[CR] Zeus Quality

(Example: Framebuilding:Brazing Technique)

From: "Jeff Pyzyk" <jpyzyk@live.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2011 07:49:08 -0600
Subject: [CR] Zeus Quality


O.K. The thread is getting long, but, as a Zeus aficionado, I must chime in. I don't quite understand how the idea of Zeus copying Campagnolo, let alone "using copies of Campy molds" came about. Ridiculous. Admittedly, the Zeus Criterium rear derailleur looks a lot like an old Record Campagnolo. However, a side by side comparison of hubs, brake calipers, brake levers, cranksets, etc. will show that they are not even close! As mentioned, Zeus made gorgeous center pull brakes for the early 2000 groups. The Zeus 2000 brake levers had quick releases built into the levers. Campy made nothing of the sort. Zeus 2001 side pull calipers are beautifully finished, and have basically nothing in common with Campagnolo. Cranksets are a completely different bolt center diameter, and to my eye, are very nicely finished. Zeus was an innovater in the use of Titanium. As someone mentioned, Zeus 2000 had pedal cages that were constructed of Titanium, not just the axles. Zeus 2000 groups used titinium bottom brackets, titanium pedals, and titanium material in t
   he rear derailleurs. Also, as mentioned, Zeus was an innovator in the manufacture of alloy freewheels as early as 1974: http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/bc_stockwell_bikestuff/zeus/1973zeus/73tour_ad_Zeus6sp_Ocana.jpg.html As far as Zeus being "never popular in the Peleton", perhaps that was because it was so much more rare and less ubiquitous than Campagnolo at that time. The great Luis Ocana was overall winner in the 1973 Tour de France. He of course, rode with Team Super Ser in 1974 and in 1975, on non other than a Zeus 2000 bike. The bad rap on the cranks perhaps came about because early Zeus 2000 crank arms were milled clean through. These were manufactured in about late 1974 through 1976. In 1977 or so, Zeus stopped the practice of milling all the way through the crank arms. These are beautifully finished, and I think Super Record era Campy cranks are no more nicely finished by comparison. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1zXNujLIljc/TP-pGMwXo2I/AAAAAAAAAEw/W3I357JuNoY/s1600/zeus+012.jpg and also see: http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/Jeff+Pyzyk/zeus/bikes+113.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1 Jeff PyzykMilwaukee, WI