Lee, I am in need of a new bike and was about to write off 29ers because I want the most versatile bike for the bucks. When you endorse 29ers for pump and jump I’m back on the fence. I own an old copy of Mastering MTB Skills and it really helped to improve my riding. Here is the clincher Brian Lopes is not impressed with 29ers but you highly recommend them. If you are racing them in DH/DS events that require considerable technique I can only assume that they are up for the task. Is Lopes just set in his ways or is it that the level that he operates at demands a 26” bike.
Billy
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Sunday on the Enduro, Monday on the Stumpy.
How can any bike feel better than this?
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THIS CLINIC IS SOLD OUT!
Co-coach Lars Thomsen, owner of Trail Head Cyclery, rips a DH run at Santa Teresa in 2003. |
Stoked:
I’m teaming up with Trail Head Cyclery to rock a NorCal skills clinic.
When: Friday, Feb. 17; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Santa Teresa County Park in San Jose, CA
What: We will work skills and drills in the morning, eat some tasty lunch then apply our new kung fu on trails. Expect to learn about:
• Body position
• Braking
• Cornering
• Going up and down obstacles
• Pumping terrain
• Reading lines and just plan ripping
How much: $200 per rider, 10 riders max
Click here for more details or …
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THIS CLINIC IS SOLD OUT!
This question is spurred by Pedaling in attack position?
Lee,
Do you have any pro tips how to pump-manual while still pedalling? It’s OK to me if I want to do it on a table-top or with a small speed, but when the speed goes up and bumps get bigger I can’t keep up with the terrain…
Jakub
WITH VIDEO
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(But you already know that.)
When I imagine riding trails, this is what I look like.
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Hey Lee,
I hope you don’t mind I’m emailing you. I am reading your Mastering Mountain Bike Skills book and just had a quick question. It’s actually quite simple and maybe a bit silly. Do you actually pedal in the Attack Position? Or is the attack position used when you are off the gas so to speak? The reason I ask is because in the attack position, your butt should be off the seat a bit. However, when reading the pedaling chapter it seemed best to have yourself firmly planted on the seat to generate maximum power (essentially using the seat to push off of). Anyways, let me know what you think.
Very much appreciated!
Scott
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In Bike for Texas (and other) trails?, Scott asked about switching from a Stumpy 29 to a Camber 29 for the rocky trails in Austin, TX. I told him I enjoyed the Camber on his terrain, and that he should give one a try.
Well, he did.
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Hi Lee—since reading your skills book I’ve been working on my pedal stroke on my commute. I’m in Chicago and I’m thinking of switching my single-speed to a fixed gear for more control in snow and ice. Any advice on how this will affect pedal stroke or what to focus on? Would using foot retention hamper pedaling improvement? Any other advice on working on braaap skills during the city commute (about 3.5 miles each way)?
Thanks!
Allen
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I’m always impressed at how the same basic movement patterns seem to apply to all sports. Two of the most important dynamics for a mountain biker are 1) staying balanced on your feet and 2) driving powerfully from your hips.
Those skills are also important in the NFL. Today I had an All Pro linebacker on my pump track, and he killed it.
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Thank goodness for pump tracks, and double-extra thank goodness for the pump track in my yard. So far this winter, I’ve been trying to mix up base intervals on the trainer and radness intervals on the pump track. That’s when I’m not shoveling snow off the track.
Check out this action. It might give you some ideas for your own training.
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