Flash Reviews: MTB

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Flash Review: Santa Cruz Hightower 4

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We had some questions when Santa Cruz updated their popular Hightower, which sits right in the middle of their MTB lineup, and now we have some answers. Check out our first impressions of this new Trail bike.

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David Golay reviews the Trickstuff Maxima Brakes for Blister

Flash Review: Trickstuff Maxima Brakes

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The name of the Trickstuff Maxima brakes gives a good idea of what they’re about, at least on paper: big power, big bling, and a pricetag to match. We’ve started spending time on Trickstuff’s most powerful, gravity-oriented brake to see if they deliver.

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David Golay reviews the Fox 36 SL for Blister

Flash Review: 2026 Fox 36 SL Grip X

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The new Fox 36 SL replaced the longstanding 34 as their shorter-travel Trail bike fork, and Fox claims it’s got a much stiffer chassis at a modest weight penalty. Let’s check how our time on the 36 SL is going so far.

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BLISTER reviews the updated Specialized Butcher and Eliminator

Flash Review: Specialized’s Updated Butcher and Eliminator

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Specialized’s changes to the Butcher and Eliminator are a case of incremental improvement, but those updates are ones we’re awfully excited about. Do those tweaks add up to upgraded performance? Our Flash Review covers our initial impressions after some on-trail time.

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Flash Review: Kona Hei Hei 10

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The Kona Hei Hei has taken many forms over its 30+ year history. So, where does the most current, 10th generation of the Hei Hei sit in the market? We’ve been spending some time on it and have some initial thoughts.

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Simon Stewart reviews the Santa Cruz Bullit

Flash Review: Santa Cruz Bullit 4

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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.

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David Golay reviews the 2026 Fox Float X2 for Blister

Flash Review: 2026 Fox Float X2

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Fox’s new Float X2 has dramatically different damper architecture from the prior version and some air spring tweaks to go with it. Check out our early thoughts after A-B testing the two generations of Float X2 for a few rides.

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David Golay reviews the 2026 Fox 36 Grip X2 for Blister

Flash Review: 2026 Fox 36 Grip X2

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The new Fox 36 gets an updated chassis and air spring, paired with the newer Grip X2 damper that debuted last year. Check out our early take on how it all comes together.

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BLISTER reviews the RockShox Reverb AXS B1

Flash Review: RockShox Reverb AXS B1

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The new Reverb AXS B1 dropper from RockShox represents a ground-up redesign of the old one. Does it deliver a better on-trail experience? We’ve been riding the new one, and have some initial thoughts to share.

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David Golay reviews the 2026 Fox Float X2 and DHX2 for Blister

Flash Review: 2026 Fox DHX2

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We've started spending time on the new Fox DHX2. Check out how it's going so far.

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David Golay reviews the SRAM Eagle 70 and 90 Transmission for Blister

Flash Review: SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission

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Mechanical SRAM Transmission is here. Check out our take on the Eagle 90 groupset so far.

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BLISTER reviews SRAM's new disc brakes

Flash Review: SRAM Motive Ultimate Brakes

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SRAM is making some big claims about their new Motive brakes featuring a combination of solid power at a low weight. Do they deliver? We’ll need more time to answer that definitively, but we’ve got a feel for things after a few rides — check out our Flash Review for more.

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BLISTER reviews the Pivot Trailcat LT

Flash Review: Pivot Trailcat LT

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Pivot’s new Trailcat LT has made its way into our test fleet — so does it deliver its promised all-rounder performance? Our Flash Review has our early impressions.

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BLISTER reviews the RockShox Vivid Coil Ultimate RC2T

Flash Review: RockShox Vivid Coil Ultimate RC2T

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The RockShox Vivid Coil has taken over where the old Super Deluxe Coil left off — and while it’s similar in many ways, its new features seem to have a meaningful impact on performance. Check out our Flash Review to find out how we’re getting along with it so far.

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 TRP Evo Pro brakes for Blister

Flash Review: TRP Evo Pro Brakes

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TRP’s new Evo Pro brakes claim to keep the smooth power delivery and consistency of the DH-R Evo, but with improved lever ergonomics and more power. Here’s our early take on how they’ve done.

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Blister reviews the Ibis Oso 1.1

Flash Review: Ibis Oso 1.1

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Ibis made some meaningful tweaks to the Oso 1.1, and we’ve gotten some initial trail time on Ibis’ burly eMTB. Check out our initial thoughts.

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David Golay and Zack Henderson review the Santa Cruz Bronson for Blister

Flash Review — Santa Cruz Bronson 5

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Update 2.6.2024: We’ve got the Santa Cruz Bronson 5 in for a long-term review, and have some updated thoughts on how it stacks up.

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David Golay reviews the Outlier Void and Pendulum Pedals for BLISTER

Flash Review: Outlier Void and Pendulum Pedals

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Do Outlier’s Void and Pendulum pedals feel as wild as they look, or does their unconventional packaging wind up feeling more akin to other flat pedal designs than you might expect? We’ve got some early thoughts.

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Simon Stewart reviews the Bosch Performance Line CX

Flash Review: Bosch Performance Line CX Drive System

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Bosch has a new version of the class-leading Performance Line CX motor. Find out how they’ve refined what was already one of the best drive systems on the market.

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Blister reviews the 2025 Transition Sentinel

Flash Review: Transition Sentinel V3

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Update 1.13.2025: We’ve got a bunch more time on the new Transition Sentinel, and our impressions have evolved. Check out our latest thoughts.

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