Submitted by
beachdad
a Cross Country Rider
from Sausalito, California, USA Date Reviewed: April 19, 2010
Favorite Trail:
Hoo Koo I Koo
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
FRame only at ebay
Strengths:
nice workmanship, all pivots sealed bearings, anodized.
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Heckler, Titus Racer X
Bike Setup:
Chris King Headset, sycros post, Flite titanium seat,hayes disc 7in front 6 in rear, xt/mavic wheels, xt crank,derailleurs,chain,bb
Bottom Line:
Nice bike the only thing that has me off my Heckler for more than one ride, I would recommend it to any serious cross country rider. I am 6ft 225 lbs and have been riding on Mt. Tamalpais daily for fifteen years.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
onza
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Clarita Date Reviewed: August 3, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Any in Big Bear,CA
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Fast, light, plush suspension for a 4" bike, awesome looking
Weaknesses:
a bit too much bob in the steeper ascents and out of the saddle climbing/sprints
Similar Products Used:
'08 Specialized epic expert
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth wheels (very nice), X0, X9, XT, Avid Ultimates, monkey lite, Thompson, Fox RLC 100, Fox Float R. <26 lbs.
Bottom Line:
Liked the climbing on my Epic better, but thats it! Everything else on the Truth kicks its butt! Tracks great on the single track, climbs great...in the saddle, ICT does what its supposed to. Will probably end up switching to the Fox RP23, to firm up the climbing (wish I did that in the first place!). All in all, a killer XC bike!
BTW-hoping Ellsworth will take care of me if any problems...after reading some older posts. I have the '08 model so supposedly the frame is stronger than the older models? Also, if it weren't for the bobbing on the steeper climbs, I woulld have given it the highest rating!
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Submitted by
ellslover
a Cross Country Rider
from bend, or Date Reviewed: July 20, 2009
Favorite Trail:
north fork going up! anything down
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1900.00
Purchased At:
middlering cycles (f
Strengths:
climbs like a goat, very responsive downhill, so far very strong (lots of 2-5 foot drops), coolest color ever (green - project rainforest)
Weaknesses:
none so far, price if I had to complain
Similar Products Used:
Yeti as-r, GT i-drive, GT zaskar
Bike Setup:
race face, xt this, xtr that (25.5 lbs)
Bottom Line:
This bike ROCKS!! Knocked 12 min off my local 9 mile ride with 5 miles of tough climbing and 4 miles of fast tight downhill. The bike really shines however on the 30 - 40 mile rides we often do. I did not trust this until I took my very nice YETI out to ride again, and sure enough 12 min slower. The group I ride with could not believe I was this much faster with the Ellsworth Truth. I can truly climb faster than with my hardtail. I have only had the bike for 2 1/2 mo but have over 500 miles (in Bend we have fairly hardcore xc trails) so far and no problems (hope I don't have any based on other reviews.) I loved my YETI but I have to say so far I am an Ellsworth convert! BTW I am 5 11 and 200 lbs (lots of beer muscle) and would not think twice about buying this bike again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lyle Mc Leod
a Racer
from Cape Town South Africa Date Reviewed: August 30, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Yonkershoek
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$5500.00
Purchased At:
Williams Bike Shop
Strengths:
Good ride, very responsive. Cult-like following!
Weaknesses:
Serious lack of service, and crap attitude towards loyal riders!
Similar Products Used:
Trek Fuel, Felt Virtue Team, Titus RacerX, Cannondale Scalpel.
Bike Setup:
Marathon, multi-day stage racing. Full XO, Easton, Fox, Chris King!
Bottom Line:
Saved for ages, bought my dream bike, and have fought for 2 years to get frame warrentee, top tube welded off center. Ellsworth claim it is not a warrentee issue, and does not effect performance! Yeah like a Ferrari with Toyota doors! I will NEVER ride an Ellsworth again!! Sad, as they are fun to ride! I'd rather ride a tricycle! You should buy this product if you don't care about being a number with no money concerns and can BUY a replacement! You should not buy this product if you want to get the service that comes with a high-end bike!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
john
a Racer
from east berlin Date Reviewed: June 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
west hartford res/desert cl phx.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
berlin bicycle
Strengths:
light weight, especially for 4 in of travel. Fast! cool new color.Did I mention Fast!!!
I purchased the 06'Truth frame w a $600 buy back for my 01'Isis frame. This bike is very fast up and down hill. I am thrilled to have it for racing. The weight of the bike w a 20" frame and the 100 mm fork is 26 lbs +/- depending on what tires I use. It is an amazingly efficient peddler for the amount of travel available.I highly recommend it for racing or pure xc riding. My Isis gave me 5 years of awesome riding. I am a big fan of Ellsworth's products.
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Submitted by
Charlie
a Cross Country Rider
from California Date Reviewed: April 24, 2006
Favorite Trail:
all so-cal ones
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2650.00
Purchased At:
Cal Costa Bikes
Strengths:
Super responsive, able to handle anything i throw at it. I have the '06 model which has a new offset welded rear bottom bracket. Built in the USA. Light, upgradable, and super at climbing!
Weaknesses:
None baby!
Similar Products Used:
Yeti AS-R, Jamis, Ellsworth Epiphany, ,
Bike Setup:
20" frame with marazzochi exp fork, fox float R, hayes hydrolic disc brakes, SRAM, ...
Bottom Line:
Excellent bike for the price, wouldn't have anyother. But, if you have the money, go for the epiphany. Buy it if your an experienced X-C rider looking for an inexpensive advacned bike. Don't buy it if you're not commited to cross country, or your a newbie.
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Submitted by
trail toad
a Cross Country Rider
from A2 Date Reviewed: September 27, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
turing cyclist , st louis
Strengths:
great bike
Weaknesses:
stress cracks
Similar Products Used:
jamas,santa curz,intense,khs,canondale,,,,,,,,,
Bike Setup:
"the toad" small frame,sram,race face 165 north shore,mavic F519, stans notubes, kenda karmas,asonic stem and 25" wide 2"rise bars, thompson post, odi lock grips, cane creek 12, marzzoki mxc 100 air, hayes hydro disc 6", onyx hubs.
Bottom Line:
This is the end of my third summer riding the toad(the name reflex the componets not the frame). I could ramble about handling,strenght of the frame, craftmanship, oohs and aughs the admires express,those are great also. What I want to really tell the real trail riders out there, that my investment of money was well spent. This bike makes you ride better and gets you out of trouble when you out rode your true abilities. The suport has been amazing. Living in the mid-(of nowhere)west, dependability and survice is important. The stress crack of both the rocker arm and chainstay were both corrected(no charge) in less the week and I have been without problems since. My truth is a bit heavy but I ride rough, technical, long rides. The componets are for clearance,control,and distance riding. I have a romic and fox fork (vanilla) for heavy duty riding. On my 5 mile loop,I'm five minutes faster on the toad than on my racing hardtail. That tell me everything I need to know about it's design. If your a racer you might look at some rough riding 3" travel rig,but if you're out for 6 to 8 hours in the woods this is the only bike I want. I buy on a five year plan. Some of my other choices didn't make that mark. I've been riding mountian bikes for 18 years and this is the the bike I've dreamed of. If you can afford it and you are truthful to yourself it's worth the smile at the beginning and the end of the ride. If you're interested I rate the componets on this sight also.
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Submitted by
Michael Megura
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, Texas Date Reviewed: September 19, 2003
Favorite Trail:
any race
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$3500.00
Purchased At:
Beyond Bikes
Strengths:
Most efficient climbing bike I've ever riden. I've owned the Intense Tracer, Gary Fisher Sugar and none of these bikes come close. The Truth jumps when you pedal.
Weaknesses:
Frame strength and poor company support. While Ellsworth honors their warranty they are generally slow. I'm strictlty XC racing and riding yet I've managed to break the frame once and then the rear triangle. This has also happened to other Truth owners I ride with. Ellsworth needs to admit they have a problem and offer better support to their loyal owners once a solution is found.
Similar Products Used:
Intense Tracer, Gary Fischer Sugar
Bike Setup:
Full XTR, Marzzochi 100m fork.
Bottom Line:
Rumor has it that the 04 verision has corrected the strength issues. To bad Ellsworth won't make a reasonable attempt to keep me riding their brand.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jake
a
from Salt Lake City Date Reviewed: July 19, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Used
Strengths:
Stylish '02 frame and four bar linkage suspension. Pretty light and anodized finish is sweet. Fun to ride, good stiffness and maneuverable.
Weaknesses:
Chainstay showed stress fractures in 3 locations and since I bought it used, I was SOL. No big drops or hits, just stress. Thought that since I'd registered as a 2nd owner in Ellsworth website that I might get some love on a return. No luck, just $250 outta my pocket, plus shipping both ways. (They made me ship old chainstay just to tell me I get to spend some money). Pretty lame. They could at least pay shipping for faulty craftsmanship. New chainstay is beefier, feels a little heavier, my fingers a re crossed.
Similar Products Used:
Mountain Cycle San Andreas
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi MX Comp '03. Cane Creek Cloud 9. Race Face BB, Crank, Headset, Stem. Monkeylite Bars. XTR.
Bottom Line:
We'll see. I've ridden a Mountain Cycle San Andreas for many years and that frame keeps on takin a lickin. Sure, the Truth is more XC oriented, but it should hold up on some rugged single track shouldn't it? The cracked chainstay totally bummed me out, but hopefully the new, beefier one will hold up. Like I said, we'll see..... Wouldn't pay 2 Gs for a new frame though. Got whole bike with XTR, etc. for $2K used.
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Submitted by
The Dime
a Cross Country Rider
from Tujunga, CA USA Date Reviewed: June 24, 2003
Favorite Trail:
chantry flats
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
glendale cycles
Strengths:
Reputation, Looks, Performance
Weaknesses:
What are these weaknesses you speak of???
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz superlight
Bike Setup:
SRAM X.0 Race face Next LP, Manitou Black,
Bottom Line:
I saved my arse off and bought my dream bike, and I couldnt be happier, this rides like a wet dream, no a tight wet dream ....oh yeah, If you are in the market for a new x-country racer, look no further. You get what you pay for.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Grant
a
from Anaheim Hills, CA Date Reviewed: June 13, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Customer Service
Weaknesses:
Older models snaping.
Bottom Line:
I am here to give props where they are due.
I posted below a rant about my Truth breaking and me not being the original owner (SOL). Ellsworth gave a new front triangle without any cost to me knowing that I wasn't the original owner, and therefore not covered by the warranty. My bike shop didn't have to push the issue, get into a pissing match or otherwise get pissed. Ellsworth offered.
While not happy that my '01 Truth broke, I am thrilled with their customer service.
Props to Tony and crew, all ill will erased.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Grant
a Cross Country Rider
from OC, CA Date Reviewed: June 1, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Strengths:
It used to climb well and I felt fairly connected on downhills.
Weaknesses:
Instant Center Cracking technology. Yep, mine broke.
Similar Products Used:
None but will be trying the Turner 5 spot and the SC Blur out in the coming days.
Bottom Line:
It blows. You spend this much money on a frame and expect it to hold together. The front triangle was built custom by Ellsworth for a guy that had busted three prior to this one. I purchased the new triangle that was over built and and with different tubing (supposedly beefier) and rode it for two years. I hate to use the ole' JRA excuse but I was riding along on a bumpy singletrack and crack goes the Ellsworth. No drops, nothing too fancy....just gives way.
Because I purchased second hand I have no warranty, my fault not theirs. With their reputation of bikes that fold like beer cans I should have purchased from them or a shop, but I digress so that I was at the very least covered.
No matter what, it was a long six mile hike out contemplating what bike I am to buy next. I can guarantee one thing, it won't be an Ellsworth.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mark
a Cross Country Rider
from macomb, illinois Date Reviewed: April 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:
spring lake
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1900.00
Purchased At:
touring cyclist
Strengths:
full bearing, weight, warranty, support, design.
Weaknesses:
two failures do to stress.
Similar Products Used:
jamis, santacruz, K H S,
Bike Setup:
deore xt drive,with north shore 165mm\ bashgard,hayes 6" hydro, onyx hubs,f519,azonic 2" riser and orc stem, thompson seat post,specialized body control seat, marzocchi mxr,romic t2.
Bottom Line:
first and formost I like this bike-the service has been great. yes the rocker arm and the chainstay cracked. they creeked plenty and didn't break before the end of the rides. they were warrantied without a hassle and back in my hands in less than 10 days. Here in the(middle of the nowhere)mid-west reliability was my biggest concern. We ride year round from below zero to plus 100 degree weather. this stresses bike frames and componets. I have yet to be stranded by this bike. the new design on the chainstay and rocker look beefer. time will tell. I buy with five year service in mind and this frame lookes like it will make it. I ride all kinds of trails and try ever obstical. I am not gracefull when I ride so the componets reflect my inabilities more than my abilities. After 17 years of mountian biking and near to 50 years of age I enjoy coming to the parking lot with a smile and no pain in my body except from the crashes. this bike smoothes the roughest trail and bailes me out of stuff over my head. I'm now running a 100mm marzocchi mxr, great balance to the romic, I've had both a fox fork (vanila rl) and manitu xvert air. the marzocchi's the ticket. last words : get one if you can.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, MD, Date Reviewed: October 15, 2002
santa cruz superlight, fisher sugar, specialized fsr, intense uzzi sl.
Bike Setup:
Manitou black elite 120 mm, full xtr, king headset, answer carbon bars and seatpost, answer stem. xtr hubs laced to mavic rims, dt spokes
Bottom Line:
Best xc fs bike I have ridden, suspension is active enough to be effective on the downhills, but not so effective you can't climb with it. ellsworth recomends 100mm or 80mm fork, i find that an 80 mm fork is unbalanced with the rear suspension. 100mm would be good, but I am riding a medium and I am 6 feet tall, right in between sizes so the 100mm fork makes the front sit too low. I could fix this with a stem that has some rise, but I found that 120 mm fork is my best option. It could also be that my other bike is a dh bike with a dual crown fork with 7 inches of travel, so I am more comfortable with a bike that sits up higher. The ride of the bike is excellent and extremely comfortable. The bike handles great in the single track and is pretty stable on high speed down hills. It climbs like a goat. Well a goat with 4 inches of travel, which is to say that a bike with less travel climbs a little better, but you pay for it on the downhill. Ellsworth hit the mark with a perfect balance of uphill and downhill abilities. The bike is just fun to ride. superlight and nimble.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Jones
a Weekend Warrior
from Scottsdale, AZ, USA Date Reviewed: January 4, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Windy Gap, GA
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Mail Order Headache
Strengths:
Beefy! The rectangular shaped chain and seat stays offer super stiffness. Stand-over on the front triangle is perfect on my medium. I have thrashed this bike from North Georgia to Arizona for almost 3 years and only now is the rear starting to loosen. Time to service the pivots. I have raced this bike DH and sprint with the CC guys on weekends and it offers the best of both worlds. The bike is just amazing! When I first opened the box I sat in the garage for an hour just smiling at it. The paint job was exceptional before I hopped on the saddle.
Weaknesses:
The welds are very beefy, though not as attractive as the ones on my litespeed ht.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz, Rocky Mtn Pipeline
Bike Setup:
Z1 DropOff; Romic(awesome, durable suspension combo); Race Face cranks, bb, rings, stem, low riser, post; XT brakes, rapid fire, hubs, rear derailer; XTR front derailer; Tioga DH saddle (like a loaf o' bread); Mavic 521 DH rims; WTB Motoraptor 2.4 tires. This setup provides me with one durable ride that offers beeeeg fun whether I am playing on drops or spinning.
Bottom Line:
I still love this ride which I originally purchased in '99. My riding style is jekyl/hyde and this bike satisfies both. I would like to hop on one of the new ID's w/ 5 inches in the rear, but I digress. I have punished this bike in DH races and practice. The first rear shock (Statos Helix Pro) could not keep up. The Romic has stood tall for 6 months now and the Z1 is the bottom line. I have placed a lot of $ in this ride no doubt, though it does not collect dust and is still delivering the buzz and that is the Truth!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James Dover
a Racer
from Temecula Date Reviewed: January 4, 2002
Favorite Trail:
San Juan
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Ellsworth
Strengths:
Light weight. When I weighed this puppy it was an astounding 21.6 pounds. I switched the pedals to bebops and think it might actually be 21.3 pounds now.
Bike Setup:
See the review below.
Bottom Line:
I've ridden is quite a few times on my favorite trail and it works great. Still experimenting with air pressure in the shock and forks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim Dover
a Racer
from Temecula Date Reviewed: December 10, 2001
SID Race Carbon fork, FSA Carbon pro cranks, Hadley BB, King ti bottle cage, CatEye Tomo XC computer, Ritchey WCS bars, stem, headset, seatpost, SRAM Rocket shifters, Paul's levers, Avid Ti brakes, Hugi 240/Mavic 517/Revolution wheelset, XTR derailleurs, XTR cassette, Specialized Rockster S-Works tires, no name tubes, Flite TT (165g) seat, Dura Ace chain, Specialized Team Ti pedals, Rithcey rim tape.
Bottom Line:
First of all I have to admit that I am a member of the Ellsworth/Mazda Race Team, so you can discount my opinions as biased if you want--but this is a no BS review. For all of you weight weenies out there (I count myself among you) the 2002 Truth frame (medium), with Fox Float RL shock, weighs 5.3 pounds on a digital scale at Fed Ex and at my LBS. The SID CARBON weighs 2.73 pounds which is pretty close to what they advertise (2.68) so I'm pretty confident in the frame weight. I haven't weighed the whole bike yet, but I'm guessing just under 23 pounds. I rode it for the first time on Saturday and it rides just like the one I rode to second place in the 24 hour World Solo Championships. It's hard to imagine going back to a hardtail again. I can feel the rear suspension working but it doesn't seem to rob any of my power to the wheel. The biggest advantage seems to be on flat, rocky or bumpy sections--you can put it in a big gear and not lose any power because the back end is soaking up the terrain. It definitely feels faster in those situations. So far, I love it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
J H
a
from SouthSalem, NY, USA Date Reviewed: November 14, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
High Quality, Responsive Customer Service Light Weight, Superb Design
Weaknesses:
$$$$$$$$$$$$$ thin tubes? (then again, you want light weight or drop-off capability? -- if the latter, get the ID)
Similar Products Used:
Dean, Ventana Fuego, Stumpy hardtail
Bike Setup:
Float R, SID xc, XTR, King HS & HUBS, etc.
Bottom Line:
the bike rocks! goes where you point it, stays on line, accelerates when you mash 'em, absorbs the bumpy stuff (yes, it is active under braking!). . . AND to the guy with the previous lame-O review ... I OWN THE BIKE!) FIVE BIG ONES, BABY!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim Eshelman
a Cross Country Rider
from Cary, N.C. Date Reviewed: October 26, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1850.00
Strengths:
gREAT ANO FINISH, AD-12 IS GREAT, CLIMBS LIKE A CHAMP
Weaknesses:
NONE
Similar Products Used:
SPECIALIZED FSR, KLEIN ADEPT
Bike Setup:
CROSSMAX TUBELESS, NEXT LP, WHITE BROS AT-4, XTR REAR DER, XT FRONT DER, AVID MAG BRAKES
Bottom Line:
THIS IS AN AWESOME RIDE. I DID QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH BEFORE I PURCHASED THIS FRAME AND I EMAILED AND PHONED ELLSWORTH WITH A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS AS WELL. EACH TIME THEY EMAILED A RESPONSE WITHIN 24 HRS AND WHEN I PHONED, THEY WERE MORE THAN WILLING TO LISTEN TO MY QUESTIONS AND GIVE ME ANSWERS. I WEIGH 250 LBS SO I AM STILL BREAKING IN THE FRAME SLOWLY. SO FAR SO GOOD. IF I ENCOUNTER ANY PROBS, I WILL LET YOU KNOW. PRICE IS HIGH, BUT YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Kerby
a Weekend Warrior
from Castro Valley, CA Date Reviewed: September 27, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Coyote Hills
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Movin On Cyclery
Strengths:
Everything. Excellent craftsmanship, welds. Love the AD12. It climbs and turns, and accellerates better than anything I've ever ridden. Great color. (the blue one)
Weaknesses:
None found yet..
Similar Products Used:
Proflex Beast, Mongoose.
Bike Setup:
Shimano XT, XTR drivetrain. Shimano Deore Hydralic discs. Carbon fiber Handlebar and seat post. MTB speed V seat, XT shifters, Panaracer XCpro tires.
Bottom Line:
Am completely jazzed about this bike. Makes me want to ride every day, all day. A complete blast..Very satisfying passing other riders going uphill working half as hard as they are.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sponge
a Cross Country Rider
from N. New Jersey Date Reviewed: July 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Ramapo State Forest and area
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Climbs great. Pedaling effort goes directly to the rear wheel. Anodized finish.
Weaknesses:
Frame quality, specifically welds. Very sloppy and in some areas over welds cut into BB area
Similar Products Used:
My first full suspension. I thought I should go with the best?
Bike Setup:
Black '01 Elly with AD-12, Monkeylite,XT/XTR, Mavericks, Avid Mags with DKG Booster rear, X-Vert, Thomson. Not too light or heavy
Bottom Line:
I did a ton of research and rode many dual suspensions before I decided on the Elly. I was impressed by Ellsworth's customer service vis a vis answering questions before the purchase. And I called a lot. I recieved the frame and built it up with existing parts from my hardtail and new, higher quality parts. I noticed how poor the welds were. Not dangerous, but crooked and all over the place. Is this what I paid major bucks for? I was contacted and asked how I liked it and I mentioned about the welds, and was basically dismissed. I e-mailed the company, and was told that I could return it for a 'pretty' bike, but I would have to pay shipping and wait 3-4 weeks for the next shipment. I also would have a good experience because the bike would love me for keeping it. WHAT?! It shouldn't have even gotten out of the assembly building. Well, I already had to much time in building it up, and didn't want to be without a ride for a month, so I swallowed hard and kept it. I didn't feel like I was experiencing the great customer service that should go along with a bike like this. As far as it's performance on the trails, it DOES amazing things. The power transfer is truely fantastic. When pedaling effectly, there's barely a bob. There's no reason to get a lock out. The AD-12 is fantastic. However, there is too much flex in the rear for this ex hardtail rider. Maybe it was because the rear bearings had to be torqued to spec after I received it. I've now been riding it now for about 1/2 a year, and its been a joy to ride and do things I couldn't beforehand. Only 3 chilis because of the lack of craftsmanship and quality control on a frame this expensive, and four on the overall because the frame/bike does perform well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Racer
from Denver, CO, USA Date Reviewed: July 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Horse thief loop fruita
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2.00
Purchased At:
Singletrack factory
Strengths:
Turns on a dime! Active suspension under braking. Plush! lateral stiff; CLIMBS BETTER THAN ANY FS BIKE!!!
Weaknesses:
Small frame top tube is rather short...even for a small. No custom sizes!! for this kind of cash add more sizes!!!! COST = many 3rd world countries debt!! sketchy on downhill; 1st frames sent back b/c of quality issues!
Similar Products Used:
intense tracer, SL; titus switchblade, santa cruz SL and bullit
Bike Setup:
Not too light but not too heavy! Real world trail durable
Bottom Line:
Let me start by saying that I have truly loved this bike so far.
Here are some great points:
1. lightweight 2. better handling at slow speeds than any bike I have owned! 3. very active suspension even under hard braking!! not an easy feat for FS bikes. 4 rigid laterally! 5. very plush!! very much on the active side of FS bikes...very nice. Will blow away any other bike over the rough stuff
BEST CLIMBING FS BIKE EVER!! I can't emphasize that enough.
Here are some not so great points:
1. quality of first frame sucked!! was sent back to Ellsworth...they in turn sent out a new frame of much better quality but no "sorry for the mistake" compensation...for 2K a frame I would expect some kind of compensation i.e. jersey, skewers...hell a sticker!..instead nothing! 2. It may be me but the bike descends a little sketchy...I am considered by all my friends as the "downhill man" but so far on this bike I feel slightly off balance on the fast stuff. Again it may be me since I have not been riding much lately due to the bike being built up. The top tube is shorter than my last bike therefore that may be the issue.
3rd (not really an issue with Ellsworth but rather the Singletrack factory) I have been one of their strongest advocates...many referrals, etc. Unfortunately, this bike build was met with lots of "attitude". Sorry guys at the singletrack but boy did you lose a customer. I can't find myself buying at the "local bike shop" again. I felt like I was an inconvenince to them and hell I was the customer with a 2K frame!!! Anyway, I hope they make amends but only time will tell....
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Anne
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange County, CA Date Reviewed: July 3, 2001
Favorite Trail:
San Juan Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4068.00
Purchased At:
The Path/ Tustin, CA
Strengths:
Annodized frame looks awesome with laser etching---no peeling stickers! Romic coil shock works like a dream. Lightweight frame, although not as light as advertised.
Weaknesses:
Expensive. Standover height for a small frame is supposed to be 27", with the Romic shock it's 31". At 5'5", I have ZERO standover clearance. Although, I would still purchase the Romic shock if I could do it all over again.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Superlight, Intense Tracer and Uzzi, Specialized FSR
Bike Setup:
Hayes disk, King hubs & headset, Mavic 317 Wheels, Monkey Lite Bar, XT & XTR components, X-Vert Super fork, Romic shock
Bottom Line:
I really do love this bike. I'm having a little trouble with the fork, it feels very stiff & the steering feels sketchy. I may need lighter springs. The Romic shock is worth the extra $100. They are coming out with a Ti spring in August that will reduce the weight by 10 oz. My bike built up is 27.6 lbs. A little heavier than I had expected, especially since it's 3.6 lbs more than my last bike. The first day it felt a little sluggish on the climbs, but only due to the extra weight, not pedal "bob". This bike is much more plush than the Superlight and lighter than the Intense bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sean Gilligan
a Racer
from Keystone, CO USA Date Reviewed: April 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Chutes and Ladders in Fruita
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
A Racers Edge
Strengths:
It climbs well. As well as my old Titus Racer X, which was custom ti. The cockpit is short and makes this the BEST turning bike I have ever ridden. The bike decends similar to a downhill bike. It is light and looks sick too. On a flat, bumpy single track, this bike will smoke every other bike out there.
Weaknesses:
Nope.
Similar Products Used:
Titus Racer X custom ti. Specialized S Works.
Bike Setup:
Manitou Mars, not the elite its heavier. Race face cranks. XTR shifting. Avid Braking. bla bla bla. set up well
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that this is the best bike I have ever ridden. I have ridden most every cross-country full suspension and hardtails made and this is the best one. I love it to death and it was more than worth every penny. Buy this bike if you want the best and are willing to pay for it. Buy this bike if you want to win the race on the climbs but add to your lead on the decents. Do not buy this bike becuase it has sick writing on the stickers.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John Pollock
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ Date Reviewed: February 2, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Monarch Crest Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4700.00
Purchased At:
Ellsworth
Strengths:
It climbs like a banshee, descends like a rocket, floats over rocks, and maneuvers around them like a ballerina. Over rough terrain, it feels like a rigid frame on a smooth surface.
Weaknesses:
Haven't found any.
Similar Products Used:
Moots YBB, Cannondale Raven
Bike Setup:
Stratus AR-1, Manitou Xvert Air, XTR derailleurs and shifters, Avid brakes, Race Face Turbine LIght crank and Race Face Isis bottom bracket.
Bottom Line:
I'm in love. I feel like I lost twenty pounds and ten years. I cannot believe how it climbs, descends, and maneuvers over the incredibly rocky terrain with which we are blessed in southern Arizona. I find myself climbing two gears higher than I did on my Moots, and the control I have over the bike on gnarly descents amazes me. On a flat twisty single track I can practically wish it around corners.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont Date Reviewed: January 6, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Toads
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Movin On Cyclery
Strengths:
Light , nice quality , finish is stunning , and lifetime warranty - very immportant for such an expensive frame . Full sealed bearings on all pivots eliminate creaks and provide butter smooth travel .
Weaknesses:
A bit heavier than claimed 4.9 lbs. and costs an arm and a leg .
Similar Products Used:
Intense Tracer , Santa Cruz Superlight , Specialized FSR , Schwinn 4 Banger , Cannondale Raven , and many hardtails .
Bike Setup:
Mars fork 80 mm, King hubs and headset , Next cranks , Philwood Ti bottom bracket , XTR 9 speed drivetrain , Monkey bars , Titec Ti stem , WTB pedals , 517 rims with revolution spokes , and Paul Motolight brakes . 23.5 lbs.
Bottom Line:
I cannot believe the lame riders that say this thing does not turn - they must have a 4' fork or just plane can't ride. I have been comparing this bike back to back against my Tracer for the last month and here is what I found out . The Truth smokes the Tracer on climbs and does everything the Tracer does on the dowhills which is great . It turns just fine when setup with an 80 mm fork and is extremly stable at high speeds . It shines under hard braking over rough stutter bumps and feels like it has more than 4 ' of travel . This bike eats up technical singletrack and bombs the fireroads - the ultimate cross country full suspender .
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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