Open floor questions for Conrad.

(Copied from the Specialized Facebook Fanpage, facebook.com/specializedbicycles

iamspecialized.com: It seems like Conrad Stoltz (http://www.conradstoltz.com) is swinging by the office next week. Does anyone have any questions for him?

Conrad Stoltz is a three time Xterra triathlon world champion

Robert Driskell

Yes I do. How does he compare his fit on his mt bike to relation to on a road bike in multisport activity. How much of a change in his hip flexor angle is there in this relation.

Conrad Stoltz

@RobertDriskell- I have my road bike set up exactly the same as my MTB. Nowadays I only use my road bike for XTERRA training, so I dont have the road time trail position dilemma you mention. I was told by Scott Holtz at Specialized BG Fit that training at least 60% of your base rides in your TT position would actually benefit you MTB riding. (more glute workout)

Harrison Conyers IV

how can I become a pro. I train hard and i have dreamed of either doing xc racing or xterra.

Conrad Stoltz

@HarrisonConyers. To become a pro:

1)You need the right genes.

2)You need to be physically and especially mentally tough.

3) You need to love living out of a bag and spending time at airports.

4)You need patience.... See More

5)You need luck.

To get there, make sure:

1) You learn the skills while you are young

2) Have a mentor to guide you

3) have fun

4) have fun

5) have fun

Heather McNamara

How many hours a week is Conrad logging on his Specialized right now?

Conrad Stoltz

@HeatherMcNamara. Last week, I logged 0 hrs on my Specialized. I DID log about 6 hrs behind the snow shovel!

Brent Jablonski no questions, just give the man a high five for me! way to go!

Conrad Stoltz

@BrentJablonski. High five! (Is that a quote from Borat?_

Harrison Conyers IV how do you get your parents to support you financially

Conrad Stoltz

@HarrisonConyers IV. When I turned 14, my mom bought me half a road bike for my birthday. I had to buy the other half myself. They supported me like that for the 1st 2-3 years. (where I had to contribute, mow the lawn and show respect and commitment to training)

Then they encouraged me to make my own money to support my triathlon- I cut and sold bamboo and collected stone artifacts from our farm to afford purple LOOK shoes.

But when I turned pro I had to make a living for myself. (my dad reminded me often) It was really hard those 1st 10 years, but then I won World Champs and it got a lot easier to make a living!... See More

Matt Dussartre According to you, what is behind the word "Pro Triathlete"?

Conrad Stoltz

@MattDussartre. "Pro Triathlete" can mean 2 things: 1) You race in the pro category because you are really fast, but you need a part time job, because you arent quite fast enough to pay the bills. (or your bills are huge) 2) "Pro" means you make a living from sports- which is my definition.

In the perfect world, all "Pros" sould make enough money to cover their expenses, but then this aint golf...

Victor C Guido Rivas

Tremenda nave.

Conrad Stoltz

@Victor C Guido Rivas. If you tell me what language "Tremenda nave." is, I can answer you. In Spanish it means "tremendous ship"- in which case- thanks for the compliment

Alex Ziemianski

Tubeless or Tubed? Tubeless for weight savings? Or Tubed to get back on the trail after a flat?

Conrad Stoltz

@AlexZiemianski. Definitely tubeless. You'll save about 100g, but the real benefits are lower tire pressure- which greatly increases traction and ride quality- and greater puncture resistance to just about all thorns, smaller cuts and most snake bite punctures.

If you do get a flat with tubeless, take out the tubeless valve and save it, put in a normal tube, and you're good to go...

Getting tubeless tires to seat can be tough but since 2009 Specialized tires seat so easily you can do it by floor pump while sitting on the couch...