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Strength and enduro training with P2PI?

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Lee,

I just bought your Prepare to Pin It training program, and I have a couple questions.

I’m also going to be incorporating some of the workouts from Enduro MTB Training. Should I do those strength/mobility exercises on the easy days of P2PI?

Also, since my main goal is enduro racing and many of the stages are 6-15 minutes long, on the fun/quality ride days, should I try to focus my efforts on rides where I can push at full steam for those longer intervals when I can?

Ryan

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Standing when sprinting?

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Hi Lee,
I’m on week 7 of Pump up the Base now and seeing results! I got a question though, can I stand up on sprints?
Senen

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Cane Creek DB INLINE on a Specialized Enduro 29?

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Lee

Question for you regarding my Enduro 29 – is there any reason you would caution me away from a Cane Creek DB INLINE versus a larger volume shock? I’d love to retain the ability to carry a large water bottle … yet am not sure if I’d be better off going with a larger volume air can – either DB AIR CS or Rock Shox Monarch. The current setup has the stock FOX FLOAT CTD, which I’m not a fan of (needing to run high pressure to avoid bottoming out).

John

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Shock upgrade for 2011 Specialized Enduro?

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Hi Lee

I’m the happy owner of a 2011 Specialized Enduro Expert (and of her sister Big Hit 2008) and i love her. i wanted to ask you a suggestion, since i would like to upgrade my FOX RP23 shock to something more beefy. I’m a heavy rider and sometimes i feel the rear end not tracking perfectly the ground. This happens only on long rocky and messy descents (i ride in the Dolomites).

Now i know that specialized uses a proprietary shock size and pivot to attach the shock to the frame, and i wondered if you came with a solution for this.

Thank you for your time, i loved your Mastering MTB skills 😉

Francesco

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Scalpel in the middle, chainsaw on the sides

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In the post about the new Specialized Slaughter tire, which comes in 650B and 29 sizes, David asked:

“Hi Lee – do you have any suggestions for similar 26″s out back? I love this concept!”

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Butcher vs. Purgatory for the front?

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In the post Early impressions: Specialized Slaughter tire, Tjaard asked:

“What is your feeling on the Butcher vs Purgatory for the front?”

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Speed ladder for MTB?

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Hi Lee,

Thanks for Pump Up The Base, I rocked it last winter and now I am gaining the benefits (aside from the leg speed, “climbing” on a trainer helped my posture while climbing).

My question is, does the speed ladder help in MTB? I came across a speed ladder and I thought that the foot speed(?) and agility exercises were nice and since I do MTB, maybe I can incorporate it to my training.

Pin it!

Niño

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Arm position when pumping?

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Lee,

I have pump track envy! That just looks like so much fun.

I also have a question about arm/wrist position when pumping. I notice that some people cock/flex their wrist more at the grip that leads to a more elbows out position, and others keep their wrist more perpendicular to the bar and elbows more inline with their body. Which is correct? Or more effective?

Max

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Integrating bike and strength fitness?

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Our friend Lars has an interesting question about timing his Pump Up the Base and Prepare to Pin It training programs, plus integrating strength work.

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I know girth is important…but really?

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Lee,

Hey there! Its EJ from Tampa. I did a clinic with you at Mulberry Gap this spring. After the clinic I came back and really tried to process all of the great coaching and begin to apply it. As always it is a work in progress but I am definitely seeing results as I am finding better and cleaner lines on my local trails that I had always struggled to keep my composure.

Anywho, recently read your article on your clinic with Curtis Keene and your tire selections. Great stuff! It was timely as I am in the final stages of pulling the trigger on a new ride. I hate to say, that I am pretty convinced to get a big wheeler. Since I am smitten with my current Ibis Mojo SL, I have decided to get the Ripley with the new Cane Creek DB Inline rear shock and Pike 140 front fork. Since you have ridden with me, you know I am not race oriented and really want a capable and fun trail bike. With that being said, my questions are:

1.) In your experience, would a rider of my ability notice a significant difference riding carbon hoops? For reference I currently ride 26″ I9 Torch Trail 24 spoke aluminum wheelset.

2.) Current trends with carbon wheels have the inner width up to 35mm. For 2.3 tires is this overkill? What rim width do you see as the sweet spot for a 29er trail bike?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom you share!

Eric

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Cadence for hard intervals?

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Hi Lee.
I finished your Pump up the Base program (and loved it) and I’m now moving on to Prepare to Pin It. I do have a couple of RPM related questions:

Sprint Workouts: You mention the 5 seconds being “full gas” but you then recommend sets maxing out a 100 RPMs. I can definitely mix it up but I’m wondering how hard it should be shooting for ultimately.

Red workouts: Similarly, what RPM should I focus on to in the intervals to reach the desired power? In PUTB, you were very prescriptive on this which really helped. Since this affects my gear selection, I could use some guidance here as well.

Thanks for everything!! Not only is this helping me on the trail, but I’ve slimmed down which is great everyday!

Rene

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Power meter for Prepare to Pin It?

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Hi Lee,

I’m trying to do your Prepare to Pin It in-season training program, I just bought your book but I can’t really get it with the watt measurement. I have a Sigma Rox 9.1 cycle computer that ¨calculates¨
the watt I´m generating.
The power meter you refer to in your book is the one that goes in the crank?
Should I better go by bpm´s?

Thanks a lot for your time,
José

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