In a world where the trials riders just have to go bigger and do more dangerous stunts, building up on the sensationalism needed to engage followers in social media, it’s sometimes wonderful to stumble upon those that move in the opposite direction. The Canadian rider James Barton (31) used to “huck myself a bit more”, to use his own words, back in the days when he competed in world cups and world championships. But, in recent years, he has discovered that it is the weird and safe riding that puts a smile on his face.
Barton has been quite active online lately, posting new videos regularly to his YouTube channel. We have featured his videos several times before, and every now and then one of his videos stands out from the rest, and we can’t let them go unnoticed. His latest video, named “Tiny dots” was one as such. So we asked James a few questions, to which he replied with some very interesting answers. Let’s dig in.
Read also: James Barton – How near, how far
I found that weird, safe tricks give me a bigger smile.
Your videos are something that stands out, especially the way you ride trials. How would you describe your own style?
– Thank you! I try very hard to come up with new ways to use features. I’d describe my riding as safe and technical, with some classic style thrown in. Heavily influenced by Ryan Leech’s Manifesto, I try to keep most of my lines clean of additional hops. I used to huck myself a bit more, but I found that weird, safe tricks give me a bigger smile. By keeping the tricks small, I can crash many times and still get up.
Usually I stare at a feature for many minutes before something interesting pops into my head.
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You seem to be able to cope with most types of terrain, be it street, natural or a skate park. How do you come up with all the lines and moves you do? Where do you find inspiration?
– This comes from me experimenting with all types of bikes, from BMX to downhill. I take what I’ve learned from all disciplines and try to combine them. When I’m not filming I ride small pure trials, flow a skatepark, or ride a mtb trail.
It feels good to use the skill you’ve spent so much time developing in a productive way.
– When the camera comes out it’s because I thought of something different. Usually I stare at a feature for many minutes before something interesting pops into my head. Most of the time the trick works! As far as inspiration goes, watching Chase Hawk, Corey Walsh, and the “fast and loose” crew gets me out the door. I know I don’t ride like them, but I love that style so much! Watching Flipp has made me want to get creative.
– Finally, the many years I’ve spent on my bike inspires me. It feels good to use the skill you’ve spent so much time developing in a productive way.
I was shaking because of the excitement and couldn’t ride straight, haha!
And speaking of many years of experience, let’s go back a few years. Barton has some impressive feats to his trials CV. Almost winning the men’s junior 26″ UCI world championship in 2008, as a highlight. And at his first big competition, aged 17, he got some impressive results. But, after that, the luck turned on him.
– I competed in trials up until I was 18. In juniors I was fourth place in the UCI World Championships 2007 in Fort WIlliam. It was my first big competition. The next year I went to Italy and came third in junior 20” and second in junior 26”. One and a half points off the win! In the elite class I always had bad luck.
– I did world cups in 2008. Most of them. It was a terrible year. Before every final something happened. Injured ankle, broken frame, severely sick, et cetera. I only competed at full strength in one French Cup, and the first lap I was beat only by Gilles Coustellier. The next lap I messed up. I was shaking because of the excitement and couldn’t ride straight, haha!
I don’t care about how big my trials moves are anymore, I just want to be weird.
Read also: James Barton – Unite the tribes
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Now, let’s go back to the present, and talk about Barton’s bike.
The bike you’re riding is like nothing else, with what looks like a street or dirt frame, with a suspension fork attached to it. Please tell us more about the bike and why you chose the components you’re currently running.
– I chose this bike because I wanted to ride everything! I don’t care about how big my trials moves are anymore, I just want to be weird. This is my “be weird” bike. It is a Trek dirt jump bike with powerful [Sram] Code brakes, a low gear, and a high engagement hub. I was having elbow and wrist issues so suspension was a must.
It does take quite a bit of effort to ride as a trials bike
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– It is amazing for jumps, skateparks, and moves on two wheels. It does take quite a bit of effort to ride as a trials bike, but if you maintain a “no hops” style it does alright.
– There are a couple bike checks up on my YouTube channel if you want detailed specs. I’m not sponsored in any way, so I put a lot of money into this thing to make it exactly how I want it. It was worth it!
Now, let us wait for the next video to be uploaded.
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