Bicycling - The Truth Will Set You Free
Time was, suspension was relegated to down hillers. But technological advancements, better riding skills and more demanding cross-country racing have shifted the paradigm. First came now-standard front suspension, and today rear suspension is considered a viable cross-country race tool, thanks to bikes such as the Ellsworth Truth.
The Truth is built to be an ultra-efficient XC and 24-hour racer. The tubeset is internally tapered and externally shaped to put strength where it’s needed and save weight. Paint and stickers add weight so Ellsworth anodizes the frame and laser-etches the graphics. For further weight savings, other bits are carved by a computer-controlled mill, and aluminum hardware is used where possible. But the bike is not a complete slave to the scale: Heavier cartridge bearings in the rear suspension’s pivots give smooth operation and a long, creak-free life. A replaceable derailleur hanger adds a little weight, but makes a nasty, derailleur-smashing crash a small-dollar incident; replacing the entire stay is a much more expensive proposition. The Truth is a beautifully built and detailed suspension frame which helps explain the steep price.
Ellsworth contends that its suspension-engineering prowess yields a bike that does not need a lockout. Most riders will find this to be the case, as the Truth always feels efficient and there is no noticeable bob during seated pedaling.
Our test bike was equipped with a 3-inch-travel RockShox SID World Cup fork, which gives the Truth a race-friendly head angle. The top tube, a healthy 23.5 inches on the 18-inch size, is also ready to race. Long top tubes and steeper head angles create bikes that track true and climb comfortably, and that’s the Truth: It attacks climbs and knifes through singletrack. It descends reasonably well also, but the 3-inch fork limits performance on fast or technical terrain. Descending won’t win any XC competitions, so the Truth’s climbing bias is appropriate. If you want more descending prowess, a 4-inch-travel fork would provide more stability and control.
The Ellsworth’s suspension performance is excellent. The ride is more sports-car firm than luxury-car comfortable, resulting in a positive, direct-feeling bike…. It has no bad habits and always provides plenty of traction, great isolation and control over rough terrain thanks to its generous 4 inches of rear travel.
Bump-taming performance, very efficient pedaling and crisp handling make the Truth one of the best XC bikes on the market. It’s a potent weapon on any starting line, even those at the base of a mountain.