Hi Lee,
Love the book, it’s really helped me progress.

Since I visit your site and see you have the inside line with Specialized I was hoping you could answer the following question. The 06 and up Big Hits are said to have an asymmetrical rear triangle. I’ve noticed the wheel that came with the bike is not dished, but rather offset about 5mm away from the brake side (i.e. when I set the dishing tool against the hub locknut on the drive side first, the tip is then 5mm away from the hub locknut on the brake side. I’ve checked and the wheel is true.)

I have used aftermarket wheels that were dished and can’t say I noticed a difference. My 2.5 had no frame clearance issues. Should I offset this new wheel? What’s the purpose of the asymmetrical rear triangle?
Thanks! Matt

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Lee,
I was wondering if you could explain the differences in the positions of the upper shock mount on the 2002-2004 specialized big hits. The manuals just say something about progressivity, which to me sounds like something marketing made up. I am hoping one of the 3 positions will magically unleash the riding god within me almost overnight.
Cahoon

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Some of you have asked about custom-cutting Maxxis Minion downhill tires. Here’s a trick for your next East Coast national.

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Here’s a convoluted question from our friend Mario in Northern Italy. Shorter stems can be good, but rarely with lower bars.

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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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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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Hey Lee,
I was wondering what you thought a good street riding/DJ’ing gear would be so that i have enough torque, and length so that i wont spin out super fast. Currently i run a 32-15. what are your thoughts?
Thanks, Greg

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Hi Lee,
I have a question for you. I really want to get a speed hub for my downhill race bike.
I am running an external derailleur on my rocky mountain RMX and i was looking at rohloff speed hubs, but they are slightly out of my price range. Could something like a Sram S7 work for downhill racing?
thanks,
wes

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Hi Lee,
I need a new crankset on my Iron Horse Mark III team 5″ trail bike. I’m thinking I would like to get a 180mm crankset instead of the normal 175mm that I have. I ride a lot of steep trails here in Idaho and I think I will get more power. I am a big person too at 6′3′ and 194 lbs. Years ago, I replaced the crankset on my hardtail that was a 170mm to a 175mm and I could not believe what a difference 5mm made. So, why wouldn’t another 5mm be even better? Why are these 180mm cranks so rare? What are the disadvantages? I’m looking and the race face crank. Please explain this crank length stuff. Roadies like their cranks short and some bmx racers long. But, that’s all I know. Thanks
Walt

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I’ve been getting some long, increasingly annoying emails about chains making funny noises, derailleurs not working properly and whatnot. Two common themes: 1. People mixing used components. 2. People turning screws with no idea what those screws do. Real quick:

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This rider is getting pitched over his bars. Is it the bike or the rider? I’m sure you can guess.

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hey lee, we just bought some new motos and are going to head out west to ride some desert trails soon. did you do any mods to your 450X? we ride the 450R on the tracks as supermotos and plan on using the 250X for the trail.
ciao
carol

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Hey Lee,
Quick question: I recently got my first disc-brake mountain bike and it rocks. I’m using cable brakes instead of hydraulic. Is there any special maintenance I have to do with disc brakes that I don’t do with rim brakes.
Thanks,
Alex

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Hey Lee,
Got a quick question about tire pressure. I’ve been running Kenda Blue Groove 2.7’s up front for years and wanted to switch to a 2.5 for racing. My problem arises when I try to run the 2.5 I cannot seem to find the correct pressure to work like the 2.7. My setup for the 2.7 is PSI = 18-20, for the 2.5 I’ve tried the same pressure, even a bit higher and lower but nothing works. With the 2.7 I can corner like mad, leaning the bike hard, but on the 2.5 my front washes, same trails, same riding position, same suspension setup, same everything, just different tire. What gives??? I’m at a loss! Thanks Lee.

Sincerely, David

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Hey Lee,
Thanks for all the support & efort you put in to the sport. I am looking at the new Giant Trance x1, and fall between the medium and large frame size (I’m 6′ tall with a 32″ inseam). What are the pros and cons of going either way. I ride xc, but enjoy the tech and down more than the up.
Thanks again, Daniel

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Lee,
How do you like to set rebound and compression on standard trails? Mine are minimum rebound and minimum compression.
Cheers, Martyn

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Lee, super D ripper dude!
What is the advantage (or disavantage) to running brakes moto style????
John

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Hi Lee,
Love your book and your website! I am trying to decide how to set up my Cannondale Prophet. I ride mostly XC/trail stuff but next week I want to ride a trail with some drops (5ft) in it.

When I rode last week with the bike set to FR mode (low BB 67.5 HA) it saved my butt in a hidden rock in the grass of a fast downhill, but I fell of a skinny and went into the bushes on a slow switchback.

Normally I ride in the XC mode (normal BB and 69 HA). Would the FR set-up help a lot with the big drops? Or should I keep it in XC mode and have the better slow speed handling?
Tjaard

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Lee,

Got a question about coil springs: when do I need to step up to a heavier weight? I’m running an older Vanilla TC rear shock with a 550 lb spring. 500 lbs was definitely too light. 550 will work, but with a lot of turns to the preload collar. I’m not 100% on my damping settings, but it seems to work pretty well a few clicks in from full fast. Is there a compelling reason to go purchase a 600 lb spring?

Thanks. Scott.

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