Mike Montgomery’s 2nd Place Slopestyle Run at Crankworx Whistler
This GoPro footage of Mike Montgomery’s second place slopestyle run at Crankworx Whistler is pretty darn incredible.
Flat pedals and rim tape (unrelated)
A recent coaching client, an ultra XC racer, just got back from Diablo Mountain Bike Park with his son. He came back with questions:
Pro BMX Skills ebook is ready to go!
Yes, Yes, YES!!!
You can now get an ebook version of Pro BMX Skills. You can view it in a Flash-enabled web browser, and it is SWEET!
To learn more and order, go here:
I’m sending an ebook to everyone who pre-ordered the print version.
STOKED!!!
Steepness, gears, cadence, power and such
The recent post A bit about gearing got me thinking.
Given a certain steepness, a desired cadence and the ability to rock a given amount of power, what should your low gear be?
A bit about gearing
Hi Lee!
I’m hoping you could help explain gear ratios and maybe shed some light on which gear ratios are unnecessary. Here’s the situation:
I have a customer that is using the Sram Red compact double (50-34). In the back she is using the new Sram Apex long cage rear derailleur. She is also using a Sram PG1070 10speed casettte in a 11-32. She is interested in switching out the 11-32 cassette to a 12-36. For some reason, I’m thinking that running a gear combination of 34 small ring to a 36 in the back doesn’t make sense. I think what that means is that she would essentially “spin out” OR her gearing in that given combination is too low. Her rebuttal was that her other bike was a road triple with a 22-32-52. However, she was running a 11-28 10sp to go with the triple. I’m wondering this:
Does she just not want to exert any effort climbing or is it useless to run a gear combination of 34-36?
Hopefully these questions make sense.
Congrats on the new book!
Daniel
Rocking the DH: Light hands, heavy crotch
Dude. Yesterday I did a little coaching action at Keystone, and it was good. Except for this one moment.
Losing the front end in turns
Hi Lee,
I’ve been a fan of your site and 1st edition for a couple of years now. I’ve learned a lot from both your site and book which has put my riding to a new level. Unfortunately, there’s been a particular issue that’s put me on the ground a couple of times recently and I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. It involves going downhill on a fairly steep and long, fairly supported berm. Generally I’m trying to turn harder than the berm, so I’m leaning the bike, not the body into the turn and pushing pretty hard. I keep “heavy feet, light hands” in mind and look ahead and through the turn towards the next trail feature. Somehow my front wheel manages to tuck in the same direction as the turn, which stops the bike and sends me over the bars. It happens so fast that I don’t even know what happened until I’m on the ground.
Fortunately, I’m wearing my full face helmet and protective gear so I haven’t had any serious injuries but I’d like to try and figure out exactly what’s going on so this can stop happening. I’ve considered if it was just line choice (loose stuff in the turn?) or front/aft weighting (front wheel too light?). I’m riding a Santa Cruz Blur 4x which is a pretty slack and low and likes to rail turns.
Thanks!
-Joe
Enduro suspension: Back to stock settings
Tomorrow I’m coaching a young DH pinner at Keystone. Since I no longer have a downhill bike, I have to make sure the Enduro suspension is dialed. So off to Hall Ranch I went for a mix of turny turns and rocky rocks.
First time racing DH
Hey, I’m going to Northstar this weekend to race in the beginner’s (junior) class (karpiel, speed control, sticks & stones). This is my first time racing DH and I need some tips. I will be riding my Trek Remedy. I already have a chainguide, 28″ bars, 40mm stem, a RS lyrik, and 2.3 DTC nevegals F&R. Thanks!
Joseph
New-school flowing in Wyoming
Preview of a new freeride trail in Curt Gowdy State Park. This is a great time to be a mountain biker.
New-school flowy XC love
Check out this new trail at Cragg Quarry in Bacup, Lancashire, England.
Fully geared up, holding the Stumpy, clicking my heels together … “There’s no place like Bacup, there’s no place like Bacup …”
Pump track design critique #1
Lee-
We finally were able to get going on the design for our city bike park.
Based on the information I got from your book, I’ve come up with the attached preliminary lay-out for the pump track. I wonder if you can take a few minutes and provide your input. To be honest with you, I’m not totally in love with it, but this is about the 5th incarnation.
I have roughly 175’x115’ set aside for the pump track. I’m almost worried that this is too big. What do you think?
I appreciate whatever input you could provide. Thanks!
Corey, Professional Engineer