Zeus experts please help!....and hello
05-06-13 | 10:05 PM
#1
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Zeus experts please help!....and hello
Hi guys,
Sorry to be asking for help on my first post but I was hoping someone would be able to clarify what model zeus I have here. It has a 2000 group and I'm guessing mid 70's? I have seen some images of super sur's that look similar. The drive side rear drop out has previously repaired using a campy frame end so I am in the process of fixing it properly. There was a fair bit of rust coming through the paint and the cable guides are toast so I plan to do a full resto.
I have removed the paint to find something very interesting, the serial no. is 000 on the side f the bb and R3 stamped in the middle of the bb. I'll post a pic of that later. Also the ends of the forks and stays were polished under the paint.....its a bit of an odd ball. I did here once that Razesa built some of the high end Zeus frames, maybe some one can confirm?
Anywho, hope you like the bike!
Sorry to be asking for help on my first post but I was hoping someone would be able to clarify what model zeus I have here. It has a 2000 group and I'm guessing mid 70's? I have seen some images of super sur's that look similar. The drive side rear drop out has previously repaired using a campy frame end so I am in the process of fixing it properly. There was a fair bit of rust coming through the paint and the cable guides are toast so I plan to do a full resto.
I have removed the paint to find something very interesting, the serial no. is 000 on the side f the bb and R3 stamped in the middle of the bb. I'll post a pic of that later. Also the ends of the forks and stays were polished under the paint.....its a bit of an odd ball. I did here once that Razesa built some of the high end Zeus frames, maybe some one can confirm?
Anywho, hope you like the bike!
05-06-13 | 11:57 PM
#4
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Razesa is a small company from the north of Spain, from Navarra. Navarra is near Pais Vasco, also in Spain, with a great tradition in cycling and steel making. From Pais Vasco are also the brands BH, Orbea y Zeus. BH is the most important, everybody here had a BH when we were kids 
Now Orbea is as important as BH. Zeus made bicycles and components, but its now closed.
In the 80´s with the great demand of road bikes, all brands colaborated, because they sell more bikes than they can make. So Zeus made components that were used by BH and Razesa, Razesa made frames for Zeus and i think also for BH because my Razesa is exactly as some BH i see.
In the 90´s with the mountain bike explosion, these brands were specialized in road bikes, so, it were bad times. BH and Orbea began to make mountain bikes and continue production, but Zeus and Razesa were in trouble. Zeus close and Razesa was almost in bankrupt. The owners sell the company to the workers and they continue making steel frames for track, and distribute carbon frames ( i think they imported them ) they also made taylor made steel frames.
Now Orbea is as important as BH. Zeus made bicycles and components, but its now closed.In the 80´s with the great demand of road bikes, all brands colaborated, because they sell more bikes than they can make. So Zeus made components that were used by BH and Razesa, Razesa made frames for Zeus and i think also for BH because my Razesa is exactly as some BH i see.
In the 90´s with the mountain bike explosion, these brands were specialized in road bikes, so, it were bad times. BH and Orbea began to make mountain bikes and continue production, but Zeus and Razesa were in trouble. Zeus close and Razesa was almost in bankrupt. The owners sell the company to the workers and they continue making steel frames for track, and distribute carbon frames ( i think they imported them ) they also made taylor made steel frames.
05-07-13 | 12:12 AM
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05-07-13 | 12:54 AM
#6
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From: Willy, VIC
The tube decals look like mid-70s or earlier to me; later ones say TI-Reynolds instead of Reynolds Tube Co.
Is there an ® symbol on the "Reynolds" diagonally across the decal?
Is there an ® symbol on the "Reynolds" diagonally across the decal?
Last edited by Mark Kelly; 05-07-13 at 12:58 AM.
05-07-13 | 02:43 AM
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Before I say any more just want you all to know that since these pics I thoroughly cleaned her and put her back together....she rode like a dream but there was some serious issues like the rear wheel being misaligned and most of the parts had bad corrosion. So it took a year for me to decide to completely restore her.
Ever seen a serial like this?
05-07-13 | 02:48 AM
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I found this from another post. Your bike certainly looks to be early 80's, similar to the Cronos, but 531 tubes, not Columbus SL. https://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/zeu...20-%200011.pdf
05-07-13 | 03:23 AM
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05-07-13 | 04:04 AM
#11
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Your parts do not look like the Zeus 2000 line. The crank would be drilled and possibly milled on the arm. The rear derailleur is criterium.
The shifters are not either. These parts look older. The pedals if they where 2000 line would have titanium spindles the bottom bracket would be also and the axles for the hubs to. All the holes on the 2000 line are also counter sunk.
But hey super nice bike wish i had one like it good score
The shifters are not either. These parts look older. The pedals if they where 2000 line would have titanium spindles the bottom bracket would be also and the axles for the hubs to. All the holes on the 2000 line are also counter sunk.
But hey super nice bike wish i had one like it good score
05-07-13 | 04:08 AM
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https://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/..._style%29.html yours might be pre 1970 very nice
05-07-13 | 04:11 AM
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05-07-13 | 04:17 AM
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Bikes: Colnago (82, 85, 89, 90, 91, 96, 03), 85 Cinelli, 90 Rossin, 83 Alan, 82 Bianchi, 78 Fountain, 2 x Pinarello, Malvern Star (37), Hillman (70's), 80's Beretto Lo-Pro Track, 80's Kenevans Lo-Pro, Columbus Max (95), DeGrandi (80's) Track.
I was very surprised to see a Campagnolo rear dropout. My guess is that it's not a genuine Zeus frame as there would have been a Zeus rear dropout. That doesn't mean that the Zeus components don't suit the frame - they look great.
05-07-13 | 04:26 AM
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The campy dropout was the reason the rear wheel was out of whack
Last edited by servicimo; 05-07-13 at 04:29 AM. Reason: mis-spelling
05-07-13 | 08:29 AM
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I cannot contribute much, but it appears to have been well-loved by the prior owner. The new headset and fine brakes are just part of the evidence. (Those brakes command serious money when they come up for sale. They should clean up very nicely.)
The dropout repair is curious, but a mystery unlikely to be solved. I find it particularly curious that so much energy would go into certain upgrades and yet leave you with a much older RD. Perhaps the upgraded RD was removed just prior to sale?
In any regard, it is a lovely looking bike. Hope it rides as good as it looks.
Congrats!
The dropout repair is curious, but a mystery unlikely to be solved. I find it particularly curious that so much energy would go into certain upgrades and yet leave you with a much older RD. Perhaps the upgraded RD was removed just prior to sale?
In any regard, it is a lovely looking bike. Hope it rides as good as it looks.
Congrats!
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1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
05-07-13 | 10:32 AM
#19
That is weird. I have a Mairag from switzerland that has R3 (or P3) stamped on the BB just like that.
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05-07-13 | 12:35 PM
#20
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Bikes: C 93 Colnago Early 70's Colnago Sport Mid 80's I think East German National Team Bike "77" Gios Super Record Early "90's" Contini GOIDESIGN Early 90's Contini Reynolds 501 oval tube tourer 70's J van Staeyen Flemish Club bike
I am guessing early "70's". But it ain't Gospel. Even here those early Zeus are extremely rare. If you're looking for replacement parts they show up on Spanish EBay occasionally. Prices can be very reasonable. I just bought a wheel set. Zeus Gean Sport front hub Gigante rear hub Mavic Montihery rims and a Regina Oro freewheel for 10 Euro. Ed Coin, Malaga Spain
05-07-13 | 05:13 PM
#21
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I am guessing early "70's". But it ain't Gospel. Even here those early Zeus are extremely rare. If you're looking for replacement parts they show up on Spanish EBay occasionally. Prices can be very reasonable. I just bought a wheel set. Zeus Gean Sport front hub Gigante rear hub Mavic Montihery rims and a Regina Oro freewheel for 10 Euro. Ed Coin, Malaga Spain
05-07-13 | 05:43 PM
#22
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05-07-13 | 06:36 PM
#24
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Is that lug lining around the bottom bracket? The frame here looks similar vintage to mine - similar lugs and lug cutouts, similar decals, similar fork. My frame is pretty unique (Reynolds 531 SL 'special lightweight' tubing, chrome lugs and seat stay tops) and was probably some kind of team or pro edition but it has similar features. In fact your frame may be newer than mine as it has seat tube bottle bosses. And does it have a screw on under the BB cable guide? Mine has above the BB brazed on guides. The components appear older than the frame. Cinelli Milano stem, older RD. My thought is that mine is from the very late 70s/very early 80s. Everything is original on this bike except the seat and the white paint infill in the flutes and RD.
Lots more pictures here if you want to compare: https://www.cicloclassico.com/81Zeus.php
Lots more pictures here if you want to compare: https://www.cicloclassico.com/81Zeus.php
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05-07-13 | 10:41 PM
#25
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Wow Bluedevil that bike is stunning! (obviously). It really does seem my frame is newer (it has a nylon guide under bb) but my forks are earlier than yours???? I could go out on a limb and say that maybe my bike was an early prototype (000 serial) but that seems just a little convenient. Maybe a waranty frame built with the older parts....or just an odd ball.
Can stop looking at the above zeus, love the chrome lugs. Can I ask you the serial no. BD??
Can stop looking at the above zeus, love the chrome lugs. Can I ask you the serial no. BD??