New (MT)Bike Day: A ZHT-5 for XC
A lot has changed since my last new mountain bike day. That was an Ibis Mojo with 26in wheels, rim brakes, and no suspension. OK, so everything has changed! While that bike may still be a blast on smooth flowing single track, it feels like a novelty bike anytime elevation changes or technical features pop up. I entered one endurance XC race last year, enough to confirm that a new mtb was required.
Part of the fun in looking for any new bike is figuring out the perfect one for you. My interest is in cross country so that narrowed the search, but not by much. I read through bike reviews, watched video reviews, solicited opinions and suggestions from teammates, and noted anytime outstanding performance in climbing and singletrack was called out. The Cervelo ZHT-5 ticked all the boxes. Sorry teamies, I have ignored your advice on full-sus! My backup choices included the BMC Two-Stroke, and the obvious Specialized Epic range, if only because there are quite a few used Epics.
The goal was to be racing ASAP, summer at the latest. While Pinkbike’s BuySell page was a good reference for what’s out there, ultimately, a ZHT-5 came up for a good price on Buycycle.com: a carbon hardtail in a dark gray/clear with subtle cyan splashes, very clean uncluttered lines, and good to race out of the box. I had the bike in three weeks and was riding in Glacier Ridge the day after unboxing.
THE FULL BUILD
The only updates to the stock build, so far, are tires and saddle.
Cervelo ZHT-5, carbon, size M
Seatpost: Race Face alloy
Fork: RockShox SID SL, 120mm travel
Groupset: SRAM GX Eagle
Gearing: 32t, 10-52, 12speed
Stem: Race Face alloy, -6° 70mm
Bars: Race Face Turbine alloy 760mm
BB: SRAM dub
Wheels: Race Face ARC alloy
Hubs: DT Swiss 370
Tires: Continental Race King 2.2, tubeless
Saddle: Fizik
Pedals: Crank Brothers Eggbeater 2
Four races done now on the bike and I can say for certain the bike is quick and responsive through the tight turns and picking lines over the roots up the climbs. Summer Sizzler XC race pics below by Ralph Zabielski. I'm really looking forward to getting more miles on it, dialing in the fit, and planning the next upgrades. Hope to see you on the start line!
