[JamesO]

Hi everyone

I went looking at bikes yesterday and found myself fixated on an Ellsworth.

Large view of picture

Right now it's set as my desktop.

But it's my first bike, and sticker shock is at best a euphomism. I wanted to spend under $1000! I had no idea these bikes were so expensive. And what I really want is a bike for riding a 10 mile paved loop twice a week and on a trail once a month. The looks of the Ellsworth are amazing though. I know it's not the right bike for what I'm looking for, but it works. Does anyone know of a bike with this sort of frame look in my price range or near?

 

[dissonance]

Kona Kikapu is sort of like that style and retails for $999. Or are you referring to the whole color scheme too?
http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k4_kikapu.cfm

The Dawg Matic is like the Kikapu but beefier and more expensive at a retail of $1299.
http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k4_dawgmatic.cfm

 

[JamesO]

Thanks man, that's awesme! Thanks so much. I don't like the finish, but I can redo that. I was actually wanting to fabricate my own frame until I read about how much more it would cost to build from scratch.

Are these good bikes? Hold up well (at least give me a fun and aggressive ride) on trails? Comfortable to ride around town too?

Would I be better off buying the frame and building the bike up if these componants aren't very good?

 

[dissonance]

I'm just a noob. I've been researching a lot though but hopefully somebody more qualified can answer your questions.

Trek has some that are like that also. http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/mountain/fuel80.jsp

 

[DLine]

But it's my first bike, and sticker shock is at best a euphomism. I wanted to spend under $1000! I had no idea these bikes were so expensive. And what I really want is a bike for riding a 10 mile paved loop twice a week and on a trail once a month. The looks of the Ellsworth are amazing though. I know it's not the right bike for what I'm looking for, but it works. Does anyone know of a bike with this sort of frame look in my price range or near?

Don't get too fixated on the finish of a bike. While the Ells has a sweet anodized, laser-etched finish, it's a 5/6" trailbike, and probably not the best choice for the criteria you've set. If you are riding a paved trail 8 times a month and on dirt once a month, you don't need anything near that beefy. You should look at a hardtail, really, and it'd be much easier to find within your budget.

 

[jonowee]

The Dawg Matic is like the Kikapu but beefier and more expensive at a retail of $1299.
http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k4_dawgmatic.cfm

I reccomend the Dawg series as well, 4" travel it's 0.5" travel closer to the Ellsworth Id but more importantly it's built tougher.