Hardtail pinned on natural terrain

I’m riding Captain America on technical trail tomorrow. Stoked! Expect a full report.

In the spirit of pinning a hardtail on natural terrain, behold this video of a hardtail being WRUNG OUT in Whistler.

Bonus: Essay writing contest.


Hardtail with flats. Smooth as silk. Super impressive.

If you’ve ridden these trails, you know some sections are handfuls on “big” bikes. Also, imagine the physical work that went into shooting this.

Braaap!!!

— Lee

A free copy of Welcome to Pump Track Nation goes to the first well-written analysis of Jinya Nishiwaki’s kung fu.


12 replies
  1. Ralf says:

    Hi Lee,

    I don’t think I’ll be able to write that well, but I’m gonna try.

    It seems to me that he is especially good at letting the rear wheel do its thing. He knows it’ll happen, but he doesn’t care. No matter if it’s up and down (2.22), or side to side movements (3.10), he just let’s the rear wheel bounce, while the front wheel is tracking at all times. Human rear suspension.

    However, his dominating strength might be his line choice. Even in the most gnarly-looking secions he finds a surprisingly smooth line (1.50).

    Have fun trying this on Captain America!

  2. zach says:

    Lee Buddy,
    Hardtails are the only way to ride these types of trails. I love rocking the Hardtail on down hills with a slick on the back it really gives you a true feel for the trail. I am stoked you are rocking the Hardtail for all aspects of your riding and excited to here how it turns out for you.

  3. Jeff says:

    It looks like it would be very difficult to ride anything on this trail. Good thing Jinya opted to glide over the trail instead of ride on it.

  4. leelikesbikes says:

    >> Good thing Jinya opted to glide over the trail instead of ride on it.

    Ha! Definitely.

    electric: More exploits = sweet.

    Ralf: Nice explanation. He picks great lines, and he’s extremely fluid. He’s also probably in great shape. I will email your Welcome to Pump Track Nation ebook right now.

  5. Eric says:

    So Lee, ya going snow biking today (Friday)?

    I just got a Fox 36 for my TransAM and am going to try getting out Sat. or possibly this afternoon.
    Gots to get some biking before the next indoor BMX, BraaAP!

  6. Eric says:

    His feet are heavy, his hands light, body mass stays in relatively the same place, he’s turning his whole body before initiating the turns, and he’s pushing the bike ahead of him over those big bumps.

    Basically, he’s doing everything I don’t do…

    (We still have 4″ of snow here in Pittsburgh, but now I really have an itch for the trails!)

  7. leelikesbikes says:

    No snow biking today. Planning to hit the gym (or frozen garage).

    Thinking about yesterday’s rocky DH:

    I built the Captain with 6″ rotors. My Stumpy and Enduro have 8″ rotors. I was foolish to think the bike with less suspension needs less brakes. It needs just as much braking power — or more — because the braking zones are shorter.

  8. bradleycloud says:

    I rode a hardtail with v brakes for 12 years. Went with a two shock bike last spring. I can’t rock like that guy on either, but I learned alot from the years on the hardtail. I keep saying that I am going to jump back on the hardtail, but it hasn’t happened yet (12 years was a long time and fork is cashed out, v brakes, list goes on).
    At the end of a long ride my back thanks me for the new bike.
    When it is all said and done, enjoy whatever you are riding.

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