Questions, comments and criticisms
Lee, I am looking to convert my ’05 Gary Fisher GED into a better pump track / dirt jump rig. The main thing is the fork, right now it has a 130mm Marzocchi Drop-Off. I’m thinking of swapping it for a 100mm fork, like the Marzocchi 4X. What other forks should I be considering? Anything else you would recommend to make this bike BRAAAP! on a pump track?
Thanks for the cool site, Tom
Hey Lee, I have a Giant VT2 which runs a Manitou 3-way rear shock. It will cost me a bit to get it serviced and change all of the parts….ok…I just needed an excuse to upgrade. I’ve been looking at the Fox RP23, my questions are:
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Hey Lee,
A little bike maintainance question concerning the hub/pawl drive assembly on modern mtb wheels like mavics or azonic outlaws, etc. Since these wheels have sealed bearings, should you put any lubrication inside the freewheel or on the drive pawls? If so, should I use grease, oil, or what? (It seems like the lubricant just attacts dirt to me) Or should I just clean everything and leave it dry? After all the bearings in the wheel are sealed. Also, what about the skewers? Grease them or leave them clean and dry? Hope you can solve this mystery for me?
Walt
Hey Lee,
I like wearing Vans Old Skool shoes when riding but the sole is pretty flexy. Is there a stiffer insert that I could put in to make it flex less? The stiffer inserts I have seen aren’t full length which I think would work the best. Any ideas?
Thanks, Brian
Hey Lee,
I just donated my 10-year-old hardtail Cannondale mtn bike (fully upgraded to xt over the years) to force myself to buy a new bike. Who knew it would be so hard to let go, she just fit perfectly. I’m noticing full suspension bikes just don’t fit the same.
Anyways, I’m looking at three bikes essentially. The ’07 ($1800) or ’08 ($2100) Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp and the ’08 (2100) Giant Trance X1. I’ve currently been riding primarily xc with no drop offs greater than 2-3′. I really like technical riding and having a bike I can really maneuver around. Porcupine Rim in Moab has been my most challenging/favorite ride to date.
Cheers, Ryan
Lee,
I read that squarer tyre profiles are grippier than more rounder profiles. How much truth is there is this?
I normally run 2.1 tyres on a Mavix XM117 rim – how wide a rim would I have to run to: 1) get a noticably squarer profile on my 2.1 tyres? 2) sensibly run a 2.3 tyre?
Thanks, Don
Hi Lee,
Here’s a question for you or other readers out there. What do you recomend to make wooden surfaces less slick in a damp environment? I’ve seen chicken wire but I worry about sharp edges puncturing tires and people, especially after some rusting.
Tjaard
Short answer: Yes.
Lee,
I really dig your website and all the solid advice and especially all the good pump track action.
I recently built up a new dirt jumping bike with an azonic steel head frame which has classic dirt jumping geometry. I got a great deal on a new fox vanilla rlc 32 fork.
This bike rides great on trails and really soaks up bigger drops. I haven’t gotten a chance to jump it yet since there is still lots of snow around as Flagstaff Arizona is at 7000ft. Is such a tall fork going to be a problem dirt jumping?
BRAAAAP
Jay Holt
Flagstaff, Arizona
Lee,
The city I live in just opened its first skate/bmx park. I really want to learn some bmx riding, I have been a mountainbiker for about 12 yrs. I never had the opportunity to try bmx when I was younger, I am 44 and have never ridden a bmx bike. Which style of bike would you recommend? 20″ bmx, 24″ bmx, or something like a P series from Specialized? Thanks!
Jeff
Hi Lee,
I just got myself a 2008 GT Avalanche 2 2 months ago and now I’m planing to upgrade the fork. I’m looking into 2008 Marzocchi 55ATA2 and 2008 Fox 36 Talas for all mountain and DH rides.
Could you kindly advise which fork is more suitable? I heard FOX have issue with the seal from my LBS.
Thanks. Skyler