Esker Woodsy
Esker's new all-metal All Mountain bike can be had in either aluminum or titanium and features 145 mm of DW-developed Orion Dynamics suspension. Check out what they’ve come up with, and our early impressions of the aluminum Woodsy.
Simon Stewart
Deep Dive: Santa Cruz Bronson 5
We compare the Santa Cruz Bronson 5 to the Santa Cruz Bronson 4, Santa Cruz Hightower 4, Santa Cruz Nomad, Yeti SB165, Ibis Ripmo, Specialized Stumpjumper 15, Spot Mayhem 140, Esker Woodsy, Propain Tyee, Norco Sight, Transition Sentinel V3, and Kona Process 153.
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Santa Cruz Bronson 5
The Santa Cruz Bronson has evolved a lot over the years, and while the updates to the latest Bronson 5 look relatively subtle on paper, it’s a very different bike from the Bronson 4. We’ve had multiple editors in different locations spend time on the Bronson and have a comprehensive Full Review to share.
Reviewing the News w/ Mike Ferrentino, May 2025 (Ep. 277)
Mike and Simon discuss the exciting start to mountain bike World Cup DH racing, the fantastic Giro d'Italia, Christopher Blevins' domination, Mathieu van der Poel’s rough day on a mountain bike, some good industry news, and a whole lot more.
Flash Review: Pivot Shuttle SL/AM
We’ve started testing Pivot’s Shuttle SL/AM, and its combination of impressively low weight and solid all-mountain capability has it looking like a compelling new option in the light-assist category.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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The Transformation of Esker Cycles w/ Tim Krueger (Ep.276)
In today’s conversation, Simon talks with Esker Cycles founder Tim Krueger about being a small bike brand during difficult years in the bike industry, saying goodbye to carbon fiber, their new metal bikes, focusing on affordability, and more.
Flash Review: Specialized Turbo Levo 4
We've been spending time on the Specialized Turbo Levo 4. Find out how the new motor compares to the competition, plus some initial ride 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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Specialized Turbo Levo 4
Specialized is adding aluminum models to the Turbo Levo 4 lineup. The Turbo Levo 4 has a more powerful motor and a bigger battery than the outgoing Turbo Levo 3, plus a host of other innovations that, combined with the new drive system, make us eager to spend time on it. Check out our First Look for the details.
Pivot Shuttle SL/AM
Slotting between the Shuttle SL and Shuttle AM, the Shuttle SL/AM, as the name implies, merges a lightweight drive system like the one found in the SL with the frame of the AM. But instead of going with the Fazua Ride 60 motor that’s in the SL, Pivot chose to go with the more powerful, higher revving Bosch SX motor. Check out our First Look for all the details.
The Resurrection of Kona w/ Jacob Heilbron (Ep.273)
In April 2024, Kona Bikes set up their tent at Sea Otter and promptly tore it back down. Kent Outdoors, which owned Kona at the time, pulled the rug right out from under them and declared that Kona was no longer in business. A year later, we check in with Kona founder Jacob Heilbron about selling Kona to Kent, how things have been since buying it back, and more.
Amateur Hour: Tequila, with Simon Stewart, Eli Brown, & Troy Rarick (Ep.69)
CRAFTED co-hosts Simon Stewart and Eli Brown talk with Troy Rarick, the founder of Over the Edge bike shops and the person who first got Simon into tequila, about why tequila might be the quintessential craft spirit. They also share their current favorite tequilas, some advice on how to choose a good bottle; and more.
Reviewing the News w/ Mike Ferrentino, April 2025 (Ep. 272)
Mike and Simon discuss the sad news about Revel Bikes closing shop, the exciting start to mountain bike World Cup XC racing, Tadej Pogačar's incredible Spring Classics campaign, Specialized’s polarizing eMTB speed limit decision, some of their favorite new products, and a whole lot more.
Santa Cruz Vala
The Vala brings about a couple of firsts for Santa Cruz — their first Horst Link bike and their first Bosch-powered eMTB. After several months on board the Vala, it’s left quite an impression. Find out why in our Full Review.
Deep Dive: Santa Cruz Vala
We compare the Santa Cruz Vala to the Cannondale Moterra SL, Santa Cruz Heckler SL, Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay, Pivot Shuttle AM, Devinci E-Troy, and Orbea Wild.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Flash Review: Santa Cruz Bullit 4
Santa Cruz has added the 170 mm travel Bullit to thier revamped lineup of Horst Link euipped eMTBs built around the latest Bosch CX drive system.
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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1UP RackAttach and Accessory Panel System
1UP recently launched an innovative gear-carrying solution that attaches to their swing-out hitch mount, effectively dipping their toes into the overlanding scene — check out what they’ve been up to.
Reviewing the News w/ Dylan Wood, March 2025 (Ep. 268)
Dylan and Simon recap the incredibly well-attended RedBull Tennessee National DH race, a range of interesting bike industry news, some exciting new products, and a whole lot more.
House of Looptail on Remaking Vintage Mountain Bike and BMX Tires (Ep. 266)
House of Looptail’s Wakeman Massie joins us to chat about remaking vintage mountain bike and BMX tires; designing the first Surly singlespeed frame; why old mountain bikes deserve to be ridden; and a whole lot more.
Hi-Fi Audio: Capturing the Heart & Soul of Music with Heaven 11’s Itai Azerad (Ep.62)
Music — and how you listen to it — matters. In this CRAFTED conversation, Simon is joined by Heaven 11 Audio’s Itai Azerad to discuss building amplifiers that capture the heart and soul of music.
Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL
We racked up the miles on Rocky Mountain’s Instinct Powerplay SL to put their new house-made Dyname S4 Lite motor to the test, and to see how Rocky Mountain’s take on the hot light-assist category measures up to the competition.