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Prevelo Zulu Two Heir extreme weight loss build

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stubs179

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I bought my daughter a Zulu Two Heir because the rigid fork version is never in stock. As delivered it weighed 19lb even with the supplied pedals. I went overboard lightening it up because, why not? As it sits now it’s at 16lb 6oz. This has made a huge difference in how far she can ride it which has made it all worth it in my opinion. My wallet might disagree?

List of parts- (all weights on Park Tools scale)
-Spawn LoamStar tires 345g (stock 555g)
-Helium Mini aluminum pedals 200g (stock 245g)
-Rennen aluminum BB 100mm 95g (stock 113mm 280g)
-pivotal seat/post 320g (stock 444g)
-Box One seatpost clamp 14g (stock 40g)
-Ti bolts off Amazon stem, brake 40g (stock 80g)
-Ashima LW rotors/Ti bolts 160g (stock 280g)
-removed bash guard 100g
-a few other odds and ends

I also replaced the brakes with Magura MT4’s. This was more for the performance aspect as the stock brakes were far from great. Had it come with the Tektro brakes like the older ones I would have left them. But the new brakes have a crazy floating bit point that is far from ideal for a kid learning how to brake. The Magura’s are phenomenal and as a bonus are 130 grams lighter for the pair.

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#2 ·
Is this the build I saw on Facebook? I recommended you come here. If so, welcome to the forum! You will find an understanding and supportive group of overanalytical bike parents. Some are weight weenies, some are shredders, some try to be both. :)

Great build and thanks for sharing.

stubs179 said:
I bought my daughter a Zulu Two Heir because the rigid fork version is never in stock. As delivered it weighed 19lb even with the supplied pedals. I went overboard lightening it up because, why not? As it sits now it’s at 16lb 6oz. This has made a huge difference in how far she can ride it which has made it all worth it in my opinion. My wallet might disagree?

List of parts- (all weights on Park Tools scale)
-Spawn LoamStar tires 345g (stock 555g)
-Helium Mini aluminum pedals 200g (stock 245g)
-Rennen aluminum BB 100mm 95g (stock 113mm 280g)
-pivotal seat/post 320g (stock 444g)
-Box One seatpost clamp 14g (stock 40g)
-Ti bolts off Amazon stem, brake 40g (stock 80g)
-Ashima LW rotors/Ti bolts 160g (stock 280g)
-removed bash guard 100g
-a few other odds and ends

I also replaced the brakes with Magura MT4’s. This was more for the performance aspect as the stock brakes were far from great. Had it come with the Tektro brakes like the older ones I would have left them. But the new brakes have a crazy floating bit point that is far from ideal for a kid learning how to brake. The Magura’s are phenomenal and as a bonus are 130 grams lighter for the pair.

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Discussion starter · #3 ·
Yep, I like where it’s at now so thought I would post it. I was really surprised by the tires. Stock Innovas were 555g, Crown Gems I bought advertised at 440g where actually 650g. Ended up trying the Spawn tires and they are only 350 and the same size as the Innovas. Everyone with a 16” should be running the Spawn tires. Losing a pound or more of rotating weight is huge.
 
#4 ·
stubs179 said:
Yep, I like where it’s at now so thought I would post it. I was really surprised by the tires. Stock Innovas were 555g, Crown Gems I bought advertised at 440g where actually 650g. Ended up trying the Spawn tires and they are only 350 and the same size as the Innovas. Everyone with a 16” should be running the Spawn tires. Losing a pound or more of rotating weight is huge.
Click to expand...
I had the Loam Stars on our Spawn Banshee and moved them to my daughter's Alpha 2 (16"). Heavier than the Kenda Small Block 8's that came on it, but much better on the trail.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
dvsone81 said:
That is the cutest bike ever. I just had a daughter (1 mo tomorrow) and I would love to see her shred with one of those when she’s older. How old/tall is she?
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She’s almost 4 1/2 and pretty short at 39”. This bike made a huge difference in her confidence. She was on a 14” Spawn which is great for learning and riding around the house. As soon as I put her on the Zulu, she wanted to ride trails.

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Discussion starter · #9 ·
POAH said:
The front brake hose doesn't look like it will last long with that bend in it.
Click to expand...
Not sure what your seeing? There are not any sharp bends in the hose.

dvsone81 said:
would you willing to part ways with it when she out grows it?
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Yes. Her next bike will be a TrailCraft or Propane and those are not cheap!
 
#11 ·
Holy crap that isn’t good. You might need to replace that hose. Nice build tho. When you go to the next bike, try to stay with similar Trail geometry as the Prevelo. It just works better and more confidence inspiring than XC geo. Newer version of Trailcraft Maxwel FS has it but the rest of their stuff doesn’t. 66HTA - ish is what you want in our experience.

POAH said:
This image. looks like the hose is bent at the arch

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Click to expand...
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
I’m not sure what you guys are seeing with the hose but there are no tight bends. Nothing even remotely close to being suspect.

Thank you! It’s working so good for her and dropping close to 3 lbs has made a huge difference.

I didn’t realize the TC had such a steep HT. That’s a good point. That is why I got away from the Spawn when I went to 16”.
 
#13 ·
Ah neverMind, optical illusion on that front hose. It looks ultra linked but it’s actually just a funny angle as it swoops back.

stubs179 said:
I’m not sure what you guys are seeing with the hose but there are no tight bends. Nothing even remotely close to being suspect.

Thank you! It’s working so good for her and dropping close to 3 lbs has made a huge difference.

I didn’t realize the TC had such a steep HT. That’s a good point. That is why I got away from the Spawn when I went to 16”.
Click to expand...
 
#14 ·
svinyard said:
Newer version of Trailcraft Maxwel FS has it but the rest of their stuff doesn’t. 66HTA - ish is what you want in our experience.
Click to expand...
I was chatting with Brett at Trailcraft and he mentioned that they are working on a hardtail with geo more similar to the Meta or Nukeproof Cub Scout, which would be awesome. No further details, unfortunately, but he is definitely open to feedback and input on what they should be offering. Aggressive geo doesn't have to weigh more.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
Strattoa said:
I was chatting with Brett at Trailcraft and he mentioned that they are working on a hardtail with geo more similar to the Meta or Nukeproof Cub Scout, which would be awesome. No further details, unfortunately, but he is definitely open to feedback and input on what they should be offering. Aggressive geo doesn't have to weigh more.
Click to expand...
That would be great. My daughter is a short 4.5yr old (39”) so she hopefully has a good 2 yrs before we jump to a 20”. I love TrailCraft bikes and how they do things.

Propane has some pretty rad 20” bikes also and they should start becoming available in the US before too long.
 
#16 ·
stubs179 said:
I bought my daughter a Zulu Two Heir because the rigid fork version is never in stock. As delivered it weighed 19lb even with the supplied pedals. I went overboard lightening it up because, why not? As it sits now it’s at 16lb 6oz. This has made a huge difference in how far she can ride it which has made it all worth it in my opinion. My wallet might disagree?

List of parts- (all weights on Park Tools scale)
-Spawn LoamStar tires 345g (stock 555g)
-Helium Mini aluminum pedals 200g (stock 245g)
-Rennen aluminum BB 100mm 95g (stock 113mm 280g)
-pivotal seat/post 320g (stock 444g)
-Box One seatpost clamp 14g (stock 40g)
-Ti bolts off Amazon stem, brake 40g (stock 80g)
-Ashima LW rotors/Ti bolts 160g (stock 280g)
-removed bash guard 100g
-a few other odds and ends

I also replaced the brakes with Magura MT4’s. This was more for the performance aspect as the stock brakes were far from great. Had it come with the Tektro brakes like the older ones I would have left them. But the new brakes have a crazy floating bit point that is far from ideal for a kid learning how to brake. The Magura’s are phenomenal and as a bonus are 130 grams lighter for the pair.
Click to expand...
Awesome thread! Perfect timing as I just bought my 4yo a Zulu Heir.

https://heliumbikes.com/shop/ols/products/rennen-ultralite-bb/v/RNN-LTR-BB-100 Is this the bottom bracket that you switched to? Any issues or special to know about the install?

Thanks for the info. Very nice build, lucky kid!
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
ws2186 said:
Awesome thread! Perfect timing as I just bought my 4yo a Zulu Heir.

https://heliumbikes.com/shop/ols/products/rennen-ultralite-bb/v/RNN-LTR-BB-100 Is this the bottom bracket that you switched to? Any issues or special to know about the install?

Thanks for the info. Very nice build, lucky kid!
Click to expand...
Ya, that’s the one. Watch their install vid and get the proper tools. It’s ridiculously tight to thread in but it goes. Just don’t over tighten it because the bearings don’t like preload. Just tighten a little at a time.
 
#20 · (Edited)
Sweet build and extremely helpful. Any idea how much could be dropped in the wheels, bar, and stem? Do you have the stock weight on those?

To start with, I'm going to order up some tires as that seems to be the biggest return.

My daughter is 34lbs and needs all the help she can get.
 
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