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Which length crank do I need?

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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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A few drivetrain tips for idiots

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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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All balled up on a Yeti 575

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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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Honda CRF450X modifications

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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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Mechanical disc brake maintenance

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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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Effect of DH tire size?

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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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Which size Trance?

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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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Suspension damping for trail riding

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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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Running brakes moto style

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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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Adjusting geometry for freeride?

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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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Finding the right coil spring

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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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What’s with Stacy Kohut’s FOURCROSS brakes?

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Hey Lee,
I was just looking at Stacy Kohut’s website and i saw the picture of his ride and it has 2 brake levers on each side. I know exactly what this is for. Wouldn’t it be much simpler if someone were to make a brake line the spliced off into two separate lines so you can control both brakes with one lever?
Chris

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