Description
Our new model is so different from our other bicycles we can’t wait to hear your reviews!
Like all of our custom-designed and built Zize Bikes, these have an extreme weight capacity, aircraft-quality chromoly steel frames, hydraulic disc brakes, double-bolted seat posts, and custom-built wheels.
Unlike the other bikes, though, the Yonder Bike has been upgraded in a number of ways that have, to put it mildly, created a herculean bike that will have you making excuses all day long about why you just have to keep riding. So what’s new?
Hub Size
The hub is that mechanism in the center of the wheels on your bike. Hub size matters! Why, you ask? It’s about the job they do. The front hub is designed to enable the wheel to spin, which is pretty straight forward, right? The rear hub is a bit more complicated, as its role is to allow the wheel to turn freely and to transfer the force of pedaling directly to that rear wheel.
On A New Leaf XG and Time of Your Life XG, the front hub is 100 mm, and the rear hub is 135 mm. On the Yonder, however, we’ve increased the width and therefore substantially increased wheel strength and steering responsiveness. The front hub is 135 mm and the rear is 170 mm. This size increases mean a greater response to your input. These are strong hubs, built to take a Zize rider all day long.
Q-Factor
One of the frequent requests we get for our bikes is for more space for your feet–the pedals often seem to be placed too closely together. In bike terminology, the stance width, where your feet rest on the pedals, is called the Q-Factor. The typical solution for widening the Q-Factor involves using pedal extenders, which, because of their tiny size, may not be the safest solution. (Most pedal extenders are pieces of steel that are screwed into the crank on one end and the pedal on the other, and are about ½ to 1″ long.)
With the Yonder we’ve turned that methodology upside down. While our other amazing Zize Bikes have the larger of the standard bottom bracket widths of 73 mm, the Yonder has a 100 mm bottom bracket–which is over an inch bigger. This size increase makes a huge difference for the rider, because it is the steel bottom bracket itself that is 1.06″ wider–not a couple of slips of steel that just make the pedals easier to use.
Okay, so, who cares about the Q-Factor? Actually, with your feet correctly placed, the wider Q-Factor improves the pedaling bio-mechanics. It also distributes rider weight and torque over a wider area of the frame for increased strength and stability. And you just feel more comfortable. Those of us with bigger bodies have a wider stance, so it makes sense that we have a bigger Q-Factor!
Frame
Our super-strong chromoly is showing up in bigger tubes on this bike. And with the wider rear hub, not only do you get the benefits of the bigger Q-Factor, but you also get the benefits of that bigger build going all the way through the rear of the frame. This means, quite simply, more stability for you. Who wouldn’t love that?
Derailleurs
External gearing systems are widely used and loved. We make sure that the Yonder’s gears are simple to use and that they stay on the equipment. The goal is more time moving, less time dealing with the mechanics of how the bike works.
Tires
Along with the benefits above, our new Yonder frame allows us to specify wider tires that have more air volume than standard tires. These wider tires distribute the load of the bike and rider over a bigger area, giving better traction and comfort. These are the highlights of what’s changed. What always stays the same is our commitment to your safety, comfort and fun.
Brian (verified owner) –
This bike is amazing. Much lighter and faster than I expected it to be, given the extra strength/weight capacity. Components are all top notch. The shifters work better than any bike I had when I was younger(Giant and Specialized), and although I was a bit winded climbing some small hills, it was much easier than I’d anticipated. The disc brakes are very smooth and effective. Customer service was a bit lacking, but the product is outstanding.
Hubert Simmons (verified owner) –
The packaging was a bit rough, but the bike is AMAZING!!!! I’m a big tall guy , in the 300 club standing at about 6’5 and its perfect. Good job guys!!
John & Brenda Nejedlo –
I am loving my Zize Yonder. I am very satisfied with this bike and have made some changes to better fit my personal preferences. I wanted to sit upright a little more and have a wider set of handlebars. Unfortunately, to do this I needed the change out the brake lines. This actually turned out to my advantage with the lack of available parts. I got a really sweet deal on a trade in. I was able to upgrade to some pretty impressive brakes, even though I did not need them.
I also added items from my previous bike: seat, bell, back rack, front basket, and pedals.
I can tell you that I am loving my ride and fee like a kid again.
GeoAstroRV –
I just went for my first ride on my new Zize Yonder. I had been so disappointed in my search for a bike that would fit me at 5’11” and 325 pounds. I was sceptical with this purchase. However, I nearly cried tears of JOY on my first ride! I wanted a bike that I could take on desert trails or down the roads (more mountain bike than upright road bike). This is a comfortable ride that allows me to enjoy exercising. I feel confident on or off road. I have not felt like this in years. Walking and hiking is simply too much for my knees right now. Previous bikes were so disappointing and embarrassing. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. This is a quality construction. I have an inseam of 27″ (short legs / tall torso), and the small Yonder is perfect for me. Good job guys. 🙂
CRoby –
First two weeks into owning this bike, Pros: well made and has filled my expectations. More time needed to realize “how good it really is”…. But right off first week owning it, very pleased. Brakes are quality Hydraulic disk, 100% needed on a bike of this speed and weight.