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.