Zen Photon Ultra - limited version (Bafang Ultra, Rohloff Speed hub, Gates belt drive)

[Cybersnow]

I have one for sale!

 

[Brat]

I have one for sale!

Thanks for the offer, but I'm in Ontario Canada. I don't think that would work out .

 

[DrewInSK]

I have one for sale!

May I ask why you're selling? Am thinking about doing the same with the Pro, TBH(Once I repair mine). Have wondered if the Rohloff was any better than the CVT: Mine's broken badly a bunch of times now. This last time quite badly on gravel(such that I'm replacing the belt and manual hub interface, and shifter/cables this time.)

 

[Cybersnow]

Actually it is more of a weight issue. The bike has performed perfectly. My only issue is loading the 85lb+ bike on a bike rack.

 

[DrewInSK]

Yeah, there is that, too. Riding a >30lb pedal-only bike in the meantime/right now is like I can fly! There's certainly a few reasons I'm pondering the sale.

 

[Cybersnow]

I have a pedal only Salsa Via (hardtail mtb) that weighs about 30lbs. Am going to power it with a e-bike kit an 18lb add.

 

[Gionnirocket]

May I ask why you're selling? Am thinking about doing the same with the Pro, TBH(Once I repair mine). Have wondered if the Rohloff was any better than the CVT: Mine's broken badly a bunch of times now. This last time quite badly on gravel(such that I'm replacing the belt and manual hub interface, and shifter/cables this time.)

My Zen with the Ultra and Rohloff have been working well. More than a few installation issues but the set up itself has been solid.
4000mi on one Rohloff / 3000mi on another. Not a long term evaluation but I'm happy to date.

 

[DrewInSK]

My Zen with the Ultra and Rohloff have been working well. More than a few installation issues but the set up itself has been solid.
4000mi on one Rohloff / 3000mi on another. Not a long term evaluation but I'm happy to date.

That's good to hear...My experience with this enviolo CVT has been nothing short of a bummer. I spend WAY too much time trying to keep tension correct/the belt from skipping, and the shifter cables have snapped 2x. Once in the first 25km, and again now. I sort of wish I had taken the hint at 25km. Much regret over here. Nothing but that, in fact. Only 2000km and change on it as a result.

 

[Cybersnow]

When I was bike shopping I looked at a bike from Canada with an Enviolo rear axle but chose the Rohloff simply on the recommendation of a friend that does a lot of bike touring. It has had zero issues as long as the oil is changed as specified.

 

[Cybersnow]

I have now put close to 1,000 miles on the Zen. While I really cannot complain about any one issue on the bike I have decided to make some changes to make the bike better align with my riding style. I am going to drive the bike down to Boise Idaho and see if it is possible to replace the rohloff and gates belt with a more traditional derailed and HD chain/gearing set up. I took a ride from Astoria to Larkspur and had some problems with the Rohloff, could not find a shop that would work on them and had to rent a truck, haul the bike back to Idaho, pick up my old E-MTB drive back to the West Coast and finish the ride. As there are a few more 300mile + rides we want to make, I need a set up that I can get fixed without wasting 4 days.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Curious... What issue did you have with the Rohloff.
+5000mi on mine now without issue.

 

[Kiwibru]

I have five+ years and over 12,000 km on my Bosch + eRohloff, original belt and drive train gears. Just oil changes and checking tension on the belt. I do not miss chain cleaning. The mess that was part of derailleur / gear / chain maintenance for over fifty-five years of riding and I am so glad. I just can't understand how anyone could have issues with a similar setup but do tell.

 

[Gionnirocket]

My setup is chain dive but I still feel the Rohloff is a low maintenance, low failure solution. Same +5000mi on my chain and it doesn't seem to be wearing much with the 1x1 gear setup and no lateral forces and an always perfect chainline.

 

[Cybersnow]

The Rohloff locked up and stopped shifting. Up until this point there was never a problem. Oil was changed once a year. Rohloff has offered a replacement/repair and so no complaints there. The other option is to get the Rohloff repaired and use the bike only locally, it pulls my doggie trailer with no issues. I just do not want to repeat the experience of trying to get it fixed only to be told by the nearest LBS that they have no clue or tools to work on it.

 

[Gionnirocket]

You're just not having good luck with this bike.
Curious... How are you receiving Rohloff support? From an LBS or thru Zen?

That said my first Rohloff from Zen came with a myriad of installation mistakes and fuck_ups. From a missing Freewheel Spring to torn gaskets, missing bolts, crimped cable housing and cable to a nice scratch on the shifter. Prior to shipping they held on to the bike for two weeks for so called quality control.. but when received, I was miffed by how poorly it functioned. Their in-house mechanics/engineers are beyond clueless.
That, that said... Everything was replaced by Zen and when done correctly (by me) it works wonderfully and I love the pairing with the M620.

 

[Cybersnow]

The Zen is out of warranty and to honest, their customer support was excellent during the first few months as we worked a few minor bugs out of the bike. The only thing they never fixed was a rubbing front fender on the Johnny Watts tires. I ultimately just took off the offending fender. Other than the shifter never matching up with the gears, the Rohloff worked just fine. Oh and I agree with your opinion that their mechanics are pretty clueless. My biggest problem, besides weight, is the lack of Rohloff mechanics here in the Northwest and the predominant expertise in MTB and E-MTB technology. We love multi day long rides and carry just our basic necessities and limit daily rides to our battery charge. Murphy’s law says that the bike will fail at the most inopportune time. I really don’t expect any weight or speed changes but a change inthe ability to get the bike repaired when I am a long way from home.

 

[Gionnirocket]

The Zen is out of warranty and to honest, their customer support was excellent during the first few months as we worked a few minor bugs out of the bike. The only thing they never fixed was a rubbing front fender on the Johnny Watts tires. I ultimately just took off the offending fender. Other than the shifter never matching up with the gears, the Rohloff worked just fine. Oh and I agree with your opinion that their mechanics are pretty clueless. My biggest problem, besides weight, is the lack of Rohloff mechanics here in the Northwest and the predominant expertise in MTB and E-MTB technology. We love multi day long rides and carry just our basic necessities and limit daily rides to our battery charge. Murphy’s law says that the bike will fail at the most inopportune time. I really don’t expect any weight or speed changes but a change inthe ability to get the bike repaired when I am a long way from home.

Supposedly the Zen has a 3yr Warranty... but they've all been missing in action since the beginning of the year.