WTB has got some brand new tyres and rims to show off, so we sent our resident rubber nerd, James Vincent, down to Bikepark Wales to see what he thought…
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.
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 into our knobblies. Words & Photography james vincent I’m floating…
Singletrack Issue 119 Classic Ride – Ultimate Helvellyn
Words & Photography James Vincent This is a Classic Ride you’ve got to work for, but it’ll be worth it. Really, there’s just a bit more up… How do I…
Review: The superb Flow Snap Enduro Core tyre breaks new ground for VEE Tire Co.
Having tested about a kerbillion tyres on his unforgiving home trails in the Lake District as part of last year’s High Tech Trail Tyre Group Testr, James Vincent has become…
Review: 2018 Trek Slash 9.7 – it flatters you into thinking you’re a riding god!
If you get your kicks from heading downhill over rough terrain as quickly as possible, then the Trek Slash simply has to be at the top of your shopping list.
Review: Is The 2018 RockShox Pike RCT3 Still Master Of The Mountain?
Should you upgrade to a 2018 Pike? James swapped his '16 fork for a shiny new one to find out
ST Recommended: Crank Brothers Goes For Mega Reliability With The 160mm Travel Highline Dropper Post
With 160mm of travel, the Crank Brothers Highline is one of the most reliable dropper posts we've ever tested
Review: Camelbak KUDU Protector 20 Backpack
Redesigned for 2018, the all-new Camelbak KUDU combines an in-built back protector with a brilliant harness and clever storage. Review within.
Review: High Tech Trail Tyre Group Test
James put 10 burly trail tyres to the test. Few survived. Read the full results to find out which ones he recommends.
Review: Maxxis High Roller II EXO 3C 27.5×2.4in Tyre
How did the venerable Maxxis High Roller II hold up against the competition in our High Tech Trail Tyre group test? Read on to find out.
Review: Hutchinson Toro Hardskin 27.5×2.35in Tyre
The Hutchinson Toro proved to be one of the biggest surprises of the whole tyre group test.
Review: Rose Root Miller 3
James Vincent puts this mid-travel 29er to the test in big mountains and tight trails. How does he get on?
Review: Michelin Wild Rock’R² Gum 27.5×2.35in Tyre
Michelin is on a mission with its new range of off-road tyres. So has the new Wild RockR² accomplished that mission? James investigates.
Review: e*thirteen TRS Race 27.5×2.35in Tyre
James tests the Baker's Dozen of all tyre brands to find out if the TRS Race is the ultimate rubber for all mountain shreddability.
Review: Vee Crown Gem 27.5×2.35in Tyre
Vee Tire Co. is often overshadowed by the bigger tyre brands, so James got some Crown Gem tyres in for testing to see if he was missing out.
Review: Specialized Butcher GRID 27.5×2.3in Tyre
For enduro racing and alpine schralping, Specialized offers the Butcher tyre with a reinforced GRID casing. But is it as tough as they say it is?
Review: WTB Vigilante TCS Tough High Grip 27.5×2.3in Tyre
WTB offers the Vigilante tyre with a TCS Tough casing and a High Grip rubber compound for those who are hard on their gear.
Review: Schwalbe Hans Dampf Super Gravity 27.5×2.35in Tyre
Schwalbe has updated the Hans Dampf tyre with a new Addix rubber compound. Is it grippier, faster and more durable? James investigates
Review: Kenda Honey Badger DH Pro 27.5×2.4in Tyre
Does one's Honey Badger simply not care? James investigates with this burly reinforced enduro tyre from Kenda.
Review: Continental Der Kaiser Projekt Protection Apex 27.5×2.4in Tyre
James tests the chunky Continental Der Kaiser Projekt tyres as part of our Hi-Tech Rubber group test.
Review: Crank Brothers Highline Dropper Post
After the Kronolog disaster, has Crank Brothers redeemed itself with the Highline? James has spent 12 months on one to find out
WTB Warden TCS Tough High Grip Tyre
Just how good is the WTB Warden tyre? James Vincent has been putting a set through its paces, and he reckons this is one of the best.
First Full Test: Intense ACV Pro 27.5+
We've had one of Intense's new monster truck bikes in on test for a while
Buyers Guide: Backpacks with Back Protectors
Spines are quite important things. Here's some options for protecting yours
Review: Platypus Tokul 8.0 XC
An afternoon-ride sized backpack from Platypus, as seen Singletrack Issue 103