If you’re looking for something different in your next mountain bike, Zerode bikes have been doing their own thing for a while now. Rather than building just another carbon full suspension mountain bike, Zerode has focused on integrating Pinion gearboxes into their designs. They’ve also been experimenting with a Gates Carbon Carbon Drive for those same gearboxes. When we saw a prototype in person last April, the company expected it to be available some time in 2020, and here we are.

Technically, the belt drive option is still not available, but Zerode is in the process of starting pre-orders. And we also know a price. Well, at least a price for the retrofit kit. Yes, the Gates Carbon Drive option will also be available as a kit to modify your existing Zerode bike as well as available as a complete Taniwha or Katipo in the near future.

Priced at $610, the kit is more than just a belt and a few cogs. Due to the shape of the belt and the geometry of the needed tensioner, and entirely new, thinner chainstay is needed for the bikes which is included with the kit. In addition to the chainstay, you’ll receive a new tensioner, belt, front and rear sprockets and scupper. The rear sprocket will fit on existing hubs, so no need for a new wheel.

Why go belt over the tried and true chain? For starters, the belt claims to offer more than twice the lifespan of a traditional chain while also dropping more than 100g. Of course the belt doesn’t require any chain lube, and when combined with a gearbox that drops the amount of maintenance required. Zerode claims the resulting bike is quieter and pedals more smoothly, and the belt won’t stretch or lose efficiency.

Zerode says these should be ready to ship by early April, and if you want to get your name on the waiting list, you can sign up through the link on the page below.

zerodebikes.com