Send questions to lee@leelikesbikes.com

Do this now: Grease your seatpost

/11 Comments/in , /by

Hey Lee,
I think that I may have a serious problem with my bike. The thing is my seat post seams to be stuck inside the seat tube. I maniaged to pull it free but it took two of my buddies to free it. One holding down the bike and two twisting and pulling up on the saddle.

When it came out there was a lot of white powdery substance on and inside the seat post and down inside the seat tube. I suspect that it is a form of corrsion forming from the 2 dissimilar metals. My seat post is 7075 and my from is made form Kinesium Alum. What can I do about this?

Thanks alot, Chris

Read more

MTB Strength Training Program with a Bowflex?

/3 Comments/in , /by

Hi Lee,
I am VERY interested in getting James Wilson’s program. I’m not necessarily going to be racing again, but I need something to focus on so as to stay in shape (and being able to rip on trails is nice too). I thought I read some of his info on his site and he talked about lifting using real weights and doesn’t care for machines.

I prefer real weights as well, but I bought a Bowflex for its convenience (space and price). I live in a rural area and with kids and a two hour daily commute, so getting to a real gym is not really an option (excuses I know, but it is the reality of the matter). I guess what my question is, will I still be able to do his exercies with a Bowflex? Thanks for your time and how is the job search…I don’t remember reading anything. And, did you sell the house?
Justin
Read more

Bursting brake hose on DeVinci Remix

/1 Comment/in , , /by

Hey Lee,

Got “THE BOOK” and its having a positive impact on my riding just need to carve out more riding time! You’ve got me riding flats! Working on skills! Crazy stuff for a long time xc / clipless trail rider. (I can almost wheelie at will!) Anyways, I have a tech question – I have a 05 Devinci Remix and am lovin it for all types of riding.

The rear brake cable kinks and bursts when full travel is used regularly (my winter loop has 3 stair drops 3-4 ft to flat) my summer loops are trail rides so not an issue for most of my riding. Current fix thanks to my LBS is surgical tubing sleeve with loose zip ties – so far so good. Any other ideas in case this doesn’t hold?

Choclate

Read more

Random geometry questions

/in , , /by

Hey Lee.
Do longer chainstays give more traction and shorter ones slide easier, or is it the other way around? What other things affect the rear wheel’s traction and sliding abilities? Also, does a steeper head angle give the front wheel more traction just because it puts the rider’s weight more over the front wheel, or would a slacker head angle sometimes give better traction?
Thanks,
Alex

Read more

2003 Enduro suspension setup, Part Dos

/4 Comments/in , /by

Lee,

Thanks again for the great response!!! (2006 or 2007 TALAS for 2003 Enduro?) Just one more ???, With the taller fork and the lower BB height, how will the bike ride/feel just riding more XC type of stuff?? will it result in slower steering?? should I flip the link to the higher BB height? or just dial the fork to 120mm???

Also the Psylo that came with the bike, I thought it was sold as a 5″ travel fork?? 1″=25.4mm x 5 = 127mm… Or was it really more of a 4-4.5″ fork?! 🙂

Thanks again!

Brian Froeber

Read more

Spinning with flat pedals?

/3 Comments/in , /by

Hey Lee,
Looks like you had a great trip to Fruita and Grand Junction! I would like to know if you (well not you, normal human mountain bikers) can spin with platform pedals????
John

Read more

2006 or 2007 TALAS for 2003 Enduro?

/9 Comments/in , , /by

Lee,

I am finally settling on buying a Fox Talas RLC fork for my 2003 5″ travel Enduro. Now the 2007 Fox Talas goes right from 120mm to 140mm but the 2006 max’s out at 130.

Should I do a mad hunt for a 2006 Talas and stick to 130mm of travel, or bump it to 140mm in front with a 2007 Talas??? Will this slack the head angle too much??

Thanks!!

Brian

Read more

Training for cross country and triathlon

/1 Comment/in , /by

Hi Lee!

I have a training question for you. Is it possible to train for triathlon and cross country mountain biking in the same season? I’m a beginner mountain biker, and am racing cross country this season. My main goals for cross country are to gain fitness and endurance during the season and maybe move from the bottom of the pack to somewhere in the middle. I also like to do triathlon (which I’ve done before), and am going to do a sprint distance in May and an Olympic distance in August.

Any suggestions on how to train for both or if it’s even possible? Each time I mention swimming, or bring out the running shoes my mountain biking boyfriend gets a pained look on his face.

Thanks!
Elizabeth

Read more

How to lay a flat table

/9 Comments/in , /by


Hey Lee,
I’ve been doing freeride type riding for years now, and am fairly competent at jumping. I hit 35′ gaps and launch doubles like it’s nothing, but I cannot table to save my life! I have your book, but something just doesn’t feel right. I’ve tried them on straight out gaps, hips and a lot more, but no matter what I do, it seems to want to either stay level and just turn the bars or flatten out but my body does too!

Is there something I’m missing?

Trevor

Read more

Which clip-in shoes and pedals for DH/AM?

/4 Comments/in , , /by

hey lee,
quick question– i’m going to try to do clipless this year in time for sea otter and need to buy the setup. For shoes i am between the shimano DX, adidas hematoma, and specialized hybrid DH/AM shoe (forget what its called, around 200 bux). For pedals — mallet C’s, Times, or shimano DX. Any reccomendations as to what you have had good luck with? BTW I will be using them for DS/4X on a 07 yeti DJ and for DH on my demo, so all arounders would be great.
Thanks Lee,
Baxter
Read more

Arms in corners: pushing, pulling or what?

/6 Comments/in , /by


Hi Lee, great site and book.

Thanks to your tips my cornering has improved but I’m still not sure what to do with my arms, should they be relaxed, semi flexed or pulling upwards?

Thanks, Vito

Read more

Entry-level MTBs: Trek vs. GT vs. Specialized

/6 Comments/in , /by

Hi Lee,
I read a previous post GT Avalanche vs. and Specialized Hardrock (Jan 2006). I had looked at both prior to reading it, and really liked the Hardrock, too. But I was also considering a Trek 3700. Any opinion on that bike compared to the Hardrock?
Thanks.
-Pamela

Read more