Ellsworth Enlightenment - After the face lift.
10-30-05, 01:58 PM
#1
Throw the stick!!!!
Thread Starter
I have been working for a while trying to get the weight down on my Ellsworth Enlightenment. After countless hours of research, time waiting for parts, and spending enough money to make the national debt look like chump change it is just about done. I am still waiting for my Boone ti rings and I may order some aluminum and titanium bolts, but other than that I think I'm done spending money on it for a while. I am also going to be cutting the steerer tube off some more once I figure out exactly how low I want to run the stem. I still need to cut the seatpost down as well.
Here are the changes that I have made so far:
FSA XC-115 stem replaced a Thomson Elite stem.
Fizik Gobi saddle replaced a Fizik Aliante saddle.
SRAM X.0 rear dreailleur replaced a SRAM X.9 rear deralleur.
Eggbeaters Ti spindle replaced Eggbeater chrome spindle.
Shimano Ultegra 12 - 27 cassette replaced XT 11 - 34 cassette.
American Classic MTB 350 disc wheels replaced Hugi 240 / Mavic 317 disc rims.
Kenda Karma DTC tires replaced Continental Escape and Explorer tires.
American Classic skewers replaced Shimano XT skewers.
I think that is about all of the changes I've made recently. The new weight is right at 20.75 pounds. My goal is to have it down to 20.5 pounds. I think I'll be able to do it without having to file bankruptcy.
Anyway, what ya think?
Here are the changes that I have made so far:
FSA XC-115 stem replaced a Thomson Elite stem.
Fizik Gobi saddle replaced a Fizik Aliante saddle.
SRAM X.0 rear dreailleur replaced a SRAM X.9 rear deralleur.
Eggbeaters Ti spindle replaced Eggbeater chrome spindle.
Shimano Ultegra 12 - 27 cassette replaced XT 11 - 34 cassette.
American Classic MTB 350 disc wheels replaced Hugi 240 / Mavic 317 disc rims.
Kenda Karma DTC tires replaced Continental Escape and Explorer tires.
American Classic skewers replaced Shimano XT skewers.
I think that is about all of the changes I've made recently. The new weight is right at 20.75 pounds. My goal is to have it down to 20.5 pounds. I think I'll be able to do it without having to file bankruptcy.
Anyway, what ya think?
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10-30-05, 02:01 PM
#2
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That's a real beauty! 
I've never really understood shaving off grams here and there but I suppose it's because I don't ride much XC. 
I did try my cousins 19 pound race hardtail and I have got to admit, it was an amazing feeling riding a bike that light. 
What fork do you have on it?
PS: Face lifts give me the creeps, is it really true they literally peel your face off during surgery?
I've never really understood shaving off grams here and there but I suppose it's because I don't ride much XC. I did try my cousins 19 pound race hardtail and I have got to admit, it was an amazing feeling riding a bike that light. What fork do you have on it?
PS: Face lifts give me the creeps, is it really true they literally peel your face off during surgery?
10-30-05, 02:02 PM
#3
What?
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You could always lose the air in the tires, it will bring the weight down. :-D
:-D
10-30-05, 02:05 PM
#4
Throw the stick!!!!
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Drunken Chicken
That's a real beauty! I've never really understood shaving off grams here and there but I suppose it's because I don't ride much XC. I did try my cousins 19 pound race hardtail and I have got to admit, it was an amazing feeling riding a bike that light.
What fork do you have on it?
PS: Face lifts give me the creeps, is it really true they literally peel your face off during surgery?
I've never really understood shaving off grams here and there but I suppose it's because I don't ride much XC. I did try my cousins 19 pound race hardtail and I have got to admit, it was an amazing feeling riding a bike that light. What fork do you have on it?
PS: Face lifts give me the creeps, is it really true they literally peel your face off during surgery?
I have no idea about the face lifts. If I was that concerned about my looks I would definately be looking for a safer hobby.
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I may be fat but I'm slow enough to make up for it.
10-30-05, 02:06 PM
#5
Throw the stick!!!!
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by FreeridinLoon
You could always lose the air in the tires, it will bring the weight down. :-D
:-D
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10-30-05, 02:42 PM
#7
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Looks very nice......and expensive!!!!
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Like a circus monkey on a stolen Harley......
10-30-05, 03:01 PM
#9
Throw the stick!!!!
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The volume actually suprised me, they seem to be the "biggest" 2.0 I have ever had. They are actually bigger than my Continental 2.1's. As far as first impressions I don't have one yet. I have only ridden them about 1/4 of a mile, that was just to make sure that I had my derailleur set up right.
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10-30-05, 03:09 PM
#10
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Well let us know how they perform. I was thinking about them for my next set, they are supposed to have a similar volume to my Roll-X Pros (which are pretty big for a 2.0) but lighter.
10-30-05, 03:34 PM
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That's really awesome. Very nice build LowCel.
When I replaced every single bolt on my bike with a Ti or alu one, it saved about 70 grams. So bolts should take your bike weight down to 20.6 lbs (assuming you have stock ones). After the chainrings, and shortening the steerer (~5gr for 10mm cut) and the seatpost it should be at your aimed 20.5 lbs or may be even less.
And, as usual I am not leaving you without asking a question
. Does your bar ends clamp on the handlebar or they go inside the tube? I sometimes think it would be useful if I had bar ends, but I don't want to risk it with a carbon handlebar.
When I replaced every single bolt on my bike with a Ti or alu one, it saved about 70 grams. So bolts should take your bike weight down to 20.6 lbs (assuming you have stock ones). After the chainrings, and shortening the steerer (~5gr for 10mm cut) and the seatpost it should be at your aimed 20.5 lbs or may be even less
. And, as usual I am not leaving you without asking a question
. Does your bar ends clamp on the handlebar or they go inside the tube? I sometimes think it would be useful if I had bar ends, but I don't want to risk it with a carbon handlebar.
10-30-05, 03:49 PM
#12
Throw the stick!!!!
Thread Starter
Thanks erhan. I am actually planning on cutting off about 1" of steerer tube so that should be about 14 grams, I will also be losing another 6 grams when I remove the spacers. Granted it's not much but it's free weight loss.
My bar ends clamp on the outside of my carbon bar. Most flat carbon bars allow bar ends, only some carbon risers do though. My FSA carbon riser does not allow bar ends on it, even though the web-site says it does. I called FSA to find out which brand of bar ends they recommended, they replied by saying "none".
Anyway, I really like the ones I'm using, they are "Single Track Solutions". They weigh 62 grams for the pair. Not too shabby. I hadn't used bar ends for a few years but decided to give them a try on this bike. Now that I have gotten used to them I really like them. I am thinking about changing bars on my Truth so I can put some bar ends on that bike as well.
My bar ends clamp on the outside of my carbon bar. Most flat carbon bars allow bar ends, only some carbon risers do though. My FSA carbon riser does not allow bar ends on it, even though the web-site says it does. I called FSA to find out which brand of bar ends they recommended, they replied by saying "none".
Anyway, I really like the ones I'm using, they are "Single Track Solutions". They weigh 62 grams for the pair. Not too shabby. I hadn't used bar ends for a few years but decided to give them a try on this bike. Now that I have gotten used to them I really like them. I am thinking about changing bars on my Truth so I can put some bar ends on that bike as well.
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10-30-05, 05:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Drunken Chicken
That's a real beauty! I've never really understood shaving off grams here and there but I suppose it's because I don't ride much XC. I did try my cousins 19 pound race hardtail and I have got to admit, it was an amazing feeling riding a bike that light.
What fork do you have on it?
PS: Face lifts give me the creeps, is it really true they literally peel your face off during surgery?
I've never really understood shaving off grams here and there but I suppose it's because I don't ride much XC. I did try my cousins 19 pound race hardtail and I have got to admit, it was an amazing feeling riding a bike that light. What fork do you have on it?
PS: Face lifts give me the creeps, is it really true they literally peel your face off during surgery?
Haha, no I don't think they peel off your face.
I think they make small incisions somwhere along your face like beside the eyes or something and cut off some loose skin. Then, they reattach it and the skin appears tighter and smoother.
10-30-05, 08:05 PM
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man. dude if i ever win the lottery i'm giving you half of the proceeds because you sure need it.
i don't know about weight savings and all but that is a beautiful bike. i went to the mtbr ellsworth forum and saw most ellsworth owners have a lot of post showing, i wonder why that is. also, do you think shaving off a 50-100 or even 200 grams really makes a difference? or does it at some point become just a, well, sort of a compulsion, this whole weight saving thing? anyway, don't be offended, i am just asking.
also, even though i have heard that sram x-0 shifts better than the xtr, does not the xtr weigh less than the x-0? or is that weight loss not justified?
anyhoo, all that is moot. that is a beautiful bike. i don't know if it is season time or not where you are but i hope you win a lot of races. best of luck!
i don't know about weight savings and all but that is a beautiful bike. i went to the mtbr ellsworth forum and saw most ellsworth owners have a lot of post showing, i wonder why that is. also, do you think shaving off a 50-100 or even 200 grams really makes a difference? or does it at some point become just a, well, sort of a compulsion, this whole weight saving thing? anyway, don't be offended, i am just asking.
also, even though i have heard that sram x-0 shifts better than the xtr, does not the xtr weigh less than the x-0? or is that weight loss not justified?
anyhoo, all that is moot. that is a beautiful bike. i don't know if it is season time or not where you are but i hope you win a lot of races. best of luck!
10-30-05, 08:21 PM
#15
Throw the stick!!!!
Thread Starter
Actually just losing 50 - 100 grams doesn't make much difference. It's when you lose 30 here, 50 there, another 100 there that it all starts adding up. With the changes I made I lost between 1 1/2 - 2 pounds on the bike. That definately makes a difference.
As far as the X.0 vs XTR thing it is all a matter of preference. I have had them both, all I can tell you is that I prefer SRAM.
My season won't start until next April, I'll need all the luck I can get. Oh yeah, no amount of weight savings on the bike can measure up to the benefits of training. I am perfectly aware of that. I am also aware that weight on the body is more important, that is why I have lost 50 pounds. I figure I deserve to have a light bike after all the work I did to lose the weight.
As far as the X.0 vs XTR thing it is all a matter of preference. I have had them both, all I can tell you is that I prefer SRAM.
My season won't start until next April, I'll need all the luck I can get. Oh yeah, no amount of weight savings on the bike can measure up to the benefits of training. I am perfectly aware of that. I am also aware that weight on the body is more important, that is why I have lost 50 pounds. I figure I deserve to have a light bike after all the work I did to lose the weight.
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I may be fat but I'm slow enough to make up for it.
10-30-05, 10:28 PM
#16
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That's awfully light, and a great looking bike! I'm not up to speed on different products these days so I don't know, but are those tubeless tires? If not what kind of tubes are you using? I've managed to put together a reasonably light bike with fairly affordable components, but not THAT light!
I'm not up to speed on different products these days so I don't know, but are those tubeless tires? If not what kind of tubes are you using? I've managed to put together a reasonably light bike with fairly affordable components, but not THAT light!
10-30-05, 11:03 PM
#17
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Looks great, nice bike
10-31-05, 04:21 AM
#18
Throw the stick!!!!
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Lamplight - they are standard non-tubeless tires but I am running them tubeless using Stan's no-tubes. This way I have the benefits of tubeless but I am still able to run 445 gram tires.
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10-31-05, 06:57 AM
#20
Throw the stick!!!!
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Actually I'll probably end up going with bolt on skewers. They are quite a bit lighter than ti skewers.
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10-31-05, 07:39 AM
#21
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Looks good. Looks like you could shorten your cables up front a little, that would save a few more grams.
10-31-05, 07:45 AM
#22
one less horse
Nice build.
After you cut the steerer tube, don't forget to ditch the top cap and knock out the star fangled nut...
After you cut the steerer tube, don't forget to ditch the top cap and knock out the star fangled nut...
10-31-05, 08:08 AM
#23
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Originally Posted by LowCel
Actually just losing 50 - 100 grams doesn't make much difference. It's when you lose 30 here, 50 there, another 100 there that it all starts adding up. With the changes I made I lost between 1 1/2 - 2 pounds on the bike. That definately makes a difference.
As far as the X.0 vs XTR thing it is all a matter of preference. I have had them both, all I can tell you is that I prefer SRAM.
My season won't start until next April, I'll need all the luck I can get. Oh yeah, no amount of weight savings on the bike can measure up to the benefits of training. I am perfectly aware of that. I am also aware that weight on the body is more important, that is why I have lost 50 pounds. I figure I deserve to have a light bike after all the work I did to lose the weight.
As far as the X.0 vs XTR thing it is all a matter of preference. I have had them both, all I can tell you is that I prefer SRAM.
My season won't start until next April, I'll need all the luck I can get. Oh yeah, no amount of weight savings on the bike can measure up to the benefits of training. I am perfectly aware of that. I am also aware that weight on the body is more important, that is why I have lost 50 pounds. I figure I deserve to have a light bike after all the work I did to lose the weight.
I was trying to lose weight on my bike during my 1st season, but half way through, I realized the bike really doesn't do that much for me at the fitness level I was at. So instead, I took my SID off, and put on a F100X, then I put even more weight on by going with XT disc brakes. Soon I got a road bike and started putting the miles in. Now, I can climb so much better, and I'm totally looking forward to the next season where I should be in the middle of the pack.
Keep up the good work !!
Ming
10-31-05, 09:02 AM
#24
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Originally Posted by sparks_219
First, props on what you've done. The bike looks excellent.
I was trying to lose weight on my bike during my 1st season, but half way through, I realized the bike really doesn't do that much for me at the fitness level I was at. So instead, I took my SID off, and put on a F100X, then I put even more weight on by going with XT disc brakes. Soon I got a road bike and started putting the miles in. Now, I can climb so much better, and I'm totally looking forward to the next season where I should be in the middle of the pack.
Keep up the good work !!
Ming
I was trying to lose weight on my bike during my 1st season, but half way through, I realized the bike really doesn't do that much for me at the fitness level I was at. So instead, I took my SID off, and put on a F100X, then I put even more weight on by going with XT disc brakes. Soon I got a road bike and started putting the miles in. Now, I can climb so much better, and I'm totally looking forward to the next season where I should be in the middle of the pack.
Keep up the good work !!
Ming
10-31-05, 09:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Feltup
Riding a road bike is the single best training for riding a mountain bike.
Ming