We're not quite sure if it's the cool fall air, the approaching holidays, or the pumpkin spice lattes, but something seems a little different about Filthy Phil Nicoletti this week. Normally irascible and blunt, Nicoletti provided answers to your questions this time around that were slightly less filthy and a shade more friendly. We're not sure what to make of it, but either way, enjoy!
As always, if you have any questions or thoughts to share with Phil, send them on over to Phil@RacerXOnline.com.
Hey Phil,
At 6’ 2” I feel cramped on my YZ250. I have long legs and a shorter torso, so I feel hunched when standing and scrunched up when seated. I understand you’ve run the combo of footpegs and footpeg mounts that were lowered and back. Walk me through the pros and cons on opening up the rider triangle that way, rather than with a tall seat and/or bar risers.
Thanks,
-Jared
Jared,
I’m only 5’10, but for some reason I feel like I look bigger on the bike. But I’m not a fan of a small rider triangle. A lot of the bikes are a tight feeling. Myself personally, the aftermarket triple clamps a lot of companies make are a big help. Luxon MX clamps, which I’ve used the past three years, have three sets of holes. I run the middle hole, with the bar mounts forward with +4mm risers. I run a tall Guts seat that's shaved down a certain way for me. I then would run the Works Connection mounts (5mm down, 5mm back) with pegs that are (5mm down, 5mm back). As you can tell by this setup, I HATE BEING CRAMPED! I can’t even function on the track when I’m all squished, especially in SX when you have to move around on the bike a lot in rhythms and whoops. Another thing that helps that’s a bit extreme is a longer shock shaft. Also for me, the wider rider triangle helps me get my ass off the seat easier. It allows me to have more leverage to move up and down.
-Phil
Hey Phil
First off, congratulations on your retirement, you had a stellar career. Second, what are your thoughts on your first GNCC? You got fourth O/A in the morning race, which is not too bad at all. I’ve raced both but it’s been years ago. They both are completely different and take a different approach. Maybe you might have a new career in off-road?
-Rob D
Rob,
I mean, I enjoyed it, but to make it a career? Hell no, dude. The two hour race for me was about perfect. It was enough riding to where I still didn’t mind my dirt bike. If I had to do three hours on a new bike in a new discipline, I would have smoked a tree on purpose. I highly recommend other people who haven’t done a GNCC yet to go do so. Just do the two hour one because it was enjoyable. Maybe next year with a little more time on a bike, I would do the three hour race. Maybe Snowshoe and Ironman?
-Phil
Phil,
Now that you’re not bound by the obligations of racing and don’t have to live near a team’s headquarters, I’m wondering where you’ll settle down and live your life. You’ve been all over the country and have seen much more of America than most of us regular folk. What areas have you found the most appealing? What states will you never set foot in again?
-Eric
Eric,
My end goal is to come back to NY where I grew up. I purchased the childhood property I grew up on when I was a kid so I could eventually have a family and raise everyone there. Then the kids could grow up doing whatever they want, just like I had the opportunity to do. With that being said, I’ve been in Charlotte for 12 years now and that’s become my home away from home. All of my best friends are there. In this sport, the friends you meet ultimately become family. Charlotte is a great city, but at this moment in time it’s so overpopulated. The long term goal 10 years ago was that I would already be back in NY. But, the crazy thing with life is you never truly know which way you’ll end up. No matter how much you try to make a long or short term plan, it might never happen. At this point in time Charlotte is still the short term goal, but I’ll eventually make that transition back to NY. But, who knows? You can't predict where life takes you all the time. But I do like NY, and I like being on property where there is no one else around. That to me is priceless.
-Phil
