For my birthday last month, my fiancé bought me a Zion 660 EBB (eccentric bottom bracket) frame from Jenson USA.  At first, I wasn’t quite sure which route I wanted to build the bike - either Rigid SS, SS w/suspension or a 1×9.  Unsure for awhile, I even thought about returning the frame and save the money for something else.  With several bikes already in my stable, do I really need another one?  Uhhh… YES

                                       ZION 660 EBB frame

All this recent talk about rigid bikes on our site hasn’t helped.  As a matter of fact I finally decided to go with… a rigid SS build.

I’ve heard both good and bad things about the Zion EBB frame.  However I’ve always been one to take good care of my things, so I don’t foresee having too many problems… at least I hope not.  I am very excited to build this.  The frame is a 4130 double butted chromoloy and comes in at 5.26 lbs.  With many spare parts in my garage, I’m sure I’ll be able to have this completed sooner than later.  It probably won’t be the lightest off the bat, but I’ll be able to ride it a lot sooner.  I’ll make changes along the way or as appropriate.

                                        EBB-Eccentric Bottom Bracket

First on the build in the Axis SL headset from WOOdman components.  Following RL’s instructional video on “how to install a headset”, the build in under way. 

                                      Frame weighing in at 5.26lbs.

Waiting in the wings are Race Face ISIS BB and Deus crankset.  I also have a Sun Ringle Singletrack wheelset, laced to XT hubs ready to assemble with new Maxxis Larsen TTs (also received for my bday from MtnBikeRiders.com).

I’ll be posting updates regularly on the build so stay tuned.

Popularity: 9% [?]

eXotic Carbon rigid fork

Today was a beautiful morning to put in some mountain biking time on the recently installed eXotic carbon 29er fork. I went to my nearby trail while it was still dark and put in a slow paced 8 miles.

Carbon weave… oh so pretty

It’s funny because my body seemed to subconsciously realize that I am not training for a race. I don’t know why or how but after 5 minutes of riding I found myself going real soft and smooth. I wasn’t at my normal “push myself�? speed. I’m sure it wasn’t the new fork because a few days earlier I took it out for a ride and I was pushing it pretty hard. It was a little odd not having the constant desire to push myself and see if I could get my fastest time possible on this route. Rather on hills that I’d usually choose a middle gear in the back, I chose a lower gear. On parts that I would normally blast down and “deftly�? carve, I gently rolled through and enjoyed the scenery. It was nice.

Nice crown

It was especially nice with the carbon fork. My previous time on a rigid fork was a steel fork that the Mono 9 came with. The steel fork was very nice. It made me a believer in riding rigid. And now that I have this carbon fork I’m enjoying my rigid days again.

Crossing a bridge, the eXotic fork was raring to go

Popularity: 16% [?]

We received the Nirve Night Owl last week. We’ll be testing this bike as a daily commuter and as a single speed rigid bike. Though the Nirve doesn’t recommend that the Night Owl be used as a bike for the single track, I decided to see what kind of fun I could have with it.

This morning I woke up a bit earlier than normal so I could get out on the local trail to test ride the Night Owl. The bike rolls rather fast thanks to its 44t chain ring. The rear freewheel, from what I can tell maybe a 16t. The bike flies down the trail.

I went ahead and swapped out the tires with some Bontrager XR Jones for this purpose. The stock beach cruiser style tires wouldn’t do so well out on the moist trail.

After a few miles of initial testing, the Night Owl seems to do pretty well. The only thing I saw was some discoloration from the rim wall due to applying the brakes.

The Night Owl is also proving to be a great commuter bike. I’ve been testing this around Fullerton and Brea, Ca. and the bike is simply fun! For some weird reason, the Night Owl brings out the kid in me. The bars make me think that I’m riding a BMX, but the size and the speed does remind me of a mountain bike. Not only is it a handsome bike, but you immediately smile as soon as you take your first few pedal strokes.

Popularity: 7% [?]