Which type of road bike for MTB training?
Lee,
I’m getting a road bike for my birthday. Any suggestions? I hear I’ll be a stronger mountain biker for doing so.
Vasi
All the sweet bikes and parts. Mmm … parts.
Bar-ins: the new bar ends
Position your grips for ultimate handling and peak power — and give yourself another position for mellow pedaling.
Here’s how.
Two rides on a Specialized Fuse Expert 6Fattie
The 27.5 x 3″ tires on this hardtail deliver micro float with mega pump: Perfect for shredding rocky trails.
Bonus: 6Fattie wheels on my S-Works Enduro 29!
My shoulders hurt. Are my bars too wide?
Whoa. Mind blown.
Today I learned some important things about shoulder stability — and maybe handlebar width as it relates to shoulder pain.
Story and video:
Can you ride harder in softer shoes?
Conventional wisdom tells us stiffer-soled cycling shoes are better than softer ones. Something out Power! and Efficiency! and Being Pro!
Our friend Max asks whether that’s true, especially for mountain bikers.
More fork travel for XTERRA and XC?
Lee,
Hope all is well. I was thinking of getting better and longer front end suspension from 100mm to 120mm. Knowing that I’m transitioning from Ironman to XTERRA, mountain bike biathlons, a large variety of trail rides, as well as the 12 or 24 hour thrown in, would adding 20mm of travel be something your recommend or is 120mm simply overkill for the type of riding I do? Also would adding suspension mean I would have to change up the stem length, spacers that you guys dialed in at our last Moab camp? After reading your book on Mountain Bike Skill, I would initially think it would slacken the head tube angle, etc.
Thank you. Your thoughts/inputs on shred-fu are always greatly appreciated! Looking at my first XTERRA in late June in CO, South Carolina or Indiana (can’t decide yet) and maybe a 12 or 24 hour relay next month.
Neil
Gearing: how looowww can you go?
Lee, I was just catching up on my email and noticed your newsletter article on the 1×11 drivetrain. I ride a 1×11 with a 30t chainring. I feel like I am working my ass off compared to my buddies with their 2×10 setups. What do you suggest? I ride a Santa Cruz Tallboy carbon, I am 60 years old, currently I am in early-season shape but a strong upper-intermediate rider in-season. Your article seems to suggest that a smaller chainring or a switch to a 2×10 might help.
Help!
“Mr. Fatigued” Marc
Specialized Enduro EVO vs Status vs Demo 8?
Lee,
Hope your new season is goin well. 2 things…
1st, much thnx on the Butcher SX tire recommendation. I love it and confidence is very high to play with different approaches in different type corners gives many sh_t eatin grins!
2nd, any insight/opinion on Specialized Enduro EVO vs Status vs Demo 8 bikes? No racing, just playing on natural dh tracks a few times a year. Haven’t been able to ride an evo or status but heard great things. If it matters, my ride style is all bmx influenced as I still play on my 20s. Really respect your approach to things and any insight would be great!
Much thnx
Rey
Three days on a Pivot Mach 4 Carbon
Last weekend in Arizona I trained 38 high school coaches and worked with 11 shredders like you.
The coach training was held at Pivot Cycles headquarters and … you know … when in Rome … so I rocked the new Pivot Mach 4 Carbon all weekend.
Circling back to crank length
Ha, circling.
A couple months ago we talked about shortening cranks for improved pedaling and shredding: Shorter cranks for my Stumpy EVO?
Since then I’ve been thinking about crank length as is relates to leg length and biomechanics. And then our friend Anne sent in this question:
2014 Stumpjumper FSR Expert Carbon EVO
I just spent the weekend teaching on a 2014 Stumpjumper FSR Expert Carbon EVO 29. The bike rips up and down, and you can get a screaming deal on it.
Riding a Specialized FatBoy: Ride 2
I have a Specialized FatBoy for a week. Saturday morning we did backyard funny business. Later that afternoon, I rode dirt roads and singletrack from the house.
Notions: