FAQ

Note: Comments by Tony Ellsworth in blue.

What should the torque be for the drop hanger bolt?

About 10 foot pounds, or by the home bike mechanic torque wrench method...a little less then a chainring bolt, a little more the your 6mm brake lever clamp bolt...  Or as I've heard in the past...I hesitate to repeat, lest someone not understand I'm joking... "tighten until it strips then back it off 1/2 turn"

How should I care for and maintain the pivot?

Really, no one has ever had to do that yet.  But it was my design intent that one be able to pop the seals off the outside of the cartridge bearing, and flush it with solvent if necessary, blow it out with compressed air, until the solvent is all dried up (so as not to dilute the viscosity of the new fresh grease you'll pack in there) and pack in some new high quality grease, high impact waterproof stuff is best.  Ellsworth sells some grease we have custom made with some amazing lubricative and viscosity additives for $14.95 a tin, available at Ellsworth Customer Service 760-788-7500.

If nasty nasty things happened to the bearings, they could be pressed out and reinstalled.  We use a special bearing seating agent, so this should probably be done at the factory here in Ramona, Calif., if it ever needs to be done--which I strongly doubt, unless you take it to the beach, body surfing, and IF water did get in the bearings, you let it sit in a cool dark place for months...anon.  As you can see, this is a low probability situation.

What is the torque value for the pivot bolt?

About 35 foot pounds.  Literally we tested the bolt by seeing in we could actually twist it off or strip it.  We keep developing the Aluminum version until no one could bust it with a 8mm allen wrench.  Keep in mind, it's not a compressive load function.  The tolerances are such that the bearing race seats against the BB/Pivot bearing seat and the 12mm Sex Bolt Pivot Axle Pin (everyone likes a different description, so I include them all) simply holds it all together that way.  As long as it's tight--we're all good.

 

What is the recommended cable routing?  I have SRAM rockets and Grimeca disk brakes front and rear. Why are there no cable guides on the left side?

I like them on the right.  The rear brake is meant to route under the top tube to the brake, or on the small, there should be plenty of room to route it around the seat tube.  Use the shimano noodle that makes a big turn rather then the little turn.

I'm not sure what the production date on your frame is, but the new ones have a guide further back on the top tube that facilitates routing.

The routing for the disks are still problematic, from a design standpoint, we either put a bunch of guides that won't be used, and clutter up the frame, or depend on the disks being fiddled with a bit to get them as the owner wants it.

There are holders available, call us we'll ship you some that bolt into the triple stops and hold the hydraulic tube.  Or, you can drill out the triple and route it that way.  It's super sanitary, but a pain in the butt.

On the rear, I opted for the housing retainer under the stay, because I like the clean look of the stay on top, and wanted the housing out of the way.

Hope that helps.

Are there brake line clamps available for the disk brake lines?

Yes.

Can I remove the rear brake bosses?

Yes.

What hardware on my frame is Ti?

The pictur on your site is of a standard Isis.  If that is the case, none of it.

If it is a anodized black SL, then the pivot pin is Ti--although the newer stuff is shipping with the Aluminum version we deveoped.  It's lighter and just as strong.

Which bike is better? Superlight, Tracer, or Aeon Isis.

The best bike is the one that fits the rider. I would happily own any of the above.

While it's certainly true that all three of these would provide a multitude of giggles, I so design every bike with specific design goals.  I'd like to share with you what those we're and why I feel the Isis is the pick of the litter of these three bikes.

The Superlight has some flaws, in my opinion, that I felt I could overcome and maintain a price comparable to that bike.

The Superlight has a regressive shock motion ratio.  It's fine in this price range, most of the buying public doesn't know what a shock motion ratio is.  But at Ellsworth, we do, and we have some very stringent criteria for it.  To describe what it is, it basically is the leverage the system has on the shock through it's travel.  In other words, if a hard bump is say a 500 pound bump, and a soft bump is a 200 pound bump.  A regressive linkage would take a harder bump in the first part of it's travel to move the shock .25" and a smaller bump later in the travel would move the shock the same .25".  This would mean that while your just cruising over smaller stuff, the suspension is stiffer and less compliant, the when your really whacking the bike through big stuff fast, it's MORE compliant.  Yes, this is backwards.  It creates a set up where you either set the bike up too stiff so it won't bottom in the big stuff, and it's not very soft in the small stuff (which is where you are most of the time and this fatigues the rider).  OR the rider si forced to set it up soft for the small stuff, then it bottoms hard in the big stuff.

To us at Ellsworth, this is a travesty played out on cyclist everywhere, simply because they may not understand the technical ins and outs of suspension design.

The Isis is linearly progressive.  Meaning a small bump moves the linkage a small amount, a bigger bump moves it a bigger amount, and this linear relationship increases the further into the travel you go, so that when your going really fast and hitting big stuff the suspension gets that much more aggressive, but still linearly controlling the bump force with the suspension function.  The result is an amazingly supple ride with excellent high speed big bump control, and virtually never a harsh bottom to the ride.

This is one reason the Joker with only 6" of travel is being used in the biggest jumps and drops in the world today.  For a quick idea of what I'm talking about visit:

northshoremountianbiking.com

Dan (Dangerous Dan) is on a Joker.

Also, the superlight pivot is placed on the down tube, which changes in position depending on size...basically attesting to the fact that they really don't care how the suspension functions...it's regressive on all models, but worse on some sizes then others.

Also, the pivot is welded to the down tube, rather then structurally being one peice and thus in perfect alignment with the Bottom Bracket.  Meaning the straightness from back to front of the santa cruz stuff is not nearly as well controlled in production as the AEON stuff, which is a carefully engineered one piece BB/Pivot.

The same attachment mechanism is what makes the AEON so much stiffer then either the FSR linked Tracer (expensive specialized--argueably, the Specialized is even made better).  That attachment mechanism the AT in the ATLAS acronym for Anti-Torsion, means that the system of a tubular upright, vs two welded plates like on the santacruz, and marin stuff, controls the side loads that flex the other single pivot designs, diminishing the frames ability to carry a line and carve a turn through rough terrain.  Which, as you know the AEON does so well--because of these "subtle" design differences the AEON is able to be so much stronger and more stable without the addition of weight.  Indeed, it weighs less then the tracer, and about the same (admittedly about .25 pounds heavier) then the superlight.  I feel personally that the weigh you gain in structural rigidity is made up for in the energy you won't loose from flex and suspension pedaling efficiency of having the pivot located closer to the chain torque line as on the ATLAS equipped AEON.

The FSR linkage bikes are aligned such that each pedal stroke compresses the shock, wasting energy.  Wasted energy cost more then folks know.  It's difficult to meter, though we have been able to do that.  Anyway, the Tracer is $300 more the the AEON, the same weight or heavier, and not as energy efficient.  Other then the cool "intense" name, we feel very confident that a test ride aboard each would leave the rider preferring the AEON.  Especially for the money.

So those we're the design goals:

Simplicity, produceability without sacrificing function and quality, and superior performance to the rest of the industry.

I can honestly say we have accomplished that.  The AEON with the ATLAS suspension (patent pending) will outperform the FSR four bar links, as well as the rest of the industry's single pivots, or pseudo four bar links (those that the wheel mounts to the swing arm directly and not to the shock stay, those are really single pivots that use a linkage to overcome (maybe) the shock motion ratio problems that plague most single pivots.)

Is the Aeon Isis made in Taiwan?

No, the Aeon Isis is hand made in the old Control Tech factory in Washington state.

Actually, this isn't true.  Control Tech is pretty much out of business, certainly out of the frame business.  Kenisis, a taiwanese company doing some fabrication in the US with taiwanese material, fabrications and extrusions, I think is who your thinking of...that sort of false Made in the USA thing doesn't play very well with us.

The AEON is produced in an ISO 9002 aerospace aluminum production and fabrication facility in Portland Oregon.  Curiously enough, the same place that makes the superlight and the FSR, but not the Intense.  The machining is done at one of our proprietary vendors here in Southern California.

The production is as tightly controlled by me personally as it is on our Truth and DARE models.  The facility a bike is made in, or fabricated in is only relevant if the designer, owner, etc. doesn't physically run the production.  I do physically run the design and production of each model of frame Ellsworth sells.

Is the Aeon Isis custom made?

Maybe, depending on what you mean by "custom".

No, if you mean having the frame tailored your dimensions. The Aeon Isis frame is only available in three sizes, small, meduim, and large.

15", 17", and 19".  We do intend to add a 21" next year.

If custom means the quality of being hand built from the raw material to the finish then yes, the AEON is custom built, by hand, all to the designers blueprints... Then yes the AEON is custom.

Yes, if you mean picking your own component mix. You can order just the frame and specify nearly any component mix if you order from, say, Speedgoat.

What is the difference in the 1999 and 2000 models?

The 1999 Isis was made with a grey ATLAS unified rear triangle.

The 2000 Isis was made with a black ATLAS unified rear triangle.

The addition of the cable routing guide was new in '00.  The lighter weight Aluminum pin was new in 2000.

For 2001, we're introducing another SL color-- bare naked (clear anodized aluminum).  And the Joker will also be available in an anodized color as well-- Black like the 2000 Isis SL.

How would you categorize the Aeon Isis?

All mountain beefcake. The Isis straddles the grey area between a XC and a DH bike. It is a XC bike on steroids, look at the massive headtube support, the beefy ATLAS rear, the 4" rear travel, 73mm oversized bottom bracket.

The same critical technology that would make it a great DH'r, makes it a worthy XC'r.  At an honest 5.9 pound frame weight it's weighing in as light or lighter then anything under $1600.  Yet, your right.  Durability for multiple use pleasure without sacrificing light weight and performance was a key design goal.

How would you describe the riding characteristic?

Telepathic.

I agree.  As I've been quoted saying "handles on a thought".  Glad you can feel that.

How long is the frame warantee?

Remember to keep the hand off the front brake while airborne then it should be for a good long time. Lifetime warantee to the original owner. Sounds absurd, I know, but check it out yourself.

What is the difference between the Isis and Isis SL?

About 300 dollars and ...

  1. Weight: about 3/4 pound lighter thanks to Ti hardware and lighter rear shock
  2. Rear shock selection: Choice of 3 different rear shocks
  3. Strength: SL is much stronger due to shot peen treatment.
  4. Color:SL is only available in annodized black SSSSWWWEEEETTTT!!!

Note the addition of the clear anodized "bare naked" color (or lack thereof) for 2001.

Where can I demo an Aeon Isis?

Is the rear dropout replaceable?

Yes.

What is ATLAS?

ATLAS is an acronym for Anti-Torsion Low forward pivot Active Suspension.

Anti Torsion refers to the attachment mechanism, and location via that mechanism for the pivot.  It is patent pending.

Low forward pivot is the location relative to the chain torque line.  If you we're to get jiggy with a protractor, you'd see that it is further forward, and lower then any other design.  Further forward helps emulate that amazing ICT technology of the incredible "Truth" and "DARE" frames.  Meaning the wheel path is nearly vertical and the motion ratio is linearly progressive...  AND you are closer to the energy neutral point in any gear combination then any other single pivot, OR/AND the FSR designed linkages.

ACtive suspension, is a given, in case you weren't sure.  Because of the energy neutral location, the bike was meant to run with sag, and not lockout ever.  It's soft without the energy sponge feeling most of the industry's suspension bikes have made common place, and unfortunealy acceptable.

DEMAND MORE!!! Don't be afraid.

What is the material used for the frame?

6061 T6 aluminum alloy, which means ...

from Don_S ...

the 60 means they are alloyed with Magnesium and Silicon for moderate strength.The T6 stands for solution heat treated and artificially aged, without cold working.This increases strength. The last two digits stand for the uniquely different alloys used. 6061 is alloyed with Chromium,Magnesium, Manganese,and Silicon.

now you know :-)

What rear shock to pick for the Isis SL?

An agonizing question indeed. The three shock choices are available for the same price. I would pick the Stratos AR1 because Stratos offers an upgrade path to the Stratos XC pro. The reviews are pretty good for this frame/shock combo. Note: the Stratos AR1 is not user serviceable.

 

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