All the sweet bikes and parts. Mmm … parts.

Adjusting tension with a half-link chain

/in , /by

I have a 2005 cannondale chase size small frame that i have converted to a single speed but it has vertical dropouts. I have tried tensioners and have not had any luck with them so I decided to try a half link chain since it looks cleaner.

I took the bike to a local bike shop and they tried swapping the rear cog to different sizes and now have a 36t front and a 17t rear. They tried a 18 rear but it was so tight the cranks would hardly turn. The 17t works but has alot of play until you put pedal pressure on it, but has never fallen off.

Can you help before I start buying hundreds of dollars of chainrings and rear cogs trying to find a good combo.

thanks, Kevin

Read more

Dial in your suspension with DirtLabs

/2 Comments/in /by

Mike “Luby” Luebesmier has tons of experience with Fox, Rockshox, Manitou, Marzocchi and Maverick forks and shocks. His suspension tuning company, DirtLabs, dials in all kinds of suspension.

If you need some suspension love, give Luby a try.

Read more

Quick test: Specialized Command Post

/8 Comments/in /by


I got a few rides on Specialized’s new remotely adjustable seatpost, which I was sorry to relinquish.

Read more

New, improved Specialized Eskar tires

/12 Comments/in /by

I’ve been rocking the Specialized Eskar Control tires on my Stumpy since they were wee prototypes, and I’ve really liked them. They roll pretty quickly, they corner well, and they haven’t been flatting. All in all a good trail tire.

Now they’re better.

Read more

Benefits of a high seat?

/10 Comments/in , /by


Hey Lee,
Is better climbing efficiency the only benefit of having a high seat? I’m asking because I ride in a place with climbs that typically require riders to stand on their bikes, defeating the purpose of a high seat.

Alex

Read more

Should I move my cleats back?

/12 Comments/in , /by

Lee,

Came across the following:

http://www2.trainingbible.com/joesblog/2007/01/cleat-position.html

Seems to be some evidence for putting the cleat in the arch of the shoe, although people point out how it would likely make technical riding on a MTB harder. I certainly can’t imagine riding this way, but may make sense for the true XC types? Then again, if there’s really 9% to be gained, wouldn’t all of the roadies have adopted this by now?

Curious to hear your take. Keep up the good work!

Eric

Read more

Cotton kills. Right?

/10 Comments/in , /by


Hi Lee, I’d like to start off by saying that if it wasn’t for your book and your website, I’d still be sitting in my saddle pedalling as fast as I can running over every rock in sight. Thanks to you I now understand the concept of pumping and am a better rider for it.

I do have a very basic question that has nothing to do with riding techniques or suspension setup I hope you’d spend the time to answer.

What is the purpose of wearing long sleeved race jerseys when you’re riding an XC type trail? I see a bunch of guys riding around in them at the local XC trail and I wonder if there are any benefits over my cotton t-shirt. Is this just an aesthetics thing or is there actually some functional benefit that I’m not aware of?
Dexter

Read more

Setting rebound: the curb test?

/6 Comments/in , /by

hey Lee,

I got a quick question for you about shock rebound settings (DHX Air). I read somewhere that rebound should be tuned by setting the rebound to fastest position and riding off curb, each time adding another click of rebound until the bike doesn’t oscillate (the travel compresses and then returns to its static position).

I did so and in the parking lot test (didn’t take it to the trails yet) it seems pretty slow to what I was riding before. Is that a correct setup method? Is it applicable to forks as well?

thanks!
Gal

Read more

Upper body armor for trail riding?

/11 Comments/in , , /by


Hi Lee;
I went over the handlebars twice last season, landing once on each shoulder. After spending the winter with James Wilson’s DB Combo and The Ultimate programs, things are good.

Just wondering what your thoughts are on upper body/shoulder armor for TRAIL riding. Most of what I’ve seen seems geared to DH riders. IE not a lot of ventilation and bulky looking. I came across this product with looks like it might have some potential, given the ability to remove the shoulders and the two way front zipper. http://www.skeletools.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1

Feedback is welcome from one and all.

Cheers Greg

Read more

P.3 & Geax Saguaros for everything?

/1 Comment/in , /by


Lee,

In addition to its native purpose, I’m going to be using my new P.3 as a trail single speed. I’m thinking different tires, easier gearing (1.8-ish:1), and a Maverick speedball will make this a very versatile machine.

Are you still digging the Geax Saguaros as an all-around choice on your P.3?

Thanks,

Bracken

PS – Congrats on the twins!

Read more

Getting bucked: technique or equipment issue?

/7 Comments/in , , /by


Hi Lee,
Awesome site and book. I love your approach to mountain biking revolving around technique and skill over equipment.

Anyhow I always been riding a hardtail until i finally purchased my Blur a little more than a year ago. Ever since then i’ve been having an issue with the rear of the bike. When I hit a triangluar shaped bump, or jump at a good speed i would suck up the bump pretty well so the front wheel would stay planted and track the ground very nicely. The back wheel however would tend to launch off the bump causing a situation optimal for an endo.

I am in an attack position during these situations with the front end relatively light and my weight being more towards the rear of the bike. Many people have told me that my rebound for the rear is just set to fast causing the rear to pop at the top of the crest of the bump. This is hard to believe since the bike is very well behaved in any other situation it is in. Is this situation caused from a problem in my technique or just a setup issue?
-Jerald

Read more