Bike setup madness
Most bike fitters are doing great work, but some of the fits I see in my clinics are insane!
This is why I’m now offering “cockpit optimization” services in my clinics.
All the sweet bikes and parts. Mmm … parts.
“Downgrading” to a rigid single speed?
Hi Lee,
I’m only asking because I highly value your opinion!
As an adult sometimes I have to make adult decisions. In the next few months we are looking to move and bit a bigger house, so I’m thinking of freeing up some cash by selling my current ride. It’s not imperative that I do it, but it would help a bit.
I would still want something to ride in the meantime, and I don’t want an entry level bike necessarily. Looking at some options and the Crave SL single speed looks interesting and a good price. It might be fun and a new realm to try something like this for my FL XC trails.
What do you think, is having a single speed as an only bike for a few months a good idea? Is it possible to still pursue some off season structured training and continue pump up the base and later PTPI?
Thank you!
Greg
Shipping a bike for a poor college kid
Dear Lee,
I am in somewhat of a predicament. I am traveling to Oregon by plane for a ten week internship. I am curious about what is the best way to fly with your bike? I want the bike to arrive safely but I don’t want to spend unnecessary money to do so. this is because I am a poor college kid that most likely can’t afford the excess baggage fees that can come with flying.
love the website, books and the pumptrack I’m building in my back yard! thanks, cheers.
Leif
Flat pedals for my wife?
Hi Lee,
My wife, who is a great athlete, is wanting to pick up mountain biking and I’m very excited as it’s been my “thing” for years. I ride SPDs but she’s nervous about not being able to click out and crashing. I know a lot of people are riding flat pedals now but what would you recommend a new rider start on?
Thanks!
Chuck
Shorter stem with wider bars?
Lee,
I just bought a set of new, wider handlebars for my old (2002) Stumpjumper hard tail. My old set-up were 580mm bars (ugh, righ?) with a 90mm stem.
With the new bars I have to buy a new stem, because my old stem doesn’t fit the 31mm-diameter handlebars. Would you recommend I go with another 90mm stem with the wider bars, or drop it down to 70mm? I see the new Stumpys all have 100mm stems, but they’re also 29ers. I’m just not sure about this bike as it has pretty aggressive geometry. I don’t want to make the bike too twitchy.
Jim
Dialing in the 2014 Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Carbon HT World Cup
Specialized aims its 2014 Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Carbon HT World Cup straight at hardcore XC racing on smoother tracks.
I have other ideas for mine.
First ride: 2014 Specialized S-Works Enduro 29
We know this bike is made for serious DH shredding, but Ride #1 was all about climbing.
Not bad, not bad …
First rides: 2014 Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Carbon HT World Cup
I have been blessed with the ultimate tool for an aspiring MTB ninja:
2014 Specialized Stumpjumper Expert Carbon HT World Cup
• FACT IS 10m carbon frame
• Chisel carbon fork
• Roval Control Carbon 29 142+ carbon wheels
• Less than 20 pounds
This is surely a serious tool for XC racing on smoother trails, but how does it shred?
Riding with Dorcy Lights
Check out these affordable lights for riding, camping and trailside repairs.
LaPierre Zesty AM 427 with E:i shock
The new LaPierre/Rockshox E:i suspension system adjusts rear damping on the fly based on pedaling and bumps. I’ve been dreaming of such a system — and I tried it yesterday at Valmont Bike Park.
Movie: Shaun Palmer, The Miserable Champion
Promo copy: Shaun Palmer, the Miserable Champion is a shocking portrait of one of the most notorious athletes of all time. Action sports hero Shaun Palmer: 5 sports, 7 times world champion, 6 X-Games gold, 38 elite victories, 117 tour podiums, ESPY 2001 “Action Sports Athlete of the Year.” USA Today asks the question “Is this the world’s greatest athlete?”
It’s taken time and struggle to get this movie made. As soon as the DVD appeared at The Fix Bike Shop, I bought it. Full retail. Gotta support such endeavors.
Thoughts:
How to ride a 29er fully on a pumptrack?
Hi Lee,
Reading your book on MTB skills and have just taken the plunge and swapped out my Stumpy Elite 26 inched with a Stump Comp Evo 29er (arrives next week).
Thing is we have a nice pumptrack near us and i still want to ride it with my two boys.
It got me thinking that there’s going to be some differences now that i’m on a 140mm travel 29er! Any suggestions would be welcome – I’m guessing I can’t be the only person in this situation 🙂
Cheers
Jase