Hey all. I have a few spots open for Saturday’s core skills clinic. It’s at The Fix in Boulder, noon to 3 p.m. You’ll learn the keys to great riding — and dial your kung fu to 11.

More info: Skills clinics with Lee - Group/public clinics

If you can’t pre-register, feel free to show up tomorrow. Come early so you can sign the waiver and pay The Fix’s $5 use fee.

The power of the pump track continues to bind families and build a better world. Images from a recent clinic:

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Lee, thanks for the answer! (Drops: Staying on flat pedals) I’m slowly getting the hang of this!!

In looking at all flat pedals out there, there seem to be quite a few concave pedals (e.g. Easton Flatboys) and pedals with totally straight bodies with no concavity (e.g. Twenty6, or Sunline) that get their concavity via arrangement of the pins. Any idea how important the concavity is in a flat pedal in order to stay in the pedals when things get rough/droppy?

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Lee,
I just read a bit out of your shoulder chronicles, and as it turns out I find myself in exactly the same position, almost. I didn’t break any bones but I have torn all the ligaments that connect my clavicle and scapula. I can ride but only feel about 75 percent right now, but I am still competitive (I took forth in DS at Chalk Creek last weekend in Expert 19-30) which deepens my mental strife.

I am looking full on at throwing away everything I have worked toward this year if I have surgery now, not to mention work and such, or I can limp through the season, risk the possibility of further injury and get cut up in the fall.

I have been talking to a lot of people trying to figure this out, and just wanted to know what your decision was and why. My goal for the season is to be in semi-pro by next year, and even with my injury it looks like it might be possible so I am having a really, really hard time trying to figure out what to do. Your two cents would be greatly appreciated.

Dan

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Lee
GREAT site! Love it! If you have time for a quick question I would love your insight. Living in Texas good first hand information on mountain biking is no easy to find. =) I use to race moto x in the pro class for years just local with few national races nothing huge but I have experience on two wheels.

My cousin Chris Myers of Colorado Springs races DH etc he was sponsored by Brodie Bikes for a while.

MY QUESTION: I will be visiting him in Aug and do some riding. I’m 6′0 175lbs he told me to go ahead and plan on getting a the Yeti 575. I have seen the new Yeti ASR-7 I did read your article about the 575 vs the ASR. Do you have any insight on the AS-R 7 I e-mailed Yeti and they said it would be out July 2008. I found this article but would like your input: http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/yetis-dramatic-new-seven-up-close-12577

James Robertson

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Hi Lee,
I incorporated your suggestions for opening up the berms slalom style and we built the track this weekend. It ROCKS! Thanks for your help. All of your input made a HUGE difference!
Best Regards, Lou

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Brian just raced a prototype Ibis hardtail in a 4X in Poland, and he sure made it work. Here’s the press release from his wife Paula:

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Our man Chris Powell got a chance to ride the new BMX SX track at the Olympic training center in Chula Vista, CA. The track is a close copy of the Bejing track, and it’s HUGE!!! Chris sent a couple photos:

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I’m in Marin gathering user feedback at the annual Backshop user conference and rocking improvements to the enterprise commercial loan origination software.

Sitting in an office sucks even more than I remember, but on Monday I got in a nice ride with a client.

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Hey all, I’ll be in Norcal next week working on a software project. I’ll try to keep leelikesbikes updated, but I’m not sure how much time I’ll have. Gotta pay for that group health insurance!

I do the user interface, flow, copywriting, etc. for this bad @$$ piece of enterprise loan origination software:

www.backshop.com

Lee,

I’m starting 4X and would like some tips. Like start technique, general technique, specific technique. ( I like technique.)

techniquetechniquetechniquetechniquetechniquetechniquetechnique
techniquetechniquetechniquetechniquetechniquetechnique!

Thanks, Michael (technique) McClean

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The mission continues, and last week’s results were mixed.

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While I was in Colorado working, taking care of family and racing BMX, the Lee Likes Bikes legions were kicking butt at the Otter. Here’s a fine example:

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I rarely offer specific feedback on pump track designs, but Louis here bought the ebook, is building a public track and raised a good question. So here we go:

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Hi Lee!

I have a 2007 base level Enduro. I recently have gotten into jumping and I think I want to change out
the rear shock from a DHX air 3.0 to a DHX 5.0 coil. Is this possible? A guy at a bike shop said that the lower end Enduro is actually a different frame from the higher ends and he’s not sure if it will accept that much travel. Any help you could offer would be much appreciated!

Thanks!
Andrew

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Lee,

It is that time of the year…getting prepped for Whistler and my riding season. I am having a hard time identifying what the best bike would be for whistler. I am trying to decide between an SX Trail or the Demo 7. Could you let me know how you would approach this decision?
Marv

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The new Specialized Eskar trail/all-mountain tire has been out for a while, and people are getting some miles on it. More than you wanted to know:

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Hi Lee,

Thanks for the great site: it’s good therapy while waiting for the snow to melt.

In the meantime, I’ve been riding at the local skatepark and was curious if you had any tips on how to progress towards dropping into a bowl/quarterpipe. I’m in my thirties, and looking down from the coping is super intimidating.

BTW, will your new book on BMX have a section on how to ride pipes and get air?

Thanks!

PS - the two privates classes I did with you were the best thing I ever did for my riding.

jeff

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Hey Lee,

I have a slight problem with my rear end (on the bike). I have a 05 Jamis Dakar XLT with Mavic crossmax XL wheels and the problem I am having is my rear tire sits slightly to the left.

I have already replaced the entire rear triangle and swing arm and even when I put another wheel in its place it still sits crooked. It is really annoying because whenever I pit down the power the tire rubs the chainstay when I mash the right crank. I am baffled about what to do next. Can you give me a few ideas on what the trouble might be?

Thanks a lot, Chris

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Lee -

I recently rode my friend’s brand new Santa Cruz Nomad. He’s got it set up for heavy duty free ride and can run the Northstar DH trails on it. He’s got WTB LaserDisc FR (30MM wide) with 2.3 Weirwolfs on them. I ride a Heckler with similar compnents but am using the WTB LaserDisc XC (24mm wide) with the same weirwolfs.

My question is would simply rim width explain why his bike feel so much more stable and planted going down hill over things and around turns? His bike felt like a DH bike and mine like a XC bike.

Thanks, Scot

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