Jim Bland
Jim Bland is a product tester and World Cup downhill mechanic based in North Yorkshire, England, but working Worldwide. Jim’s chosen riding genre is hard to pinpoint and regularly varies from e-bike-assisted shuttle runs one day to cutting downcountry laps the next. Always on the hunt for the perfect setup, Jim will always be found comprehensively testing kit with World Cup racing levels of detail. His ultimate day out includes an alpine loam trail, blazing sunshine, and some fresh kit to test.
Rides: Santa Cruz Hightower, Santa Cruz v10, Specialized Kenevo.
Height: 170cm
Weight: 64kg
Latest articles by Jim Bland
![A rider wearing one of the best mountain bike helmets](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8QEixDSEtgDvLphwzYVujN-320-80.jpg)
Best mountain bike helmets 2024 – top-rated head protection for trail, XC and enduro
By Graham Cottingham last updated
Buyer's Guide Our expert pick of the best MTB helmets to protect your head and ensure you look good on the trail
![One of the best budget mountain bikes the Merida Big Trail viewed side on outdoors](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4A5qKHefPrzqEvJSjZBunF-320-80.jpg)
Best budget mountain bikes 2024 – our test team's pick of sorted MTBs at affordable prices
By Guy Kesteven last updated
Buyer's Guide We showcase the best cheap mountain bikes made for proper trail riding
![Valentina Holl braking hard at the DH World Cup in Vallnord, Andorra](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KdgVvQmfrzGEE6hzTigbFK-320-80.jpg)
Best mountain bike brakes 2024 – our testers rate the most reliable MTB stoppers around
By Guy Kesteven last updated
Buyer's Guide No matter your riding style and budget, our experts have picked out the best mountain bike brakes available
![Andreane Lanthier racing Vittoria EWS Pietra Ligure in one of the best enduro helmets](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/it2H8rTkmqfwBgWNw4MfpU-320-80.jpg)
Best enduro helmets 2024 – top-rated head protection for enduro and gravity MTB riding and racing
By Jim Bland last updated
Buyer's Guide The best enduro helmets offer good ventilation and high levels of protection for riding fast on technical, DH-graded MTB terrain
![Our best dropper post the PNW Rainier](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Xkg8VmqjCm2WrrRgu3QgUD-320-80.jpg)
Best dropper posts 2024 – our top-rated options for dropping your saddle
By Graham Cottingham last updated
Buyer's Guide Whether you're riding XC or enduro, here's our test team's choice of the best dropper posts to get your saddle out of the way for maximum maneuverability
![Grid layout of pedals](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3BNJdaRAGVtTuvdZRsJCR8-320-80.jpg)
Best MTB flat pedals 2024 – we test 10 top options for trail and gravity riding
By Rich Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide Check out our expert pick of the grippiest, toughest and best MTB flat pedals around
![A male mountain standing while wearing 100% Airmatic pants one of the best mtb pants](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bYPGE2JseeHyktrK9M94RR-320-80.jpg)
Best MTB pants 2024 – we test top mountain bike trousers for full length trail and gravity protection
By Richard Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide MTB pants have radically improved over the past few years, making full leg coverage a much more popular option. Our experts review and rank the best options available
![A hardtail MTB slides a dusty trail](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GiNaFxKCxkTVufYaMFe2TL-320-80.jpg)
Best budget MTB wheels 2024 – performance boosting bargain upgrades
By Jim Bland last updated
Buyer's Guide These bargain MTB wheelsets will make your bike faster and more responsive – whatever your style of riding
![Endura MT500 Lite](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C6A4tGnwAMLPYnUgg2eQkn-320-80.jpg)
Best mountain bike knee pads 2024 – we review and rate 8 top knee pads for all kinds of MTB
By Richard Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide MTB knee pads will protect your legs from the inevitable crashes and falls. We've taken the hits to find you 10 of the best
![Flat pedal shoes grid layout](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wLzdxUoDLnkDfF5pZv5FAM-320-80.jpg)
Best MTB flat pedal shoes 2024 – top-rated trail and gravity riding shoes tested by our experts
By Jim Bland last updated
Buyer's Guide The best flat shoes we've tested for total confidence when you’re out on the trails
![Maxxis](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K5sd7qsSAUAFBUVqECra5i-320-80.jpg)
Maxxis MTB tire guide 2024 – a deep dive into every Maxxis mountain bike tire
By Colin Levitch, Graham Cottingham last updated
Buyer's Guide We break down Maxxis tread patterns, casings, and compounds so you can pick the best Maxxis MTB tire for your riding
![Best waterproof MTB pants](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S8UHQ4ibqqazbMiADSy7Mj-320-80.jpg)
Best waterproof MTB pants 2024 – riding trousers to keep the dirt and grime at bay
By Jim Bland last updated
Buyer's Guide The best waterproof MTB pants are packed full of modern weather-resisting technologies so you can focus on riding and the trail ahead
![Sweet Protection Memento](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HrdkKarJ25ZNwRobYbqoHH-320-80.jpeg)
Sweet Protection Memento RIG glasses review – big coverage, big performance
By Jim Bland published
Review Sweet Protection are proving to be strong players in the world of cycling optics, and their Memento glasses have become our go-to riding specs thanks to their large coverage, excellent comfort and performance
![Cyber Monday mountain bike wheel deals](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Mnz8jrSr8HyqJVosu28U8P-320-80.jpg)
Cyber Monday mountain bike wheel deals 2022 – today's best deals on cheap mountain bike wheels
By Jim Bland last updated
Cyber Monday Looking for some cheap MTB wheels? Here is our pick of today's best Cyber Monday mountain bike wheel deals around
![Basso Vega](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vDPzoCUcMxPjXzGjjYLng4-320-80.jpeg)
Basso releases the Vega, an e-gravel bike built with versatility in mind
By Jim Bland last updated
News Basso offers the Vega e-gravel bike in two guises – one to tailored to true gravel riding, and another aimed at urban environments
![ProTaper](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ekTz3xG3csb7bv8r4h2XoJ-320-80.jpeg)
ProTaper launches a new series of handlebars that pay homage to their heritage
By Jim Bland published
News ProTaper’s latest handlebar range celebrates the brand’s past and future
![Specialized Trail Pant](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6seAyFu434gjYyvvXLZqFK-320-80.jpg)
Specialized Trail Pant review – subtle in style, exceptional in performance
By Jim Bland published
Review Full marks for the Specialized Trail pants thanks to their flawless cut, supreme comfort and top-tier on-trail performance
![Hope Evo 155mm Cranks](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/j5KoKtysEscnoiToTEa88K-320-80.jpg)
Hope Evo 155mm Crankset review – is shorter better?
By Jim Bland last updated
Review At 155mm Hope’s Evo cranks are some of the shortest available, but how do they feel underfoot?
![Race Face Era Crankset](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EPsh8W4JhQpGUqV3ErQwzP-320-80.jpeg)
Race Face releases the Era – their strongest carbon crank to date
By Jim Bland published
The Era is the strongest, stiffest and most durable crank Race Face has ever made
![Best BMX helmets](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mBrvBL5yMATJ75raeA4yf9-320-80.jpg)
Best helmets for BMX: how to choose the best BMX helmet for you
By Jim Bland last updated
Buyer's Guide Bike Perfect's roundup of the best BMX helmets you can buy
![Best beginner gravel bikes: a white male gravel rider rides a bumpy gravel track](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CEoQMriaaAP2bBnCTgEgk-320-80.jpg)
Best beginner gravel bikes 2024 – totally sorted and easy to ride
By Paul Norman last updated
Buyer's guide The best beginner gravel bikes shouldn't cost the earth but will give you upgrade options to meet your riding needs
![Specialized Diverge STR](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A7cxGHCoR4EK6qShURu95N-320-80.jpeg)
Specialized release a full-suspension gravel bike, the Diverge STR
By Jim Bland published
News The Diverge gets radical with front and rear Future Shock suspension. Could this be the smoothest riding gravel bike ever made?
![PINND CS2 flat pedal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C69HYFJx9c2YE8R6VgDEAa-320-80.jpg)
PINND CS2 pedal review – well engineered flat pedal with an old school shape
By Jim Bland published
Review The CS2 pedal from Scottish brand PINND is remarkably well made, but ultimately it’s flawed on the trail