Questions, comments and criticisms

XC racing on a 6-inch bike?

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Hello,

Love your book! I haven’t found anything better out there as far as teaching bike handling goes.

Anyways, I have a Giant Reign, a 6′ trail bike [sic]. However, I have recently become intrigued with the idea of trying my hand at college XC racing. Would it be silly to even try to enter a race with such a beastly (though surprisingly efficient for its size) bike? I have a crazy urge to try it, but I wonder if it would just be pure agony to make it through a race on one these bad boys. I wish they had Super D at the collegiate level. That would be perfect for me, I think. Thanks for your help!
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Pro DH Maxxis tire setups?

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Lee,

I wanted to know what tires Maxxis sponsored pros (Namely Sam Hill and Jared Graves) normally run: model, width and tire pressures.
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Bar-twisting madness

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Lee,

Whenever i land from going off of a jump my handle bars either go forwards a little or go back a little. what should i do? oh yea and i have tightened them as much as i could.
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Effect of longer fork?

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Lee,

What is your opinion on a manufacturer decreasing a bike’s head angle by adding a longer travel fork? Are the benefits the same as a bike with a slack head angle to begin with? Does this change how well the rear suspension works?
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What size SX Trail?

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hello lee,

I want to buy a Specialized SX Trail Frame. Will set it up with an Marzocchi 66 170mm fork. I dont know for what size i should decide. i’m 1,85 cm tall. My previous ride was a Santa Cruz Heckler in M. My riding is hard singletracks (rocky) and some shuttling in bikeparks and the alps.
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How does dual slalom racing work?

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Now that dual slalom is making a comeback, some of you newbies have been asking how it works. Well, here you go.
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Helmet cover to keep bugs out

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Good Morning Lee!

I got your email address from your column in the Boulder Daily Camera, and I’ve got a question from a coworker. She finally found a helmet that fits right & light, so she doesn’t want to buy a new one. Problem is bugs. She’s looking for some sort of a mesh helmet cover or something that will keep the bugs out of the helmet vents. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Fred

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FOX Vanilla, Float or TALAS?

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Lee,

I really want a 5″ Fox fork for my 2003 Specialized Enduro but CANNOT afford $700 for a new one. So what’s the difference between the Vanilla, TALAS and the Float??? Which would be a better match for the Enduro, and if I got a used one, what years are good?? And what were the improvements from like ’04, ’05, ’06?

thanks!! Brian

P.S. my budget would have to be about $300 unfortunately …
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Long or medium cage rear derailleur?

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Lee,

What is the difference in a med cage and long cage rear derailleur aside from the physical length? Where would you use the long as opposed to the med?

Thanks, Richard
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Which pump bike?

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Hey Lee.

I was wondering if you had any suggestions for a 14 year old girl, 5’7″, 140 lbs. pump track and free ride bikes. We kind of have a budget and can’t get too expensive. What bikes would you recomend?

And also, would a 20×30 space work for a small practice pump track? Or would we have to find a larger space?

– Cherilyn
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Which trail tires?

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max wrote:
I am wondering about tires. I have a 2.35 weirwolf team in front and a 2.25 moto raptor in back. In the rear the knobs are coming off and not much tread is left. In the front the treads are a little worn. I’m wondering what tires to get. I ride some loose trails, mostly dry trails and jumps, and some trails with tons of dry rocks. I would also like that they will last a good amt. of time, corner/turn like no other, not slip on rocks, and are fairly light.
-thank you from Max
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Gearing for DH race bike

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Hi Lee.

I have a Demo 9 that I use for DH racing. Right now I have 34t chainring and an 11-34 cassette. I want to switch to a road cassette. Which one should I use?
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