tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670821997816721107.post5941028888622711234..comments2024-03-26T09:23:20.339-07:00Comments on Perth Vintage Cycles: Zeus 2000Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03033624585905174065noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670821997816721107.post-83347636456842780402021-04-28T15:10:37.260-07:002021-04-28T15:10:37.260-07:00Zeus (Spain) went defunct on June 15, 1988. They w...Zeus (Spain) went defunct on June 15, 1988. They were founded in 1926. The "pantographing" of the brand name you speak of was actually forged or stamped into the part, not added after manufacture. All of the milling and drilling was done by hand- it is not uncommon to find an occasional misplaced hole or marks in fluting.<br /><br />Their component lineup included Alfa (no Zeus markings), Super Alfa (no Zeus markings), Gran Sport, Criterium, 2000, 2001 (brakes only) Amateur (VERY tough to find), Supercronos, New Racer, and the almost non-existent Cosmos. It is rumored that the Cosmos group (FD, RD, crank, pedals, shifters) were made by Simplex (France) but there is virtually no information since there doesn't seem to have been any catalog or even official mention of it.<br /><br />From about 1971 to 1978 the component specs for the high end stuff changed so much that it was possible to find some nearly one-of-a-kind component variations.<br /><br />Regarding similarities to Campagnolo, it was relatively well known that Zeus used Campy as a basis and then improved upon it whenever they could, then Campy returned the favor by doing the same to them. Some Zeus innovations are still seen today... like the braze-on front derailleur, the use of titanium, using allen-key bolts instead of hex head, and the microadjusting seat post.<br /><br />It seems that the reason Zeus dissolved was because of the contention in the ranks of building complete bicycles. Since the boss wanted to continue building them their destiny was sealed.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11368390689181009217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670821997816721107.post-8168761811253941322017-07-17T05:38:27.315-07:002017-07-17T05:38:27.315-07:00Very interesting article. I've seen Zeus front...Very interesting article. I've seen Zeus front and rear derailleurs that look almost identical to early Campag Gran Sport. So which one is the original?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05891818710828904029noreply@blogger.com