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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Hey Lee, I have a Giant VT2 which runs a Manitou 3-way rear shock. It will cost me a bit to get it serviced and change all of the parts….ok…I just needed an excuse to upgrade. I’ve been looking at the Fox RP23, my questions are:
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My past couple Moab trips were motorized. Moab is big, sandy and well suited to engines. I always swore I wouldn’t go back with a bicycle, but I did last week, and there was plenty of braaap.

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Hey Lee. What tires would you recommend for the dual slalom course at Sea Otter? I’m using a pair of Maxxis High Rollers in a 2.3. I was using these at Sand Hill this weekend and when I started to braap; I was losing traction in the rear a little bit. I was running about 40psi and the course was hardpacked and a bit dry. I know the soil will be different in Monterey. What do you think?
Dan

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Hi Lee,

I was sent your link from a friend of mine regarding the ML-8. I am looking at a Durance and my concern is the amount of seat height change.
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This rider is enjoying his Maxxis DHFs, but he’s contemplating a switch to Specialized meats.
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The new Stroker feels very different from the old Nines and Mags — different in a good way.

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Yesterday’s ride was fine, but it would have been better if I wasn’t a dummy.

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After weeks of snow and general pinned-ness, I finally got to ride the new Stumpy. It needs some adjusting, but it sure does rip.

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I’ve spent fall and winter these sweet whitewalls, and it’s time to tell you about them.

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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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I just got back from an XC ride on a 2007 Stumpjumper Expert. I’ve been riding Enduros exclusively on trail for over a year, and you know what? The Stumpy feels good.

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A cyclocross bike seems like a versatile and braaapable alternative to a road bike. Jason “The Man” Emmanuel from Specialized loaned me his brand new 2008 Tricross Expert, and I’ve been wringing it out all week.

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hi lee - any issues with side to side play with the maverick and the gravity dropper? i want to get an adjustable post, but am worried about the seat wobbling from side to side.

thanks! great site. glad things are looking up for you.
Reymond

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I’ve been digging Specialized Resolution tires, but as cool as they are, Specialized is superseding them with the new Eskar. I got my mitts on a pair of the new meats, and here’s what I think after two XC rides.

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I’ve been braaaping these tires for a season now, and — although they don’t let me ride like a complete idiot — I dig ‘em.

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Our man Kevin Shiramizu has made a sweet video chronicling North American racing, Rocky Mountain regional racers and their hometown riding spots. It’s a must-have for every regional rider, and for anyone who appreciates a quality vid from a young up-and-comer.
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Updated with tire weights.

Hi Lee,
First of all, I would like to say thank you for your reviews of the new Specialized tires. It’s been very difficult to find info about them anywhere else.

Secondly, I was wondering if you might happen to know the weight in grams of the 2.3 Pinn’er Pro and the 2.5 Pin’it Pro?

I am looking for something new to try for Downieville, CA and these tires seem like they could be a great fit. However, although the trail that I will be riding in Downieville is approximately 90% downhill, the XC side in me would still like something that climbs fairly well, won’t way me down like an anchor and doesn’t roll like a complete snail. Anything over 850/900 grams is probably more than I need.

My final question is if you feel that these tires have fairly durable/sturdy sidewalls?

Thanks a lot for your help and again for the great reviews!

Sincerely,

Randy

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Hi Lee,
I’m looking for the ultimate truck bed bike rack. I need something to haul 3 or 4 bikes in the bed of the truck (no bike bumpers!), and would like a model that does not require removal of the front wheel. Anything that does all this for under $300?

Thanks,
Mark

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Hi Lee,

I heard a rumor that you are running a Fox DHX-Air on your Enduro SL. I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind giving some info on that rear shock.

What size i-2-i and stroke are you using? Any special hardware or adapters needed to run that shock instead of the stock AFR shock? Are you running it in the low/slack or tall/steep setting? And, last and most importantly, how does it ride? Have you had a chance to compare it to the AFR shock from Specialized?

Thanks a lot,
Dan

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