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Ellsworth Roots is Back as Fast Gravel Bike, Along with New Business Model

Ellsworth Roots grave bike
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It’s been over a decade since we last wrote about the Ellsworth Roots – so long ago that it was a big deal that it was now disc brake compatible. Now, Ellsworth has gone back to their Roots and is debuting a new business model as well.

The last time we heard from Ellsworth, it was announcing that Tony Ellsworth had rejoined the brand alongside new CEO Rudi Pienaar. Today, Ellsworth is announcing “a new chapter” in their history with limited runs of 450 for each model per year. Currently, those models will include the 100/120mm travel Truth, the 140mm travel Rogue, and new Roots gravel race bike. All models will exclusively run Industry Nine wheels moving forward, and they’ll be offered in Premium or Team-issue builds with the option hand pick individual spec like crank length, chainring, & cassette size, colors, etc.

Ellsworth lists that the new Roots is the first of two new gravel models, and this one is geared towards gravel racing. The frame and fork will fit up to 700c x 40mm tires or 650b x 49mm, and the fork includes a Variable Geometry Switch which changes the offset from 46mm to 51mm. The carbon frame includes top tube mounts along with the standard bottle cage mounts.

Pricing for the Roots starts at $2,899 for the frame (it’s not clear if the fork is included), or $4,199 for the frame and Premium I9 wheel combo. Complete builds start at $5,499 for Premium, or $8,399 for the Team-Issue.

ellsworthbikes.com

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17 Comments
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Chalchalero
Chalchalero
6 months ago

40mm max, once again, it looks like they are late to the show. Wish them well.

agwolf
agwolf
6 months ago
Reply to  Chalchalero

Agreed. It’s endurance bike, not a gravel bike

seraph
seraph
6 months ago
Reply to  agwolf

Speak for yourself. I ride gravel on 35c tires without issue.

Exodux
6 months ago
Reply to  seraph

And I raced the Mammoth Kamikaze on a fully rigid bike. Just because I once did it, doesn’t mean I’d want to do it again.

Aaron Santry
6 months ago
Reply to  seraph

While I agree that it’s ok to ride narrow tires it is also ok to point out that gravel varies by location. I just finished the Unbound 200 on a 40mm front and 35mm rear. But others might want to be able to run 48mm or more.

AaronF
AaronF
6 months ago
Reply to  Aaron Santry

Too true! Get on some Rge Rds with nice fresh sandy grade (you know, the ones where you can see the deep impressions of tractor treads) and you’ll be wishing for something much closer to 50mm.

Colin
Colin
6 months ago
Reply to  Chalchalero

The dude who won that Ultra whatever gravel race in 2006 was on 44s, but what I want to know is what acid is the Ellsworth designer on. Those are some swoopy upside-downy swirls.

Matt Gersib
Matt Gersib
6 months ago
Reply to  Chalchalero

2019 called and they want their gravel bike back…

mud
mud
6 months ago
Reply to  Chalchalero

Unbound Gravel just finished, and almost everyone was on fat rubber. Just a year ago they were on 40s it seems.

JNH
JNH
6 months ago

That Rogue appears to be the same frame they released in 2016 with a shorter stroke shock to clear 29 wheels. The Truth appears to be the 2018 model too. Begs the question who is buying these things? There must be someone.

Dirt
Dirt
6 months ago
Reply to  JNH

I cannot see them selling a single one of those MTB’s. Kind of sad really for those involved. I highly doubt anybody who was fond of the Truth when it was in its heyday (mid-2000’s). So many amazing MTB’s out now and even those don’t seem to be moving unless discounted 25% or more. The Ellsworth MTB’s are DOA.

Matt Gersib
Matt Gersib
6 months ago
Reply to  JNH

That’s why they’re still offering them… They just never sold them.

Grillis
Grillis
6 months ago

It’s been over a decade since we last wrote about the Ellsworth Roots 

And it’s been over a decade since they updated their website. They don’t even have geo charts for anything. How is this company still afloat?

Loyd Flanders
Loyd Flanders
6 months ago

Those MTBs have got to go, dont mind the silhouette of the gravel bike though.
MTBs are a dogs breakfast, and thats offending the dogs brekkie.

Doc Sarvis
Doc Sarvis
6 months ago

Business model #33. When will this guy ever go away?

mud
mud
6 months ago

Lachlan Morton won UG with a 2.1″ in front and a 44-45 in back. Granted the gravel is coarser than normal. But even if 40s are appropriate for a given race mud clearance is important.

Casey
Casey
6 months ago

40mm….welp, I’m out. That’s a pretty serious miss and a seemingly easy they thing they should have thought more about.

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