James McKnight

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

Best mountain bike shoes 2024 | 30 tried and tested flat and clipless MTB shoes

Our top-rated flat and clipless shoes for mountain bikers
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Electric bike maintenance: how to look after your ebike

How to wash an ebike, how to update a motor's firmware and other ebike maintenance basics explained
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Demystifying tyre carcass construction: what do you need for your mountain bike?

We delve deep into the world of mountain bike tyre casings
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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
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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
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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
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Voodoo’s sub-£1k 2022 range covers MTB, gravel, urban and kids’ bikes

Mountain, gravel, urban and kids' bikes at value price points
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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
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Trek reimagines Roscoe as hardcore hardtail for 2022

29in wheels, 2.6in tyres and a refreshed geometry for Trek's revamped Roscoe
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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
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£700 Garmin Enduro smartwatch looks perfect for serious bikepacking

New smartwatch boasts solar charging and massive battery life
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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
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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
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Whyte sneakily launches three brand-new bikes | New G-180, T-160 and T-140

Three new ranges quietly released on Whyte website
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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
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Mavic’s new Crossmax SL and XL carbon wheels promise lighter, stiffer, faster performance

Three new wheelsets for cross-country and trail riding
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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
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Bike of the Week | Pace RC295 Ultimate GX

Designed-in-UK boundary-pushing carbon 29er
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Popular and affordable Nukeproof Scout hardtail is back for 2021

Two wheel size options and plenty of stock
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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
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Sun Ringle Düroc 30 wheels and ProTaper components top off Hayes’ new XC range

Lightweight components for the modern cross-country rider and racer
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Cane Creek’s updated Helm fork offers sensitivity and, more importantly, hot pink

Updated parts should improve Helm’s sensitivity and user-friendliness
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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
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