It has taken some time (I've had the raw frame since mid October) but I finally have built my Zen Pro. Much of the delays were due to my deciding on paint job and components. After Nanda shipped the frame to Connecticut, I then shipped it to Colorado (Spectrum Powder Works) for a paint job. The frame came back with an awesome paint job including the logos (RANS and ZENETIK Pro Bert) actually painted on the frame with a final clear coat over the entire frame. Unfortunately pictures do not do it justice!

I'm still tweaking and have not had a chance to actually ride yet! Between the holidays, the RAIN and just my hectic schedule there has been no time. I did have ten minutes this afternoon where I was able to snap a few photos. The components are as follows.

It has taken some time (I've had the raw frame since mid October) but I finally have built my Zen Pro. Much of the delays were due to my deciding on paint job and components. After Nanda shipped the frame to Connecticut, I then shipped it to Colorado (Spectrum Powder Works) for a paint job. The frame came back with an awesome paint job including the logos (RANS and ZENETIK Pro Bert) actually painted on the frame with a final clear coat over the entire frame. Unfortunately pictures do not do it justice!

I'm still tweaking and have not had a chance to actually ride yet! Between the holidays, the RAIN and just my hectic schedule there has been no time. I did have ten minutes this afternoon where I was able to snap a few photos. The components are as follows.



Components:

Wheels: Cane Creek Zonos 29'er / 700c Disc
Tires: Continental Ultra Gatorskin 700x28
Front Der: Shimano Dura Ace 7800 - 28.6mm
Rear Der: SRAM ESP XO Carbon Long Cage
Brakes: Avid BB7 Disc Brake w/ 160mm Rotor
Shifters: SRAM X-0 Trigger Shifters
Brake Levers: Avid Speed Dial Ultimate
Pedals: Crank Brothers Candy SL
Fork: Winwood Dualist Carbon Cross
Headset: Cane Creek Solos - 1 1/8" Threadless
Cranks: Stronglight Pulsion CT² ISIS 170mm Crankset with 53/39 rings
Bottom Bracket: FSA MegaQuad Platinum Pro Titanium - 68 X108mm
Seat Pan: Rans Carbon
Cassette: SRAM PG-990 11-34 9 speed
Chain: SRAM PC-991 Hollow Pin
Cables: Nokon - Black



ZENETIK Pro Bert



Close Up to better show paint



ZENETIK Pro Bert logo (My last name is Probert) Get it?



Drive Train Part 1



Drive Train Part 2



Drive Train Part 3



Shifters, Brake Levers & Grips Etc.



Front Wheel detail



Fork and Wheel detail

I hope you enjoy the pic's. As soon as I finish the build I will report as to the ride. I've already ridden the bike (pre paint) prior to the final build. About the only change I have made was the addition of the Nokon cables which make for a very tedious installation. Oh yeah, total weight (including the bottle cage) 21.55 pounds.

Bill,
Very nice. Well done! Looks great.

I look forward to the ride report.

Eric

Eric,

If this weather holds up (unlikely) maybe we can hook up and go for a cruise, either on LI or CT.

Bill

Very nice! I love the nameplay!

Yeah Bill, lets ride! Let me know when you're on LI next, There's a good short trail we can use for a shakedown run.

Some long underwear and fleece pullovers might be required though.

Eric

You ain't gonna ride a bike that purty, now are ya?

Nice ride!

How much clearance do you have in the rear with that 28mm Gatorskin?

Wow! Fine machine!

I have to compliment you on your choice of components, very nice. I especially like the Stronglight line – not only are the cranks a superior product they also have a visual appeal. That paint job is unbelievable! I would probably need a sedative the first time I strapped that to a rack!!!

Bill,
What a sweet ride, nice job, the plan of offering raw frames was to see how creative people would get with specs and finish, this is nice! All the builds have been very sweet, from the polished to the painted. Great job!

A few years back we experimented with fades with our powder coats, I will have to share these photos with our finish team, they will be inspired. Thanks for sharing Bill, have fun riding that sweet rig.

Marc,

My rear tire clearance is 4mm or just a hair over 1/8". I guess I have a built in tire cleaner/scraper. Remember the wire tire scraper back in the late 70's? Do they still make them?

Dan,

Fortunately for me the Zen Pro Bert will never be strapped to a rack. It will either be fork mounted in the bed of my truck or roof racked (via fork mount) on my wife's SUV.

Thanks to all for the nice comments. Like I said in my initial posting I will make further comments once the weather breaks and I can get in a ride or three.

I am a total non-techie when it comes to bikes and enjoy the "out of the box' bikes from Rans. But you custom guys are just a total inspiration on how beautifully you can improve on an already great product. The pics are awesome and the bikes a work of art. Keep the custom stories coming.

Mary,

Thanks for the kind words. Sometimes I'm an "Out Of The Box" kind of guy as well. I was itching for a "project" and the Zenetik seemed like a good fit. I've built bikes before but never started with a "raw" frame. As warmer weather approaches I will be purchasing either a Cruz or Dynamik "Out Of The Box" so that my wife can join me... and finally get rid of her 15 year old mountain bike!