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Should I move my cleats back?

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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

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Slalom drills vs. figure 8 drills?

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What’s up Lee,
I just wanted to get your opinion on slalom drills through a row of cones on a flat surface. How does this type of drill compare to figure 8’s as far as development of cornering, pumping turns, and left hand turns? Is there anything beneficial to adding this drill to practice time or does it just get trumped by figure 8’s?

Mahalo,
Keoni

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Cotton kills. Right?

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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

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Setting rebound: the curb test?

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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

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Cornering with a high seat?

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Lee,

When doing the Lee trademark cone drills, you often show them being done with BMX, dirt jump bikes or a bike with a seat completely lowered.

Raising my seat into the normal position is awful. Everything that worked before is gone. It’s like trying to walk without bending your knees. So now what? Just get used to it and adapt? I can’t lower my seat for biomechanical reasons when I ride, so I need to make this step.

Stiffy McUpright

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Upper body armor for trail riding?

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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

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P.3 & Geax Saguaros for everything?

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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!

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Getting bucked: technique or equipment issue?

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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

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Dirt jumping with lots of suspension

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Hey Lee,

My bike has a Rockshox Lyrik 2-step on the front and a Fox RP23 on the back.

When dirt jumping should I set the Lyrik to short travel (and maybe turn pro pedal on) or just run with my normal downhill setup.

Cheers, Andrew

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Setting up a Marzocchi 888 ATA WC

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Hi Lee,

I have just bought the Marzocchi 888 ATA WC, 2008 model. I notice that there are a lot of conflicting thoughts of proper setup for it. I weigh 191lbs. How much air should I put in the upper and lower chambers respectively? The manual is not that clear on many of the settings. And do you have any other setup tips regarding this fork for DH?

Keep rocking this brilliant site!

Adrian

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DH tires on a hardtail?

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Hey Lee,

I’d been riding Specialized Chunders and Maxxis Minions on my freeride bike and absolutely love the DH/freeride treads for their cornering and braking/driving strength. However, due to some financial issues, I’ve recently had to switch back to my hardtail with Specialized Resolution tires. Since the switch, I’ve been more shaky in the
corners and more prone to skidding while braking. Would it be feasible to mount some beefier tires on a hardtail? Or should I just learn to ride the Resolutions (and save the $$ for the next big bike)?

Thank you,
Matt

P.S. Congrats on the twins!

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