Tha Nite Ridahh

My first impression of my Ellsworth Evolution:  Woah!!

After over a month of riding, my impression now:  HOT DAMN!!!!

Here is my current build -

Shock: Fox RP23

Fork: Fox F29 RLC 120

Headset:  Came with bike and fork from Ellsworth, not sure of the make.

Stem:  Made by FELT.  Dunno specifics.

Bar:  Loaded AmX — Still 31″ in length, really nice on climbs

F and R derailers:  Shimano XT Dynasys 10spd

F and R shifters: Shimano XT 10spd

Hubs: Shimano XT 15QR

Cassette: Shimano XT 10 spd

Bottom Bracket:  Shimano XT

Crank: Shimano XT

Brakes:  Shimano XT 775 front and rear

Brake Rotors: Shimano 160 (6 Bolt)

Seatpost:  X-Fusion Hilo

Saddle: Serfas TGU-5 TEGU

Pedals:  Swapping back and forth between the Crank Bros. Candy C and Mallets.

Tires: Kenda Nevegal Tubeless

Grips: LizardSkin

Rims:  Stan’s No Tubes ZTR Crest 29″ 32h

Weight: 29.5 lbs

Built by the totally rock’n Skyline Cycle

My last bike was a Giant NRS2 that I’d been riding for about 6 years.  All my comparisons are based on this bike.   I typically ride 3-5 days a week from 35 min. to 3+ hrs.  I like climbing as much as a killer descent.  I live right next to some incredible riding.  I tend to spend my time on XC and AM.  I decided on the Evolution for crossing into a more AM experience.  This is my first 29er, and unless I go with a pure DH build I won’t be going back to a 26er.

My thoughts:

I’m still dialing in the rear suspension a little.  The RP23 has needed about 5-10lbs more air pressure than the documentation suggests to feel solid.  I weigh 205lbs, and I’m 6’1″.  Still playing with the rebound.

Overall the suspension is incredible.  Both front and rear flow together seamlessly.

The Evolution climbs like an animal with or without the pro-pedal engaged.  I’m going up stuff now easier than I have in the past.  I’ve noticed that with the longer wheelbase a 29er provides I’m able to keep it in granny gear longer on really steep parts without the front tire wheelie-ing.

My posture on the Evolution is more upright which I’ve found  easier on my back.  I’m not hunching my shoulders now as opposed to my old ride which now gives me very little neck strain.

I absolutely love feeling that I’m in the bike as opposed to sitting on top of it.  This has increased my confidence a lot in real technical situations.  I just feel more apart of the bike, like it’s an ‘extension of my body’ thing.

This bike just feels so light.  I keep getting surprised while heading downhill popping off small jumps or rocks. The bike just seems to float underneath me as opposed to  trying to hop a brick.  My last bike wasn’t that heavy, but that’s just how it feels now.

This bike eats up the bumps like they were candy.  It took a number of rides before I really let loose, and the stuff I was getting beat up on before is now hardly noticeable.  It’s like I went from a small pickup truck to a Jeep with the comfort and ride of a Cadillac.  More like a Range Rover I guess.

I haven’t really experienced any difference in cornering or navigating tight switchbacks compared to a 26er.  I can’t tell a difference there other than I need to kind of set my mind up a little sooner into a turn on climbs.   I was never reaching the limit when banking into a turn on my 26er, so I can’t really say  I can lay into it on a 29er more.

I don’t feel any problems or difference really in getting up to speed on a 29er as opposed to a 26er.  I have seen a bit of difference on the downhill, feels a bit quicker.  I’ve only been riding so far with one other guy who is a seasoned DHer, and aside from slogging around super tight turns (due to the lack of my ability, not the bikes) I’ve been able to keep up for the most part.  That’s been my only chance to compare so far. I haven’t timed my rides or anything.

Tubeless tires frigg’n ROCK!!  I live in an area where there are goat heads (thorns) all over the place seemingly all year long.  I have not as of yet had a flat with the tubeless tires.  It took a couple days initially of the tires settling in where I had to pump them up over and over but now the only time I’ve lost air pressure has been right where the valve meets the rim.  I’ve untwisted the washer/screw holding in the stem by accident causing a small leak that caught up with me later.

I absolutely love the fork!  I use the lockout constantly.   This thing is so incredibly stiff locked out that I can’t tell I even have a shock. The rebound has been set at the factory recommendation, about mid way, and I haven’t had a need to mess with it yet.  Compression I’m still fiddling with just for fun.  Most of the trails I’m riding right now do not vary much.

I can’t really say much about the Dynasys.  10spd is nice, but I’m not seeing that big a difference.  Shifting is tight and that’s all I really care about.  Be aware though that the Dynasys chain is directional.  It will break if put on backwards.  Mine did on the master link pin first ride out.  The writing on the chain goes on the outside.

The X-Fusion Hilo I have mixed feelings on.   It holds it’s position firmly, but when rising it slows up about an inch before full extension.  I didn’t realize this was happening until I moved to the remote switch on the handlebar from having the lever right under the seat.   The factory brochure said if this was happening increase the air pressure to 25.  Well, mine is now at 30 and there hasn’t been a noticeable difference.  This isn’t really hampering my ride, but I have to either pull it up the extra inch when extending or wait to a count of 3 for it to rise completely.

All in all, this bike is a dream come true!  I am completely sold on Ellsworth now.  I feel the ICT performs just as described.  I highly recommend this bike!