Blister Reviewer BadgeDavid Golay

David Golay reviews the Norco Fluid FS for Blister

2023 Norco Fluid FS

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Norco’s affordable all-rounder Trail bike, the Fluid FS, just got a big update, and while the new bike is marketed to beginner and intermediate riders, it’s got great-looking geometry and a nice build spec that seems like it could attract plenty of price-conscious experts, too.
David Golay reviews the Vorsprung Smashpot for Blister

Vorsprung Smashpot Coil Spring Fork Conversion Kit

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There aren’t many coil-sprung forks left on the market, but Vorsprung’s Smashpot conversion kit opens up a lot of options for riders who miss that option. And having now spent a lot of time testing the Smashpot, it makes a compelling case for why certain riders might want to ditch their air springs. But who is it going to work best for, and what are the downsides? Check out our full review for the rundown.
David Golay reviews the Shimano AM903 for Blister

Shimano AM903 Shoe

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The Shimano AM9 has been their top-tier gravity clipless shoe for a long time now (and a personal favorite of ours), and while the latest AM903 generation is mostly a case of leaving a good thing alone, it’s got some nice refinements over the earlier iterations.
David Golay and Zack Henderson review the Orbea Rallon for Blister

2022 Orbea Rallon

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The Orbea Rallon is a super precise, quick-handling Enduro bike that offers something pretty different from most of its competitors — while still feeling really cohesive and intuitive. Check out our full review for more detail, including how it stacks up to fourteen other long-travel Trail and Enduro bikes.
Eric Olsen just returned from bike touring between the first three rounds of the EWS, so we sat down with him to hear where he got the idea in the first place; how it all went, including encountering golf-ball-sized hail and a flock of schoolchildren mid-race; the notion of bikes as transportation & European bike touring culture more broadly; and much, much more.

Eric Olsen on Bikepacking the EWS (Ep.126)

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Eric Olsen just returned from bike touring between the first three rounds of the EWS, so we sat down with him to hear where he got the idea in the first place; how it all went, including encountering golf-ball-sized hail and a flock of schoolchildren mid-race; the notion of bikes as transportation & European bike touring culture more broadly; and much, much more.
David Golay reviews the Ohlins RXF 34 m.2 for Blister

Flash Review — Öhlins RXF 34 m.2

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We've started spending time on Öhlins' new RXF 34 m.2 — check out our Flash Review for our early impressions.

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David Golay reviews the Kavenz VHP 16 for Blister

Flash Review — Kavenz VHP 16

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We've started spending time on the Kavenz VHP 16. Check out our Flash Review for our early impressions.

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 Pivot Firebird for Blister

Flash Review — Pivot Firebird

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We've started spending time on the new Pivot Firebird, and it feels like a big Enduro bike first and foremost, but a notably efficient, fairly nimble one. Check out our Flash Review for our early impressions.

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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Betty Birrell riding the North Shore (Photo: Travis Rummel)

“North Shore” Betty Birrell on MTB at Age 73

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Few 45-year-old women were taking up mountain biking in the early 1990s, and even fewer are still riding the North Shore nearly 30 years later — but Betty Birrell hasn’t let that stop her, and at 73, she’s still getting after it. So we sat down with Betty to talk about what keeps her going, and along the way she shares some great insights on motivation, role models, and not letting the expectations of others slow you down.
David Golay reviews the 2023 Santa Cruz Hightower for Blister

Flash Review — 2023 Santa Cruz Hightower

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We've been spending time on the new 2023 Santa Cruz Hightower. Check out our Flash Review for our early impressions.

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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2022 Blister Mountain Bike Buyer's Guide

The New Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide

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Last year we released the Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s guide — a different type of guide, one that doesn’t just compare this new bike to that new bike, but that would help you better understand and think about mountain bikes in general. This year, we’ve updated the guide to not only keep it up-to-date in the evolving bike industry, but have also added several new sections, including an in-depth one on how to get the most out of your suspension.
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