'Zen Skunkworks' - a new model in the development

[Quick514Biker]

At your partner store in Halifax, EShop, it's listed for $2,999. That's where I was looking originally. After I posted first time, then I thought of checking your Zen website, where it's listed for $4,899.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

At your partner store in Halifax, EShop, it's listed for $2,999

It's a typo; they are fixing it. They will a hub-motor version for $2999
This photon model has all-around nicer components. Tektro E-500 brakes with cut-off sensors, nicer headlight, Super Moto-X tires etc. Our team took care of all these details.

 

[opimax]

Looks good! Will there be any other options for a different hub? Can the nicer components be purchased on the hub-motor version?

 

[juggernaut]

This is the photon model with a large battery and belt drive. It is impossible to find a bike of this quality for $3000 CAD anywhere in the world.
This will be priced at $4899 and we are taking $300 deposits for delivery in late June or early July. This will have a custom Zen mid-drive motor.

Judging by the pic, the custom mid-drive motor is based on the Ananda m100 motor - is this correct? In any case 120nm is much better than 85 or 90nm from the typical motors .

 

[Deacon Blues]

Ravi, is it possible to have Johnny Watts or eRuban tires instead of the Super Moto X tires? My wife rides on a lot of pathways with compact gravel and I thought the JW or eRuban tires would be a better choice.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Looks good! Will there be any other options for a different hub? Can the nicer components be purchased on the hub-motor version?

It has the same hub + wheelset we use on the Samurai model.
We could install Rohloff or Kindernay, but we believe, Enviolo is a more appropriate choice.
I believe it could be a really nice option for those looking for a step-thru option.

Ravi, is it possible to have Johnny Watts or eRuban tires instead of the Super Moto X tires? My wife rides on a lot of pathways with compact gravel and I thought the JW or eRuban tires would be a better choice.

Sure, installing JW tires is not a problem at all

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Some more details about the Zen Photon model specifications.

Motor​	Zen Custom 52V, 500W, 120Nm torque, 32 km/hr (Canada), 45 km/hr (USA) 5-levels of pedal assist + throttle​
Battery & charger​	52V, 20Ah (~1000 Whr) BMS tested to UL standard 52V, 4A, UL-certified charger​
Transmission system​	Gates Carbon Belt drive – 55T (front), 22T (rear) https://www.gatescarbondrive.com/products/ebikes ​
Gearbox/hub​	Enviolo Heavy Duty IGH – 380% 36H, Max weight 250kg​
Front Suspension​	E-bike specific, Boost spacing, RST Aerial 27.5” x 2.6” https://rstsuspension.com/products/aerial/ ​
Brakes​	Tektro E-500 Hydraulic brakes with E-cutoff https://www.tektro.com/products.php?p=39 ​
Wheels and Tires​	27.5” MTB wheels with 36 spokes and Schwalbe Super Moto-X tires​
Accessories, lighting, carrying capacity​	Adjustable stem, Full cover fenders, rear rack (25 kgs), front rack (15kgs), ZEN suspension seatpost ​
Size and color​	17” (5ft 8” or below) 19” (5ft 9” or above) White and carbon grey colors ​

The display is a customized LCD color display with a USB-C charge port for phones and accessories. The shifter is a premium version of the Enviolo heavy-duty one attached to Ergonomic grips.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Our website also has this bike on pre-order.

Zen Photon Long Range Electric Bike

Experience the ultimate ride with Zen Photon e-bike featuring a powerful 1000Wh battery. Enjoy an 85-mile pedal-assist range for endless adventures!

zenebikes.com

 

[scottsdalecommuter]

Our website also has this bike on pre-order.

Zen Photon Long Range Electric Bike

Experience the ultimate ride with Zen Photon e-bike featuring a powerful 1000Wh battery. Enjoy an 85-mile pedal-assist range for endless adventures!

zenebikes.com

That’s an incredible looking bike! Great work. I can’t wait to buy one. As a daily bike commuter that checks all my boxes!

 

[scrambler]

Waiting for the Full suspension version

 

[Tubbs]

Ravi,
Any Idea on when the Hub motor version will be avaliable for preorder?

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

This week, our facility is optimizing the packing process to ensure highest safety. Also, the final assembly of Enviolo hub, battery installation and QC/QA will be done in Canada.; this enables us greater control over final product and identify any issues before shipping to the customer. Here is an image with the dummy sample to test the packing efficiency.

Ravi,
Any Idea on when the Hub motor version will be avaliable for preorder?

It will be available for pre-order next week. Next week, production of Photon bikes will get completed and soon after that, the hub motor version will be completed.

 

[Quick514Biker]

Zen Photon bikes for Canadian residents have the option for 45 km/hr model(not only to 32 km/hr)? Or just the settings need to be changed, that could be done by anyone?

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Zen Photon bikes for Canadian residents have the option for 45 km/hr model(not only to 32 km/hr)? Or just the settings need to be changed, that could be done by anyone?

The Canadian version is limited to 32 km/hr and ships as such. If the customer wants to unlock higher top speed for their off-road use, they could do so if they are willing to release Zen from any liability and write a letter.

I appreciate most of the tedious and vital being preassembled.

Thanks for your comment. We will make sure the QC/QA is done properly before shipping out the bikes.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Update from last week.
Frames from the paint shop rolling into assembly station. The headtube has front rack mount that can also hold a nameplate.
The white pantone color has a slight creamish tone and the other one is a carbon grey. It would look much nicer once the assembly is complete!

 

[Deacon Blues]

Ravi, I ordered the white painted frame for my wife, but I'd like, if possible, to switch to the carbon grey.
thanks
Ron

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Ravi, I ordered the white painted frame for my wife, but I'd like, if possible, to switch to the carbon grey.
thanks
Ron

I will request our team to update the order sheet to 17" - Carbon grey.
If you need any other upgrades, let us know. We now have the option to upgrade the brakes to 4-piston Tektro E-725 for $150 CAD.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Wow! this guy Ravi and Zen team are awesome.
I would buy an ebike from Zen if they have full suspension Emtbs with Bosch race motor. I like aluminium frame. Fox or Ohlins for suspension.

Funny you mention that!
We are building a full-suspension Bosch E-mtb with FOX-36 with 180mm travel, 625Whr battery and it is a very tough carbon fiber frame.
We could install the Bosch Race motor if you would like. Here is a picture of the frame we are building.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

To anyone reading this. If you are in the market for a fantastic E-mtb, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are building a top-of-the-line E-mtb with Bosch CX (Speed/Race if you would prefer) motor, 625 Whr power tube and FOX suspension (180mm front and rear).
We would be happy to customize it for your preference.

 

[JGcycle]

Ravi, is the new Photon (hub motor version) a belt drive?