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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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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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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Lee, I am looking to convert my ‘05 Gary Fisher GED into a better pump track / dirt jump rig. The main thing is the fork, right now it has a 130mm Marzocchi Drop-Off. I’m thinking of swapping it for a 100mm fork, like the Marzocchi 4X. What other forks should I be considering? Anything else you would recommend to make this bike BRAAAP! on a pump track?
Thanks for the cool site, Tom

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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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Hey Lee,

A little bike maintainance question concerning the hub/pawl drive assembly on modern mtb wheels like mavics or azonic outlaws, etc. Since these wheels have sealed bearings, should you put any lubrication inside the freewheel or on the drive pawls? If so, should I use grease, oil, or what? (It seems like the lubricant just attacts dirt to me) Or should I just clean everything and leave it dry? After all the bearings in the wheel are sealed. Also, what about the skewers? Grease them or leave them clean and dry? Hope you can solve this mystery for me?

Walt

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Hey Lee,

I like wearing Vans Old Skool shoes when riding but the sole is pretty flexy. Is there a stiffer insert that I could put in to make it flex less? The stiffer inserts I have seen aren’t full length which I think would work the best. Any ideas?

Thanks, Brian

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Hey Lee,

I just donated my 10-year-old hardtail Cannondale mtn bike (fully upgraded to xt over the years) to force myself to buy a new bike. Who knew it would be so hard to let go, she just fit perfectly. I’m noticing full suspension bikes just don’t fit the same.

Anyways, I’m looking at three bikes essentially. The ‘07 ($1800) or ‘08 ($2100) Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp and the ‘08 (2100) Giant Trance X1. I’ve currently been riding primarily xc with no drop offs greater than 2-3′. I really like technical riding and having a bike I can really maneuver around. Porcupine Rim in Moab has been my most challenging/favorite ride to date.

Cheers, Ryan

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Lee,

I read that squarer tyre profiles are grippier than more rounder profiles. How much truth is there is this?

I normally run 2.1 tyres on a Mavix XM117 rim - how wide a rim would I have to run to: 1) get a noticably squarer profile on my 2.1 tyres? 2) sensibly run a 2.3 tyre?

Thanks, Don

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Hi Lee,

Here’s a question for you or other readers out there. What do you recomend to make wooden surfaces less slick in a damp environment? I’ve seen chicken wire but I worry about sharp edges puncturing tires and people, especially after some rusting.

Tjaard

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Short answer: Yes.

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Lee,

I really dig your website and all the solid advice and especially all the good pump track action.

I recently built up a new dirt jumping bike with an azonic steel head frame which has classic dirt jumping geometry. I got a great deal on a new fox vanilla rlc 32 fork.

This bike rides great on trails and really soaks up bigger drops. I haven’t gotten a chance to jump it yet since there is still lots of snow around as Flagstaff Arizona is at 7000ft. Is such a tall fork going to be a problem dirt jumping?

BRAAAAP

Jay Holt
Flagstaff, Arizona

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Lee,
The city I live in just opened its first skate/bmx park. I really want to learn some bmx riding, I have been a mountainbiker for about 12 yrs. I never had the opportunity to try bmx when I was younger, I am 44 and have never ridden a bmx bike. Which style of bike would you recommend? 20″ bmx, 24″ bmx, or something like a P series from Specialized? Thanks!

Jeff

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