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I got a raw Zenetik frame to play with from Randy (thank you sir!!!)
What do you guys/gals want to see me do with it?
Think big eh.
I am leaning toward polishing it up all blingly, or doing the same powder coat that's on the CF handlebars...the asphalt texture stuff for a more low profile urban look. Should we go Urban disc-cross Ninja, or slippery Silver Surfer? We need a name also for this steed.
Thanks in advance, and I will post a project page on our website to keep yall in the loop.
Howzabout giving that frame the same burnished(aka "satin") finish as the V2 Formula 26/LE frame? No paint, just the natural beauty of satin finished aluminum...with nice, bold black graphics.
You could call it the Zenetik Satin Pro or Zenetik Satin Tour, depending on how you decide to build it up?
...But then again, a frame that special should only be reserved for the very best of its class...so I'd only build it up with the best stuff, and call it...
...the Zenetik Ultra! (Well, you did say to think big, right?)
Either brushed or polished aluminum, but how about some nice pinstriping before the clear cost? I really miss some of the beautiful pin striping on older DF's.
Nice selection Mark I particularly like the Cane Creek disc wheels (haven't seen those before), wonder what the wt. limit is? I need to stock a set for the mini-clydes like me. The Winwood sure looks alot like the Nashbar carbon disc fork, which I may order several of, since I can't find a distributor who carries the Ww's. The FSA Compact crank would be the ticket, with an 11-34T in the back it should be a speedy climber. I will build up these spec's tonight on a spreadsheet, and see roughly what she would weigh.
If I get it professionally finished I'll have them put cf.com letters and our swoopy surfer logo on it.
May also use a carbon low rise mtb bar since I like the lower power play ergo's.
Thanks for the nice words. Great pictures, two more frames and you could have a winning juggling act. I am looking forward to seeing the final setup you do. Back in May I ordered a Z pro but with only two changes the Ultegra triple and Cane Creek Volos XL wheels. But I was considering what I listed as one possible build up of a bike.
Great web site btw.
Hi Nanda,
While you are thinking about the "ultimate" Z bike, I'm wondering if you might spec out a "tweener" Z -- somewhere in between the tour and pro. In particular I'm thinking of carbon fork/disc brakes, and perhaps slightly upgraded deraillers/shifters. You know... a bike for the rest of us ;-)
Just a thought... I'm thinking others might be interested in this as well.
Tom
Nanda, and while you're at it..........
I'd like to see a special Napa Valley Edition with the ability to shed 10 pounds going uphill and still carry a case of Cabernet!
Howard
Hello Tom,
I have stepped down just a couple components from Marks original recommendation.
Instead of the SRAM XO carbon Rear Derailleur, I went with a X9 at about 1/3rd the $, and instead of the FSA carbon triple crank, I selected a Ultegra 10-spd Triple. Friday I had good suggest talking with Doug @ Cane Creek. He liked our website, knows RANS and understood our non-traditional business model and decided to send me a dealer kit. I plan to stock the 2 700c disc wheelsets Doug recommended, #1 the Stratos Disc with is a little lighter and designed for Cyclocross riding/racing, and #2 the Zonos Disc a "29'er" or in English a 700c mtb rim, that can handle heavier loads and abuse. He also said with a 23mm wide rim running 35mm-40mm high volume tires, that the ride would be super plush, because the shape of the tire almost takes on the riding characteristics of a tubular road tire...very interesting. I think with a little work, it wouldn't be too difficult to come up with a $1.8-2k street disc variant of the Tour. Today the 2 Silver Zenetik Tour framesets arrived, so besides our group Raw Frame ZenSpeed project, I or someone else will have the opportunity to jump in and either convert their old road bike, or go big and make something radical.
As far as the ZenSpeed finishing options go, I've always loved etched glass or sand blasted alloy, so I think I'd like to go with a full polished frame as suggested, and then on the business side of the bike (bottom of the down tube, portions of the headtube, and chainstays) or the area's that see dirt and projectiles...I'd like to tape off the polished portion and try my hand at blasting some retro waves or flames over the underside of the polished lower tubes. Maybe I've been watching too much American Chopper, but we did a little alloy sand blasting in the Industrial Tech. program at SJSU, and the idea stuck. Of course once complete, the whole frame would be clear coated to preserve the work. Playing off Howards suggestion, the finish could be called "Sand Satin" or "Blasted Satin" or ...
The "Crank Fever" page has been updated with another installment.
Also added some pics of a 06 Zenetik Tour with the 05 CF flat bars to the "Crank Forward" page. The ride is completely enhanced, and reminds me entirely of my 82 Honda Ascot track bike, with it's cafe looks and ergo's.
-Nanda
...wishing everyone else was awake so I can get busy
Just added Howard's Zenetik Tour mod's on our Crank Fever page with pics.
"Popped over to Howard's place on the return home from Marin to the East
Bay, and was surprised and happy to see that he was steadily make the new
Zenetik Tour his own. The Shimano R440's are a nice addition, and their
silver color compliments the overall scheme. The Shimano 105 brakes are
certainly nice, and probably offer a bit stiffer operation then the stock Tektro's.
And I delivered him a 175mm Shimano 105 Triple since ......"
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Raw aluminum Zenetik frame
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