Ellsworth have always been know for very high quality aluminium full suspension frames, and whilst in recent times some of their frames have featured carbon seat stays, this is the first time that they’ve ever produced a carbon front triangle.

Only the rocker link and the rocker link are now made from aluminium, and as a whole we reckon it looks pretty stunning. Why didn’t Ellsworth go the whole hog and make everything from carbon? Well they could have done but they reckon that their chain stays in particular are so well designed after years of tweaking that using carbon would not have brought any real benefits, yet it would have added to the cost.

The frame is a 29’er which depending on which length shock is chosen produces either 100 or 120mm at the rear. That’s about 5″ in the longest travel version, and considering that it can be built up as light as 22lbs it has the potential to be a very fast bike indeed. Claimed weight for the frame and shock is just 4.3lbs, and it’s happy running a 140mm travel fork, and possibly even a bit longer.

As with most companies who make carbon frames Ellsworth reckon that they’re doing it better than most. Whether that’s true or not is difficult to prove, the proof will be in the riding. With some good looking numbers and one of the most proven suspension designs in the world (Ellsworth’s ‘ICT’ take on the classic 4-bar design) we wouldn’t be at all surprised if this carbon Evolve turns out to be a serious contender. Hopefully we’ll get one to test out, and it’s good to see that Haven, the UK importers, are offering some great build kit deals to help keep the price to a slightly more sensible level. Oh, and it’s available in no fewer than four different sizes, which can often make a big difference to how well a bike fits you.

What do you lot reckon to it?

Price: £2499.99 inc Cane Creek Angleset
www.havendistribution.co.uk
www.ellsworthbikes.com

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