#112 CUSTOM ZERODE KATIPO

Super-clean gearbox and belt drive-equipped enduro sled

New Zealand's Zerode Bikes are unique in that all five models they offer use self-contained spur gearing - also known as a gearbox - instead of a conventional rear mech and cassette. With no UK distributor for the past few years, their bikes have been a rare sight on these shores. However, they now have a new UK agent, LIOS Bikes, who specialise in custom builds, like the super-sleek one you see here - which will be on show at this year's Cycle Show.

Belt and braces

Why a gearbox? Zerode claim a host of benefits for the German-made Pinion system used on their bikes (1). Inside the CNC-machined case are parallel primary and secondary shafts carrying steel drive cogs, which all mesh constantly. Turning the bar-mounted grip-shifter rotates a camshaft fitted with pawls that engage with the cogs and determine which two pairs do the driving (2). The nine-speed C1.9XR gearbox specced here (there's also a 12-speed option) delivers a massive 568 per cent gear range - for comparison, SRAM's latest 1x drivetrains have a 520 per cent range. On top of that, there's no rear mech to clang on rocks, the gears are shielded from the elements and thus require less maintenance, you can shift without pedalling and the constant chain line means the chain is less likely to get derailed.