Whats the deal with BB drop?
 

I'm building up a slalom bike, and bottom bracket drop seems to be something to think about according the manufacturer (Planet X). Apparently, if I run a 5" fork, there will be no bb drop, which I'm assuming is the level of the bb in relation to the dropouts. If I run a 4" fork, there will be 1" of drop.

Are there benefits to either one aside from clearance? Does anyone have a travel preference for this type of riding?

anybody?

A lower bottom bracket can give you a lower center of gravity which results in better cornering. However, this is at the risk of having less clearance for obstacles and also less clearance to be able to pedal in the turns. Too high of a bottom bracket makes you more top heavy.

This is a very simple explanation with absolutely no technical jargon or references to back it up.

What's the deal with ovaltine?

Isn't BB drop different from BB height though? I think the OP was talking about drop not height.

BB drop is the difference between the height of the fork ends and the height of the bottom bracket. Smaller bottom bracket drop equals a higher bottom bracket.

Drop is essentially height in reverse. Most manufacturers talk in terms of drop instead of height since drop is the same no matter what size of tire is used.

LowCel pretty much summed up the advantages of a lower BB. Better handling, slightly faster, but at greater risk of striking during high speed cornering or jumping obstacles.

Word. Thats just what I figured. Thanks everybody.