2 Bike Checks from the French Enduro Cup - Val d'Isere

Aug 17, 2018 at 16:22
by Richard Bord  

Andrea rides an Ancillotti Scarab Evo 29 160mm front and rear with a Formula Selva fork some Formula Cura brakes and the Formula Linea 3 wheels Italia power .
ANDREA GARELLA's
Ancillotti Scarab Evo 29

Andrea Garella is a young 16 year old rider from Turin, Italy. He competes in the Superenduro races in Italy in the Cadet category and decided to give the French Enduro Cup a try this week-end in Val d'Isere. Andrea is supported by Ancillotti, a bike brand from Turin. The Ancillotti bikes are handmade in Italy and Andrea's Scarab is set up by Tomaso Ancillotti (the boss) himself. Here are some details of the Scarab Evo 29 2018 aluminium bike mounted with a specific Antillotti rear shock, a Formula Selva fork, some Formula Cura breaks and the Formula Linea 3 wheels. Italia power!

Andrea Garella and his Ancillotti Scarab Evo 29.
Andrea Garella is proud to represent an Italian bike brand.
Andrea Garella is proud to represent an Italian bike brand.

A general view of the suspension system.
A general view of the suspension system.

The rear shock is made by Ancillotti.
The rear shock is made by Ancillotti and delivers 160mm of travel.

This very unique screw system allows you to adjust the bottom bracket height.
This very unique screw system allows you to adjust the bottom bracket height.

You can t see that kind of work in Taiwan.
You can hardly see that kind of work in Taiwan.

CNC aluminium pieces hand made welding from Italy.
CNC aluminium pieces + hand made welding from Italy.

The welding work is quite original here.
The welding work is quite original here.

Andrea s bike is a stock bike so you can buy it with the Sram Eagle GX transmission.
Andrea's bike is a stock bike so you can buy it with the SRAM Eagle GX transmission.

A specific guide chain made by Ancillotti for the Scarab Evo.
A good looking guide chain made by Ancillotti specifically for the Scarab Evo.


Debi rides the Juliana Roubion C 2018 150mm rear 160mm front . The new 2019 Roubion is now available with a new suspension system.
DEBORAH MOTSCH's
Juliana Roubion C 2018

Originally from the East of France in Giromagny, 27-year-old Debi used to be part of the Giromagny Enduro Team, well known for their original and funny videos. She traveled a lot around the world and is now teaching mountain biking in Annecy and is supported by Juliana Bicycles, SRAM, Ion, Smith and Slicy. She rides the Juliana Roubion C 2018 (150mm rear, 160mm front). The new 2019 Roubion is now available with a new suspension system.

Debi is always happy when she rides her bike
Debi is always happy when she rides her bike!

32th in front without any chain guide and a 12 speed Sram Eagle GX cassette in the rear.
32 tooth chainring in front without a chain guide and a 12 speed SRAM Eagle GX cassette in the rear.

Santa Cruz Reserve 30 30mm internal width wheels front and rear Michelin Wild Enduro 2.40 for all types of terrain.
Santa Cruz Reserve 30 (30mm internal width) wheels front and rear + Michelin Wild Enduro 2.40 for all types of terrain.

Debi rides with the Jey Clementz Truvativ Descendant bar and the Sram Guide brakes.
Debi rides with the Jey Clementz Truvativ Descendant bar and SRAM Guide brakes.

Personalized Slicy frame protection and mud guard for a total green yellow leaf look.
Personalized Slicy frame protection and mud guard for a total green/yellow leaf look

A couple years ago Debi and friends created a group of girls who ride around Annecy Les Bikettes. We love the logo
A couple years ago, Debi and her friends created a group of girls who ride around Annecy: Les Bikettes. We love the logo!

The new Roubion 2019 is available but Debi started the season with this 2018 Roubion C.
The new Roubion 2019 is available but Debi started the season with this 2018 Roubion C.

Juliana is the Santa Cruz Bikes brand dedicated to women who ride.
Juliana is Santa Cruz Bicycles' women's brand.


Author Info:
richardbord avatar

Member since Jun 21, 2011
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104 Comments
  • 272 27
 "You can hardly see that kind of work in Taiwan."

Very true. They take their bike building very seriously in Taiwan, and would never let such sloppy welds out the door. Most of their welders have had to apprentice for a year or two before working on finished goods, and have laid down literally thousands of cleaner beads than that before being allowed to weld production frames.

...to be fair though, the Italian welder did a pretty good job for only having one free hand. His dominant hand was obviously occupied with simultaneously smoking a cigarette and talking to his mother on his phone, (ZING!) so it's pretty good under the circumstances. (...shows self out. closes door.)
  • 13 6
 Agree. looks like my kind of welding.
  • 81 3
 For the weldings the man has taken inspiration from the melted mozzarella on the pizza margherita. That's art!
  • 58 9
 Just cause the beads look sloppy dosen't mean much. Unless you're superman with x-ray vision then a visual inspection is damn near pointless. Except for seeing if it was to hot or to cold. I could lay a bead that looks like a perfect stack of dimes and the shit could break just as easy because of poor penetration,uncleaned material or not if enough back purging.
  • 3 55
flag pargolf8 (Aug 18, 2018 at 4:28) (Below Threshold)
 Your picture is a god damn kitten on a bike. Id hate italians too, mcsoft face.
  • 24 62
flag pargolf8 (Aug 18, 2018 at 4:29) (Below Threshold)
 @shuwukong: I literally bet you have never welded anything but your hand to your dick
  • 2 0
 @shuwukong: lol
  • 8 12
flag mnorris122 (Aug 18, 2018 at 6:57) (Below Threshold)
 Yah those welds are absolute trash...pores all over the place, and ugly as hell to boot.
  • 44 2
 Italian welds are only rated using the "EHHHH!!" system. Positives and Negatives are hard to master.

A bad weld, you shout "EEHHHHHH!" and wave your hands around.

A good weld, you shout "EEHHHHHH!!!!" and wave your hands around.

You can see how it's tough to learn.
  • 5 5
 @MikeGruhler: Means a shit ton when I'm parting with my hard earned cash! Just complete and utter sloppiness all around...tencile strength means nothing when the finished after product comes out looking like that... Wow!
  • 12 0
 welds welds welds. I appreciate engineering as much as the next bike porn lover here but, in my shed I have an anchor. At boat building college, I designed and made this anchor. I cut and welded it and then galvanised it. In 1996. First thing (and last thing) I ever welded aged 17. And its neater than that frame. That said, I have had Intenses with neat fishscale. They cracked. Same with Cannondales and Scotts. Im always stuck between asthetics and god damn solidness. There are those that buy Trek and there are those that buy this. Id like to think I fall nearer this - if not more in the Nicolai region Smile
  • 6 3
 @MikeGruhler: I can see undercut, cold lap, porosity and massive variation in the beads. All of these would cause the welds to fail any inspection before you went to do any other means of testing on them. All of these faults cause stress risers, which lead to premature failure. I wouldn't let a family member ride that bike.
  • 2 0
 @ilovedust: just rode a plastic slash 9.8 this weekend... Blew me away!
  • 3 1
 @Kirky86: babadaboopi?
  • 1 1
 @tomwhite1401: BABBIDAABABABA! Obv, only with a moustache....
  • 8 0
 Well Ancillotti bikes can be found in any European racetrack since 25 years, and a much longer history with MX and motorcycle in general. I can tell you they are much more reliable than any plastic bike (I own a plastic bike).

I'm not a welder but they are either very lucky or you don't really know what you are talking about.
  • 4 0
 With all the pinkbike enginerds and welderps we should be able to build the perfect bike that doesn't look like a Session. Then we can just post up pictures for the QC department here on the forum to decide if its worthy to be sold. hehehe, sorry couldn't help myself.Must still be drunk from last night.
  • 1 0
 @bohns1: Then keep your money. Would hate see anyone buy a bike they don't like and then bitch about it, or bitch about a bike as if they were going to buy it, but you damn well know your never going to. Sorry, a little salty today. No hard feelings just hard facts.
  • 1 0
 @MikeGruhler: Obviously I'm not going to! Does that mean I don't have the right to bitch about it? Like I said earlier... If its my hard earned, then it better damn well look like it as well! Let's face it... As consumers, we buy looks and aesthetics as well... It all has to be part of the package.
  • 36 2
 that ancillotti is mint
  • 71 9
 From a distance............ up close it looks bit homemade.
  • 18 0
 Shame it can't be a more polished/finished product because the general lines look amazing, always had a bit of a soft spot for these bikes.
  • 4 1
 @spl75: yeah it does and they make their own shock too, how many other bike companies do that ( zero ). Bet it rides nice.
  • 2 0
 @Beez177: That makes it even more scary! Hope you got a back up bike if you meet to warranty that thing.
  • 9 1
 @bohns1: I wouldn't buy one, just neat to see something that's not mass produced.
  • 4 1
 @Beez177: Specialized and Cannondale made their own shocks once. They didn't go so well
  • 2 1
 @DonkeyTeeth: actually Fox made them
  • 3 0
 @DonkeyTeeth: Foes
  • 28 2
 I'm only here for the welding comments.
  • 21 0
 I am form the U.S., living in Italy, and I have been super impressed by the energy and effort the Ancillotti folks put into racing and young rider support. At every local enduro they have 10+ riders of all ages at the event, the owners of the company are there wrenching and making sure the team has everything they need for a successful race, the young riders are fully kitted with top shelf riding gear, and the team manager gets them to the races 1-2 days early so they can have a look at the tracks. They are by far the best supported amateur enduro/DH team I have ever seen, and all at the expense of this hard-working little frame company. Ancillotti is setting their riders up to succeed like professional road teams do with junior riders.

Also, every part on that bike that can be made in Italy is. They take pride in supporting their local community and businesses.
  • 20 0
 Ancilotti have always made me weak at the knees. I don't care about the sloppy welds when it looks like that
  • 18 3
 I would buy an ride a Juliana bike/frame. I dunno bout you guys but womens frame color is always much more invigorating to look at the overall ' sadness of the bike'
  • 11 1
 You can't tell much from just looking at a weld. An ugly weld could be fine and a pretty weld too cold and not have any penetration.
  • 5 4
 That ancilloti should come with a tray of baked ziti.
  • 20 3
 @fecalmaster: i thought waki was the biggest derp around here. But its definitely you
  • 6 1
 @pargolf8: Haha I second that!
  • 3 1
 @Lee-Gee: But the ugly weld that's still fine still looks like shite! That's going to make it a tough sell for many.
  • 2 14
flag fecalmaster (Aug 18, 2018 at 9:35) (Below Threshold)
 @pargolf8: I love sensitive easily toyed with inbreds like you, thanks for joining pb.
  • 6 1
 @fecalmaster: any day poop lover. Only someone from pennsyl-tucky would mention inbreeding. Makes sense since your comments never have any sort of hilarity what so ever. Keep trying though. Your 5 minutes are coming
  • 2 8
flag fecalmaster (Aug 18, 2018 at 11:21) (Below Threshold)
 @pargolf8: Actually I'm from NYC, don't believe everything you read,,, schools out for today. I do have family in PA and know you have to be a real hillbilly to reffer to it as pennsiltucky
  • 14 6
 sorry but i cant get past how messy those welds look. It looks like i made it and thats not a good thing. i dont get why people think it looks nice.....ive seen better lloking welds on a £100 bike i had approx 25years ago.
  • 12 3
 And they're still better looking than the welds on an Orange
  • 8 0
 Thanks ancilloti for doing things your own way. Reminds me of 1995 very first dh frames by sunn and that kind of stuff. Maybe pivot points could be a little bigger etc but the main lines look slick
  • 5 0
 Ancillotti was already producing similar designs back then. Giovanna Bonazzi's early 90s Kästle bike were rebranded Ancillottis and she won the 93 World Champs on one.
  • 8 0
 Wasn't Brook MacDonald also junior World Champ in an Ancilotti? (I may be completely wrong, sorry)
  • 1 0
 @SiSandro: the twin tiny square. Yeah I remember those shitty shocks haha. The design is actually very close to this one. No wonder it reminded me. Thanks.
  • 8 0
 There’s no such thing as a bull dog weld (ugly as f*#k and strong). But yes, a pretty weld can have have all sorts defects making it weak. I love the look of the bike but would not buy.
  • 5 4
 Lol a lot of those welds have visible pores in them...a defect that can make them weak.
  • 2 0
 @mnorris122: Not sure where you're seeing these "pores" please elaborate cause from what I can tell these photos aren't high enough resolution to spot those kind of issues. I do see dark spots around some welds that appear to be dirt stuck to the frame, but highly doubt there pores. I also think not knowing there weld sequence and processes kinda makes it hard to comment on the quality of there work. The welds are definitely unattractive but I've seen this kinda work on 100k race cars and race bikes. Kinda why it's attractive for myself. ehh, function over form I guess.
  • 13 4
 Wow that is the sexiest bike Ive seen in many many years
  • 5 0
 ma che cazzo parlate di saldature che non sapete neanche com'è fatta una saldatrice???
voi a mano non sapete neanche farvi le seghe
  • 1 0
 MINCHIA TI AMIO
  • 10 3
 Someone got too crazy with the welds.
  • 7 2
 I suspect the PinkBike Welding Peanut Gallery might be a bit precious about welding beauty...but that Ancilotti speaks to me.
  • 4 0
 Ancillotti have been making dh bikes for literally years, at one point in the UK you would do a race or uplift and they were everywhere. Pretty sure the welding cannot be that bad otherwise they would never still be going!
  • 7 0
 I want the selva so bad
  • 4 0
 Good idea! I love mine. And as soon as my Stans MK3 are done, i will go for Formula rhims as well. Pretty close to an all european bike, this Ancillotti. The drive is an US-brand, but actually from Germany and the rest is all Italian.
  • 2 0
 Everyone is discussing the welds. What about the bottom bracket height adjuster? I would smash it on a rock and hurt myself. ISCG 05? Other than that the lines (from afar) are beautiful. Reminds me of Gee's 2009 Val Di Sole Commencal.
  • 1 0
 look closer, if you smashed that linkage then your crank,chainring and possibly pedal are fucked. At static ride height its almost tucked inside the diameter of the chainring, during compression it gets even more protected which it will almost always be into its travel when you slam into a big rock or stump. Took me a bit to see it myself.
  • 2 0
 I know this is old now, but IMO, having some welding expertise, SOME of those welds are pretty sloppy. Its very easy to see that. I am all for industrial strength looking, raw metal frames, but I think this frame has way too many welded parts to be consistent. Its too busy, and also has what appear to be quit a few sharp edges, and pocket gaps between welds and frame. Like it would draw 1st Blood if you handled it wrong. But its that adjustable screw jack and were its located that just kills it for me. That said, I really think its awesome that this bike builder supports its riders like everyone says. That is priceless, and they should be commended on that. I respect the craftmanship that goes into building a thing like this, and I really respect this builder and what they do for the sport, but maybe this particular example was rushed for some reason?
  • 16 15
 The welds on that ancillotti look sketchy- especially where the seat tube meets the bottom bracket/upper pivot area. And the sticker says “pullshock” -doesn’t the swingarm pull one end of the rocker link, thereby the other end actually compresses the shock? Lots of stuff hanging low, begging to get destroyed too...would love to see how that lower shock link holds up over a season of EWS...yikes
  • 18 1
 They are extremely proven in downhill for many years, reliability (with the owners I knew) was never an issue. Plus they look bloody beautiful!! Always a brand I wanted to buy into but never did (had a Balfa instead), will certainly be on the shopping list for the future
  • 22 11
 As a journeyman welder, I concur. Those welds would be embarrassing for an apprentice.
  • 10 1
 Pull shock refers to the swingarm pulling the link to then compress the shock. Bike looks amazing.
  • 8 1
 @myfriendgoose: I can't see what you're referring to? What makes them bad?
  • 12 1
 ANCILLOTTI PORNIEST BIKEFRAME EVER ?
  • 5 5
 @myfriendgoose: They still look better than the welds on a Giant!
  • 6 2
 @sam264: my giant has great looking welds actually, the welds on the Ancilotti are messy, borderline fugly, but as long as they are functional it doesn't really matter. Not all frames can be robot welded in 3rd world country factories, some companies like to support labour and provide employment in their own country, this is a very important aspect!
  • 3 1
 As far as I know, Giant are hand-welded, and the welds on the Reign I just sold looked like shit! It didn't crack though, just trying to play devil's advocate here.
  • 1 0
 That linkage is protected by the chain ring,cranks and pedal, especially when you're on it and have it sagged out. Gets more protected as it goes through its travel. If you smash it then you have bigger problems like a wasted foot or drivetrain.
  • 1 0
 I don't understand. The position of the rear shock on the ancillotti does not bring a problem about pedaling or something ? Is it not the reason the added a "High pivot" to the chain on the last bikes with this placement ? (Commencal v4.2, Antidote Dark Matter..)
Am I mixing everything I read about this and makes everything confused because I did not understand it ?
  • 2 0
 PB, please give us an interview with Tomaso Ancillotti with a bike on a test jig so we can see what it can take. I saw some brand comparing their carbon frame to an alu one - let's have something similar.
  • 5 1
 Does that chain stay really say pull shock world champion???
  • 13 0
 Brook Mac Donald Junior World Champion 2009
  • 2 2
 If you look at the bottom of the down tube near the pivot the weld does not even cross over both tubes.
I would not ride that Ancillotti.
It's a shame . I'm bored of plastic bikes.
I was excited about this bike at first.
I don't mind large chunky welds(to a point)
If what I'm swing is correct this frame is a failure.
  • 3 0
 I thought that too but this may be the clear protect that makes it look like the weld doesn't cross over both tubes.
But overall it's bit weird, as if it was at 95% quality, lacking just those last 5% to make it a piece of art.
Also the rider seems to have rather short legs, so the slopping goes really low and it may explain why the bike looks a bit weird, with just a bit less slopping and with that bend support tube flowing more with the toptube/seattube it would look much better.
  • 2 2
 Everyone bagging the aesthetics of a weld!! They’ve welded like this for years and tracks have got more smooth and tame, why wouldn’t you buy one for the welds? Look at Orange and foes, both similar and both small % vs sold in regards to warranty. Or go and worship the recycled shampoo bottles ffs!
  • 2 3
 I owned a Foes for years and the welds are works of art. Dude is known for how clean his work is. This shit is absolutely embarrassing.
  • 2 1
 Ancilloti been around for a while. So is the bike actually a pull-shock these days? It's hard to tell, but the shock itself certainly doesn't look like a pull-shock.
  • 2 2
 It is
  • 4 2
 @felimocl: it is not.

The swingarm pulls the link which the compresses the shock like normal.
  • 1 0
 @russthedog: yes it works much like a commencal supreme dh, for refefence
  • 2 1
 @russthedog: m.pinkbike.com/news/ancillotti-scarab-evo-prototype-2017.html
  • 2 0
 Nothing says old school bmx memories like polished aluminum and sweet gusset welds...
  • 1 0
 Not only do the welds look like my drunk uncle did them but why so many? Do they not have a pipe bender? Looks like they peiced it together from the scrap pile.
  • 4 4
 Why so many negatives on that handmade bike? That is and industrial/raw authentic finish. That bike has no paint I think and had some abuse on it.
  • 2 0
 I'm no ornithologist but pretty sure those are feathers.
  • 1 0
 Ancilloti shock: total no go. I know a DH SP that can't ride anymore because of this proprietary shox
  • 2 0
 Formula Cura “breaks”, huh? Jesus.
  • 2 0
 Great photos. Terrible commentary.
  • 1 1
 Ancilloti - welds on it are so ugly ! If anyone wants produce RAW alu frame should make welsd like this at least !
www.pinkbike.com/photo/8420301
  • 1 3
 That italian bike looks like a piece of shit. It's as if they had a pile of aluminum pipes and, without any sort of plan, just started welding them together to crudely fashion a bicycle. It seems over complicated and clunky and looks like they just kept adding pieces on to re-enforce stressed joints. I'm sorry I can't get over how ugly this thing is. It looks like it's going to explode into a hundred pieces if ridden down anything substantial - which would be awesome to see btw.
  • 1 0
 MA CHE CAZZO PARLATE CHE VI MANGIATE LA MERDA CON IL KETCHUP..
  • 2 0
 Brakes.
  • 2 1
 Debi looks like a real rider.
  • 1 0
 Dammit, I do love a polished aluminum frame.
  • 1 0
 Really liking that Ancillotti !!! That linkage is pretty neat
  • 1 0
 PB: Please give us an interview with Tomaso Ancillotti.
  • 3 5
 @sam264 I don't know what you're on about but the welds ony my giant are much nicer than my friends commencal meta or yt Capra.
  • 3 5
 Even being a real descent work by the welder, I can't find the frame beautiful, maybe would look different painted.
  • 3 6
 why anciloty looks like pole.
  • 8 1
 No, why pole looks like Ancilotti. just rear triangle actually if you compare pics.
  • 2 0
 Nothing alike, both aesthetically and functionally. Ancillotti has been around for ages and uses single pivot with a linkage actuated shock as opposed to Pole's short link design with the lower pivot being concentric to the bottom bracket.
  • 1 0
 @SiSandro: Maybe not to ride, but apart from the welding, that Scarab does look rather like a Pole machine.... but with a better seat tube angle:

www.pinkbike.com/photo/15822927







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