Hey Lee,
First time caller- long time listener. You’re the only rider I know of who rocks all the disciplines for these questions, so here it goes. I have my ‘06 Reign 1 set up for Super D but want to also try downhill and 4x at Sea Otter this year. I’m thinking about swapping the 36 Talas with something longer and plusher for the DH but what about the 4x? My only other ride is a XC hardtail with a 71.5 head tube angle. I have a shorty stem for it but would prefer a slacker frame. Is there any way to setup the RP3 on the Reign to at least try 4x? Thanks for your time.
Oso Negro

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I just built a 2008 Stumpjumper Pro Carbon down at The Fix in Boulder, CO. All this snow is killing me!

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At last, we have photos of AA BMX Pro Jason Richardson’s completed pump track. I would have given my left arm to ride this sod-bordered ribbon of love, but there was too much rain.

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Lee,

I own a new OEM 2008 Fox TALAS RL 32. The rebound has 14 clicks. The slowest rebound takes about 2 seconds - very SLOW. The fastest rebound is just “normal.”

I would expect a very bouncy feel - but no. Others have written that their fastest setting just knocks them off the bike. Is my rebound circuit in need of service despite it being new? Is this normal for FOX forks? How do I test to make sure my rebound is working properly?

I weight 195 pounds geared, and my fork has 70 PSI. That gives 25% sag. How much correlation is there with air pressure and rebound?

Thanks, James

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For 2008 Mountain States Cup has added a Vet Pro/Am class. Anyone 35 or older can race this category, and I am stoked. Here’s why:

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Last week, that is. I spent quality time with some BMX luminaries in SoCal, and I now have 20,000 words of notes for my book. These quotes pop out:

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It’s bigger and probably better too. Oh yeah, it’s gonna be on!

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Hey Lee,
I just recently serviced my Fox TALAS fork and i put in fox’s 7wt susspension fluid. My question is what is the difference in the weight of the oil? And what is best for XC and DH racing through full on extream Freeride.
Thanks,
Chris

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Hi Lee,

I’m a beginner mountain biker from Peru and want to thank you for a great book, it’s helping me a lot!!

I have a question: how do i calculate the recommended 25% sag?. Do i base it on the stroke of my rear shox or the eye to eye distance? Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards, César (in Peru)

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Lee,
I have your book and it greatly helped last year. I think the biggest thing is that I can go into a situation knowing what to do so I stay loose.

Anyways since its winter I figured I would work on some basic skills. For bunny hops I used to just weight the whole bike and make it hop. After your book I weight the front tire maybe a half second before the rear and have noticed an increase in height. Should I actually be busting into an actual manual or wheelie then weight the rear for the jump. If I try to do this my front tire violently slams down.

Thanks
Nate

ps because of your book a few friends started calling me a crazy rider. But they’re the ones who seem to wipe out more often. Thanks a lot.

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Hey Lee
I have your book and look through it and your website almost daily. Really appreciate all you bring to the sport.

I was influenced in getting a 06 enduro(elite) from your book.When I test rode it I was sold.I have not been sorry since, I love it.

My question is about the DHX4.0 shock. The ProPedal was no longer working so I send it back to Fox through my bike shop.I was thinking about getting a spare to keep from having any down time.I then considered Push industries and getting a DHX coil shock and having them tune it.I was told by Push that DHXair was custom made for the enduro and that no other shock will fit the enduro.Is this true? and am I really left with no other options for my bike?

Shawn

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Originally posted Posted May 26, 2004 — Back when we raced gravity events at Big Bear (and I had time to do massive posts like this one. Tons of photos!).

Oh, Big Bear. El Oso Grande. The Jewel of SoCal Mountains. Womb of the SoCal downhill scene. One of the oldest, best-run venues in mountainbikingdom. Great things have a way of happening here, and this year was right on target.

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Hey Lee…..Just wondering if you know of any pump/jump spots in San Luis Obispo area of California. I am traveling there a week from today and I would like to hit some spots. I know of some great areas to MTB around but I am looking for the “other” kind of riding. : ) Trying to figure out what bike to bring.
Thanks - Ray, OKC

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Hey Lee,
Great site ya got! Hey I’ve been out of serious bike stuff (just playing at the BMX tracks and skateparks with the kiddos) for awhile. Anyway, I’m trying to find more info on 4X for ‘08, like is there a series in CO and if so, where?
Thanks, Eric

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Lee,
Got any updates on the cx braaaping you were doing a while ago? Been thinking about
ditching the street/jump bike because it is not nice to my bones and something like
the tricross seems super fun and practical.
Stephen

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It’s so very strange to travel without a bike, but I’ve been keeping busy. You see, I’ve started creating the definitive BMX how-to book (with accompanying video). This work will do for BMX what Mastering Mountain Bike Skills did for MTB — only better, because I’ve learned a lot over the past few years. Game on.
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Lee, I have 90mm 6 degree stem and want to convert to a 70mm. What rise do I
need for the height to be the same? I was thinking 10 degrees. thanks

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Hey Lee,

Love the site and the book. I ride an Epic and run a high seat. I live in a flat part of the world (Lubbock, Texas) so its all pretty much XC. Question: Can I do the manuals with the seat as high as it is (an inch or so above the bars)? Haven’t had much luck with it so far. Thanks for any tips you might have…

Barron

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Hi Lee,

Long time listener, first time caller. I’ve got a few questions about tall riders - I’m 6ft5 and pretty lean (read skinny) and I’m looking for tips to make a lanky bloke faster. My centre of gravity is higher (I ride an XL Heckler) so I guess manualling isn’t ever going to be my strong point, but can you give some tips of ways of using my height and long limbs to get down (and occasionally up) the hill faster?

Thanks, Matt

PS I’d love to be able to manual and I think I might be using my height as an excuse …

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It’s weird to travel without a bike. With a ton of work to do, there’s no time for the usual take-a-month-in-the-Sprinter adventure. I’m flying to O.C. for almost a week, staying with my parents and interviewing some BMX pros for a big project. The weather report isn’t promising, but I choose to hope for the best.

Knowing Lopes, he’ll loan me a bike because he needs to get waxed. … Oh yeah, it’s on!