Ellsworth Bikes sold, to focus on composites

Carbon fibre bikes & bits planned by new owner…

In a surprise announcment, BST Nano Carbon, a southern California composites company, has purchased Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles.  The company, which has worked with Trek, Answer, and Spinergy, will absorb the nearly 25 year old suspension specialist.  Founder Tony Ellsworth has agreed to stay on to oversee the brand’s designs as well as its engineering and materials team.  Presumably, Ellsworth’s patented Instant Center Tracking four-bar suspension design will live on.

In a quote, Ellsworth notes BST’s commitment to the environment, craftsmanship, quality, and American manufacturing, calling the new owners “a perfect steward for the brand’s future.”  Going forward, we can expect to see a wider range of Ellsworth frames and components sold, which will be sold through independent bike shops.

Read the full release below:

ELLSWORTH HANDCRAFTED BICYCLES ACQUIRED BY BST NANO CARBON

SAN DIEGO, CA — (September 2, 2014) — BST Nano Carbon, a leading design and advanced composites manufacturer, has announced the acquisition of Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles, designer and “Made in America” manufacturer of award-winning mountain bicycles for nearly 25 years.

As part of the agreement, Ellsworth Bikes’ Founder Tony Ellsworth will oversee the brand’s product design and work closely with BST Nano Carbon’s engineering and advanced materials team to create the next generation of Ellsworth bicycles. Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles’ offices and operations, previously based in Ramona, Calif., are now located in BST Nano Carbon’s state-of-the-art 65,000 sq. ft. R&D and manufacturing facility at 16275 Technology Drive in San Diego, Calif.

 “I’m so excited that the Ellsworth brand has found such a remarkable, synergistic partner in BST Nano Carbon.  I look forward to seeing the brand I started nearly 25 years ago continue to excel with ideals in environmental consciousness, craftsmanship, advanced material of the highest quality and technology utilization,” Ellsworth said. “Those ideals are clearly embraced and shared by the leadership at BST Nano Carbon, who are a perfect steward for the brand’s future. I’m confident with their amazing design and technological expertise, truly ‘Made in the USA’ manufacturing and financial resources, Ellsworth will not only continue to grow, but become the worldwide leader I always envisioned it could be.”

 “BST Nano Carbon’s acquisition of Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles is the perfect opportunity to showcase our advanced composites, engineering and manufacturing expertise to the cycling community,” said William C. Wood, senior vice president of BST Nano Carbon’s Worldwide Sales and Marketing. “Our team has made high-end bike components on an OEM basis for many years. We appreciate Tony’s design brilliance and have had our eye on the Ellsworth brand for some time.  Ellsworth customers will be very excited to soon see a new generation of high quality, Tony Ellsworth-designed bicycles and components that are engineered and manufactured in our San Diego facility. In addition, we are committed to a strategy that promotes globally, but relies on independent, local bike shops throughout the country and around the world to dramatically grow the brand and bring the highest quality, best riding mountain bikes to our customers.”

Ellsworth’s heritage moments, awards and accolades have been numerous including the Truth XC/Race mountain bike being named one of Mountain Bike Action’s Top 25 Bikes of Last 25 Years; Outside Magazine awarding the Epiphany its Gear of the Year mountain bike award, and the Ellsworth Ride cruiser bike winning Popular Science Magazine’s Best of What’s New Grand Award.

ellsworthbikes.com

bstnano.com