Ray_Ray

Don't take this as definitive, but I'm going to attempt to shed some light on the effect on BB height. I recently went from a Leeson, which had a low BB to a Zona Zenith, which to my knowledge has a +25mm BB. What I basically found was that you feel as if you are riding higher on the bike (and you are) and things that you're attempting feel smaller, which is a good thing. It also helps rolling down stuff as you bash has got more clearance. I reckon it amplifies it the effect of shift in body weight, as your body weight is higher and the effective pivot point is higher. I reckon it makes the bike feel more reponsive, but too much BB height makes the bike feel unbalanced and twitchy. What I'd reccommend is have a look in the rides part of the forum and go along to a ride and ask to have a go on a few different people's bikes.

Ok so my Hope bulb rear decided to lock up during Sunday's DJ ride. I went home and took the freehub apart and turns out the ratchet is pretty knackered. Not too surprising since it's 3 years old and solely been used for trials. I gave Hope a ring and they said they'd replace the ratchet for £30, along with bearings and prawls. So has anyone used this service and how was the fix? Cheers Ray

Cheers guys for the replies, Ash I agree finally! I think there's only 2 Zonas in Portsmouth, that's mine and the other ironically is Martin's, my housemate's. Though I've lost count of how many Echos I've seen in Portsmouth! Why? Same reasons as everyone else. The geometry isn't half bad and it's cheap. I got mine for £100 second hand and it's in really good condition. Have you rebuilt your Leeson/ what have you done with it? Yeah I know I'm finally validated! Thanks... YAY!

My new (second-hand) Zona Zenith frame on Pashly forks, Maggies, Hopes/DX32/Rhyno Lite XL and Middleburns

Hi Boys and Girls, after the last two years of practically everyone switching to long frames with and high bottom brackets, I finally buckled and got myself a Zona Zenith frame last week. For the last 4 and a half years I'd been riding a Leeson Clear 660, which if you've ever riden one will know is an awesome bike. The frame is still in great condition, no major dents, slightly rusted spots, but nothing that can't be cleared up. The big question is what to do with it now? Do I clean it up, give it a re-spray and keep it because it has sentimental value; or Do I sell it, because it's only a few tubes of metal joined together and let someone else enjoy it? If I sell it would you get it sprayed up first and how much do you think it'd be worth posted? Cheers, Ray

Hi I've just bought 2 pairs of green Rock pads for my front and rear Maggies from Tarty. I'm a bit old hat and I've stuck with smooth rims without using tar. I'm running a Sun Rhyno Lite XL on the front and Alex DX32 on the rear. The pads are absolutely awesome, especially on the Rhyno Lite machined surface! I haven't had a chance to try the pads out in the rain yet, as the weather's been nice so far! I've got a few mates who are running grinds at uni, the trend there seems to be Koxx browns. The thing that's always put me off getting a grind is once you start grinding your rim, you have to grind it again a few months down the line, which means new rims and new pads pretty soon! Ray