Full face helmet for trail riding?
To cover your face or not: This question raises questions of safety, comfort and politics.
Send questions to lee@leelikesbikes.com
The Way of Looking Ahead
Hi Lee,
Hope you don’t mind answering a couple questions from more of a beginners perspective. The best piece of advice I got from your book is also the hardest one for me to consistently achieve – looking farther down the trail – especially on rocky technical climbs.
If I look at a rock before I pedal over it, I fall every time, look ahead and I pedal right over it. It’s totally counterintuitive – especially to someone 40 yrs old. Feels like I am forcing myself to constantly keep my head up and ignore potentially dangerous obstacles. The question is, is this simply psychological? It feels like when I look at an obstacle everything is the same, cadence, position on the bike etc.
Thanks, Mike
Extra-extra heavy fork spring?
Hi Lee,
I’ve got a question for you that I can’t find an answer for. Do you know of a source to get an extra-extra-heavy spring for a Fox 36 Van? The heaviest one Fox sells is for a weight range of 210-240 lb and I need one for a rider weight of about 275 lb. Any help you can provide would be most appreciated. Thanks!
Jennifer
2008 Stumpy vs 2008 Enduro SL – the debate continues
This guy lives on the East Coast and wants to motor through those perpetual up-and-down rock gardens. His needs are different from Big Mountain folks.
Should I switch my brakes to moto style?
Lee,
What do you think about setting up your Mtn bike brakes moto style? I started riding a Honda 250 in Dec. and I have been fortunate enough to be able to ride it twice a week. In between the days I ride the moto I’m on the mountain bikes. When I go from the moto to Mtn bike I’m fine, I feel completely comfortable however when jump from the Mtn bike to the Moto it takes me a while to get comfortable with the front brake.
It’s frustrating, I feel like I never really feel comfortable on the moto unless I ride two days in a row. I ride mostly track, Sand Hill & Club Moto and I can’t seem to get my braking done correctly before the turns.
Have you considered setting up your mtn bikes moto style? Or do you know any pros that set the bike up that way?
Thanks for all the years of good info,
Leo
What about my elbows?
Hi Lee,
I’ve found that for pumping and for initiating a turn, I have more power with my elbows up as in a bench press position (you’re like this in the pumping video you just put up). However when I’m about to hit something like a mess of roots, it’s easier to keep my fore/aft balance (and my weight on the bottom bracket) if my elbows are low. Does this mean I’m too tense when my elbows are up, or is this normal?
I looked through at the photos in your book and saw lots of arms low, but I see more elbows up riding on your website. Do you have any advice for arm position?
Thanks! Dan
2003 Enduro to 2008 Stumpy upgrade?
Hey Lee,
really appreciate the site and book…lots of good info.
The more I read your site the more I realize I just need to become a better rider and stop buying random crap that will ‘make’ me a better rider. The best upgrade I can get is a better me. That being said I’m slowly working on my bike kung-fu, and although I am probably not riding my bike to its fullest potential I cant get my eyes off a new stumpy.
Currently I’m riding a 03 enduro comp with everything replaced/upgraded (vanilla 32 r, juicy 7’s, canecreek wheelset, xt crankset, x-9 shifters/rear derailleur, ect.) ‘cept for the rear shock, seatpost, and obviously the frame….so tell me why I would or would not want to rock the pro stumpy frame and swap over all the components? Would the fork noticably/negatively compete with the rear suspension…?
I have a feeling there is still some things the ole enduro can teach me….but damn, that stumpy frame looks so friggin sweet!
thanks, rob
Pump technique: Arms, legs or what?
Nice video Lee. Viewing it, I have a couple of questions about pumping that I’ve been wondering about for a while.
In my own efforts to pump, I’ve been able to generate my most effective action through my arms and the front wheel. In reading about pumping, however, I’ve always got the impression that I should be gaining more power from my legs.
Now in your video, it appears to me that you are pumping this section mostly through our arms, with relatively little leg motion. Could you comment on the relative importance of arm vs leg pumping? Thanks.
Scott
Apples and oranges: Mavic 823 vs. Syncros DS28 rims
Lee,
I am looking to build a new wheel set for my Demo 7. I have narrowed the rims down to Syncros DS28 and Mavic 823. Do you have any input regarding either of these? I am trying to stay on the lite side.
Postponing surgery
Lee,
I just read a bit out of your shoulder chronicles, and as it turns out I find myself in exactly the same position, almost. I didn’t break any bones but I have torn all the ligaments that connect my clavicle and scapula. I can ride but only feel about 75 percent right now, but I am still competitive (I took forth in DS at Chalk Creek last weekend in Expert 19-30) which deepens my mental strife.
I am looking full on at throwing away everything I have worked toward this year if I have surgery now, not to mention work and such, or I can limp through the season, risk the possibility of further injury and get cut up in the fall.
I have been talking to a lot of people trying to figure this out, and just wanted to know what your decision was and why. My goal for the season is to be in semi-pro by next year, and even with my injury it looks like it might be possible so I am having a really, really hard time trying to figure out what to do. Your two cents would be greatly appreciated.
Dan
Yeti 575 vs. AS-R 7?
Lee
GREAT site! Love it! If you have time for a quick question I would love your insight. Living in Texas good first hand information on mountain biking is no easy to find. =) I use to race moto x in the pro class for years just local with few national races nothing huge but I have experience on two wheels.
My cousin Chris Myers of Colorado Springs races DH etc he was sponsored by Brodie Bikes for a while.
MY QUESTION: I will be visiting him in Aug and do some riding. I’m 6’0 175lbs he told me to go ahead and plan on getting a the Yeti 575. I have seen the new Yeti ASR-7 I did read your article about the 575 vs the ASR. Do you have any insight on the AS-R 7 I e-mailed Yeti and they said it would be out July 2008. I found this article but would like your input: http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/yetis-dramatic-new-seven-up-close-12577
James Robertson
Tips for 4X racing
Lee,
I’m starting 4X and would like some tips. Like start technique, general technique, specific technique. ( I like technique.)
techniquetechniquetechniquetechniquetechniquetechniquetechnique
techniquetechniquetechniquetechniquetechniquetechnique!
Thanks, Michael (technique) McClean