🔧XC Bike Setup & Maintenance Guides

How I prep, maintain, and dial in my bike, tires, and suspension for XC and endurance racing. These are the same processes I use leading into events like Leadville, Breck Epic, and Moab Rocks.

What I Carry in My Downtube Storage

What I Carry in My Downtube Storage

7/31/2025

Race-day tools, trailside fixes, and backup gear I hope I never need — all packed in the downtube or saddle kit.

checklist, tools, maintenance, XC racing
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How to Flip the Flip Chip on a Specialized Epic 8

How to Flip the Flip Chip on a Specialized Epic 8

5/31/2025

Step-by-step instructions to change the geometry on your Epic 8 by flipping the rear suspension chip — including torque specs, grease tips, and photos.

Epic 8, flip chip, bike setup, geometry, suspension, maintenance, RockShox
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How to Replace Pivot Bearings on a Specialized Epic 8

How to Replace Pivot Bearings on a Specialized Epic 8

2/21/2026

A practical pivot bearing replacement guide for the Specialized Epic 8 / Epic 8 EVO: exact bearing sizes, shopping list, Loctite 603 method, SBK-1 tips, and common mistakes to avoid.

Epic 8, Epic 8 EVO, pivot bearings, suspension service, maintenance
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How to Wax a Chain with SILCA – Strip Chip, Chain Stripper & Wax Pot Guide

How to Wax a Chain with SILCA – Strip Chip, Chain Stripper & Wax Pot Guide

5/17/2025

My workflow for waxing chains with SILCA’s waxing system. Including the Strip Chip, Chain Stripper, and Wax Pot.

SILCA, waxed chain, drivetrain efficiency, cleaners
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Everyday Riding with Specialized E-Bikes (2025)

Everyday Riding with Specialized E-Bikes (2025)

8/24/2025

What I ride off the racecourse — plus the Specialized e-bikes I’d recommend for commuting, errands, and casual tours.

e-bike, specialized, commuter, everyday riding
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Stage Racing Recovery Guide: How to Survive Back-to-Back Days During Epic Weeks

Stage Racing Recovery Guide: How to Survive Back-to-Back Days During Epic Weeks

9/17/2025

What I learned recovering between the Leadville 100 and six more days at the Breck Epic — fueling, sleep, recovery tools, and the mental tricks that got me to the finish.

leadville, breck epic, stage racing, recovery, nutrition
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Cold Starts, Warm Finishes: Tire Pressure for Endurance MTB Racing

Cold Starts, Warm Finishes: Tire Pressure for Endurance MTB Racing

1/28/2026

Why tire pressure math alone fails in freezing starts, how cold casing stiffness affects traction, and what I learned racing the El Paso Puzzler from 32°F to nearly 60°F.

endurance racing, tire pressure, cold weather, desert racing, setup, tire
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