Sam Reynolds - King of Dirt
Nov 9, 2009
Sam Reynolds... Well known dirt jumper from the United Kingdom who rides for DMR. He has proven his mad skills winning 'King of Dirt' twice in a row. I have met with Sam, earlier this year and shot a few photos. Take a look and read what he has to say about KoD, his daily life, plans and dirt jumping scene...
This interview has been published in the Polish BikeMag called 'BikeAction' [#86, Nov '09] Photography and words by Simon aka lunatyk at PinkBike.
This interview has been published in the Polish BikeMag called 'BikeAction' [#86, Nov '09] Photography and words by Simon aka lunatyk at PinkBike.
Greetings your majesty, King Reynolds... I think, I can call you this after two wins in a row at the "King of Dirt" contests... How does it feel to triumph over other rivals? From what I know this competition really boosted up your career?
Yeah it was the first comp I ever did and won the pro category first time! I was on a frame deal with DMR at the time, but after I won they promoted me to full team!
Yes, so we can say that KoD has been lucky for you. Now, after 2 years of being a professional rider for DMR, tell us all how it came about?
I met Mike Smith (former DMR rider) up at my local trails one day and he invited me to an article for a UK bike mag, basically it was unknown riders vs pro riders and I ended up winning! Then DMR hooked me up with a Transition frame, then as I said, I won a pro round of King of Dirt in 2008. 2 Years later I'm still super happy with everything and hope to ride for them for many years to come!
What are the best advantages of being sponsored besides getting all the bike parts for free? It's not all about the free stuff, I know that you are currently testing a brand new frame - "dmr 898". Tell us about that.
I work real closely with the guys at DMR, most of the new products are all developed with input from us team riders. The new 898 frame is a good example, it’s everything we wanted in a bike: super light, super strong and a super short rear end!
What's your daily routine like? Do you have any special schedule for training or is it pretty random sessions with buddies? How and where do you learn new tricks - do you use foam pit?
8.30- Wake up, get some breakfast, usually toast but sometimes bacon and sausages, then drive over to the compound. After a big facebook session with Olly Wilkins and Brendan Fairclough, we usually hit the pump track for a few hours. Lunch is usually at the local sandwich shop, ‘cos a fit girl works there, then we play micro scooter on the drive. After scootering, we drink a Monster then get to work on building at the pump track or riding the trick jump. Many stunts later, we usually go on a road ride or listen to a drum and bass CD and make the pump track better. There are plans to make a jacuzzi and sauna too. And as for foam pits, I don’t really ride them often, I think people rely too much on them. Don’t get me wrong, they're good for tricks, but you need to ride jumps to improve your riding, not just learn tricks! Too many riders these days can barely ride the jumps but can flip whip the last set. Not cool guys!
Who is your idol in the bike world? Do you like to derive influence from watching the movies and photos of other famous riders?
I like watching Olly Wilkins and Jimmy Pratt, they're the most flowy riders in the world. Anyone having fun on a bike is good to watch, unless they can't do the jumps, but still try and flip whip!
The English have a pretty strong group of dirt jumpers [Pilgrim, Pace, Pratt, Samson brothers, just to name a few]. Who do you see as the biggest rival?
Sam Pilgrim is obviously the man to beat right now! Probably one of the best comp riders in the world right now.
You beat him at Donington dirt jumping contest...What are your bigger plans for the next season? Maybe Crankworx Slopestyle event in Whistler, BC, Canada?
Who cares, I’m gunna ride and have fun! I want to win pump track national champs though.
You're jumping huge jumps, doing massive whips, flips and many other crazy tricks... Do you ever feel fear?
Nah...
Fair enough... But glory is only one part of a dirt jumper's life, the brighter side... Let's talk about this more darker side... Pain and injuries? Would you like to brag in front of us the list of your biggest bails, crashes and broken bones?
Dislocated my collar bone 360ing a bigggg jump [note: Big in Bavaria event]. All the rest are cuts and bruises...
Lucky you! Keep it that way! What is your the most fav'd trail here in the UK? Also, where would you like to come back or visit some time in the future?
Compound is the best, Wisely are good too and Redhill 4x track is mint. Hafjell in Norway is my favorite riding place in the world right now, hopefully I'll go back next year!
Damn, Hafjell is a dream place... Anything that you would like to shout out to all the dudes out there?
Buy a DMR and don’t ride too much foam pit!
Thank you, King Reynolds
Yeah it was the first comp I ever did and won the pro category first time! I was on a frame deal with DMR at the time, but after I won they promoted me to full team!
 |
| Sam Reynolds |
Yes, so we can say that KoD has been lucky for you. Now, after 2 years of being a professional rider for DMR, tell us all how it came about?
I met Mike Smith (former DMR rider) up at my local trails one day and he invited me to an article for a UK bike mag, basically it was unknown riders vs pro riders and I ended up winning! Then DMR hooked me up with a Transition frame, then as I said, I won a pro round of King of Dirt in 2008. 2 Years later I'm still super happy with everything and hope to ride for them for many years to come!
What are the best advantages of being sponsored besides getting all the bike parts for free? It's not all about the free stuff, I know that you are currently testing a brand new frame - "dmr 898". Tell us about that.
I work real closely with the guys at DMR, most of the new products are all developed with input from us team riders. The new 898 frame is a good example, it’s everything we wanted in a bike: super light, super strong and a super short rear end!
 |
| DMR 898 (2010) |
 |
| Flying high |
What's your daily routine like? Do you have any special schedule for training or is it pretty random sessions with buddies? How and where do you learn new tricks - do you use foam pit?
8.30- Wake up, get some breakfast, usually toast but sometimes bacon and sausages, then drive over to the compound. After a big facebook session with Olly Wilkins and Brendan Fairclough, we usually hit the pump track for a few hours. Lunch is usually at the local sandwich shop, ‘cos a fit girl works there, then we play micro scooter on the drive. After scootering, we drink a Monster then get to work on building at the pump track or riding the trick jump. Many stunts later, we usually go on a road ride or listen to a drum and bass CD and make the pump track better. There are plans to make a jacuzzi and sauna too. And as for foam pits, I don’t really ride them often, I think people rely too much on them. Don’t get me wrong, they're good for tricks, but you need to ride jumps to improve your riding, not just learn tricks! Too many riders these days can barely ride the jumps but can flip whip the last set. Not cool guys!
 |
| 360 |
Who is your idol in the bike world? Do you like to derive influence from watching the movies and photos of other famous riders?
I like watching Olly Wilkins and Jimmy Pratt, they're the most flowy riders in the world. Anyone having fun on a bike is good to watch, unless they can't do the jumps, but still try and flip whip!
 |
| Jimmy Pratt at Wisley |
The English have a pretty strong group of dirt jumpers [Pilgrim, Pace, Pratt, Samson brothers, just to name a few]. Who do you see as the biggest rival?
Sam Pilgrim is obviously the man to beat right now! Probably one of the best comp riders in the world right now.
You beat him at Donington dirt jumping contest...What are your bigger plans for the next season? Maybe Crankworx Slopestyle event in Whistler, BC, Canada?
Who cares, I’m gunna ride and have fun! I want to win pump track national champs though.
You're jumping huge jumps, doing massive whips, flips and many other crazy tricks... Do you ever feel fear?
Nah...
 |
| Sideways! |
Fair enough... But glory is only one part of a dirt jumper's life, the brighter side... Let's talk about this more darker side... Pain and injuries? Would you like to brag in front of us the list of your biggest bails, crashes and broken bones?
Dislocated my collar bone 360ing a bigggg jump [note: Big in Bavaria event]. All the rest are cuts and bruises...
 |
| Mega super boost |
 | Too many riders these days can barely ride the jumps but can flip whip the last set. Not cool guys! |
 |
| Massive tabletop |
Lucky you! Keep it that way! What is your the most fav'd trail here in the UK? Also, where would you like to come back or visit some time in the future?
Compound is the best, Wisely are good too and Redhill 4x track is mint. Hafjell in Norway is my favorite riding place in the world right now, hopefully I'll go back next year!
Damn, Hafjell is a dream place... Anything that you would like to shout out to all the dudes out there?
Buy a DMR and don’t ride too much foam pit!
Thank you, King Reynolds
 |
| Bless |
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38 Comments
- + 31
msk84life101
(Nov 9, 2009 at 0:08)
this looks like a page full of PODS
i agree with the cheapo dmr parts, but mate the frames are strong as f*ck! im a big person and i've never broke one! i've had a sidekick and transition
the rhythm for example everyone bends them and there suposed to be 289.99 for a frame rather ride other brands that dont break although have to admit the 07 transition was lush but with the cheapo parts the transition costs bout a grand and doesnt even have 20mm forks or back disk brake and look what other companies offer. wish i didnt break my dmr frame, its a shame tbh
I agree a little bit. The completes could be better. At least the 08, and 09's. The 2010's are pretty solid though. I've been on DMR for almost a year now. It was well worth leaving Identiti for. I bent their frames and broke their parts like nothing. DMR has lightweight, and nearly indestructible components, plus a huge color variety.
Just like every company out on the market. They will offer high end, and affordable parts. That's just how the industry is. If you bought a complete bike, well then chances are you got a great frame and wheels, but got affordable parts. The philosophy is the same as BMX completes.
DMR = good stuff!
Just like every company out on the market. They will offer high end, and affordable parts. That's just how the industry is. If you bought a complete bike, well then chances are you got a great frame and wheels, but got affordable parts. The philosophy is the same as BMX completes.
DMR = good stuff!
my dmr rhythm 08 had the worst wheels ever and the frame got bent easy i spent £700 on a bike to learn stuff not to brake it so im going with black market now because they are stronger
you only get as good of a bike as you pay for. however you cant get a stronger frame than the transition for any price, noone on the team has ever broken one and believe me, weve crashed them harder than you could ever imagine!
Exactly. I've had my same frame for nearly a year, and I pound mine on pavement harder than most riders ever will.
I'm not sure if I can buy that. I'm sorry if I'm doubting you, but I have put the bikes through some pretty abnormally harsh paces. Also, no one has ever warranted any broken frame or wheel. So it's a tough call to say that DMR products crack and bend easily. Quite literally, the only time I have ever seen a DMR product have issues was when the kid neglected proper maintenance. If you don't know how to tru and adjust your wheel, it's going to get bent. No matter who makes it. If you ride a loose headset and BB you will eventually bend, stretch, and or break the frame. That's just how it is with any company or product.
on my rhythm frame it had wishbone chain stays so the rear end wasnt directly connected to the frame making the back end weaker also because of this there was no bar going from one side to the other so the frame only had the welding to keep it from bending outwards like mine did and with my wheels it was the spokes that were so bad which made the wheel set so bad as i said
Well, I have to clarify this. A wishbone makes a frame's rear triangle stronger. In fact, through most of the 90's and up until around 2005, having a wishbone rear end was a key selling point. The shorter the separation between the chainstays and seat stays lengthwise meant more stiffness in the rear end and less flex. The only reason why wishbones are on the way out is because of weight weenies. No wishbone = less weight.
Spokes are spokes. Plain and simple. They are all made out of high tensile steel or titanium. The only real difference in spokes that changes the pricing is the butting. Single butted spokes are lighter than straight gauge. Double butted spokes are even lighter. However, with this weight loss comes strength loss. Straight gauge spokes are the strongest ones out there. Heavier, but stronger. The DMR wheel sets only come with straight gauge spokes. Truthfully, the only way you can ever have a problem with spokes is if they are too loose or too tight. Too loose, and your rim will bend. Too tight and they will snap.
Spokes are designed to come loose. This gives the rim some flex. It is up to the rider to maintain proper maintenance (spoke tension) to keep the wheels running straight. I bend my wheels all the time, but I straighten them out when I get home. If the spokes become loose, and you continue to ride them.......Yes, you will have major problems, but you can not blame this on the company that makes them. The company sells them to you in perfect/proper working order. It's the rider who rides them that does the damage.
Spokes are spokes. Plain and simple. They are all made out of high tensile steel or titanium. The only real difference in spokes that changes the pricing is the butting. Single butted spokes are lighter than straight gauge. Double butted spokes are even lighter. However, with this weight loss comes strength loss. Straight gauge spokes are the strongest ones out there. Heavier, but stronger. The DMR wheel sets only come with straight gauge spokes. Truthfully, the only way you can ever have a problem with spokes is if they are too loose or too tight. Too loose, and your rim will bend. Too tight and they will snap.
Spokes are designed to come loose. This gives the rim some flex. It is up to the rider to maintain proper maintenance (spoke tension) to keep the wheels running straight. I bend my wheels all the time, but I straighten them out when I get home. If the spokes become loose, and you continue to ride them.......Yes, you will have major problems, but you can not blame this on the company that makes them. The company sells them to you in perfect/proper working order. It's the rider who rides them that does the damage.
fair enough you ride for dmr you would defend their and im a rider who had one and wished he never bought one conversation done 
Truth is, if I thought the product sucked, I wouldn't want to represent them. I left a different big company for this reason.
On the plus side, I'm glad you view this as a discussion and not an argument. It shows that Pinkbike in fact does have mature and intelligent users.
On the plus side, I'm glad you view this as a discussion and not an argument. It shows that Pinkbike in fact does have mature and intelligent users.
"Too many riders these days can barely ride the jumps but can flip whip the last set. Not cool guys!" Agreed!
I couldn't agree more. How about the 3,000 videos right here on this site with everyone throwing tucks, barspins, and footjam tricks on curbs, and little wedges.
Yet, these kids can't bunnyhop on to a park bench. Or my other favorite, the "flyout kids".
They have a million tricks flying two feet in distance out of a little quarter pipe, but can't throw a single thing over a dirt jump or box jump.
Yet, these kids can't bunnyhop on to a park bench. Or my other favorite, the "flyout kids".
They have a million tricks flying two feet in distance out of a little quarter pipe, but can't throw a single thing over a dirt jump or box jump.
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if anyone here has ever seen jimmy ride wisley you'll know what ren means, it is absolutely sick. so is ren!
Brilliant article and especially loved the interview technique!
Fantastic pods all over this page too!
Fantastic pods all over this page too!
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