All the sweet bikes and parts. Mmm … parts.

Specialized suspenson on Enduro SL?

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Lee,

Is [your new Enduro] the one that’s carbon and uses Specialized’s proprietary shocks and forks?? If it does, my question is how good is it, and aren’t companiess like Fox not going to like it since that’s one bike their stuff isn’t going on?? Or is that just ONE model and all the others will still get off the shelf 3rd party shocks and forks??? And lastly, if I had a Specialized fork and shock on my Enduro, do they let you put another brand of fork/shock on there if I choose??

ok ok… too many damn questions!!! 🙂

take care,

Brian
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Front derailleur fu: ditch my mechanic?

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Hi Lee,
I have a 2006 Stumpjumper FSR Comp. I love the bike ‘cept for one thing: the Deore LX front Derailleur will not drop into the granny ring under a load (my 175lb load…) The mechanics at my LBS tell me it is tuned perfectly, but all they are doing is riding around the parking lot where of course it works fine. Nothing is worse than railing a nice turn into a steep climb, trying to drop the chain…please, puh-lease, ohhh Gawd Puh-leeeease drop, only to have it stick in the middle ring. Find a different mechanic or ditch it for XT or SRAM?
Michael
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Seat adjustment and bearings on SX Trail?

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Lee,
I am considering purchasing an SX Trail Frame and I would like to hear your thoughts on the durability of the Specialized Pivot Bearings and the seat height adjustability with the interrupted seat tube design. The SX looks like there might be 4 inches or so of adjustment. I currently ride an 03 5 Spot that I love. I really like the bushing pivots. BTW, you have a great website and I appreciate all the info you out out.

Thanks,
John
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DJ and FR: HT or DS?

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hey lee,
i’m thinking about buying a bike (mainly for jumps and drop offs), should i buy a hardtail or a bike with front and back suspension.
Robbie
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The Mysterious Tearing Valve Stem

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Our man Ed in Whistler presents an interesting case:
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Cane Creek Duros wheels

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I’ve been rolling on some snazzy new wheels. Here’s what I think of ’em:
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Stem length/rise for a trail bike

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Hey Lee,

I love the book — every time I ride, I pick out something to work on and try to nail it. But I’m curious…

I want to try a shorter/higher stem to improve my descending and (small) drops. The book says to try 40-70mm and 10-15 degree rise for this purpose. My bike (a large Stumpjumper FSR) came with a 105mm, 8 degree stem. Since I live in NorCal and still have to be able climb for hours after this swap, I went to a shop to look for a 70mm, 15 degree stem. The shop told me I was crazy — they said that was a huge change and I’d regret it. I wound up buying a 90mm, 10 degree stem, which they swear will be perfect for me.

So are those figures you quoted for a freeride bike or something? How short and high can you go on a trailbike without ruining the all-purpose handling? Or should I go tell the shop Lee and I respectfully disagree with their advice?

Thanks Lee… keep it coming…
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XC racing on a 6-inch bike?

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Hello,

Love your book! I haven’t found anything better out there as far as teaching bike handling goes.

Anyways, I have a Giant Reign, a 6′ trail bike [sic]. However, I have recently become intrigued with the idea of trying my hand at college XC racing. Would it be silly to even try to enter a race with such a beastly (though surprisingly efficient for its size) bike? I have a crazy urge to try it, but I wonder if it would just be pure agony to make it through a race on one these bad boys. I wish they had Super D at the collegiate level. That would be perfect for me, I think. Thanks for your help!
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Pro DH Maxxis tire setups?

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Lee,

I wanted to know what tires Maxxis sponsored pros (Namely Sam Hill and Jared Graves) normally run: model, width and tire pressures.
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Bar-twisting madness

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Lee,

Whenever i land from going off of a jump my handle bars either go forwards a little or go back a little. what should i do? oh yea and i have tightened them as much as i could.
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Effect of longer fork?

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Lee,

What is your opinion on a manufacturer decreasing a bike’s head angle by adding a longer travel fork? Are the benefits the same as a bike with a slack head angle to begin with? Does this change how well the rear suspension works?
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What size SX Trail?

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hello lee,

I want to buy a Specialized SX Trail Frame. Will set it up with an Marzocchi 66 170mm fork. I dont know for what size i should decide. i’m 1,85 cm tall. My previous ride was a Santa Cruz Heckler in M. My riding is hard singletracks (rocky) and some shuttling in bikeparks and the alps.
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