Learning to pump: Should I lock my suspension?
Yes, at least in the beginning. Read on:
Questions, comments and criticisms
Winter pumptrack madness (with video)
You can rock the pump without dirt — and even without wheels.
Shorter stem with more rise
Hi Lee: I’ve been feeling too stretched out and too far forward on my bike. I want to get a shorter stem but I have a Cannondale and they’re pretty expensive, so I want to get the right one. I have a 120mm stem now. Not sure if this is a daft question, but can you recommend what length I should go down to? I was thinking either 80 or 90mm. I guess it probably won’t make that much difference which… Thanks for any advice. Simon
Benefits of titanium coil spring?
Hi Lee,
I have a couple of questions about titanium springs for your rear shock. How much weight savings do they provide over a steel spring? and do they feel “plusher?” also, If i have a 500 lb steel spring and i wanted to get a ti spring, would i need to get a 500 lb ti spring? or do ti springs require a heavier or lighter “lb”. than steel?
Thanks, Matt
Effect of rebound damping on hopping and jumping
Lee,
I love your book and site. You really know how to break down riding skills into digestible bits.
Last weekend I was able to attend a suspension clinic with the guys at PUSH Industries, they are super knowledgeable and great guys. They took the time to review our suspension set ups and had me slow down my rebound on both my front and rear suspension.
They said that most riders ride with way too fast of rebound. I have found that the slower suspension has definitely helped me feel smoother on the pump track, but it is harder to get as much pop on bunny hops. What is your opinion on suspension dampening and what tips can you give me to improve my jumping on a full suspension bike with more dampening.
Also I can’t wait to buy MMBS II do you have an ETA on the date that it will be available.
Keep pinning it,
Dave
Inexpensive indoor trainer with a power meter
Hey Lee, you mentioned that you have a “cheapo Performance trainer with power meter”. What brand/model is this? The cheapest trainer with a power meter I can find is in the $1750 price range, which I wouldn’t really consider cheapo!
thanks…Rob
Handlebars: low, medium or high?
Lee, sweet bike and the MMBSii photo is pretty rad. (See what he’s talking about.)
Random question: bars. Low, med, high? Looking for something a little wider than my current setup and I remember being super-comfortable right away on your P-bike and the SX.
Eric (who did some skills clinics with Lee)
Embracing pedaling as a skill
Lee,
I’m at a loss with climbing while riding with friends…I just can’t push a bigger gear and I can’t spin a smaller gear fast enough to keep up on climbs…I can bomb the downhill single track just fine but when it comes to climbing I just get left in the dust…and it doesn’t matter if it’s fire road, technical climbing, or just non-tech single track…it makes me just want to shuttle so I don’t look so weak…very frustrating.
So I know part of the deal is overall fitness level…I need to ride more, but it doesn’t really seem to matter how much I ride I still can’t keep up on climbs. Also it doesn’t matter what bike I ride…I have a full on xc bike @ 25lbs and I have an all mountain 6″ travel # 34lbs and I still get left in the dust…so I tend to lean toward the 6″ for the DH fun factor but on longer 18+ miles rides I go xc (most of the time).
What do you suggest to help me climb in a larger gear and or just keep up on climbs? Please point me in the right direction.
Regards, Lance – Sacramento
Tricross brake chatter?
Hey Lee,
Congratulations on the twins, hope the family is doing well.
Lennard Zinn of VeloNews has written several recent articles addressing brake chatter on cross bikes. It sounds like 1-1/2-inch tapered forks help tremendously and several companies are moving in that direction (including Specialized on MTB and Road bikes).
I am wondering how the Carbon Tricross does with fork shudder when braking hard and is Specialized going to move to a tapered fork on the Tricross as they have done on the top of the line MTB and Road bikes?
Cheers and Happy Holidays!
Jafar
Which DH bike should I get? (again)
Dear Lee,
Recently I’ve been looking at the Yeti 303 RDH in a medium. I’m also looking at the demo 8 2010 in a small b/c of the shorter wheelbase than the medium demo.
Some of my reasons to get the yeti would be the adjustable geometry, shorter wheelbase, and longer tt? maybe (not sure if this is true). Some of the reasons why I would get a demo 8 would be that i have an 08 now so i’m familiar with it and the lower price ($400). I ride on the east coast so primarily the dh courses are through the trees and it’s a bit tighter. I’m just curious as to what you think I should do. I’ve been able to ride both bikes and like them both. Tough decision though. Any input that you have on either bike that would make you lean either way in which one you think I should get would be great.
Thank you, Billy
Pump track for downhill training?
hi…i have a question about pump track for fitness…if i train every day on pump track its can be a good train for fitness for downhill(skills , fitness , endurance) ???
i place far of the downhill tracks and i can ride just 2 times a week on there… a pump track can be a good choice for my train + gym ? how stuff of train u recomend? 5 laps full speed…or more…
obs: my pump track is only for bmx bikes because my garden is not too big for mountain bikes…
thanks a lot man…i see ur site many times to see the news
(sorry for my BAD english, im a brazilian and here we not use this language)
Dario
Jakarta pump track: Steeper berms?
Hi Lee, hope all is well… this is the little park that me and my partner designed in Jakarta-Indonesia. I have build the pump track following the guide from your book. Please have a look and tell me what you think of it? I’m planning to build another one on my friend’s backyard. Do you think the berms are not steep enough? I’ve always loose my front end on them as I get faster…. Thanks in advance