Anyone familiar with this "Led Zeppelin" bike?
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Anyone familiar with this "Led Zeppelin" bike?
I've never seen one before. But it appears to be good quality with a Thomson seat post and radial-spoked front wheel. Of course, no drive-side photo.

TIA

TIA
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I don't think I've ever seen a rear suspension bike with a rigid fork? It looks like that seat post might be acting as a rear suspension lockout, so it probably doesn't matter.
Odd bike.
Odd bike.
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Disagree.
I've never seen a Thomson logo etched there on a seatpost, or in that font size.
The Led Zeppelin logo also looks Photoshopped (although I can't imagine why they'd bother).
Plus, how does this rear suspension work, exactly?
I've never seen a Thomson logo etched there on a seatpost, or in that font size.
The Led Zeppelin logo also looks Photoshopped (although I can't imagine why they'd bother).
Plus, how does this rear suspension work, exactly?

Last edited by Rolla; 05-11-22 at 10:03 AM.
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So far, this bike ain't getting a whole lotta love.
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You can throw any brand seatpost in a bike as long as it's the right size, and a radial front wheel just means that the builder (or machine) didn't cross them. That could be for weight, or to save time. Nothing special about that bike.
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It's like riding a bicycle
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Well, it is special. But not in a good way.
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Looks like a mediocre bike, just like the band.

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You know… Gary Fisher has a brother. I don’t recall that he was involved in the bicycle industry, but maybe.
If so, it appears that he was not very successful.
John
If so, it appears that he was not very successful.
John
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Looks like there is a pivot on the frame just in front of the bottom bracket shell. The seat post is not connected to the lower portion of the frame so the whole rear triangle is free to rotate.
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I'm just rambling on at this point, but I'm dazed and confused at the notion that someone laced that front wheel with radial spokes to save weight on this bike. How many more times are we going to have this communication breakdown over the idea that shaving a few grams with shorter spokes isn't going to make this bike ready to tackle the misty mountain hop? I will say, if you're going to California with this one, it's ready to rock and roll right over the hills and far away with that built in suspension lockout. Just don't forget to bring it on home after visiting the ocean.
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Yes, I know this. But look at the seatpost (circled in red): it extends almost to the pivoting rear triangle, effectively blocking its travel.
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THis is almost certainly a frame from a department/discount store bike, or 'BSO', painted and with custom Zeppelin decals and an internally geared hub. The stamped steel caliper brakes are a dead giveaway - you won't find garbage brakes like that on any decent quality bike from the past 50 years.
It also appears to be a child/youth sized bike, possibly upgraded to a Thompson seatpost and goofy high-rise stem in an ill-informed attempt to get it to fit an adult rider.
It also appears to be a child/youth sized bike, possibly upgraded to a Thompson seatpost and goofy high-rise stem in an ill-informed attempt to get it to fit an adult rider.
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He's a doctor (MD I think) . He and Gary's father raced a Knarr out of San Francisco Yacht Club in Tiburon, I crewed on a boat in that fleet for years.
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I agree with your disagreement. Possibly 'upgraded' cranks and seatpost, but the bike is otherwise a craptacular kids bike with some sort of terrible rear suspension. This would have been a $90 kids bike when new, value now possibly $100 because someone added a $150 seatpost.
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I'm just rambling on at this point, but I'm dazed and confused at the notion that someone laced that front wheel with radial spokes to save weight on this bike. How many more times are we going to have this communication breakdown over the idea that shaving a few grams with shorter spokes isn't going to make this bike ready to tackle the misty mountain hop? I will say, if you're going to California with this one, it's ready to rock and roll right over the hills and far away with that built in suspension lockout. Just don't forget to bring it on home after visiting the ocean.
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#25
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I'm just rambling on at this point, but I'm dazed and confused at the notion that someone laced that front wheel with radial spokes to save weight on this bike. How many more times are we going to have this communication breakdown over the idea that shaving a few grams with shorter spokes isn't going to make this bike ready to tackle the misty mountain hop? I will say, if you're going to California with this one, it's ready to rock and roll right over the hills and far away with that built in suspension lockout. Just don't forget to bring it on home after visiting the ocean.
Last edited by A350driver; 05-11-22 at 06:15 PM.