Zoceli Rutina Downcountry-Fully: A work of art made of steel

With the Rutina, Zoceli presents a bike made of steel that is as sharp as a rat's arse. Until now, the small Czech manufacturer has been known primarily for its wicked freeride and enduro bikes made of steel. However, the new Zoceli Rutina, with a choice of 115 or 100 millimetres of rear suspension travel, is aimed more at touring fans, marathon athletes and lovers of exquisite downcountry fullys. In this article you will find all the details about the Zoceli Rutina steel mountain bike.

The most important information about the Zoceli Rutina

• Range of use: Marathon / Tour / Downcountry
• Wheel size: 29 or 32"
• Frame material: CrMo / Columbus steel
• Rear suspension travel: 11-115 mm
• Front suspension travel: 100-130 mm
• Frame weight: around 3.1 kg
• Price frame without shock absorber: 2500 Euro
• Special features: Flex pivot, two bottle cages, internally routed cables, custom paintwork possible

>> We tested another exciting bike with a steel frame, the Chabo chicken.

29 or 32 inch

The first Zoceli Rutina to leave the halls of the Czech label belongs to the wife of company boss Martin Saida, who welds the steel frames by hand in Brno. She also finished the first model with a customised paint finish. For the time being, Zoceli is only showing the steel frame in a 29-inch version, but has already announced a version that can accommodate the new 32-inch wheel size. Depending on the length of the shock, the rear triangle allows 100 or 115 millimetres of suspension travel. The special feature: Instead of an additional bearing, the frame material itself flexes in a so-called flex pivot. Until now, this was mainly known from carbon frames.

>> Starling also builds a downcountry bike with a steel frame. You can find all the information here.

Although it doesn't look like it at first glance, the rear triangle of the new Zoceli Rutina is a single pivot. There is only one pivot point in the lower rocker arm. The lower transition to the chainstays is permanently connected by means of a CNC-milled, form-fit structure. Zoceli gives the frame weight as 3.1 kilos and estimates a price of 2500 euros. For a small series steel frame handmade in the EU, this is relatively light and inexpensive. Already included: a lifetime guarantee and a single-colour paint finish as desired. Interested buyers should allow for a waiting period of 2-3 months and a 50% deposit.

>> We can provide the test of a steel fullys from Starling here.

Features and geometry

As a true downcountry bike, the Zoceli Rutina not only has two bottle cages, but also a modern geometry. The chainstays and head tube are the same in all of the five sizes from S to XXL. The head angle is particularly slack at 65 degrees and the steering angle is steep at 78 degrees - the freeride influence of Zoceli is clearly recognisable here. It is not yet known how the geometry will turn out in the 32-inch version. Customers can choose between external or internal cable routing. The latter is realised by means of continuous steel tubes and should be easy to handle. A UDH derailleur hanger ensures compatibility with Sram Transmission drivetrains. The Boost rear triangle is fitted with a DT-Swiss thru axle.

>> Our list provides an overview of which MTB frames are still produced in the EU.