Ellsworth, Kappius, ENVE - Interbike 2014

Sep 9, 2014 at 17:50
by Mike Levy  
Ellsworth Dare

Ellsworth Dare

Carbon fiber and 27.5'' wheels take the new Dare to the next level, with the old bike's aluminum tubing and 26'' wheels being discontinued for 2015. The frame is entirely new from front to back, including a revised ICT suspension layout that employs a shorter rocker arm and sports a sleeker look, but it's the bike's built-in adaptability that is most interesting. Rear wheel travel can be set at 222mm, 180mm, or 160mm by swapping in different length shocks, but doing only that would result is some pretty messed up geometry numbers - Ellsworth got around this by manufacturing a multi-position aluminum lower mount that compensates for different eye-to-eye length shocks. The bike pictured here is actually the first carbon prototype, but the final production model, which will be available by early January, will sport a removable front derailleur mount for those who don't need a triple 'ring setup when in 222mm travel mode. MSRP will be $3,695 USD.


Ellsworth Dare

Ellsworth Dare




Kappius

Kappius KR-29 Carbon Rim

Kappius makes some of the most interesting hubs on the market, something that they've been doing for years now, but the small company is also branching out with a new carbon fiber rim that will be available in both 29'' and 27.5'' sizes. The width and weight figures look impressive: just 355 grams for the 29er rim, with a big-tire friendly internal width of 26.4mm (30mm external). Throw on some high-volume tires and you're set! They require a wrap of tubeless tape to seal the rim bed, and they sport an interesting sidewall design that isn't quite the full-on bead hook of a traditional rim, but also not the thick and vertical walls of the latest hookless-bead rim - it's somewhere in the middle, which Kappius says offers the best tire retention and damage-limiting abilities. They aren't inexpensive, though: $599 USD per rim.




ENVE

ENVE Mountain Fork

The carbon specialists in Ogden, Utah, have been working on a brand new rigid mountain bike fork that actually has some pretty nifty things going for it. How interesting can a rigid fork be, though? Pretty interesting if it's from ENVE, it turns out. The one-piece fork sports an axle-to-crown length that mimics a 100mm travel suspension fork, meaning that you can put it on your hard tail without creating an artificially steep head angle that would completely mess up its handling, and ENVE has also designed-in adjustable dropouts that can be flipped to offer either 44 or 52mm of steering offset. The aluminum inserts, which are held in place tightly by way of o-rings that give them an interference fit so they don't fall out when the axle is removed, means ENVE only has to create one mould rather than two, and it also gives the rider the ability to tune the fork to suit different bikes and applications - it can do 29er+ and standard 29" wheels. ENVE will ship the Mountain Fork with their own thread-in 15mm axle that requires a hex key, but it's also compatible RockShox's Maxle system if you're looking to speed things up a bit, and it will also come with the nifty clip-on carbon fender that's pictured here (carbon clip-on blanks fill the space when the fender isn't required). Weight sits at 711 grams with the fender, or 686 grams without, and MSRP is $625 USD.


View entire Interbike 2014 Product Gallery Here

Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

194 Comments
  • 253 5
 Ellsworth Economic Breakdown: This year we spent our capital on turning our 1990's alloy frame into a carbon one, rather than then other way round, creating a new frame design in alloy, that our consumers wanted. We predict profit losses across the board.
  • 83 7
 hahahhahahaha I love the front triangle.....but the back looks 100 years old
  • 113 5
 I didnt even know Ellsworth was still in business
  • 42 2
 i agree with @bettyswollox. it looks like the designers ran out of time to finish is so they just slapped on the old rear triangle.
  • 79 4
 Ellsworth please just stop already
  • 17 0
 That real triangle looks like a mud trap..
  • 34 2
 The rear triangle makes me want to gouge my own eyes out
  • 41 14
 Why does pinkbike seemingly focus on aesthetics first, a good looking linkage does not correlate to a well developed suspension system. When you are riding, its irrelevant what the bike looks like anyways
  • 46 10
 But other people will. And I aint gonna drop 10K on a bike that looks like poo.
  • 24 5
 Ellsworth were shitty in 1999 when all bikes sucked. Can't imagine now.
  • 15 2
 @asteezc1 I can see where you are coming from, but I wouldn't want to spend money on a bike that I didn't like to look at
  • 17 2
 Nose bleed high bottom bracket height... even by dh huck bike standards.
  • 8 2
 Ellsworth was just (earlier this month) announced as having been sold to BST Nano Carbon: mbaction.com/home-page/ellsworth-bicycles-acquired-by-bst-nano-carbon

It will be impressive if the new owners can really bring a new bike to market on this short timeline. Hopefully this is the start of a resurection for the brand.
  • 13 1
 It is going to be hard to shake Tony Ellsworth's reputation. After seeing him refuse to honor warranty after warranty over the years, I will never buy a bike with his name on it.
  • 25 34
flag lylerides (Sep 9, 2014 at 19:32) (Below Threshold)
 Since everyone here is complaining about the look of the ellsworth I'm just gonna throw in my two cents and say I love the way my ellsworth moment feels on the trail, I have never ridden a better bike. And no, I am not a doctor I am an 18yr old college student.
  • 33 5
 @skeen95, how many bikes have you tried....???
  • 5 5
 I Dare you not to get one!! But seriously what are they still doing in the mountain bike game?!
  • 11 5
 I for one think it looks pretty cool, rear end and all. It's actually the first Ellsworth I have ever seen that didn't cause instantaneous projectile vomiting.
  • 15 9
 @bettyswollox I can't say I've ridden everything out there but I used to have a stumpjumper fsr and I have ridden a trek slash and felt virtue aswell. I still prefer my ellsworth!
  • 9 65
flag nouser (Sep 9, 2014 at 20:33) (Below Threshold)
 @skeen95, your opinion basically means f**k all because you've only rode 4 bikes!!!!!
  • 33 2
 @bettyswollox haha alright. I never said it is the best bike ever produced. I said it is the best bike I've ridden. Sorry for the confusion.
  • 3 5
 well, it's look almost does not make me to puke unlike old frames. good job! 10-15 years more and ellswoth bike will look almost nice.
  • 15 0
 I am not a fan of Ellsworth, but why the heck one needs to keep reinventing bicycle suspension? For shits and giggles?

It is a Horst link and it works fine.
  • 1 3
 Does anyone buy there bikes?
  • 7 1
 what the hell are they thinking? same flexy rear end since '99?
  • 10 2
 it has a front derailleur mount. ha!
  • 4 0
 Drop the BB, slacken the head angle, throw on a burlier swingarm, and set the price at $2600 with a CCDB on and you'd have a decent platform with which to start. Aesthetically it's no Antidote DH, but for a privateer racer, that setup would be easy to service, with a suspension platform that is much easier to make meaningful adjustments on based on track conditions than some of the more complicated multi-link systems. But hey, just an armchair engineer speaking here...
  • 10 0
 If they modern up the rear... It will actually look like a Session...
  • 4 0
 They should of gone with 24" wheels to get that bb height down..
  • 5 0
 Game: "same flexy rear end since '99" make a good sticker for the frame Smile
  • 13 10
 Am I the only one who likes Ellsworth? They're still made in USA, how many other companies can say that? I don't care how old fashioned they look like, I'd still prefer it over anything from Asia.
  • 5 2
 still looks beautiful, in an old-school way
  • 3 2
 Same as! It just feels quick out on the trails, the guys at haven here in the UK who also import devinci bikes to the country day the same too, in fact I brought mine off one of those managers who loved it but now has a troy which he says isn't as good lol
  • 1 5
flag Jake-G1 (Sep 10, 2014 at 3:14) (Below Threshold)
 Ur a dick
  • 8 0
 Looks great if you love high bottom brackets, short front end and a steep head angle. Pretty much everything you don't want.
  • 13 1
 Ellsworth.....2009 in the front, 1999 in the back.
  • 1 1
 I don't like the steep head angle, but I'd like a high bottom bracket, I already scratched too much carbon from my XO cranks.
Thniking about it; if I combined a 140mm Ellsworth frame with let's say 170mm fork, would I get higher bottom bracket and a slacker head angle?
  • 2 0
 Thats a rider error, you could put some crank boots if you want some protection. The geometry would be fucked and the warranty out the window - bad idea.
  • 6 1
 I know the Dare is hideous. but Ellsworth's ride great, super smooth and plush. There would be nothing wrong with how that bike rides. But sticking to their ICT 4 Bar design, does create an out of date look.
  • 1 0
 it looks ok if you cover the BACK END LOL
  • 1 0
 I think if you lowered the seat enough, you could actually hit yourself in the ass with that rocker monstrosity.
  • 4 0
 I kind of feel bad for Ellsworth.
  • 4 0
 I don't, granted sticking to your USP can be a good idea, for example Orange, where people actually buy their bikes, despite them being "simple" or "outdated".

Ellsworth could quite easily change their direction as many other companies have - norco and kona are two good examples, but they haven't bothered, and so they're gonna continue to do badly.
  • 3 0
 God damn, it's like The Devil Wears Prada in here or some shit.

"Zat rear triangle is so gauche, dahlink".
  • 1 0
 @Mendelmu: what would be wrong with the geometry? I don't care about warranty, I buy most of the components from EBay anyway.
  • 1 0
 They're very nicely fabricated bikes, the problem is the outdated ride, not outdated looks. Thats a bearing eating pivot cracking tire chattering flexy rear end if I ever saw one. Nothing is wrong with the ICT design, its the anemic stays that are the problem. Up-spec that and lower the bb and people will consider paying the premium for US made craftsmanship.
  • 15 0
 @Extremmist

none of the carbon fibre Ellsworth frame pieces are made in the USA but in Taiwan. They also had their "Glimpse" aluminium alloy complete ICT bike and wheelsets made in Taiwan, along with their sub-brand "Loaded" for finishing kit (bars, stem, seatpost, etc.)

I used to work for the Ellsworth distributor in the UK. We imported Ellsworth for 10+ years.

the ICT suspension was actually very effective, like a better pedalling version of FSR. Also very easy to service and look after with easy bearing replacement and clean access to the rear shock, unlike many of Specialized's later FSR design.

However, the warranty support we used to receive was hit and miss, and the company owner (Tony EW) certainly did not help with his outpourings on the forums.

There were definitely some durability issues especially with their lighter XC frames like "Truth" and "Epiphany", and replacement parts (i.e. swingarm or rocker) would fail again in the same manner, as we were replacing "like for like" parts not Ellsworth providing a strengthened component to deal with the issue. At times, we had to strip down brand new frames to supply customers with warranty parts, which just cost us money and a big hassle!

But the biggest problem for riders, was that the advertised geometry seemed to bear no relation to reality, once you custom built your Ellsworth frame. Typically BBH was way high, and HTA way steeper than advertised.

The visual aesthetic of the ICT rocker was a matter of personal choice, but the actual ICT system worked very effectively especially on the Moment and Dare longer travel bikes. The Rogue FR bike? a real confusing mess.....
  • 2 17
flag nouser (Sep 10, 2014 at 12:26) (Below Threshold)
 ^^^^ yaaaaaaaaaaaaawn
  • 3 1
 @falling asleep there bettyswollox Wink
  • 2 10
flag nouser (Sep 10, 2014 at 12:46) (Below Threshold)
 Yeah after reading your essay lol
  • 3 0
 I read it, their geometry looks crap in photos anyway, usually pretty easy to tell if geometry is going to be rubbish from photos! I bet they have a decent following in europe, they seem to like bikes with crap geometry over there
  • 2 0
 @hampsteadbandit I brought mine from Sam at haven (you used to work there?) Slackened off with a 160km form and cc Anglesey and it's a beast to ride! The guys at freeborn sorted me out with an alloy seatstay when my carbon one failed though! Good guys and imho the moment is a great bike regardless of the apparently ugly looks!
  • 1 0
 Bloody predictive txt
  • 1 0
 i rode an ellsworth and it was pretty good, BUT, i gotta have a bike that feels and looks good.
  • 3 0
 Its a bike mullet!
  • 1 0
 @NWuntilirest: get Nicolai.
  • 1 0
 Which. Bike is the come over
  • 1 0
 Ion 16 27.5 with CCDBA. Or Ion 20.
  • 2 1
 Yaknow just cuz ellsoworth frames look the same as the 90s models doesn't really mean all that much. When a company sticks to their root designs its for a reason. They like it. Specialized changes their designs drastically every four years or so for marketing and performance but mainly marketing. The ellsworth still tromps a demo any day in my opinion. I don't really care about the 650b though haha. I'm still riding an 07 Turner RFX with a horst link and I love it more than ever, no mud getting caught anywhere.
  • 1 0
 Talking about Nicolai, I probably wouldn't be able to distinguish a 10 year old frame from a 2014 model but I'd still buy one if I could.
  • 1 0
 Current Nicolai frames are as modern in all the standards, geometry and features as anything.
  • 2 0
 I'm only talking about the design - straight tubes, sharp industrial shapes, no hydroforming, no carbon...
  • 1 0
 didn't. The 02 dare have hydro formed tubes?
  • 1 0
 There is nothing wrong with straight tubes and gussets when done right.
  • 1 0
 Yeah, when done right. Ellsworth have been making crap bikes for years now. Probably about time they changed.
  • 1 0
 I was talking about Nic. It is done right.
  • 71 1
 that ellsworth needs a longer rocker
  • 14 0
 yeah and a shorter wheelbase
  • 18 0
 And a post 1900 frame design.
  • 3 0
 and an almost vertical seatstay connected to the rocker
  • 11 1
 if you hold your thumb up in front of you to block the rear triangle it looks pretty sexy
  • 7 0
 It's more of a rear parallelogram.
  • 43 0
 That Ellsworth = The mullet of bikes. Party up front foresure.
  • 32 0
 Front triangle: 2015, rear triangle: 2002
  • 19 0
 hey man, give them some credit, they made the last minute decision to switch from the 1999 to the 2002, great move on their part!
  • 4 0
 I like how its called 'dare', as in they dare u to buy it haha
  • 25 0
 " a removable front der." for those who don't need a triple setup in 222mm mode... seriously?
  • 7 0
 That part is hilarious.
  • 21 0
 $625 for a rigid fork. wtf?????
  • 24 0
 But it's got a carbon clip-on fender...priceless
  • 4 0
 Its ENVE. your paying for a name.
  • 4 0
 Your paying for that giddy schoolgirl feeling youll get everytime you look at your enve clad bike. And I should know, im running full enve on all my imaginary bikes!
  • 1 0
 I love the adjustable offset chip. For that price, you could get two carbon forks with different offsets. Oh well, I don't get the super spendy rigid bike thing anyway.
  • 24 2
 Ellsworthless
  • 2 1
 Hahahahahahaha
  • 14 0
 Allright Ellsworth, front triangle looks pretty sick (bit like Transition but who cares).. Half way there to have great looking bike Smile
  • 6 0
 Internal cable routing looks interesting, other than that someone should just photoshop the other half of the bike because its really hurting my eyes.
  • 16 0
 They still make bikes?
  • 2 0
 Not for much longer...
  • 12 0
 a few people said that if i didn't like 27.5 wheels i could always just stick to 26's... i wonder where are all these 26's for me to choose from...
  • 30 2
 They're in the buy/sell section.
  • 9 0
 You should be thrilled. There are hundreds of perfect condition 26" on the classifieds for cheap.
  • 7 0
 Your choice is the 2015 Kona Process 167, done.
  • 13 2
 Expecting the usual Ellsworth comments... 2002 called, huge rocker, updated?, cracked, warranty void, overpriced. I leave any out?
  • 12 0
 Looks like hernia. ps. Consult a doctor if you have a medical concern.
  • 6 1
 Or stop the next Ellsworth rider, good chance it'll be a doctor.
  • 13 0
 "shorter rocker arm"
  • 9 1
 Visually imperceptible. Must use a micrometer.
  • 9 5
 1.5'' shorter
  • 2 1
 If I remember correctly, the whole purpose to those big links were to maintain wheelpath. Thing is, that's a massive amount of unsprung weight and I'm not convinced wheelpath is more important than suspension feel. Perhaps there are other technical things at play...
  • 2 1
 Not trying to be a smart as*, but what is the reasoning behind such a long rocker arm? I'm not a suspension expert, I seriously would like to know.
  • 3 2
 Wheelpath plays a big role in determining suspension feel, so yes its important.
  • 2 0
 Yep, also common knowledge linkage design dating from post-war race car suspension yet you get creative in the patent description, pay the fees, and that's all the patent office really cares about and poof, you have a US patent. I knew someone who got US patents years ago for essentially "the wheel" and "fire" just to prove how broken the US patent application examiner system was at the time. I once found a patent for a fart-powered gun that was granted in the late 90s.
  • 1 0
 @erikthefatty this is really cool reading. Where'd you find this?
  • 1 0
 @deeeight: re: patenting wheel and fire, lol. Do you have links to those patents? That would make for some hilarious reading material.
  • 2 0
 At one time I had the patent links bookmarked but that was several computers ago. The fart gun predated the "fart gun" in the despicable me movie, maybe the inventor has a patent challenge for the toy makers.

www.freepatentsonline.com/6055910.html

"A toy gas-fired missile and launcher assembly whose missile is composed of a soft head and a tail extending therefrom formed by a piston. The piston is telescoped into the barrel of a launcher having a closed end on which is mounted an electrically-activated ignitor, the air space between the end of the piston and the closed end of the barrel defining a combustion chamber. Joined to the barrel and communicating with the chamber therein is a gas intake tube having a normally-closed inlet valve. To operate the assembly, the operator places the inlet tube with its valve open adjacent his anal region from which a colonic gas is discharged. The piston is then withdrawn to a degree producing a negative pressure to inhale the gas into the combustion chamber to intermix with the air therein to create a combustible mixture. The ignitor is then activated to explode the mixture in the chamber and fire the missile into space"
  • 1 0
 Yup. I deal with IP on a semi-regular basis at work and it's amazing what gets through. Of course, lots of that shit would never stand up to legal challenge, but you'll need time and money to fight in court if you want to use the idea.

NPR's This American Life had a really good episode on this kind of stuff a while back, most of the episode was focused on patent troll companies like Intellectual Ventures who will patent really generic shit like toasters and vague mobile app architectures with no intention to develop them, only to sue anyone too small to fight.

Bottom line, you don't really have to know your shit or have a good idea to patent something (unless you actually want it to stand up to a challenge in court). Like deeight said, just do the paperwork and pay the fees.

btw, you can get the whole patent pdf here: www.google.com/patents/US6055910 Google patents is really convenient.
  • 2 0
 Another good example would be to read the book, "An Inventor's Life" by Don Richardson. Don is btw the guy who invented floating shock linkages (as used by Suzuki motorcycles decades ago and more recently in bikes by Trek). He in fact successfully sued Suzuki over stealing his idea. He's also had one of his patented ideas basically stolen by Specialized (details of which are in the book), that of inertia valve shocks thru manipulation of the patent application process.
  • 14 2
 what in the hell is 29er+?
  • 2 0
 29er fat bike.
  • 14 1
 29rim with 3" tyre - it's hip
  • 1 1
 650b rim with trimmed down fatty tire that measures out to approx 29" plus...
  • 3 0
 Correction that's a 2.8"er 650b my bad. Can't keep up with my hipster.
  • 6 1
 What in the hell is 650b?
  • 1 0
 722b, AKA 29.5
  • 3 0
 Its a marketing term for extra wide 700C tires that effectively come out close to 31 inches in diameter. Rather than call it a 31er.. they call it 29 plus. Surly started the mess with the krampus bike model and tires that are labeled 29 x 3.0 which is itself moronic because 29er tires use the 700C rim/wheel size.
  • 1 0
 I was aiming for a joke there... I made a typo, which didn't help my joke, 622b was supposed to have everyone rolling on the floor laughing.
  • 4 0
 I would rather ride a bike based on the way it performs not the way it looks. With that being said, I think they are one the best riding bikes out there. I use to work for them and still believe in the bikes performance. But everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect that.
  • 5 1
 The look of the rear triangle is not an aesthetic effort, though I don't mind it, but because of the suspension design Ellsworth employs. If you take a minute to read about ICT it makes sense and from many that enjoy and attest the ride of their ICT bikes, it works very well. The mountain bike crowd is growing vainer by the minute, function over form any day for myself!
  • 1 1
 Ellsworth has licensed out ICT to other small brands who has implemented it using shorter rockers. I believe it was Iron Horse. in my opinion, they did a better job with the aesthetics
  • 3 0
 I love how everyone is Ellsworth bashing and most have never ridden one. I've owned Truths, Dares, a Rogue and now a Method. The old Dares were pretty awesome and ride better than most other frames I've tried. I'm also a die hard Intense owner and can honestly say some of the past Intense frames weren't of the same quality as my Ells frames. Yeah, I've heard bad things about Tony but I've always had good experiences with the company. Instead of jumping on the bash bandwagon, why don't you guys try riding one first and then judge.
  • 1 1
 You must've done well in school to make that kind of money. Congratulations.
  • 7 1
 Looking at that ellsworth gives me a sudent urge to grow a rat tail get a banana seat.
  • 7 4
 These negative comments are concerning. Any of you critics actually ridden an Ellsworth bike? The Ellsworth suspension platform is amazing ....it just simply floats over every bump with minimal pedal feedback. Are you all suggesting Ellsworth should reduce the amazing ride of their bikes just to make them look more attractive or modern for you? Maybe Ellsworth makes their bikes for a more sophisticated market segment (that actually demos the bikes and compares them to the other offerings)? Tony E is known for being pompous, and their customer service has a bad rep ......... but this bold statement is true: "Those who ride know". Ride one before you criticize. You will be blown away.
  • 3 0
 If they're so great why do I never see any out on the trails anymore? People swear by Lefty forks too with the whole "don't knock it till you ride it" defence. Both technologies have been around for well over a decade, if they were so great they'd have caught on everywhere by now, not being doggedly "revamped" by single manufacturers every couple of years.
  • 5 0
 The thing about pinkbike is that its users generally display a herd mentality - on any given topic, there's generally only one accepted opinion, and any post which doesn't adhere to it is neg propped into oblivion. For example, you've got the temerity to suggest that a bike's form doesn't have a significant effect on how it performs - and lookit! Your comment is on its way to being buried. The single mindedness evident on this site constantly surprises me.
  • 1 0
 I have ridden a few Ellsworths at a demo... I actually did not like them, it felt really timid and flexy, suspension felt plush but that's all it had going for it in my opinion.

Must be because I'm 16 Frown
  • 1 0
 yes, bdadwin2, they have excellent suspension. I've owned 3. the rear ends are also very flexy, and the geometry doesn't allow for technical riding the way "modern" geometry does. Poor reliability was also an issue, made worse by poor customer service. Those were past transgressions that could possibly be addressed moving forward. I'm curious to see how well one frame can pull triple duty. this bike is going to be very expensive, so unless each of the three configurations are excellent, it will not be successful in competing against equally expensive bikes that are outstanding at what they do.
  • 3 0
 Pretty ugly new front triangle, with questionable structural issues from all those sharp-ish corners.

That being said, Ellsworth hit upon an awesome efficient ICT suspension design in the 90's!, well before Stable Platform ("ProPedal") and other shock tech made poor linkages more efficient. (Read: Kona, Rocky Mountain, Trek until their floating link, Santa Cruz until VPP, Turner/Ibis until DW-Link, and any other swingarm-based suspension). Ellsworth's main problem, like many others in the mid 2000's, was too high BB and long top tube geom, which handles poorly by today's standards.

Haters, have your ever ridden a new Moment? They're one of the funnest 6" bikes around. Too bad Ellsworth doesn't design better looking frames; they'd be a hit with those who can't wade through the technical hype of half the bike designs out there and choose only based on looks. That rear triangle can stay the way it is, frankly. It handles right. Function over form.

I can't help but love the new Dare, in a Def Leppard meets Twisted Sister kind of way. (With Ray Bans and neon colors coming back, Tony may be 5 years ahead of the times!)
  • 7 1
 Kona brought back the stinky
  • 2 0
 Have any of you actually ridden an Ellsworth or do you decide how a bike rides by looking at pretty pictures. In my 30 years riding mountain bikes I have had every type of rear suspension known to man and the ICT system is by far the best that I've ridden. As regards to slack head angles and low bottom brackets, do you want to be able to climb or do you always want to go down hill. Who wants the front wheel wandering and vague when the trail goes uphill. Who wants repeated pedal strikes that come with low bottom brackets. Go on - try an Ellsworth, you will be converted.
  • 2 1
 Wait so this downhill specific bike is meant to be pedaled up hill and do climbs?
Pedal strikes are a given but cornering a bike vs a few strikes on a pedal (in which case get a crank boot and strong pedals that can take a beating), I'd say a lower bb is worth it in the downhill scene.
  • 3 0
 Pumped.
Dig Ellsworth bikes, ridden 5 consecutive years of the Dare. Still have a early 2000 on the wall in the garage for nostalgia. (Super T, Dangerous D days.)
Most people can't afford Ellsworth, so its easier to bash.
  • 11 9
 "Ellsworth linkage...wahwahwahhh...rear triangle...wahwahwahhhh...2002...wahwahwahhh."

Every single one of you would take that bike if Pinkbike gave it to you tomorrow morning. Shut your mouths.
  • 10 3
 God no
  • 4 3
 I might take the front half... But like a slow guy, I wouldn't want to be seen in public with it.
  • 3 2
 yeah, i'd take it, but more to the point i wouldn't buy it. so shut YOUR mouth
  • 3 0
 I like it ... Looks like a sweet bike at a fair price; probably performs just as well as the "New look" bikes and maybe better because of the simplicity of the design.
  • 2 1
 Ellsworth Moment was by far the best bike they ever made, but like Turner lost the plot fell back into XC lycra, stuck in 90s thinking with over priced old school thinking, the days of boutique bikes has long gone. Every man and his dog has high priced high end bikes and lower cost end eg Giant make one hell of a bike for price.

Ellsworth has sold out apparently but is employed as a design director or some smancy title. Hes one shrewd business operator what ever you think of him.

Wonder what happened to his eco building in the forest where Ellsworths were designed and tested?

Btw not a fan think it looks butt ugly, back to the future to 2004 it would have been psic! Now seems like a Lada that wont die!
  • 2 1
 I agree with your first paragraph 100%. however, he most certainly was not a shrewd operator. the company was mired in debt, cashflow was a daily struggle and employee turnover was through the roof. I imagine the sale was more out of desperation than anything. his eco building was hardly that. the windmill and solar panels haven't worked in years.
  • 1 0
 And before you say anything, kona have moved the lower pivot closer to the bottom of the shock, in some cases they are the same place. Hence still the same design as there old bikes just modified. Like what ellsworth are doing and like trek. Tell you what ask Nico Mullaly if he is worried his frame maybe a bit old. lol He would probably say 'lets just keep the chain on first before f**king about with frame designs.
  • 2 1
 Who wants a DH bike, with a triple crown fork, single big ring up front, heavy wheels and components, with adjustable suspension down to 160mm? That Ellsworth just screams it was designed by some engineer who has never ridden in his or her life.
  • 2 0
 It did say prototype, maybe they are adding a new rear. I doubt it though..rear has been the same since But my 26" aluminum Moment and Dare ride incredible. They replaced 3 frames over the 16 years i have been riding them.
  • 1 0
 All you settle down, I own a 2011 Dare and really have no friggin complaints at all. Yes it is a different frame etc. by hey nothing wrong with not following all the other sheep over the cliff! !!! The new frame looks promising,
  • 7 3
 Ellsworth has always been an instantly recognizable frame. Cool that theyre still making bikes. Thought they were toast.
  • 3 1
 Elsworth are the only bike company that can make a rear triangle look entirely like a Parallelogram... on the upside it comes as standard with a luggage rack!
  • 3 3
 holy shit people, that bike is actualy sick and I been riding DH bikes since fuckin 2002 Ive rode hella different bikes in my day and I wish I coulda had one of these cause that's pimp. I agree the front derailer thing is wack, but whatever, look at the awesome paintjob and fuck whoever dislikes oldschool. you idiots like old hot rod cars im sure. the dare is like an old hot rod of the DH world. rare, unique, cool. i'd ride it anyday and tell all you idiots to your face that its a sick bike. go ahead an talk shit, Im only posting this one comment cause I am insulted as an old school rider who always loved these kinds of bikes an the other random unique bikes. Right on Elsworth, good to see ppl who care about showing the world what technology has done lately since the old school to the new. and the price isn't even ridiculous.
  • 2 0
 Somebody name a suspension design that hasn't been designed around a four bar design. ????? Apart from single pivot of course. Smile
  • 1 0
 Hey Ellsworth. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. How about the rear end. Time for a remodel. It's the same rocker link from 15 years ago.
  • 2 3
 Yes super happy these guys are back. Nice work. Lets face it, Trek, Kona, and many others still run a suspension design like this. And guess what? it works!!!, both on the world cup circuit and in the freeride world. People on here make me laugh, do you think when Agassiz drops in to some insane freeride line he says to himself: 'well my Kona is a bit old, i mean they have used a similar set up for years and everyone who has ridden one is now dead or unable to ride anymore.' NO I DONT THINK HE DOES. Grow the f**k up people, stop moaning about what suspension is this and that, go ride your bike, that's what i am about to do. HA and i ride a single pivot..... I must be from 1991. Tw*ts.
  • 1 0
 Hey Ellsworth- Kona called and they want their '99 Stab Dee-Lux back. Actually you can keep it. Their new Process bikes are the shit and you can use the help. Cheers!
  • 3 0
 is the pricing $3,695 USD for complete or frame only?
  • 2 0
 I highly doubt it's for the complete bike with Saint and a 40.
  • 7 0
 The Saint set up and the 40 cost about $3500 grand, and $195 for the rest of it. Sounds legit!
  • 2 0
 They SHORTENED the rocker arm???? I shudder to think how long it was before.
  • 3 0
 Maybe Ellsworth are with Prince and still partying like its 1999?
  • 2 0
 damn wonder if you could use that fork on a dj bike. LOL
  • 3 0
 Yes, about the same as you using a 29er fork on your 26".
  • 3 1
 cool bike but I wish it was green
  • 2 0
 Looks like sessions etc...
  • 1 1
 I don't know but I have the Sudden urge to install that Enve fork on my Street trial bike and foot jam it.....for the lulz...
  • 3 1
 This page should be called: "The worthless products of Interbike"
  • 1 0
 .......they all actin like they invented the travel corrected rigid fork...wowzers envy.
  • 2 0
 It should be covered in flies
  • 1 0
 Yeah, hopefully, it's in better hands now. Plus, they didn't have the resources to move forward with carbon frame demands.
  • 3 0
 4 Bar Forever
  • 1 0
 Is it me or is that Ellsworth looks like a modern version of the classic GT lobo??
  • 4 2
 Ive taken shits prettier than that Ellsworth[less]
  • 3 1
 These comments are hilarious! Hopefully the new owners are taking note.
  • 2 1
 My god Ellesworth. How old is that design. Even Kona got rid of that years ago. Horrible looking thing.
  • 12 11
 that ellsworth actually looks really good! imo
  • 2 1
 My old dare had dh chainstays and 20mm rear axle
  • 3 2
 That bike is a joke! Doesn't deserve a mention.
  • 1 1
 Read in another article that Ellsworth was bought out. Maybe now they can put some coin into r+d
  • 3 2
 Hey ellsworth, 2004 called.. They want their frame back!
  • 1 0
 25 Grams for a fender. I think not. Gotta save grams brah. *Scoffs!!!
  • 3 2
 they couldnt get me drunk enoff to ride that.nasty
  • 1 0
 carbon specialist? or sub 22?
  • 1 0
 Ellsworth looks like a Kona stinky 2015 prototype haha!
  • 2 1
 29er+?
  • 2 1
 @29er+ is a new "standard" being used by some fat bikes, Surly ECR for example.
  • 1 0
 That ROS 9 29+ looks pretty bad azz
  • 2 0
 29+ is a term for bikes and forks designed to have enough clearance for 3.0" wide tires on a 29er rim. Since the 29x3.0 inflates to a diameter much bigger than 29" , they call it 29+.
  • 1 0
 Fugly
  • 1 2
 it could be bigger
  • 1 3
 That is a gross looking bike.
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