29er hardtail vs. suspension?
Hey Lee,
Love your book, I have question, I am looking to buy a new bike next year I want a 29 er, should I go with a full suspension or a hard tail?
Questions, comments and criticisms
Minimum gear to try moto riding
Lee,
I don’t know if this is the appropriate venue for this question, but here goes. What are the minimum requirements to start riding motos? I have MTB DH stuff but I feel like that won’t cut it, safety-wise. I have access to a bike, but no gear. What should I get/borrow?
Thanks,
Brian Glass
When motos ruin your dirt jumps
Lee,
Me and my friends found an abandoned DJ spot in a clearing in the middle of a public park. We worked really hard to turn it into a sick DJ/pump track/free ride park with a wall ride ladder bridges and everything.
The problem is these fat kids on dirt bikes (with engines ya know) keep crushing down all of our lips…even filling in our gaps turning them to stupid table tops so they can ride them.
Is there anything we can build or do to prevent or discourage electric or gas powered dirt bikes?
Charlie
New shock for 2005 Enduro
Lee,
My 2005 Specialized Enduro Expert came with a 5th element air shock, 8.75 x 2.5. The shock now has no rebound damping and don’t think anyone services these shocks anymore. What options do I have?
Thanks,
Matt
24″ mountain bike or BMX cruiser?
Chris is riding dirt jumps and skate parks on his P.2, and he wants a lighter, more maneuverable machine.
Full face helmet for trail riding?
To cover your face or not: This question raises questions of safety, comfort and politics.
The Way of Looking Ahead
Hi Lee,
Hope you don’t mind answering a couple questions from more of a beginners perspective. The best piece of advice I got from your book is also the hardest one for me to consistently achieve – looking farther down the trail – especially on rocky technical climbs.
If I look at a rock before I pedal over it, I fall every time, look ahead and I pedal right over it. It’s totally counterintuitive – especially to someone 40 yrs old. Feels like I am forcing myself to constantly keep my head up and ignore potentially dangerous obstacles. The question is, is this simply psychological? It feels like when I look at an obstacle everything is the same, cadence, position on the bike etc.
Thanks, Mike
Extra-extra heavy fork spring?
Hi Lee,
I’ve got a question for you that I can’t find an answer for. Do you know of a source to get an extra-extra-heavy spring for a Fox 36 Van? The heaviest one Fox sells is for a weight range of 210-240 lb and I need one for a rider weight of about 275 lb. Any help you can provide would be most appreciated. Thanks!
Jennifer
2008 Stumpy vs 2008 Enduro SL – the debate continues
This guy lives on the East Coast and wants to motor through those perpetual up-and-down rock gardens. His needs are different from Big Mountain folks.
Should I switch my brakes to moto style?
Lee,
What do you think about setting up your Mtn bike brakes moto style? I started riding a Honda 250 in Dec. and I have been fortunate enough to be able to ride it twice a week. In between the days I ride the moto I’m on the mountain bikes. When I go from the moto to Mtn bike I’m fine, I feel completely comfortable however when jump from the Mtn bike to the Moto it takes me a while to get comfortable with the front brake.
It’s frustrating, I feel like I never really feel comfortable on the moto unless I ride two days in a row. I ride mostly track, Sand Hill & Club Moto and I can’t seem to get my braking done correctly before the turns.
Have you considered setting up your mtn bikes moto style? Or do you know any pros that set the bike up that way?
Thanks for all the years of good info,
Leo
What about my elbows?
Hi Lee,
I’ve found that for pumping and for initiating a turn, I have more power with my elbows up as in a bench press position (you’re like this in the pumping video you just put up). However when I’m about to hit something like a mess of roots, it’s easier to keep my fore/aft balance (and my weight on the bottom bracket) if my elbows are low. Does this mean I’m too tense when my elbows are up, or is this normal?
I looked through at the photos in your book and saw lots of arms low, but I see more elbows up riding on your website. Do you have any advice for arm position?
Thanks! Dan
2003 Enduro to 2008 Stumpy upgrade?
Hey Lee,
really appreciate the site and book…lots of good info.
The more I read your site the more I realize I just need to become a better rider and stop buying random crap that will ‘make’ me a better rider. The best upgrade I can get is a better me. That being said I’m slowly working on my bike kung-fu, and although I am probably not riding my bike to its fullest potential I cant get my eyes off a new stumpy.
Currently I’m riding a 03 enduro comp with everything replaced/upgraded (vanilla 32 r, juicy 7’s, canecreek wheelset, xt crankset, x-9 shifters/rear derailleur, ect.) ‘cept for the rear shock, seatpost, and obviously the frame….so tell me why I would or would not want to rock the pro stumpy frame and swap over all the components? Would the fork noticably/negatively compete with the rear suspension…?
I have a feeling there is still some things the ole enduro can teach me….but damn, that stumpy frame looks so friggin sweet!
thanks, rob