Readers’ Rides Bike Check: James’ BTR Ranger

Readers’ Rides Bike Check: James’ BTR Ranger

What are you all riding? This is where we find out! You send us your submissions, and then we cast our judgemental expert lustful eyes over them and bring them to the world to ooh and ahh over. We’re picking the prettiest, the most curious, and the ones with a good story for you to appraise, praise, and maybe look wistfully at. This week’s bike caught our attention both for its simple good looks and its very nice photographs. It’s James’ BTR Ranger.


Why this bike?

Wanted one ever since I saw it in Dirt 100 in 2014. Had various Cotics and Stantons but was an itch that needed scratching…

BTR Ranger
OK, our eye is caught. Let’s go deeper.
BTR Ranger
Better pedal placement.
Not so good pedal placement
Can’t help but think ‘Warhammer 40K’
Dog Tag or Headbadge?
BTR Ranger
Forth Rail Bridge, but more strokeable
Is that bolt blue?
Slight attack of trypophobia, let’s move on
BTR Ranger
Argh! Why is Frank, the rabbit from Donnie Darko, in the seat tube?
BTR Ranger
Out in the wild where it belongs.

James’ BTR Ranger

  • Frame: Ranger
  • Fork: Pike Ultimate
  • Shock: Knees and ankles!
  • Wheels: DT 350 hubs, XM481 rims.
  • Tyres: Maxxis Assegai/ Rekon (depending on season).
  • Chainset: Hope EVO
  • Rear Mech: Shimano XT
  • Shifters: Shimano XT
  • Cassette: SRAM XG1175
  • Brakes: Hope Tech E4
  • Bar & Stem: Renthal
  • Grips: DMR Deathgrips
  • Seatpost: Brand-X
  • Saddle: SDG Bel-Air
  • Accessories: EDC tool, Fidlock bottle mount.
  • Size and Weight: Size large, approx 29lb.

A solid build, using as many British parts as were sensible. Everything durable and nothing chosen for light weight. Burf is a wizard, nothing else I’ve ever ridden comes close. This one’s a keeper.

Have you caught James’ BTR itch? Maybe you’ve already scratched it yourself? Head down to the comments section below!

World Bicycle Relief WBR

While you’re here, we’d like to draw your attention to our World Bicycle Relief fundraiser. If you’ve experienced the joy of a new bike day, you’ll know how great it is. Now imagine you get given a bike, and it changes your life, giving you and your family access to education, employment or healthcare. Through World Bicycle Relief, you’ve got the power to make that happen, and if you can spare a little, we invite you to make your donation here.

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Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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