Ellsworth has been making high performance mountain bikes with their fully active ICT rear suspension since the 1990’s. They’ve always been known for great craftsmanship and production quality. One driving goal for founder Tony Ellsworth was to utilize U.S. manufacturing with U.S. sourced materials. He was successful for many years, and his aluminum bicycle frames were highly regarded throughout the world. As the bicycle industry shifted from traditional frame-building materials, like steel, titanium and aluminum, towards carbon fiber composites, the Ellsworth brand was compelled to follow the industry trend and sought resources outside the U.S. borders for its composites production.
Video: Ellsworth- A New Era:
By the time Ellsworth entered the carbon fiber game, the market had moved on down the trail. Unfortunately, sales weren’t as brisk as they had been in the hayday of smoke ano and ICT dominance.
Tony Ellsworth sought out a solution to highlight his bikes and return to his longtime commitment to U.S manufacturing. He orchestrated a deal to sell Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles to BST Nano Carbon of Rancho Bernardo, California. With new capitol and resources to resuscitate his long-time vision, BST and Ellsworth plan to bring their bicycle manufacturing back to California for the 2016 model range.
Ellsworth is effectively a new company, with new management, some interesting new products, and with what seems like a tight-knit group of enthusiastic and dedicated people. Here’s to hoping that they can steward Mr. Ellsworth’s original vision of American manufacturing, high performance products, and the promise of great customer service.
Ellsworth Brand Rebirth
- ICT rear suspension patented in 1997
- Always focused on best practices/environmental stewardship
- Long-term commitment to US manufacturing and US sourced materials
- Highly regarded active suspension (Instant Center Tracking)
- Always known for excellent craftsmanship and production quality
- Started full carbon fiber frame development 2011
- Resorted to outsourced Asian manufacturing for carbon fiber frames/frame components for 2012 model range
- Continued US aluminum frame manufacturing and production
- BST Nano Carbon of San Diego acquired Ellsworth in September 2014
- BST Nano Carbon and Ellsworth will be manufacturing the new ICT seatstays in their San Diego facility for the 2016 model range
- New designs for the 2017 range will be manufactured in San Diego
- Ellsworth has a diverse design and engineering team that has the technical capabilities to create competitive bikes
- Lead times for production will be cut drastically
- Ellsworth has the resources to be a leader in laminate design
- With a new revision for 2016, ICT has been modernized, yet still retains all of the active bump compliance and pedaling efficiency that so many riders have appreciated for so many years
- Ellsworth will support the Independent Bike Dealer network
- Ellsworth is effectively a new company with new management, new products, and a small, but enthusiastic team
- “America’s Bike”
