Zerode Taniwha
The only carbon bike I spotted with a gearbox, not to mention the only carbon full suspension bike–with long travel, no less–the Zerode Taniwha (pronounced tani:fa) was an instant head-turner. Zerode is a small one-man brand out of New Zealand, but that doesn’t keep them from producing an incredible-looking bike! While Zerode now uses Pinion gearboxes, the owner of the brand began by making his own gearboxes years ago, before they became slightly more readily available as they are today.
Chain tensioning is handled by a double roller system, but is smartly tucked up higher than the front chain ring and out of harm’s way.
The model I spotted was spec’ed with a Fox 36 fork, Fox X2 shock, Shimano XT brakes, and a KS Lev dropper post. According to Zerode, the carbon model I was looking at weighs in at 13.6kg (30lbs).
