Zen Bike Co. is a new Portland, Oregon-based bike brand that has hatched from OEM builder Zen Bicycle Fabrication. We’ve been testing a Zen Bike Co. 6061 aluminum Cross frameset this offseason, and have been so far impressed. Even if you’ve never heard of the company, Zen Bicycle Fabrication certainly has plenty of experience hand-building steel and aluminum bicycle frames, just under more famous brands like Turner and other bike companies boasting a made-in-the-USA label.
At NAHBS 2015 in Louisville, Zen Bike Co. showed off two models that are of interest to our audience: The 6061 aluminum CROSS model, which features short, 42cm chainstays, a low bottom bracket drop (69mm on a 56cm frame), interchangeable dropouts (QR or 142x12mm thru axle), a lightweight “micro texture” powdercoat and an impressive 1380g weight (our 56cm frame weighed 1425g).
The PF30 frameset comes with a Cane Creek headset and an ENVE Cross Disc fork, will be available this summer and will retail for $1699.
Zen Bike Co. also unveiled its AR45, which stands for All Road 45mm (tire clearance). If you’ve followed any of our coverage at NAHBS 2015, you’ll know that this “All Road” or gravel segment was the hottest trend of the NAHBS show in Louisville, and now boasts its own fork and wheelset.
Zen also looks to lead the “All Road” conversation and adventures with this new True Temper steel frameset that really attempts to do it all. Fat tire clearance, moderate 43cm chainstays, three bottle mounts, rack and fender mounts, and full cable housing routing.
More info: Zen.bike See more cyclocross and gravel eye candy from NAHBS 2015 here.
Zen Bike Co. Steel AR45 clears 45mm tires, and is ready for anything. NAHBS 2015. © Cyclocross Magazine
Both bikes feature unpainted metal logos that shine through the black finish, and the AR45 features a clear coated left chainstay that showcases the steel.
Zen Bike Co. looks to attract adventuresome cyclists who want versatile, domestic frames that emphasize function over flash, and both the CROSS and AR45 frames may fill the gap between custom-built options and Asian-built big factory production frames.
See the full details in all our Zen Bike Co. close-ups in the slideshow here.
