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Ellsworth Enlightenment 29 SLX Complete Mountain Bike - 2015

Item # ELS000E

( 3 Reviews )

Out of Stock

Don't worry though, we have a lot more Hardtail Bikes in stock than that.

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Tech Specs

Frame Material:
carbon fiber
Fork:
FOX 32 Float 29 CTD
Front Travel:
100 mm
Shifters:
Shimano SLX
Front Derailleur:
Shimano SLX
Rear Derailleur:
Shimano SLX
ISCG Tabs:
no
Crankset:
Shimano SLX
Bottom Bracket:
73mm BSA threaded
Cassette:
Shimano SLX
Chain:
Shimano SLX HG-74
Brakeset:
Shimano SLX
Brake Type:
disc
Handlebar:
Thomson alloy
Handlebar Width:
750 mm
Stem:
Thomson
Stem Length:
90 mm
Saddle:
WTB Volt
Seatpost:
Thomson 27.2
Wheelset:
Synergy Alloy 29
Tires:
Kenda Slant 6
Tire Size:
29 x 2.1 in
Pedals:
not included
Claimed Weight:
[frame] 1,270 g
Recommended Use:
cross-country
Manufacturer Warranty:
lifetime on frame

Ever since the three additional inches that define a 29er made their way into the trail-o-sphere, there have been a series of critiques leveled against big wheels. The most persistent of these is that 29ers are incompatible with long-travel suspensions. With the hardtail Enlightenment 29 SLX Complete Mountain Bike, Ellsworth effectively says, "So what?"

The Enlightenment's geometry is highlighted with a steep, tapered head tube, stiff hardtail, low bottom bracket, and — of course — the tires' increased, 29-inch contact patch. The result is a ride that corners on rails, climbs eagerly on high grades, and rocks cross-country speed to make the body-armored chairlift crowd look like ponderous beetles on everything but their own GoPro highlight reel. Despite its big wheels and long chainstays, the Enlightenment also still manages to come in with a slightly shorter wheelbase than we've seen from comparable models across the industry, so it doesn't lose grace in the face of tricky trail sections.

The Enlightenment owes its stiffness to sheets of Toray carbon that are laid-up according to Ellsworth's Force Vector Anisotropic Design. This translates into unidirectional Toray carbon fiber strategically wrapped across varying shapes and wall thicknesses in order to strike a balance between weight and energy transfer that highlights the bike's tendency toward speed at all costs. This tendency is further indulged by the full Shimano SLX drivetrain and a FOX Float CTD fork that you can lock out for speed or open for 100mm of travel, just in case the trail furniture gets a little too enduro.

The Enlightenment is finished with the forward-thinking addition of replaceable dropouts, which allow the option to switch to singlespeed for when you finally decide to fully embrace the "endure" aspect of Endurance racing.

  • Reviews
  • Q & A

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Good frame, terrible rims

    I would love to say that this bike has been fun to ride. It is a beautiful work of art and the light weight frame is fantastic to hook up to the my roof rack. 15 minutes into my first ride ride, I caught some air and landed wonky. Front rim totally shot.

    I had installed new peddles on it at the shop a couple weeks before riding and the mechanic miffed that the rims were so cheap for such a nice frame.

    Either Ellsworth should address this and roll in decent rims into their "complete" bike or you should just order the frame and build out yourself. Still waiting for replacement rims so I haven't anything great to report at this point.
    .

    Hi Misha, sorry for the issue with your rims. There could have been a slight flaw in the rim causing it to taco on you. Typically those rims are pretty decent but would agree they are entry level. If you are interested in doing a wheel upgrade feel free to contact me direct and I will get you a sweet deal on a higher end wheelset.
    801-736-6396 x 4074 or wbranham@competitivecyclist.com

    First Impressions

    • Familiarity:I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

    I have been in the market for a hardtail 29'r for about a year. My last bike was also an Ellsworth that I LOVED. So when I saw that we got these in stock I was very stoked to be able to get such a good deal on a carbon 29'r from a brand that I love. Since I picked it up yesterday, I was able to take it on a quick ride this morning.
    Here are my first impressions.
    Pro's
    The bike is very sleek. I love the curves and lines on it. The Thomson stem, bar, and seat post are a nice addition. The bike rode really well on the quick spin I took on it. It is very responsive, and I was impressed with how much the 29'r rolls over so much of the smaller garbage on the trail. I honestly didn't notice a difference from riding it and my 26 inch full suspension. I will update this as I've been able to ride more.

    The first con I noticed is that here on the website, the bike is listed as coming with a lifetime warranty on the frame however it really only comes with a 2 year warranty from Ellsworth. It's not a huge problem, but I really liked the idea of getting a lifetime warranty.
    The second thing that I'm not super thrilled about is the lack of information that I can find out about the wheelset. They seem fine, but I couldn't find out any info about them. It's not a big deal for me though because I am planning to replace them with some Stan's laced to Chris King hubs. It would just be nice to have specs on the wheelset.

    I'll update more on the bike after I've ridden it more. But so far I am very stoked and excited!

    Outstanding bang for your buck

    • Familiarity:I've used it several times

    Purchase the complete bike and then ended up removing the drivetrain for 1X10. My son loves this thing. He rides mostly enduro on a 26" wheeled bike and loves how fast and nimble the bike is.......if you are on the fence (like I was) on this like don't hesitate an pull the trigger.

    Anyone have first hand experience or seen reviews of this generation of this model? I badly want to pull the trigger but I've read of some (mostly) minor issues that give me slight hesitation:

    - internal cable routing plugs rattling

    - creaky rear triangle

    - very limited clearance resulting from crankset and low BB

    - issues with frame strength resulting in breaks around 2011 (just one reviewer)

    Any info would be hugely appreciated! I want it to be mine...

    Have an Answer?

    I built two of these bikes with XTR brakes, XX1 drivetrain, and FSA SLK carbon crankset, and Roval carbon wheels for a couple of XC racers that I support. And had the pleasure of test riding each bike before delivery, and all I can say is that these bikes are FAST! The handling is amazing in tight turns and these frames a modeled just right to allow the bike climbs like a billy goat on crack! The courses here in SoCal aren't filled with rocks and roots, so the issue with the low bottom bracket hasn't been noticed.

    I built two of these bikes with XTR brakes, XX1 drivetrain, and FSA SLK carbon crankset, and Roval carbon wheels for a couple of XC racers that I support. And had the pleasure of test riding each bike before delivery, and all I can say is that these bikes are FAST! The handling is amazing in tight turns and these frames a modeled just right to allow the bike climbs like a billy goat on crack! The courses here in SoCal aren't filled with rocks and roots, so the issue with the low bottom bracket hasn't been noticed.
    Best Answer

    Hey Bradley - our whole team races these (have for several years). The frame is fixed (the old 2011 was a bad carbon batch). The cable routing can be a bit rattly, but ours is all good - may be due to who builds it . The clearance is a bit low on the BB, but we have all adapted, but to occasionally still pedal bash up here in Central oregon. Ours are all build up XX1 with the Lauf 29er fork and come in 18.5 lbs. Super fast bike all around. And a HUGE steal! TeamYogaslackers.com

    What kind of front and rear mounts we have?

    15mm front and 135mm rear?

    Any idea on the bare frame weight?

    Thanks

    Have an Answer?

    Thanks for the feeeback Tom!



    Im looking in to this bike right now. Since im from Brazil Ellsworth is a brand we dont know much but it looks like a great deal for the whole package!



    Im going to be in the US in about 10 days so i would need to decide fast.



    Have u had any experience with that on the trail ?

    Best Answer

    I have test ridden a couple of these and they are fast! The head tube angle is steep compared to what most people ride these days so the steering feels a little quick. A good cross country bike for sure.