Questions, comments and criticisms
“I can’t believe I’m a size XS” – about mountain bike sizing
/0 Comments/in Ask Lee, Equipment, Tech tips/by leelikesbikesChanging chainring size when shortening cranks
/3 Comments/in Ask Lee, Equipment, Tech tips/by leelikesbikesLee,
Thanks for the RideLogic bike setup consultation. Two rides in with the new bar and I’m definitely adjusting, but it’s a way different feel than it used to be. Really liking it, and a lot of moves feel easier (as long as my legs are up for it). I’ve obviously taken a deep dive here, so why not dive all the way.
My next thing I’m looking at is crank length. You talk about switching from 30 to 28 teeth for a switch from 175 to 165. I’m considering going to 155. I currently have a 32 tooth and 170, I believe. How many teeth would I need for a 155mm crank?
Thanks,
Risse Racing shock on my bike?
/0 Comments/in Ask Lee, Equipment/by leelikesbikesHey Lee,
I was wondering if you’re willing to give your opinion on this. If not, no worries.
I may need to get my rear shock rebuilt. Since it is an old model, the rebuild kit isn’t available from Fox.
Fox pointed me to Risse Racing.
Do you have any opinions about Risse racing? Or any experience with them?
I’ve seen mixed reports on the web about them, so I’m wondering how much effort I should put into finding another option.
Thank you,
Kent
Measuring RAAD on a bike
/8 Comments/in Ask Lee, Dynamic MTB fit/by leelikesbikesHi Lee,
I’m enjoying the book Dialed: the secret math of a perfect mountain bike setup and really appreciate the MTB specific and rider-centric approach to bike fitting. I was wondering if you can guide me toward how to accurately measure my RAAD? There’s plenty of info in the book on how it should be set, but I’m not clear on the best way to measure it. Any recommended tool? Protractor devices and angle finders are generally not very long and would likely lack precision if trying to measure from the center point of the bottom bracket.
My RAD is prefect, surprisingly, with a fully stock bike (Large 2021 Epic EVO), so I’m afraid to tinker with the wrong adjustments and just end up messing up my RAD by trying to dial in my RAAD. Any tips on accurate measuring would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Matt
What size Nukeproof Mega 290 should I ride?
/0 Comments/in Ask Lee, Dynamic MTB fit/by leelikesbikesHey Lee!
Has the bike industry forgotten smaller riders?
/2 Comments/in Ask Lee, Dynamic MTB fit/by leelikesbikesHello Lee,
I am a new member of the Lee Likes Bikes MTB School but have followed you for a while and read your book probably close to 8-9 years ago. Still have it and review it from time to time.
I am 55, and have been riding for most of my adult life (MTB/Rd/Tri).
I have been wanting to buy a new mountain bike for years, but at 58 inches tall and 95 lbs, I have been challenged and frustrated.
The last bike I purchased, which is my current one, was in 2010 or 2011; a Pivot mach 4 in XS ( yes 26″). I purchased it sight unseen. At the time I felt it was too big, ( compared to my hard tail Mojo – which I LOVED).
In the last 5 years or so, I have attempted to test ride different rigs. Out of the handful I have tried (availability being the primary issue), none feel like they fit. Has the industry forgotten about shorter statured riders, or is there something out there?
I keep looking online at various manufacturer’ sites, but what looks like a possibility on paper, may not always the case.
Would I be able to find a resource on your site that would lead me the right direction?
Not really sure how to start. I appreciate your time,
Marlene
Using the bike trainer for integrated MTB training
/2 Comments/in Ask Lee, Skills/training/by leelikesbikesYet another rider on a bike that’s too big
/6 Comments/in Ask Lee, Tech tips/by leelikesbikesIncorporating RipRow with spin bike and strength training
/0 Comments/in Ask Lee, RipRow™, Skills/training/by leelikesbikesLee
1st I’m 5ft 11 in and 260. I own a Riprow and a Nordic Track bike. I have the tools to succeed and I love to ride my bike. I’m stronger than last year. But my question is how can I utilize the Riprow better. Should I workout daily with it? Should I use it in conjunction with strength workouts? I would like to be the best rider possible by next season here in Bend, Oregon. I have goals and riding aspirations and want to be a success story.
Can you give any suggestions on how to improve physically on the bike and on the trail? My financial situation doesn’t allow me to have a lot of subscriptions. Riprow and spin bike were not cheap but that’s what I have.
Thank you in advance for your help.
John
Help me get back into a manual
/0 Comments/in Ask Lee, Skills/training/by leelikesbikesHi Lee
Speed + Gnar + New Group = Fried Brain
/1 Comment/in Ask Lee, Life with a capital L/by leelikesbikesHi Lee,
The other day I rode with a different group of riders on a trail I’ve never ridden. It was dry and loose, rutted, and littered with gnar. Which, of course, is Rad. Being the guy that was unfamiliar with the trail (and probably attempting to fight above my weight class) I was the slowest rider. I also crashed the most. I definitely pushed my limit on a few sections and the lizard in my head was not happy. I felt myself riding off the back and could not always correct in time to save it. My brain was fried on those sections.
This was the first time I reverted back to lizard auto pilot in a very long time. I’ve been in the same situation before but without smoking my brain stem and eating dirt. Now I’m questioning what the heck went wrong. Does this ever happen to high level riders? Not that I’m anywhere near high level status but it just made me curious whether or not this affects all riders or just average joes. Of course, any recommendations you have for preventing this from happening again are more than welcome.
Thanks,
Keoni