First Look: Loaded, Ellsworth, Funn - Taipei Show

Mar 21, 2013
by Mike Kazimer  
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Loaded's AmXc stem is intended for use on a trail bike. 3D forged from 6061 aluminum, the stem is available in 70, 85, and 100mm lengths with a 6 degree rise. Claimed weight for the 85mm length is 133 grams, and MSRP is $79.99


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27.5" offerings are a common theme at this year's show, and Loaded was on hand with their 27.5" X-Lite wheelset. The aluminum rims have a 21mm internal width, and weigh in at 1600 grams for the pair. Adaptors are available for 15mm front and 142x12mm rear thru-axles. MSRP: $799.


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The grip on the left is so new it doesn't have a name. It has a unique lock-on system that uses an insert to help spread the clamping force of the grip around the bar, which is especially important with carbon bars. Plus, it helps alleviate the movement that can sometimes develop between a grip and the lock-on clamp as the plastic wears. The grip on the right is the No Slip Grip, named for the special oleophobic (oil resistant) and hydrophobic (water repellant) compound it is constructed from. CNC'd end caps are found on both grip styles, and MSRP is $29.99

www.loadedusa.com



Ellsworth Bicycles

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The Evolve is Ellsworth's carbon 29er, available with 100 or 120mm of travel. The Evolve uses aerospace grade Japanese carbon. Tony Ellsworth has a house near the Taiwan factory where the frames are made that allows him to oversee the bike's production. As shown, the bike goes for $7495, with other build kits available, and a frame only option for $2995.


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The aluminum framed Epiphany is Ellsworth's entrance into the 27.5" wheeled world with 140mm of rear travel and the company's ICT suspension design. The XTR Pro build (pictured) will set you back $7499.

www.ellsworthbikes.com



Funn
Funn had a wide range of colorful products on display, including their new flat pedal, the Bigfoot. Pricing is expected to be available in April.

Funn Bigfoot pedal
The Bigfoot pedal's standout feature is the grease port system built into the pedal body. Squirt new grease into the port, and the old grease is expelled through the other port on the underside of the pedal. A needle bearing, DU bushing and a sealed cartridge bearing are all housed inside the Bigfoot's body, while 9 replaceable pins are found on each side. Available in red, orange, blue, silver, and black, with a claimed weight of 425 grams.

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Funn has never been afraid to add bright colors to their lineup, and had Easter egg colored versions of their Fatboy handlebar on display. Available in three widths (750,785, and 810mm) at a claimed weight of 340 grams.

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Not enough sparkles in your life? The BOB stem takes it to the next level with a color changing paint job that Funn calls their Chameleon coating. 70, 80, 90, and 100mm lengths with a 7 degree rise and 140g weight for the 90mm version. A matching riser bar and seatpost are available as well.

www.funnmtb.com

Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,726 articles

89 Comments
  • 164 13
 Ellsworth stuff looks so archaic. Shit tons of money for frames that look more than a decade old
  • 14 24
flag wakaba (Mar 21, 2013 at 0:49) (Below Threshold)
 E. totally lost the plot. High end, handcrafted and Taiwan don`t go together. Designwise: Huge lever means high pressure in the shock and...early fail.
  • 9 3
 Thing is though, there are some journos who disagree and say that out on the trail, the Epiphany does a damn good job.

www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/review-ellsworth-epiphany-10-36001
  • 23 1
 What are you on about!? Some of the best carbon manufacturing in the world goes on in the Far East - they have incredible experience and expertise there. Their biggest problem, as ever in the Far East, is working conditions and pay. And recommended pressures for a Float are in the region of 100psi to 300psi. I run my Moment at 150psi. Shocks good my friend.
  • 9 1
 the head angle of that ellsworth looks quite steep..
  • 5 3
 i remember Ellsworth from early days of V-Dub and Klassen doing Jib in the urban. Stuff that blew my teenage mind. So I guess bying an Ellsworth is bying a piece of MTB history.

agree with rynine though, the frames look a bit outdated. However, doesnt mean they are necessarily bad. I would even consider getting that 29er. Not particularu beautiful, but certainly with a "distinct" look.
  • 4 0
 It sure is steep 69 degrees after a quick look on their website.
  • 3 1
 yeah it's 69 degrees, but it's a 140mm 27.5" bike. If it were slacker, the wheelbase would be pretty long, not to mention in theory the bigger wheel shouldn't need as slack a HT angle to roll over the same rough stuff. Too steep and you fall into the category that many a big wheel bike go into... wallowing in the steering and lacking in agility. It won't ride like a 26" with the same head tube angle. Granted, I'd never get one of these bikes anyway, but I'm just sayin'.
  • 10 1
 @yxbix Yes it has a "distinct" look - like the Elephant Man.
  • 4 1
 @ Orientdave, the journalists are right. The Epiphany is an amazing trail rig. If we didnt carry Pivot bikes at our shop also, the Epiphany would be my go-to bike for the trails. Just really well balanced and super nimble.
  • 5 4
 From what I hear Tony is the worst guy in the bike industry to work for. He pays his frame builders in portland like nothing for what they do and gets them fresh from school cuz his employee turn around is so high.
  • 5 6
 damn elsworthlesss, update yo shit
  • 2 0
 Tsoxbhk - He doesn't pay anyone in Portland anymore... fab was pulled from the OEM last year.
  • 2 3
 so true, not only that but both those bikes are ugly as shit.
  • 3 4
 spell ellsworth......................... F O R O L D M E N
  • 2 0
 @ orientdave and mtaero - both correct, the Epiphany is one of the most impressive trail bikes I've ever ridden.
  • 2 0
 Not much has changed in suspension designs for some time. It's been more shock tech, bike geo and materials. I've owned an ellsworth dare and it's suspension design is probably the best i've ridden so far. I think they look good too. Too bad their customer service sucks. I'll never own another one.
  • 1 0
 Bike on a whole looks odd.
  • 6 0
 at least no seems to think it looks like a trek session...
  • 36 2
 That Funn stem looks so sick!
  • 7 10
 yeah looks kinda fun !
  • 14 1
 SO MANY COOOOL STEM BUT NONE SHORTER 70MM!!!! INTERNET MAKE ANGRY. SMASH SMASH
  • 26 1
 I fucking love grips, seriously they get me sooo stocked. woooooo hoooo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GRIPS !!
  • 42 0
 Get a grip dude...
  • 18 3
 That was a gripping story
  • 3 6
 i need to get to grips with this new technology !!!
  • 3 1
 I just bought Loaded's No Slip Grips, love em so far!!
  • 4 1
 bike-ramrod can I get a Litera Cola?
  • 2 0
 I'm curious how those end caps work, are they normal bar plugs, or something new and better?
  • 2 0
 I have the Loaded No Slip Grips, and they are the best I have ever used. They look amazing and are tough as nails! The end caps go around the bar ends as a part of the clamp. Super classy and functional.
  • 2 0
 @ Groghunter the end caps are part of the lock mechanism. whole system is freakin rad. They never get play in them like odi do I cant wait for the new ones to come in because I have crazy big hands and need a thicker grip.
  • 1 0
 Those no-slip grips look a great grip to go for once my nukeproof grips wear out. I hate it when the water soaks the grip, feels horrid.
  • 1 0
 @livehardrideharder thanks, and that's awesome. was gonna buy some troy lee ODI, but not anymore...
  • 14 5
 I cannot wait to see how quickly Ellsworth changes their frame designs once the horst-link patent expires, and they can drop those long walking beam linkages of their "ICT" patent (which was a creative way to re-describe fifty year old race car suspension design to a bicycle patent to side-step a similar dropout pivot patent).
  • 10 7
 Amen to that brother. Having a house near the factory in Taiwan ain't gonna do jack squat if his bikes look like pile of crap anyway.
  • 9 3
 While they are changing their frame design, may be they also should change their font to something legible
  • 2 1
 loving the look of that evolve!
  • 1 0
 @deeeight - I am certain Ellsworth won't be the first company to fit FSR-style linkages to their bikes.
  • 10 1
 who's using a 100mm stem on a trailbike anymore?? maybe xc racer, but trail/am bike?!?!?
  • 8 0
 those no slip grips just look awesome!
  • 1 1
 Just some rebranded Mortop grips. www.mortopbike.com/product/main.php?cat=25
  • 1 0
 No mention on the mortopbike site of their grips being oleophobic/hydrophobic...
  • 1 0
 I have the Loaded No Slip Grips, and they are the best I have ever used. They look amazing and are tough as nails! The end caps go around the bar ends as a part of the clamp. Super classy and functional.
  • 6 0
 Looking from the front the Loaded stem looks exactly like my Race Face turbine stem.......?!
  • 3 0
 Totally. Loaded just straight up ripped off Race Face. Weak.....
  • 1 0
 Glad I'm not the only one thinking it...
  • 8 1
 is it only me who thinks this Ellsworth is worth something else?
  • 7 4
 The ones that normally bash Ellsworth bikes haven't ridden one. After owning most major brands of 5-7" travel bikes, I can say they simply work. Don't change something that works like some major brands change things just for the sake of calling something new in hopes of catching the crowd that wants latest and greatest. Price point could use some work and that's probably why they are going to overseas production.
  • 4 1
 And there are some of us who have enough history as DEALERS of Ellsworth product, or were owners to know for the first decade of the brand's existence, they really treated owners badly when it came to honouring the "lifetime" warranty they claimed to offer. In Tony's mind, "lifetime" meant the lifetime of an exact design was in production. If they found a problem and changed the frame, then it was a new design and the lifetime warranty of the previous version didn't apply any longer once they exhausted their inventory of warrantee replacement parts for the previous generation. And they charged a mighty premium to replace existing frames with new versions for just a cracked stay or linkage, because they of course always conveniently changed the hardware or geometry in some way to make the it difficult to just fix something for an owner of a broken bike. I remember one change to fix a defect that totally required a different shock, and they passed the $200 charge for those new shocks onto the owners.
  • 2 0
 They do work calvin, extremely well. The Truth, Epiphany and Moment are 3 of the most impressive full-suss mtb's I've ridden, and I've ridden lots of full-suss mtb's. I rode the new carbon Evolve a few days ago and unsurprisingly, that was just as good - the responsiveness and climbing efficiency was unreal, and the overall feel of the bike was way more solid that any other 29er I have ridden. As you said, it's usually the ones who've not actually ridden one who like to bash the brand. I'm in complete agreement with you - why change something that works so well, and out-performs 95% of the product on the market? I hope they don't change, especially if the new evolve is anything to go by.
  • 7 1
 how about those awesome looking ellsworth bikes.................... :/
  • 10 3
 all looks shit
  • 1 0
 HAHA!
  • 1 0
 haha tell it like it is why don't ya?

The funn pearlescent stem does look kinda cheesy. The bars could look cool on some bikes.
  • 1 0
 i got the impression the bars were just a one-off for the show.
  • 2 0
 I have ridden a Ellsworth, and they are nice bikes, but at that price. I ended up buying a Transition Preston, then a Covert, and if you ask me, my money better spent. Plus the Guys at Transition will go on a ride with you, they ride what they make, and stand for it, and they are not cheap to their employee's, he only went to Oregon for the taxes.
  • 1 0
 Their wheelset costs more than my bike. Don't know what you guys think about the wheelset price, but I know that in my country I would never afford such a luxury to myself. Is the price so high because of the brand name or is their product such a high-tech thing to have this amazing price?
  • 4 2
 i havent ridden an ellsworth..it may be nice to ride and the main frame really looks nice, but what the hell did the think when the were drawing the rear part of the frame...i dont get it...why make it look ugly on purpose??
  • 1 0
 DON'T BUY LOADED PEDALS!! From experience, they cannot handle more than 5 rides of abuse. I went through 3 sets of their $150 pedals before my LBS said we wont' replace them for you until Loaded tells they have fixed the issue..... 1 year later they haven't fixed the issue, i got my money back and i've been riding Shimano Saint pedals for the last 4 months without issues. DO NOT BUY LOADED PEDALS!!
  • 4 1
 I think the Ellsworth looks quite classy, classic look with some modern hints.
  • 3 0
 that BOB stem is looking UBER rad man, totally stoked
  • 1 0
 Been riding the Loaded XC Ultra Lite wheels for 2 months. Happy thus far. a tad bit lighter than Stans Crest and look a ton better.
  • 1 0
 So besides rocking a galaxy of sparklefunk, are the pink bits on the Funn stem some kind of damping material to absorb vibration and reduce trail chatter?
  • 1 0
 I think those are plastic spacers just used for show - to position the stem, with all hardware installed, so that it is sitting the same as it would if it was mounted on a bike.
  • 2 1
 The Loaded No Slip grips are freaking amazing! I'm sure the new ones will be just as good!
  • 3 0
 Looks like they dipped it in a can of bed liner and called it good
  • 1 0
 I would buy a bike frame if it was covered in that stuff. Never scratch hahah
  • 2 0
 i want a set of those bigfoot pedal Smile
  • 4 2
 ERRMEERRGEHHHERD CERMERIRION COAT
  • 2 2
 you sir, win the internet.
  • 2 0
 That Epipahny's rocker arm is absolutely humongous!!!
  • 2 1
 Definitely interested in those no-name grips. 30 dollars seems reasonable too.
  • 1 0
 the color changing paint is so sick reminds me of hyper color shirts from the 80s
  • 1 0
 them pedal are ace, ide love to buy them like Smile
  • 1 0
 I'd like to put those Bigfoot pedals on my Norco Bigfoot. Razz
  • 3 1
 I like bling.
  • 2 1
 how about those pedals , fucking mint!
  • 1 0
 Love the new fun parts. Thay look dope.
  • 1 0
 three cheers for shiny things!
  • 2 2
 Loaded stems are very Haven-ish.
  • 1 0
 Sparkles !!!!!
  • 1 0
 Yep. Lookin' good.
  • 1 0
 those bars look alright
  • 1 0
 Pedals look cool
  • 1 1
 Grips pedals and bars in different colours. Whoo hoo!!! BFD
  • 1 1
 them grease ports though
  • 2 3
 I would actually buy most of those products.... that's a first
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