So everyone who works in a local bike shop is a "fanny". And so we don't know how much a dollar even is, is it Australian dollars, Newzealand dollars, Canadian dollars, American dollars? For all we know $120 could be £10.
The Zona Zip looks really nice, defiantly go for that in my opinion, i've heard the T-mag frame isn't all that strong. I think the only downside of the Zona is those stickers (Y)
Im running plazmatic CRM's and i have also got a medium grind so they are dissapearing too rapidly for my liking. The breaking is amazing though, just a shame that they are so expensive. Generally very good pads though, work quite well in the wet to. (Y)
It depends how much money you have to spend. If you have got £419 go for a T-pro but if i was you i would get a onza T-vee, T-bird or a T-pro. Have a look here. Or if not go for a decent second hand bike. (Y)
I'm guessing it is your rear wheel? have you bent your frame inwards with all the tightening of the quick release? that could cause it to slip out of line, post up some pictures :)