Zoceli Vysoko: Steel freerider from the Czech Republic hides a second chain
Jan Timmermann
· 25.02.2026
With the Zoceli Vysoko, even hardened bike nerds don't know where to look first. Slim steel tubes, CNC-milled parts to fall in love with and a unique rear suspension system with a high pivot point. But wait, isn't there something missing?
There is no classic chainring on the right-hand crank. There is no chain connecting it to the cassette. The primary drive is hidden in the frame and drives an integrated drivetrain, which in turn sets a second chain in motion via a pulley. But there is even more to discover on the exotic steel freerider from the Czech Republic.
The Zoceli Vysoko in detail
- Field of application: Freeride
- Front / rear suspension travel: 180-200 / 170 mm
- Wheel size: Full-29 or Mullet
- Frame material: Steel
- Price frameset: 3990 Euro
- Special features: Split-drive with two chains, high-pivot rear triangle, made in the Czech Republic, custom paint finish possible
High pivot meets split drive
Zoceli mastermind Martin Saida is passionate about freeriding. The Vysoko is his personal interpretation of a freeride bike with 180 to 200 millimetres of suspension travel at the fork and 170 millimetres at the rear. The tinkerer designed the rear triangle around a high-pivot system, which promises a particularly powerful chassis thanks to a special wheel lift curve.
The biggest disadvantage of the high pivot point is increased pedal kickback, which frame builders try to counteract with a chain deflection. The Zoceli Vysoko relies on a so-called split drive with two separate chains, as is also known from the Pivot Phenix downhill bike, for example, in order to consistently decouple the chassis and drive from each other.
In contrast to other bikes, however, the primary drivetrain of the Zoceli Vysoko is not exposed but integrated into the chassis. In this way, developer Martin Saida not only wants to achieve better protection against environmental influences and more ground clearance, but also a completely unique look.
The cranks used are ISIS standard models, which are actually intended for e-bikes. A cogwheel sits on their axle. The integrated chain is kept under tension by an adjustable tensioner. A Pinion idler pulley with 14 teeth is located at the upper pivot point.
Due to the deflection, the gear ratio corresponds to that of a 32-tooth chainring. The rear derailleur cage is further away from the ground than with regular chain drives and the chain elongation during compression is less, which should benefit the durability of all components involved.
Detailed steel frame
Exciting steel fullys are the speciality of the small Czech manufacturer Zoceli. The Vysoko is characterised by a 63 degree flat steering angle and a 79 degree steep seat angle. Four sizes with reach values from 455 to 515 millimetres can be ordered. The seat tube length remains short in each case.
Thanks to an interchangeable milled part at the dropout, the chainstay length can be adjusted between a super-compact 422 and a long 468 millimetres to suit your own preferences. This setup feature allows the Vysoko to be set up with either two 29-inch wheels or a small 27.5-inch rear wheel.
The Zoceli Vysoko frameset can be ordered with either external or internal cable routing, whereby the latter variant is realised with tubes running through the frame. Despite the exotic rear triangle and drive system, many dimensions remain standard. For example, the frame accepts Boost hubs and is equipped with a Sram UDH derailleur hanger.
If required, the top tube also comes with a bottle cage mount. The frame, which is welded in a small series, costs 3990 euros. The price includes not only a lifetime guarantee, but also a single-colour paint finish of your choice. Those interested in buying the bike must be prepared for a delivery time of two to three months.
Jan Timmermann
Editor
