Blister Reviewer BadgeDavid Golay

Brook Macdonald on Fresh Starts, DH Race Bike Design, Moving to Forbidden, & More (Ep.216)

Brook Macdonald on Fresh Starts, DH Race Bike Design, Moving to Forbidden, & More (Ep.216)

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Brook Macdonald’s return to racing World Cup DH after breaking his back at Mont Sainte Anne in 2019 was nothing short of remarkable, but the last few race seasons have still been difficult ones for Brook. On this week’s episode of Bikes & Big Ideas, he opens up about a lot of those struggles, and the things he’s changed in order to come into the 2024 season feeling refreshed, reenergized, and with a renewed hunger to compete.
David Golay reviews the Formula Belva for Blister

Formula Belva Fork

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Pictures of Formula’s prototype dual-crown Enduro fork have been floating around for years, but now the production version is finally here — with a remarkably low stated weight and a lot of other interesting things going on with its design. Meet the Formula Belva.
David Golay and Zack Henderson review the Nicolai Nucleon 16 Supre Drive for Blister

Nicolai Nucleon 16 Supre

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The Nicolai Nucleon 16 is the first production bike on the market that comes with the Lal Bikes Supre Drive drivetrain, and even without focusing on that, the bike doesn’t look like anything else out there — but how does it ride? We’ve spent a couple of months on the Nucleon and are ready to weigh in.
David Golay and Zack Henderson review the Nicolai Nucleon 16 Supre Drive for Blister

Deep Dive: Nicolai Nucleon 16 Supre

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We compare the Nicolai Nucleon 16 to the Trek Slash, Kavenz VHP 16, Contra MC, Forbidden Dreadnought, Chromag Lowdown, YT Capra, Santa Cruz Nomad, Santa Cruz Megatower, Cotic RocketMAX, Orbea Rallon, Yeti SB160, Pivot Firebird, Nicolai G1, and Norco Range.

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Dakotah Norton on Finding Consistency, Moving to Mondraker, the State of US DH Racing, & More (Ep.214)

Dakotah Norton on Finding Consistency, Moving to Mondraker, the State of US DH Racing, & More (Ep.214)

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Dakotah Norton is one of the most decorated American DH racers in recent years, and we sat down with him to chat about his 2023 season, including his rocky start and strong finish to it; moving to Mondraker Factory Racing for 2024 and beyond; the state of US DH racing and how to build a better series of stepping stones to World Cup Downhill; and much more.
David Golay and Zack Henderson review the Orbea Rallon for Blister

Deep Dive: 2024 Orbea Rallon

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We compare the Orbea Rallon to the prior-generation Rallon, Ibis HD6, Yeti SB160, Pivot Firebird, Norco Sight, Propain Tyee, Contra MC, Norco Range, Trek Slash, Santa Cruz Megatower, Santa Cruz Nomad, YT Capra, Nicolai Nucleon 16, Cannondale Jekyll, Chromag Lowdown, REEB Steezl, Cotic RocketMAX, Yeti SB160, Specialized Enduro, and Banshee Titan.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

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David Golay and Zack Henderson review the Orbea Rallon for Blister

2024 Orbea Rallon

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Orbea updated the Rallon for 2024 with the goal of adding stability and composure to their flagship Enduro race bike. So how does the new version stack up to its notably nimble and versatile predecessor? Here are our thoughts after a few months on the updated Rallon.
David Golay reviews the 2024 Specialized Epic and Epic Evo for Blister

Flash Review — 2024 Specialized Epic EVO

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Specialized’s new Epic 8 EVO offers an intriguing blend of XC race geometry and surprisingly beefy parts, and we’ve started spending time on it. Check out our early impressions.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

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David Golay reviews the 2024 Rocky Mountain Instinct for Blister

Flash Review — 2024 Rocky Mountain Instinct

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The new Rocky Mountain Instinct got much, much slacker than the outgoing model, and a lot of other details have changed, too. Check out our early impressions of how that all comes together on the trail.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

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David Golay reviews the 2024 Norco Sight for Blister

Flash Review — 2024 Norco Sight

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We’ve been spending time on both of Norco’s new high-pivot bikes. Check out our early impressions of the 150mm-travel Sight.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

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David Golay reviews the Revel Rascal V2 for Blister

Revel Rascal V2

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Revel’s best-selling and most versatile bike, the Rascal, gets an update today with a new frame, expanded size options, and more. Check out our full review for all the info on the new bike, and our Deep Dive comparisons to learn how it stacks up against a whole lot of all-rounder Trail bikes.
David Golay reviews the Revel Rascal V2 for Blister

Deep Dive: Revel Rascal V2

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We compare the Revel Rascal V2 to the Santa Cruz Hightower, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Transition Smuggler, Trek Fuel EX, Yeti SB140, Orbea Occam LT, Yeti SB135, Canyon Spectral 125, Chromag Darco, and Rocky Mountain Element.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

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David Golay reviews the 2024 Norco Optic and Sight for Blister

Flash Review — 2024 Norco Optic

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The new Norco Optic is by far the shortest-travel high-pivot bike that we’ve been on to date, and our early impressions are pretty interesting.

Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions

To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.

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David Golay reviews the Crank Brothers Mallet Trail BOA for Blister

Crank Brothers Mallet Trail BOA Shoes

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Crank Brothers’ new Mallet Trail BOA shoes combine many features from more gravity-oriented shoes into a lighter, more pedal-friendly package. We’ve been spending a lot of time in the new model, and what Crank Brothers have come up with is pretty interesting.
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