Last year, Ellsworth showed off an alloy Epiphany 650B mountain bike. Now, he’s added a carbon fiber version XC model and a revised alloy Enduro iteration. Joining it is an all-new carbon Absolute Truth that takes the Truth’s original 100mm travel and bumps it to 125mm along with the slighter larger wheels.
Both frames are made using Ellsworth’s “high definition” internal molding that allows them to get evenly distributed 300psi compaction across the entire frame, even all the little curves, nooks and crannies. Ellsworth lays up each section to get the stiffness needed for good handling without giving up the vibration damping characteristics of carbon. The detail shots below show just how intricate the designs get.
The Absolute Truth, above, maintains the same geometry as the shorter travel alloy bike. So, it’ll have the longer travel and 650B wheels that everyone’s loving these days, but with quick, race-ready handling.
Both models get internal cable routing with very nice exits at the top tube’s split.
We often hear “Oh, but his suspension design hasn’t changed in years.” When it works, it works, and on the bikes we’ve ridden (here and here), it works quite well.
Frame weight is claimed just under 5lbs with shock.
The Epiphany splits into two models, XC and Enduro. The XC model will only come in carbon fiber and will be called the Epiphany XC. Geomtery is very similar to the 2013 alloy model, with the same 140mm travel, but with a bit bigger wheel. It was originally designed as a long travel XC race bike, but some customers wanted to take that up a notch while keeping the light weight.
The forthcoming Epiphany Enduro will use an alloy frame with their SST shaping. Travel stays at 140 rear/150 front, but geometry gets a 2° slacker head angle (67° to 68° depending on set up), 1/8″ lower BB and half degree slacker seat angle.
A better shot of the cable routing.
There’s room in that tunnel for a remote shock lockout…or it could be used for a dropper post remote.
The chainstays are alloy because he can make them just as light and stiff as carbon at less cost.
All will be available as a frameset with shock or as one of five build kit options.
