Zerode Now Available Through Fanatik Bike Co.
Press Release
Kiwi gearbox bike brand Zerode has long been the source of gossip among North American riders, but few have gotten the opportunity to try one out.
That should change in the upcoming months, as Bellingham-based online retailer and brick and mortar bike shop Fanatik Bike Co. has added the Zerode Taniwha to its collection of high-end bikes.
![Zerode Now Available Through Fanatik Bike Co.]()
The Zerode Taniwha is the world’s first production carbon enduro bike with a gearbox, and for the last year it has been proving that gearboxes are a viable alternative to derailleurs, offering distinct advantages in durability, shifting, and suspension performance.
With a Pinion gearbox, the bike achieves a whopping 600% gear range, significantly larger than that of SRAM Eagle. Additionally, the bike’s gearing sits inside a sealed package that is nearly maintenance-free and offers dramatically improved 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.
![Zerode Now Available Through Fanatik Bike Co.]()
“We're very excited to bring on Zerode here at Fanatik,” said Jadyn Welch, Fanatik Bike Co’s internet sales manager. “They are a boutique brand producing a quality product that fills an important void in the high-end mountain bike market. Gearboxes have been largely overlooked in the past, and we're happy to say the Taniwha rivals some of our favorite mountain bikes in terms of ride quality and craftsmanship. We've already eliminated the front derailleur, why not eliminate the rear derailleur?”
Fanatik has long been recognized as a leader in online bike sales, due in no small part to its online bike builder, which lets riders fully customize their build before ordering.
http://bit.ly/Zerode-Taniwha-Reviewed
http://bit.ly/Shop-the-Taniwha
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 blue sky blue with grey decals.
Frames weigh in between 5.7–6.2 lbs. (2,600–2,800g) depending on size and complete bikes will weigh in starting at 30lbs.
Kiwi gearbox bike brand Zerode has long been the source of gossip among North American riders, but few have gotten the opportunity to try one out.
That should change in the upcoming months, as Bellingham-based online retailer and brick and mortar bike shop Fanatik Bike Co. has added the Zerode Taniwha to its collection of high-end bikes.
The Zerode Taniwha is the world’s first production carbon enduro bike with a gearbox, and for the last year it has been proving that gearboxes are a viable alternative to derailleurs, offering distinct advantages in durability, shifting, and suspension performance.
With a Pinion gearbox, the bike achieves a whopping 600% gear range, significantly larger than that of SRAM Eagle. Additionally, the bike’s gearing sits inside a sealed package that is nearly maintenance-free and offers dramatically improved 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.
“We're very excited to bring on Zerode here at Fanatik,” said Jadyn Welch, Fanatik Bike Co’s internet sales manager. “They are a boutique brand producing a quality product that fills an important void in the high-end mountain bike market. Gearboxes have been largely overlooked in the past, and we're happy to say the Taniwha rivals some of our favorite mountain bikes in terms of ride quality and craftsmanship. We've already eliminated the front derailleur, why not eliminate the rear derailleur?”
Fanatik has long been recognized as a leader in online bike sales, due in no small part to its online bike builder, which lets riders fully customize their build before ordering.
http://bit.ly/Zerode-Taniwha-Reviewed
http://bit.ly/Shop-the-Taniwha
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 blue sky blue with grey decals.
Frames weigh in between 5.7–6.2 lbs. (2,600–2,800g) depending on size and complete bikes will weigh in starting at 30lbs.
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Member since Apr 13, 2017
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I still think that the concept is good and will continue to improve, but this wasn't a good first experience for me.
The guys in the Fanatik video were really rocking it though, so it mustn't be a widespread occurrence, because I can't imagine a shop promoting a bike if it rode like the one he had.
A second note related to the demo experience: my bike was fitted with a DBAir. You probably know it has 2 compression and 2 rebound circuits, and this can take a while to set up correctly compared to many RS and FOX offerings. While the sag was set up correctly and CS was off, the bike was reluctant to squat into the rear travel, making the front end feel artificially steep. No bueno. I am sure the compression circuits were set too high. Why didn't I monkey with it you may ask. Demo rules were to limit the ride to 2 hours, and the trail was 15 min from the shop. So with time as a factor, I think it'd be wise for product mgrs to spec more familiar bits to expedite the process. After all, I was there to demo the gearbox, not the suspension. (Also the Helm fork felt like it was filled with 20wt - rebound wide open and it ran like it was full of syrup. It was stout though.)
No diss against the demo guys - they were very helpful and friendly, and I am grateful for the experience. I just think a gearbox is more appropriate for a park setting where banging off multiple upshifts is a common experience vs trail bikes where *dumping* gears quickly is a priority (for me). Again, your mileage may vary. I encourage everyone to try it for themselves.
And yeah, you really can't complain about the environment as a mountain biker. Bikes made in Taiwan using smelted aluminum or epoxy resins along with carbon fiber. Parts and bits in plastic, steel, whatever. They are not exactly friendly to the earth in the manufacturing process.