Ellsworth Truth Gets a Remake - Sea Otter 2018

Apr 19, 2018
by Richard Cunningham  
Ellsworth Truth
Low stand-over height, extended reach, steep seat tube angle and near-zero-chain-growth kinematics.


If one bike could define Ellsworth, it would be the Truth. The quick-handling, short-travel XC/trail machine has been in the range since the inception of the brand, and it converted many hardtail riders who had yet to ride a bike with a squishy rear end that actually pedaled well to dual suspension.

I won't lie, the brand has been dealt a beating from the keyboards of PB commenters, but in spite of the negativity, the recently reorganized Ellsworth marches forward, and has launched a sequence of contemporary contenders: The 27.5-inch-wheel Rogue and the 29-inch-wheel Evolution come to mind, and now a completely redesigned 29-inch-wheel Truth has been released here at the Sea Otter Classic.
Ellsworth Truth Convert:

• Purpose: XC / trail
• 29" or 27.5+ wheels
• 100 or 120-millimeter travel, carbon chassis
• New "Active Eneergy Efficient" four-bar suspension design.
• 69-degree head and 75.5-degree seat angles (with 100mm of travel)
• Vertical Axle Path
• Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
• 5 builds from $6145 SRAM GX to $8795 SRAM Eagle.
• Contact: Ellsworth Bikes

There all all sorts of bikes for all tastes.
Ellsworth's new "Active Energy Efficient" rear suspension articulates from four pivot locations at the mid-way points of the seat and chainstay, while the forward swingarm pivot is concentric with the bottom bracket shell.

Ellsworth Truth
The shock is driven through a tunnel in the seat tube.

The novel "Active" rear suspension reportedly shares kinematics with its ICT (instant center tracking) siblings, but in a much different configuration. The carbon swingarm articulates on four pivot locations, placed at the mid-points of the seat and chainstays, while the swingarm's forward pivot rotates about the bottom bracket center. The configuration is similar to what we've seen previously on Breezer's dual-suspension designs, so the concept has been vetted to a large extent. Ellsworth says that the end product of the design is a low center of mass, a rearward axle path, and minimal chain growth. All of those are good things, so if the Truth Convert delivers as promised, it should be impressive.

Ellsworth Truth Convert 2018

Ellsworth Truth

Ellsworth Truth
Ellsworth Truth

Ellsworth Truth

The new Truth will be configured in cross-country trim with 100 millimeters of travel on each end, or as a trail bike with 120 millimeters of rear-wheel travel, paired with a 130-millimeter fork. Ellsworth built in ample spacing in the Boost-width swingarm to fit standard 29-inch wheels and tires, as well as 27.5-inch wheels with tires up to 2.8 inches. Geometry is promising, with a stable, but not too slack 69-degree head tube angle and a contemporary 75.5-degree seat tube angle for the 100mm version, and a 67.5-degree head angle and 74-degree seat angle for the 120mm version.

Five builds are planned: SRAM GX ($6145), Shimano XT ($6895) SRAM X01 ($7,395), Shimano XTR ($8,295), and SRAM Eagle XX1 ($8,795).


For more information on the new Truth Convert, Visit Ellsworth.







MENTIONS: @SeaOtterClassic @ellsworthbikes



Author Info:
RichardCunningham avatar

Member since Mar 23, 2011
974 articles

202 Comments
  • 242 38
 Wow......they changed their whole look but still managed to make it ugly
  • 22 4
 For truth. Hideous
  • 14 0
 @sspiff: guess that's the ellsworth heritage. And wacky linkages.
  • 10 0
 The suspension design concept seems like a good one but they just make them look so ugly.
  • 31 1
 That frame legitimately has the top tube / seat tube profile of a girl-specific bike that you'd find at Walmart.
  • 15 0
 I like it! But I also never hated the older Ellsworths. They're never bland anyway.
  • 31 7
 @gkeele: Its beautiful!!! For me thats easily one of the best looking frame designs ive seen in a looong time. Opinions and a*sholes n all that i guess
  • 3 0
 Sorry, you can blame me for this. I always keep going on about low top tubes, this is their response. And if it rides good, I don't care. I'm just waiting for the steel SLX equipped version to keep the price down.
  • 2 0
 At first I thought '' kinda pretty bike '', and then I saw those pivots oO
  • 3 0
 @sspiff: Ya, they've never been able to get it right.. Looks dated straight out the gate.
  • 2 0
 @gkeele: But the truth is, would you buy one?
  • 11 1
 Just when I think you couldn't possibly make an uglier bike, you go and do something like this... and TOTALLY redeem yourself!
  • 4 0
 @Chadimac22: I came here to say that. You beat me to it. Throw on one of those big-ass padded seats, and you have one of those $200 comfort bikes.
  • 3 0
 @cuban-b: I almost spit out my cereal at this comment.... nailed it!
  • 6 0
 It’s a step through frame for the segment of the mtb community who support Ellsworth...senior citizens.
  • 2 0
 @morechorizo: saddle up partner.
  • 1 0
 sCoT
  • 2 0
 @TheR: next on The Chappelle Show - When Standover Height Goes Too Far....
  • 3 0
 Pretty sure it get a whole lot prettier if it rides well.
  • 1 0
 I must be hallucinating again,,, Ellsworth actually changed something and it looks like a turtle head special.
  • 1 0
 I dont get all the ellsworth hate, this bike kinda looks like an XC version of Evil The Following. Looks pretty cool in my opinion
  • 1 0
 There is one born every minute.
  • 126 0
 Wait the popcorn isn’t ready yet
  • 6 0
 is the popcorn here yet?
  • 71 11
 I crashed because I couldn’t handle the truth
  • 49 2
 Skip popcorn, just get the crack pipe.
  • 14 0
 got mounts for a bottlecage though
  • 22 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I'd like you to leave the room so we can talk about you behind your back
  • 5 0
 @sewer-rat: you know he likes to watch, cackling maniacally.
  • 6 4
 @sewer-rat: the truth is, I pretty much never go into forums part of PB... safe space. But if I have to log out...
  • 8 0
 @WAKIdesigns: nothing ells worth but the truth.
  • 21 4
 @chyu the inconvenient truth - looks Evil
  • 14 0
 100mm of travel , 390mm dropper post
  • 4 0
 @WAKIdesigns: an uglier version
  • 10 0
 @chyu: How Dare you to think of puns at this Moment in time.
  • 3 8
flag SirWonky (Apr 20, 2018 at 1:29) (Below Threshold)
 You want the truth.....? You can’t HANDLE The TRUTH !!!
  • 5 0
 @SirWonky: Bloody Ell, it better be worth it.
  • 8 6
 Truth be told, that thing looks awesome.
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I thought your Rectal Randall was the best... this one is true wit on levels. You're getting better with age my friend.
  • 2 0
 Orville Redenbacher, proud Pinkbike sponsor since 2000.
  • 2 0
 Ewwwww, this piece is burnt...
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: this is genuinely funny
  • 64 10
 I take it back. THAT's a bike. Cheers, Ellsworth, and sorry for all the salt - hope it rides as great as it looks.
  • 8 0
 And they knew exactly how to please us: room for a water bottle

Yeah it's a small bike and they usually have room for that but that doesn't reduce its value
  • 3 0
 @Lookinforit: The interesting part is you could get a decent sized frame bag over the TT without affecting stand over too much.

I like frames that can fit a WB and frame bag for shorter rides so I don't have to wear a pack.
  • 7 0
 I'd like to give it a try as well, but the whole "zero chain growth AND rearward axle path" is utter BS- its one or the other (unless you have a floating BB or idler pulley)
  • 3 0
 Agreed. I think this frame looks sleek and really good! Nice job, Ellsworth.
  • 1 0
 @hamncheez: ...but it does have a concentric BB ?
  • 1 0
 @PearlJamSoCal: "while the swingarm's forward pivot rotates about the bottom bracket center"
  • 41 2
 I think we fire too much at this one, just because of the brand name. They managed to get modern features like hidden pivots, trunnion, low center of mass with decent lines a bit like a Supreme V4 and Demo. I'm sure this should ride sweet even more with such top tube clearance! It's maybe not the best improvement people would be waiting for but still come on, it's quite a big step and in the right direction.
  • 27 0
 You should know better than to bring reasoned points and sensible thinking to the comments section.
Salute
  • 1 0
 Could be down to the font and graphics. Ellsworth bikes might actually not be ugly. Just seen the new Moment (which I didn't know existed). It's pretty striking and the geo is quite promising.
  • 22 1
 Is it just me, that would like to see Ellsworth step back to anodized and laser etched straigt alloy tubes, with amazing welds and CNC machined rocker plates?
There was a time when Ellsworth was awesome and looked the part, then came the downfall, and to me, its amazing that they are still around.
  • 1 0
 And a 2019 Specialist
  • 3 1
 The Moment was a thing of beauty, the Joker was lustworthy, etc. It's like they hit a wall in time and stopped progressing with the rest of the industry (or went down their own weird rabbit hole).
  • 1 0
 @fracasnoxteam:
That would just be awesome!
  • 1 0
 There rocker plates on every other model are still cnc in the us...
  • 2 0
 Yes please, and Turner as well.
  • 1 0
 @yxbix: tyler & dan were going through those bikes like popcorn though. the head tube gussets on the dare were cracking in so many places, pieces would fall out. They actually retrofitted a bolt on plate to try to keep said gussets in one place. and the joker swingarms were butter. i watched tyler kill a brand new swingarm within a few laps at whistler. the glory days of ellsworth, they were not.
  • 1 0
 evil screwed up big on some frames and everyone forgives, the Ellsworth smack down is way undeserved and stems from some dudes hucking bikes and flaming Ellsworth on the mtbr site 14 years ago,
  • 26 6
 There we go. At last some forward thinking design and innovation. Unlike that "new" Scott Gambler Session. Nice one Ellesworth for coming up with something new.
  • 2 6
flag iamamodel (Apr 20, 2018 at 0:06) (Below Threshold)
 Not sure what is innovative, bit if you are referring to the suspension design, it isn't. I just can't recall the brand and model.
  • 1 1
 and what is wrong with new gambler??
  • 9 0
 @Asmodai: Scott Session you mean?
  • 1 0
 @iamamodel: Breezer? Their chainstay pivot was the same, but the seatstay pivot is different. I think that one was one of those taiwanese suspension licences - Sottogroup - David Earle maybe
  • 3 0
 @iamamodel: It kind of puts you in mind of the Rocky ETSX doesn't it?
  • 1 0
 @thingswelike: That's what I also thought first. Looks like the suspension design of the Breezer Repack. They no longer offer that bike, so I guess the design wasn't very successful, or Ellsworth obtained the license.
  • 1 0
 @erlkonig: Sorta, in that there are parallel pivots. But this design extends both stays to the rear axle. And it appears like the shock is mounted to the chainstay.
  • 15 0
 I had no idea Salvador Dali designed mtb's !
  • 10 0
 "a rearward axle path, and zero chain growth."...............Wait, what? So the bottom bracket moves back with the axle? No, it doesn't.

I like the look of this bike. It has good reach numbers and a sensible head tube angle. But please don't ruin it with stupid marketing comment.
  • 3 0
 Had the same thought.
  • 3 0
 EXACTLY...these two are mutually exclusive so it just goes to prove the marketing BS that is Ellsworth. Life is thieves selling shit to idiots.
  • 2 0
 Hey everyone. They changed the error. Its says minimal chain growth now. Not zero. Maybe just an error on PinkBike or someone accidentally said almost zero something...
  • 1 0
 @chillrider199: It is called the "Truth".
  • 13 1
 You can’t polish a turd but you can roll it in glitter
  • 11 2
 Looks like a ladies bike!
  • 2 0
 This bike looks like it will have the lowest centre of gravity of any bike I have seen - ever. At 9.5kg for a full suspension, I think it will be MTB heaven, especially for enduro riding. And, my Ellsworth Epiphany is the most comfortable bike I have ever owned. Its like riding on a couch versus a hard bar stool by comparison to some of my other MTB's. I think the Truth will be as comfortable or even more so. Looks don't matter - even though I think it is a beautiful bike - something doesn't have to be beautiful to do the best job in the world!
  • 2 0
 I don’t get all of the negative comments against Ellsworth. I assume none of you have actually ridden the bikes. I had a chance to ride some recently at outerbike and they were amazing. IF the design of the bike requires that the the frame and the linkages look that way to accomplish something special, then that is a honest design - which I applauded them for. Seems like we should be rooting for these guys. They are doing some remarkably provactive things that I don’t see in other bikes companies.
  • 6 0
 I like Ellsworth bikes, so I guess I’m the minority
  • 3 0
 I like them too I rode the rogue 40 last year and though it was super plush.
  • 3 0
 Polarising, seems to be the only way to describe Ellsworth. I've never really thought to buy one, but I've always liked the stoic nature in which they do their own thing. Looks like a well appointed, fast and fun(ish) ride.
  • 3 0
 That promo video on their home page is horrible. It doesn't tell you anything about the bike. Just some dude wearing makeup talking about how cool he is. Need a video with those stays in action.
  • 2 0
 Lopes by chance? Wouldnt surprise me.
  • 7 0
 I like it
  • 4 0
 I think it looks pretty damn sexy too
  • 1 0
 Thirded. I'm still trying to rub that mark off my screen on the "starting from" price... almost looks like a "6"...
  • 4 0
 That must have the lowest stand over I’ve ever seen on a bike a toddler could probably use it as a pushbike siting on the top tube
  • 2 0
 They make an unique frame no one is even close to making, "Its weird" they make a frame that looks like other frames "its just a copy" PB commenters are an odd bunch. I was thinking of getting a sb100 but I might get this just to turn heads! Does It have the ability to run a seatpost dropper?
  • 4 0
 The same comments section that was nothing but hype over the Pole Machine is ripping this to shreds, what even is pinkbike
  • 5 0
 top tube kinda looks like a city bike
  • 5 0
 the one bike where I actually want to see one of those compression videos
  • 2 0
 Pinkbike reviews keep telling me bikes need to "tick all the boxes" and have a "modern geometry" yet I don't see that with the review for this bike.

Now I don't know what to believe...
  • 5 0
 Rearward axle path and zero chain growth?
  • 1 0
 XC Racer here: Why do I need a top tube clearance like that? My Top Fuel is ridiculous with the top tube being about at my knees, already cracked one frame because it puts such insane stresses on the seat tube. This is a bad/dumb trend for XC race bikes, and it needs to die.

Why don't we just do like the old school Slingshot frames but instead of the downtube we make the top tube a steel cable? Or better yet a 1/4" carbon rod?
  • 2 0
 why does any bike? when the seat is the first thing you'll hit with your plums normally (even when fully down on a trail/enduro bike), and the bit up by the heat tube being the bit you would hit in a crash. Why does the middle bit need to be super low.
  • 1 0
 As someone who rides both bmx and cross country, I can’t tell you how many times I have hit my knees on the top tube while decking it between trees. Sorry, but treks been known for extra light, noodly, cracking carbon xc frames for years.
  • 1 0
 They price themselves well out of the game for those that may even be curious to try. I really think that they need to release bikes in the 2-3k price range and win some customer respect before they go for the gusto in the high end market.
  • 1 0
 A lot if not all of the negative vibe around Ellsworth was the incredibly odd stuff that came from the top. "Are you Ellsworthy?" and some other real gems from only himself. Although I was a happy Ellsworth customer there were times when I was embarrassed for him.
I still own to Ellsworths, an '05 Joker that I got as part of the then lifetime frame warranty, and a '13 Evolution, which is still my near-everyday pedaler. Tony was extremely generous with me on warranty issues, but still, I just could not stand some of the stupid stuff he said for the record, so to speak.
  • 3 0
 At least they showed up to the party with something new! Turner where are you?
  • 1 0
 Pretty damn cool....Ellsworth has cleaned up there designs recently and I like it!!! Plus being an OG they where the 'cats meow' in the day. The video on there site showing how the suspension works is pretty cool too.
  • 5 1
 Ok that's pretty sexy....but no xl??
  • 6 5
 Why build a large frame with a kiddies stand over. It just looks wrong. Even the frame looks burly like an Enduro rig, but there’s a 100m fork. What’s going on .I want to like it but I don’t.
  • 2 0
 Low center of gravity for sure - but yes, the sest mast looks freaky.
  • 5 0
 Someone along the way must have decided that we all need the ability to run 180+ mm dropper posts and have step-through frame designs that allow one to wear a kilt or skirt whilst shredding.
  • 2 0
 @Chadimac22: ^^^this! hahaha
  • 2 0
 Come on Ellsworth , tell the TRUTH!! It's like a love child of a Pole machine and Evil Insurgent, I love it , even the sh***ing dog rear end
  • 4 0
 Room for a bottle and a 1M dropper!!
  • 2 1
 Looks Awsome! Funny to see the mtb industry doing what the bmx industry did 10 years ago; short rear ends and super low stand over heights. Would be awsome if we started seeing 10 inch rise bars.
  • 4 0
 That goes straight to the top of my next downcountry bike list..
  • 1 0
 Same here I wonder if you can run 100 rear 120 front?
  • 1 0
 I really like the look, not the type of bike I would buy but if they made a trail version with a little different geo and maybe 20-40mm more travel it would definitely be a bike I would look at.
  • 1 0
 That's out of my budget, so my opinion is worth whatever you're going to pay to read it - but I think it looks kinda good. I'd throw a leg over it if I had $6k to spend on a GX down-country bike...
  • 1 0
 Looks flexy! These guys just can't win. I think the Ellsworth brand is at a point where if you put the name on the downtube of a popular frame like Santa Cruz or Ibis and it still wouldn't sell.
  • 1 0
 I read something in reader's digest..."When I design something. I would not take beauty into consideration. But, if the end product turns out to look ugly. I know that I did something wrong."
  • 1 0
 Not a fan of the way it looks either but I think it’s the best looking bike in their line up. Not sure what that says about the brand...
  • 1 0
 Now, the question is, will Tony Ellsworth make up a BS patent again and sue Dave Turner for using parallel-linkages, like he did with the horst-link?
  • 3 0
 Unique and doesn't look like a session. Low cog, kudos
  • 1 0
 Interesting! There must be some heavy side load effect on the pivot points in the rear. Wonder if that holds up a rough season without playbor creaking.
  • 2 0
 I cant wrap my head around the pivot in the middle of the seat and chain stays.
  • 1 0
 Does anyone have an idea how that suspension works? Is there a pivot on the rocker in the seat-tube and if it is there how on earth do you remove it?
  • 3 0
 That's a genuinely different and interesting looking bike
  • 2 0
 Great effort Ellsworth. Hard to please everyone on PB but kudos for paying attention.
  • 2 0
 For once I can criticize tire clearance and price on an Ellsworth and not dated design!
  • 1 0
 It looks worst than the 20 year old version. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you Ellsworth, but your future does not look bright Frown
  • 2 0
 27 and 29er thing is really pop now...
  • 3 2
 How much force are put on those seat stay/ chain stay bearing links? 69 degree HA? Giant step backwards!
  • 4 0
 69 degrees is pretty slack for an XC bike.
  • 2 0
 I'd love to be a fly on the wall of their brain storming bike ideas
  • 2 0
 Points for not looking like a session
  • 1 1
 I’m sure they did all the finite elements analysis and shit, but I can only think of seat tube crack and swingarm play. :-S
  • 1 0
 It's a sexy beast, Baby! Yeah! I'd ride the piss outta that jimmy janker! Too rich for my blood, tho!
  • 3 1
 Truth? more like the ugly truth...
  • 2 1
 Throw a cushion on that top tube and you also have yourself a nice recliner.
  • 1 0
 Nice Idea, but will this idea work for longer travel, is what I really want to know?
  • 3 1
 I'm equal parts fascinated and disgusted.
  • 3 1
 Good luck trying to install a dropper post
  • 2 0
 I was kind of wondering about dropper post cable routing too. The bike doesn't appear to be able to run a front derailler and there is another cable port on the drive side of the down tube so presumably that's for routing a dropper post cable. The thing I don't get is how it would route through from the down tube to the seat tube with that tunnel in the seat tube for the shock.
  • 2 0
 @tsn73: I wonder the same thing too. Is that an exit port under the TT in the photo of the top of the shock?
  • 2 0
 Ellsworth can’t handle the truth!!
  • 2 1
 It looks like a deformed and mutilated Yeti baby that they threw away after birth then Ellsworth found it in the dumpster.
  • 2 1
 Somebody should tell them, that the competition for ugliest bikes really doesn't exist.
  • 1 1
 Make sure to tell Tantrum Cycles.
  • 1 0
 @bikewriter: I'd take function over form any day.
  • 2 0
 discs are too small.. 180/160 for the braking power !
  • 2 0
 I would have no problem stepping over that top tube in my prom dress.
  • 3 1
 $4000 for the frame. Even Yeti fanboys be like "whoa, dentist bike!"
  • 2 0
 Finally, an Elsworth that doesn't look like a 2006 kona stinky
  • 2 0
 Top tube for guys who like to wear a skirt while biking
  • 1 0
 The things that are certain in life are death and taxes.... and now I'll add Ellsworth bike design.
  • 1 0
 O-M-G it's like a Niner-Norco-Breezer, front-to-back red-headed step-child. Did I mention the hyphen-?
  • 4 3
 this is the first XC bike I've seen and thought daaaaamn that's sexy
  • 2 1
 Couldn't pay me to ride that ugly stick!
  • 6 0
 That's funny a prostitute said that to me once.
  • 2 0
 If lt's weird I like it
  • 1 0
 looks like a folding bike
  • 1 0
 Sweet looking bike. Ellsworths ride great
  • 3 1
 WTF!
  • 2 0
 This will be good.
  • 1 1
 This thing better ride 10x better than it looks... That carbon yoke looks tortured and the seat mast is screaming for help
  • 3 2
 I just vomited in my mouth a bit
  • 2 0
 Looks Evil
  • 1 0
 Truth is - Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
  • 3 2
 *clicks*
Never mind it's still ugly
  • 2 2
 That company has NEVER been able to design a decent looking bike.....so sad!
  • 2 1
 The trump of pb here!
  • 1 0
 PURE bike porn, Ellsworth official bike pornographers. Skeet skeet!
  • 1 0
 Good grief. That's hideous.
  • 1 1
 Never been a Ellsworth fan. No matter what they do they still make fugly bikes lol
  • 1 1
 The structure of suspension looks like a Giant bike with much longer linkage, but the rear triangle seems so weak.......
  • 1 0
 And no XL, but not like I would buy it anyway based on looks and price.
  • 1 0
 Is that a ROTEC? Because it sure as shit doesn't look like a session.
  • 1 0
 only $3600.00 for the frame!
  • 1 0
 According to their website, its actually $3900US for the frame. Also, no way, no how is that a 75.5 degree STA. More creative angle measurements going on.
  • 1 0
 Looks Flimsy, Flexey, and Fugly. But maybe it will ride OK?
  • 1 0
 Who the heck designed this?
  • 1 0
 It’s essentially an iron horse Sunday for XC and that bike was sick.
  • 1 0
 Stop saying it's ugly. It mean to let biker ride it with a dress on
  • 1 0
 Now combine an Ellsworth with an Orange..............Bikenstein
  • 1 0
 Now that's an inconvenient truth
  • 1 0
 Well the truth is.. it's ugly
  • 1 0
 looks like return of the unsuccessful Rocky ETS too many cracks.
  • 1 0
 No XL size, lucky for me I guess 'cause I like it!
  • 1 0
 Perfect frame design for a Trust fork.
  • 1 0
 gearbox ready?
  • 1 0
 Looks like a melted evil
  • 1 1
 Hey did someone notice that bike has both chainstays and seatstays broken?
  • 1 0
 I imagine this thing will wag pretty good as those bearings begin to wear out. I recall riding an early production model of the Rocky ETSX - laterally it was like a brook trout.
  • 1 0
 like it
  • 1 0
 POLE
  • 1 0
 alien.
  • 2 1
 Ugly AF.
  • 1 0
 I like it
  • 1 0
 Next level ugly
  • 1 0
 give up ellsworth
  • 1 5
flag RedBurn (Apr 19, 2018 at 23:53) (Below Threshold)
 You’re the kind of guy who would refuse the bike if it was offered to you?
  • 1 0
 @RedBurn: I no I sure as f*ck would.. That support bar from the top tube to the seat tube is as hideous as it gets..







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