Instant Center Tracking is internationally patented and quantifiably the most energy-efficient suspension design in the world, period. Internationally acclaimed, ICT four-bar linkage technology provides up to 100% pedal power efficiency by aligning the instant center of the linkage on the chain torque line and continually tracking it throughout the range of travel. What does that mean in layman’s terms? It means ICT allows pedal power to propel the rider forward without power loss, effectively avoiding the common suspension design flaw that divides pedal inputs into a wasteful combination of forward and vertical motions.
Submitted by
vegasshooter
a Weekend Warrior
from Las Vegas, NV, USA Date Reviewed: November 15, 2009
Favorite Trail:
In and around Blue Diamond
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
EBay
Strengths:
ICT tracking, this is no hype, it really works amazingly.
Strength,smoothness, reliable,no hassle trail ninja sword bike
Weaknesses:
nothin,zip, nada
Similar Products Used:
Never ridden nothin like this.
Bike Setup:
the most expensive components you can buy went on this bike. Nothing was sparred
Bottom Line:
If You can afford it, this will be the best bike you will ever ride PEROID! I now know why Ellsworth riders say "Those who know ride". That is so true.
The KONA's felt like i was riding an old beat up chevy with 10 kids in the back. The Rouge would be like what it is probably like to drive a Lamborgini. (sp)
is you can get one. You can always use the "life is too short to not to" reason.
OH THE WASTED YEARS!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
calvinstoney
a Weekend Warrior
from Williamsburg, VA Date Reviewed: September 15, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Freedom Park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
I love the versatility of this bike. I just switch out springs and change from Freeride/All Mountain to Downhill in a few minutes. Just put the 2010 Boxxer on last weekend before the downhill race and this bike loves the tall front end. I had to increase the rear spring to take the extra air it was giving me.
Weaknesses:
Rear end is a little flexy. I notice it when I'm in the real rocky sections on the downhill runs. Sometimes feels like the rear tire is flat.
Similar Products Used:
Ellsworth Moment, Santa Cruz Nomad
Bike Setup:
Pink Rogue, Boxxer Race/Marzocchi 66, Answer pro taper bars/ high rise, Azonic Stem, Cane creek S-3 +5mm, SLX 22/36 crank, 991 chain, 990 rear cassette, 4 inch gravity dropper/azonic 300mm, THE saddle, Hope Pro 2's with Mavic 721s. Prowler MX rear 2.35, Wierwolf 2.5 front/ 2.7 Blue grove on gravity days.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that this bike does everything well, but is not an expert anything. It will climb with most, and you can ride it all day with some pro-pedal turned on. The next day you can soften things up jump on the shuttle. If you decide to lower the travel with a shorter shock, just be prepared to hit the pedals some. You will take an inch of the bottom bracket hieght in the process. Keep the 180mm minimum on this bike up front, the head tube angle doesn't work well with 165 or less. This is the only bike I own and I ride All-mountain and raced downhill last weekend!! Best all around machine made!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CalmKyd
a Weekend Warrior
from Baltimore, MD Date Reviewed: September 11, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Patapsco
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Quality construction and super plush. Has survived some spectacular crashes with no issues. Made in the USA.
Weaknesses:
None so far. Took a little getting used to the large rockers (leg interference), but no longer an issue.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Stinky (rental)
Bike Setup:
Rock Shox Totem coil, Fox DHX 5.0 coil shock, TBC Revolution 32 wheels, Avid Juicy brakes, Race Face Evolve cranks/handlebar, eThirteen chainguide, SRAM X.7 rear derailleur/shifter, Chris King headset, Maxxis Minion DH front tire, Kenda Nevegal DH rear tire
Bottom Line:
Used and abused at Snowshoe WV and Seven Springs PA. Not a lot of experience riding real downhill, but the Rogue has handled everything I put it through. 7" of travel up front and 8" in back are seemingly endless. I'm amazed at how well it eats up the rough stuff. Makes me want to try stuff beyond my abilities just to let the bike do what it was designed for. The bike has suffered some pretty awesome crashes and came through with only a few scratches. Also survived some pretty terrible weather conditions with no effects on pivots/bearings. Value is highest because I got a newly replaced front triangle with original rockers/stays for $1300. Overall is highest because I've beaten the crap out of this bike in a short period of time and it is still riding great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
locoriggs
a Downhiller
from Gilbert, AZ Date Reviewed: June 4, 2009
Favorite Trail:
National Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1850.00
Purchased At:
R Bikes.com
Strengths:
Lightweight, beautiful welds and color(pink), pedals very well, climbs up everything(even with it being a 9 speed with a 34T), strong and plush.
Weaknesses:
At first my calves bumped into the large rear rockers but after riding it for a few weeks is not an issue.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Coilair, Foes, Titus, Kona Stinky
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi 66 RC3, XT, Industry Nine, Stans Flow, Gravity Dropper
Bottom Line:
A sick bike that I ride everywhere from a cross country 20 milers to the top of my favorite downhill trail. Pedals great, is plush and fast as hell. This is a great all around bike that i like better than my other bikes for all types of terrain.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nitznap
a Weekend Warrior
from Israel Date Reviewed: December 18, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Shokef
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Purchased At:
Rosen & Meents
Strengths:
- Excellent angles for all kinds of riding styles. Has a 67° head tube that lets u do the downhill trails with no problems and freeride like a psycho.
- High BB for the technical trails lets u keep going without smashing your bash ring on rock all the way. (Though this is a weakness for DH).
- Long wheel base makes the bike feel really stable all the time, a bit worring on the tight corners but with a single crown fork u'll have no problems.
- Fully active suspention under braking and pedaling, works great! the suspention soaks up the big and the small with no problems.
- ICT... what can u say, many sat on my bike, and all said the same thing, that the suspention is amazingly active and the pedaling efficent is superb!
- Full length seat tube, soooo important for those who like even a bit of climbing.
- Pretty light frame considering its 8" of travel
Weaknesses:
Still no problems after 2 years. never had to close any screws. All the parts around the frame are collapsing Though :)
Similar Products Used:
Kone Coiler (owned), Jamis Parker (own). Did a ride on: Mongoose EC-D, Mongoose Black Diamond, I-Drive 7 and more
Bike Setup:
Rock Shox Totem Solo Air 2008, Fox DHX-5 Coil, Magura Louise FR 2008, Mavic 729 on Ringle Lawhill hubs, Maxxis minion 2 Ply 2.5 rear, Kenda Nevegal 2.5 Sticky-E front, Race Face Evlove stem, Truvativ Husfeller Handle Bar, Race Face Diablous Headset, Shimano Hone crank set with E-13 double ring chain guide...
Bottom Line:
This is an update on my review from almost a year and a half ago
A few notes, don't do my mistake, put atleast 180mm on the front. switching from the Talas to the Totem was unbelivble, its like a whole new bike.
This frame is absolutly amazing...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nitzan Papir
a Downhiller
from Israel Date Reviewed: September 27, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Shokef
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$4500.00
Purchased At:
Rosen&meents and more
Strengths:
this bike has sick angles, gives u massive clearance from the top tube. i'm 1.80m and i got the S size, its excellent for me cause this bike is long as hell. very stable, has great cornering, the ICT is a very active suspension, just like the specilzied FSR but still have a great pedaling abilities. I can do climbs that i could never do with my 6"er. its way lighter then anything else with a 8" travel.
Weaknesses:
when u get used to those inactive suspensions other bikes have, when u try to pull on the bars on this 1 it is so plush it just soaks what u do, so it takes time to get used to it.
Similar Products Used:
Coiler, Eric Carter DH, Black Diamond, iDrive 7.
Bike Setup:
Fox 36 Talas, DHX-5 Coil, Magura Luise FR 2007, Mavic 729, Hutchinson octopus 2.5, Race Face Evlove stem and handle bar, Race Face diablous Headset, sun ringle hubs.
Bottom Line:
this bike is excellent for so many riding styles, all depends on how u set it up. i got it with light yet strong components so i can climb and decend without worring. its good from agressive AM to massive hard DH.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick
a Weekend Warrior
from Bristol, UK Date Reviewed: July 19, 2007
Favorite Trail:
The Wall, Afan
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Freeborn
Strengths:
Light, different but fast geometry, 4-bar suspension, DHX5, cool anodizing.
Weaknesses:
Crap rear axle, got an alloy 150mm Orange axle machined down to replace the hardware store bolt.
Similar Products Used:
Azonic/Orange XC and downhill models
Bike Setup:
2005 888's with Mojo 999R cart, Chris King, Siant cranks, Hope M4's, XO mech & shifters, D321/Bulb wheels, Thompson post, Bel Air saddle.
Bottom Line:
As I pile down the trails I keep considering building a full downhill spec Rogue but can't make my mind up as the head angle is a little steep and the frame very very light. Fast, techncial trails, Cwmcarn DH, Mountain Ash, normal XC type type trails like Afan etc are perfect for this bike. Mine is 38Ib and riders superbly in most situations, including the slog back up. Well balanced geometry, stiff despite the light weight, wicked fast on the tight technical stuff. The bike only really struggles on rock gardens and really harsh roots. For the price, the brand, the warranty and the function the Rogue is offers best value to the hard XC/Freeride/Light DH market in 2007.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Drew Earle
a Downhiller
from Fallbrook, San Deigo, USA Date Reviewed: June 17, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Whistler, BC
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2250.00
Purchased At:
Beyond Bikes
Strengths:
8 inches of travel, really stiff, smoothe, smoke anodize is sick
Weaknesses:
not much
Similar Products Used:
RMX, Demo 8,
Bike Setup:
Manitou travis, Fox DHX, Race Face Evolve, Avid Code, Mavic wheelset, Syncros stem/bars...
Bottom Line:
The rouge is stronge stiff and an all around nice bike...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jamie Roberts
a Racer
from Auckland, New Zealand Date Reviewed: June 16, 2007
Favorite Trail:
billy t, Whakarewera, Rotorua
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Bikesmith
Strengths:
Light, fast and stable in the air. Really stiff and pedals well. Very tidy anodised smoke finish. Did I mention the plushness?
Weaknesses:
Doesn't affect me at 5'11" but the small should be labled Medium as it has a 23" top tube. If the blue bottom out adjuster on the fox DHX is fully out, it very very slightly touches the frame on full bottom out. I've just taken the blue adjuster off.
Similar Products Used:
Orange 223, Foes Fly, Scott high octane, Giant Glory, Ellsworth Dare
Bike Setup:
888 SL ATA, stans freeride-hope-DTrevolution tubeless wheels, Avid codes and Race Face diabolus finishing kit
Bottom Line:
This thing loves to fly. It took me a few rides to learn 4bar after so long on a single pivot, but now you can't keep it on the floor. Stable at speed and good on the turns, this bike is real fast. Mine only weighs 38lbs so pedals the flat bits easily. Good balanced bike but get the longest fork you can to slacken the angles.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Munich Date Reviewed: May 22, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
plush, plush, plush - awesome climbing and also FR abilities. great finish, very good craftmanship. attention to detail.
This bike is hell - always active on the trail and easy to climb, a great no nonsense trail weapon!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ron Burnham
a Downhiller
from Seattle, Wa Date Reviewed: April 9, 2007
Favorite Trail:
CBC
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$5500.00
Purchased At:
Richards Bikes
Strengths:
Light and efficient, climbs and decends incredibly well. Great craftmanship. Geometry is spot on. The "smoke" frame is beautiful.
Weaknesses:
It seems too light to be used as a "big hit" bike. I probably won't take it off anything bigger than 4 or 5 feet.
Similar Products Used:
Is there one? If so I haven't ridden it.
Bike Setup:
8", Fox 40 RC2, DHX 5, SRAM XO, Juicy 7
Bottom Line:
I ride up as well as down and at 57, climbing was getting too slow with the Norco A-line I was riding. At 37#, the Rogue weighs about 1/3 less than the Norco but that is only half the equation. There is also with a big increase in efficiency. (Correspondingly, a big jump in the price, of course) This bike is light and fast. Pedals like my wifes 6" bike. Rode Fromme last weekend without dropping into the lowest gear ON THE BIG CHAINRING. Ok, ok, I'm an old man....don't want to hear from all you guys that pedal your downhill bikes to the top with a 40 tooth chainring.
If your family is willing to eat mac and cheese for a year, its a great way to go. Lightweight, quality, efficiency, beauty and the geometry is spot on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cameron
a Racer
from great falls, mt, US Date Reviewed: December 9, 2006
Favorite Trail:
everything
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Frame is super light for an 8" travel frame, pedals well, jumps well, excellent all around bike
Weaknesses:
It's a little tough making a rear hub work right.
Similar Products Used:
nomad, coiler, VP free, reign, big hit, scream
Bike Setup:
DHX Ti spring, Zoke 66SL fork, saint cranks, Chris king/Stans ZTR freeride wheels, Mag/Ti/Carbon hayes, Sram XO brakes, Under 33 lbs
Bottom Line:
This bike really does pedal with just about any 6" bike made and weighs about the same, but you get another two inches of travel. It pedals well enough that my Intense 5.5 stays home for all but the longest of cross country rides. I bought it for super agressive trail riding and some downhilling, and it works better than I could have imagined. It wouldn't be a good bike for downhill racing because of the head tube angle. But for all other forms of agressive riding that 6" of travel just isn't enough, it works great. Bottom line, If you don't have one- BUY ONE, you will not regret it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ade Bennett
a Downhiller
from Manchester Date Reviewed: November 4, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1360.00
Purchased At:
Freeborn
Strengths:
Stunning design that does actually work. Suspension is active in all situations, including braking. Frame is light for the travel, standover clearance is great (mind you I am 6'3"). Great frame for a taller rider - long top tube won't suit everyone, but I find it perfect. Pedals long slog to tops of trails very well, and does climb techy stuff pretty good too.
Weaknesses:
Would like a lighter rear bolt-through bolt/ axle. Had to find a VERY long seatpost (Thomson elite works superbly)
Similar Products Used:
Kona Coiler dee-lux, VP-Free, Intense-Uzzi + 6.6, SC-Nomad, Yeti-ASX
Awesome - really pleased I changed from my last bike (which I actually quite liked, but this is way ahead) Also, damn sight cheaper than the VP-Free/ Uzzi/ 6.6/ Nomad etc.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob Jacobs
a Downhiller
from London, UK Date Reviewed: September 18, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Aston Hill
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
From a friend
Strengths:
Simple yet very effective. Very little peddle bob and accelerates amazingly well. An all round great light use DH or strong FR frame. I use it as my DH bike and I love it, it's fast and nimble in the corners and takes the drops well. It also pedals XC between the DH bits surprisingly well.
Weaknesses:
Low BB height means the pedals hit the ground more than previous DH bikes.
Similar Products Used:
Dare, Joker, and many more.....
Bike Setup:
Rogue with Fox Shock and Ti spring. Stendec'd Dorado MRD X-Works, Deemax Wheels, Chris King Headset, Diabolous Cranks, V12 Mag pedals, Hope Mono 6 brakes, Carbon azonic bars etc etc.
Bottom Line:
An awesome bike, buy one. Strong and light all rounder.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Taylor
a Weekend Warrior
from Bristol Date Reviewed: March 12, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Pleney, Morzine
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Freeborn cycles
Strengths:
Utterly flawless finish and quality. Proven 4-bar back end. 8" of super plush travel. Light for a freerider (8.5lb claimed by importer, though i've not checked it). Love it or hate it the anodised finish is lighter and a lot more durable than powder coating. Downhill travel with pedalable geometry. Lower b/b than the Dare it replaces. Massively stiff rear with 12mm bolt through. Full travel seat post, fox dhx5. Do i need to go on It's an Ellsworth!!!!!, oh and the warranty! 2 years no quibble! (good to see a boutique brand backing their product)
Weaknesses:
I'm struggling!!!! O.k they USED to be expensive in the U.K. Not any more, i think the Rogue is probably cheaper here than in the States. (Thats got to be a first)
Similar Products Used:
RM7, Bullit, Shockwave 9.5,
Bike Setup:
888rc2x, race face cranks, bulb hubs, magura louiseFR brakes, e13 srs, sram x9 shifter and mech, 34t ring on front (gets you up most stuff on a single ring). Basically proven D/H Freeride stuff
Bottom Line:
I looked at most stuff on the market VPFree, Uzzi VPX, Enduro SX, Performance came above price, and the Rogue in my opinion left everything else for dead. Just a massive bonus that it's £1250 in the u.k. Thats £50 more than an Enduro SX!!!!! Get real. This frame pedals SERIOUSLY well, i would quite happily ride it all day. If you want a frame which is a massive allrounder with a serious leaning towards gravitational assistance, this is it. Probably not slack enough as an out and out downhiller, but then you can ride this up as well. I like the fact that Ellsworth have stuck to and improved on their designs for years (i.e ICT). No gimmicks, just a suspension system that works on a totally sorted bike. I always felt that the Bullit was THE allrounder, the Rogue has just moved the bar several notches above the competition.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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