Brand: Devinci
Model: Spartan HP
Handlebar: Next R (780mm)
Stem: Turbine R
Wheelset: Trace JBend to ARC Carbon 31 Front and Rear
Fork: FOX 38 Factory Elite
Shock: FOX DHX Factory Elite
Seatpost: FOX Transfer Performance Elite 200mm
What’s your name?
Owen Kartusch
How long have you been in the bike industry?
4 years on a shop level, and about a year and change at Race Face.
What do you do at Race Face?
I first started out as an Inside Sales Representative for the Alberta and Ontario accounts, and then switched over to Marketing – my current position is Social Media Coordinator!
What’s one weird fact about you?
I’ve got Randy Jackson’s Autograph on a Japanese Katana sword.
How often do you ride?
I try for 3/4 times a week.
What type of riding do you do?
I’m about a 60/40 split between Enduro Mountain biking and Freestyle BMX. However, I just started to dip my toes into the wonderful waters of gravel biking, so we will see where the current takes me!
What’s your favourite trail?
All of them.
What made you pick this bike over others?
I’ve really only ever ridden single pivot, and FSR full suspension mountain bikes. So, I was very keen to try out a high pivot platform and see how it felt. It’s a bit of a learning curve but I’m a fan.
What is your favourite component or part of your bike and why?
I really enjoy the carbon hoops (Next R31). This is my first bike with carbon wheels, and I find the ride quality of the carbon allows you to hold onto squirrely lines a bit better. There is also a nice stiffness aspect to them – they feel great and confidence inspiring thought the chicane. Always a nice touch!
Have you changed/added anything to your bike to suit your riding style?
I put a slightly shorted stem on (Atlas 35mm) and sliced the Next R bars down to 780mm. Bikes are so long these days, so shortening the cockpit made it feel a bit more familiar.
