
James McKnight
James McKnight is a freelance mountain biking journalist and the founder of Misspent Summers, an independent publishing company famed for producing downhill and enduro racing year books. Before starting his own company, James cut his teeth working for the now discontinued but fondly remembered Dirt Magazine. James started racing mountain bikes at a young age and went to on to compete internationally at downhill World Cups while travelling across Europe in an ancient and clapped out Volkswagen Transporter. James now lives in the French Alps where he puts his wealth of knowledge and a lifetime spent riding bikes to good use by documenting the most exhilarating stories in the sport and writing about the latest gear.
Recent articles by James McKnight

Own an ebike? Here's you can make it last longer and save money
How to wash an ebike, how to update a motor's firmware and other ebike maintenance basics explained

Demystifying tyre carcass construction: what do you need for your mountain bike?
We delve deep into the world of mountain bike tyre casings

Rocky Mountain launches all-new Dyname 4.0 drive motor system on two new e-MTBs
Altitude Powerplay and Instinct Powerplay bikes benefit from lighter, quieter motor and mid-high main pivot point

Mondraker's all-new Raze trail bike promises to combine XC speed and enduro capability, plus updated Foxy
From XC to full-on enduro, both bikes promise to cover all bases

Scott’s new Patron eRIDE boasts bucketloads of neat integration (including a nifty rear light)
The Patron features the latest in battery and motor technology, plus integrated suspension

Voodoo’s sub-£1k 2022 range covers MTB, gravel, urban and kids’ bikes
Mountain, gravel, urban and kids' bikes at value price points

Voodoo’s value-packed Bizango hardtail gets longer and slacker but retains a fun and agile character
Voodoo's revamped Bizango is great value and ready to hit the trails

Trek reimagines Roscoe as hardcore hardtail for 2022
29in wheels, 2.6in tyres and a refreshed geometry for Trek's revamped Roscoe

Zipp’s trail-smoothing 3ZERO MOTO single-wall wheelset is back with a totally redesigned hub
The redesigned ZM2 hub is suitable for electric mountain biking

£700 Garmin Enduro smartwatch looks perfect for serious bikepacking
New smartwatch boasts solar charging and massive battery life

New Merida Ninety-Six XC race bike gets the long, slack and low downcountry treatment
Long-standing cross-country race bike is happy on aggressive trail rides

Get funky and light with two limited-edition products from SunRinglé and Hayes
Düroc SD37 wheelset gets a spot of nineties flair and Dominion brakes go extra light

Whyte sneakily launches three brand-new bikes | New G-180, T-160 and T-140
Three new ranges quietly released on Whyte website

2021 Nukeproof Mega range promises shred-ready and budget-friendly enduro bikes
Both 27.5 and 29in wheel options in a range of sizes and builds

Mavic’s new Crossmax SL and XL carbon wheels promise lighter, stiffer, faster performance
Three new wheelsets for cross-country and trail riding

Specialized's new Chisel is a fast, light and affordable XC race machine
Popular cross-country bike updated for 2021 with trickle down geometry, internal cabling and a lightest 1,400g build

Bike of the Week | Pace RC295 Ultimate GX
Designed-in-UK boundary-pushing carbon 29er

Popular and affordable Nukeproof Scout hardtail is back for 2021
Two wheel size options and plenty of stock

2020 TweedLove mountain bike festival cancelled
Hillside Outside hoping to run event in 2021

Manitou’s new R7 forks and Mara shock are for XC racing and day-to-day shredding
Light and fast products for racers and weekend warriors alike

Sun Ringle Düroc 30 wheels and ProTaper components top off Hayes’ new XC range
Lightweight components for the modern cross-country rider and racer

Cane Creek’s updated Helm fork offers sensitivity and, more importantly, hot pink
Updated parts should improve Helm’s sensitivity and user-friendliness

Öhlins says the updated DH38 m.1 fork is smooth, supple and versatile
Ebike-approved DH38 m.1 is for more than winning World Championship downhill titles

Cedric Gracia backed e-MTB looks very promising (but you can't buy it yet)
Forestal Siryon lightweight enduro electric bike looks like a very promising package