RAD RIGS
Lewis Parkinson’s Zerode G3 is built for fun not speed
Words Lewis Parkinson
Images Bryce Wilson
Is this thing a useful daily ride? No, not at all, but that’s why I wanted to build it.
The game plan went from a stock Zerode G3 to what you see here pretty quickly. In place of the usual Fox 40 fork and DHX2 shock, I’ve opted for a Marzocchi Super Z fork and matching Bomber Air shock.
The 29-inch wheel up front was replaced with a nice little 27.5-inch number and the shifter was removed from the Pinion C1.6, creating an adjustable single speed that can be shifted via the 3mm Allen port on the non-drive side of the box.
Headset-hose routing for the front brake and an XXL rear hose gives me some room to get tricky occasionally, but more importantly reduce risk of the hoses being ripped out when I inevitably stack it.
There are a few little bits and pieces that make this bike quite special to me. The Profile Helm stem has been with me for almost as long as I’ve ridden big bikes (thanks Joe Simpson), the Odyssey Aitken BMX seat is a homage to the GOAT, and I was lucky to get hold of a set of pre-production Lekkie cranks designed by good friend and table king of New Zealand, Phil Leyten.
Perhaps the thing that gets me the most barred up is the one-off pink paint, which is a bit of a throwback to my old trail bike.
I can’t thank Zerode Bikes director Ali Quinn enough for that one, and all of the stupid things he’s allowed me to create and do over the past few years.
If I had to describe it, I’d say it was built for fun not speed, which suits me just fine.
Breakdown:
Frame: Zerode G3, size S
Fork/shock: Marzocchi Super Z, Marzocchi Bomber air
Wheels: Factor SS hubs, Stans EX3 rims, Maxxis Assagai tyres.
Brakes: Magura MT-5, short lever
Cockpit: Chromag Fubar OSX 31.8mm, Profile Helm stem, ODI longneck grips.
Seat/Post: Odyssey Aitken, Title post
Drivetrain: Pinion C1.6, Gates carbon drive
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