SOC18: Ellsworth Truth is back with wild Active suspension redesign

The Truth will set you free. It will also get you into the newest bike from Ellsworth. After a lengthy hiatus from the lineup, the Truth is back – and with a wild new redesign for their Active suspension. Available in two different suspension configurations, the Truth Convert will slot in as their new lightweight XC or Trail build which will be available out of the box in builds as light as 22 lbs.

While the redesigned suspension looks wild, we’re told that it functions exactly as the ICT version before with a vertical wheel path and zero chain stay growth. So why change it? Ellsworth says they wanted to create a bike that had improved stiffness, a lower center of gravity, and better stand over height as well as creating a new visually stunning design. The new suspension has a pivot around the bottom bracket, a pivot on the chain stays and seat stays, and a pivot hidden in the seat tube. The shock also attaches to the chain stay piece in what appears to be a floating design.

Many show goers were wondering just how the suspension system actually worked, but when you see it go through the travel it becomes more clear.

Even with the shock splitting the seat tube, there is still room for a 30.9mm dropper post cable with a cable port on the inside of the left wall.

The frame also has internal routing ports for both shift and brake housing, internal Di2 battery storage, and clever features like a built in mud guard for the rear shock. The frame uses Boost 148 spacing with their Hex Taper thru axle system, and uses a threaded bottom bracket.

Available in two different platforms with 29″ wheels or 27.5+, one frame will have 100mm travel and one will have 120mm. However, the frames are the same and even use the same shock geometry. The difference in travel is made up with a longer stroke shock on the 120mm version which keeps the frame’s geometry the same – though the overall geometry changes thanks to the addition of a 130mm travel fork. The 100mm bike will run a 69 degree head tube angle, and the 130mm bike switches to 67.5.

To be offered in five builds with three colors, the bikes are 1x only and available in S-L. Pricing starts at $3,900 for the frame and $6,145 for a complete build, and bikes are about a month out from delivery.

ellsworthbikes.com