We've had the Ellsworth Evolution for a few months now and have gotten to know it quite well. And that's a good thing because it doesn't come from the wave of new carbon full suspension 29ers with ultra-short chainstays and slacker head angles. Rather, it is a machine made with that familiar material called aluminum and a different approach to 29er geometry and suspension.

It is beautiful to look at with its swooping top tube and long and elegant swingarm. It flows well and is nicely complemented by Loaded Components touches. Something interesting though, is that not everyone likes the frame shape with that long swingarm. Those folks found the swingarm odd and more appropriate for a downhill bike.

On the geometry side, the chainstay is not that short at 18.2 inches and the head angle is on the steep side at 72 degrees. For comparison, the much ballyhooed Tallboy LTC measures in at 17.9 inches and 69.5 degrees respectively. But the good news with the Evolution is the combination actually works well. The bike steers quickly and it is a good climber that maintains traction on difficult climbs.

Climbing traction is really where this bike excels. The suspension is active and it stays active through all kinds of trail situations. Unlike a lot of designs that rely on chain tension to firm up the suspension during climbing, the Evolution lets the suspension work away during high pedaling efforts. The result is a wheel that stays on the ground and maintains traction through the trickiest climbs. There is no pedal kickback where the trail bumps and pedal output seem to fight each other as the suspension is restricted and freed from movement. At the same time, the suspension is allowed to fully stay active during the hardest efforts.

A downside of a very active suspension like this, is that the rider really needs stay seated during climbs. When out of the saddle, the rider can cause a bit of suspension bob as they rock up and down the bike during hard pedaling efforts. The rear shock can be switched of course, to provide a stable pedaling platform if it's a long, steep climb. But this will detract from the strength of this system, so the rider must remember to open up the shock again.



Descending is a strong suit of this bike since the rear suspension is very active. It's quite plush and the rear maintains good traction on the roughest terrain. It really feels like it should have a little more suspension in the front since the rear can handle a lot. A 130mm or 140mm would be nice to try especially with 34 mm stanchions. But the bottom bracket height of this bike at 13.6 inches is already a bit high to start with, so raising it up more would be a compromise. As the trail gets steeper and rockier, the bike can hit its limit with its 72 degree head angle.

But all in all, this bike can handle all sorts of terrain with confidence. It is a balanced system, so going up and down harsh terrain like Sedona and Moab is right up the Ellsworth Evolution's alley.

Specifications:
  • Price: $4,595 as tested ($2,395 frame/rear shock).
  • Weight: 28.2 lbs (without pedals)
  • Sizes Available: S, M (tested), L, XL
  • Drivetrain: Shimano XT
  • Fork: Fox Talas 29
  • Rear Shock: Fox Float RP23 w/ Boost Valve
  • Brakes: Shimano XT
  • Wheelset: Ellsworth XC
Strengths:
  • Climbing traction is impeccable
  • The rougher it is, the better it handles
  • Very balanced machine on rough, seated climbing and fast descending on technical terrain
  • Aluminum craftsmanship is top notch
  • Spec package is very attractive with Loaded Components and Ellsworth wheels
  • Travel is very plush and linear
  • Style and shape of the bike is very striking
Weaknesses:
  • 27.2 seatpost is not compatible with most dropping posts
  • BB height is high at 13.6 and chainstay is long at 18.2 and wheelbase at 45.5
  • 72 degree head angle is on the steep side
  • A bit heavy at 28+ lbs.
  • Lines of the frame with the long swingarm can be very polarizing.
  • Not ideal for out of saddle climbing as pedal induced bob will occur if not locked out
  • Long wheelbase makes it harder to maneuver on very tight trails

Value Rating:


4.25 out of 5 Stars

Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

Bottom Line:
This bike is enigmatic. Some riders love the way it looks and some don't. Folks who only look at the spec sheet may not be impressed with: Aluminum, not slack, not super short stays, 27.2 post. But then folks who ride it are really impressed. Looking at the user reviews HERE tells the story of many happy customers. Our experience with it showed us a bike that well designed and integrated. It excels on the climbs and when traction is needed on very rough all-mountain terrain, the Evolution comes ready to play.

PARTSMLXL
Head Angle (Degrees)71 °72 °72 °72 °
Seat Angle (Degrees)73.5 °73.5 °73.5 °73.5 °
Bottom Bracket Height (static)13.6 inches13.6 inches13.6 inches13.6 inches
Top Tube Length23 inches24 inches25 inches26 inches
Stand Over28.0 inches28.1 inches28.0 inches30.7 inches
Chainstay Length18.2 inches18.2 inches18.2 inches18.2 inches
Seat Tube16 inches18 inches20 inches22 inches
Head Tube Length4 inches5 inches5 inches6 inches
Rear Travel5 inches5 inches5 inches5 inches
Recommended Fork Travel5 inches5 inches5 inches5 inches
Shock Length7.875 inches7.875 inches7.875 inches7.875 inches
Wheelbase44.0 inches44.5 inches45.5 inches46.5 inches
Static Fork Length21 inches21 inches21 inches21 inches