Anyone Familiar with Zunows?
10-22-19, 06:43 PM
#1
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Anyone Familiar with Zunows?
I really lucked out and picked up an old Zunow Z1 at a garage sale for free. Spent around $150 (CAD) fixing it up and it rides really smooth.
Thing is, I did some research on Zunows, and it appears that there is not that much information on them except that it is an old Japanese racing bike. Any information about my Z1 (year, value, history etc…) would be greatly appreciated.
All of the images of Z1s that I saw had 2 seatstays that joined at the top tube. Mine join together right at the rear brake in a wishbone shape - What’s up with that?
The top tube is recessed on the top to hold the brake line - Is this normal?
Groupset is Shimano Exage Sport LX - anyone have any opinions on this?
How about Shimano Biopace elliptical chainrings?
Yeah, I know my brake hoods are dirty - I tried everything to clean them, and there is no way in hell I am spending $50 for new Exage hoods (cheapest I found).
The bike is super fun to ride and works perfectly. I would love to get some information and opinions about it.
Thanks,
B.W.
Thing is, I did some research on Zunows, and it appears that there is not that much information on them except that it is an old Japanese racing bike. Any information about my Z1 (year, value, history etc…) would be greatly appreciated.
All of the images of Z1s that I saw had 2 seatstays that joined at the top tube. Mine join together right at the rear brake in a wishbone shape - What’s up with that?
The top tube is recessed on the top to hold the brake line - Is this normal?
Groupset is Shimano Exage Sport LX - anyone have any opinions on this?
How about Shimano Biopace elliptical chainrings?
Yeah, I know my brake hoods are dirty - I tried everything to clean them, and there is no way in hell I am spending $50 for new Exage hoods (cheapest I found).
The bike is super fun to ride and works perfectly. I would love to get some information and opinions about it.
Thanks,
B.W.
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10-22-19, 07:09 PM
#2
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Free? There will be some jealous souls here... Gorgeous bike!
10-22-19, 07:31 PM
#4
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Hi: there is a fair bit of information out there if you search: your bike was made by Kageyama of Zunow in Kyoto, of custom Tange tubing designed and speced by Zunow and as far as I know, exclusive to them. The Z-1 was the top of the line.
this thread has some good info and your bike is probably of the same vintage:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...850-zunow.html
the top tube ditch (that is what they called it) is exclusive and pretty cool. kinda hard to clean but worth it. you also probably have pentagon chainstays which is exclusive. it was probably sold as a frameset, so all the components are just whatever the shop put on it to sell. it probably deserves something a little better!
If nothing else put some modern dual pivot tektros on there and you will be able to go so much faster (because you can actually stop).
for what its worth? probably its worth most as just the framset with all the components stripped off and put on ebay- maybe $500? not sure. I paid 500 for mine and was pretty happy but yours is a bit later year and cleaner for sure... so you could be in the 700-800 range. just needs that one person who is looking for a zunow in that size...
You may want to consider selling it as it looks (by the seat post) to be much too small for you. too bad as they are super rare and I would say, in the top 3 of Japanese bikes to have (that are not complete boutique)
this thread has some good info and your bike is probably of the same vintage:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...850-zunow.html
the top tube ditch (that is what they called it) is exclusive and pretty cool. kinda hard to clean but worth it. you also probably have pentagon chainstays which is exclusive. it was probably sold as a frameset, so all the components are just whatever the shop put on it to sell. it probably deserves something a little better!
If nothing else put some modern dual pivot tektros on there and you will be able to go so much faster (because you can actually stop).for what its worth? probably its worth most as just the framset with all the components stripped off and put on ebay- maybe $500? not sure. I paid 500 for mine and was pretty happy but yours is a bit later year and cleaner for sure... so you could be in the 700-800 range. just needs that one person who is looking for a zunow in that size...
You may want to consider selling it as it looks (by the seat post) to be much too small for you. too bad as they are super rare and I would say, in the top 3 of Japanese bikes to have (that are not complete boutique)
Last edited by jetboy; 10-22-19 at 07:49 PM.
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10-22-19, 07:38 PM
#5
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this is mine- i need to take better pics someday
but it rides amazing. i need to get back to it. for my steel bikes it and the Look 753 are close contenders you can see mine does not have the wishbone and the fork crown is completly different - its probably several years older than yours. but like yours it came with middle of the road components so i went modern.
Last edited by jetboy; 10-22-19 at 07:46 PM.
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10-22-19, 07:51 PM
#6
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I've got an 1988 Centurion LeMans with the Exage groupset on it. The rear cog set was a 6 speed Shimano Uniglide type. I swapped out the 6 speed Uniglide freehub with a 7 speed Hyperglide freehub & now run a 7 speed HG cassette on it. I rebuilt the Exage hubs and its a very smooth riding bike. I've also got Biopace chainrings on an old Trek that I've put thousands of miles on. Must be pretty tough chainrings cause thay show very little wear.
10-22-19, 08:14 PM
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A monostay Zunow. Wow. Nice find.
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10-22-19, 09:22 PM
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Free, huh? You're being called "lucky" on the public forum, but other things privately. 
The Bad News: Saddle height tells me it's way too small for you.
The Good News: You're gonna make a decent pile o' money if/when you decide to sell.
Excellent find, sir.
The Bad News: Saddle height tells me it's way too small for you.
The Good News: You're gonna make a decent pile o' money if/when you decide to sell.
Excellent find, sir.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
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10-22-19, 09:24 PM
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Lucky you! As if you found a Grover Cleveland bill flying in the wind and snagged it.
Poke your keyboard and you'll discover more about Zunow. Also search Japan.
The build is fine as those parts are reliable though for such a premium frameset from Japan, naturally one expects high end components. Personally, I like how the spotlight is on this frame and not the parts. And that's exactly what I did with my Zunow built with flawless performing Suntour Edge 4050.
Have fun with your brilliant find. Don't even think of giving it up as you won't come across another for such crazy giveaway!
Poke your keyboard and you'll discover more about Zunow. Also search Japan.
The build is fine as those parts are reliable though for such a premium frameset from Japan, naturally one expects high end components. Personally, I like how the spotlight is on this frame and not the parts. And that's exactly what I did with my Zunow built with flawless performing Suntour Edge 4050.
Have fun with your brilliant find. Don't even think of giving it up as you won't come across another for such crazy giveaway!
10-23-19, 05:17 AM
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Shimano Exage Sport LX would be circa 1988. It performed well ans was good value for it;s price range, which was typically $400-$500 bicycles. It's hard to imagine anybody putting this group on a Zunow. This might become a classic C&V bedtime story - The Zunow's New Components..
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10-23-19, 06:49 AM
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Shimano Exage Sport LX would be circa 1988. It performed well ans was good value for it;s price range, which was typically $400-$500 bicycles. It's hard to imagine anybody putting this group on a Zunow. This might become a classic C&V bedtime story - The Zunow's New Components..
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10-23-19, 07:41 AM
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Nice score.
10-23-19, 07:48 AM
#14
Strong Walker
I really lucked out and picked up an old Zunow Z1 at a garage sale for free. Spent around $150 (CAD) fixing it up and it rides really smooth.
Thing is, I did some research on Zunows, and it appears that there is not that much information on them except that it is an old Japanese racing bike. Any information about my Z1 (year, value, history etc…) would be greatly appreciated.
All of the images of Z1s that I saw had 2 seatstays that joined at the top tube. Mine join together right at the rear brake in a wishbone shape - What’s up with that?
The top tube is recessed on the top to hold the brake line - Is this normal?
Groupset is Shimano Exage Sport LX - anyone have any opinions on this?
How about Shimano Biopace elliptical chainrings?
Yeah, I know my brake hoods are dirty - I tried everything to clean them, and there is no way in hell I am spending $50 for new Exage hoods (cheapest I found).
The bike is super fun to ride and works perfectly. I would love to get some information and opinions about it.
Thanks,
Thing is, I did some research on Zunows, and it appears that there is not that much information on them except that it is an old Japanese racing bike. Any information about my Z1 (year, value, history etc…) would be greatly appreciated.
All of the images of Z1s that I saw had 2 seatstays that joined at the top tube. Mine join together right at the rear brake in a wishbone shape - What’s up with that?
The top tube is recessed on the top to hold the brake line - Is this normal?
Groupset is Shimano Exage Sport LX - anyone have any opinions on this?
How about Shimano Biopace elliptical chainrings?
Yeah, I know my brake hoods are dirty - I tried everything to clean them, and there is no way in hell I am spending $50 for new Exage hoods (cheapest I found).
The bike is super fun to ride and works perfectly. I would love to get some information and opinions about it.
Thanks,
Zunow didn't have a very wide range of models at a given time. The Z1 is as good as it gets for a lugged steel frame; mine rides decidedly "modern" in feel, both steering geometry as well as stiffness.
10-23-19, 07:57 AM
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We really got to get a "Green with Envy" emoticon/smiley. Nice score, looks to be ins darned good condition too.
Oh yeah, welcome to the C&V Forum also. Great entry post, you have managed to get more attention, and envious thoughts than some long timers have gotten, in a real short time! Kudos sir.
Bill
Oh yeah, welcome to the C&V Forum also. Great entry post, you have managed to get more attention, and envious thoughts than some long timers have gotten, in a real short time! Kudos sir.
Bill
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I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
10-23-19, 08:35 AM
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I have a fairly early Zunow, #298 . Mine was a rust bucket and badly needed a repaint.
What serial number is yours?
There is a Zunow Show thread, when you have 10 posts, put some pictures and description in that thread.
What serial number is yours?
There is a Zunow Show thread, when you have 10 posts, put some pictures and description in that thread.
10-23-19, 01:19 PM
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Zunow proprietary tubing made by Tange. Andrew M. of Yellow Jersey might be able to tell you more of your frame, approx year produced, etc.
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10-23-19, 07:33 PM
#19
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I love it. this may get you into bikes and you will forever be lost. How I got in (other than just a casual rider) was a woman putting out her son's old university race bike in the trash when I just happened to be riding (on moto scooter) by. Turned out to be a ~1988 Look kg96 that she said her son had told her was "unifixable". I said.. you are for sure throwing this in the trash for pick up? she said yes. I said: can I have it? and ......
it was totally fixable.
similar to yours it was a bit too small for me but I rode it for years and sold it when I moved (countries), then when I had the means and one came up, i bought the exact same bike in my size. Rode it today.. and yesterday, and the day before that....
it was totally fixable.
similar to yours it was a bit too small for me but I rode it for years and sold it when I moved (countries), then when I had the means and one came up, i bought the exact same bike in my size. Rode it today.. and yesterday, and the day before that....
Last edited by jetboy; 10-23-19 at 07:37 PM.
11-06-19, 07:37 PM
#20
Senior Member
I recently took my Z-1 off the wall where it was hanging as I had fallen into a pattern of riding the Look. I have been riding it every day for a week now and its an amazing cycle: it just keeps giving no matter what - its stable when I need stability, nimble when I need it, quick as hell but not jarring on the rough stuff, flexes just enough to get a nice rhythm but never overflexes to cause problems (no touring of course!)
it may be the best frame one could have. Just throwing that out there. I have not met better.
it may be the best frame one could have. Just throwing that out there. I have not met better.
11-06-19, 09:43 PM
#21
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In addition to the Pentagla chainstays and the Ditchex toptube, some also had a "Horn System" seattube. It was regular 1-1/8" at the top (27.2 seatpost) and stayed that way until just below the front derailer, where it started to flare to a larger diameter, and it got ovalized so it was even wider right-to-left.
Pretty high quality metalwork, but where they really shined was in all those logos and names cast in to the cast bits, which were picked out in contrasting colors after painting. Makes for a "busy" look, not everyone's cuppa tea, but they're extremely flashy and eye-catching.
Pretty high quality metalwork, but where they really shined was in all those logos and names cast in to the cast bits, which were picked out in contrasting colors after painting. Makes for a "busy" look, not everyone's cuppa tea, but they're extremely flashy and eye-catching.
