Sam Pilgrim

Sam Pilgrim signs with Canyon

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Marmite mountain bike character Sam Pilgrim has been announced as moving to Canyon. His first project is planned for February 2023 with a video expected in the spring.

Canyon Press Release:

LEGENDARY FREERIDER SAM PILGRIM SIGNS WITH CANYON

British rider welcomed to Canyon CLLCTV roster

Sam Pilgrim

KOBLENZ, GERMANY | EMBARGO: WEDNESDAY 4 JANUARY, 2023, 1900 (CET) — With his infectious enthusiasm and extensive list of achievements, Sam Pilgrim is one of the most recognised faces on the global free ride scene. And from 2023, he’ll be riding for Canyon, one of the most recognised bike brands.

Despite being only 32, he’s been riding competitively for over 20 years. Originally from Colchester, UK, Sam Pilgrim is now globally recognised for his hugely successful Youtube channel, which reaches over 1.8m subscribers with bi-weekly video releases.

But it was competing at the highest levels of slopestyle, freeride and dirt riding that earned Sam his stripes.

He first came to attention on the international stage at 17 with victory in Austria’s King of Dirt competition. The FMB World Tour Champion title came in 2013 and podium places at Crankworx, Dirtmasters, Red Bull Joyride and FISE festival followed. His noticeable appearances at X-Games and Red Bull Rampage have since contributed to his legendary status.

In 2015 Sam directed his focus into content making and launched the Sam Pilgrim Youtube channel. It grew into one of the biggest channels in the MTB world. And despite the demands of managing a highly popular Youtube channel, Sam continues striving to meet his personal challenge of one podium place per year. Alongside this, his challenges, trips and adventures inspire a huge number of riders across the globe.

Sam will join Canyon CLLCTV in 2023. Canyon CLLCTV is Canyon’s community of global off-road riders, racers and ambassadors and, with the goal of bringing riders together and encouraging more people to hit the trails, Sam is a perfect fit for the brand’s off-road family.

As someone who will ride just about any bike, anywhere, anytime, Sam will be repping most of Canyon’s MTB range. For freestyle and street riding duties the Stitched 720 and Stitched 360 dirt jump bikes with their ‘category 5’ abuse rating are perfect. For trail riding he’ll use Canyon’s Spectral and Stoic models, whereas for bike park days and big mountain hits the Canyon Torque will be Sam’s go-to bike. And when he wants to hit the trails lap after lap, Sam’s Spectral:ON and Torque:ON e-MTBs will be the stars of the show.

He says: “Hello everyone. 2023 with Canyon is gonna be epic. It’s a dream come true. I’ll be riding the best bikes alongside the sickest team which means loads of amazing times, a bunch of sick videos coming your way and I’ll be hitting a few contests over the year, and loving every minute of it. Let’s go!”

Jack Noy, Canyon’s Gravity Brand Manager said: “It’s massively exciting news for Canyon and the CLLCTV to be working with Sam. He has a huge reputation for being an incredible rider, and his positivity and down-to-earth approach acts like a magnet to bring more people into the MTB world. We’re stoked to be able to support Sam, and we’re looking forward to 2023 and beyond.”

What about The Kaos Factor?

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A post shared by Canyon CLLCTV (@canyon_cllctv)

Pilgrim joins Kaos Seagrave as a Canyon athlete. Kaos recently announced a move away from Downhill racing and a return of focus to freeride. We will see the pair of them teaming up in freeride competitions this season?

While you’re here…

https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/canyon-torque-29-cf-9-review-big-travel-agility-big-grins/
https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/take-the-singletrack-world-mega-survey/

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Orange Switch 6er. Stif Squatcher. Schwalbe Magic Mary Purple Addix front. Maxxis DHR II 3C MaxxTerra rear. Coil fan. Ebikes are not evil. I have been a writer for nigh on 20 years, a photographer for 25 years and a mountain biker for 30 years. I have written countless magazine and website features and route guides for the UK mountain bike press, most notably for the esteemed and highly regarded Singletrackworld. Although I am a Lancastrian, I freely admit that West Yorkshire is my favourite place to ride. Rarely a week goes by without me riding and exploring the South Pennines.

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Home Forums Sam Pilgrim signs with Canyon

  • This topic has 30 replies, 26 voices, and was last updated 1 year ago by mert.
Viewing 30 posts - 1 through 30 (of 30 total)
  • Sam Pilgrim signs with Canyon
  • Blackflag
    Free Member

    32? I thought he was in his late 40s. Comes across like an embarrassing dad trying to impress his son’s mates.

    PrinceJohn
    Full Member

    Didn’t realise he’d done Rampage?

    kayak23
    Full Member

    Sam is an incredibly gifted rider and very entertaining. He led the way for the bike YouTubeists imho.

    I’m glad he’s off those BSO bikes! 😂
    Canyon should be a great move for him.

    To the sky!

    desperatebicycle
    Full Member

    I’ve watched some of his videos. He rode a bamboo bike and busted it, had a fallout with his neighbours for motorbiking in his back garden..? Not sure why I’d care that he rides for Canyon, Haibike or Carrera tbh. I won’t buy a bike based on the brand that he occasionally tits about on.

    FunkyDunc
    Free Member

    I won’t buy a bike based on the brand that he occasionally tits about on.

    I think he has done alot for mountain biking brands. Certainly ebikes. What he can do on one is incredible, and I bet he has increased sales of all brands.

    He is an incredibly gifted bike rider.

    I am not sure if Canyon will warm to his bodge it approach to bike maintenance.

    His first video is expected in the spring.

    His first video came out yesterday. Amazing skill in that tunnel !

    No he isnt everyone’s cup of tea, but his videos are very entertaining and showcase amazing skill. Fact is if he was dull, no one would watch the vids

    desperatebicycle
    Full Member

    What he can do on one is incredible, and I bet he has increased sales of all brands.

    Fair point 🙂

    pmurden
    Full Member

    He’s done so much on a bike and I’m glad a brand like Canyon has snapped him up. Good on him and I look forward to more “epic” videos.

    clubby
    Full Member

    Not my cup of tea but can see why he appeals to a certain demographic. Mainly those spending mum and dad’s money because they are too young to work.

    Undeniably talentented, just a bit of a self entitled ****.

    oldfart
    Full Member

    Judging by the comments Marmite is spot on ! 😁

    oldfart
    Full Member

    Wonder if he can spell talented without added extra unecessary words ? 😁😁😁😏

    Speeder
    Full Member

    kayak23

    I’m glad he’s off those BSO bikes! 😂

    Glad I’m not the only one that thinks that about Haibike. I’ve not been a fan of SP’s especially the slightly entitled and self indulgent side but glad he’s made this work for him.

    kayak23
    Full Member

    He has an infectious enthusiasm for sure.

    . I’ve not been a fan of SP’s especially the slightly entitled and self indulgent side but glad he’s made this work for him.

    Yeah, I mean his actual job is to be like that essentially, in order to get video views.

    The only thing I don’t like on his channel is the Surron stuff, especially when he’s ragging it around housing estates.
    He’s doing less of that now to be fair and tends to use them on non public spaces… sometimes.

    He really deserves to be on a decent brand though. He’s incredibly good at what he does and his influence is far reaching.
    You pick up on quite a few other tubers taking direct influence from him.

    Canyon have a great range of bikes covering a lot of bases so hopefully it’ll bring a lot more inspiration for him.

    Not my cup of tea but can see why he appeals to a certain demographic. Mainly those spending mum and dad’s money because they are too young to work.

    I’m 49 😂

    twonks
    Full Member

    I’m 51 and love most of Sam Pligrims videos too.

    Sure, some are clearly a bit cringe worthy, as is his approach to building and maintenance etc but – it is just one side to his channel. The rest, which is riding, is unbelievably good. His skills on a bike make many other competitive athletes look daft.

    I watched the podcast with him on Ollie Wilkins channel the other day and whilst he still comes over as the same guy in his videos, it is clear he has a good grounding and appreciation for what he has.

    Good guy imho, and will probably be great for Canyon.

    avdave2
    Full Member

    It’s always good to be reminded that growing up is optional. I’d hate to live in a world where everyone was like him but I do love the fact that there are people like him.

    zerocool
    Full Member

    While not the biggest fan, I’m glad someone with his talent has landed a decent brand. I have nothing against Haibike it did look like he was one of those old Freeriders that sign with a Z list brand to keep being sponsored (lots of older Canadians have done this)

    And he’s one of the few ‘influencers’ that actually seem to be worth sponsoring.

    DickBarton
    Full Member

    He is a seriously talented rider, however, some of his behaviour really didn’t work for me and a lot of his chat seemed to work best when it was on mute for me – I’m clearly not his target, but his riding skill and ability always impresses me. Moving to Canyon sounds like a great move for him.

    Mugboo
    Full Member

    I watched a video recently, possibly with Remi, I think in Europe, where Sam was riding some seriously steep trails with only the back brake working. He definitely has talent.

    el_boufador
    Full Member

    1. Riding – excellent
    2. Maintenance – hilarious
    3. Positive well humoured vibes – great
    4. Cracking a monny and other comedy – good
    5. Cheeky riding – well I do that, so I can’t judge
    6. Sur-ron – not cool
    7. V8s – not cool

    On balance I like him (I’m 44)

    leffeboy
    Full Member

    i can’t watch a whole video of his but he comes across as 100% geniune and in a world where you suspect that most ‘influencers’ really think their viewers are muppets I love him for it.  I’m very happy he can still make it work

    didnthurt
    Full Member

    And his grips are good at a good price.

    Rockhopper
    Free Member

    I’m 58 and watch all his stuff! I do find the sponsorship thing totally disingenuous though, last week Haibike were dreams and this week it’s Canyon kind of thing. It whoever gives him free bikes are the best.
    I’m not sure if his mechanicing techniques are just for the videos but it does annoy me a little.
    He’s an incredible rider though.

    sirromj
    Full Member

    Looking good on the Stitched 720.

    kayak23
    Full Member

    That is a rad bike 👌
    That little bit of bounce will suit him well. He goes pretty hard.

    His slam in the last video was really harsh.
    Lucky to get away with that relatively unscathed.

    reeksy
    Full Member

    Comes across like an embarrassing dad trying to impress his son’s mates.

    My kids are impressed.

    So am I and i’m old enough to be my kids’ Dad.

    I don’t often watch the videos though as they’re a bit clickbaity and often full of nonsense. If it’s something more substantial i’ll watch though.

    I thinks there’s an ADHD stage persona on YT, but suspect he’s a bit more toned down in real life – like when you see him at a slopestyle competition.

    5lab
    Free Member

    there’s a definite whiff of tim westwood in his pimp my ride days.

    zippykona
    Full Member

    I prefer it when he breaks things.

    kayak23
    Full Member

    I prefer it when he breaks things.

    Like this? 😳

    yoshimi
    Full Member

    Does anyone remeber that surreal moment a few years back when he was a contestant on that Paddy McGuinness no liky no lighty thing?

    Anyway, great rider, good luck to him!

    nedrapier
    Full Member

    Good to see the Canyon deal hasn’t put a stop to the lo-tech, hi-enthusiasm dicking about:

    mert
    Free Member

    Marmite mountain bike character Sam Pilgrim

    Think he’s closer to Surströmming.

    there’s a definite whiff of tim westwood in his pimp my ride days.

    Sam Pilgrim is a lot of things, but i don’t think he’s into sexual abuse.

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