James Vincent rides possibly the best descent of his life in the North West Scottish Highlands. But is it worth…
James Vincent
Having ridden bikes for as long as he can remember, James takes a certain twisted pleasure in carrying his bike to the most inaccessible locations he can find, before attempting to ride back down again, preferably with both feet on the pedals.
After seeing the light on a recent road trip to Austria, James walked away from the stresses of running a design agency, picked up a camera and is several years deep into a mid life crisis that shows no sign of abating. As a photographer, he enjoys nothing more than climbing trees and asking others to follow his sketchy lines while expecting them to make it look as natural and stylish as possible.
He has come to realise this is infinitely more fun than being tied to a desk, and is in no hurry to go back.
Classic Ride 149 – Britain’s Newest Bridleway
James Vincent takes on the classic Borrowdale Bash, complete with new official off-road start. Words & Photography James Vincent If…
Pivot Firebird 29 Ride SLX/XT Air review
The Pivot Firebird 29 utilises DW-link suspension offering 165mm of travel, and is paired with a 170mm travel Fox 38…
Sweet Protection Arbitrator MIPS Helmet Review
The Sweet Protection Arbitrator MIPS helmets is the Norwegian brand's foray into the increasingly popular convertible helmet market.
Kona Process 153 DL 29 Review: Mellow Yellow
The latest Kona Process 153 rolls on 29in wheels and sits in the middle of the Process range; Process X…
Fox Racing Outerwear – Layers For All Occasions
Even though we’ve been enjoying some unseasonably warm and dry weather for this time of year, we’re not quite ready…
Now there’s a Canyon Spectral for all the family!
27.5, 29, alloy, mullet and even kids bikes are all covered in the new and improved 2022 Canyon Spectral range.…
First ride review 2022 Canyon Spectral CF 8 CLLCTV
The 2022 Canyon Spectral range received a massive update today, and James Vincent has been testing the mullet Spectral CF…
Review | G-Spec TRP TR12 Derailleur and Shifter Kit Tested
James Vincent takes to the mountains of the Lake District with the G-Spec TRP TR12 derailleur and shifter kit for…
Rider Gallery and Debrief: #JennRide 2021
The #JennRide is organised by Rich Munro in memory of our late Deputy Editor, Jenn Hill to raise funds for…
Marzocchi Bomber Z1 Coil and Bomber CR Coil Shock Review
Intro When it was originally launched way back in 1997, the Marzocchi Bomber caused something of a stir. I don’t…
Continental Kaiser Protection Apex 29 x 2.4 Review
James Vincent tests the Continental Kaiser on the knob ripping rocks of the Lake District. Find out how they performed…
Propain Hugene Performance Review | One bike to rule them all?
In recent months, you might be more familiar with Propain’s Spindrift being hucked off all manner of ridiculous gaps by…
Salsa Cassidy and Blackthorn Review – One frame, two dream builds
There are times when this whole bike testing thing can be such a drag, man. Being faced with the prospect…
Shimano ME502 Review – An all round trail riding shoe?
Updated for 2021, The Shimano ME502 (or ME5 for short) can be found nestled in Shimano’s Enduro/Trail category along with…
Deviate Highlander Long Term Test Bike Build
Ladies and gentlemen, please allow myself to introduce… my new Deviate Highlander long term test bike. Or at least it…
Rider Inspiration: All-mountain clothing from ASSOS
Legendary Swiss brand ASSOS have a solid reputation amongst our lycra clad cousins for outstanding kit at the unashamedly higher…
Julbo Quickshift MTB Goggles | 2 Modes, 1 Pair of Goggles
James tries out the Julbo Quickshift MTB Goggles – will he be glad of the protection they give his eyes?…
Evolution not Revolution – Identiti Mettle Mk 2 Review
James Vincent spends a winter in the Lake District on the new Identiti Mettle Mk2. Introduction For someone who spends…
Cotic CC | All that way for a pint and a bike ride? You must be mad.
What makes The Cotic Cycling Club meet ups worth a 280 mile round trip for a ride and a pint?…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 128 | Revelstoked
On a day off in Revelstoke, Canada, James Vincent has no option but to climb a mountain, just to come…
Time Speciale 8 ATAC pedal review | Pretty much perfect?
An early convert to clipless pedals, I’ve been riding variations of Shimano SPD clipless pedals for the best part of…
Canyon Neuron:ON:on:on:on | To Hell With Battery Life, Let’s Play!
Is an e-bike more fun in boost? We take the Canyon Neuron:ON to play fast and loose with battery life…
RedBull Hardline – Bigger In Real Life, But Is It Worth The Effort?
What’s it like to be at RedBull Hardline? Should you make the trip to Wales, or stay home and watch…
2019 Cotic BFe First Ride Review
James Vincent grabs a first ride on the new Cotic BFe hardtail. When launching a new bike, some bike companies…
Manitou Mattoc Pro Long Term Review
James Vincent checks out the Manitou Mattoc Pro Boost fork – how does it stand up to the competition? Another…
Giant Reign Advanced Pro 29 0 | First Ride Review
James Vincent has been to Canada to ride the new Giant Reign Advanced Pro 29. Read on to see what…
Giant Reign 29 | The Reign of 27.5 is over! Long live the 29er!
In a somewhat inevitable and not wholly unexpected move, Giant’s long travel enduro race bike, The Giant Reign 29, will…
Review | Who needs carbon when the Hunt Enduro Wide wheelset is as good as this
James gives us his review on the Hunt Enduro Wide wheels after 9 months of punishment What do you do…
Longterm Review | FSA Flowtron Dropper Post
After six months of testing, James Vincent delivers us his verdict of the FSA Flowtron dropper post Which has revolutionised…
Review | These Leatt 3DF 5.0 soft-shell knee pads are almost perfect
James Vincent gives us his longterm review of Leatt’s soft-shell 3DF 5.0 Knee Guards It’s incredibly rare that you’ll see…
Inside the Continental Factory | Meet the new Baron, same as the old Baron
Ever wondered how Continental tyres get made? Or indeed how any tyre is made? We sent our man James Vincent…
Review | Forget 12-speed with e*thirteen’s 9-46t TRS Race 11-speed cassette
It feels like 1×11 drivetrains have been around forever (go on, take a guess. No Googling mind. Answer* at the…
Review: The Leatt DBX 3.0 Enduro V2 Is a Transformer Helmet
The convertible helmet market continues to heat up, with Leatt throwing its hat in the ring with the DBX 3.0…
Enduro Rubbers – 4 Maxxis DoubleDown Tyres Reviewed & Compared
Maxxis has a growing range of Wide Trail (WT) mountain bike tyres, including several options with the more robust DoubleDown…
Singletrack Issue 123 : Grate Expectations
James Vincent travels to Cheddar, in the West Country for this issue’s Classic Ride, hoping to find fun trails and…
Review: Maxxis Shorty 2.5 WT DoubleDown Tyre
Maxxis has a growing range of Wide Trail (WT) mountain bike tyres, including several options with the more robust Double…
Review: Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT DoubleDown Tyre
Maxxis has a growing range of Wide Trail (WT) mountain bike tyres, including several options with the more robust Double…
Review: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5 WT DoubleDown Tyre
Maxxis has a growing range of Wide Trail (WT) mountain bike tyres, including several options with the more robust Double…
Review: Maxxis Aggressor 2.5in WT DoubleDown Tyre
Maxxis has a growing range of Wide Trail (WT) mountain bike tyres, including several options with the more robust DoubleDown…
3 Consumer-Direct Mountain Bikes Tested & Reviewed
With more and more brands selling complete mountain bikes direct to consumer, we decided to check out three of the…
Review: The UK-designed Sonder Evol aims to deliver maximum grins-per-mile
With more and more brands selling complete mountain bikes direct to consumer, we decided to check out three of the…
Review: The Intense Primer Expert comes with extra enthusiasm as standard
With more and more brands selling complete mountain bikes direct to consumer, we decided to check out three of the…
Review: The Bird Aeris 145 GX Eagle is uber-long and uber-fast
With more and more brands selling complete mountain bikes direct to consumer, we decided to check out three of the…
Unfinished Business: One Mountain, Three Ways
Earlier this year for issue 119 of The Magazine, I had a great day out on Helvellyn and subsequently wrote up…
Review: Commencal Meta Trail V4.2 Race 650B: Fun and confidence inspiring
When the bike first arrived, aside from being blown away with just how damn good the bare aluminium with orange…
Trail Hunter, The Quantock Hills: From Singletrack Issue 120
It’s rare that a good idea is found at the bottom of a bottle…
Review: There’s no need for disco slippers when the Giro Chamber II shoes are so good
James Vincent gives up his usual toe-tappers to test out the burly Chamber II shoes from Giro. The original Giro…
First Ride – WTB introduces new Vigilante, Trail Boss & Judge tyres
WTB has got some brand new tyres and rims to show off, so we sent our resident rubber nerd, James…
Singletrack Magazine Issue 119: Rubber Rendezvous
Singletrack’s self-confessed rubber sniffer takes a tour of the Hutchinson tyre factory in France to see what puts the knobs…