Originally hailing from the UK, Sam has been an avid mountain biker for over a decade and a shop wrench for almost half of that, Sam has worked and ridden all over the world in some dream destinations including New Zealand and Australia. Living and working in North Vancouver, BC, Sam wrenches for a high end bike store, and writes for the store and Singletracks in his spare time. Somehow he also finds time to ride his bike a few times a week in between all of that.
Learn the basics of bike wheel truing and keep your wheels running straighter, longer.
on Oct 19, 2021
The Bontrager Foray is a great shoe for anyone who wants a mid-range XC/trail riding shoe and values comfort and efficiency over either race-level stiffness or sending gnarly trails.
on Sep 11, 2021
The Bontrager Blaze WaveCel helmet is a high end trail/enduro helmet with some impressive features but isn't quite perfect.
on Aug 18, 2021
Bontrager's Rally shoe is burly, affordable, and comfortable enough to wear on all day epic rides.
on Aug 5, 2021
The Marzocchi Z1 Coil fork is a super plush trail tamer for hard hitters in a low maintenance and affordable package.
on Jun 10, 2021
The new Knolly Chilcotin rocks 29" wheels with 170/167mm travel, front and rear, and is designed to hit the gnarliest trails around while still being able to pedal it back to the top for more. Does it deliver?
on Mar 29, 2021
The Industry Nine Enduro 305 wheel set costs a pretty penny but is one of the best sets of alloy mountain bike wheels money can buy.
on Jan 4, 2021
Knolly's all new Chilcotin comes updated with 29-inch wheels, modern geometry, and a burly build spec for smashing technical trails.
on Dec 31, 2020
The Banshee Titan is a modern enduro bike that breaks the mold with stunning frame details and geometry that shreds on the descents.
on Nov 7, 2020
We test the new super simple 7Mesh Slab shorts and Desperado henley to find out how they fare out on the trails.
on Oct 31, 2020
Check out the Banshee Titan enduro bike, steeped in North Shore MTB tradition.
on Sep 2, 2020
Sam checks out SQlab 30x carbon mountain bike handlebars, and explains the advantages of more back sweep.
on Aug 22, 2020
The Ranger from Showers Pass is their newest, and largest waterproof hip pack designed for mountain biking.
on Jun 25, 2020
The PNW Range bars offer additional backsweep for a comfortable position while the stem has a mount for a camera or light.
on May 14, 2020
For the hardtail-curious, here are six reasons why some mountain bikers chose to say no to full suspension.
on Apr 20, 2020
A pair of long, waterproof mountain bike shorts that work well for riding in the winter.
on Mar 20, 2020
Even if you don't have a fat bike, riding your mountain bike on a snowy trail can be a lot of fun.
on Mar 11, 2020
This Chromag Stylus is a hardcore hardtail mountain bike, built up for shredding sketchy winter trails around the North Shore of Vancouver.
on Feb 20, 2020
The Shimano MW7 winter mountain bike shoe stands to the task of keeping feet warm and happy in cold, wet environments.
on Jan 25, 2020
Sam shares how much cycling and mountain biking in particular have improved his life.
on Jan 15, 2020
The PNW Bachelor dropper seatpost is reasonably priced, reliable, and easy to set up.
on Dec 2, 2019
Working in a bike shop isn't perfect, but if you live for bikes then it can be one of the best jobs out there.
on Nov 11, 2019
Internal cable routing for a mountain bike frame doesn't need to be a thing of mystery. Sam James shows us how to make it simple.
on Nov 5, 2019
The new Santa Cruz Hightower is a great all-rounder of a mountain bike. It climbs well, is comfortable to ride, and can shred downhill.
on Sep 25, 2019
Recent Vancouver transplant Sam James fills us in on the best mountain biking around North Vancouver and the legendary North Shore with trail guides to Mount Fromme and Mount Seymour.
on Sep 13, 2019