By blackmountaincycles,
Filed under: Black Mountain Cycles frames, New in the shop, Shop stuff
This post was supposed to be timed to let folks know about a new model that is replacing both the MCD and Road+. And that it was going to be available around the end of summer. Unfortunately, the time frame for the Mod. Zero (say Model Zero) is going to be around late spring 2023. Thanks pandemic.
There have been a lot of folks asking about availability of the MCD and Road+ frames. As I kept letting them know “summer,” I couldn’t quite divulge all the details, but now it’s time.
Why? Back in December of 2020 I was informed that the minimum number of frames per size I would be required to order was increasing from 5 to 30. That meant the approximately 80 frames I was ordering in each production run would increase to around 200 based on a bell curve type ordering system. Two hundred of one model is a massive amount for me, but doable. Two hundred of both the MCD and Road+ was not feasible considering I also have the La Cabra and Monstercross frames. I barely have enough storage space for a production run of two models.
When I was hit with this news, my initial reaction was “well, that’s it.” I didn’t think I could realistically manage that much and thought, for a brief moment, Black Mountain Cycles was done. Then I went for a ride. The MCD and Road+ frames are very close in terms of basic geometry. One of my most frequently asked questions was “which frame should I get. They’re very both pretty similar.” During the ride, I thought “combine them into one frame.” That solves the question of which frame to buy. And it allows me to make some revisions I had wanted to make. Essentially, it was a chance to go back to the drawing board. Go back to zero and create something I would create today if I was just starting out.
On my bike commute and on rides around West Marin, I’ll come across at least a fair number of Modelo beer cans discarded on the side of the road. Modelo. Model-O. Model Zero. Hey, that’s a pretty damn good model name. That got shortened to Mod. Zero for brevity. Zero needed to be there. 0 looks too much like an O. And even when someone is reading numbers, like a phone number, they’ll use “oh” instead of “zero.” It’s Model Zero, not Model Oh. Okay, okay, it’s “Hawaii 5 Oh” and it’s “eight-six-seven-five-three-oh-nine.”
Alright, on to the Mod. Zero. I used the MCD as the basis for geometry. It’s pretty dialed, after all. And it works well with 650b wheels as well as the 700c it was designed around. I ride my MCD more than my Road+. Mainly because my Road+ is set up for winter wet riding and we’ve been in the middle of a drought. But, I digress. What makes the Mod. Zero a Mod. Zero?
• Flat mount brakes
• 44mm oversized head tube
• Clearance for 27.5 x 2.25 tires. Proper clearance. Not “hey that fits (barely)” clearance. Proper clearance with road cranks with 50/34 rings.
Why flat mount brakes? That’s the way the industry is going. Sure they are a little more finicky to adjust (especially the rear with the bolt head on the bottom of the chainstay, but their compact design is nice. And with the availability of some really nice forged dropouts with integrated brake mounts it helped with my decision making process. I want things to look right. Aesthetics are important.
Why a 44mm oversize head tube? I get a lot of questions from owners of the MCD or Road+ frames asking about compatible carbon forks. Carbon forks are increasingly only becoming available in tapered designs and are incompatible with an MCD/Road+ frame. With the 44mm head tube a Whisky No. 9 MCX fork will be a perfect companion to the Mod. Zero for folks wanting to do the lighten up. The larger diameter headtube is stiffer and creates a different surface area where the down and top tubes attach, so there are gussets on both preserve overall strength of the front end.
Another popular question on the MCD and Road+ frames is “what’s the biggest tire I can fit?” Lots of folks wanting to run a 27.5 x 2.25 tire. I didn’t advise it for those frames. While folks may have been able to shoehorn that size in the frames, it wasn’t with what I call “proper clearance.” There’s now going to be proper clearance even with road cranks. The biggest 700c tire is still going to be 50-ish. If you need clearance for a 29 x 2.2 or bigger, check out La Cabra.
Anything else new? The fork is going to get braze-ons for dynamo wire routing that. There will be a port for internal routing of a dropper post cable housing. All housing runs will be full housing along the down tube. For those wanting to run a front derailer, there will be a bolt-on cable stop, or, better, use the integrated cable stop that comes on the Shimano 11s front derailers. Oh, and the rear derailer hanger will be replaceable. Because that’s how the dropout is made. Works for me. Works for the Mod. Zero.
Here’s the sample I’ve been riding and enjoying the heck out of. I’ve got it set up with Rene Herse 700 x 48 tires. I had been running their 42s on a different bike and while the 42 worked and felt great, the 48s just feel so. damn. good. Much more confidence inspiring for riding in the dirt at speed. I transferred all the parts from my MCD – Shimano 11s with White Ind. cranks and Paul Components Klamper brakes. The Klampers are awesome. The cranks are 42/28 with an 11-42 cassette. I’m using an XT 11-speed rear derailer with a Wolf Tooth Tanpan adapter. I’ve been having serious fun riding this up and down and across the many dirt roads and trails in the area. And it rolls really well on the road too. Running about 21/25 (f/r) psi in the tires whether I’m on pavement or dirt.
And about that color. Coincidentally, today is one day shy of January 20, 2021 when I was watching the inauguration proceedings of President Joe Biden and Amanda Gorman arrives on stage to deliver “The Hill We Climb.” Her presence and words were simply awe inspiring. And that outfit. The yellow jacket with the red ribbon in her hair. Hold on. That would make a great color combo for a bike.
As I mentioned in the first paragraph, production of the new Mod. Zero won’t be until spring 2023. While I’m riding around on this beautiful yellow tribute bike of sorts, I have no idea what the production colors will be. Yellow is top of the list. For now.
My buddy Ken took my chicken scratch notes to create a piece of artwork that will adorn the Mod. Zero frames. I think it turned out really damn nice.
In the mean time, I do have one 59cm Road+ frame still available. There’s also one 47cm MCD that I’ve built into a complete that is also available. If you’re in the 6’3″ range, that 59cm Road+ is calling your name. The phone is also ringing for you folks who are about 5’6″ and in need of an MCD built around 650b wheels. It’s going to be a long time (although these past couple of years have really flown by) before the Mod. Zero is available and these last two frames won’t disappoint.
If you want to be on the notification list for Mod. Zero, send me an email with “Mod. Zero” in the subject line. That’s the best way to not miss receiving any updates.
(What’s playing: The Clash “Stay Free”)
Update For 2022
La Cabra Flat Bar Builds
30 responses to “Mod. Zero”
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This is the exact frame I’ve wanted from BMC. I’m a former owner of both the MCD and Road+ and neither just quite fit what I needed/wanted. The Mod-Zero will be excellent.
The logo/artwork is really nice.
This is super exciting news. Curious about this sentence: “Carbon forks are increasingly only becoming available in tapered designs and are incompatible with an MCD/Road+ frame.” I assume you mean that tapered designs are incompatible with the current frames, not that carbon forks are incompatible with the current frames. Are there any 1 1/8″ carbon forks that you feel ok about with the current MCD?
Tapered steerers are not compatible with the MCD or Road+ headtubes. I really haven’t investigated carbon forks for the MCD so I’m not familiar with what’s out there.
Thanks, Mike. I love my MCD and I can certainly imagine a Mod. Zero. in my future. Would be awesome to have a color matched carbon fork in that rad yellow.
Might try Soma’s selection of carbon forks. I’m not sure if the A-C would be compatible for the MCD. I got one of these forks for my Poprad (405 A-C) and I love it!
IRD MCX 1-1/8″ straight steerer matches the specs of the fork on my 59 MCD. It’s now in stock in black. Only difference I see is a 15mm thru-axle vs 12mm. It has an aluminum steerer so it’s not as light as full carbon but it is still under 2lbs (870g listed).
Hell yeah, this is the one I’ve been waiting for. Thanks for not giving up!
Beautiful looking Proto of the ModZero! Got an MCD and love everything you’ve changed about it … did I order a couple years too early? Just kidding, buying your bike was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made … probably be ready for a new one by the time Mod.1 rolls around! Maybe Mod.1.Ti?
Better to ride now than wait. Glad to hear you’re enjoying your bike.
Looks like an awesome frame!
I think Modelo is the single most littered beer brand in California. Weird how often I see those cans on roadsides.
Love the graphics for the frame, excellent idea on theme.
Good thing you weren’t in Iowa when inspiration from beer can litter struck you. Otherwise this bike would be called the Mod. Busch Lite!
Congratulations on finding a way forward and on this new model.
That´s one good looking bicycle.
Thanks Flavio!
What bottom bracket standard will be on this bike?
Same as every other bike I’ve done – threaded. More info here: https://blackmtncycles.com/tech-info/mod-zero-frame-tech/
Mike, it’s hard to tell from the picture. We’re you able to get the tire and chainring clearances with normal dimpled chainstays? Or is there a yoke of some sort there? Many newer bikes that use a chainstay yoke just don’t do it for me. Besides being aesthetically unappealing It has got to be extremely stiff and it’s often only on the drive side. Hoping the Mod. Zero will have classic dimpled tubes at the chainstays / BB cluster.
While the long wait is a bummer for some. It’s giving me time to save my pennies and plan out a new “country fixed gear” build with the rim brake MonsterCross.
Plates and yokes are found in kitchens. No plates, no yokes.
Not even g rated yokes??
Very excited for this … yes yes.. very nice 🙂
Great bike Mike. Will this be the final steel fork or will there be a segmented one? Thought i saw one in one of your IG posts.
It is a segmented fork in the pics.
Sorry. I had mistaken it for a unicrown. My bad. When is pre-order time?
No info on pre-order time frame. That will happen only after the frames have been produced and are on the way to me. Next year.
I see that some 180mm flat mount adapters are starting to exist.
Would it be OK to use these or are you planning for frame fork to only be safe on 160mm rotors?
180s would probably be ok
Great looking bike and I like the geometries. Injuries kept me from ordering this most recent shipment of monstercross so timing will be good for this Mod Zero for me.
What is the frame and fork weight of this or your monstercross bike in a 50 or 54. Or just what was the approximate weight of the preproduction bike you built up in the picture? And lastly, what would you think would be a more compliant fork; your steel or a carbon?
Looking forward with anticipation for this 650b Mod Zero
Sorry, I don’t have any weights. I also don’t weigh my bikes. I’m guessing around 5lbs for the frame. Steel is going to be more compliant than a carbon fork.
How about adding some bottle bosses on the chainstays like Surly’s Ghost Grappler. I think it would be quite good.