The 20-year flip-flop
Checking out pictures of old bikes, I realized:
All the sweet bikes and parts. Mmm … parts.
Looking for some baggy shorts
I have a question Master. I’m in the market for a pair of Dude shorts but have no idea what I should look for. Any suggestions?
Petey
I can’t stop worrying about my pedals
Hello Lee,
I have been going through some hard times lately with my riding.. started when I bought Crank Brothers Mallets and I couldn’t get in and out quick enough and took some hard hard tumbles.. I mainly ride technical trail in FL. one of which is Alafia.
I tried flats out found out I had re-learn how to pedal and be able to bunny hop…I am not confident on the jumps ie. foot slipping fear…I have been ridding clipless since 95′ and I am 45 if that matters.
clipless where fine untill recently I guess I stepped up the game and don’t do the XC ride any more… I just like going out playing around learning how to wheelie off of drops, pump , jumps etc…just having basic fun.
I just dremeled the cleats down a little bit to see if the engagement would be quicker as well as the disengagement. should I just buy a decent pair of flats and stick to them? I did buy some 5/10 impact lows..
I’m getting alot of feedback – most riders say stick to the clipless others say go to flats I have know gotten to point I am confused and on my rides all the focus and energy is going into this one nagging question – flats or no flats??
Hopefully you can set me straight!
Best Regards,
Joseph Vazquez III
Bike for Ashland (and other Super Ds)
Hi Lee,
How are the kids?
Going to Ashland this weekend for the DH and was thinking about running the SX Trail with lighter wheel set, 2.4 single ply Maxxis Ardent tires, 38t single up front, 12-26 tooth in back and clips opposed to flats. What do you think? Looking for some advice.
Christian Koblitz
General Manager
Carson Valley Country Club Restaurant & Bar
Should beginners start out on plush bikes?
Hey Lee,
Here is a didactic question for you: Is it better for a beginner to start out on a bike that’s overkill for the trails they normally ride (e.g. a 6″ travel AM bike for tame trails) or is it best to learn on a less plush bike so they really must learn handling skills (assuming that person could afford to purchase either)? I kind of think the former is true…
My wife had a mid price hard tail and never made any progression in handling skills because going fast felt harsh and scary. She was afraid to try anything new, rode slowly and only on the easiest trails. Then she got a hand-me-down long travel AM bike. She was instantly more comfortable at speeds and started to venture into more technical terrain. And she got a lot better. Now she can take the hard tail out and rip and enjoys the added challenge of the smaller bike. So the plush bike was like training wheels that allowed her to learn how to ride.
Of course one could make the opposite argument, like why BMX riders are often so darn good at mountain biking.
I would love to know your thoughts-Thanks! Jake
What is that pump track bike?
Lee:
Have enjoyed several of your articles and we’re planning to build a pump track this year.
Was really intrigued by your bike featured in the MBAction article about the school pump track. Didn’t see it listed on your list of bikes on your site. MBA said it was a modified P bike, I assumed they meant Specialized P bike, but it doesn’t look like anything on their site.
How about a run down of what it is …
Best regards,
Brent Mullen
Enduro EVO vs. Nomad?
Lee,
well i told myself i would never ask the internet to pick a bike for me but i just cant decide any chance you can give me some insight ?
I am having trouble deciding between and Enduro Evo or the Santa cruz nomad. My lbs sells both brands but only stocks the the Evo at this time, they dont have either bike as a loaner so i cant ride either one on the trail.
I have never had the opportunity to ride anything other than a single pivot bike( currently on a cannondale rize) so i dont really know what to expect. The guys at the lbs are split down the middle some say the Nomad other say the enduroone guy said he didnt like the way the nomad handled out of the saddle but couldnt really elaborate . At at this price i though it would be wise to ask someone who isnt trying to take my money. Any thoughts pros/cons etc you could give me would be very helpful. this will be my primary bike and i spend most of my time riding at bootleg canyon in las vegas, with trips to AZ and UT
Stuart
Recommendations: flat pedals
Lee,
I’ve been searching for some good flats for xc and have tried Xpedo XMX13ACs. They had great grip and they were light, but they didn’t hold up very well. A few rocks and the frames were all bent up. I’m looking at another Xpedo pedal, the XMX11AC which it looks like it might offer more grip (two more pins), weigh a bit more and be more durable (the frame is has a more solid design).
Do you have any recommendations for a flat pedal. I’m not looking for a downhill flat as I don’t need a huge platform but I would like something durable and grippy.
Any recommendations on shoes that light and stiff for good drive and might hold up to to sometimes very wet and muddy northeast single-track. I have some bontrager shoes for my clips, they’re great but the tread pattern doesnt work well with the pinned flat pedals.
Thanks,
Michael
Plastic vs. metal pedals
Lee,
I have recently given up clipless after realizing that I can manage the same speed while having more fun on flats. So, I was looking for some new flats at my local bike shop when I noticed that specialized is now selling p.bikes with plastic pedals. Supposedly they are popular with bmxers because they do not leave nasty shin scars. I just find it hard to believe they grip very well. Any thoughts?
Joshua
First ride: Specialized Butcher DH tires
I’ve done an interview about and a ride on Specialized’s answer to the Minion DHF.
Rolling the Captain
I’ve been rolling Captain America around my hilly neighborhood for hilly pavement and dirt adventures. Quick tire/stem/saddle/climb update:
Hardtail pinned on natural terrain
I’m riding Captain America on technical trail tomorrow. Stoked! Expect a full report.
In the spirit of pinning a hardtail on natural terrain, behold this video of a hardtail being WRUNG OUT in Whistler.
Bonus: Essay writing contest.