TEST RIDE: 2016 Ellsworth Epiphany 27.5

[dustyyoungblood]

Last week I arraigned with Ellsworth to get a demo bike to try for a day. I had been an Ellsworth Fan from yesteryear, but never owned one. I remember reports of flexy rear ends and such from 10 years, but really did not know what to expect from this 2016 CF machine. They went out of there way to drop off a brand new never ridden Epiphany 27.5 at Pure Ride Cycles in Lake Forest CA.

I picked it up Thursday night afterwork, and saw the $5100 receipt. The build was really nice. All FOX, XT, THOMPSON, AND STANS. (http://www.ellsworthbikes.com/bike/epiphany-27-5/)

I did not put it on a scale, but I'd say sub 28lb as supplied with 2.25" ardent tires.

Location: I took it to the Luge in Orange County, CA. 7.5 mile loop with 1300' of climbing
Pedal up: First of all, I am fat at 235lb and just getting back into riding after 4 years off. I have really been struggling to pedal the 2009 35lb Intense 6.6 I have been using up all the local trails. So grabbing the Ellsworth with a 1x11 and being able to pedal up the road and all the way to the flag without walking was a big deal In the saddle no noticeable bob or inefficiency in pedaling noticed. Out of the saddle we get some suspension movement, but I can't say it felt sluggish or slowed me down. And this was with the FOX rear shock in the #1 compression setting. In the #3 position the rear end has lots of compression and is essentially locked out until you hit something sharply. for pedaling efficiency, If a hardtail is a 10 and a downhill bike is 1, I'd give the Ellsworth a 7. Which is about as high as I can expect from any 140mm rear end.
Handling: This bike is set up with a 150mm FOX 34 fork, and a 140mm rear travel. The pairing works well together. The bike is quick steering and nimble, it has a 69.5 deg head angle. The rear end and frame design feels stiff and sturdy. It holds a straight line through loose rock and keeps tons of tire contact when trying to rally a fast and bumpy rutted corner. Flicking the bike around felt effortless and intuitive. Direction changes in the sharper switchbacks and tight corners were predictable and confidence inspiring. With the rear shock compression in the #1 position the bike was fun and playful on the DH sections. With the compression in #2 and #3 the bike felt more XC and more efficient in the climbing.
DH: Given the current market trends for 140mm to 160mm travel bikes with very "slack" DH racing inspired geometry I sort of expected that with this model also. But no, It's not a DH bike, it's a long travel XC bike. However, even with the long stem and FOX34 I gave it some gas off every rock I could find on the Luge and the bike went well. The absolute biggest positive performance factor of this bike(and apparently all Ellsworth ICT designs) was how completely sensitive and active the rear suspension was under hard breaking. Much of my experience with with single pivot bikes, and I know brake jack!!! The Ellsworth has none! Hard breaking down rocky studder bumps was SMOOTH. I kepth pulling the break harder to see the tire start skipping along the high spots, but no. It keeps the tire in contact through the braking. That was a welcome experience.

Buying it or not?
The bike made me smile, like a lot. It's fun to ride. It's a great bike, it would be a good choice for many XC oriented riders that want more travel without giving up nimble quick handling for much of the geometry that is produced now. If I was doing some really long rides and I was never going to tackle any more DH oriented trails then this might be my bike. But it's not the right bike for me. I feel like I need 10mm more travel and more like a 66-67deg head angle to tackle the nastier faster trails I enjoy so much.
They do produce this same bike in Aluminum with a 67.5 deg head angle, with is really interesting that the frame design changes from Metal to CF. I asked them about this, and they though that the more aggressive rides may prefer Aluminum, so they made them slacker.

 

[Redman]

I rode nothing but Ellsworth back in the day. And, I mean back in the day.... 94-98. I had one of the first truth frames, which I thought was freakin unbelievably awesome. It handled ridiculously well, tracked like you wouldn't believe, and was a light as a fully could be. The active suspension was by far more superior to anything on the market at that time. Fast forward about 20 years, time for a new full suspension bike. And, there were only two things that kept me from going back to Ellsworth. #1 was cc steel steep head tube angle. And #2, only 140m of rear travel. The same two things that kept you from buying, imagine that. Ellsworth makes some really nice bikes, superb craftsmanship. It is just too bad they haven't joined the slack head tube geometry club.

 

[herzalot]

Thanks for that review. Ellsworth don't get a lot of love, partly because of the look of the long upper link and looped upper seatstay. But I give them props for taking their own approach to the Horst Link and developing it further with their ICT tuning. I've ridden the Dare on Telonics and agree that the rear end is about as supple as you can get in braking bumps. About the same as my Knolly - another twist on the FSR suspension design.

I find it strange that they went so steep on the head angle. 69.5 is 1999 steep. And 67.5 on the aluminum model is a weird decision as well. The idea that the carbon fiber buyers are more XC oriented and aluminum buyers are more aggressive descenders is kind of a weird decision, and will steer many away from this bike. Most 140mm trail bikes are in the 65.5 to 67* range. Maybe Ellsworth is committed to the handling traits of the steeper HA.

I won't even consider the brand after getting an inside look at the company from a friend who worked there for a while. I will not elaborate publicly.

 

[Mikie]

A well thought out and written first impression.
Ellsworth has never been on my radar.
I can say that as well of Yeti, yet... here I am.

I too find it odd regarding the H/A. You would think they would want to resonate a consistent ride characteristic through a models line-up regardless of build material.

As well, welcome to imtbtrails. That's quite an intro for a new member. Most of the time we can barely get a peep out of new member over on the Say Hello Forum. You jumped right in with a big ticket product review. Kudos to you!

Mikie
from Frazier Park

 

[AKAKTM]

My son also had a new Ellsworth Epiphany to test ride. The material and craftsmanship were both nice. The bike he tested had the Maxxis 3.0 plus tires on it. Unfortunately, for a $6,000 bike there were enough odd or even improper kit items and geometry snafus to make the bike unattractive.

First, the bike was setup as a B+ bike with 3.0 tires, but had Stan's rims with a 24mm internal width. That's not adequate rim width to support 3.0 tires. Second, the bike had no dropper. Third, the head angle was steep (69.8º)--far away from today's more relaxed norm. Fourth, the bike was setup with a 90mm stem coupled with a 25" long top tube and surprisingly long chain stays--18.2", where most comparable bikes today are under 17.25. That's an inch longer than the norm and the long top tube coupled with the long chain stays leads to a 46" wheelbase even with the super-steep rake!! After riding my son's Bronson and my Mojo 3 and Trek Fuel EX, this bike just felt odd in a wrong sort of way. Years ago I owned and really liked the Ellsworth Epiphany, but this bike just missed the mark in so many ways. Too bad.

 

[shawndoh]

Interesting. I'll be taking the same demo from Dusty's review out this week. I've only rode it around the parking lot thus far, but I find some of the design/set up/build confusing as well.
I found it particularly silly that not one of their demo bikes had a dropper.

 

[dustyyoungblood]

I do want to try a Moment. That might fit me better. However, I see it shares a frame with the DARE. Which might make it to DH oreiented for my current needs.

Wild guess...... they left a spot inbetween the epiphany and the moment for a 150-160 enduro/am bike with Geometry closer to current trends (ibis hd3)

 

[riiz]

I've never cared for Ellsworth, but I'll read a review from another forum member, since he/she took the time out of their day to write it. And to be honest, the vibe they(Ellsworth) have always had put me off, but it really shows that they dont know how to design or grow with the times. Why would they invest so much into CF production, but not advance the design? Is Ellsworth trying to go out of business again?