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Anyone ever heard of Zeus-bikes?

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Anyone ever heard of Zeus-bikes?

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Old 04-18-10, 11:01 AM
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Anyone ever heard of Zeus-bikes?

Hello guys!

I intend to buy (obs, I intend, no mor missunderstandings!) a beautiful yellow Zeus-bike. And I won't ask if it's a good price or anything like that, no, I just wonder if you have any info about that brand. I've tried a fast search but i couldn't find anything about the brand. I tried Sheldon but he just told me that some bikes were rare but nothing about the brand. Classic rendevous just told me the bikes used to come in warm colours...

Could you tell me Anything real about this brand? The bike is equiped with zeus-criterium-parts (yes, thats what they're called) and campa stuff.

Hope you have any info.

God bless!
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Old 04-18-10, 11:16 AM
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Copy and paste this into google or some other search engine:

zeus site:bikeforums.net

I don't know much about them myself, but I wouldn't mind one if I came across it for a reasonable price. Though, I would worry about some weird Spanish threading, if there is such a thing.

Last edited by beech333; 04-18-10 at 11:19 AM.
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Old 04-18-10, 11:32 AM
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old Zeus frames will typically have "weird" French threading, later ones went to BSC/ISO standards, and they were built for Zeus by Razesa (Zeus was not a frame building company, just components) which has evolved into the the modern Orbea (maybe through merger). One with Criterium parts might be from early 70s if the gruppo is original (Zeus 2000 stuff came out in 1975/76), Velobase has a 1970 catalog plus other great resources:
https://www.velo-pages.com/main.php?g2_itemId=12128
were going to need pics if you buy it!
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Old 04-18-10, 11:34 AM
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I only ever saw one and it seemed very nice. the components were great too
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Old 04-18-10, 12:44 PM
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Zeus made its self known in the early 70's. They had a complete line of bikes, many with Zeus components, which were rough copies of Campy. Their top line bikes were 531 and very nicely made. I remember a local bike shop having them but only for a few years, 1972-75 maybe. I see them occasionally on ebay and they seem to sell for lower prices than a comparable more known bikes. I always thought their paintjobs and chromework was of good quality and a bit different than the norm.
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Old 04-18-10, 12:54 PM
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Not sure what model you have run across, but in my opinion, just about any Zeus has collectible value. If yours is high end, ride quality will be just fine. Here is an entry level Zeus I picked up a few years ago.
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Old 04-18-10, 01:35 PM
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In case I'll get it I'll certainly post pics!

It's 531 indeed.

How old is wierd-french-threading-old?
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Old 04-18-10, 01:43 PM
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French threading isn't too hard to deal with. The bottom brackets and headsets are a different thread, but they are still available for only a slight premium over similar quality components. Check velo-orange.com
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Old 04-18-10, 01:54 PM
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nice
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Old 04-18-10, 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Jonatan F
In case I'll get it I'll certainly post pics!

It's 531 indeed.

How old is wierd-french-threading-old?
I'd guess pre-76 based on the Criterium components, but I don't think Zeus abandoned French threading until the early '80s (just a guess)...and I was joking about the "weirdness" of French threads.
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Old 04-18-10, 02:42 PM
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Originally Posted by jmichaeldesign
French threading isn't too hard to deal with. The bottom brackets and headsets are a different thread, but they are still available for only a slight premium over similar quality components. Check velo-orange.com
Slight premium = 2X to 3X on the cost side, with very few alternatives. For instance, the Velo Orange BB only comes with JIS taper.
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Old 04-19-10, 11:22 AM
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Spot it too - its a very nice bike for almost no cost! If you dont have any c&v-bike thats a nice start! What about the Monark with stylish red lugs????
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Old 04-19-10, 11:33 AM
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https://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-ZEUS-FIX...item53e0ca8826
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Old 04-19-10, 12:23 PM
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I bought it!
It's amazingly beautiful and incredibly light! About 180 Euro... I consider it like a good deal even though I have to replace some grease and cable routing.


Sorry for crappy mopilepics, could improve 'em if you guys want..

Parts are mavic wheels, campa gearing and 531 tubing. Oh, did I mention that the colour’s ****ing amazing!?
Just hope that the frensh parts won't make too much trouble...

Javal: I was thinking about it, very beautiful, but since I'm gonna use the bike for training I wanted the lighter frame and I have no room for two bikes!
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Old 04-20-10, 12:42 PM
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Con grats is in order! Right size aswell? More pics would be nice! (Finns alltid plats för en Monark)
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Old 04-20-10, 12:46 PM
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More pictures would be appreciated...especially the drive-side.
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Old 04-20-10, 01:25 PM
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Javal: Eftersom jag bor hemma fortfarande är det kört! Nice withe a Swede over here!

More pics to come! (sorry for the newbie-pic I use to laught at all the newbies that shots from wrong side and then I do it mysielf! Embarrassing!

The size is slightly incorrect i think. I've had a hard time finding out what my size is. I think my legs are unusually short. I'm 185cm tall but I don't mind 55 cm bikes. I think that the perfect size would be about 58 cm (but my current training-bike (08th touring frame, riser and tt-bar) is 60 and works nice.

Anyway I think this bike would fit me, at least better then any other bike for that cost!
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Old 04-20-10, 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by unworthy1
old Zeus frames will typically have "weird" French threading, later ones went to BSC/ISO standards, and they were built for Zeus by Razesa (Zeus was not a frame building company, just components) which has evolved into the the modern Orbea (maybe through merger). One with Criterium parts might be from early 70s if the gruppo is original (Zeus 2000 stuff came out in 1975/76), Velobase has a 1970 catalog plus other great resources:
https://www.velo-pages.com/main.php?g2_itemId=12128
were going to need pics if you buy it!
Thanks for that link to my cycling past. My first real roadbike was an Orba "OCI"...purchase in the summer of '71 in D'Ornellas bike shop in Toronto. Came with Zeus Alfa components, half step gears and a 13 - 19 FW. All steel bits but still a great bike and I rode it for 4 years until it was stolen. Now here's the parts in the 1970 catalogue. Many folks think Orbea is a new marque but it ain't.
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Old 04-20-10, 03:46 PM
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Zeus actually pre-dates Campagnolo by several years -- they started building bicycle components in 1923 and lasted until the mid-1990s. Their derailleurs (especially the Criterium series) were very similar to Campagnolo, but they were quite innovative in the 1970s with their extensive use of titanium and drilling to lighten the components. Here's a poster showing their bike models from the mid-1970s: https://www.os2.dhs.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=10998
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Old 04-20-10, 03:56 PM
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Um, that's a pretty good looking bike.

More photographs are needed, good sir. +1 to the urgent need for a driveside photo.
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Old 04-20-10, 05:22 PM
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FWIW, there's a painting of a similar '70's yellow Zeus at the Art Gallery of Ontario by artist Greg Curnoe. Greg was also cycling enthusiast but died tragically on a road ride in '92. Here's a couple of links about him and a low res pic of the Zeus.

https://bicyclespecialties.blogspot.c...mariposas.html

https://tinyurl.com/y6vrtt4


Attachment 147209
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Old 04-21-10, 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Jonatan F
Javal: Eftersom jag bor hemma fortfarande är det kört! Nice withe a Swede over here!

More pics to come! (sorry for the newbie-pic I use to laught at all the newbies that shots from wrong side and then I do it mysielf! Embarrassing!

The size is slightly incorrect i think. I've had a hard time finding out what my size is. I think my legs are unusually short. I'm 185cm tall but I don't mind 55 cm bikes. I think that the perfect size would be about 58 cm (but my current training-bike (08th touring frame, riser and tt-bar) is 60 and works nice.

Anyway I think this bike would fit me, at least better then any other bike for that cost!
1.85 on a 60 cm bike is usually ok. Is the Zeus 60 cm c/t? OBS! Växelsidan är överskattad!
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Old 04-21-10, 10:45 AM
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nice looking zeus track bike on ebay right now -
https://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-ZEUS-FIX...item53e0ca8826
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Old 04-21-10, 12:35 PM
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déjà vu

Originally Posted by Jonatan F
I bought it!


Sorry for crappy mopilepics, could improve 'em if you guys want..
congratulations!

Looks familiar to me.
That's mine:
https://www.radklassiker.org/?p=445〈=en#more-445
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Old 04-22-10, 02:17 AM
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Originally Posted by norskagent
nice looking zeus track bike on ebay right now -
https://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-ZEUS-FIX...item53e0ca8826
Wierd with a track-bike with brakes and stone-remover on the front wheel! Is it some hipsters mix with old parts?
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