Zerode's Katipo is a Gearbox Equipped 29er With Serious Intent - Eurobike 2019
New Zealand may not be as well known for its venomous snakes, creepy crawlies and drop bears as neighboring Australia, but it does still have one poisonous spider - the Katipo. This eight-legged beast now shares its name with what could be an equally deadly new bike from Zerode.
This is the first dedicated 29-inch bike from Zerode and is, of course, built around a Pinion gearbox. Zerode's first dip into 29-inch wheels was with the Taniwha Mulet mixed wheel bike, but they've gone all-in at both ends on the Katipo. There are two options available, first a Trail option with 140mm of travel and secondly an Enduro option, that was shown at Eurobike, with 160mm travel.
The Katipo Enduro's geometry is apparently for "those who like to throw anything at their bike and come away with a smile", which sounds like marketing guff on the surface but starts to make a bit more sense when you get into the numbers. Only 2 sizes are available with both versions of the bike, L and XL, and with a reach in excess of 500mm on the XL, this is no small bike. The long reach is backed up with a 64° head angle, 444mm chainstays and a 75.5° seat angle. The full geometry chart is to the right.
Why only 2 sizes? Well, Zerode believes that if you find the smallest Katipo too big you'll be better off on one of their 27.5-inch Taniwha offerings, although we suspect the cost of tooling a third mold probably comes into the equation too. They haven't totally ruled out making a smaller version of the Katipo in future if demand is high enough though.
Why only 2 sizes? Well, Zerode believes that if you find the smallest Katipo too big you'll be better off on one of their 27.5-inch Taniwha offerings, although we suspect the cost of tooling a third mold probably comes into the equation too. They haven't totally ruled out making a smaller version of the Katipo in future if demand is high enough though.
Of course, the standout feature here is the Pinion gearbox. All of Zerdoe's bikes eschew the traditional mountain bike drivetrain in favor of this gripshift gearing system. The Katipo uses the C1.9XR, which is claimed to have a 568% range, making it 48% wider than any current derailleur system with much less unsprung weight to affect performance. Yes, there is a weight penalty across the whole bike with a gearbox but Zerode believes it's only about 500 grams and it's largely centered around the bottom bracket area. The gearbox has nine gears and is paired up with a singlespeed hub and a 30T cog on the rear wheel.
When it comes to the rest of the spec, Zerode runs a customization program that allows riders to pick and chose parts that best suit their needs. The version at Eurobike had been fully pimped by MRC Trading to include a RockShox Lyrik with ASC3 and HC97 adaptations from Push, Galfer's 223mm rotors and some gucci finishing kit.
The bike is now available for pre-orders. The frameset only comes in at $6,920 NZD ($4,420 USD) and includes the shock and drivetrain with full builds starting at $9920 NZD ($6,340 USD). More info here.
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For that kind of money, you get high-end boutique brands with proven components. Why take the risk and buy a frame that can only be used with one specific gearbox?
Sure it has it's ups and downs, but for me not having the derailleur hanging low at the back is a godsend. I feared a lot for this piece last weekend.
to show that you're wokeAF, of course! and won't be oppressed any longer by the 2 big S's.
so for anyone doing a custom build I reckon:
$3,000 full carbon frame/shock + $545 full gx gruppo (incl. crank) = $3,545 OR
$4,420 for the kapito, so about $900 more.
Worth it to some. It'd probably have to reach parity at $3500 for me to be interested, but then again it may be more comparable to an X01 full gruppo (incl. carbon crank) at $1200ish so it's actually not far off your typical carbon frame + x01 groupset.
Still pricey. But why's everyone so horny for the most range? Why not lighten the gearbox up with fewer gears/less range/less complexity/lower price..... maybe drop a couple gears off?
2. Not having to ride with hand on the shifter while descending because you want to shift. Imagine having your bar diameter the size of a can of redbull.
2a not having to move your hand position to shift if not on the shifter
2b 3-4 hr long rides would leave my right hand bruised from riding with hand on the shifter so I could shift when needed.
3. Shifting while braking
I had 1400 miles on my Taniwha before selling it. I can shift on my GX shifter/derailleur on NX cogset just as fast when pedaling. And certainly faster when climbing without losing momentum. The only thing I can't do is shift while coasting.
The Pinion design is likely the future of bike drivetrains (1x12 is pushing the limits of chain strength and chainline) but the clunky fully off the gas shifting thing needs to get resolved.
On dirt bikes, especially on forest trails where you are going over a lot of the rougher stuff with the front end bouncing, people have no issues in controlling the twisting motion of the entire grip while simultaneously holding on. Sure, there is a learning curve, but its not really a problem. Haven't used the pinion grip shifter, but it seems like you can twist it with thumb and pointer finger without moving your entire hand off the grip. If not, then its just a matter of making it more ergonomic.
There are definitely drawbacks to the grip shift, but if you are getting one because of the advantages like instantaneous shifting without having to crank (which probably means you don't care that much about XC riding where you need to trail brake or shift under load), it doesn't make sense to hinder this with a thumb shifter.
G1/2 ran off an Afline hub. Dual chain arrangement. People who ran them raved about them. Rearward axle path. Perfect chainline. Problem is DH bikes likely sell 10’s per season now.
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I’d like to see Zerodes pedal bikes incorporate the high pivot/idler pulley like the T prototype did. Basically a Forbidden with Pinion.
Really need to see less Pinion equipped Mtn bikes with the Gates drive. Keep that shit for urban commuters and Harley’s. Don’t see too many belt drives at AMA 450 SX start Line.
This is a sweet bike. I like it more than the previous version. Good luck to Zerode. The niche and true boutique companies are what keeps the industry going. Sub 420mm Reach on a Medium FS 6” travel frame weren’t the highlights.
These aren’t priced too bad when you compare Frame Only to Frame Only pricing then add on a 12spd drivetrain and aftermarket shock.
no shit I love this bike. and I love supporting a homegrown business so maybe I'm willing to put up with more than nextman, but it's such a fun bike. I don't swear at it every weekend tuning it back to smoothness either lol
My Zerode Taniwha rules, gripshift is much more rapid shifting then trigger type, just slam it to the gear you want
"I’d like to see Zerodes pedal bikes incorporate the high pivot/idler pulley like the T prototype did. Basically a Forbidden with Pinion. "
Basically a Deviate The Guide.
When I was shopping for a new high end frame Zerode and MOJO G16 were at the top of my list. Considered a G16 Gearbox for a bit, ultimately went with a G16. A few reasons: progressive geo, multiple wheel and travel configurations.
" Shifting while not having to crank isn't really much of a real-world on-the-trail advantage except when stopped on the trail or in the parking lot"
I personally disagree. There is plenty of times on my rides where I would love to shift without pedaling, especially when doing new trails. For example, one thing that annoys me is higher speed dh sections where I have to take a pedal stroke if I want to upshift - I never feel stable doing it.
I know, most of the situations where that happens could be simply solved with planning the gear selection, but that is not always the case in practice.
They probably chose to write about the 48% because everyone has the numbers like 500% for Eagle in their head to which a 9.2% increase sounds like quite small instead of thinking about it as 109.2% of the current 'best'.
also when this bike is one pivot susp. its too bad that its not around BB, so then u dont need chain tensioner, but with that tensioner i would like to see some VPP version in future, with belt and 15 speeds?
please PR guys, lets start already with gearboxes on VPP Bikes!! come on!
Interestingly, while they ran no tensioner with a belt on their older bikes, like the Anatrail, they seem to have moved away from that with their newest bike, the Blackbird, and now run a non concentric pivot along with a tensioner, apparently to get more anti-squat than they were achieving previously.
Any of these gearbox guys could do VPP, but remember that with only 1 set of sprockets it is easier to pick a single pivot point that works well, since the chain angles aren't varying wildly when you shift gear, so the extra complication may not be worthwhile.
Seems like a good idea to reduce unsprung weight and move mass down low on the frame.
Almost there
Zerode, I didn't think it was cool to take names from other companies...
Whats next? All new Zerode Ironhorse DH frame. Zerode Keewee??
Out of curiosity, when you hear the word Black Widow or Brown Recluse what does that make you think of?
ridemonkey.bikemag.com/threads/the-new-katipo-proto.256982
Cinq innovations made a pinion shifter, that deviate showed on their instagram. I use them on mine, shifting isn’t as quick, but it’s OK and the benefits more than make up for it (uniform grip diameter, not having the grip move etc)
My 2018 Taniwha has 12 speed aluminum Pinion on it and, and the whole bike comes in at 15.3kg with heavy casing tyres.
The 12 speed has 600% range, but I would be happy to save weight by switching to the 9 speed which still has 530% range.
You can't really service them yourself (yet). You have to send it to Pinion for any work, but they are covered by a 5 year guarantee. Other than that all you have to do is change the oil annually, no other servicing required.
The grip shift works awesomely with the gearbox. I thought I wouldn't like it, but now I feel hindered when I change back to a bike with trigger shift. Trust me, the Pinion gripshift is a far cry from what you may have experienced years ago.
Seriously guys, get on the gearbox train and let's get this thing rolling. #gearboxFTW
- choices of cranksets gets very limited
- they do come heavier than high-end regular transmissions
- price range is impossible to set for big companies, there are no more than 1 level compared to the Sram Eagle mechanical at 5 pricetags.
- different frame design, if goes with gearbox then the frame needs a bracket to hold the gearbox and can have 1 option only, if you need a lower price with regular transmission then you need a 2nd frame in your line-up which won't be cost effective at the end.
- some gearboxes require to unload your output to let you shift in one way.
My concern with this change is that you're replacing several easy-to-reach components which can all be replaced individually, with one complicated piece of kit which will be a very expensive fix if I kill it. It'll be interesting to find out what the longevity on them is actually like.
Post your complete build. I want to see it. The casing is the heavy part? I would assume like all Transmission it would be the gears.
It just needs a 29" F/R
Heavy = they're getting lighter and aren't actually THAT much heavier than a derailleure system whenever you take all the parts into consideration. + they reduce unsprung mass and centralise weight on the bike.
Draggy = they have a single chain line which is more efficient than cross chaining on a cassette, less chain links, barely any chain suck and no chain slap.
Ok, my setup is a little heavier, but I'm not looking to win any XC races on it.
I don't find it draggy at all.
A while back, I recall seeing talk about a potential switch from steel to ceramic gears, which would both reduce weight, and also friction, however they implied that you need to do huge volume to get something like that made, so it wasn't yet cost effective. If they could get that going, along with an electronic trigger shifter, I think that might push them over edge in terms of being a more compelling option than derailleurs.
I get that it's off to the side and maybe not in your grip the whole time, but you still have to change your grip to shift, compromising your position on the bike.
Then again, the last grip shift I rode came from Halfords so....
I prefer to ride rowdy and I haven't shifted by accident once. The shifter is just so well designed and feels great in every aspect.
sorry, couldn't resist.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTfWW5slbcw
“Oh nothing, Katiepoo.”
Overheard in L.A. 6 years ago.