I've had it & have an itchy trigger finger.

**fondigley** · 09-13-2005, 05:51 PM

Life sucks and I am going to get my gun...... no, but really. I am tired of beating the shit out of my 2000 Gay Fish Sugar 2. I just got smoked on a dh section, by an old XC racer buddy who just moved to town from the East, who hadn't ever passed me on a dh section before yesterday. Well now the tables are turned and he had the more dh oriented trail bike. My Sugar has felt like it was flexing and ready to break on my last 2 rides. I think I have beaten 'er to death. I have noticed at least 1 crack in the weld by the seat post. Me, the original owner should be able to get a free frame because of that, but can't find my original receipt, so may have problems. But that is beside the point.

On Friday, I got an email from Ellsworth about a trade-in program they are offering, to check out their latest crown jewel, the "Moment." 6 inches of plush climbable travel on a relatively light frame. I have been eyeing a new trail bike for over a year. Now with a $700 trade-in credit opportunity I would be able to trade one of my Ellsworth's for the Moment. I am thinking about trading my Specialist for this, but that would mean: no more dirt jumping hardtail for a while, but I would have a blast on the trails around here instead of the pain and suffering of my old race bike(yeah the bike is the one going through the pain and suffering). I am not suffering and really wouldn't be suffering with a new toy.

Do I need this bike? Why or why not?

I still have many ski season purchases to make as well, but nothing close to the cost of a new frame, especially an Ellsworth. My bike time has been slowing down a lot lately, so maybe this would be good to keep me pumped and riding. Help me make this decision.

Did I mention I've been known to squeeze the trigger.

**homerjay** · 09-13-2005, 05:53 PM

I've never regretted a penny of spending on bikes or bike-related stuff. Do it.

**fondigley** · 09-13-2005, 05:55 PM

Me niether Homer.

**Crinkle** · 09-13-2005, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by fondigley

I would be able to trade one of my Ellsworth's for the Moment.

this is a tough statement to get past. If you can trade in just the frame, that would be a pretty decent deal. I don't have multiple bikes to choose from, so i really can't relate.

**fondigley** · 09-13-2005, 06:01 PM

Sorry I did not clarify, I am talking about the frame. Thanks for the point, Crinkle.

**crashnburn'd** · 09-13-2005, 06:09 PM

How often do you dirt jump and how often would you ride the new bike?

**bagtagley** · 09-13-2005, 06:11 PM

As a person who gave up a hardtail for a trail bike, I'd say...I'm not really sure. I've spent a lot of time regretting selling the hardtail and a lot of time trying to replace it.

DJ hardtails are very cheap compared to trail bikes (or have the potential to be), so that's something to consider, especially since you've got the chance at a pretty good deal. The biggest factor (to me) is the the "issue" with the Specialist. If it weren't for that I'd say keep the hardtail. Winter is on the way, and the hardtail will get way more use than a trail bike, especially given your ridiculously close proximity to some great DJs. However, the Specialist does have that "issue" so the choice basically has been made for you. You've got a great parts spec to build up a very nice aggressive trail bike. Build it up, save your cash and pick up one of the $500 P1s that come along every once in a while.

Oh, and you're 3 for 3 on broken Ellsworths, so either your foolish or due.

Finally, BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You let F beat you on a DH... BWWWAAAAAAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAAA!

**fondigley** · 09-13-2005, 06:37 PM

Crash, I got a huge dj park in my backyard, so that is an issue to me. But I really want to justify a new trail bike.

Bag, you are right in a way. What am I thinking buying another Ellsworth. But even with breaking all of my previous Ellsworth's there is something that draws me to them. Don't know what it is.

Edit: And after thinking, I really didn't break my Ells'. I believe B broke my Dare blasting it up that flight of stairs at Snowshoe over and over again. The DJ's broke my next Dare, too much casing. And the special, don't know where that crack came from.

Also there was no letting, when getting beat down the trail.
He: 5 inches of travel and discs.
Me: 2 inches of travel, literally and V-brakes.
He took the lead.

Also I figure I can afford a new djer before too long. Maybe within the next couple of months. I can always jump the big bike or steal my roomates P1.

**bagtagley** · 09-13-2005, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by fondigley

Bag, you are right in a way. What am I thinking buying another Ellsworth. But even with breaking all of my previous Ellsworth's there is something that draws me to them. Don't know what it is.

They're nice bikes, that's what. I'm saying you're due for a bike that doesn't break, so go for it.

Originally Posted by fondigley

Also there was no letting, when getting beat down the trail.
He: 5 inches of travel and discs.
Me: 2 inches of travel, literally and V-brakes.
He took the lead.

You understand, just as you would, I have to give you crap for getting beaten by a road weenie. You coming with him to Moab next weekend? You should.

**fondigley** · 09-13-2005, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by bagtagley

You coming with him to Moab next weekend? You should.

Maybe what is the deal. Road boy said trying not to get the wives to go.

**bagtagley** · 09-13-2005, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by fondigley

Maybe what is the deal. Road boy said trying not to get the wives to go.

My "wife" will still be in Chucktown, so I will be wifeless.

Check your email.

**jayfrizzo** · 09-13-2005, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by bagtagley

My "wife" will still be in Chucktown, so I will be wifeless.

Mrs. Frizzo is out ot town next weekend so I'm in. MOTHERFUCKERS!!!! You're gonna be dragged down by my slow ass all weekend. Oh yeah.

I'll whup you on the whiskey table, tho.

Whoop, and stuff.

**Tap** · 09-13-2005, 07:17 PM

but does the trade-in program change in 6 months when winter is over?

maybe you could pospone it and save during the winter for a new frame

**Bunion 2020** · 09-13-2005, 08:31 PM

I got the same E-Mail from EW. Can't see trading in my 03 Truth... yet. Local Bike shop is selling Moments for 3K full build with Fox F & R. Some to the components are lower end but.....

Anyhoo, the offer ends this month....

**phUnk** · 09-13-2005, 11:25 PM

Ellsworth are beautiful, overpriced bikes in my opinion.

**Particle** · 09-14-2005, 12:04 AM

Originally Posted by phUnk

Ellsworth are beautiful, overpriced bikes in my opinion.

as are Foes, Turner, and Intense...but Ellsworth is the only brand in that range with such a ridiculous reputation for frame breakage </internet hearsay only, speaking out of my ass>

**Darkside** · 09-14-2005, 12:17 AM

Have you heard of this company called "Santa Cruz"?[/hijack]

**bagtagley** · 09-14-2005, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by Darkside

Have you heard of this company called "Santa Cruz"?[/hijack]

Ellsworth's trade-in offer extends to Santa Cruz bikes too...Damn!

**InspectorGadget** · 09-14-2005, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by bagtagley

Ellsworth's trade-in offer extends to Santa Cruz bikes too...Damn!

[ignorance] What brands can be traded in? And what brands can be purchased? [the beginning of the /of ignorance]

**bagtagley** · 09-14-2005, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by InspectorGadget

[ignorance] What brands can be traded in? And what brands can be purchased? [the beginning of the /of ignorance]

Mine was a smartass reply. Ellsworth will only trade for Ellsworth.

**InspectorGadget** · 09-14-2005, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by bagtagley

Mine was a smartass reply. Ellsworth will only trade for Ellsworth.

Then mine was a dumbass question.

**phatfreeheeler** · 09-14-2005, 11:23 AM

I'd do it in a second if I had an older Ellsworth frame to trade in. My '05 ID is an awesome bike, especially now that it has 6" of rear travel. I haven't heard of one Moment frame failure yet and people are riding them really hard. You can run the new DHX air or coil, so it should be a super smooth trail ride. Also, I hear CS over at Ells has really been great lately. Even from some who have been pretty vocal the other way in the past.

**snow_slider** · 09-14-2005, 12:27 PM

Does the trade in deal work for other frames or only the Moment? If so, why not shoot for the Dare. 8" rear suspension travel will have you ripping past your buddie on the DH sections. That frame isn't all that heavy either - at least not for all the travel it offers.

**Darkside** · 09-14-2005, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by bagtagley

Ellsworth's trade-in offer extends to Santa Cruz bikes too...Damn!

I was implying that you could keep your Specialist, sell the Sugar and buy a complete Nomad or Blur LT for a little more than what the Moment frame costs.