Agreed. Everytime I see a Zank MTB I think "yeah, I'd ride that"
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Re "Cross bike handling with flat bar and flat tires". Just curious, do you try to achieve that mainly in the front end with a steeper HT angle, something with the front center, etc? Or do you work some magic with the chainstay length too? Seems like 29ers with uber short chainstays are all the rage (never tried one myself), but I'm wondering how that plays into your design philosophy.
Oh yeah, anyone ask you to build a 27.5er yet?
BTW, _love_ that green 29er. The paint is just perfect too!
Slightly off topic but AWESOME. Our local bicycle racing cx mavens created a survey to capture all the excellent cx goings on. One of the questions is "Dream Bike". Check out the list.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/W6GYBK6
6. Dream bike
Dream bike Zanconato
Stoemper "Diamond Dave"
Alchemy
Mosaic
Anything Handmade / Custom
Desalvo
Specialized Enduro
Ritchey Swiss Cross
Speedvagen
Caletti CX Custom
Ibis Hakkalugi Disc
Also, check out question #35 "Best Regional Series" with Zancanato single speed at the top.
Mike, buddy you have quietly done some marvelous things for the sport. Makes me very proud to say I'm a pal.
35. Best regional series
Best regional series
Zancanato single speed
GACX
INWCX
NCCX
Verge NECX
Chi Cross Cup
Boulder Racing Series
Shimano New England Pro
MABRA Super 8
BASP
Cross Crusad
-- zanconato, andretti & ferrari..
righteous in their own league and my pleasure to have smiled with..
ronnie
Hi Wayne,
Nothing crazy. Back in 06, I built a few different SS frames with different front end geometries. Basically covered from 69 to 72 degree head angles, from 55 to 70 mm of BB drop, and also slightly different reaches and stem lengths. The rear of the bikes had sliders, so I could change chainstay length by about an inch. I gravitated to the steeper head angle, about 55-60 mm BB drop, a 9 cm stem, and 45 cm chainstays. I didn't like shorter chainstays, and I was constantly clipping pedals at 70 mm BB drop. Since then, the guys I've built frames for have been really happy with that style frame. Funny, but it's all pretty close to Niner specs.
I've had a few requests for 27.5. I'm totally game. The Reba 27.5 just came in stock, so I want to get some time on that myself. It'll be interesting to compare. I honestly don't really remember what it's like to ride a 26" wheel bike.
Thanks for the feedback on the green! The customer was pretty excited too.
Josh, thanks. We have some big plans for the SSCX series this fall. We are even hoping to have a single speed-only event with some killer race formats. The format we used at Baller's last year will have some influence. I love the idea of testing 4-5 minute pain fitness.
Ronnie, mi casa es su casa.
Not sure how game CXers would be for it, but consider something like the Short Track race at the GA SS Championships. Super fast, very technical, insanely fun. Not for the faint of heart. Race Report: Georgia Single Speed Championships | Singletracks Mountain Bike Blog
Hi,
If I'm understanding correctly, will mountain bikes be offered in a few stock (or semi custom) sizes with some no-frills options? Keeping the full boat custom / brazed options for CX and Road? That sounds like a good balance to me. Despite owning a McClung, I tend to think of mountain bikes as a more basic and utilitarian tool. Will there be much (or any) pricing differential between the two formats? I'm not sure that last question belongs here, so feel free to ignore if it's a bit crass.
I love the sound of the handling traits you're aiming for. I use the analogy of a Track bike when people ask about the handling of my custom 29er. That bike's quick and intuitive handling is part of the reason I've gone through a succession of production 29ers: It tends to make other bikes feel like tractors.
I wouldn't necessarily be only offering stock sizes, but you're spot-on in terms of no-frills. Basically two options: geared or single speed. I think your track bike analogy is a good one, though it might scare a few people. I'm shooting for the other side of the spectrum from a tractor.
Regarding the two formats or platforms, you are correct. The mountain bikes will only be welded, whereas the road and cross bikes will be either welded or lugged. The lugged bikes will be wet paint only. The welded bikes will have the option of either powder or wet paint; powder will be about $350 less expensive. The powder coated welded frames will be about half the cost of a lugged frameset.
Thanks for the questions!
Hi Mike,
Have admired your bikes since you and I had exchanged email about the green lugged mountain bike you built for yourself back on serotta forum days.
Question: what is your connection with Belgium color and theme bikes? I really love the light blue, red, and yellow accents on your new team scheme that you announce. The Belgium light blue team leading the cyclocross worlds also was cool to see.
Hi everyone,
A couple of quick announcements. I'm back to work after being out with mama, David, and Luke. Moving forward, I'll be in the shop Mon-Thur 7:30- 4:00. Friday will be an office day. I'm working on plowing through my email and PMs now. Over the next few days, I'll be in touch with everyone on the list as well with some updates.
In about two weeks, you'll see an overhaul of zanconato.com. Yes, the dinosaur website is being put out to pasture.
Thanks again for all of the well wishes with Luke! And thank you for being the best customers, supporters, and pals on the planet.
Mike
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5334/9...92b9c6fe_b.jpg
Crushed by love by Zanconato Custom Cycles, on Flickr
Feeling warm all over looking at the future of Z. bikes.
Mike is the epitome of a standup guy.
Awesome, Mike! Glad to hear everyone's doing well.
If I convince myself that I have enough motor to push a 29'er single speed around here, I'll be giving you another call! My beloved Zank still gets more comments than any other bike in the garage.
Great pic. Watch out for that sucker punch! Mike, You know what I'm talking about.
Awesome photo, Mike! Looking forward to the new site and all the other goodies from the Zank factory.
Hi Mike,
fantastic weld, congratulations for your frames! What kind of tig setting do you use? Do you use a steady movement and dabbing ?
again congratulations.
Hi Marco,
I'm sorry for the delay getting back to you on this. I really appreciate the feedback. It's been a fun journey so far. My machine is pretty basic. I pretty much set it at about 80 amps and then use the pedal. I never go full pedal (even with the heat sinks), but I like the extra amps to get my tacks done quickly and to establish a puddle quickly when I start a bead. When I start a bead, I set my bead width in my mind's eye, get a puddle going, feed it until it gets to be the width that I want, then I start in a steady movement and dab. I'm always watching the toes of the puddle and paying attention to the width. I push the puddle and keep it satisfied with enough filler to a) keep my width consistent, and b) prevent any undercut. In my own welds, I do not like to see any waviness in the width caused by pausing, dabbing, moving. That's just me and how I was taught. The difficult part for me is in the acute angles, which requires pushing more wire faster to keep my width constant and paying close attention to the root of the joint. I don't want any cold lap or lack of fusion at the root. For me, I love welding the sides. It flows so nicely and I think a weldor can be very artistic on those runs.
I hope that all makes sense. If I can clarify anything, please let me know. Thanks again!
Mike
Now your just showing off.
mcdonnell douglas, lockheed, boeing or --- looking for you my brother..
&
overpowers a rolex anyday..
ronnie
----let the good-times flow..
ronnie
Dimes on Dimes
damn son!
Thanks, fellas.
Jason, I saw your frame when it arrived at Circle A. Sweetness, my friend. Frank rules.
Yes he does! He pulled it off exactly as I requested.
Just got this guy built up last night.
Attachment 69673
From the classifieds, allegedly the builder's own, but may as well been built for me. Little bit higher BB than the last cx rig, this thing flies through the corners. First practice last night, I think this is going to be a good one.
Hi Mike,
This sort of thing has me wondering how long until you will be offering customer builds in titanium and aluminium? Is this something people in the queue are able to opt for currently?
Apologies if this has been covered in one of the FNL threads already.
It's the one year anniversary of the first ride on my Zank today. It's got a few battle scars now but still rides just as sweetly. You did good bro.
Thanks!
Last mention was heat sink development. I think that was somewhere in the last five pages of the VSalon Zanconato gallery.
This just posted to the crossfather's (CXhairs) twitter feed: Instagram
Couldn't figure out how to get the picture to embed. Worth a click, totally bad ass.
Just a little bigger than mine
Attachment 71577
I'm going to go back to staring at BB close-up above. Probably need a few beers to help me forget those dropouts exist.
Better?
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5566/...d5f94b3a_o.jpg
Lunchtime by Zanconato Custom Cycles, on Flickr
Introducing the aluminum version of the Road32. Gobs of clearance for those fat road tires. A little tighter wheelbase compared to a cyclocross bike. A position closer to or the same as your road position. And tons of fun.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7509/...500e349d_b.jpg
The aluminum Road32 by Zanconato Custom Cycles, on Flickr