Interbike: Ellsworth debuts new carbon hardtails

Long-time aluminium devotee Ellsworth Bicycles has finally given in to the carbon fibre movement with two new carbon hardtails plus a pair of composite road bikes for 2010.

The versatile new Enlightenment will be offered in both 26″ and 29″ variants, both with monostay-style seat stays and chain stays that Ellsworth claims smooth out the ride a bit relative to conventional hardtails. 

Interchangeable and interlocking CNC-machined dropouts allow for either geared or singlespeed drivetrains – or even a belt drive thanks to a split driveside seat stay. 

Ellsworth fits the 29er version with a notably swoopier tubeset up front plus a tapered head tube to better handle the longer fork legs. 

Both frames also use fully internal cable routing – including for the rear brake. 

The swoopy top tube and down tube on the Enlightenment 29er mate up to a tapered head tube.

‘Swoopy’ is also the theme for the revamped Truth, Epiphany and Evolve platforms, all of which get all-new front ends that yield a tad extra stiffness and standover clearance as compared to the old round-tubed versions without adding weight.  

Interchangeable dropouts allow for geared, singlespeed and even belt drive drivetrains (the stays are split behind the upper mounting bolt).

New seat stays assemblies and rocker arms are included on all three model ranges for 2010 as well.

Carbon fibre is also used for the new Coercion road and Coefficient time trial bikes. The former is a fairly traditional-looking rig with a large-diameter roundish-profile front triangle matched to slimmer chain- and seat stays for a comfier ride. Claimed frame weight is around 940g.

The new Ellsworth Coefficient carbon fibre time trial bike features front and rear wheel cutouts and aero-profile tubing.

The Coefficient, on the other hand, uses more aero-shaped tubes plus cutouts for both the front and rear wheels. Internal cable routing is used throughout and the included aero carbon seat post can be configured in 76 and 79-degree seat angles depending on the application.

Just in time for ‘cross season comes the limited edition Ellsworth Roots.

Got mud?  Ellsworth also has its Roots ‘cross bike ready just in time for the season. The shaped aluminium front triangle – with a flattened top tube for less painful shouldering – is matched to a carbon rear end for more comfort and traction.

Mud clearance is generous top and bottom and dual bottle mounts are on hand, too, just in case you decide to use the Roots for more than just racing. 

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