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Ellsworth Evolve Carbon Mountain Bike Frame - 2015
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Sale Matte Carbon/White (Black Rocker) - 34.9mm Clamp FD -
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Sale Matte Carbon/White (Silver Rocker) - 34.9mm Clamp FD
5 Reviews
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Haute couture trail monster.
Mountain bikers are often caricatured as beer-swilling, lowbrow versions of their skinny tire counterparts, uninterested in anything but the thrill of mud-covered, terrain-smashing lunacy. We contend that this is unfair, as many of us appreciate the multifaceted refinement of a bike like Ellsworth's Evolve Carbon Mountain Bike Frameset.
The Evolve is not only handles terrain with confidence, but it also climbs well and has the cross-country speed pedigree of 29-inch wheels. It doesn't skimp on good looks, either, with Ellsworth claiming that it's a piece of "performance art." We agree, and we've found that the best way to appreciate this particular piece is covered in mud while enjoying a cold beer after a maniacal run through a rock garden.
The Evolve Carbon is built with Ellsworth's Force Vector Anisotropic Design, which translates into unidirectional Toray carbon fiber laid-up in varying shapes and wall thicknesses in order to strike a balance between weight and energy transfer while keeping the suspension system's pivot points aligned.
In the rear triangle, the addition of CNC machined aluminum rockers and chainstays makes for an even stiffer drivetrain, and the single 12 millimeter bolt needed for each pivot assemble makes for a lighter, less complicated system. Fewer parts mean fewer issues, and you can ride confidently knowing that the part that is there happens to be the size of your rear axle. The semi-integrated tapered head tube takes advantage of the steep head tube angle for a stiff front end that elevates 29er steering to levels you'd expect from smaller wheels.
Ellsworth claims that the Evolve Carbon's Instant Center Tracking (ICT) suspension is the most advanced suspension platform in the world. As it moves through travel, ICT keeps the instant center (or virtual pivot created by ICT's four bar suspension) as close to the chain force line as possible. In on-trail terms, this maintains a steady pedaling platform so your power is always transferring into forward motion instead of lost to those two suspension gremlins, forward Jack and vertical Bob.
Furthermore, ICT doesn't require a lock-out, so you can always keep the FOX Float CTD shock's travel fully active, even while climbing. The addition of chain torque doesn't constrain the system's travel, the Achilles heel of so many otherwise efficient suspension designs, so pedaling and bump compliance aren't working against each other. The end result of ICT is a plush, less-fatiguing ride with greater control and responsiveness over all terrain.
- Item #ELS000A
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ride fast
this bike is light and fast , can do anything bike .....love this thing . came from a 2014 trek fuel carbon ....so heavy . definitely recommend this bike.
ericthe more I ride the better it gets
- Familiarity:I've put it through the wringer
26 honest lbs on the scale, if you cant ride this fast, then you just cant ride
Paul B.Hard to beat for the money
- Familiarity:I've used it several times
I have worked at a bike shop, and have had an opportunity to ride most all of the suspensions designs out there. I have owned several higher-end mountain bikes - Titus' (2), Turner, Santa Cruz, Ellsworth (5), Trek Carbon, Fisher - and ridden most of the others at Interbike (Giant Maestro, Intense, Yeti, etc. But I always keep coming back to the Ellsworth for the rear suspension. Why? Well, in my opinion it is It is simply the best, still, but only barely so as today there are many other very good to excellent designs out there.
Let me start with the pros.
1) The Ellsworth design is very plush. A 5" travel Ellsworth ICT feels like most other makers 6" travel bike.
2) The shock stroke has a very natural progression (unlike Maestro). There are other bikes that have this dialed in as well.
3) No need for pedaling 'bounce' elimination tech in the shock platform. I leave the Ellsworth full open all the time. I've tried this on and off on my Ellsworth's, and I'm equally slow either way...lol.
4) The weight of the frame is decent, but not jaw-dropping
5) The handling is very good on most models, in most sizes. I ride a Large or Extra Large (L in the Evolve). I have had Ellsworth's in the past where the XL size turned like an 18 wheeler..really. I thought "Did they ride this bike in the size before putting it in production"? I ask Tony Ellsworth about this handling in the Epiphany XL and asked him what happened, He said something about fork crown height between the design model year and the manufacture model year. Ya, that did change, but didn't likely make up for what I felt when I rode it. Thankfully, this is NOT a problem on the Evolve in a Large.
6) The handling - Very, very good for a 29er. I wouldn't know big hoops were on this bike if I didn't look down and see them. Not twitchy, no oversteer/understeer, good centering of weight 'within' the bike (not on top of), no front wheel lift on steeper climbs so far.
7) The price. $1,699? I haven't found anything close in performance for the same money, so I bought one from Competitive Cyclist.
The cons.
1) Torsional stiffness. Ellsworth has improved in this area that was a real problem in the larger sizes in the past. But they are still not in the same league as other top tier manufacturers like Intense or Yeti (IMO). With the aluminum Evolution that I had, this was VERY noticeable...even unsettling at times. It felt like the front wheel came out of plane with the rear wheel on choppy stuff. Not so on the Evolve Carbon, but still not as stiff front-to-back as I would like in the Large size.
2) Bottom bracket stiffness. It is good, maybe even very good, but not as stiff as the Intense, Yeti, Giant that I have ridden lately.
3) Retail cost. Cost IS an object for me. At retail, there are other bikes that beat this bike for the money (Intense, Yeti, SC, Pivot). At the $1,699 price of this frame at review writing time, I haven't seen anything better.
So to wind it up, at this price, the value is hard to beat. It does everything well; some things very, very well; and the rear suspension is a candidate for best-in-class.
Michael W.Cool bike,Cool Company
I was happy to see that we are carrying Ellsworth bikes now as I had a chance to throw a leg over one of these at dealer camp and had a blast on it. My initial impressions of the bike were great. On to ride quality: The bike is very well suited for XC type riding and is definitely an epic ride kinda bike. Although I didn't spend a ton of time riding it I felt the bike was very comfortable for spending extended hours in the saddle. Even though it is on the comfort end of mtn bikes it actually climbed well with very little bouncing of the suspension. Due to the longer wheelbase of the bike Its pretty relaxed on long flowy type trails and decends extremely well. Even though the wheel base is a bit long it still handles pretty well in tight, twisty singletrack. To sum it up the bike is super fun to ride and left me wanting to explore more on it. We only have a limited number of these so i would recommend picking one up before the disappear.
801-736-6396 x 4074
wbranham@competitivecyclist.com
WesBGearheadPlush and Playful
- Familiarity:I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
Ellsworths ICT four-bar suspension linkage makes good use of that long-rocker leverage, combining with Foxs slippery Kashima-coated shock barrel to create a ride thats plush for a short travel bike.
A 72.5 head tube angle and 74 seat tube angle do keep the ride quick and nimble, synonymous with other great pedaling more cross country 29er race rigs (see the Niner Jet 9 RDO). But with more travel the Ellsworth makes quick work of technical terrain and keeps you enjoying longer trail rides.
The Evolve frame would pair wonderfully with an XO1 build and some Stan's wheels. Give me a call or shoot me an email if you have questions regarding potential build options. I can also always through in some additional goodies as well!
Gmcbride@backcountry.com
801-736-6396 Extension 4769
Gavin McBrideEmployeeEllsworth Evolve Carbon
A very plush and all around capable bike. An excellent option for your first carbon mountain bike. If you have any questions, please get in touch at tjackson@backcountry.com and I'd be happy to help.
Trevor JGearheadEllsworth Evolve Carbon
Took her for a ride this morning in the foothills above Salt Lake City. Have any questions on the ride quality? Please get in touch at tjackson@backcountry.com.
Trevor JGearheadWarranty is listed as lifetime, however Ellsworth's site says 5 years here: http://www.ellsworthbikes.com/warranty/
Which is it?
Jim P.Can you put V breaks on it? Or just disk breaks? If I got this frame I would put disks on it but I just wanted to know
MylesHI Myles,
This frame will only work with disc brakes. Let me know if you have any other questions or need help.
Shae@backcountry.com
ShaeEmployee
Any water bottle mounts on the frame and if so, what location (inside frame or on downtube)?