Ellsworth

Evolve Carbon Mountain Bike Frame - 2015

Mountain bikers are often caricatured as beer-swilling, lowbrow versions of their skinny tire counterparts, uninterested in anything but the thrill of mud-covered, terrain-smashing lunacy. We contend that this is unfair, as many of us appreciate the multifaceted refinement of a bike like Ellsworth's Evolve Carbon Mountain Bike Frameset.

The Evolve is not only handles terrain with confidence, but it also climbs well and has the cross-country speed pedigree of 29-inch wheels. It doesn't skimp on good looks, either, with Ellsworth claiming that it's a piece of "performance art." We agree, and we've found that the best way to appreciate this particular piece is covered in mud while enjoying a cold beer after a maniacal run through a rock garden.

The Evolve Carbon is built with Ellsworth's Force Vector Anisotropic Design, which translates into unidirectional Toray carbon fiber laid-up in varying shapes and wall thicknesses in order to strike a balance between weight and energy transfer while keeping the suspension system's pivot points aligned.

In the rear triangle, the addition of CNC machined aluminum rockers and chainstays makes for an even stiffer drivetrain, and the single 12 millimeter bolt needed for each pivot assemble makes for a lighter, less complicated system. Fewer parts mean fewer issues, and you can ride confidently knowing that the part that is there happens to be the size of your rear axle. The semi-integrated tapered head tube takes advantage of the steep head tube angle for a stiff front end that elevates 29er steering to levels you'd expect from smaller wheels.

Ellsworth claims that the Evolve Carbon's Instant Center Tracking (ICT) suspension is the most advanced suspension platform in the world. As it moves through travel, ICT keeps the instant center (or virtual pivot created by ICT's four bar suspension) as close to the chain force line as possible. In on-trail terms, this maintains a steady pedaling platform so your power is always transferring into forward motion instead of lost to those two suspension gremlins, forward Jack and vertical Bob.

Furthermore, ICT doesn't require a lock-out, so you can always keep the FOX Float CTD shock's travel fully active, even while climbing. The addition of chain torque doesn't constrain the system's travel, the Achilles heel of so many otherwise efficient suspension designs, so pedaling and bump compliance aren't working against each other. The end result of ICT is a plush, less-fatiguing ride with greater control and responsiveness over all terrain.