as a gravel-ready cockpit. The GRX shifting is precise and swift across any terrain thanks to its rear derailleur that better handles the small bumps of gravel riding to keep the chain in place. DT Swiss’s G1800 wheels pair to the Maxxis tires for a capable wheelset for anything from smooth singletrack to pavement, while the Easton bars and KS Lev dropper post provide ample wiggle room for comfort and better handling when the trail gets rowdy.