Where Are Ellsworth Bikes Made? | USA Roots, Built Now

Shoppers ask this a lot because origin affects warranty support, ride feel, and resale. If you landed here to answer “where are Ellsworth bikes made,” you’ll get a straight answer first, then the details by era, model line, and how to verify a frame’s label before you buy.

Where Ellsworth Bikes Are Made By Era

Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles launched in Ramona, California in 1991. Early aluminum frames were built domestically in small batches. The brand’s identity was tied to American fabrication and a patented suspension design known as ICT.

After several ownership changes, production shifted. By 2016, carbon and alloy frames were produced in Taiwan while bikes were assembled in Southern California facilities. That mix became the norm for several model years.

In December 2021, RP Designs acquired the brand and stated an intent to bring manufacturing back to the United States. Announcements like this take time to translate into shipping product, so always check the exact frame label on the bike in front of you.

Era	Main Production Location	Notes
1991–2003	California, USA	Small-batch alloy frames; ICT suspension begins.
2004–2013	Primarily USA	Expanded alloy lineup; some outsourced parts.
2014–2015	San Diego Plans	BST Nano era; push toward composites in San Diego; limited release volume.
2016–2018	Taiwan + Poway/San Diego	Frames made in Taiwan; assembly in Southern California.
2018–2021	Taiwan + San Diego	ASG ownership; operations in San Diego.
Dec 2021–2024	Transition Phase	RP Designs acquisition; stated intent to reshore production.
2025–Present	Mixed	Check frame label; runs may differ by model and batch.

Where Are Ellsworth Bikes Made? The Short Version

For most modern model years, the frames came from Taiwan and final assembly took place in Southern California. Older aluminum frames were built in the USA. New ownership has talked about building here again, so you may see U.S.-made limited runs as projects mature.

That blend—Asian frame production with U.S. assembly—is common across the mountain bike market. Taiwan’s suppliers specialize in high-precision carbon and alloy work at volume, while a stateside build station helps with spec control and service.

Two touchpoints back this timeline. In mid-2016, industry trade coverage reported frames made in Taiwan and assembly in Poway, California. In December 2021, a news release confirmed the acquisition by RP Designs, with plans that included bringing more manufacturing back to the U.S.

Keyword Focus: Where Are Ellsworth Bikes Made? Model Lines And Years

This section maps popular family names to the most likely origin by broad year ranges. Use it as a starting point, not gospel, because special editions and carry-over frames exist. Always verify the sticker and serial.

Cross-Country And Trail

Truth / Absolute Truth / Evolve: Early Truth frames were American-built alloy. The carbon Absolute Truth appeared late in the pre-2016 window, then later runs aligned with the Taiwan-plus-California model.

Epiphany / Evolution: Alloy Epiphany began stateside; later generations and wheel-size variants followed the mixed origin pattern.

All-Mountain, Enduro, And Downhill

Moment / Rogue Sixty / Dare: Moment launched in alloy during the U.S. build years. Rogue Sixty arrived during the 2016 shift, so think Taiwan frames with Southern California assembly for most units. Dare spanned multiple generations across both periods.

How To Verify Where Your Ellsworth Was Made

Do not rely on seller memory or photos alone. A quick hands-on check answers the origin question in minutes. Use the steps below on any used listing, shop floor demo, or your own bike before a sale.

Step	What To Check	Where To Look
1	Country Of Origin Sticker	Bottom of downtube, chainstay, or near crank area.
2	Serial Prefix	Under bottom bracket or on dropout; note letters/numbers.
3	Model Year Catalog	Archived spec sheets; compare paint and hardware.
4	Rear Triangle Casting Marks	Inside surfaces may show factory codes.
5	Dropout And Link Hardware	Head sizes, bolt styles, and anodizing often match an era.
6	Warranty Card Or Original Receipt	Dealer name and date bracket the production window.
7	Assembly Sticker	Look for a small tag showing a California build station.

Buying Tips For New And Used Ellsworth Bikes

Price Reality Check

Condition and shock history matter more than the flag on the sticker. A well-maintained Taiwan-built frame with fresh bearings will ride better than a tired relic from the early U.S. run. Budget for a full pivot refresh unless a seller proves recent service.

Suspension Health

ICT and later linkages depend on clean, torqued hardware. Check for play at the rear axle and rocker. If you feel movement, factor in new bearings and fasteners right away.

Parts Interchange

On older platforms, small hardware can be niche. Confirm availability of hangers, axle specs, and shock dimensions. A missing derailleur hanger can sideline a weekend if you can’t source it quickly.

Assembly Quality

Many bikes were assembled in Southern California. That’s a good thing for build consistency, but any bike can leave a shop with mistakes. Re-torque the linkage, bleed the brakes, and align the derailleur before your first ride.

How Ellsworth’s Origin Compares To Other Brands

Plenty of respected mountain bike names mix regional design with Asian frame manufacturing. The attraction is specialized suppliers, tooling depth, and reliable carbon work. Final assembly can happen near the brand’s office for spec control and to shorten the path to U.S. customers.

U.S.-built frames do exist today—usually in aluminum or boutique carbon—with higher labor costs and longer lead times. Ellsworth’s talk of reshoring fits a broader trend among niche makers testing limited American runs alongside established overseas partners.

What Origin Means For Warranty, Service, And Parts

Brands stand behind bikes based on serials, not where the tubes were welded. Your claim path depends on proof of purchase and model year policy. A domestic frame can feel special, yet support still flows through the current owner of the brand.

Parts sourcing is the bigger swing. On older U.S. alloy frames, you may hunt for specific hangers or rocker pieces. Later Taiwan-built frames often share hardware styles that shops know well. Either way, take clear photos and measure bolts before ordering. A few minutes now saves weeks later.

Paint and finish vary by era. Earlier anodized frames resist scuffs. Newer clear-coat carbon can chip from rock strikes. Add protective film in high-spray zones. It keeps the bike fresh and eases resale.

How To Read Country Labels And Serial Numbers

Federal rules guide how companies mark origin on finished goods. On bikes, the sticker refers to the frame or to the complete bike, depending on how parts arrived and where final steps happened. That’s why you can see “Made in Taiwan” with a small “Assembled in California” tag nearby.

Serial formats changed across runs. Photograph the full code. Dealers and brand support can often decode batch, plant, and month. When you post the code in a forum, blur the last digits if you care about privacy.

If the sticker is missing, check paint edges and the clear coat. A peeled label sometimes leaves a faint rectangle. Many owners remove labels for a clean look. That doesn’t change the origin; it just makes your detective work tougher.

Method: How This Guide Was Compiled

This write-up draws on public trade coverage and company statements, then cross-checks them against common production patterns in the bike industry. We avoid guessing. Where facts may shift, we say so. That’s why you’ll see careful language around the 2021 reshoring plan. It reflects an intent. Whether a given frame followed that plan depends on the label on that exact bike.

Trade outlets track product launches and factory moves. Company releases signal strategy. Together, they paint a clear picture of the 2016 shift to Taiwan for frames with Southern California assembly, plus the later ownership change and stated plan to bring some work back.

Practical Answers To Common Origin Scenarios

I Found A Mint Truth With Old-School Anodizing

That likely dates to the U.S. alloy years. You’ll still want to replace aged bearings and check for hairline cracks near the shock mount.

The Seller Claims “Made In USA” On A Rogue Sixty

Ask for a clear photo of the origin sticker. Rogue Sixty launched during the Taiwan-frame period. A California assembly tag is not the same as a U.S.-made frame.

I Saw A New Post Saying Production Is Back In America

Brands tease plans before factories spin up. Unless the specific frame you’re holding says “Made in USA,” treat the claim as future-leaning. Marketing language and manufacturing labels are not identical.

Where Ellsworth Bikes Are Made By Year And Trim

This close variation of the question gives you one more scan-friendly pass. Early alloy frames were American-built; mid-to-late models shifted to Taiwan for frames with Southern California assembly; new ownership aims to bring some work stateside. That’s the arc. Use the tables and label checks above to pin down the exact bike in front of you.

What This Means If You’re Choosing A Model

Origin is one data point. Frame condition, geometry that suits your terrain, and the parts spec will change your ride far more. If you’re between two bikes, pick the one with the fresher shock service, the cleaner linkage, and the fit that lets you ride longer without aches.

That said, knowing where an Ellsworth frame was made helps with expectations on finish, small-parts sourcing, and resale. Buyers who care about a U.S. stamp may pay a little more for the right serial. Riders who just want trail time should chase the best-running bike they can afford.

Now you can answer “where are Ellsworth bikes made” in a sentence, and prove it in a minute with a label check. Simple, direct, and no guesswork next time you spot a deal.