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$1,000 Ellsworth bicycle?

2106 Views 24 Replies 14 Participants Last post by osokolo, Jun 30, 2006

dejacky

Discussion Starter · Jun 27, 2006 (Edited)

I demo'd an ellsworth truth at a bike shop once and loved it. It felt very well balanced and robust. I do all kinds of daily and weekend riding, but no serious racing. I would like the bike to be able to handle some fun weekend downhills in Austin, Dallas, and east Texas areas and not break. My dilemma, is I have $1,000 to spend. Since I don't need the absolute lightest (most expensive components) I know the following:

Regular brakes instead of disc brakes
Shimano LX components should be fine for me
I don't need expesnive pedals or cranks
Suspension just needs to perform adequate, I don't need anything "racing spec" expensive, etc

Can someone help me with owning and/or configuring such a wonderful ellsworth bike with a $1,000 budget? I'm fine w/ buying older used models, but I'm slightly worried w/ recent reports of the pre-2004 ellsworth truth frames cracking

? I would greatly appreciate all of your help so I can fulfill my fantasy of owning my dream bike with my budget.

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

CharacterZero

· #2 · Jun 27, 2006

dejacky said:
I demo'd an ellsworth truth at a bike shop once and loved it. It felt very well balanced and robust. I do all kinds of daily and weekend riding, but no serious racing. I would like the bike to be able to handle some fun weekend downhills in Austin, Dallas, and east Texas areas and not break. My dilemma, is I have $1,000 to spend. Since I don't need the absolute lightest (most expensive components) I know the following:

Regular brakes instead of disc brakes
Shimano LX components should be fine for me
I don't need expesnive pedals or cranks
Suspension just needs to perform adequate, I don't need anything "racing spec" expensive, etc

Can someone help me with owning and/or configuring such a wonderful ellsworth bike with a $1,000 budget? I'm fine w/ buying older used models, but I'm slightly worried w/ recent reports of the pre-2004 ellsworth truth frames cracking ? I would greatly appreciate all of your help so I can fulfill my fantasy of owning my dream bike with my budget.

if you want an ELLS on a budget, this one looks good. great parts spec for the $$$.
http://austin.craigslist.org/bik/171926051.html
considering that the frames on the new lineup ar 2k+, you are in a used market. i will not comment on warranty issues, as i have no experience with them (or ells for that matter).
hit me up if you are in austin, should hopefully be on a bike within a month.

dejacky

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 27, 2006 (Edited)

I'm 5'11'' so this bike is probably too big for me, but aren't the Ellsworth Isis bikes peddal bobbing wenches? :skep: Don't the Ellsworth Isis also suffer from "brake jack?" (when hitting the brakes, the bike kinda jolts because of the suspension design) Or have persons discovered ideal shock and fork combos that eliminate pedal bod without using "lock out?"

hamachi

· #4 · Jun 27, 2006

a budget of $1k is quite a handicap...

CharacterZero

· #5 · Jun 28, 2006

dejacky said:
I'm 5'11'' so this bike is probably too big for me, but aren't the Ellsworth Isis bikes peddal bobbing wenches? :skep: Don't the Ellsworth Isis also suffer from "brake jack?" (when hitting the brakes, the bike kinda jolts because of the suspension design) Or have persons discovered ideal shock and fork combos that eliminate pedal bod without using "lock out?"

You didnt say NO Pedal Bobbing Wenches!

Pretty much met your listed requirements. I suggest saving your money - and ride another bike or two in the meantime.

Ratt

· #6 · Jun 28, 2006

dejacky said:
I demo'd an ellsworth truth at a bike shop once and loved it. It felt very well balanced and robust. I do all kinds of daily and weekend riding, but no serious racing. I would like the bike to be able to handle some fun weekend downhills in Austin, Dallas, and east Texas areas and not break. .......

Not knowing your weight, ability, and the trails around Texas could be tough call if this is the frame for you. Generally Ellsworth Truth + Downhill course = broken frame.

At your price point we are talking old frame or a well well used one, good luck.

SprocketHead

· #7 · Jun 28, 2006

dejacky said:
I demo'd an ellsworth truth at a bike shop once and loved it. It felt very well balanced and robust. I do all kinds of daily and weekend riding, but no serious racing. I would like the bike to be able to handle some fun weekend downhills in Austin, Dallas, and east Texas areas and not break. My dilemma, is I have $1,000 to spend. Since I don't need the absolute lightest (most expensive components) I know the following:

Regular brakes instead of disc brakes
Shimano LX components should be fine for me
I don't need expesnive pedals or cranks
Suspension just needs to perform adequate, I don't need anything "racing spec" expensive, etc

Can someone help me with owning and/or configuring such a wonderful ellsworth bike with a $1,000 budget? I'm fine w/ buying older used models, but I'm slightly worried w/ recent reports of the pre-2004 ellsworth truth frames cracking ? I would greatly appreciate all of your help so I can fulfill my fantasy of owning my dream bike with my budget.

D,

Cambria Bike and Beyond still has '05 Large frames for $1199. At 5'11", you're probably a medium but close to a large. Depends on your torso length how you like the bike to fit. I'm 6' and I prefer a smaller frame, but I could have easily fit in a large to.

lidarman

· #8 · Jun 28, 2006

$1000 budget on a botique bike. bahhhhhhhhhhhaahahaahaa...

"Got fencing?"

Lock cutters are prolly about $25.

For $1000 on a bike, see Giant or Ironhorse...

good luck.

osokolo

· #9 · Jun 28, 2006

exactly...

lidarman said:
$1000 budget on a botique bike. bahhhhhhhhhhhaahahaahaa...

"Got fencing?"

Lock cutters are prolly about $25.

For $1000 on a bike, see Giant or Ironhorse...

good luck.

not even funny...

dejacky

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 28, 2006

thank you for the input everyone!
I definitely don't want a broken frame, so I guess the Ellsworth Truth is out. Ironhorse bikes have been getting rave reviews. Which model and year do you all recommend since I can't afford an ellsworth truth and want something that won't break? (yes, i'm a medium sized frame btw..):thumbsup:

osokolo

· #11 · Jun 28, 2006

Wallmart has CCM sales

dejacky said:
thank you for the input everyone!
I definitely don't want a broken frame, so I guess the Ellsworth Truth is out. Ironhorse bikes have been getting rave reviews. Which model and year do you all recommend since I can't afford an ellsworth truth and want something that won't break? (yes, i'm a medium sized frame btw..):thumbsup:

every once in a while...

you seem like a good candidate to get one...

you can buy beer for the leftover money... :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Blue Shorts

· #12 · Jun 28, 2006 (Edited)

........... nm

osokolo

· #13 · Jun 28, 2006 (Edited)

........nm

deleted...

chad1433

· #14 · Jun 28, 2006 (Edited)

Maybe an Isis or Joker, which are very good bikes. They do suffer from brake jack, but it's manageable. They don't bob too bad as the high forward single pivot uses chain tension to eliminate that in certain gears.

Just get a shock with good compression damping and you won't be whining about the brake jack or bob at all. I didn't even have one and it didn't bother me.

That Isis looks like a good deal to me. Perhaps you could barter for $1000.

He could be legit, he could be a troll. Until then, why not give him the benefit of the doubt?

Why not this bike?

http://classifieds.mtbr.com/cgi-bin...ults_format=long&db_id=102612&query=retrieval

rmac

· #15 · Jun 28, 2006

osokolo said:
look at the number of his posts... you think he is legit?????

do you really think you could get a Turner or an Ellsworth or Titus or Ventana even used for $1000... and not the frame only - the WHOLE BIKE....

seriously - please do tell...

The original post does seem a little trollish. I think you guys are on the right track both 'opening the window' and taking it a little lightly.

biotruth

· #16 · Jun 29, 2006

hey dejacky,

i'll assume you are legit...

you should look for an old truth. the suspension is almost as good as a new one. i've been riding a 2000 truth for some years now, no problems.

the year to avoid is 2001. that was a redesign year and didn't fare too well. the 2002 was much improved, but it is unlikely you will find a 2002-2005 that cheap.

you may find someone unloading a 1998-2000 truth for a grand if you are lucky.

Tarbaby4Ever

· #17 · Jun 29, 2006

I would hit up Ebay,IF you are serious... you can get a Ellsworth Truth or Isis or Joker for a grand or even LESS I picked up a 2000 Truth for 900 USD with ALL xtr parts and a brand new black Thomson Elite post :eekster: Yes I am dead serious !!! I then grabbed a 2005 Turner RFX small frame in blue NIB,brand new for get this...... 720 !!!!!!!!!!! Both are in excellent condish !! it cost me 65 to have the truth delivered to me in a week and 2 weeks and 29 bucks to have the Turner frame delivered to my door as well ! Let me tell you,that Ebay can be a gold mine IF you are patient and have a the cash on hand for when those insanely great deals show up.just make sure to pay by CC with Paypal and NOT with your bank account.ALWAYS use your CC when dealing with Ebay purchases.

Tarbaby4Ever

· #18 · Jun 29, 2006

osokolo said:
look at the number of his posts... you think he is legit?????

do you really think you could get a Turner or an Ellsworth or Titus or Ventana even used for $1000... and not the frame only - the WHOLE BIKE....

seriously - please do tell...

Its beyond EASY oso,IF you know how to do a proper search and are very patient,and have the $$$ on hand when deals come along.Its a buyers market.I admit I was beyond lucky,but I also know how to spot a deal,and where to look.I have a friend who got a Turner Burner 2002 NIB frame for 450 usd (red,medium) just a few weeks ago on Ebay.A few days after this he won a auction for a Moots YBB 17" 2004 frame in near perfect condish with Cane Creek headset and Fox fork for 1200,delivered,the seller even threw in a front 2003 XTR derailler for free.I know of a few people that have come across a whole 2k + Turner Burner built up with mid to high end parts for less the 800 usd or less.Lowest I have seen this year,was 520 for a black medium 2002 Burner with LX/XT and a 2001 SID up front in truly excellent shape,heck the thing even had full XT disc brakes on it with an extra set of tires and tubes.

Tarbaby4Ever

· #19 · Jun 29, 2006

dejacky said:
I'm 5'11'' so this bike is probably too big for me, but aren't the Ellsworth Isis bikes peddal bobbing wenches? :skep: Don't the Ellsworth Isis also suffer from "brake jack?" (when hitting the brakes, the bike kinda jolts because of the suspension design) Or have persons discovered ideal shock and fork combos that eliminate pedal bod without using "lock out?"

That bike is probably just right,size wise... I am 5.11 and ride a medium 2000 Truth.I am mostly all legs and arms.it is supposed to measure out to 17.5 inches,and I feel ever so slightly cramped cockpit wise on mine.

bglimpse

· #20 · Jun 29, 2006

chad1433 said:
Maybe an Isis or Joker, which are very good bikes. They do suffer from brake jack, but it's manageable. They don't bob too bad as the high forward single pivot uses chain tension to eliminate that in certain gears.

Just get a shock with good compression damping and you won't be whining about the brake jack or bob at all. I didn't even have one and it didn't bother me.

That Isis looks like a good deal to me. Perhaps you could barter for $1000.

He could be legit, he could be a troll. Until then, why not give him the benefit of the doubt?

Why not this bike?

http://classifieds.mtbr.com/cgi-bin...ults_format=long&db_id=102612&query=retrieval

Because it is a frame only

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

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