The Zerode Taniwha Comes to the US
Zerode and Cycle Monkey are excited to announce the upcoming availability of the gearbox-equipped Taniwha enduro bike to US consumers!
![The Zerode Taniwha Comes to the US]()
After a few years of impressive race results on the G2 downhill bike, Zerode has expanded into a whole new realm with the Taniwha. Representing the first production carbon full suspension gearbox frame on the market, the Taniwha is designed as a complete system that ups the ante on long travel bike performance and changes the way riders look at bike maintenance.
With a Pinion gearbox, the bike has a massive gear range inside a sealed package that is nearly maintenance-free and offers dramatically improved ground clearance for when the trails get rough and rowdy. Shifting is instantaneous and seamless across the whole gear range.
A simple, effective, and proven suspension platform combined with a fixed chain line optimizes pedaling performance through the entire travel range. The single speed rear hub and lack of derailleur minimize unsprung weight to further improve suspension performance and the symmetrical spoke angle ensures superb rear wheel stiffness.
![The Zerode Taniwha Comes to the US]()
Cycle Monkey, a California-based component distributor that specializes in internal gearing, will exclusively distribute the Taniwha in the US. In addition to selling the Taniwha, Cycle Monkey will offer complete sales, technical, and warranty support to American Zerode customers.
“I’ve dedicated the last 13 years to promoting internal gearing as a smarter way to shift any bike, but mountain bikes, in particular, have the most to gain due to being constantly subjected to heavy abuse from environmental conditions and impacts,” says Neil Flock, founder of Cycle Monkey. “Zerode has taken internal gearing and successfully integrated it with modern geometry and frame construction. They are leading the charge in the gearbox movement, and I can’t wait to bring the next evolution of the mountain bike to the North American market!”
![The Zerode Taniwha Comes to the US]()
“Cycle Monkey is an ideal partner for us in the US. Neil has an unwavering commitment to changing the way riders look at their drivetrain, and as an avid trail rider himself, he really connects with our bikes,” said Rob Metz, founder of Zerode. “I am confident that the passion and attention to detail I have put into the design of our bikes will resonate with North American riders.”
Cycle Monkey will offer complete bikes in three builds: the $6,500 Performance Build, the $7,700 Premium Build, and the $8,500 Ultimate Build.
Additionally, the Taniwha will be available as a frame and drivetrain package for customers seeking out more customization. This package consists of a frame, shock, Pinion gearbox, shifter, rear sprocket, chainring, cranks, and chain tensioner and will retail for $5,000.
![The Zerode Taniwha Comes to the US]()
Frames are currently available in three sizes: M, L, and XL. Available colors are matte black with grey decals, stealth graphite with yellow highlights and bluesky blue with grey decals.
Frames weigh in between 5.7-6.2 lbs. (2600-2800g) depending on size and complete bikes will weigh in starting at 30lbs.
Deliveries are slated to begin in mid-May with a demo tour starting at the Sea Otter Classic (April 20–23). For more details and preorders, visit cyclemonkey.com/zerode or contact zerode@cyclemonkey.com.
After a few years of impressive race results on the G2 downhill bike, Zerode has expanded into a whole new realm with the Taniwha. Representing the first production carbon full suspension gearbox frame on the market, the Taniwha is designed as a complete system that ups the ante on long travel bike performance and changes the way riders look at bike maintenance.
With a Pinion gearbox, the bike has a massive gear range inside a sealed package that is nearly maintenance-free and offers dramatically improved ground clearance for when the trails get rough and rowdy. Shifting is instantaneous and seamless across the whole gear range.
A simple, effective, and proven suspension platform combined with a fixed chain line optimizes pedaling performance through the entire travel range. The single speed rear hub and lack of derailleur minimize unsprung weight to further improve suspension performance and the symmetrical spoke angle ensures superb rear wheel stiffness.
Cycle Monkey, a California-based component distributor that specializes in internal gearing, will exclusively distribute the Taniwha in the US. In addition to selling the Taniwha, Cycle Monkey will offer complete sales, technical, and warranty support to American Zerode customers.
“I’ve dedicated the last 13 years to promoting internal gearing as a smarter way to shift any bike, but mountain bikes, in particular, have the most to gain due to being constantly subjected to heavy abuse from environmental conditions and impacts,” says Neil Flock, founder of Cycle Monkey. “Zerode has taken internal gearing and successfully integrated it with modern geometry and frame construction. They are leading the charge in the gearbox movement, and I can’t wait to bring the next evolution of the mountain bike to the North American market!”
“Cycle Monkey is an ideal partner for us in the US. Neil has an unwavering commitment to changing the way riders look at their drivetrain, and as an avid trail rider himself, he really connects with our bikes,” said Rob Metz, founder of Zerode. “I am confident that the passion and attention to detail I have put into the design of our bikes will resonate with North American riders.”
Cycle Monkey will offer complete bikes in three builds: the $6,500 Performance Build, the $7,700 Premium Build, and the $8,500 Ultimate Build.
Additionally, the Taniwha will be available as a frame and drivetrain package for customers seeking out more customization. This package consists of a frame, shock, Pinion gearbox, shifter, rear sprocket, chainring, cranks, and chain tensioner and will retail for $5,000.
Frames are currently available in three sizes: M, L, and XL. Available colors are matte black with grey decals, stealth graphite with yellow highlights and bluesky blue with grey decals.
Frames weigh in between 5.7-6.2 lbs. (2600-2800g) depending on size and complete bikes will weigh in starting at 30lbs.
Deliveries are slated to begin in mid-May with a demo tour starting at the Sea Otter Classic (April 20–23). For more details and preorders, visit cyclemonkey.com/zerode or contact zerode@cyclemonkey.com.
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Get real.
The $6,500 "It's me or your bike" build
The $7,700 Dentist/Doctor build
The $8,500 Malpractice/Class Action Lawyer build
Let's be real man....even $8,500 really isn't very much in the grand scheme of things...assuming this is your primary hobby and all you're really into. That of course also assumes you don't bag groceries for a living.
Yeah yeah, I get it, some people struggle to make ends meet and keep food in their kids' mouths and a roof over their heads, but for many of us in our 20s/30s who don't have kids....
f*ck it, you get the point.
Do I think bikes have become massively overpriced? Absolutely. When I think back to what money could buy 10yrs or so ago in the bike industry, it makes me ill. But does that mean high priced builds are reserved for "dentists" and other barneys...nah.
I'm sure I'm overreacting...but seeing posts like this all the time irks me
On that I absolutely agree, this is a boutique carbon frame, with an entire high end drivetrain included. looking at other brands carbon frame prices, carbon frames are often $3k or over( Pivot was tagging mach 5.7s for $3800 in 2014, as an example,) & an eagle drivetrain is somewhere around $1300. Even if we look at the $2999 Nomad CC, a deviance of $800 from a huge company to a boutique frame AND drivetrain is absolutely within reason.
Although @WasatchEnduro 's comment was hilarious.
I wouldn't worry yourself with my financial situation bud
If there's any large scale brainwashing going on, it's that our current incomes are as fair for the work we do today, as they were in earlier eras of American History, especially considering increases in productivity, which have trended upward for decades, but especially skyrocketed since the 2008 crash(jobs were hard to get, so people did more work for the same pay.) Except the wealth didn't dissapear, it's just been going into other pockets.
Pinion has to figure out triggers before I take an interest in them.
www.effigear.com/news
It's designed to house the pivot point as well so you don't need the tensioner hanging down like the Zerode.
www.cavalerie-bikes.com/anakin-enduro
Hard pass.
Do the simple math, most carbon frames start at 3k, let's assume gearbox is all it's hyped to be, so compare that to Eagle which on sale is $1400, so a similar frame drivetrain combo ends up starting at $4400- not such a premium after all for a gearbox. Consider also no expensive cassette to replace, no damaged RDs.
Seems like a fair trade off.
2. Is shifting under-load on a standard derailleur setup good at all? Not really, (check out your free hub body) but it's still possible. One benefit of the Pinion system is it allows the rider to shift gears without pedalling. Check the article from a week or so ago about Pinion on this site.
Freehub body is a quick (kinda expensive) ordeal but it's do-able. If you eat internals, how will maintenance play out? Interesting thought re-free wheeling mech.!
Other benefit - my derailleur costs will be non-existent
"
As you can see in the table excel and graphs the above system has the Zerode Taniwha pedaling efficiency flawless, with percentages of Anti-squat around 100% in all developments. A few years ago this meant a huge advantage compared to a transmission type 3x10 or 2x10 but today the operation of transmissions in a single dish is very close to these figures, yet we must recognize that the system is well optimized and a transmission type Pinion has some advantages, such as reduced unsprung weight, the range of developments, etc ... other parameters are fairly predictable: pedal-kicback (15 °) is maintained in a medium-high , as is usual in all models with good pedaling efficiency and Brake-Squat (103%) also stays at a fairly high level, as is usual in four-bar type systems. In the graph of Leverage Ratio see how the system is Linear-progressive type (2.7-2.2), a very good model for Endurance to 160mm of travel figures. The first section of the graph reduces slightly inicial sensitivity of the system, but today this problem is easily solved by using an air cushion or EVOL Debonair type or a damper spring (CC Coil Inline ...). As the damper Zerode uses a Fox Float-X of 216x63mm and in principle I think it is a very wise decision, is a buffer upper-middle range, with a very attractive weight and very popular as ... "
Great looking bike, would enjoy taking one for a ride. Can't stomach the cost to into the game.
He's the same guy on forums that basically call Brian at Tantrum a liar and his suspension wouldn't do what he said.
He's shut up now that the prototypes have been ridden and reviews are out saying it does exactly what brian said it would.
LIKES
1. It pedals well
2. Has good traction do the lighter rear end over a conventional system
3. The suspension feels the same the whole way through and is pretty linear making it very easy to tune
4. The HA and BB numbers are good
5. Steep seatpost angle helps on the climbs and keeps the knees happy
DISLIKES
1. Not shifting well under load you have to ease off (takes a bit to get used to)
2. The added weight of the box is another issue but I know it will come down over time. It's basically 2lbs heavier than an SRAM set up would be.
It would obviously be a conflict of interest for me to test Zerode products hence why I have not done so over the last 5 years. That build above is almost the same as we do most of our bikes. Riding the grip shift took a few rides to get used to but no big deal. The range is crazy like 60 rear crazy I would never use those top 2-3 gears BTW.... may change the gearing up on next build.
Yes it doesn't shift well under load that is my main gripe see below.
I'm currently undecided on wheel size, but leaning towards 29er. Could also build up a set of 650b wheels later on.
Zerode keep raising the bar!! Beautiful product!
Will it have an option to run a Gates belt drive also?
actually use belts hasn't inspired me to use them" So your answer is No