Send questions to lee@leelikesbikes.com

Increasing front travel from 110 to 120mm?

Lee,

I’ve had a chance to digest your RideLogic bike setup method and calculations (RideLogic Bike Setup System), and my bike is dialed.

One last geo question for you. While not directly related to your calcs, I’m looking to upgrade my fork to a Pike and the nearest stock size to mate with my 2013 Camber Comp is 120 mm. My Camber model came spec’d with a 110 mm Reba. I’m wondering if the Pike’s additional 10 mm of travel would noticeably throw off my bike’s geometry? My goal isn’t really to add 10 mm of travel, but rather to upgrade to a much better fork. To stick with 110 mm likely means a special order or having to order a non-standard airspring. Thoughts?

Brian

Read more

Ohlins suspension and a Stumpy 6Fattie for enduro?


Hi Lee, two more questions about the stumpjumper fsr 6 fattie, What do you think of the Ohlin shocks? and do you think it would be a good enduro bike I am planning on tackling a few enduro races, I currently have the camber with a 130 mm rockshox pike on the front and love this bike but not sure it can handle enduro racing.

Thomas

Read more

Quick look at this Columbian pump track design


Dear Lee,
We recently bought your book “Welcome to pump track nation.”
We live in the countryside, about 30km away from Bogotá, in Colombia.
Our son, Rafael, is a 17-year-old enduro rider and he had a few months ago, the great idea of building a pump track.
We would really like you to help and guide us. We have a pump plan already but it would be great if you could take a look at the land we have for this purpose, and give us your precious opinions and tips.
Thank very much and we hope to hear from you very soon!
Paula, Enrique and Rafael

Read more

Upgrading an original Specialized P1


Hi, Lee

Recently inherited an Original Specialized P1.

Just out of curiosity did you keep yours? Are they worth keeping if one was upgraded with nicer components for their time?

Would it be worth going all out and upgrading to newer/lighter/stronger more today’s components?

The one we have the “naked lady” is still pretty cherry while everything else has since rubbed off. Wasn’t at all ridden hard, too.

Thanks for your time,

Joe
Martinez, CA.

Read more

Where should I put my foot on the pedal?


Lee,
Where is the ideal place to put the pedal under my foot? Should it be more under the ball of my foot or in the middle of my arch?
Chris

Read more

Manualing and hopping a Specialized Fuse

Lee
How well does the Fuse manual and bunny hop? I ride a Chromag 26″ Hard tail. It is a great bike to mix in some trials type moves. The down side is the 27.2 dropper seat post options. The Fuse looks like the best of both worlds with the traction it has.
Thanks
John

Read more

Pinning it on narrow, grass-lined trails


Hi Lee,

I am enjoying your advice on your website. Any advice on how to focus and go fast on narrow trails with grass growing along them (ie Colorado Roaring Judy in Crested Butte)? I feel very confident on rooty, technical trails but as soon as enter into a narrow, foliage-lined trail I get concerned on hitting the front wheel on the trail’s edge then flip. Any advice?
All the best

Daniel

Read more

Help my switchbacks! – Quickie answer

Hi Lee,

Hope all is well. As I am pinning down my XTERRA training for this upcoming season in May, I’m still at a loss with cornering going downhill on tight switchbacks. Right now, I don’t have the confidence to lay off the brakes when I’m in the apex of the turn. Granted, I don’t death-grab the brakes in the middle of the apex, but right now, I have to lightly/feather it in the middle of the apex. I know you said (at Moab and in your book) to lay off the brakes in the middle of the apex and to trust (as well as low, look, lean, turn).

Any advice and parking lot/grass field drills would be greatly appreciated. I feel that cornering is one of the things that is limiting my mountain bike skills.

By the way, XTERRA training is going well. Pump the base, F6 and strength/functional fitness (with a good coach) has been keeping my fitness sharp for the trails as well as with my road biking buddies. I will take you up on Prepare to Pin It later this season.

Thank you!

Neil

Read more

Tire upgrade for 2012 Stumpy Expert 29?


Lee
I have the same Stumpjumper Expert 2012 you have. Mine has original shocks and has carbon Roval rims Been riding a 2.3 Ground Control front and 2.1 Captain rear. I have a 2.4 Purgatory I could put on front and move the Ground Control to rear.

My friends have 27.5 Nomads etc. We ride freeride. Could get Maxxis DHR front and DHR rear. Is that a good setup for my Stumpjumper 29? Roots and freeride with dry hardpack and loose pine needles.

Riding in Hawaii. Whats the best thing to upgrade this bike in tire handling to 2016 standards? Thanks, Jason

Read more

Learning to shred in the flatland


Hi Lee, I go to school in a relatively flat area, Southern Illinois, which only has easy cross country trails around. I feel like I prefer Enduro riding style and want to ride more trails with drops and jumps. But in this area there are no places I can even practice jumping and I can’t ride jumps or drops well when I actually travel to some places occasionally. What do you think I can do to practice my jumping skill? I can’t afford buying another bike or something.

Bruce

Read more

How is this jump?

Hello Lee,

This weekend I went to Rockville in California. There was a really cool jump there, and I took a video of it (link below). Can you watch the video and tell me if there is any thing I need to work on?

Ryan P.

Read more