Zini mountain bikes enquiry

[hendrik@bikehub]

So my son and I found a bike at our local sportsmans warehouse. 29"and frame size L. Zini 29" and model is the Trail. All parts are decent Shimano parts except the fork which is also a Zini. I believe can be replaced with an aftermarket if needed. My concern is the following statement on their website:

Replaceable dropouts

 

Bent a hanger? Not a problem, Zini derailleur hangers are easy to replace.

What does this mean? Is this a universal part or Zini specific.

Price is R5999

 

https://zinibike.co.za/product/2023-z29-trail/

[love2fly]

There are going to be way smarter contributions than mine but my concerns would be:

Lots of own brand components (Z)

1x10?

What bottom bracket and it will likely fail very soon

The replaceable hanger thing is pretty much on all bikes - I doubt theirs is proprietary to them but if it is it's better to buy a few....

Are the tyres tubeless ready?

Conclusion: You get what you pay for and to upgrade components will cost more than double the bike....

Good luck. Interesting bike, I've never seen one.

[hendrik@bikehub]

I am not 100% sure but think tires are tubeless already.

This is why I asked on this platform for inputs. He just wants to buy the bike but as adults we tend to think more out of the box. I don't like stuff that are brand specific as maintenance can and will be a problem.

Is the BB not a universal item that can be replaced with a better one if the current one fails?

Edited December 27, 2024 by hendrik@bikehub

[David Marshall]

I don't know the bikes so can't comment with any certainty.  That said if it is an air fork and specs as per the website then R6000 seems a good price.  I wouldn't worry about the BB or hanger.  If the fork is looked after it should also last a few years.

The tyres are unlikely to be tubeless set up or even tubeless ready (unless stated on the rubber).

As for the frame size just make sure that an L is not too big for your son. Good luck.

[ChrisF]

+1 for checking the size chart.

[nox1111]

Expecting tubeless ready tyres at R6k is a pipe dream, unless you are buying a secondhand 26'er. The Z-tech brand components are the same route Silverback, Trek, spez, Titan and pretty much every single other brand is going, it is to give decent quality components without paying oem prices for name brands. Nothing wrong with it. 

The Fork, yes, the fork is air and usable, but don't expect a Rockshox or Fox for the price...it's not half bad for the price point.

Everything else is pretty good. Decent geometry, tapered headtube and thus tapered fork compatible, internal cable routing and Deore drivetrain, Hydraulic disc brakes and great brand backup.

It's a solid buy in my opinion.

 

[DieselnDust]

I believe the Zini fork is a rebrand x-fusion and service parts will be available through the distributor , Omnico. 
the bike is good value for money 

[hendrik@bikehub]

Thank you all for the inputs. Much appreciated. I am +- 20 years out  the game and rode mountain bikes when the 26 inch was the norm and disc brakes with cable activation only just started to come onto the market. Lots of things have changed since then technology wise. So I do not want to buy a lemon that don't have support on it. Let me ask some more details to bring my knowledge up to speed.

As mentioned, I think it is tubeless. We only went on looking at the type of valve it has. I think you are right. Let's work on not being tubeless.

Drivetrain is shimano. Brakes are full shimano.

BB i just wanted to know if it is a universal one that can be swapped with any other one and not Zini specific thread or whatever making it difficult to maintain in future.

Front shock. Is the tapered style the new design? Not Zini designed specific for in case the shock needs to be replaced or upgraded?

I saw some bicycle shops in Gauteng being the agents. I will phone them today to find out about the rear dropouts. Worried this is also brand specific.

 

The bike was normally priced at R12 000. Then reduced to R8 999. It will be on sale on the 3rd to clear old stock for R5999. I cannot afford a R12 000 as my daughter has some medical expense with braces so I don't want to buy a lemon that I can't get parts for if it breaks.

 

[ChrisF]

Tubeless tyres ....

 

Normally it has "TR" or Tubeless Ready etched or printed on the side of the tyre.

 

 

If these tyres are not TR .... put sludge/sealant in the tubes.  Buy a set of TR tyres in a few months.

[SwissVan]

2 hours ago, hendrik@bikehub said:

Thank you all for the inputs. Much appreciated. I am +- 20 years out  the game and rode mountain bikes when the 26 inch was the norm and disc brakes with cable activation only just started to come onto the market. Lots of things have changed since then technology wise. So I do not want to buy a lemon that don't have support on it. Let me ask some more details to bring my knowledge up to speed.

As mentioned, I think it is tubeless. We only went on looking at the type of valve it has. I think you are right. Let's work on not being tubeless.

Drivetrain is shimano. Brakes are full shimano.

BB i just wanted to know if it is a universal one that can be swapped with any other one and not Zini specific thread or whatever making it difficult to maintain in future.

Front shock. Is the tapered style the new design? Not Zini designed specific for in case the shock needs to be replaced or upgraded?

I saw some bicycle shops in Gauteng being the agents. I will phone them today to find out about the rear dropouts. Worried this is also brand specific.

 

The bike was normally priced at R12 000. Then reduced to R8 999. It will be on sale on the 3rd to clear old stock for R5999. I cannot afford a R12 000 as my daughter has some medical expense with braces so I don't want to buy a lemon that I can't get parts for if it breaks.

 

Just make sure the size is correct, otherwise go for it, it’s a bargain @ R5’999.00 and you are supporting the local industry.

Dont stress about the hangar, just get one to keep in the unlikely case you need to replace it on short notice and don’t want to wait for a dealer to order one from Zini.

 

[nox1111]

It is not tubeless unfortunately, and the tyres are not supposed to be TR, although I've seen them set up tubeless...

The fork is not an XFusion, it is off brand, but properly tested and supported by Omnico.

It's a universal derailleur and used on plenty of other QR bikes.

with some ingenuity you can run an internal routed dropper without affecting warranty also

happy trails!

 

 

[Eugene]

Just a few comments

1. You can replace the fork with an aftermarket one, but, a fork better than the fork on the bike, will cost more than the bike itself. Don't worry, the standard fork will be fine. 

2. Many bike brands rebrand forks in their own name. These are normally Suntour (or as someone else mentioned X Fusion). Even the entry level ones of these brands will do the job. Don't worry about the fork. 

3. All reputable bikes have replaceable hangers. They are designed to break in the event of a fall so that the more expensive frame does not get damaged. 

4. Zini is a local brand and makes some competent bikes. Get the bike, you won't be sorry. 

5. Zini is supported by many bike shops. Rather buy it from a bike shop. Sportsmans Warehouse is not cheap and the knowledge of the staff on bikes is doubtful at best. If you go to a bike shop, you know it will have been built properly and you will get better advice regarding sizing etc. 

Edit: I missed the part about being on special at Sportsmans. If you can't buy it elsewhere at that price, then get it from Sportsmans. The big issue is size. Don't buy a bike because it is on special and then it ends up being the wrong size. Size trumps almost anything when getting a bike. It must fit you properly

Edited December 28, 2024 by Eugene

[Zebra]

Seems like a very good buy, indeed, esp. after checking the specs…

Seems like a TRUE 50% off, so if the SIZE is correct, would be a good buy.

The hanger will be available, so no concerns there…

…and the shocks will work for your Daughter, I feel…

Good luck, and yes, support your LBS wherever/whenever possible!
Chris

[hendrik@bikehub]

thanks guys. Yes, special only with Sportsmans. The plan is to keep it maintained where needed at the local bike store. Just don't want to buy a lemon.

We will check internet to do a proper check with size as the frame is a L.

My son currently is 180cm. So I don't know if it is too large.He looked comfortable when he sat on it with seat all the way down.

[ChrisF]

2 hours ago, hendrik@bikehub said:

thanks guys. Yes, special only with Sportsmans. The plan is to keep it maintained where needed at the local bike store. Just don't want to buy a lemon.

We will check internet to do a proper check with size as the frame is a L.

My son currently is 180cm. So I don't know if it is too large.He looked comfortable when he sat on it with seat all the way down.

 

At 1,75m I am on the cusp of M to L for most frames.

 

At 1,8m he should be safe with L, and a bit of room for growth.

[nox1111]

1.8m is slap bang on a large yes!