Zerode Taniwha 2019
Zerode Taniwha 2019
Thanks to the incredible Pinion Gearbox, the Taniwha is a more than capable climber, but point it down the trail and it comes to life in a way no other mountain-bike can come close to. Moving the mass from the unsprung wheel axle to a more central, low and importantly- sprung - location between your feet makes the Taniwha incredibly responsive and unbelievably confidence inspiring. Throw your leg over this carbon whip and watch your Strava PB's tumble. The Zerode doesn't shy away from any terrain, it'll eat up steep and technical and huge, flowy bikepark style jumps in the same mouthful.
The Pinion C.12 Gearbox
The 12 spd Pinion gearbox offers a huge, 600% spread of gears that goes well beyond today’s 1x12 systems, as well as offering a symmetrical rear wheel for increased strength and reduced weight. Maintenance and tuning of gears are almost non-existent, with sprocket and chain life massively extended.
A simple, effective and proven suspension platform combined with a fixed chain line optimizes pedalling performance through the entire travel range. New for 2019, the Pinion C.12 gearbox delivers the same incredible performance as its predecessor, with the benefit of a 250g weight reduction.
Build Video
Specification
| Frame | Zerode Taniwha Enduro 160 |
| Shock | Fox Float X2 Climb Switch |
| Fork | 2019 Fork 36 Float Fact 160 27.5 Grip 2 15QR110 Tapered 37mm |
| Bars | Burgtec Carbon Enduro 800mm |
| Stem | Burgtec Mk2 Enduro 42.5mm |
| Front Wheel | Hope Pro 4 Boost x E13 TRS+ |
| Rear Wheel | Hope Pro 4 Trials (142x12) x E13 TRS+ |
| Headset | Hope |
| Grips | ODI Longneck |
| Drivetrain | Pinion C.12 |
| Brakes | SRAM Code RSC 180mm Rotors |
| Tyres | Maxxis Minion DHF EXO TR 3C 2.5WT / Maxxis Minion DHR EXO TR 2.4WT |
| Seatpost | KS Lev Integra 175mm |
| Saddle | WTB Volt |
Geometry
| Frame | 420(S) | 445(M) | 475(L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube length | 400mm | 430mm | 470mm |
| Seat tube angle | 74.5° | 74.5° | 74.5° |
| Head tube length | 110mm | 120mm | 130mm |
| Headtube angle | 65° | 65° | 65° |
| Chainstay length | 431mm | 431mm | 431mm |
| Wheelbase | 1170mm | 1202mm | 1236mm |
| Stack | 588mm | 596mm | 605mm |
| Reach | 420mm | 445mm | 475mm |
| Top tube length | 575mm | 604mm | 637mm |
| BB Drop | 1mm | 1mm | 1mm |
| BB Height | 352mm | 352mm | 352mm |
Reviews
it’s got the giddy agility to chop and hip down the trail like a 4X bike, but it’ll silently flatten suicidal boulder fields, suck up serious drops and hook the most ragged, blown-out berms like a full-on DH bike Bike Radar
The Taniwha conforms to all terrain at any speed with a level of sensitivity, response and devotion that I'd never expect from an air-sprung shock.... It's an eerie feeling, as though the rear of the Zerode is focusing more intently on the ground than other bikes. A myopic unflinching sensitivity. Myopic in the good way. It's constantly closely analyzing the ground creating unencumbered, smooth reactions to everything Bike Mag
The Taniwha's 160mm of rear wheel travel feels deep and controlled, with a level of bump devouring ability that I can't recall any other 160mm bike displaying. Small, high-frequency impacts nearly disappear between the tires and your feet, and the back of the bike doesn't skitter around on such things as other bikes do. Thing is, I wouldn't have said that other bikes do such a thing before having ridden the Zerode at ten-tenths, but now I know that they do. Traction is always there, too, whether you're braking or crossing over an off-camber bit of dirt, and while I'm not convinced that I was getting on the binders any later compared to other bikes, I sure as hell felt like I was full of indestructible teenage courage and angst Pinkbike
The rear suspension is just so supple, and when paired with the Fox 36 Factory up front, it gives a very balanced and planted feeling with tonnes of grip. Over rough and chattery sections that can upset other bikes, the Zerode simply felt smooth and composed. Even under braking it stays active, maintaining grip, letting you brake late into turns and switch lines with ease. Wide Open Mag