Zizzo forte upgrades

[@jansixrivera1578]

Hey Bryan, thanks for the video. I recently purchased two zizzo bikes to ride with my wife. Here in Puerto Rico you can ride all year long.

[@johnshuey3292]

I'm old. I ride a fine old (1985) Trek touring bike from when Trek built in the US, and a Trek 29+ off road. Then, a year ago, I bought a Zizzo Forte folder for rides to or from motor vehicles. It's likely to get 200-300 mi/yr, mostly in 15 mile or less rides. The low gear (28T) was inadequate for me so I changed out the gear cassette. But it wouldn't shift smoothly. My bike shop blamed it on the el cheapo derailleur and told me I would need to drop some bucks and put on a better quality 9 or 10 speed cassette, rim, derailleur, chain, and shifter in the process. So, I did. Now I have a 34T low gear. I note that Zizzo is putting out the '23 model w/ a 32T, which obviates need to mess w/ the gears. Here's what I've changed or added to my Forte: Much lower low gear on a 9-speed cassette, managed by a better quality Deore derailleur. Required a rim change, Altus Rapidfire Plus trigger shifter, new chain. Very supportive “Ergon 3” handlebar grips Soft ZHIQIU Bike Saddle Schwinn Mountain Bike Tire, 20 x 2.12-Inch w/ Slime Tubes Cygolite Hypershot - 350 Lumen Bike Tail Light Blitzu 250? Lumen Bike Front Light BV Trunk Bag w/ Water Bottle Pocket (nicely accommodates Topeak Road Morph G Mini Pump and has water bottle pocket) SKS Water Bottle Cage Zefal Magnum Water Bottle 33oz Zizzo Quick Release Pedals With Under Saddle Holder Zizzo Phone Holder Amazon Basics 6 ft. Adjustable Keyed Bike Cable Lock Sigma 7.16 Wireless Bike Computer CamGo 20 Inch Folding Bike Carry Bag - Waterproof

[@briandineen7572]

Hey Brian, great video. What a lot of upgrades. If the zizzo still gives you headaches.. you might have the answer to your foul weather bike in your stable. That Bike Friday of yours is one tough bike. Can take a lot of weather abuse and has excellent components. Will take up to a 20x1.75 tire too. Have two of em myself. Just a thought.

[@mcsequoia5107]

I very strongly agree. I've done fully loaded tours on my Bike Friday. I was easy & inexpensive to install a 60 tooth chain ring as well. I also was able to install a Minoura front porteur rack on it. Which if you're bike couriering, you can just strap that bulky food delivery backpack onto the rack and get that thing off your back. Then when I wore the rear rim out, my LBS replaced it w. a Velocity wheel that made such a noticeable difference that I just put one on the front and I could go as fast & climb as well as on my aluminum cross bike.

[@rainbowhiker]

Walmart has cheap, backless, black folding barstools. We have three and have used them extensively for many years. They look nice, too.

[@electrifiedlatina3036]

I have a sizzo urbano that I got because of you’re videos. I can’t believe I only paid $300 on Black Friday and it’s such a nice bike! Beautiful paint color, seamless welds, super comfortable grips, nimble, light. Just feels so quality, so far only ridden on the pavement but can’t wait to tray out on the trails like you! ;)

[@ibikeunfolded]

People get mad when I talk about the Zizzo instead of high end bikes but like I say……”for the price you can’t beat it”.

[@electrifiedlatina3036]

@@ibikeunfolded OMG don’t listen to them haha! I get so excited when you do videos on the zizzo’s! It’s a great way to exercise, and they’re fun and reliable! I also bought for the purpose of traveling with my mom and Biko bf wherever we go!

[@woodsculptor675]

Nice upgrades for the Forte'! Now if you can just convince Zizzo to make them standard...I know, it's not gonna happen. They have to keep their stock as affordable as possible. Great vid.

[@ibikeunfolded]

Atleast they could put a better derailleur on the forte.😀

[@apeken]

@@ibikeunfolded I have a Forte, what derailleur would you recommend? I’m fine with the front gear. Tons of shift issues. Thanks

[@rainbowhiker]

This, and other reasons, is why I want the cheapest bike for my first folder. The components are always being replaced. The bike I want has several items I know are prime for replacement, the seatpost, shifter and derailleur.

[@wannatouronabike8245]

Love your videos where you are out and about! Listen to your body and rest if you need to.

[@blkout3279]

Thanks for the update! What cassette are you using for the rear? I know you have mountains see more people running the 14-34 mega range cassette.

[@redditchscroller7049]

Try taking just one or two links out of your chain. It may add just a bit more tension on your derailleur to stop it jumping.

[@retrovelcro]

Barstools are surprisingly expensive. One reason I haven't gotten any yet, ha. Keep up the great work, digging these vids

[@justingilmer3642]

Was there a spacer under the cassette? I see that the 2023 model has 8 speeds. Wondering if you saw room to add gears.

[@Ghost-sz7uo]

it's about damn time.

[@ibikeunfolded]

😬🤷‍♂️. Sorry

[@timdettmann4067]

I enjoyed the video. They are all great. Would love to see new ones more often. I have a Zizzo myself for putting in my Prius. I plan to turn it into an ebike with a Bafang mid-drive. Why do you ride folding bikes? Do you have any full size non folding bikes? Maybe you could do a video of all of your bikes. Anyhow keep up the great work!

[@johnhamilton2680]

Great video, thanks for sharing,

[@williamcmills]

Thanks for the great videos detailing your journey with this bike. I'm thinking about the Forte and would replace many of the lower quality parts, but one thing I'm curious about is the quality of the wheels which I do not plan on replacing. Seems like it is the only non-sealed bearing hub out of the Forte, Urbano, and Liberte. Have you had any issues with the wheels?

[@ibikeunfolded]

The wheels seem solid, but I have broken several spokes on the rear. To be fair, I am running a 60 tooth chain ring on the front which puts a ton of torque on the rear wheel.

[@johndoe-rf4rd]

possible solution....get a narrow-wide chainring for 1x setup

[@ibikeunfolded]

Hmmm, I’ll have to look into that👍

[@harrypressman2]

I agree. A narrow-wide 6oT chainring should help immensely. My head is almost ready to explode even imagining about a 6o teeth ring. Wow Brian, talk about the need for speed.

[@MisterSal9895]

I highly recommend narrow wide chainring on 1by and single speeds. I have narrow wide chainring on all my 1by bikes, single speed, folding bikes and track bike!

[@elizabethfrance]

Hi Brian, Thanks for this I've been waiting to see what you did with the gearing on your Zizzo. I've got a similar cheap bike which came with a 48 inch chain ring, built in crank arms and the chain protected like yours. I live in a hilly area so some years I had the chain ring reduced to a 34 inch. Great for hills but not for speed, been looking for a solution to have higher gears also. When you put a second chain ring on your Zizzo and adjusted it by hand, I went and did same, adding a 50 inch chain ring. The day I did it and had my test ride, you put out the vlog saying your chain kept slipping off so did mine!! Like you I bought a chain retainer and put it in the same place as yours as the main stem post was too wide. ( One reason a bike mechanic wouldn't install a two gear system on my bike difficultly installing the gear wire) Like your bike the chain still slipped off the large chain ring, but still works fine on the small one. I did buy a small 34 inch chrome chain ring that could be attrached to the original 48 inch chain ring. In the meantime I purchased my first Brompton, the dealer is not in immediate area so I'm waiting until the end of the Winter to go back to them. The mechanic is willing to look at my 20 inch folding bike to offer some solutions. I had thought of a nexus or Alfine hub, but this is an expensive solution on a cheap bike. I have a couple of full size bikes but I like to take a folding bike on holiday, without having to worry about bike on the outside of my vehicle. My 20 inch bike has BMX type tyres which are good on off road trails. I must admit I love the chrome look, lots of chrome on the 20" folder. Chose a British Racing Green Brompton with low gears a dynamo and lots of chrome. Could have got a red lacquer and black Brompton off the shelf but waited for the BRG. Not been out on it properly yet, waiting for the spring. All the best from the UK 🇬🇧 🚲

[@mcsequoia5107]

So, with the all the upgrades, what is the total cost of Zizzo Forte now?

[@GetThatWorkout]

whats the size of the bottom bracket you are using for the chainring and what the name of the tires your using for this bike I'm looking to upgrade my forte

[@ibikeunfolded]

Schwalbe marathon plus on the tires. I forgot what bottom bracket I’m using but I can find out and get back with you.

[@GetThatWorkout]

@@ibikeunfolded thanks bro I appreciate your help

[@MrQuay03]

Is the Hollowtech BB on Liberte better than the Square taper on Forte? Do you feel any difference?

[@Matt-dt7cf]

I replaced the cranks on my daughter's zizzo with shorter cranks and having constant derailing problems. I'll try the chain retention guide.

[@shawnkay5462]

7:50 this is why youre here

[@showtime3641]

Is it the same size bottom bracket but a different axle length?

[@ibikeunfolded]

Yes😀👍. You are correct.

[@keithdainton6043]

Brian wait till you get to 68 you will be on a ebike like me lol

[@ibikeunfolded]

The way things are going I’m not sure I’ll make it. I might be riding the little folding bike in the sky😀

[@keithdainton6043]

@@ibikeunfolded think positively I still work out with weights 💪 do all the things I did in my 20s do get the odd pain lol been taking supplements for over 45 years try to cook healthy food but I like a treat and a beer 🍺 I am not ready to ride in the sky yet 😅

[@Sledgehammerengineer]

Get a narrow wide ring bro, Litepro sells cheap ones but biggest is 58t i think.

[@chunglaw9644]

Bryan, could be vitimin d deficiency. It is very common in North America. i guess especially for those who are very active in the summmer, and then vitimin d level drop like a stone in the winter.

[@HorshamHaberstroh]

Do you know why do they call it BB (Bottom Bracket)? Isn’t it really a “Crank Bearing”? Oh well, I’m still learning …

[@BlackyBrownDestruction9337]

My upgrades are chain covers, so I don't get black oil all over my nice clothes

[@alonsoalmeida9771]

Stud

[@mikerope5785]

"more and more pains, less and less energy" bro get a covid test. Nice bikes by the way.

[@ibikeunfolded]

I get a COVID test every week. My problem is more internal aging issues.😀

[@jonathangrayson2107]

Sorry to hear about your health issues. If it wasn't for our stomach we'd all think ourselves gods. Thankfully these things pass but if you've ever been through it it seems like an eternity. I know from experience that it happens on work days and never on my time off. I know it sounds like it's mental but how else can you explain it. Also I can go for weeks or months and no problem and then day after day driving me insane. As for the bike I'd just go for something like a Tern Link D 8 and you probably won't need to upgrade the drive train.

[@ibikeunfolded]

As the link D8 does have a better derailleur, the front gear is still integrated with the crank arms like the Zizzo forte. So if you want a bigger gear in the front you may have to replace almost as much.

[@nawaal4452]

Hey Brian! Hope you're getting enough Sugar. Sugar = Energy