April 17, 2010
For those reading this post for the first time, I began planning for this bike many months ago. This post is the second post in a series that finally completes this build saga. I originally finished this build weeks ago. But with all the snow in Baltimore, I could only test ride it in the city on a night ride with some of my boys. I let my friend Zach try out the bike – a long-time fixed gear city rider (not a mountain biker). He asked me how to shift it. I should have known right then and there. In what seemed to be one continuous motion, he shifted from the middle cog to the highest, while cranking down on the pedals as hard as he could. He managed to tear the derailleur hanger in two and carry the loose derailleur – still on the chain – through the rear wheel. Four Industry Nine spokes sheared in two and the derailleur was managed mess like none I’ve ever seen.
So after I got the wheels back from Industry Nine, and replaced the chain and derailleur, I had to send the 2010 Talas 36 RC2 back to Fox. No rebound after several test hucks in the city. Fox replaced the upper portion of the TALAS. I got it back 3 days ago, and it works great.
I’ve ridden a Moment for a long time and absolutely love the bike. Nothing I have ever tested comes close in the all mountain 6″ category. My only gripe with an Ellsworth is that you can never get a matching frame and chain/seat stay color (unless you go with all black). Furthermore, a lot of the colors offered are pretty heinous (Why would you zebra stripe a high end bike? Ever see a zebra striped Ferrari? No.). Not to mention, your fork is most likely going to be a different color. When I found out that Ellsworth was willing to custom anodize using any color from their line, current or past, I jumped all over the chance to get something uniform and clean. With the ability to mute the bike, I took advantage of making the accessories pop using anodized blue. A big shout out goes to the guys at Ellsworth on this. They were great to work with and turned the bike around in under 8 weeks.
BUILD SPECS
Custom Paint
…..Frame Color – Gun Metal Grey, Anodized
…..Chain & Seat Stay Color – Gun Metal Grey, Anodized
…..Rocker Color – Anodized Blue
Wheel Set
…..Rims – Loaded USA AmXc
…..Hubs – Industry Nine, Freeride
…..Spokes – Industry Nine, Machined Aluminum
Drivetrain
…..Cranks – Raceface Atlas
…..Pedals – Straitline Platforms
…..Bottom Bracket – Hope Ceramic
…..Cassette – Sram PG-990
…..Rear Shifter – Sram X9
…..Rear Derailuer – Sram X9 (1×9 set up)
…..Outer Bash Guard– Race Face 32t
…..Inner Guard– BBG 32t
Brakes & Rubber
…..Calipers – Hope Moto V2, Machined
…..Levers – Hope Moto V2, Machined
…..Rotors – Hope Moto V2, 203mm, Floating
…..Tires – Maxxis ADvantage 2.4″
Cockpit
…..Bars – Raceface Deus XC
…..Stem – Hope (90 degree ride)
…..Post – Thompson Masterpiece
…..Saddle – WTB Laser V
…..Grips – Steve Peat Signature Lizard Skins w/ Ellsworth Caps
…..Headset – Hope
Suspension
…..Fork – 2010 Fox Talas 36 RC2
…..Shock – 2010 Fox DHX Air 5.0
Anodized Rockers w/ Matching Straitline Flats Pedals
Hope Moto V2 Rotors w/ Matching Machined Caliper
Maxxis AdVantage 2.4 Tires, Hope Moto V2 203mm Rotors & Calipers
Loaded USA Skur
The Cockpit
Hope Moto V2 Handle and Reservoir
Chain Stays & Loaded AmXC Rim, Industry Nine Hubs
Hope Headset & Braided Hope Brake Line, Straigtline Spacer
Hope 90 Degree Stem
Chris King Top Cap w/ Anodized Headset Bolt
Steve Peat Signature Grips w/ Ellsworth Caps
Hope 90 Degree Stem
Absolutely a gorgeous bike. Love the colors as it’s all very well thought out and “just works”.
Thanks for such kind words, Taylor. Put a lot of effort into it so glad it shows. What do you ride?
I have a XC Joker that I bought three years ago. Built it up from a $1k basket case into a wonderful bike. I’ve got it spec’d out with some Crossmax wheels, Hope brakes/seat clamp/ skewers, Thompson and a Fox RLC 100.
I also have an extra Distance frame with a darker swing arm that is just waiting in case I ever need to replace the Joker frame. All in all, I’ve been very happy with my Ellsworth products.
Right on. Sounds like a great bike.
Nice bike. I really like the matching color scheme throughout. I didn’t realize Ellesworth would custon anodize the chainstays. Just curious what they charged you for that? I ride a 2011 Epiphany, nickel color. Do you think it would be fine to put a 140mm fork on the Moment? Thanks,
Thanks Austin. Ellsworth won’t custom anno the stays, really. This bike is a one and only in that regard. I guess it always helps to know someone. In terms of what they charged, it was a flat fee to cover the cost – I think a couple hundred bucks at the most. I can’t answer your technical question as I do not know enough about paring a 140mm fork with the Moment. What I can say is that I would want full travel as the bike was designed as a 6″ bike. Given the fact that I don’t have a single issue climbing all day long on it, I’m not seeing the benefit of limiting the front.
Well, I picked up a Moment off the demo rack from last year. Very plush suspension set up. Definately not as custom as your ride but still a great handling bike and looks nice in the nickel color. I am going to keep the 160mm Fox fork on it. I think you’re right to keep it set up for what its designed for. Anyhow, thanks for the response. I am very happy with my Epiphany and now the Moment… maybe a 29″ Evolution will be coming up in the future. Probably should buy stock in Ellsworth first.
Congrats on the new bike Austin. Post a photo if you can.
Well, I’m totally bummed. Just crashed my 2011 Epiphany into a car turning left in front of me. Atleast I have a couple spair bikes to rely on but not the same as riding my Ellsworth.
Ouch. I am sorry to hear this Austin. I hope you are OK. Let me know if you would like any assistance getting a new frame. I might be able to point you in the right direction for a steep cost break from retail.
What was the issue you had with the I9 wheelset? I have a set on my newly rebuilt Epiphany frame… No problems with the wheels but your post raises my awareness on the wheels. I am also building an Evolution with the Loaded AMXC wheels… any issues with those. Are you able to convert them to tubeless with some slime and Stan’s tape?
No issue on the I9’s what-so-ever. They are great. A friend of mine did break some spokes on my rear I9 but that was due to a broken derailleur hanger and attached derailleur being pulled through the wheel.
How’s the Moment holding up? Any component swaps that have made it better/worse in any way? Just curious… getting ready to build a 2013 Moment and wanted to see if there were any suggestions before starting.
Holding up just fine. Did a complete bearing replacement using Enduros. Went two full seasons on the OEM stuff including DH riding. The only thing I’ve added is a KSi drop post. Other than that, I brought the stem in (50mm) and added Answer 700mm wide bars. My immediate suggestions are to go 1×9 or 1×10. Use either an MRP guide or Straightline silent guide.
I was wondering about the stem. I am considering a 50mm stem but ride a 100mm on my Epiphany. Also, along the divetrain I think I will go with the SRAM XX1 setup. Probably I9 wheels again as those are awesome on my other Ellsworth, Do you like the dropper seat post?
100mm is fine if you are riding more XC and AM. If you are doing some XC with a mix of FR / DH, go 50mm. Love the dropper post. Have them on all my bikes now. I can get you a great deal on a Kind Shock if you want one. Just send me an email and let me know.
thanks. I’ll definately consider that. How are the Hope brakes holding up. I’ve tried Hayes (not my favorite) on my Santa Cruz and Avid Elixir’s on 2 of my other bikes. Also, using the Magura MT8s on my Epiphany. I like the MT8 but it doesn’t have as much grab as Avids.
The HOPE Tech V2 is one of the best brakes on the market. Holding up fine. Running them on my DH bike too. Great power, great modulation.
I am looking inot the droppper seatposts for my new build. You seem happy with the Kind. Have you tried any others? Any movement on the seat side-to-side up-down? What kind of cost can you get it for?
Kind shock is the shit. Side to side is barley there and it’s a total non issue. Highly recommend this post. I will email you with a price.
Wow, work of art. Great detail. I just joinded the Ellsworth rank. Picked up a used Epiphany on Ebay for an amazing price. Although it was’nt my first choice. It definitely was the best choice. The bike is awesome. In any case, I want to do a custom anno job. Contacted a company Ft. Lauderdale (I live in So. Fla.) estimated it would run around $350 for the complete frame. It’s a future project cause I want to enjoy the bike. BTW where did you pick up the Ellsworth encaps? Enjoy your ride and be safe.
Thanks Rudy. Congrats on your new bike! Would love to see photos of it after you anno it. The end caps are available direct for Ellsworth. Give em a ring and they will hook you up. Keep me posted.