Measuring RAAD on a bike

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Hi Lee,

I’m enjoying the book Dialed: the secret math of a perfect mountain bike setup and really appreciate the MTB specific and rider-centric approach to bike fitting. I was wondering if you can guide me toward how to accurately measure my RAAD? There’s plenty of info in the book on how it should be set, but I’m not clear on the best way to measure it. Any recommended tool? Protractor devices and angle finders are generally not very long and would likely lack precision if trying to measure from the center point of the bottom bracket.

My RAD is prefect, surprisingly, with a fully stock bike (Large 2021 Epic EVO), so I’m afraid to tinker with the wrong adjustments and just end up messing up my RAD by trying to dial in my RAAD. Any tips on accurate measuring would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
Matt

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The hinge: universal human movement (video)

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The mighty hip hinge. It’s the key to great mountain biking … and many other activities.

Check out the video and a cool skiing story:

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What size Nukeproof Mega 290 should I ride?

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Hey Lee!

I’m going to be getting a nuke proof Mega 290. I’m kinda a outlier. I’m 6″4″ 260 lb. I’m in shape and lean. Just a big dude. Most of my height is in my torso with a 36 biking inseam. 32 pants inseam. How can I measure for my torso correctly?
I am enduro racer with weekend all mountain. I am registered for big mountain enduro races this year. My goal is to beat all the 20 year olds and take the podium from the masters class 🙂 and be a racer even at 45. It’s my dream!
Cheers!
BTW- thank you for your program and skill sets has made a world of difference!!!!

Scott

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Has the bike industry forgotten smaller riders?

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Hello Lee,

I am a new member of the Lee Likes Bikes MTB School but have followed you for a while and  read your book probably close to 8-9 years ago. Still have it and review it from time to time.

I am  55, and have been riding for most of my adult life (MTB/Rd/Tri).

I have been wanting to buy a new mountain bike for years, but at 58 inches tall and 95 lbs, I have been challenged and frustrated.

The last bike I purchased, which is my current one,  was in 2010 or 2011; a Pivot mach 4 in XS ( yes 26″). I purchased it sight unseen. At the time I felt it was too big, ( compared to my hard tail Mojo – which I LOVED).

In the last 5 years or so, I have attempted to test ride different rigs. Out of the handful I have tried (availability being the primary issue), none feel like they fit. Has the industry forgotten about shorter statured riders, or is there something out there?

I keep looking online at various manufacturer’ sites, but what looks like a possibility on paper,  may not always the case.

Would I be able to find a resource on your site that would lead me the right direction?

Not really sure how to start. I appreciate your time,

Marlene

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Using the bike trainer for integrated MTB training

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Lee,
For the last two seasons, I have trained on TrainerRoad, which frankly, I feel is too narrow-minded of an approach for MTB, and the ROI is weak. I’m ready to take on a more MTB specific “overall” approach to training. Now that I’m a member of the Lee Likes Bikes MTB School, where do you suggest I start? “Base” and “3”, maybe? Myabe stick with TR Low Volume, but add one of your weight plans?
Thanks! Looking forward to this!
Scott

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Yet another rider on a bike that’s too big

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Hi Lee,
I’ve recently purchased your book Dialed to help me try to understand better where I’m at with my current mountain bike, all the changes in frame geometry (not to mention suspension) in the past five or so years, and now the changes literally in how people ride.
I’ve been riding a long time, which may be part of the problem. I’m a 50 year old woman who got her first mtb back in the days of the 26″ wheel. I rode and raced xc for years, mostly on a singlespeed 29er. And then I got into a really big wreck – I don’t race anymore. Still riding though and I love all the suspension being offered by manufacturers now. Last year before shit hit the fan I bought myself a Pivot Switchblade. I just love it. But… when I went to test ride the demos, the XS felt ridiculously small, uncomfortably so. My husband said it looked like I was on a kids bike. The small felt pretty good. The deal is, I am 5’2″. The size chart says I’m totally within the range for the XS, not even on the cusp of small. So, based on my initial impression, I went and bought the small anyway because I just didn’t like how the XS felt.
Fast forward a year of really learning how to ride my amazing new bike – I can ride so much more stuff I can’t believe it. But, there are times on the trail, mostly steep or technical or both (up or down) where I suddenly feel like I’ve got a shitton of bike underneath me and it just feels really unwieldy, hard to manage, clumsy. I started looking into sizing and the fact that I’d colored out of the lines by buying a larger bike than Pivot recommended for my height, which lead me to your book.
I measured from my knuckle to the floor in the stance you specified. 77cm. Bike from BB to midpoint between grip throughline, 80cm. SO… does this mean that I truly am on a bike that’s too large? According to the equation you also suggested, (height x 4.6) = 724.5. Is this so much l lower than my knuckle to floor measurement because my legs are long?
Anyway, do you have any advice? I realize a long travel 29er isn’t going to be a spry, ‘playful’ type of bike and I really should be on something more like the 5.5 – but size will still matter for that if I decide to buy another bike (cringe).
Thanks for such a good manual for evaluating frame fit!
Best regards,
Lisa

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Pro BMXer Barry Nobles compares race vs. casual shoes

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Barry Nobles is a badass.

In this video he compares start/sprint speed between his ultra-stiff carbon race shoes and softer skate-style shoes. He prefers the look and comfort of the skate shoes but doesn’t want to give up speed.

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Joy of Bike video: How to jump a mountain bike

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In this episode of Joy of Bike we teach an ex pro roadie/semipro XC racer how to jump smoothly and safely. It’s a tale of trail trauma, rowing and anti-rowing. And of glory!

What do you think?

Lee

Breaking through mental barriers

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Our brains are so powerful in so many ways, but Life can get in there and create obstacles to joy. In this video I take on the Whale Tail … and we all have a Whale Tail in our lives.

Dial in your hip hinge

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If you’re a mountain biker (or a human), the most important movement you can master is the hip hinge. Here’s my story plus some tips.