Scalpel in the middle, chainsaw on the sides
In the post about the new Specialized Slaughter tire, which comes in 650B and 29 sizes, David asked:
“Hi Lee – do you have any suggestions for similar 26″s out back? I love this concept!”
Questions, comments and criticisms
After one skills session …
Our friend Keith, a Cat 1 XC racer with legs that were crushing but skills that were disappointing, has signed up for 20 hours of skills sessions.
In session #1 we covered the basics, laid down some baseline metrics (time trials!) and plucked some low-hanging fruit.
Keith raced the following weekend. Here’s what he said:
Butcher vs. Purgatory for the front?
In the post Early impressions: Specialized Slaughter tire, Tjaard asked:
“What is your feeling on the Butcher vs Purgatory for the front?”
Speed ladder for MTB?
Hi Lee,
Thanks for Pump Up The Base, I rocked it last winter and now I am gaining the benefits (aside from the leg speed, “climbing” on a trainer helped my posture while climbing).
My question is, does the speed ladder help in MTB? I came across a speed ladder and I thought that the foot speed(?) and agility exercises were nice and since I do MTB, maybe I can incorporate it to my training.
Pin it!
Niño
Arm position when pumping?
Lee,
I have pump track envy! That just looks like so much fun.
I also have a question about arm/wrist position when pumping. I notice that some people cock/flex their wrist more at the grip that leads to a more elbows out position, and others keep their wrist more perpendicular to the bar and elbows more inline with their body. Which is correct? Or more effective?
Max
Integrating bike and strength fitness?
Our friend Lars has an interesting question about timing his Pump Up the Base and Prepare to Pin It training programs, plus integrating strength work.
First XTERRA win for a kung fu student!
Hey Lee, I don’t know if you remember me, I attended the Utah clinic you guys put on last spring … anyway, my daughter and I have been on the trails almost every day since then, always yelling out whatever Lee taught us that the other is not doing … I finally won my age group at an XTERRA, on the most technical course I’ve done. I still can’t keep up on 4,000 ft of climbing because I am 30-40 lbs heavier then the other guys, but the technical riding and more punchy climbs are mine. I have gotten to the point of zero hand callouses, no wrist pain, and no arm fatigue from death gripping the bars. I think about what you taught daily, and still go back and read your books fairly often. Thanks for taking the effort to single me out and give me some help.
Carl
I know girth is important…but really?
Lee,
Hey there! Its EJ from Tampa. I did a clinic with you at Mulberry Gap this spring. After the clinic I came back and really tried to process all of the great coaching and begin to apply it. As always it is a work in progress but I am definitely seeing results as I am finding better and cleaner lines on my local trails that I had always struggled to keep my composure.
Anywho, recently read your article on your clinic with Curtis Keene and your tire selections. Great stuff! It was timely as I am in the final stages of pulling the trigger on a new ride. I hate to say, that I am pretty convinced to get a big wheeler. Since I am smitten with my current Ibis Mojo SL, I have decided to get the Ripley with the new Cane Creek DB Inline rear shock and Pike 140 front fork. Since you have ridden with me, you know I am not race oriented and really want a capable and fun trail bike. With that being said, my questions are:
1.) In your experience, would a rider of my ability notice a significant difference riding carbon hoops? For reference I currently ride 26″ I9 Torch Trail 24 spoke aluminum wheelset.
2.) Current trends with carbon wheels have the inner width up to 35mm. For 2.3 tires is this overkill? What rim width do you see as the sweet spot for a 29er trail bike?
Thanks in advance for any wisdom you share!
Eric
Cadence for hard intervals?
Hi Lee.
I finished your Pump up the Base program (and loved it) and I’m now moving on to Prepare to Pin It. I do have a couple of RPM related questions:
Sprint Workouts: You mention the 5 seconds being “full gas” but you then recommend sets maxing out a 100 RPMs. I can definitely mix it up but I’m wondering how hard it should be shooting for ultimately.
Red workouts: Similarly, what RPM should I focus on to in the intervals to reach the desired power? In PUTB, you were very prescriptive on this which really helped. Since this affects my gear selection, I could use some guidance here as well.
Thanks for everything!! Not only is this helping me on the trail, but I’ve slimmed down which is great everyday!
Rene
Power meter for Prepare to Pin It?
Hi Lee,
I’m trying to do your Prepare to Pin It in-season training program, I just bought your book but I can’t really get it with the watt measurement. I have a Sigma Rox 9.1 cycle computer that ¨calculates¨
the watt I´m generating.
The power meter you refer to in your book is the one that goes in the crank?
Should I better go by bpm´s?
Thanks a lot for your time,
José
“Downgrading” to a rigid single speed?
Hi Lee,
I’m only asking because I highly value your opinion!
As an adult sometimes I have to make adult decisions. In the next few months we are looking to move and bit a bigger house, so I’m thinking of freeing up some cash by selling my current ride. It’s not imperative that I do it, but it would help a bit.
I would still want something to ride in the meantime, and I don’t want an entry level bike necessarily. Looking at some options and the Crave SL single speed looks interesting and a good price. It might be fun and a new realm to try something like this for my FL XC trails.
What do you think, is having a single speed as an only bike for a few months a good idea? Is it possible to still pursue some off season structured training and continue pump up the base and later PTPI?
Thank you!
Greg
How should I pump a 180 berm?
Hi Lee,
I’ve been working hard on your different pumping techniques in Pro BMX Skills (really like the detail of the different techniques). I finally have a pump track near me and there’s been a massive improvement since I started riding it. The bit I’m struggling with is my entry to the 180 degree berm, at the end of the track. I’m always losing speed on it, when others are gaining speed. Should I be unweighting over the entry roller, then one slow pump down the backside of the roller and round the berm? Or should I pump the backside, unweight again, then pump the berm?
I gotta say, riding a pump track is proving very beneficial for my overall riding. I’m off to Fort William in the morning for the World Cup, so I imagine I’ll see some good pumping technique there. 🙂
Thanks,
Andy