The old girl cleans up nicely

[ODB]

First, a confession--though not a shocking one: I want a new bike (don't we all?). I mean, i'm riding 2003 suspension technology on both of my rides. Okay drivetrains and brakes, nothing special, plus ho-hum wheelsets on both. I feel like some kinda savage. This is no way to live!!!

Thing is, economic circumstances, including the purchase of a much-needed brand-new car for the wife last week, are precluding a bike purchase for the foreseeable future. So, you gotta make do with whatcha got.

A quick rewind: In the time since i began recovering from a months-long sidelining injury, i've been riding my '04 Iron Horse Hollowpoint exclusively. And it has served me well. But let's face it: It ain't the most flash sled on the trail. And its meager 4-and-change inches of suss travel, couple with a headtube angle much steeper than i prefer, often leave me wanting for more.

Meanwhile, my 02/03 Ellsworth Joker (split-year due to replacement of broken swingarm), has been sitting idle for more than year.



I used to really dig this bike, but i had fallen out love with it of late. This is mostly my fault. I'd slapped a lot of cheap replacement parts on it. Plus, during a wanna-be hucker phase (i now realize i'm far too old for that sheeyot), i outfitted it with a 2003 Super T that WAY raked out its already generous headtube angle. The bike's use had grown very limited. So, it sat--this despite the fact that the Joker (regardless of what all the Ellsworth haters out there might say) is an incredibly versatile frame. Watch those early "North Shore Extreme" videos--you'll see Dangerous Dan and Tyler Klassen hucking 6-inch-travel Jokers off ridiculous stuff. On the flip side, the frame's sub-8-pound weight (with coil shock) and stable pedaling characteristics helped me to a respectable finish in the Counting Coup around the same time.

So, the choice was obvious: The ol' girl needed a makeover. You've already seen the "before"; now for the "after":








First thing i did was give the Super T a better home with a much braver rider than I (thanks, Socal_Ridur; I know it's really gonna help you up your game). Replacing it: A Rockshox Lyrik Solo Air (thanks, Mullarks, for the killer deal):



The new fork rendered my dedicated-axle QR20 front hub obsolete, so the next logical step was a new wheelset. Now everyone will hear me comin' down the trail with my blingin' Hope Pro II clicking like a plague of cicadas out back:



DT Swiss hoops, with perky nipples:



We've gone this far. Why not a new seatpost and a little extra gold bling to finish things off? ...



One more look at the whole package:


Now I feel like i really do have a brand-new bike.

More upgrading to come (once I pay all of this off).

[bjammin]

nice... that sort of investment pays itself back tenfold.

[guero]

sweet! where is the bashguard?

[Chaos]

Very nice makeover indeed!
I remember watching those early mtb vids w/those Ells Jokers, sic vids.
Enjoy the ride!

[Sprockethead]

I bet the paint/ano still looks new. Just washed my Truth today, I forgot how green it is. Nice upgrade, I'm sure you'll be smiling for awhile. Next upgrade, Roco TST? I'll definitely help the pedaling and make the bike feel totally different.

[ODB]

Originally Posted by Sprockethead

Next upgrade, Roco TST? I'll definitely help the pedaling and make the bike feel totally different.

Are you in my head or what?

[CalEpic]

Nice. I like perky nipples

C

[Pain Freak]

Nice Toby,

Bike is sick!

I think most the smack talk in reference wasn't directed towards the Joker, but more to the Truth. Regardless what people will say, Ells makes a killer product. The engineering is there, for sure. I think the Joker is one of the top makes ever made so far and yours is set up about perfect.

[PacMan]

Awesome!! It'll be like a whole new bike now. Sometimes, a new bike is not what's needed, just a few key upgrades here and there.

Now go get that beesh dirty and post up some trail pics!!

[foofighter]

great to see what a little bit of $$ and some TLC can do to the old steed. Great makeover!

[Devoid169]

Having a balanced ride is nice - now I gotta retire my 12 year-old GT hardtail! Dig the gold - reminds me of my all gold Race Inc. bmx bike back in 1980 - Donny

[Schecky]

Nice bike Toby! I'm working on something similar.
Looks like it was fun at Chantry.

[SSinGA]

Nice - the good thing is most of that will transfer over nicely onto a new Turner!


j/k - FWIW I used to ride a Joker as well.