Questions, comments and criticisms

Think fast. Now think faster.

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Hello Lee. I learned something. It is good to realize that almost every berm has a pressure point where one executes hip hinge for grip and release of The Force. But there is a deeper level… if one goes fast enough, the application hip hinge takes so much time that the bike can ride at least 3ft from neuromuscular impulse to tyres reaching max pressure. Therefore one who is aware of that pressure point should aim slightly further and at the same time push earlier… does that make me an adept of higher order or an overthinking idiot?

Either way, that realization made me awesome riding the weekend…

Wacek K.

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How does an Australian dad get an Enduro SX?

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Hi Lee,
 
Couldn’t help but notice you have an Enduro SX slalom bike. How does one go about getting a frame?
 
All my riding life I’ve dreamt of a full suspension slalom bike. I still don’t really know what I’d do with it, but I still want one.
 
I know they are a few years old now, but they are shrouded in mystery. All the Specialized dealers I’ve spoken to tell me that I must be thinking of the P.Slope. I’m not. One dealer who is very well connected tells me that he doesn’t have access to U.S. stuff anyway – impossible.
 
Last week I was looking fairly seriously at getting a Commencal VIP ABSOLUT SX 26 until I realised it was a 4kg frame and needed DH bottom bracket and hubs. The signature frame of a 120kg superhero, might be a bit much for a 64kg dad to ride in the backyard.
 
Was the Enduro SX only one production run in 2013-2014? Are they available over there? What do you have to do to get one etc?
 
Hope you guys are well,

Chris

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A pump track fit for a prince

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Hi Lee, I’m Kinley from the small kingdom of Bhutan.

I love mountain biking. We built a small pump track which is first of its kind here in Bhutan for the prince who is also very interested in mountain biking and is also a friend of ours. I have heard about you and your expertise and seen videos and also subscribed on your channel so we can learn more from your generosity.

I’m sending a picture and please do comment and let us know if it is okay.

This is the starter project. We will be building a bigger one for the public and the youth over here. We are just amateur mountain bikers and trail builders. Hoping to hear from you.

Cheers
Kinley

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Pump Track Nation: Black Forest, Germany

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Hey Lee,

Last year I bought your eBook Welcome to Pump Track Nation.

This year I started with the project “our own pump track in our garden.”

I wanted to thank you. Your ebook was really helpful and answered a lot of questions that I had.

Attached you will see the result. Maybe I will cover the track with better dirt, but the track works and my kids like the track.

Thank you for your ebook.

Kind regards from the Black Forest, Germany.

Meini H.

Meini!

Thanks for reaching out.

This is a beautiful track. I like all the line options, and the shapes look very good. It’s amazing what you can do with small rollers.

Have fun!

Lee

XC racing: Should I use race tires or trail tires?

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Lee, my frugal ass bought Mastering Mountain Bike Skills 3rd Edition instead of waiting for it at the library. I ride a Pivot Mach 429 Trail and it’s versatile enough for general trail riding and XC racing. I live in New England. I have a set of 2.35 Vittoria Barzos on now for some upcoming races, both are which have a lot of climbing. However, on the front they’re sketchy for me especially compared to my Schwalbe Hans Dampf I use for trail riding. Do I just go with what I’m more comfortable with or any specific tips on riding with a front race tire. Thanks.

John K.

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400 pounds for a dirt jump bike?

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Hi Lee,

Hope you have to time to offer some help 🙂

I’m new to dirt jumping. I went out twice yesterday for the first time, Having ridden extreme XC/enduro I now want to jump. Thing is I have to be careful. I’ve been out twice with pal on his jump bike and have tackled some doubles. Im 48 and have to be careful, I don’t bounce like I used to. Hence Im never gonna jump massive.

Im 6ft 1 and range between 13 and 13.5 stone. Will 100mm travel be adequate for me?

What about this then? I never land heavy, in fact incredibly light but yesterday afternoon I nearly lost it 3 times on landing. How I stayed on only God knows. My pal runs 80psi which I think is crazy. On the morning session the pressure was fine but on the afternoon the ground was wet, soft and slippery. If I am slightly off, do you think 80psi would have reduced my grip and caused me to wobble to the extent where I nearly fell off?

Ideally I’d like to spend about 400 on a second hand bike, will this get me something decent?

What should I look for in terms of spec when considering a purchase. Things which are a must, things to avoid etc?

Thanks in advance if you have the time.

Barry

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How’s the Enduro Öhlins Coil?

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Hi Lee, how’s everything going? Busy with release of book and Riprow at the same time I guess.

I have a question about Enduro 29 coil

I just rode the “old” Enduro 29 Comp and for the lack of a better expression “it blew my fucking mind”. Me and my friend rode a lift accessed, proper downhill trail a few times and on the 4th or 5th run after I got quite familiar with the track we swapped bikes. Now he was local, he knew every corner. So for first few runs I had a hard time staying just behind him. We are same size very similar weight so we didn’t turn the dials much. Not only i did not need to get used to his bike, I felt more confident right away, I left him behind like hell. I wasn’t doing almost any brake checks, just open gas all the way, braking hard in tighter corners or switchbacks. And hey, Switchback and wagon wheels? No problem, that thing was equally swift as my “smaller bike”. Not only that, I was fresh, I felt like I could do the whole 5-6 minute track without stopping.

Now The only thing Enduro was worse at, compared to my somewhat boutique 27,5 super bike, was suspension. Enduro was not as forgiving for big hits. Landings were a bit wobbly. Later on I had to rent another 650B bike to chcek if my setup isn’t crap. It wasn’t.

So finally to the point… is latest Enduro with Öhlins coil, as fresh to pop around yet buldozer when asked as the old one? And is suspension noticeably better?

I still have goose bumps cpoming up when thinking about that bike…

Cheers!
Wacek K.

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Advice for a bad back

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Our friend Chris is having back issues.

I think he should see a professional … and he should insist on a top 1% performer.

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2017 Specialized Fuse Comp fork upgrade

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Lee,

What would you suggest that won’t break the bank? I have $500 to spend.

I weight 225 lbs. Like to hit the jumps at the local bike park (Rockburn) and go through and not around stuff. Live in Maryland.  Ride allot at Patapsco.  

Do I need 34 mm stanchions? It is my one bike quiver.

Michael

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Butcher and Slaughter tire combo

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Hey Lee, hope all is well…

I came across your review of the Specialized Butcher/Slaughter and find it to be a very interesting set-up.

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27.5+ tires for XC racing?

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Hey Lee!

Hope all is well! In the market for looking for a new racing bike, but the 27.5+ is attracting me a bit. It can be converted to a 29er hardtail and/or a single speed and is theoretically said to have the same ride quality characteristics as a full suspension. Do you think it is worth considering as a race bike in any configuration 29er and 27.5+? I believe Conrad Stoltz raced a 27.5+ in XTERRA once and killed/shredded it, but again, he’s a mutant, so what about us mortal people? =) Any thoughts?

Thank you!
Neil

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Will the Pumptopia pump track fit in my space?

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Lee, how are ya?! I have a couple questions for you: I’ve finally pulled trees out of a spot and received permission to lay down a pump track. I was initially thinking of using the same dirt I am going to pull from the ground to level the hill, but I am wondering if maybe investing in already screened loam would be a better option, as I will undoubtably run into rocks and other debris, as I am building. So, my first question is, approximately how many yards of material am I looking at to properly do Pumptopia at its original estimated size? 2nd, I am trying to decide if the footprint will work in my spot. It is a rough rectangle approximately 88’ x 57’. I see in the overhead photo that a part of the track extends out, opposite of the straight away. Am I correct in assuming that would be the depth of approximately 55’? Thanks a lot Lee!

Jeff

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