Questions, comments and criticisms

There’s a flashlight in my belly button

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Could you clarify one thing about the flashlight for me.
What I do not grasp so far is what the “flashlight – turning of the hips” does.
Judging from you remarks on skiing you know a thing or two about that as well. Being an enthusiastic skier myself, I have compared the position of carving a turn on skis with that on the bike. The only thing which seems to be different is the turning of the hips. As you surely know, during a turn on skis you try to keep your downward-pointing shoulder and hip back, so that you can keep the skis on their edges. So rotating the hips forward during a turn isn’t good on skis — why is it on the bike?
Or did I misunderstand something here?

Thanx a lot.

Ralf

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Is my stem stiff enough?

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Hi Lee, given that I strive for the lightest possible touch on the bars, how is important is stem stiffness?

My bike is used for racing XC, and the stem, which I think was really designed for a road bike, is 90mm.

Christopher (a skills client in Marin)

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Hardtail on Tunnel Trail?

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Lee,

Dunno who else to ask this question, if you’ve got a second, that’d be awesome.

I’m in Santa Barbara, CA on a family trip for the next week. I searched for the Tunnel Trail, since it’s the only one I’ve heard of and your site came up, like, 3rd on the search. Only got a 29er hard tail here (it lives at my parent’s house in Newport Beach). Was thinking of riding up Gibraltar road (since I guess that’s a pretty well known climb) and then down the trail. Will I die if I do this? I figure I can just be slow on the down. For comparison’s sake, I wouldn’t ride, say Keystone or Sol Vista with anything less than 6″ of travel (and DH tires for that matter), but I can’t think of anything on the Front Range that I couldn’t ride with a hardtail (including Left Hand OHV area — at least last time I rode it like 7 or 8 years ago)

Thanks,

Scott

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Pump the trail bike or get a 20?

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Dear Lee:
Love your stuff. The place I ride a lot just built a pump track, and after the snow melts it will be fully shred-able. Last year during building I had my Giant STP jump and pump bike stolen, and have not found it nor bought another one. I also own a 2009 Trek Fuel EX 8 with more all-mountain/freeride components (I am a smaller dude). Here is my question. This summer, I would love to be able to rip the pump track, and I am debating whether or not to buy a cheap BMX bike for around 250 to ride the pump track, or a shorter stem and bash gaurd to put on my Trek. I would make the shocks much stiffer on the Trek for pump riding. Should I save money and use my Trek, or bite the bullet and pay 250 for a BMX bike? Would a stiffer, shorter stemmed, low seat Trek Fuel EX 8 even work on a pump track? Thank you for your time.

Henry B

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What is the best pump track bike?

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Hi Lee,

how are you?

I’m writing from Italy and I have just a simple question: in your opinion, what is the best pump track bike?

many thanks in advance

best regards

Andrea

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Any reason not to get PUSHed?

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Lee,
I’ll lob you an easy one.

If my shock is overdue for servicing anyways, is there any reason not to have it PUSHed?

I only ask because I have no personal experience with PUSHed shocks and I don’t really know what I should expect with the service.

Thanks for your time!

Matt

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Looking for some baggy shorts

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I have a question Master. I’m in the market for a pair of Dude shorts but have no idea what I should look for. Any suggestions?
Petey

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I wanna build a 4X track

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Hi lee,

Bit of a pickle as to how to get started on our own 4x track. We are trying to find a used Bobcat to get us going. Is this a silly idea? The track will be in what is currently heavy scrub and we also plan to build a mini dual slalom, pump track and some slopestyle features. Do you know of any 4x track plans around that are proven winners?

Cheers
Jonny

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I can’t stop worrying about my pedals

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Hello Lee,

I have been going through some hard times lately with my riding.. started when I bought Crank Brothers Mallets and I couldn’t get in and out quick enough and took some hard hard tumbles.. I mainly ride technical trail in FL. one of which is Alafia.

I tried flats out found out I had re-learn how to pedal and be able to bunny hop…I am not confident on the jumps ie. foot slipping fear…I have been ridding clipless since 95′ and I am 45 if that matters.

clipless where fine untill recently I guess I stepped up the game and don’t do the XC ride any more… I just like going out playing around learning how to wheelie off of drops, pump , jumps etc…just having basic fun.

I just dremeled the cleats down a little bit to see if the engagement would be quicker as well as the disengagement. should I just buy a decent pair of flats and stick to them? I did buy some 5/10 impact lows..

I’m getting alot of feedback – most riders say stick to the clipless others say go to flats I have know gotten to point I am confused and on my rides all the focus and energy is going into this one nagging question – flats or no flats??

Hopefully you can set me straight!

Best Regards,
Joseph Vazquez III

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Bike for Ashland (and other Super Ds)

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Hi Lee,

How are the kids?

Going to Ashland this weekend for the DH and was thinking about running the SX Trail with lighter wheel set, 2.4 single ply Maxxis Ardent tires, 38t single up front, 12-26 tooth in back and clips opposed to flats. What do you think? Looking for some advice.

Christian Koblitz
General Manager
Carson Valley Country Club Restaurant & Bar

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I have an idea for a book

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Today I got an email from someone who has an idea for a unique bike-related book. She asked, “Do you have any suggestions about who I should talk to or how I should develop this idea?”

Here’s my reply:

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Should beginners start out on plush bikes?

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Hey Lee,
Here is a didactic question for you: Is it better for a beginner to start out on a bike that’s overkill for the trails they normally ride (e.g. a 6″ travel AM bike for tame trails) or is it best to learn on a less plush bike so they really must learn handling skills (assuming that person could afford to purchase either)? I kind of think the former is true…

My wife had a mid price hard tail and never made any progression in handling skills because going fast felt harsh and scary. She was afraid to try anything new, rode slowly and only on the easiest trails. Then she got a hand-me-down long travel AM bike. She was instantly more comfortable at speeds and started to venture into more technical terrain. And she got a lot better. Now she can take the hard tail out and rip and enjoys the added challenge of the smaller bike. So the plush bike was like training wheels that allowed her to learn how to ride.

Of course one could make the opposite argument, like why BMX riders are often so darn good at mountain biking.

I would love to know your thoughts-Thanks! Jake

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