Submitted by
CAVIN
a Cross Country Rider
from SANDPOINT, IDAHO
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2011
Strengths: Pretty finish
Weaknesses: The worst bike company this side of Huffy. New frame was out of alignment. Replaced with a rear triangle from a different model. They kept my bike form May till the end of September. They would not pick up the phone. When they would answer they would say they were working on it and try to sell me a replacement bike. When the bike was finally returned it rode like crap. ANY POSITIVE REVIEW IS LIKELY WRITTEN BY A DEALER OR ELLSWORTH THEMSELVES. a WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY!!!
Bottom Line:
These bikes are way overpriced, and the CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE WORST IN THE INDUSTRY. SAVE YOUR MONEY.
Submitted by
fagundes79
a Racer
from Madison, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2008
Strengths: Amazing craftsmanship, BOMB proof finish, classy look, and TREMENDOUS warranty support that recently replaced a rear triangle NO QUESTIONS ASKED!!!
Weaknesses: My gutters never get cleaned, my lawn is a mess, and my wife is sans husband during the summer.
Bottom Line:
Ellsworth owners never buy anything else. There's a reason you don't see many of these for sale used. This is a no-bs-point-and-shoot all mountain wonder!
Similar Products Used: Intense Spider, Titus Motolite, Scott Spark
Bike Setup: Bomber, 717's w/ Cking ISO's, Marta SL's, & lots o' carbon.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2006
Strengths: rides great, climbs well and is very stable at speed and well balanced.
Weaknesses: No real weaknesses, however, some will perceive the high bottom bracket as a minus, although I like it.
Bottom Line:
Great bike if you can find one in good condition, or a blowout like I did. This bike is great for anything up to real free riding. Although I am only 145lbs, so that helps. It climbs well, but my I-drive was better, although I think if I had some better (lighter) wheels this would help. Downhill the Id is great, with the Reba fork this bike works great for all but the biggest obstacles. The rear end is perfect, and "BOB" free. All in all this is a great bike, not to mention with the custom flame paint job it looks awesome also. However, because of the price it is only really an option for more serious riders...
Weaknesses: Are you kidding me??? I guess you could say it makes riding anything else a total disappointment!
Bottom Line:
I've been bombing stuff on this bike for the last 3 years and it still looks & rides basically brand new. I think some paint rubbed off from a cable housing, but that's it. The ID is practically indestructible and as light/lighter than any 6" bike you'll find. ICT tracking inspires confidence in high speed decents through Nor Cal singletrack. I recently upgraded to a Fox DHX and it's so Cadillac. High BB you say, whine a little more. This bike is not a hardtail dart, but it handles anything from Northstar to long fire road climbs & descents. The ID is one of the best climbing all mtn bikes I have ever ridden - smokes the Heckler & rivals the Superlight (1/2 the travel). Since this bike was realeased 4 years ago, I haven't seen anything that can rival it on both the up & down hill.
Hats off to Tony Ellsworth and kicka$$ bikes made in the USA. I'm predicting the ID will be a new classic - similar to my beloved Mojo, one of the best hardtails ever made.
Strengths: Light!!! I got mine down to 26.5 lbs. Fast!!! good feel on the descents. Best trail bike I've ever had. Tried some other trail bikes (Blur LT, Truth, Nomad) but none have compared. This bike has great handling and wouldn't trade it for anything.
Weaknesses: Probably tire clearance...But I don't really wanna run big ones on it anyway so...
Bottom Line:
Since the epiphany and the moment have come out you can find this bike cheap. Get it, upgrade the rear shock, and enjoy. This bike is crazy and you won't find a better trailbike.
Bike Setup: TALAS RLC (weak), 819/king wheels, XTR all over, HOPE brakes (nothing likem)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
AP
a Cross Country Rider
from Princeton
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2006
Strengths: High BB, climbing ability, stability, active susoension.
Weaknesses: Poor tire clearance, mud/rocks/sticks/leaves jam up forming a big ball of debris between tire and chainstay.
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up review to my previous post. After many hours of riding time on this bike I can say that the ID is one fine machine. I have adjusted to the tall fork, high BB and extra weight and I am finally blasting through climbs and descents. I am rolling over most anything in my way and with the help of the high BB, my previous hesitation is no more when confronting tall log piles and boulders. This bike can climb!!! With the flick of the ETA knob on the AM1 I am good to go as the fork is compressed with 30mm to spare - all I need for even the most technical climbs. I also flick the platform knob to + on the RP3. I am suprised to clear technical, steep climbs with greater ease and control, the bike tracks well and maintains grip even on those climbs littered with loose rocks. Going downhill is also a pleasure on this bike as it eats up everything with minimal flex. Maintaining control during high speed cornering can be difficult unless I reduce the fork's travel which isn't much of a problem with the TAS function - only drawback is that you have to let out all of the air before turning TAS knob. I am not having many stability issues with the high BB as I can almost fully compensate by compressing the fork through ETA or TAS functions on the fork. Im my experience the advantages of the high BB far outweigh any disadvantages as I ride mostly techical xc terrain with many tall boulders, rocks and high logs. The bottom line is that I love this bike as it has made mtbiking more fun for me.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale and Gary Fisher FS bikes, but not even close to similar.
Bike Setup: AM1,RP3,SRAM
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Thomas Peters
a Weekend Warrior
from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2006
Strengths: Frame construction, in particular the sealed bearings on the rockers and rear triangle. I'm also impressed with the Pike and the axle hub on the Crossmax XL.
Weaknesses: The thick rear drop-outs are nice but they don't work well with even the strongest skewer. I've opted for an old Tranz-X 5-sided allen bolt to keep the wheel from going off whack. My other issue is the rear triangle itself. A comfortable minimum fit is a 2.25" tyre, no larger. A brand such as this ought to have a metal bolt-on or a cnc-cut badge.
Bottom Line:
With the exception of my Dean Duke Softail (23 lbs) the ID is the best climber I've got. It doesn't feel heavy (32 lbs) on climbs and it's stiff even without SPV. I'm sold on ICT and the simplicity of 'tracking the chain line' but I'm wondering how pivot positions could form a basis of intellectual property, but that's another issue. The ID may not popular over here but looks the business. I'm pushing 50 but I wish I'd purchased when launched 5 years ago during which period I purchased a lemon or two. It should be the 1st frame for anyone to hang on his wall. What sold me was the brand itself, ICT, the shot-peened frame, those lovely exposed bearings and Ellsworth's neck on the line.
Submitted by
Chris Woods
a Weekend Warrior
from Wetumpka, AL USA
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2006
Strengths: Incredible quality and attention to detail. Ano frame is almost impossible to scratch or ding.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I have found that this bike is an absolute dream to ride. I have begun riding technical terrain that I never dared to do before. This being said the bike still climbs quite well. I do find myself winding down the travel on the Talas for extended climbs. Ellsworth has done a nice job building this frame and the quality of workmanship is top notch. The high bottom took some getting used to but now I roll over downed trees and logs with ease. My only complaint is the lack of mud clearance for the rear tire. However I have probably caused this situation by running 2.4 WTB tires. I would recommend this bike to all XC or AM riders looking for a quality do it all rig.
Submitted by
A.P.
a Cross Country Rider
from PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2006
Strengths: QUALITY OF FRAME, EFFICIENCY, PAINT JOB (CUSTOM EDITION), LOOKS, IT CLIMBS AS WELL AS IT DESCENDS, HIGH BB ENABLES ME TO FLY OVER EVERYTING.
Weaknesses: NONE AT THIS TIME.
Bottom Line:
SO I CHOSE THE ID OVER THE 5-SPOT AND INTENSE EVP. I DECIDED TO GO WITH A HORST LINK FRAME AND TURNER DID NOT HAVE ANY 2005'S LEFT IN MY SIZE. SINCE THE WHOLE TNT THING IS SORT OF NEW, I DECIDED TO HOLD OFF ON THE TNT FIVE SPOT UNTIL IT IS RIDER/TIME TESTED. THIS BIKE IS MUCH HEAVIER THAN MY PREVIOUS FS SO IT IS TAKING ME SOME TIME TO GET USED TO THE EXTRA WEIGHT (APPROX. 30LBS). HIGH BB AND MY CHOICE OF THE 150MM AM1 IS ALSO TAKING ME SOME TIME TO GET USED TO (BUT THE TAS AND ETA HELP MAKE IT EASIER TO ADJUST TO THIS BIKE). ALTHOUGH I AM CLIMBING SLOWER(NO FAULT OF THE BIKE), THIS BIKE ENABLES ME TO CLEAR STEEP/TECHNICAL CLIMBS BETTER THAN ANY OTHER BIKE THAT I HAVE RIDDEN. ONCE I GET USED TO THE HIGH BB, AM1 AND WEIGHT I AM SURE THAT I WILL HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH CLEARING STEEP AND TECHNICAL CLIMBS. THIS BIKE DESCENDS EQUALLY WELL, IT IS STABLE AND YOU HAVE 100% CONTROL OF THE RIG. I SWAPPED THE ROMIC COIL FOR THE FOX RP3 TO SHAVE SOME WEIGHT OFF, BIG IMPROVEMENT FOR MY STYLE OF RIDING (XC) AND BODY WEIGHT (SUB 150LBS), OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE STUCK WITH THE ROMIC. THE COMBINATION OF THE RP3 AND AM1 MAKE RIDING TECHNICAL TERRAIN A LOT MORE FUN. I AM STILL MESSING AROUND WITH SUSPENSION SET UPS, BUT YOU CAN IMMEDIATELY FEEL THE PLUSHNESS AND STABILITY OF THE AM1 AND THE FOX TAKES ANYTHING IN THE REAR (I AM TALKING ABOUT THE RP3, NOT THE RIDER :) I HAVE MANY HOURS OF RIDING AHEAD OF ME SO I WILL UPDATE THIS REVIEW DOWN THE LINE. SO FAR I LOVE THIS BIKE, 5 CHILLIES FOR VALUE TOO AS I GOT A GREAT DEAL.
Similar Products Used: SCHWINN AND DIAMONDBACK HARDTAILS, K2, GF SUGAR, CANNONDALE JEKYLL.
Bike Setup: AM1, RP3, THIS AND THAT.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kirk
a Weekend Warrior
from San Juan Capistrano
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2005
Strengths: I waited and waited to find the right parts for this frame. I took about 3 months. I think I founds the correct parts and it rides like a dream. It's still light and climbs like a Truth, but it decends like a Moment.
Weaknesses: The standover height is just a little to high with my 30 inch inseam, but it sags into the perfect riding position (I prefer riding and not standing over my bike so it's not really a weakness). I could go down to a 7.5 eye to eye rear shock to lower the bottom bracket, but my 7.875" Cane Creek Cloud Nine feels so good on both the climbs and downhill and I like the high bottom bracket for better clearance when doing log or large rut or log hopping. This bike is so ballanced and there is no pedal bob at all.
Bottom Line:
Buy one if you can still find any out there. You will be happy!
Similar Products Used: Kona Dawgs and Bears (The Ellsworth Id climbs so much better than Konas because it's lighter and the rear is so solid and stable).
Bike Setup: Large black ano Ellsworth Id, 04 Marzocchi Z1 FR SL air fork, 7.875 Cane Creek Cloud Nine rear air shock, King headset, Thompson stem and seatpost (get the 410mm length), Terry Liberator Ti Race saddle, XTR front, XTR rear and XTR shifters, SRAM cassette, Avid disc brakes and Avid Ti levers, Easton carbon riser bars, Oury grips, Sun Singletrack rims and Panaracer tires.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Isaac Silverman
a Cross Country Rider
from Auburn, California, USA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2005
Strengths: efficient and active rear suspension, stiffness of rear triangle
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
I exclusively rode XC hardtails (schwinn homegrown) before the Id. The full suspension XC bikes I tried (giant, trek, specialized) were not active enough and did not offer enough travel for me to be willing to sacrifice weight and pedaling efficiency. Basically they allowed me to ride the same trails at similar speeds, going a little faster on the downhill and a little slower on the uphill. The Id has changed both what and how I ride. The 5" of plush travel in the front and back and high bottom bracket allows me to fly down descents I used to have to pick my way down on my hardtail. For climbing I dial my front fork down to 4" and have found that technical climbing is MUCH easier. For trails that are up and down on moderate to technical singletrack I am significantly faster on my Id than on my 22.5 lb homegrown. I don't huck anything on my Id but I have done 5 1/2' drops and caught some reasonable air off jumps and the Id has handled them admirably. The only real tradeoff I see is that I am slightly slower on fireroads. If you ride trails and do the occasional drop and jump, it just doesn't get any better. Value rating is a 4 cause I got an excellent deal.
Similar Products Used: demoed turner 5 spot (only bike that compared)
Bike Setup: sram x0 rear and shifters, paul front, minute 3, spinergy xyclone disc, magura marta sl, thomson stem/post, race face deus X crankset 26.5 lbs
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Davis
a Cross Country Rider
from Wyomissing, Pa. USA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2005
Strengths: The Id is an amazing all-round bike for all types of mtbing.
Weaknesses: n/a
Bottom Line:
Mike at Richard's is a standup guy who helped me by building a first class bike. This was my first new bike in 12 years so I wanted it to be sweet and he delivered.
Bike Setup: Shimano XTR dual shifter/brakes fox float talas and rlc.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from SLC, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2005
Strengths: CLIMBING, super plush ride, and awesome for tight switchbacks. Some of this could be the short fork I'm using.
Weaknesses: $$$, but not really different than any of the other high end frames, needs a long enough fork to balance the high BB. Needs 4" of seatpost insertion!
Bottom Line:
I'm 5'10", 150# w/o riding gear, and like fast and aggressive trail riding.
This is just an initial review. I'll update later in the season or after I change the fork.
The Marathon 105 is just a bit too short for seriously fast downhill trails. I'm going to start looking for something in the 130 range once I have more money.
That being said, this bike climbs better than ANY bike I have ever ridden and that is with no lockout or even a platform fork. When I get out of the saddle, it just grips even better. I climbed the steepest most loose trail I have ever climbed in my life, and then turned around to see my friend, who usually can slowly climb anything on his hardtail, get off 30 ft below me. On smooth hard surfaces, I'm sure the 5-7 lb lighter hardtails would kill me, but most trails here have loose 7 rocky climbs.
The other place I really like this bike is in very tight spots, the high BB makes it so I'm never worried about pedal strikes.
Conversely, the high BB and ~1" shorter fork puts the HT angle a bit steep for very fast decents. Maybe I will adapt. The back end is much more precise than my old GT and that helps the confidence some. When I lean sidewise on the two saddles, the rear triange of the GT flexes quite a bit, while the ID has no noticable deflection.
Still not sure if the 400# spring is right for me, but it sure is plush. Maybe I'll go to 450-500#
Submitted by
Clark
a Weekend Warrior
from Auckland, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2005
Strengths: Frame finish and quality, strength, lightweight, looks, not too many around
Weaknesses: Are you kidding
Bottom Line:
This thing is fantastic, climbs like a mountain goat, quick steering,high BB is a bonus, the power goes straight to the back wheel with no lose thru the suspension, on downhills the bike inspires confidence. Quality of frame and components is superb, I would not change a thing. Sram rear mech has been trashed twice, rebuilt and is still going strong...unbelievable strength and quality. If you are looking for an all round trail bike, only doing low level jumps then this is the bike for you. This is by no means an inexpensive bike, but you do get what you pay for. Chuck out the rest this is the best.
Similar Products Used: Giant VT, Truth, various others
Bike Setup: Black frame,Fox float w/Pro Pedal, Talas RLC, XTR cranks w/ 959 spd, Thompson stem & post, King hubs & Hset, Bontrager rims, No Tubes, Nokian tires 2.1/2.3, Sram XO & triggers w/ Nokons, WTB saddle, FSA carbon bar, Magura Louise FR w/ braided cables. Bikesmith in Albany did a top job putting the bike together and have provided great follow up support and advice.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Andy Stephenson
a Weekend Warrior
from Marietta, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2005
Strengths: Wow! What a rig! this is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. The Frame is a work of art. I don't know why it is listed under free ride, because it climbs as well as any cross country bike I have ridden, and smokes them all on the desent.
Weaknesses: Color Selection, and how long it takes to get them, and cost (but you get what you pay for)
Bottom Line:
if you save up long enough get it. As soon as I sat on this bike it was like I was home. super comfortable and wicked fast.
OK, if Mendon can do it so can I ;-)...I picked up a 1" theaded fork with nice Spinner dropouts..the thing I can't remember is the type of "weld/braze"...fisheye, fishlips, fishmou Read More »
Hello.
I am in the midst of planning a bike trip to Jackson Hole and Sun Valley ID this summer.
My travel plans are around the third week in June. Assuming its a typical sno Read More »
My rear hub has developed over a few rides a " slightly gravel-ly grinding- tinking" sound under heavy load only initially, now under moderate to light load, and that [I]may [/I]b Read More »
Anyone have some MTB magazines from 96/97/98 time frame? I'm trying to figure out what bike I bought around that time. I mail ordered a hardtail from a MTB magazine but can't rem Read More »
I still have a soft-spot for Nicolai since I used to have 2003 Nucleon ST (I loved that thing).
Anyways, I ride a Scott Ransom now and it's ok. No complaints really but I saw t Read More »
