Californication
And if you want these kind of dreams, it’s Californication are the lyrics to the song Californication by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The song off their identically named LP is a sad outlook upon the increasing californication of the media by the big Holywood studios. A critic writes the lyrics to Californication appeal against the creation of an artificial and unnatural ideal of a kind of superhuman à la Pamela Anderson and Co. A call to arms against silicon breasts and Hair removal cremes.

But let’s be real. Aren’t we all a little bit Californified - Back in the 80’s and 90’s California was ever present in our living rooms thanks to the glorious invention of cable TV. The icing on the cake must be Pacific Blue, a series about mountainbike cops in California. However, instead of a shapely female, the cops were saved by the helpful hints coming from Hans >No Way< Rey and Brian Lopes, the two Riding technique specialists who came to the rescue of the bicycling justice. The series wasn’t as succesful as many would have hoped, but it still shows just how much higher mountainbiking’s profile is in California than over here in Germany.

If it’s possible to geographicaly pinpoint an area as the Cradle of Mountainbiking, then it has to be California. This strip of America along the Pacific Ocean is, for us ole’ Europeans, the essence of American Life - and it is said that in America, one shows what one has – a little bit of decadence is part of good etiquette.

Our two testbikes are of the same geographical origin and are pretty decadent themselves. Each cost, as framesets alone, nearly as much as a pair of silicon hooters would put you back, although the money is definetly better invested in the bikes. Ellsworth and Ibis are not only connected due to their geographical origins. Both badges are rooted in the personalities of their creators. Tony Ellsworth not only gives his name, but also makes it clear that he stands behind his poducts with a passion. The same goes for Scot Nicol who founded Ibis in 1981 and in the year 2000, after selling Ibis, had to watch his baby being ruined by the mismanagement of the new owners. Scot bought back the rights to Ibis and started over. One of the results is the Mojo.

Definite differences between the two Californians are evident in the companies marketing strategies. Ellsworth puts their trust in their patented I.C.T (Instant Center Tracking) suspension system, individualistic paint jobs and the materials used. For example the magnesium WIPPE with carbon bridge on the Epiphany is pretty damn exotic. Ibis on the other hand emphasize the thrills of riding, giving a humorous and technically interesting insight into their bikes on their homepage. The client and service seem to stand a little more in the foreground at Ibis, also due to the easily understandable brochure you can download that tells you exactly how to adjust and care for your Ibis. Ellsworth is lagging a little behind in this area. The very nicely designed site holds far less useful facts about the bikes, instead hyping the I.C.T.

THE FRAME
The workmanship on the Ellsworth is a true feast to the eye. Precise welding seams adorn the home drawn tubes, the custom paint job and last but not least the spectacular WIPPE make ones mouth water. The pivots are colourfully shown off. Although a size L, the frame doesn’t appear lanky, instead it comes over quite compact. The bottle cage is at its normal place and is easy to reach. The saddle can be sinked completely - same with the Mojo. Contrary however are the carbon typical, organic forms of the Mojo and its suspension system. The DW system named after it’s inventor Dave Weagle can also be found on Ironhorse fullys and has been carrying Downhill World Champ Sam Hill into many a valley at breakneck speeds. Two nickeled levers with far spaced pivots guide the carbon rear triangle. A small plate of high grade steel protects the carbon chainstay from chainsuck.

THE PARTS
In accordance with the two frames exclusivity you’ll only find the finest parts on these Californians. On the Epiphany the blue eloxated industry nine wheels are a definite optical highlight. Coupled with the exquisite Crank Broothers cranks, high end Sram and Easton carbon parts, it’s a dream come true for anyone leaning towards a parts fetishism. The screw on grips with blue eloxated Straightline caps as well as the multi coloured Chris King headset give the bike an air of the US and As national colours. The Ibis comes over far more discreet. XTR parts with the ever prominant X fit the bikes stealthy appearance. Easton carbon parts can be found just like on the Epiphany. Bumps are dealt with on both bikes by a FOX 32 Talas RLC at the front and a FOX Float RP 23 at the rear.

UPHILL
Thanks to the parts both bikes start their uphill test with a very sporty weight. The light wheels give both bikes sprinting abilities akin to a leopard. Their’s lots and lots of acceleration. However this sunny picture is slightly tainted by the highly acclaimed I.C.T system of the Elsworth. Riding on the middle chainrink and without the ProPedal function of the Fox, the rear triangle sea saws all over the place. Change gear to the small chain rink and this negative effect is reduced dramatically.

The Ibis has none of the above suspension problems, neither on the small or on the middle chain rink. Only the shifting of the riders body weight influences the rear suspenion. The variable front forks are great on both bikes and can be adapted in no time thanks to the new Talas system. The seating angle is nearly identical on both bikes too – slightly stretched, but still comfortable. Riding out of saddle, the Epiphany lags slightly behind the Ibis again. The cause is the rather low stiffness of the Epiphany’s mainframe.

DOWNHILL
Riding downhill one should be sure to switch off the ProPedal function. Otherwise disharmony takes over the chassis of both bikes and the rear suspensions stay way behind their abilities. Small bumps are dealt with by both bikes in an amazingly sublime and superior manner. The rear wheel seems to stick to the ground, also at high speeds. Big Hits are dealt with by the Mojo a little more controlled, as the Epiphany, due to it’s Mid-Travel characteristics, quickly reaches the endprogression of its travel. The main reason for the negative impression of the Al’American however is its soft mainframe. At size L a rider’s weight of approximately 85 kilograms is definitely normal. (Our test riders weigh about that.) Under this mass the mainframe triangle really has alot of flex, giving the rider an unsecure feeling on steep, technical downhills. On high speed passages this negative feature is slightly reduced by the long geometry and the consequent smooth ride. The Epiphany can not however triumph against the stiffness of the Ibis carbon chassis.

SINGLETRAIL
Singletrails as wide as dishcloths – this is where our duo are at their best. Strong sprinting and nimble, comfortable and full of traction - that’s how both bikes present themselves. With the forks set at 120 mills you feel as happy and secure as can be, burning through turns with a smile on your face. Due to it’s lenght the Ellsworth needs a little more pressure going into turns, but this is in no means a drawback. It’s more the feeling given by the mainframe that again taints the riding. In high speed turns, where the bike has big side stresses, the frame buckles distinctly. The ride through turns consequently feels a little sketchy, leading to lower speeds. The Ibis buckles a bit too, but in a much more controlled and predictable way. Annoying with the Mojo however is the loud clappering of the chain against the low-lying chainstay. The amount of marks just below the metal plate affirm our diagnostic. According to the distributor Tri-cycles, this deficit is being worked on. A complete neoprene casing is being developed for the chainstay. The slippery seat post is annoying on both bikes. The seat clamps on both bikes have to be really, really tight to avoid the seat post sliding, but we think the very smooth Easton post is the cause for this.

All in all our two Californians show us just how much fun riding singletrails can be if one happens to have the right amount of cash. (And isn’t interested in blowing it all on silicone...)

CONCLUSION
Both bikes show what is currently technically possible in the All-mountain sector. The weight of both bikes is downright sensational. The Ibis definetly wins our test, as the Ellsworth lacks in stiffness, even when ridden by an average weighing L-rider. With a smaller frame size however this deficit shouldn’t be as apparent.