Description:ICT™ Technology: 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 (jacking or bobbing) motions. ICT-equipped bikes such as the Dare, Truth, Id and Witness—are legendary for their rare combination of responsive performance and plush suspension that can be found nowhere else. All ICT-equipped bikes feature 12mm pivot axles and oversized bearings for superior pivot stability and lateral stiffness under power. Our commitment to raising the limits of suspension technology, innovation and performance.
Submitted by
Docklobster
a Cross Country Rider
from Murrieta, CA, USA Date Reviewed: June 17, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Strengths:
Strong climbing bike, plush descender, effecient pretty much sums it up!
Weaknesses:
None so far...
Similar Products Used:
Intense spider 29, Ellsworth Truth
Bike Setup:
XTR, Race Face Cranks, Salsa flatbar, Spinergy Xyclone disc, Avid BB7's, thompson X4 stem (90mm) and seatpost, king headset (of course).
Bottom Line:
I demoed the Ellsworth and the Intense 29ers along with some other research prior to deciding on the Evolve. Being 6' tall I debated over the Medium or Large frame and had a number of different opinions on both. I demoed the Medium but ultimately went with the large frame, which I am very happy with right now. I didn't like the amount of seat tube sticking out on the medium and I am a little long in the inseam and a bit shorter in the torso, so I set this up with a shorter stem and flat handlebar that sweeps back a little. Orignially I flipped the stem and moved the seat forward but this felt shifted too much forward and I didn't need the weight up front with the 29er setup. I put the 5 degree stem back to normal and moved the seat back and now it feels perfect.
Great ascending bike, strong on the descents as well. I need to work on my switchbacks a bit as I cannot move this around as quickly as my old 26er on the turns yet, but that is more the rider than the bike.
Overall this is a perfect setup for me and my lap times have dropped!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jay
a Cross Country Rider
from surprise, AZ Date Reviewed: April 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
porcipine rim, MOAB
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3150.00
Purchased At:
Slippery Pig
Strengths:
Amazing climber, Quick steering, smoooooth over everything!!
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Demoed Gary Fisher HighFi deluxe
Bike Setup:
Reba, XT,
Bottom Line:
It's an Ellsworth!! Amazing quality build as well as ride quality. I can not beleive how well it climbs and how smooth it is!
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Submitted by
Preachinmachine
a Cross Country Rider
from Texarkana, AR Date Reviewed: February 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Camp Preston Hunt - Texarkana, AR
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3400.00
Purchased At:
WebCyclery
Strengths:
FAST!! Climbs and descends well. Looks. Typical Ellsworth handcrafted quality and standard setting ICT suspension.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
I've had several Ellsworth Moments & Specialized S-Works Stumpjumpers (including Carbon frame), Ellsworth Epiphany, Cannondale Prophet 2000, and others but this is the first 29er.
Bike Setup:
Reba Race Fork, C29SSMAX wheelset, SRAM, etc. (still in the upgrading stages - bought it as a complete bike that had been on a few demo rides.
Bottom Line:
I have owned some of the finest mountain bikes made, but this was my first step into the world of 29ers. I don't think I will be going back. The Evolve is everything and more than I could have expected. It's much faster and requires less energy than the standard 26" wheels. Also, one very pleasant surprise is the fit. The geometry of this bike is spot on. What is there not to like?? If you are on the borderline, take it from me...Get a 29er, get an Evolve. I just built up a beautiful Moment about 2 months ago that is now on the market. Don't get me wrong. There are places that the Moment or a comparable bike would be better, I'm sure. (If you like big air and letting it all hang out). But if you love singletrack and speed, this can't be beat.
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Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from Laguna Beach Date Reviewed: December 18, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Laguna/Aliso wilderness singletrack
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$6100.00
Purchased At:
The Path bike shop
Strengths:
Superbly smooth ride and linear tracking in every terrain thus far experienced. Climbs proficiently decends with uncanny stability.
Weaknesses:
Produces a sense of confidence and invulnerability that can, in theory, get you in trouble. This can also be viewed as a strength. Very long wait (5 months) to get frame once ordered from the factory.
Similar Products Used:
Niner, Turner Sultan
Bike Setup:
Sram X-0 rear, XTR front, Chris King hubs/headset, XTR cranks/pedals, Bontrager wheels, Turner stem, Salsa bars, Maxxis tires, Formula oro-puro 8"F/7"R brakes
Bottom Line:
After years on a Moots YBB and at 6' 5" the rise of the 29" format caught my skeptical eye. Riding demos of this format at Interbike made me a convert. The Evolve was clearly my prefered version of the 29" format. I ordered one. Nearly six months later (no fault of the bike shop) I took posession of a 27.8 lb XL. Now after 3 months riding my family and friends are tiring of having to hear me say over and over "I love my bike". I ride longer, faster and more agressively, clear more technical terrain, experience less fatigue and have more fun than I've had in years. The only thing this bike does less well than my old 26" is feel crisp in maximum effort acceleration. But the laws of physics cannot be overcome. If you are a serious rider who enjoys long rides over challenging singletrack, technical climbs and descents or perhaps dabble in 24 hour racing, are willing to spend asignificant amount of money and are over 6 ft tall then this bike should be on your short list.
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Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Nederland, CO Date Reviewed: November 5, 2007
Favorite Trail:
West of West Mag
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3500.00
Purchased At:
Sports Garage
Strengths:
Impeccable Ellsworth engineering (dig the blue frame), flawless drivetrain, ideal suspension, climbs better than a 26", feels smaller than it is.
Weaknesses:
Takes some time to figure out how to handle the longer dimensions, Avid Juicys make me miss my XT disks, same gears with bigger tires leaves granny at home with the 26".
Similar Products Used:
Have Rocky ETS-X70 and Klein Mantra Comp but virgin on the 29'er.
Bike Setup:
Reba, Fox Float, SRAM, Avid Juicy disks, Oury bolt ons, Kore saddle and post, Easton bars and stem, XTR pedals, Mavics, Cane Creek headset, Ringle hubs, WTBs.
Bottom Line:
Once this thing gets rolling, it hauls over everything, carving perfect turns through rocks, roots, whatever. Feels like a 26" through the twistys until you overshoot a few turns and realize how long it is (maybe because you're going faster than ever before). Granny is 10% lower than on a 26" due to larger wheels so you'll get in better shape climbing, but fortunately the geometry makes it seem like you can clean anything. Once you're dialed in, there's no turning back, this is an amazing ride. One fine piece of equipment.
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Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, Oregon Date Reviewed: May 14, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Pioneer Bridal Trail (Mt. Hood)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$5000.00
Purchased At:
Fat Tire Farm
Strengths:
Bike literally eats rocks. Tracks nicely, well balanced at speed and slows. Confidence inspiring Geometry. Cool paint job. Suspesnion system is superb. Climbs nicely, with great traction from longer contact patch. Tackles tight swithbacks fine.
Weaknesses:
Design of down tube in first edition causes hit of Fork (Rock Shox Reba) when turned 90 degrees. They know about the flaw and next edition will be redesigned to avoid this problem. Height of bike requires difficult step to remount. Problem of all 29ers. Sizing is off. I'm 6'1/4" and feel great on a Medium. A Large would be a very big frame. A bit pricey, but worth it. I really think they have a better mouse trap here. Outstanding craftsmanship.
Similar Products Used:
No other 29ers ridden.
Bike Setup:
Rock Shox Reba, Shimano XTR front Der. Sram X-9 Shifters and rear der. Avid Juicy Carbon brakes. Thompson Elite seat post and stem. Salsa wheels. XTR pedals. Maxxis Ignitors 29 x 2.1
Bottom Line:
Wait a few months for the updated version w/o the fork clearance issue, and get this bike! Especially if you are a Cross Country rider looking for an all day bike that can be raced, or toured on. I still cannot get the smile off my face when I bomb through the rocky gnarly stuff, that used to freak me out on my 26" HT.
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Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA Date Reviewed: January 18, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Lawndale, Solstice, Split Rock
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Bike descends exceptionally well, with the rear absorbing small to medium hits the best, thanks to the 4" of travel and the robust 29" wheels. Excels at uphill switchbacks with minimal toe rub and felt much better to sit and spin up climbs. Anodized paint job really sticks out on the bike, Ellsworth has always produced great looking frames. Big rear swing arm, keeps the bike stiff! Wheels track well and there is a good amount of tire clearance. Rider position felt very central, not to far forward in the cockpit.
Weaknesses:
Minimal amount of bob when climbing out of the saddle. Anodized paint job might not be for everyone, think the Evolve might be offered in one complete basic color. Felt heavier than other 29ers tested, but no gram counter here! Expensive compared to similar bikes, but not much of a difference.
Ellsworth Evolve is an incredible fast descending 29er bike. ICT suspension system soaks up all the small and medium hits and carves single track nicely. Found myself tackling uphills and switchbacks with much more speed and confidence. Bike suits my style of "sitting and spinning". Of all the 29er bikes ridden and tested this one was on the top.
$
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