Zanconato Alu Road32 - no longer obsolete!

[xeladragon]

Recently purchased the frameset and a few other bits (wheels, tires, etc.) from sparky33.

More info/pics here.

The rest of the parts are a mix of old (Shimano shifters/crankset/RD/cassette, Zipp stem, King cages) and new (Salsa bars, Thomson post, Cambium saddle, Juin Tech calipers, Shimano pedals).





I'm only about 150mi in, but so far, it's been a blast to ride! My only semi-regret is not going full hydro (already had the Shimano shifters lying around, didn't wanna spend too much on new parts to complete the build), but I have SwissStop pads on order, so that should help improve the overall braking performance.

Didn't expect to have another Zanc in my garage after selling my first one less than a year ago, but no complaints here! This will split miles with and complement my Firefly nicely.

And before anyone asks, no, I did not intentionally match the bar tape with the Burley.

[Hilltopperny]

Nice Zanc Alex! I believe I saw Steve on this at the Farmer's Daughter? Nice pick up!

Sent from my moto g(6) play using Tapatalk

[Lanternrouge]

That looks like a great way to enjoy family time.

[arimajol]

That looks great. I really like it.

[pritchet74]

Oh man I love that bike. I had never seen the original build before on here either.

If you ever decide to get rid of it please get in touch with me.

[AngryScientist]

hell yes. a zanc alu road 32 is about all the bike most of us would ever need. love it.

[xeladragon]

Originally Posted by Hilltopperny

Nice Zanc Alex! I believe I saw Steve on this at the Farmer's Daughter? Nice pick up!

Thanks! I believe you are correct WRT Farmer's Daughter.

Originally Posted by Lanternrouge

That looks like a great way to enjoy family time.

Definitely more fun than the Surly CrossCheck it replaced.

Originally Posted by pritchet74

If you ever decide to get rid of it please get in touch with me.

Don't plan on selling any time soon, but you never know.

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

hell yes. a zanc alu road 32 is about all the bike most of us would ever need. love it.

Agreed! A Ti version would be pretty damn cool though...

[sparky33]

Looks good Alex!
This Zanconato does ride as good as it looks, so good.

What are your thoughts on 650b? This is your first right?

[xeladragon]

Originally Posted by sparky33

Looks good Alex!
This Zanconato does ride as good as it looks, so good.

What are your thoughts on 650b? This is your first right?

First 650b, not my first 27.5".

If I were riding the Zanc blindfolded, I could definitely tell the difference between 650x47 and 700x35. The Elwoods have a super smooth ride quality to them... what you'd expect, I guess, from a plump, low-tread, supple tire. I think the biggest surprise for me is how nimble the bike is in 650b mode... really easy to make quick changes in direction. Not sure if that's due to the frame geometry, wheel size, or tire... probably some combination of the three.

[xeladragon]

Made a few changes...

• Specialized Romin Evo saddle - gave the Cambium C15 a second try, just doesn't work for my
• Shimano R8020/R8070 shifters and calipers - yay full hydro!
• Fizik Tempo Microtex Bondcush bar tape - Arundel tape was a little slippery when wet, so trying something different
• Rene Herse Juniper Ridge tires (Endurance casing) - should be a better all-around tire than the Elwood, especially when conditions get tough

And yep, that's right... FM calipers on a PM fork and IS mount frame! My Zanc is no longer obsolete! Lol...

[sparky33]

that looks like a fun bike

[merckx]

That is a really cool machine! Zank 47?

BTW, my Zank 32 easily accommodates Barlow Pass 38s, but don't tell Mike.

[tv_vt]

Originally Posted by xeladragon

Made a few changes...

And yep, that's right... FM calipers on a PM fork and IS mount frame! My Zanc is no longer obsolete! Lol...

I have no idea what you're talking about!

But that's OK. No disc brakes on bikes in this house...

[xeladragon]

Originally Posted by sparky33

that looks like a fun bike

Sure is, as you know from personal experience.

Originally Posted by merckx

That is a really cool machine! Zank 47?

BTW, my Zank 32 easily accommodates Barlow Pass 38s, but don't tell Mike.

I think the "Road32" model name just means that Mike designed the frame to fit wider tires. This one can supposedly fit up to 700x45c or 650x50b-ish. The knobby 650x48b tires fit comfortably both front and back.

Originally Posted by tv_vt

I have no idea what you're talking about!

But that's OK. No disc brakes on bikes in this house...

Both the frame and fork are designed for post mount (PM) disc brakes (standard for mountain bikes, but not anymore for road/cross/gravel). Flat mount (FM) disc brakes (the new/current "standard") aren't supposed to be compatible with post mounts, but depending on your frame/fork design, you can purchase adapters to make them fit (which is what I did).