Send questions to lee@leelikesbikes.com

Improving grip endurance for downhill and enduro

/3 Comments/in , /by

Lee,

I’m currently following PUTB and will be moving onto PTPI to prepare for next race season. I race DH and Enduro and have trouble with my grip in extra long runs. I have been tweaking my brake and cockpit setup over the last 4 months but know I will still have issues come race seasons on some of the longer descents. I am registering for a race in June with a 3500′ stage and I’m wondering if you have any advice on exercises to add in the gym (I already do lots of KBSs, Deadlifts, Chinups, and basic movements) to up my grip endurance.

Brian

Read more

Measurability of the Pump Up The Base training program?

/2 Comments/in , /by


Hi Lee

I was wondering about your Pump Up the Base program. Have you developed any indicators of training progress? Any sort of approximated chart of how much output one ought to be delivering? I don’t care how scientifically accurate it would be, knowing you I make am sure that you have enoug base of references. I just need some good point of reference and I am generally interested in your spinning. What I need is 1. A measuring tool. 2.Training program for pedalling that will compliment my lifting of metal objects.

Cheers!
Wacek

Read more

1x drivetrain for bikepacking?

/2 Comments/in , /by

I’m a fit 52 old on a 2007 3×9 26” Ibis Mojo planning to bikepack the Colorado Trail in July. The drivetrain has considerable wear, and probably needs to be replaced. Do I just stick with it or move to a more modern setup? I’m considering moving to 1X11, 30t front, 11-46 back. I know and don’t have issue with 50% HAB on this trail.

Any thoughts?

Ed

Read more

Straight seatpost verses setback post on Specialized bikes

/3 Comments/in , /by


Lee,

I noticed that you always run a straight seat on your Specialized bikes that come stock with setback posts. How does this affect your knee/pedal position and the size of bike that you choose? It seems to me that your knee would be pulled well over the front of the pedal (especially with shorter cranks) and you might choose a larger bike size because the cockpit is 3/4 inch shorter which is about 1 size. Am I wrong?

Thanks for your time,

Rob Linnenberger

Read more

Cul de sac kung fu: Eights of ignominy

/2 Comments/in , /by


Lee, besides off-season training/crosstraining, can you recommend some winter time bike related training that can be done so that we don’t lose skills? Considering that we have 18″ of snow on the ground?
Rob

Read more

I’m in great shape, should I skip base training?

/3 Comments/in , /by


Lee,
It’s getting time for me to begin the Pump Up the Base/Prepare to Pin It workout programs again.

This year, I put about twice as much time in the saddle as last year, and I think overall, my basic cardio/threshold endurance is still in good shape. I’m finding, though, that where I get gassed riding on the trails is riding up steep, technical terrain, where I have to really crank out multiple series of short bursts of pretty high-effort pedaling. Little efforts where you really have to red line it to clear rocks and roots, etc., while pedaling uphill.

So I was wondering what you think of this: Since my aerobic/threshold endurance has held pretty well over the last year, I was thinking that maybe I could double up on Prepare to Pin It. I was thinking I would do each week twice. (e.g., Do the first week, then do it again the following week; do week two, then do it again the next week, and so on, through week 12 for a total of 24 weeks.)

I know P2PI gets really intense, and that last four weeks have the potential to be miserable. Would I be hurting myself more than helping with this plan? Just wondering what your thoughts were on this.

Jim

Read more

Specialized Fuse instead of a Stumpjumper hardtail?

/2 Comments/in , /by


Hey lee

and thanks for your homepage and your enthusiastic cycling world 🙂

I ride stumpjumper evo ht at the moment and are considering buying the fuse 6fattie pro but im having doubt about the wheels and tires and the weight.

I ride all kind flat gravel, singletrack, xc and trips with my kids in a troller so i need a bike for everything 🙂

Do you think it will to heavy ?? And how does the fuse pro handling climbing ??

I live in a very small mtb country and the fuse is no where to found so i have to order it overseas in the United Kingdom.

Best regards Rasmus from denmark

Happy Trails !
Rasmus

Read more

Does the LLB online MTB school really work?

/0 Comments/in /by


Hi Lee
Just wanted to really know, will this actually work. (No disrespect intended)
I mean with no coach physically watching, how will I know if I am doing something wrong?
Cheers
Willy H
Invercargill
New Zealand

Read more

Plus tires for XC and endurance racing?

/2 Comments/in , /by

Lee,

How do +tires fit in for someone who does XC and endurance races? That is the rub for me, I participate in several XC and endurance races throughout the year.

Gary

Read more

Air pressure for 6Fattie (27.5 plus) tires

/7 Comments/in , , /by


This comment was posted on Two rides on a Specialized Fuse Expert 6Fattie

I rode the Stumpjumper 6Fattie and thought it was fun on the technical climbs, I loved the way it leveled the trail trash. As soon as I pointed it down a rocky technical descent I felt like I was sledding on a tractor inner tube. The bike was bouncing all over the trail, no precision with the undamped bounce from the tires. I literally bounced off my line at one point and almost ate it.

I had pressure set at 14F/15R and did not experiment with it. Who knows what pressure I really had as it seems all gauges read differently. Anyway I wonder how more pressure would have made things feel. I felt the tires folding in turns when pushing hard too.

Ron

Read more

Is cornering unique on a sketchy CX course?

/0 Comments/in , /by


Lee,

One quick question: Cyclocross is starting up, and my CX skills are better than ever because of our work with the MTB! But I was wondering, in deep mud or sand, should I just corner the same way that I do under good conditions (for example, screwing the bike), or is there a different technique for mud or sand?

Karl

Read more

Which size Evil Insurgent should I get?

/0 Comments/in , /by


Hey Lee! I was wondering if I could tap into your bike fitment expertise? I am looking at getting an Evil Insurgent, and I feel like I am right between a L and XL. Any tips or input would be greatly appreciated! I am 6’2″ tall with normal proportions. I like to ride DH and aggressive trail.

James O.

Read more