Finished: Ask Us Anything LIVE with Jared Graves

Apr 19, 2018 at 22:37
by Pinkbike Staff  

Jared Graves weaves his way through the slippery jungle.
ASK ME ANYTHING
Jared Graves


Jared Graves' accomplishments on the bicycle are unrivaled, with countless Enduro World Series, 4-Cross, Dual Slalom, and Downhill victories to his name. He was even selected to represent Australia in BMX at the 2008 Olympics, where he went on to finish an impressive 6th. He's also one of the hardest working athletes around.


How ‘Ask Us Anything' Works:

Type your questions for Jared Graves in now, and starting at 12:00 PM PDT/8:00 PM BST on April 20, 2018 Jared Graves will answer as many as he can on LIVE camera from the Sea Otter Classic. Tune in at 10:00 AM PDT to watch the show! Everyone who posts a question, large or small, will be taken seriously.

To make this go as smoothly as possible, try to follow these guidelines:

• Keep your questions relevant
• Stay focused and keep your questions on one topic if possible. You can always ask about another item later.
• Try to keep your questions to about 100 words
• Ask Us Anything is a service to PB readers who are seeking helpful information, not a forum to broadcast opinions or grievances. If you do have an issue that you want to ask about, no worries, just keep your complaints relevant and in the context of a question so that it can be addressed in a productive manner
• Use propping to acknowledge good (or not so good) questions and bump them up or down to where they belong

Other time zones:
• 3:00 PM EST (New York)
• 8:00 PM BST (London)
• 9:00 PM CET (Paris)
• 9:00 PM SAST (Cape Town)
• 5:00 AM AEST (Sydney, Australia)

Man vs. Beast - the Jared Graves Interview
Last year s winner Jared Graves can barely contain his excitement this week.

MENTIONS: @iamspecialized @SeaOtterClassic


Author Info:
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Member since Jul 22, 2013
3,465 articles
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171 Comments
  • 117 5
 Would you rather fight 1 giant Richie Rude or 10 dwarf Richie Rude's ?
  • 7 2
 Both are scary as f*** !
  • 1 0
 Hahaha!!! Best question ever!!!
  • 8 2
 Have you ever eaten some funky food on the road and got explosive diarrhea during a race?
  • 5 0
 I fight 10 D.R.Rs just don't feed them after midnight.
  • 1 0
 jared- where can i get a yeti super x?!!!!! pls and thnx.
  • 4 0
 how big is this giant Richie Rude? Double, triple the normal size? Incredible Hulk size equivalent or Andre the Giant?
  • 1 0
 @Grmasterd: "Normal Richie" qualifies as 1 giant.
  • 1 0
 @siderealwall2: I though 1 normal Richie = 1 normal Jason Borne
  • 1 0
 Bruce Venture
  • 46 1
 I, and many others, enjoyed your bike setup notes and descriptions of every race. Will they come back? Smashing widely-held truths was great: e.g. Light bike? Nah. Stiff wheels? Nah.
  • 3 1
 Miss these as well!
  • 2 0
 Check his instagram!
  • 3 0
 Where were these? Sounds interesting.
  • 5 0
 @Pedro404: www.pinkbike.com/news/jared-graves-incredible-comeback-at-whistler-ews-2014.html

One of the most inspirational "Don't Give Up!" stories out there.
  • 2 0
 Thanks for answering. Fingers crossed they'll be back.
  • 43 1
 Do you ever take pause after a mechanical problem, inhale a nice lot of fresh crisp mountain air and scream at the top of your lungs to the heavens “stop f**king breaking sh$t!!!!!!!”

I sure would.
  • 38 1
 Hi Jared,
I guess the big one is your results seem to be cursed with random mechanical that take you out of the big races. Do you think it’s just bad luck, the competition got better and you have to push harder, as parts get lighter and the races tougher they cant hold up? What’s your thoughts about getting back onto the top step.
Love to see you back at the top with a battle royal with Sam.
Best of luck for the rest of the season.
Matt
  • 4 2
 To build on that; as you're not locked into any Drivetrain company at the moment, would you consider going to a grip shifter so that even if you do throw a knee into the handlebar you can keep racing?

Or do you feel the new bike and it's cockpit will just offset a lot of these risks because through fit in general?
  • 26 3
 Hi Jared,

please give us some insight how you pick your bikes. Stumpi versus Enduro, 29 versus 27,5, sizing m versus l and so on. I always wondered why Curtis sticks to the Enduro an you seem to prefer the Stumpy ... what did you like and dislike at the different bikes?

Thank you very much,

Torsten
  • 3 1
 Jared usually answer he’s prefer the size and riding position of the stumpy vs the enduro
  • 2 1
 doesnt some of that stem from his BMX and 4x days?
  • 3 1
 As I saw the answer from PanchoPaloma I should add, that you are welcome to go deep into the details, after all we are a board of enthusiasts looking for the finer points in "riding position" (for example BB height, reach, wheelbase, ...) and in what kind of terrain these are important for you ...

PS: Thanks PanchoPaloma for warning me, I would have hoped for more ...
  • 1 0
 @toubr: cheers!
  • 20 0
 Hi Jared
1 who would you rather pillow fight: Curtis or Richie?
2 who would you rather be stuck on an island with:
Nicole Kidman and a year supply of vegimite sandwiches or Kylie Minogue and 2 cases of Victoria Bitter?
3 what is your spirit animal?
4 a house is on fire. Curtis and Richie are inside but you can only save one... who do you save? ...or save neither and become the new singer for AC/DC?
  • 30 9
 Is there any truth in the rumours that you are all foreskin and barely any shaft?
  • 2 2
 hahaaaaa
  • 18 1
 Do you think the shift back to 130/140mm-ish travel "trail" bikes by some racers shows that "enduro" bikes have gone a tad too far in terms of the long/low/slack trend? Or is it more of a 29/27.5 difference?
  • 18 0
 What are the major differences between the cultures and the people of Yeti and Specialized?
  • 6 4
 yeti don't sue the little guy?
  • 7 4
 @poah: Build a bike that copies Switch Infinity. See how long it takes Yeti to sue you.
  • 5 3
 that is clearly not what I ment.
  • 2 1
 @jclnv: More like make a brand that has the word "Special" in the name and they will sue you.
  • 18 2
 What would you change about EWS?
Do you think one practice run is a fair format?
  • 16 1
 Training question:

1. When do you start the BASE TRAINING for your season, and how long?
2. what kind of training do you practice during RACE season?

cheers
  • 1 9
flag downtownier (Apr 20, 2018 at 4:59) (Below Threshold)
 I think about this two are really good questions! But is too specific!!! Jared Maybe cannot answer
  • 10 1
 In one of the recent videos regarding testing the new Stumpjumper, you preferred the size M one. Do you think the the bikes have generally become to long? Or is it more of a personal thing, it works for some but not for others?
  • 9 0
 You're an animal. Do you need goals to motivate you, or do you just enjoy the process of training, competing and pushing your limits? Where's your deadlift at now relative to your BMX days? Did you enjoy training for more explosive power this past off-season? Best of luck for the rest of the season Smile
  • 11 1
 Do you secretly like getting on the road bike and beating the crit bunnies at their own game? Do you ever shave your legs for the aero?
  • 2 1
 have seen him do it
  • 8 0
 @Barrymay: You've seen him shave his legs? Stalker alert...
  • 3 0
 @Piersurf: haha. Neglected the second element of his question oops
  • 9 1
 Sam hill and flats? Do you ride flats?
In the pro ranks what is the word on his lines, could anyone follow his lines clipped in? And win? Why is he so fast with so much pedaling?

Aussie aussie!!
  • 7 0
 During the development phase of a new product, we know that you would be involved in a lot of the critical testing but how much influence can you put on a product, for example on reach, would it be to the nearest millimeter you have requested or "can you make it bit longer please"?
  • 6 1
 How much has tyre technology helped racing speeds improve in the last ten years? Improving the ability of the tyres to better act as part of the bike's suspension. First with lower pressures and tubeless, and now tyre inserts with the protection and element of rebound damping they provide.
  • 5 0
 Jared;
Ok! I thinking about shit happpens, but shit happens in 10 of the 16 races in the EWS 2016-2017? What are you think about this, and how to explain this two bad seasons to the fans. Because all of we knows that you work hard(est) all season.
Are to many pieces broken! Tires, chains, shifters...

I hope to gain confidence and do your best this 2018
  • 2 0
 malulo
  • 11 4
 How much do you deadlift and how much do you squat? All the best in the season!
  • 1 0
 Did he answer this?
  • 1 0
 @jaame: no, but he is doing jumping split squats with 100kg on his back, he is as tall as I am (178cm) super lean yet says he is 80kg. I am now 75kg and I think I just reached above average strength and muscle mass with 110kgx3 squat and 150x3 deadlift, he has at least 4kg more of muscle mass. You do the math. Easily squats 150 and lifts 220.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: well maybe not easily! I'm doing similar numbers to you. A little taller and a little heavier. My mate who owns a crossfit affiliate says I should be aiming for a 200kg deadlift max. I would never push that far I don't think. Double body weight is fine for me. Haven't tried a triple though. That's strictly a 1RM that I only do two or three times a year. I guess it depends on individual physiology because my max squat is currently 115 but I am the same height as Jonathan Edwards was when he was the triple jump world record holder, plus I am a few kg heavier, and he was able to squat 180 apparently. That's pretty incredible for a 6'0" guy weighing 75kg. A lot leaner than me but still. Having said that, I didn't see him do it so it could have been a partial.
  • 1 0
 I heard from multiple sources that 2.5BW at deatdlift and 2 at squat puts you into the ballpark. Then you spend a month or two on translating it into power, all sorts of plyometrics and sprints, and you rip sht apart. I can already feel how much low cadence torque I can put out but pwer and speed aren’t there yet. I’m switching time spent on stability work into plyo now. Heard a tip to do plyo straight after heavy lifting for best gains.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: pray for them gainz
  • 5 1
 How do you keep your legs fresh? Sometimes I get tired legs on sprints, they get sore and lack power. I ride lots and do squats and such but seem to lack power, I eat right but maybe I’m missing something. Thanks in advance
  • 4 0
 -What are 1 or 2 tips/critiques you would give the average rider to improve their riding?
-How do you monitor your training intensity and ensure you get adequate rest & recovery? (Do you go by feel or do you use specific tools?)
Thanks for doing this!!
  • 4 0
 Jared, you have always been known to be one of the fittest pedallers in the EWS. But this off season you seemed to have put a large emphasis on upper body workout. Is that because you were sick of Richie beating you in arm wrestling, to look swole, or for racing purposes (and if so why?).
  • 4 1
 I was once told you do up to 1,000 squats a day in the off season using just your body weight (no bar, weights, etc). please debunk this myth, otherwise you are way more savage than I thought... Thanks and good luck this season!
  • 4 1
 How did you end up getting into BMX and becoming one of the world's best while also racing the 4X World Cup? Do you think you could've won gold in 2013 if you did less Enduro and more downhill? Also any plans on racing more international XC?
  • 4 1
 I used to enjoy reading your race diaries, (maybe you still do them but I can't find them) did you find writing them a useful way of reflecting on a race and putting things in perspective?
  • 2 0
 Grubby, When are you going to get back and do at least ONE WC DH race per year? Or even why dont you drag some more of the OS riders back here for Cannonball? Keep it pinned and see you on the trails in T-Bar (when I am not broken that is!)
  • 2 0
 What is your thoughts on former DH racers coming to enduro and really kinda dominating the scene in a way. With Sam Hill, Richie Rude used to race DH when he was a junior, Fabian Barel, and yourself. You all accomplished some big things in DH racing and those skill sets seem to apply well to enduro. What are your thoughts on that and can someone like Nino Schurter win an EWS race or the overall?
  • 3 0
 if you had to merge yourself, richie and curtis together, to make the most powerful ews racer off all time, what parts would u mix and why. add a random 4th member of the ews to the mix for a special skill.
  • 3 1
 Jared,
Do you see yourself ever making the jump to the tandem enduro (tan-duro) racing circuit?
If so do you see yourself as a captain or stoker?
And finally, who might you consider for the other position on the bike with you?
  • 5 1
 Who can bench more, you or Curtis? Who is the bigger meat head, I guess? What do you think about poodles?
  • 1 0
 I’m wondering what you will be running in your new stumpy for suspension ? Stick with the 140/150mm or will u bump up at all ? I just ordered one for my new enduro bike. Looking for as much insight as possible. Thanks and best of luck the rest of the season .
  • 2 0
 Thanks for doing this. Nutrition based question; can you share your typical training day meal plan? do you eat the same way all year? or change it up race season vs off season? cheers and good luck this year.
  • 5 1
 how many times you hit the gym a week and what kind of work do you do there?
  • 4 1
 Hey Jared, are you guys running the specialized grid tieres on your ews bikes or some dh/enduro casing special tieres. Thanks and keep pushing it
  • 2 0
 You seem to be all in on coil suspension. Was there a specific moment or ride that brought about this clarity for you and made you a believer after so many years on air sprung suspension?
  • 2 0
 Over the past few years have you seen changes in EWS race stages (more tech, less tech, punchy climbs, length, etc...)? Have these changes influenced strategies and or bike set ups for you or other top riders?
  • 6 5
 Jared

Thanks for taking the time to answer some important questions that have been looming over the race world. Its time we get some answers so here we go.

1: If Specialized required you to refer to weights as pounds and not kilos, would you seek sponsorship from another team?

2: Seeing that you have had multiple problems with chains in the past, would you ask the mechanic to use a KMC chain as we would likely not notice and they don't break as much as SRAM products?

3: When you have crashed in the past, is it Kurtis or Hannah that is the first to offer to rub your shoulders and whisper in your ear that “You are the best Jared?”

4: How many pairs of SRAM brakes do you throw in the trash every year? I am at about 3 but you ride more than I do.

5: Do you hear the clanging noise from your balls of steel while you ride or is that drowned out by the whistling of the air as your fly through it?

Thanks for your responses and showing us how durable Specialized tire/rims can be.
  • 1 0
 oooops, apologies, l up-voted you in error.
  • 1 0
 .
.
.
Pro skier Jon Olsson has some pretty wild cars with some great graphics and always a roof box for his skies... If you had the opportunity to do something similar what car would you roll in and how would you make it your own ?
.
.
.
  • 1 0
 Do you think that brands changing almost every year their bikes and almost forcing the rider to ride the next big thing is good for the rider that passes a year twiking his bike for the best performance possible ,and start to really know how it respond in various terrains (tires also),that he/she has to start all over again,is it good for the rider ?thanks and I’m not gonna say good luck cause it might not be enough,but go and seek a witch doctor:-)))))
  • 3 0
 If you could only ride one bike for the rest of your life, what model and brand (past or present) would it be?
  • 5 1
 Do you still run split tube tubeless?
  • 6 2
 Can you make 4X great again?
  • 6 2
 Do you miss 4x? Did the uci make a mistake in dropping the sport?
  • 1 1
 Do you think you have reached the strength to weight tipping point, which is why you break so much equipment and that’s what seems to be the difference in race results?

Same would go for Richie. You guys are rapid but hench as, so destroy your equipment.
  • 4 1
 hey jared,
hows life going ?
cheers! good luck and stuff like that 3
see you some day.
  • 2 1
 Hi Jared, were you surprised at the speed of Sam Hill at the first 2 rounds. Are you going to change anything with your training and preparation or do you think you have the outright speed to match him given no mechanicals
  • 3 0
 Jared when will you get a tyre that don't go bang and mess up my enduro fantasy team #RealWorldissues
  • 1 0
 How has the EWS competition evolved recently? And how much of a role does strategy play over the course of a race weekend, or is it turning into going flat out as much as possible?
  • 1 0
 @Jared
Have you thought of swapping out to Di2 as the shifters are lower profile, could be a possible alternative to the cable shifter that gets whacked by your knee?
PS good luck for the season!
Cheers Ivan
  • 1 0
 how does ohlins suspension stack up with with the big two? which would you prefer if you could pick?

brakes? Are maguras the best for modulation? would you rather ride sram if you could?
  • 1 0
 do you recon it's better to have a high-range enduro bike that is downhill focused or to have one mid-range DH bike and one mid-range enduro bike. If you want to race some downhill tracks and enduro tracks.
  • 1 0
 Jared, you’re clearly one of the best and most experienced athletes in this sport. So any advice you could give to a kid 12yo, just starting out, and an old guy (his dad) about training and nutrition for Enduro?
  • 1 0
 What is your approach to cornering at such high speeds like you do in races? What are a couple of techniques I can focus on to improve my line and increase the speed I carry through the corners?
  • 1 0
 You seem to be either pretty high up, or have a crash/reliability issue recently. Is this something you have thought about to address? Is it coincidence Richie had a similar thing last year after dominating for two years?
  • 1 0
 Power wheelie or Manual?
Skid or Cutty?
Boost or scrub?
Can the new stumpy handle left and right consecutive turns?
Who needs to get kneecapped over the 125mm headtube on a 29’er?
And finally, Tits or Ass?
  • 1 0
 Did he answer this? The last bit I mean?
  • 1 0
 Did you drive specialized to a one frame with multiple setup format - commonly done it in the past. Are you driving their geo decisions or do the engineers make that decision?
  • 5 2
 What is your Vo2 max ml/kg/min? And peak power in watts (5s)?
  • 3 0
 Let's be real, Chipotle or Qdoba!!? #BigJoe
  • 3 0
 How many pluggers do you go through in an average EWS season?
  • 1 0
 Haha!
  • 1 0
 Is Ohlins suspension whack and thats why Specialized have dumped it on the new Stumpjumper. Guess you are stuck on it due to contracts?!
  • 1 0
 hi Jared , if you have to choose an all around bike , 27.5 or 29er wheel size and what suspension travel do you go for?? SALUDOS de Tijuana B.C. MEXICO
  • 1 0
 What other styles do you ride? Road, CX, dirt, full Lycra XC, bad ass DH, monocycle, spinning, rollers? When?
Do you do any other sports?
  • 2 0
 Do you think mountain biking in Australia has the potential to break into the mainstream media?
  • 2 0
 What do you think the best new tech coming is that the average MTB rider can benefit from and afford?
  • 2 0
 Enduro Tandem-Bike World Series - You and Curtis. Who's up front and who's in back? Why.
  • 3 0
 Where can you hide a battery in a enduro bike
  • 1 0
 In one of them new maxxis tyres?
  • 2 0
 Favorite snacks for a huge day out on the bike? Also favorite post ride binge meal if you're gonna go that route? Smile
  • 1 0
 is it true that during the scottish tweedlove EWS you hated the tight lines through trees so much you cut your bars down for race day ?
  • 1 0
 I saw you racing almost every bike discipline, what keeps you motivated? probably there is something else apart from love riding.
  • 2 0
 Have you ever considered practicing Santería or lighting candles to San La Muerte to get rid of the Specilaized curse?
  • 2 0
 Will you race the stumpy EVO on gnarly courses or do you just like the ST/LT better? And why? thx
  • 1 0
 Hi Jared!
Tell your best tips to get sponsered and your own story of thatSmile
  • 2 0
 What's your favorite place to ride in South East Queensland?
  • 1 0
 With your luck with shifters, have you considered moving to a more durable shifter like saint instead of. xtr?
  • 1 0
 Jared, Love the biking, awesome racer but what you think you'll do after bike racing?
  • 2 1
 What's your favourite course you've ever raced on? Do you like the way that courses are changing?
  • 1 3
 In your years racing EWS, what moment comes to mind first when I ask what the moment magical moment about the whole experience has been? could be sliding through an open off camber antigrip corner in chili, talking nonsense with your teammates at a training camp off season, or just taking in the view on top of a mountain somewhere...


also, whats the new stumpy EVO like? that bike looks cool
  • 1 0
 If you could race an EWS round in any country/location that there has not yet been one, where would it be?
  • 2 0
 If Nino and Gwin happened to race an EWS, what would happen?
  • 3 0
 Gwin would probably break his chain 1st stage, then, Nino would have to shuttle Gwin up to the other stages Wink
  • 1 0
 Do you chirp Curtis about the time you beat him with a blown fork at Crankzilla? That win was amazing btw
  • 1 0
 What is the greatest injustice in mountain biking that went unanswered in the Vital interview recently?
  • 2 0
 Have you ridden the new evo Stumpy? What are your thoughts on it?
  • 2 0
 How many hours do you spend on the bike, an average week?
  • 1 0
 If you could only eat one dessert for the rest of your life what would it be?
  • 1 0
 Do you think you’re more suited to certain styles of riding I.e. dry bike park, smoother faster flow trails?
  • 2 0
 Do you miss riding your Yeti bikes?
  • 2 0
 How bad is your poison oak?
  • 1 0
 what would you rather have...a burger patty with bacon and cheese (no bun), or just a patty and bun?
  • 1 0
 Would you rather have more travel on your bike or bigger wheels (27.5-29) and why?
  • 1 0
 Do you still ride your 4x bikes or bmx or not? Did you keep all the Yeti bikes? Don’t you miss 4x?
  • 1 0
 Would you go back to Yeti?
  • 1 0
 What did an average week of training consist of back in the 4x days?
  • 1 0
 Hey Jared ! hope you're well !

Will you ever ride olympic bmx again?
  • 1 0
 what is your recommendation for Ohlins TTX setup on 2017 Enduro?
  • 3 3
 Do you think having a background in BMX has helped you become the rider you are today?
  • 2 2
 Jared, are you going to or would you like to race a few rounds of world cup DH? Please?
  • 2 1
 If you weren’t a pro mountain biker, what would you be doing?
  • 2 1
 What’s were your greatest/favourite times when racing 4x?
  • 1 0
 What were you squatting back in your peak 4x days?
  • 1 0
 Burgers & Beers or Cheese & Wine?
  • 1 0
 the elephant in the room, Is the Specialized curse a thing??
  • 2 0
 Status of team bushwank?
  • 1 0
 Top 5 favorite trail systems?
  • 1 0
 How has your training changed as you have gotten older?
  • 1 0
 How do you mentally prepare for a race?
  • 1 0
 How did you train/ride when you were younger?
  • 1 0
 Could you fight a kangaroo and win?
  • 1 0
 Are “crush core” set ups worth the money?
  • 1 0
 Are you still riding for Sam Willoughby & how is he doing?
  • 1 0
 Favourite car money no object
  • 1 0
 Buy a Yeti and put specialised stickers on it.
  • 2 2
 Ask Jared........waiting for Miranda Miller to jump in
  • 3 3
 When are you going to give us another epic bar hump photo?
  • 3 3
 Why Specialized enduro seems not work good for ews race and racers?
  • 3 1
 Because the bike gods know specialized is the evil empire and won’t let their riders win.
  • 1 1
 Who do you think will win the world cup this weekend?
  • 1 1
 Based on your riding style, which animal would you be?
  • 1 0
 Did you find Riche Rude?
  • 2 2
 Medium or large?!
  • 1 0
 This.

And how much would you like a medium (low stack etc) with the reach of a large?
  • 4 5
 Hi Jared,
Do you know how to fix a flat tyre?
  • 3 3
 bangbros or braZZers ?
  • 2 2
 tits or ass ?
  • 1 3
 Can we get height, weight, favourite food and best back squat?
  • 2 4
 Who would you rather fight for your life: Ivan Drago or Richie Rude?
  • 2 5
 Are you as 'grave' as your name makes you out to be?
  • 3 6
 sum yourself up in one word please?
Below threshold threads are hidden







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