Zukas Cycles

**Nate Zukas** · 02-16-2017

Couple of paintwork pics from a recent dirt road bike build. More to follow once I figure out how to work the new camera.

2017-02-16_08-18-22 by Nate Zukas, on Flickr

2017-02-16_08-18-40 by Nate Zukas, on Flickr

2017-02-16_08-18-55 by Nate Zukas, on Flickr

2017-02-16_08-19-08 by Nate Zukas, on Flickr

**Nate Zukas** · 02-16-2017

Do-all road bike frameset. T47 threaded BB, 44mm HT, polydrops and internal routing.

2017-02-16_08-48-58 by Nate Zukas, on Flickr

2017-02-16_08-49-44 by Nate Zukas, on Flickr

**RichTheRoadie** · 02-16-2017

Just saw this on Insta - bloody gorgeous paint!

**Nate Zukas** · 02-17-2017

Originally Posted by RichTheRoadie

Just saw this on Insta - bloody gorgeous paint!

Thank you!

**Nate Zukas** · 03-20-2017

Chamelon paint! Also saw blue, brown and silver in other lignting conditions.

**Nate Zukas** · 03-23-2017

This is gonna be a fun bike! When completed with 2012 Record, carbon Boyd tubeless wheels and room for upto 30mm road tires. 7005 AL frame with Ritchey monocurve bars and Enve GRD fork with removable fender.

**Nate Zukas** · 04-10-2017

Controlling the brass.

**htono** · 04-17-2017

Nate, you can certainly build. What's your approach to fit and design? I've been through the gamut of long computerized fits, as well as quick eyeballed approaches only to understand that hat I do not at alll understand the science/art of making a bike that handle well under my input. How do you do it? Richard Sachs and Dario Pegoretti seem to give little importance to angles, seemingly preferring to focus on what RS calls millimeters, while other builders delve in the minutes of trail and ST angles to a great degree f precision. Where do you stand? If I order a bike from you, how do you go about putting the wheels in the right place under my imperfect anatomy?

**Nate Zukas** · 04-18-2017

Great question! Its quite simple, I build a frame that fits your contact points. Your saddle height and setback will determine the ST angle. If using a fork like the Enve cross, I will design the HT angle based on the forks offset to get the right amount of trail. Of course tire width will come into play as well. Ultimately , to me, a good front end design will have a balanced feel, not heavy at slow speed , but not twitchy/super sensitive at high speeds. I like to see a 100 to 110mm stem length with no more than 10mms of spacer max.I do take into account your saddle to bar length and saddle to bar drop. These contact points also come into play when designing a front end. When you buy pre determined geometry you have to make component changes and adjustments to make the approximate size work. When a builder makes you a frame you should fall right into your points of contact without making major adjustments to their design. Many of my customers with "difficult" fits are amazed on how their bikes look when completed and often get compliments on how the bike fits them. I love making designs that eliminate the need for a zero offset seatpost, 20+mm's of stem spacers, and flipped up stems. I try hard to give everyone a clean, proportional correct looking setup with their fit needs.
NATE

**htono** · 04-20-2017

Nate, thanks a lot for taking the time to answer and help me understand how a builder "puts the wheels in the right place" under the rider.

**Nate Zukas** · 04-20-2017

Originally Posted by htono

Nate, thanks a lot for taking the time to answer and help me understand how a builder "puts the wheels in the right place" under the rider.

There are many other details and considerations during the design , but that's basics of it!

**Nate Zukas** · 05-19-2017

White rabbit against a high pearl blue.

**htono** · 05-28-2017

Nate, its me again, Henrique, is that gas flux that you're using to fillet braze?

**Nate Zukas** · 05-29-2017

Originally Posted by htono

Nate, its me again, Henrique, is that gas flux that you're using to fillet braze?

Yes Sir!

**Nate Zukas** · 06-26-2017

Rando!

**Nate Zukas** · 07-14-2017

Some recent favorite pics.

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Looking through my flickr account the other night it was neat to see my process, finishing and shop space improve over the years and adapt to new standards. Very excited about my first aluminum frame heading out. It's been six years, hopefully many more!

**Nate Zukas** · 08-10-2017

650b Monstercross custom frame and fork. T47 threaded BB shell, Paragon machine works polydrops, internalrouting, under the TT seatpost binder, 44mmHT. The segmented fork has internal routing for the flatmount brake and 12mm thru axle drops. The other leg has routing for a dynamo powered light that can be routed thru the leg, segmented part and up the steerer tube to a device charger. The polished aluminum cap can be removed to make the routing possible.