My amateur review... First of all, I am not a pro. I would regard myself as a serious weekend warrior. I love cycling - MTB in particular. Other than the Ellsworth, my fleet includes a Pinarello XM 29er and two road bikes. I have had two rides so far on the Ellsworth Epiphany 27.5 plus, over proper technical single track at Groenkloof in Pretoria and at Klapperkop. Wow. It is so easy. I have a Shimano 2x11 configuration on both my MTB's, and on average I find I use at least 1 gear less on the steep ascents. I have always worried about the 1x11 configuration - specifically losing the granny gear. With the Ellsworth, I believe I will be fine with a 1x11. I dont know all the technical stuff, but here is an extract from a review by Competitive Cyclist: Ellsworth claims that the Epiphany's Instant Centre 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. Furthermore, ICT doesn't require a lock-out, so you can always keep the FOX Float DPS 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 pedalling 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. Singletracks have the following to say: While I normally feel much more comfortable aboard a trail bike than I do an XC bike, the Epiphany 27.5 plus stands alone as the only full-suspension 27.5 plus bike that I’ve ridden–or even heard of–that’s specifically intended for XC riding. While some might scoff and say, “plus size tires are too heavy and slow for cross country riding,” then they haven’t ridden the Epiphany +. Thanks to the firm pedalling platform provided by Ellsworth’s ICT four-bar linkage, the steep headtube angle, and the stretched out cockpit, the Epiphany danced up the mountainside at near-lightning speed. This bike is designed for dropping the hammer and pedaling at top-speed! I think this may have been the fastest-climbing bike I rode at Outdoor Demo, even over standard XC mountain bikes with non-plus wheels. The plus-sized tires significantly increased the traction when climbing in the loose, pebbly desert conditions. Instead of thinking about keeping my weight on the rear tire and maintaining traction, I was able to just hammer up anything and everything. The bike definitely didn’t hold me back: the only limiting factors were my legs and lungs. When I read the above review, I instantly recognised what I have been experiencing during my ride, but was unable to articulate. This bike is fast - at least as fast as a 29er, but with significant more traction on the rough stuff. I think the Ellsworth Epiphany 27.5 plus is now my favourite for single track, whereas I think the Pinarello XM 29er will remain my choice if the terrain is largely jeep track. Hope this all makes sense!
