The magic geometry that makes an Ellsworth bike's handling legendary is the result of years of evolution and careful design tweaking. These evolutions have most recently manifested in the Epiphany, our most popular XC model. As one of the lightest 5.25" travel bikes in the world, the Epiphany offers a slightly more relaxed geometry than the Truth, more travel and all without a significant weight penalty. The Epiphany was selected as Outside Magazine's Mountain Bike of the Year, and has also been called "The Holy Grail of Trail Bikes" by industry media.
Submitted by
Bikethrasher
a Cross Country Rider
from Eagle
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2011
Strengths: Great all round Trail bike. One of the best suspensions on the market pretty light for and aluminum bike.
Made in the USA
Weaknesses: Haven't had any issues with this frame so far.
I would like to see cable guides for my gravity dropper post and a BB30 bottom bracket shell. Ellsworth already addressed the tapered head tube which is great to see.
I do notice a little bit of kick back on ledgy terrain.
It dosen't handle out the saddle sprints as well as a DW link bike but I'm still faster on this bike at this point.
I'm not going to complain about the price a Stumpy S-Works frame is alot more and isn't any better.
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up review. I'm still very happy with this bike and havn't had any issues with any of the parts. The Edge wheels are still true after 1000 plus miles. The XX drive train is on its second chain and still running smoothly. The Formula R1s are working to perfection as expected. The Fox Fork and Shock are in need of a rebuild but that's to be expected at this point. The Gravity Dropper is awsome as expected I have yet to have an issue with any of their posts. The Thompson stem and King headset and BB Well they are Bomb Proof. XTR Cables and Housing are still the best out there.
I still feel this is one of the Best Trail bikes money can buy. Ellsworth keeps improving on a great bike that few riders will find fault with. I spent most of last summer trying to find something to complain about. There simply isn't much aside from personal nitpicking, it's that good.
Buy this bike if you love riding single track at high speed. Buy this bike if your a strong descender but need some climbing help it will help. Buy this bike if you 're still on the 9er fence. 5in travel 26in bikes are still faster and more capable than 9ers. Buy it if like me you can't stand paying the same money for a Big Brand Bike. Buy it because it's made in America.
If your like me and are still on the 26er/9er fence this is going to be a great year for you and I. Ibis, Pivot, and possably Stana Cruz are going to be bringing some longer travel 9ers to the market. This will be a make it or break it point for me. I've ridden some good 9ers but they still fall short when it comes to trail riding. I know more than a few people who love the 9er for racing but still trail ride on a 26er. Pivot and Ibis could change that. We will see this fall.
Similar Products Used: I ridden pretty much all the new non big brand bikes in this price range. Ibis, Turner, Yeti, Pivot, Ventana, Niner, Ellsworth, Foes. All these companies make great bikes it just comes down to what works for your style of riding.
Bike Setup: Fox Suspension, Sram XX Drivetrain, Formula R1 Brakes, Edge Composites Am Wheels and Bar, Thompson 4X Stem 100mm, King Headset and BB, Candy 11 Pedals, Gravity Dropper Turbo post, Specialized BG saddle, XTR Cables and housing, Lizard skins Grips, Tires vary
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
holywood
a Weekend Warrior
from redding ca
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2011
Strengths: Paint is awesome.Usa built.Climbs like a like an animal thats been shot at.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I was having problems with climbing on my old am bike so i started looking for a new frame.I got a sweet deal on this lightly used frame.I had to learn how to ride all over.It corners like its on rails.Where i had to push before,i can ride now.I can ride this bike farther harder and at a better pace.It is making me a better rider.To me its the best of both worlds am/xc.
Bike Setup: Ellsworth Epiphany Xt 150 Talas Race face cranks Elixir R Wtbs xfusion post
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
bearbait90
a Cross Country Rider
from Nottingham, England
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2011
Strengths: Quality of build, anodising, and most importantly the superb ride quality.
Weaknesses: Can't fault the product.
Bottom Line:
I ordered the bike and paid in full mid November, and was promised on a couple of occasions by the UK distributor I would definitely have it for Xmas. Well, as you might have guessed, it didn't arrive until late January. Not sure if they are incompetent or dishonest, but good luck to any other Brit who has to deal with them. I should add that I am not referring to Freeborn. Anyway, the frame finally arrived and it has a manufacturing defect on the head tube and needs to be replaced under warranty. So all in all not the best start, but these things happen. Whilst I wait for my new front end, I've built the defective frame up and am now out and about, and.....
...Despite the negatives of buying this frame, it is, as I expected, an absolute joy to ride. The quality of my 2008 Epiphany has been incredible, and when I saw the SST.2 I had to have one. I've decided to keep the 2008, I can't let her go. I've ridden Turner's and Yeti, but for me the quality is second to none. It's difficult for a direct comparison of my two Epiphany's, I've changed the riding position significantly from a racier set up to a more comfortable, all-day set up. However, it seems rock steady on fast descents, and the climbing ability of these things never ceases to amaze me.
Yes, they are expensive. But having tasted what you get for the extra money, I have to give this a fat five chilis for value for money, for me it's just so much better than similarly priced bikes. Overall, a fat five chilis, the bike is simply incredible.
Bike Setup: Epiphany SST.2 Black with red rockers & kit. Fox F-Series 120, Stans ZTR Olympics on XTR hubs, Juicy Ultimates, X0 gears, XT chainset, Thompson post & stem, Syncros carbon bars.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Casquete
a Cross Country Rider
from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2011
Strengths: Weight, construction, looks, the ict suspension sistem, the way it climbs, the way it feels on the trails, everyting...
Weaknesses: NONE
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike ever. I can´t find words to describe the way it feels on the trails. It climbs like no other bike out there, with no energy loss because of the ict sistem.
I used to love my old Scott Spark, when i say love belive me, but that love ended the day that i rode for the first time the epiphany with its 140 mm front and rear suspension it feels like a rocket...
Similar Products Used: Cannondale Rush, Scott Genius
Bike Setup: Fox Rp23, Fox 32 Series, Shimano XT Dynasis, Ellsworth XC Wheels
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
ofrdbykr
a Weekend Warrior
from Evergreen, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2011
Strengths: efficient climber, good descender, great all-around bike. Can be built up light for XC, but better yet, more rugged for AM riding
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Excellent bike and one I would keep in my stable for a long time. Of my 4 bikes, the one I use the most (also have 5-inch travel SS, Ellsworth Rogue FR, and Kona Stinky for bike parks. I use the Epi on most group rides and after work to get a quick workout in. Climbs well, which is needed on the front range, but can also scream on the downhills.
Similar Products Used: Orange Sub-5, Ellsworth Moment, GT-STS
Bike Setup: Fox Talas 130, Hope hubs w/Mavic tubeless rims, full XT, 2x9 setup with bashguard
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
skugdale
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2010
Strengths: Sorry to have to write this, but nothing really.
Serious problem with suspension linkage.
Weaknesses: Rocker arm suspension linkage. Now had two snap, in identicle place
Bottom Line:
The first magnesium alloy rocker arm failed after 12 months, forward of the main pivot point - on the right hand side which secures to the shock.
Replaced on warranty with a re-designed linkage. 3 yrs later this one failed - in exactly the same area - conclusion - the problem still exists. I only do XC type riding.
Who wants to ride a bike when you have little confidence that the suspension linkage might snap like a carrot, while you're 20 plus miles away from your home/car, in the middle of the dales, or remote area? It wasn't what I paid a lot of money for.
Okay, so another warranty claim - oh there's no stock in UK, Fantastic Ellsworth! I tell you what, this frame will be going on e-bay, I'm going to get an Orange 5.
My advice to buyers is this - there is a serious issue with the suspension linkage failing, it hasn't been sorted. Ask yourself if you want to push your bike when you've only completed half your planned ride. The other option is to carry a spare rocker arm in your CamelBack - Ellsworth what a joke, oh yes you had a bike called a Joker, how appropriate. Rant over, sorry folks
Bike Setup: Sram XO, Revelations, Chris King, Mavic XL, Hope Mono M4's, Thompson, SDG Bell etc etc
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
scugdale
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2010
Strengths: Mmmmmmmm? Not the suspension linkage. Beautiful ride, works well
Weaknesses: The rocker arm/suspension link. The origional snapped after 1 years mild use, the second 'modified/improved version' lastest 3 years then snapped like a carrot
Bottom Line:
The problem of the suspension was supposed to have been solved. This clearly hasn't. A replacement should be received soon, BUT - my confidence in the bike has gone. Who wants to be stranded 20 miles from your car because the kit isn't fit for purpose, and expensive kit! I think the frame will be going onto e-bay and an early Christmas present in the form of an Orange 5 frame.
I forgot to mention the linkage failed identically, in the same place as the last one - forward of main pivot, right hand side. Sorry Ellsworth, the bike is rubbish. I dont want to go on a bike ride carrying a spare rocker arm in the Camelback - just in case! Hopefully the replacement wont be made out of a carrot, like the last two.
Bike Setup: XO, rockshox revelations, thompson, mavic, hope etc
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
carnivorous
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2010
Strengths: ICT suspension, build quality, anodising, simplicity and ease of servicing, strength-to-weight ratio, spare parts costs, gorgeous looks
Weaknesses: quite a steep head angle if you like a slack bike, interrupted cable routing, no ISCG tabs (many people run 1x9 or 1x10 these days)
Bottom Line:
simply the best 5" trail bike out there. suspension design is everything they say it is and more. build quality is top notch, parts are cheap and servicing is simple, and the way it rides is out of this world. there's no point trying to explain the stunning handling of this bike on an internet review, you have to go and ride one to believe how good it really is, everything else I've tried in this segment pales in comparison.
i like mine so much i replaced my big bike with a Rogue. I'd like my Epiphany even more if it had ISCG tabs for us 1x9 users, and uninterrupted cable routing like the Rogue though. Those are the only bad points I can think of.
If you want a 5" travel trail bike for XC and trail/light AM use,or you;re a very smooth rider - I can't think of a better option. If you want something more solid, try a Moment, this is a light bike that isn't intended for downhilling - although it flies downhill when it needs to. Ellsworths tend to have a steep head angle by modern standards, so if you like a slack bike, look elsewhere or go for a slightly longer fork and risk your warranty.
Similar Products Used: Tomac Eli, Santa Cruz Heckler, and have ridden many other bikes
Bike Setup: 9 spd, Rock Shox Revelation, XM819/Pro2 wheels, Hone cranks, SRAM x9, XT brakes, Thomson stem & post, WTB Devo saddle, King Headset
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
stoker1223
a Cross Country Rider
from Encinitas
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2010
Strengths: The ICT suspension is well proven and continues to improve. The bike sticks to the ground on the climbs, corners, drops and descents. The bike is light, quick, and strong. This is probably one of the best AM bikes that you could ever own.
Weaknesses: The price
Bottom Line:
This bike is worth every penny. When it comes to MTB, you get what you pay for. If you want great, you pay for it, and the Epiphany delivers.
It is amazing what this bike will do.
We Peddle This Because... its one of the greatest mountain bike frames ever.
Get it if... you love American-made perfection.
Similar Products Used: Ventana El Saltamontes- El Chamucco, Yeti 575, Rocky Mountain Element, Titus Racer X, Maverick ML7-Matic, ect..
Bike Setup: All XTR, Fox Talas, Ellsworth Wheels,Chris King, Easton Monkeylite, Kendas
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
jacobus20
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2010
Strengths: Handling, versatility, build quality, rear suspension effectiveness, hand made in USA
Weaknesses: Persistent, intermittent creaking under high pedal load; can't seem to get rid of it.
Bottom Line:
The only thing holding this bike back is my riding skill. I've climbed 6 miles at a time, jumped four feet of the ground, blazed single track, and kept up with all-mountain bikes on the downhill. And I'm 6'6", 215lbs. Outstanding build quality, excellent performance, beautiful design and everyone I ride with wants one. No doubt, this is the kind of bike that encourages you to ride more and more.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Epic, Ibis Mojo
Bike Setup: XL frame, Fox Talas 32 and RP2, Chris King hubs, bottom bracket and headset, SRAM X.O shifters and derailers, Shimano XTR pedals, crank and chain, Thompson Elite post and stem, Monkey Lite XC handlebar, Mavic 819 wheels. Total weight is 29lbs.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
GRAVES
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlotte, NC USA
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2010
Strengths: 2008 Frame - everything
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
You will not find a better full suspension cross-country/enduro 26er, period. If the suspension is set up properly (for your weight and riding style) the handling is amazing. Side note: Because the bike is designed to be ridden fully active there is no need to upgrade the rear shock from the R that comes standard to the RP23. For any imagined advantage you think you might get with the 23 pro-pedal you more than lose in handling. Like I said, if set up properly the suspension, even in the worst climbing situation, has only very slight and barely noticable bob in the rear. FYI.
Bike Setup: XO, Tru/Noir, Formula R1, Thompson Elite Stem/Post, American Classic headset, Blacksheep Ti Bars, Oury Grips, Mavic Crossmax ST w/ Conti Vert Pros (08 wheelset), Mavic Crossmax ST w/ Panaracer FireXCPro (09 wheelset), and Crank Bros 50/50s
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
networkman
a Cross Country Rider
from Prescott, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2010
Strengths: Fantastic build quality, predictable handling, light, durable, stiff, comfortable for long rides, climbs very well and descends even better.
Weaknesses: For my style of riding, which is long rides on endless steep and rocky trails, there aren't any weaknesses with this frame.
Bottom Line:
This is an amazing bike! When the rear psi/sag is set up right, I don't notice the rear suspension, because it's doing its job flawlessly. The bike climbs over rough terrain, rocks, roots, you name it. The only limits to its climbing and descending ability is the rider. I rail over obstacles at high speed so well that I can't help but laugh. It's comfortable and fast. There is a very, very slight bob with out of the saddle mashing, but Ellsworth explained that this isn't necessarily resulting in a loss of energy, and in my experience I agree. And that's with the compression tuning of the Fox shock at its lowest setting and I'm over 180lbs. Overall, the rear suspension is stiff, which I prefer. It would drive me crazy to have to constantly be reaching down and messing with an RP23 shock and with this bike you don't have to. I use this bike for endurance cross country riding over moderately rough and often very steep terrain. A great bike that I highly recommend to the most discerning riders.
Similar Products Used: Giant xc race bike, Trek carbon fiber hard tail.
Bike Setup: '10 Fox Talas FIT RLC 140mm fork (amazing), Fifteen G cranks, Grip shift with XO rear and XT front, Race Face carbon bars, Elixir CR's, Easton One wheelset, Easton carbon seat post, eggbeater ti, IRC Serac Tubeless.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
jamie
a Cross Country Rider
from eagle colorado
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2010
Strengths: Beautifully built, well thought out cable routing, great set and forget suspension, climbs and descends very well, handles rough terrain better than many other bikes I've ridden, light for an aluminum framed bike Made in America
Weaknesses: Needs cable guides for my Gravity dropper. Out of saddle efforts aren't as crisp as the Pivot Mach five. Finding balaced between the shock and fork takes some time the ICT suspension seems to over drive the fork causing the fork to dive more than other suspensions, running a fork with a platform would make finding blance easier.
Bottom Line:
The Epiphany is one the the best (TRAIL) bikes I have ever ridden. I say trail bike because It is not an All mountain big hit bike but it did just fine on Porcupine rim I even sent the diving board at full speed and it didn't flinch, and It is not a full on race bike but you could race it and do well. At 25.37lbs with pedals this bike is light and is very fast for a trail bike with this much travel It carries speed like a 9er on the dh aka super fast. The Edge wheel are incredable, over 300 miles and still perfectly true. If you love ridding single track at racer speeds you will love this bike. I live in Colorado and we ride lots of high alpine single track. Long climbs and long fast descents and plenty of tech to keep things interesting.
The only things that really hold this frame back is out of the saddle sprints, the boys a Push could probably tune this out or upgrade to the RP23 shock, also tuning the fork correctly to get the suspension balanced takes some time and know how. All in all this is a fantastic bike that would make most trail riders very happy.
It was a tough decision between this bike and the Mach5, Rip9 and the Sultan. In the end the clock was the deciding factor and the Epiphany won by a small margin. My next bike will probably be a 9er with carbon frame and a set of Edge wheels. My buddy just got a Santa Cruz Tallboy he claims it's plusher than his old Rip9 and fells like it has more travel. Plus built with pedals its 24.52lbs Wow! I gotta ride that thing soon.
Similar Products Used: Titus Moto-Lite I still own this bike and it's still better than most, Ibis Mojo demoed this bike and felt it's Dw link suspension wasn't as good as the Turner or Pivot, also It has a good deal of flex in the middle of the frame at the links Ibis admits this is an issue and still triing to ruduce it as much as possable, Turner 5-Spot demoed this bike in Fruita this is a beast of a trail bike more all mountain than trail, not as quick or responsive as I like, Pivot Mach 5 another demo I loved this bike definetly the best DW Link out there, Great everywhere except large consecutive drops where the suspension seemed to get a little unsettled, Yeti 575 Great all round trail bike more all mountain like the Turner but the propedal is a necessity, Specialized Enduro and Stumpy 2 great bikes but all the proprietary parts make me a bit nervous the Stumpy has some flex but it doesn't hinder the ride, Ellsworth Moment and Truth, The Moment felt like a Freeride or DH bike to me It felt heavy and slow on the climbs and ultra stable and fast on the Dh it's just too much bike for what I ride here in Colorado in Moab it would be a blast but I hardly ever ride there, The Truth is mostly racer and has too harsh a ride for my tastes. Niner Rip9 great all around trail bike, I'm waiting for a carbon frame and a longer 130mm travel fork from Fox which would make me give up on 26inch bike altogether, Turner Sultan super plush and very nimble for a 9er. Pivot 429 great bike would be way better if it had a carbon frame with 120mm in the back and 130mm in the front. I love the 9ers but the extra weight holds them back on long climbs. I'm still faster on a 26er but the gap is closing, better wheels and lighter stiffer carbon frames are sheding pounds off now we need a good 130mm fork to rid these bikes of that over the bars feel in steep terrain. Fox, Manitou, Rock Shox are you listening?
Bike Setup: Sram XX drive train less is indeed better on the dirt, Formula R1 brakes, Edge composites bar stem and wheels amazing is all I have to say stupid light and stiff, Gravity dropper turbo seatpost a must for any trail bike! Specialized Bg saddle, Specialized tires 2.3 Eskar front 2.2 Captain in the rear Eggbeater Ti pedals, Hadley 10mm through bolt rear, Fox Talas 150mm this fork makes this bike, the longer travel slackens the head tube out a bit improving stability and handling it took some time to get it balanced with the rear suspension but thanks to all the tuning options it was possible.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
DirtyLucas
a Weekend Warrior
from Rockville, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2010
Strengths: Fit and Finish is second to none. Amazingly efficient suspension, climbs like a chimp with a bee stung @ss.
Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet. A lot of people say price, but I got what I paid for, so I ain't complaining.
Bottom Line:
I wanted a bike similar to the NRS series from Giant, something that I could ride anywhere without having to think about where I was riding at. Epiphany delivers this in spades. I am 5'11 and 225.lbs. Even when the suspension bobs under pedal, it does not get less efficient or lose traction. In fact, I now climb hills that I would have to walk with other bikes, and I climb them while in the saddle. I had a lot of apprehension about this purchase because of price and my weight, but the bike is worth every penny. The best bike in the world is the one that makes you want to ride, and I can't wait to take this handcrafted beauty back out. Buy it-
Bike Setup: X9 Complete build kit assembled by Germantown Cycles. Easton Monkey Lite LO bar, X9 shifters, derailleurs, chain, Avid Elixr discs, Thomson stem and seatpost.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
ChrisEdu
a Cross Country Rider
from West Sussex, UK
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2010
Strengths: Looks gorgeous, light frame, unique on the trails, lovely finish, handles everything I can throw at it and goes like a dream!
Weaknesses: Hmm... maybe a little too lively at times and encourages me to go further and further!
Bottom Line:
I love my bike! Friends comment about how light-weight it is and ask what it is. The finish is gorgeous in Smoke Grey. I'm sure the bike has abilities way beyond my own but it's nice knowing that it will take all I can throw at it with ease. The suspension feels sure footed on the loose stuff and works well when having to climb. The brakes are incredibly sharp and provide me with a good level of feel. I do get occasional bob upon heavy climbing, although, I do weigh 210lbs, so the suspension has a lot to cope with! I tried other bikes but nothing felt as good as this does, let alone looked as good! If you like the fine things in life, get one, you'll enjoy it. I'm now riding more and more, getting fitter and fitter all thanks to my bike! Yes, it was expensive, but then so are most of the good things in life and it was still cheaper than another Rolex!
