The ideal pump track bike
Someone asks this question every five minutes. As with all things, the answer depends on your style:
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Questions, comments and criticisms
Geometry for pump track bike?
Lee,
Thanks to your e-book digging has commenced (who really needed a garden anyway). I have a lot of tight radius turns and was curious if going with a shorter wheel based (42″ish) bike would help? Does a slack head angle say 67-68 ride a lot different than say a 69-70deg. I guess looking for the ultimate Geometry #s for a pump track machine. Thanks!
Marshall
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Tires for German gravel?
Hi, Lee.
I’ve been living in Germany for three years now. My favorite trails have loose gravel in a lot of places. I can feel my tires get kind of loose on the turns and I’m wondering if there is a tire that really sticks in gravel.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
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Enduro SL: Great bike, iffy wording
This reader wants to know whether 1. Specialized has built his dream bike and 2. what they mean by “yaw.”
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Specialized suspenson on Enduro SL?
Lee,
Is [your new Enduro] the one that’s carbon and uses Specialized’s proprietary shocks and forks?? If it does, my question is how good is it, and aren’t companiess like Fox not going to like it since that’s one bike their stuff isn’t going on?? Or is that just ONE model and all the others will still get off the shelf 3rd party shocks and forks??? And lastly, if I had a Specialized fork and shock on my Enduro, do they let you put another brand of fork/shock on there if I choose??
ok ok… too many damn questions!!! 🙂
take care,
Brian
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Front derailleur fu: ditch my mechanic?
Hi Lee,
I have a 2006 Stumpjumper FSR Comp. I love the bike ‘cept for one thing: the Deore LX front Derailleur will not drop into the granny ring under a load (my 175lb load…) The mechanics at my LBS tell me it is tuned perfectly, but all they are doing is riding around the parking lot where of course it works fine. Nothing is worse than railing a nice turn into a steep climb, trying to drop the chain…please, puh-lease, ohhh Gawd Puh-leeeease drop, only to have it stick in the middle ring. Find a different mechanic or ditch it for XT or SRAM?
Michael
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Leaning: street motos vs. mountain bikes
Hi, Lee.
I just went through your book, and I have a question. I was wondering why motorcycle road racers always get off their seats to the inside (trying to keep the bike vertical) in corners, but mountain bikers do the opposite?
Cheers,
Eric
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Seat adjustment and bearings on SX Trail?
Lee,
I am considering purchasing an SX Trail Frame and I would like to hear your thoughts on the durability of the Specialized Pivot Bearings and the seat height adjustability with the interrupted seat tube design. The SX looks like there might be 4 inches or so of adjustment. I currently ride an 03 5 Spot that I love. I really like the bushing pivots. BTW, you have a great website and I appreciate all the info you out out.
Thanks,
John
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DJ and FR: HT or DS?
hey lee,
i’m thinking about buying a bike (mainly for jumps and drop offs), should i buy a hardtail or a bike with front and back suspension.
Robbie
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The Mysterious Tearing Valve Stem
Our man Ed in Whistler presents an interesting case:
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Stem length/rise for a trail bike
Hey Lee,
I love the book — every time I ride, I pick out something to work on and try to nail it. But I’m curious…
I want to try a shorter/higher stem to improve my descending and (small) drops. The book says to try 40-70mm and 10-15 degree rise for this purpose. My bike (a large Stumpjumper FSR) came with a 105mm, 8 degree stem. Since I live in NorCal and still have to be able climb for hours after this swap, I went to a shop to look for a 70mm, 15 degree stem. The shop told me I was crazy — they said that was a huge change and I’d regret it. I wound up buying a 90mm, 10 degree stem, which they swear will be perfect for me.
So are those figures you quoted for a freeride bike or something? How short and high can you go on a trailbike without ruining the all-purpose handling? Or should I go tell the shop Lee and I respectfully disagree with their advice?
Thanks Lee… keep it coming…
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Attack of the race-day nerves
Hey Lee…
I race DH, and recently I find my nerves get the better of me during my race runs. My last race I did, I thought my legs were going to give out 1/4 of the way down the racecourse and felt like I had no more gas in the tank.
My practice runs usually go very well…but as soon as the pressure of doing well in my race runs…it just seems my mind takes over. Do you have tips on how to handle the pressure of racing.
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