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Submitted by
Charles Filion
a
from Montreal, Quebec. Canada
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | freight train | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | I have the newer 2006-07 model with the removable rear dropouts. Best looking hardtail on the market, so light yet strong, can do anything... | | Weaknesses: | Rear dropouts are machined wrong and the rear dropout bolts come loose too damn easely. I have to put loctite on the dropout bolts so they dont come loose all the time. Dangerous!!! I dont know if its just my frame but the bolts are too small or either the dropouts are too big but it comes loose for no reason. | | Bike Setup: | pike air-uturn, king headset, juicy 7 brakes, king-721 wheelset, diabolus cranks, stem and bars, thomson post... | | Bottom Line: | Dont buy the newer specialist frame(2006 and up), its not worth it! Their rear dropout system sucks and is machined wrong. That ruins the whole frame... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Cohen
a Weekend Warrior
from Glen Burnie
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$849.00 | | Purchased At: | Beyond Bikes | | Strengths: | Looks Great | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't function the way it is supposed to... | | Similar Products Used: | Evil Soverign, Da Bomb Sputnick, Planet X Little Audrey | | Bike Setup: | Wouldn't go together properly. | | Bottom Line: | Ellsworth actually let a design/machine flaw leave the building. Under their own admission, the rear dropouts were machined wrong and they won't warranty the frame. I bought this frame and couldn't wait to get it home only to find that the rear disc brake wouldn't mount up correctly. The rear adjustable dropout has the botton caliper bolt-hole too close to the frame. Instead of redesigning/remachining the proper dropouts they have decided to go with a "custon bolt" design (the cheap way out). The bolt will have a head with a very small shoulder so it doesn't hit the frame. I was told, by Ellsworth to grind my bolt either on the bottom or all the way around and then wait for the "custom bolt" to arrive. Don't be fooled. This custom bolt was the product of a MISTAKE by Ellsworth, not a clever engineering design. Anyone can see that this is a mistake if you look at your original brake calpier bolt yourself. How many $849 plus hardtail frames do you know of that requires a special bolt to mount your brakes properly. How many companies do you know of that would sell you a frame for that kind of money and then tell you that you have to grind, file or modify anything at all to get it to assemble properly. The best they could do was offer me a "special deal" on a Moment frame. WOW. They still tried to profit from me after all that. To prove what I am saying, just look at the 2007 Specialist. It won't be this way. I was told that they will fix the next batch. What about the current 40something defective frames already out there??? You get the "special, custom bolt". Not what I would expect from a company like Ellsworth. Buyers Beware.. I did get to exchange that frame for a different frame manufactured by a different company. After all that they should have given me the frame. Then I would have thought about grinding my own bolt. No Ellsworth for me... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan
a
from carbondale
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This frame is one of the strongest and most responsive frame I have ever ridden. It inspires so much confidence when hitting the lip of a jump. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bike Setup: | Arrow rims and tires, azonic pdw's , DJ2, Profile cranks, magura hydros, sram shifters, 9.0, weyless seat post, ect... | | Bottom Line: | Great frame, very strong and yet light, ausome finish I can't take my eyes off it. If you want a no nonsense frame that will last you forever than this is the one for you. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hora horacek
a Weekend Warrior
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Gnarly singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Freeborn | | Strengths: | Light.
Gorgeous.
Strong.
No Flex. | | Weaknesses: | Only two colours. | | Similar Products Used: | Ellsworth Id, Yeti ASX, Rocky Mountain; RM9, Vertex, Instinct plus Giant DH etc etc | | Bike Setup: | Sherman Firefly, Chris King hubs and headset, Thomson Elite, Raceface etc etc | | Bottom Line: | I wanted something for trail, yes trail that would be very responsive and easy to bail out of (I have a habit of bailing out over the bars as the rear always tends to be too high). Im 6foot 2 and this fits the bill.
How the chuffin 'ell did Tony get the frame so light yet guarantee it to be soo strong?
First ride out I almost spanked one out over the top tube, such was the grin across my face. Remember the grin? Whens the last time a bike made you grin? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from chelmsford, England
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt jumps and street | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | chelmer ciyles | | Strengths: | Stupidly strong!!!!!!!!
and lite!!!!
sexy!!! | | Weaknesses: | pardon | | Similar Products Used: | azonic ds1 (snapped)
planet x little aurdry easton tubeing(snapped)
| | Bike Setup: | fully kitted out for dirt and street | | Bottom Line: | buy this frame it may cost £800 but its the strongest frame I have ever had in my life, I feel like this bike is now part of me now!!!! I think, because this frame is so lite it could be used for anything, but im going it keep it in the air. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a Weekend Warrior
from The Middlands - England
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything that looks challenging | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Freeborn Bike Shop (www.freeborn.co.uk) | | Strengths: | The fat tubing, its incredible light-weight, its lifetime warranty, its colour (mines blue), ummm.. Everything, actually! ;) | | Weaknesses: | You've got to be kidding?! I think this category should be automaticaly deleted for this particuar product! Hehe! | | Similar Products Used: | Orange 02 (snapped the frame in half about 2 months ago - bugger), GT Backwoods (got stollen), Raleigh Activator (wrote-off in when I rode it into a car - oops!) | | Bike Setup: | Everything that i consider to be yummy. Go to www.btinternet.com/~p.deeley/project for the complete spec. | | Bottom Line: | I might have only had this bike about a month - but oh man, does it kick serious butt. The guys at the bike shops I bought it from couldn't say enough about how fantastic a frame the Specialist is.
If you're lucky enough to afford one of these beauties then dont pass-up the chance to get one. You absolutely will not regret it.
Its light weight, it accelerates, corners, handles, flies, etc.. what ever you want to do with it, it will do. I havn't found such a rewarding bike 'till now. Everytime I ride it, it brings a smile to my face!
Now, if you would excuse me, I'm gonna submit what ive written here and go starea t/polish/tinker with/ride my bike some more...!
If I had to sum up this bike in one word, then all i can say is "sex"
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Edgar Bustillos
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, Texas
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | downtown streets | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | from dealer | | Strengths: | Head tube angle, tubing, drop-outs, clereance, finish and overall geometry. | | Weaknesses: | That its not a rabbit and multiple. | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic | | Bike Setup: | Magura HS33, Psylo SL, Thompson seat post and stem, Real hubs, Sun Rhino light rims, Sram 9.0SL, Truvativ Hussefelt cranks, Chris King head set. | | Bottom Line: | I work in a bike shop so I get to ride all kinds of bikes and nothing has compared to this frame it ROCKS. Usually I don't keep a frame for to long but this frame is a keeper. You really have to ride the frame to appreciate it. I got the trials specific frame and its great for urban assault riding. I can say enouh about it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt man
a Weekend Warrior
from new hampshire
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | my ds trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | I have connections | | Strengths: | unreal cornering, jumping, technical, and acceleration capabilities...stong and pleasing to the eyes | | Weaknesses: | Product WHAT? | | Similar Products Used: | nothing compares | | Bike Setup: | maguras, modzilla, ti bar, ODI, maxxis....ds/all around setup | | Bottom Line: | it can do anything...i needed a tough bike that could race ds but still ride all the trails. to any abusive trail riders: get this bike, it is 3.5lbs which allows you to beef up everything else and still have a fast bike...it is faster than my fs xc bike. and the abuse it can take is pleasing...great for technical riding, it never sketches out on our log bridge trail (which is a damn good thing). buy it, i am ordering you | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Ferrari
a Downhiller
from Crawley West Sussex England
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The holy trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | Freeborn | | Strengths: | After cracking my chameleon (which is also reviewed on tis site), i thought what can be better than that. the specialist was the only frame that i could find that was stong enough to withstand the drops but light and nimble enough to take technical single track. This is the most conferdence inspiring bike I have ever ridden! Compared to the chameleon the specialist is so refined and nimble.The long top tube gives that little bit more room to shift your weight around on the more extreme things. | | Weaknesses: | You've got to be joking! | | Similar Products Used: | Chameleon, intense, foes, cove | | Bike Setup: | full XTR,Psylo Race,Hope hubs and brakes,thomson,Atomic,Azonic | | Bottom Line: | This is the most refined hard core hard tail, no exceptions!
If you like quality you will love the ellsworth. If you ride hard but would like something with a bit more class than a chameleon the specialist is the only frame that will fit the bill.Although the specialist is small,if you buy a good seat post all but the tallest of people will get a full leg extention.How can you falt a frame that is light enough to be an Xc frame but stronger than any other frame on the market.If this frame was twice the price it would still be the best value hard core hardtail money could buy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
r summers
a Weekend Warrior
from ogden,ut usa
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | urban | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | binghams cyclery | | Strengths: | ellsworth frames are unreal-welds,paint,etc..im selling my schwinn and buying a truth.if all bike companies could build bikes like this the world would be a better place! | | Weaknesses: | none-i have read all the reviews and no one has anything bad to say-enough said! | | Similar Products Used: | specializeds,schwinns,gts.you name it ive probably ridden it. | | Bike Setup: | monkey lites,chris king,race face,xtr,tioga,el gatos,maguras.highest end stuff you can buy.with a frame like this dont go cheap. | | Bottom Line: | everyone should own a true hand crafted bike,nothing like it in the world.i think my trials bike could spank my straight six downhill/uphill wherever it wanted-thats why im buying a truth now-quality is everything.good components dont make great bikes.great bikes make a good place for our components.also binghams cyclery (ogden)kicks ass-stop buy and see why. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin
a
from OB
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything FUN.... | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | Finish, Geometry, STIFF-STIFF-STIFF, low standover/top tube length. | | Weaknesses: | Cost too much for me to buy 3 more!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | GT Zaskar/Santa Cruz Chameleon | | Bike Setup: | Z1,King hubs/headset,Profile cranks,mrp,rest=xtr | | Bottom Line: | We all read reviews saying frames will...
"enhance your riding"
"enspire confidence"
"bigger air"
"bigger drops"....
For my first voyage I took this frame to a local cc trail with very technical climbs/decents, elevated trails, and stuff to jump/hop. I rode platform pedals, as opposed to TIME ATAC's which i usually run on my chameleon which is set up for cc. I'M SELLING THE CHAMELEON to get another ellsworth product. I took the bike today to the local skatepark with BIG/STEEP launch ramps, and deep vertical pools, I'M SELLING MY HARO DAVE MIRRA PRO(except for half pipe riding)!!
I found the technical trails easier on the specialist, i guess due to long/short geometry and the incredible stiffness of the frame. And it kicked AS$ at the park on the bowls and big jumps. This will now be my only hardtail- cc/slalom/jumping bike.
I had two chameleons, one set up for cc, and one set up for DS. The specialist replaced the smaller dual slalom set-up, and i'll be selling the large chameleon which was my cross counrty rig.
I SERIOUSLY had way more fun on the specialist than any other time i had been at the same trails!!! It's not a true cc race frame (obviously), but super stiff/efficient and incredibly nimble. I never believed "cornering" was that different on different frames, but again the specialist far outshines the chameleons which are supposed to have similar "aggro" geometry, and stiffness.
I want another specialist, just to have one, and wish i'd bought one years ago. BUY ONE, or two... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nic
a Weekend Warrior
from Alamo, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | deweys | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$340.00 | | Purchased At: | Shop | | Strengths: | This frame is the best, just look at it. Right when i saw it i was amazaed by the crafting and geomatry. Easton tubing great finish and square tubing at parts! | | Weaknesses: | yeah right | | Similar Products Used: | specialzied rockhopper, azonic ds1, raleigh m 80 | | Bike Setup: | z1 cr, xtr, race race, mrp the best | | Bottom Line: | get it no matter waht you pay, it is seriuosly the best thing you could get. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crash Adams
a Downhiller
from Sussex England
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pitch Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1195.00 | | Strengths: | Un-believably tough finish, stunning looks, excellent handling due to the great geometry. This bike is so well built that there is no ugly gussets - its unbreakable!! | | Weaknesses: | None what so ever. This bike rules. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Chute, Spooky | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1, MRP, XTR, Azonic, Thomson, DMR | | Bottom Line: | Get one now. This bike has improved my riding to no end. Its taken me of drop offs, over jumps and down trails I would'nt have dreamed of doing on any other bike. It may seem pricey but trust me, if it was twice the price it would still be a bargain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Wisell
a Weekend Warrior
from Winooski VT
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | this little bomber will do it all. have done some sick drop-ins with it so far. | | Weaknesses: | it will get you into more trouble than you can handle if you're not careful. | | Similar Products Used: | nothing comes even close | | Bike Setup: | http://www.geocities.com/abwisell/specialist.jpg | | Bottom Line: | wheelie drops, stability, cool smooth finish. these are the most important things a bike can have. it is the best thing you can ride in techincal stuff. not recommended for rides with lots of climbing, unless you really want to. Its all about descending.
1 million chilis for this rocket | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hormis
a Downhiller
from morganton, nc
Date Reviewed: September 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
brown mountain ,nc | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
cncd yokes beautiful blue anodized frame, disc mounts, 14 bb height, easton tubing | | Weaknesses: |
no f***ing way | | Similar Products Used: |
azonic ds1
gt pantera | | Bike Setup: |
99zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz2bam
white-sun wheels
maguras hs33
azonic stem and bar
etc. | | Bottom Line: | this bike rules..it has to be the most fun ive ever had riding a bike in my whole life...i love this bike it is worth every penny i spent on it ifyou like to throw a bike around tis is it all i have left to say is get one ride it and tell me this bike isnt the shit | | Overall Rating: |
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