Mountain Biking 101

Mountain Bike Tires: A Guide & Comparisons

August 13, 2021August 13, 2021 by David Golay

In this guide, we're comparing more than a dozen of the most popular Trail, Enduro, & DH tires to each other, highlighting their pros and cons, and helping you figure out which option might work best for you. In our latest update, we've got a couple of new additions from Schwalbe and Michelin.

Mtn Biking 201: A Guide to Tire Casings & Rubber Compounds

August 13, 2021 by David Golay

What are tire casings and rubber compounds — and why should you care? And how do one brand's casing and compound options compare to another's? In this Gear 201 article, we answer those questions and more, and we've just added our thoughts on the latest rubber compounds and casings from Schwalbe and Michelin.

Hubs 101: Blister breaks down mountain bike hubs, how they work, and why you should or should not buy more expensive hubs

Biking 101: Hubs

June 9, 2020June 7, 2020 by David Golay

How do mountain bike hubs work, what do you gain with a more expensive hub, and why should you care? In this GEAR 101 article, we dive into those questions and more.

Mountain bike fork offset 101; Blister covers what fork offset is and how it affects your bike

Biking 101: Mtn Bike Fork Offset

May 14, 2020 by David Golay

What is fork offset — and more importantly — why should you care about it? In our latest Gear 101 article, we answer these questions, how fork offset actually affects your on-trail experience, why more manufacturers are using different offsets, & more.

Blister reviewers discuss which mountain bike pedals they prefer, how different mountain bike pedal systems differ, and more.

Which Mountain Bike Pedals, and Why?

October 13, 2019October 9, 2019 by David Golay

We just added more reviewers' perspectives on the topic of which MTB pedals they use, and why they prefer the ones that they do. Check them out here.

Blister Mountain Biking 101: Fit & Geometry; how to interpret a mountain bike geometry chart

Biking 101: Bike Fit & Geometry — Part 1

September 17, 2019September 15, 2019 by Noah Bodman

Selecting the “right” bike means selecting the right *size* bike — and understanding how a bike’s “geometry” affects that. So check out our Bike Fit & Geometry 101 article to learn more about a bike’s geometry and how it affects both fit and performance.

Suspension 101: Designs

September 14, 2019August 12, 2018 by Noah Bodman

Trying to figure out bike suspension designs - how they work and the pros & cons of each - can feel like you need an engineering degree. So we put together this article to clarify the differences between the various suspension designs on the market. Check it out.

Noah Bodman Mountain Biking 101 Tubeless Tire sealant.

Mountain Biking 101: DIY Tubeless Tire Sealant

August 4, 2018 by Noah Bodman

Tubeless tire sealant can get expensive, especially when you’re swapping out tires often, so our bike editor gives the rundown on mixing up your own sealant at home.

Biking 101: Bike Fit & Geometry—Part 2

September 15, 2019May 12, 2018 by Noah Bodman

Assessing a bike’s geometry is a huge part of determining proper bike fit and how a bike will ride. So in part 2 of our Bike Fit Guide, we walk through real-world examples to see what all those geometry measurements actually mean.

How to Choose the Right Mountain Bike

May 4, 2019April 26, 2018 by Noah Bodman

"What mountain bike should I get?" Good question, but most of the articles on the topic are too simplistic to be helpful. So we created our own "How to Choose the Right Mountain Bike" guide.

Mountain Bike Tires 101

December 27, 2021April 17, 2018 by Noah Bodman

While it might seem like they're pretty much all the same, the fact is that the right tire can make or break a bike. So what do you need to know about tires, and how do you figure out which ones will likely work best for you given how and where you ride? We've got some answers, recommendations, and a whole lot of information.

Backcountry Travel & Wilderness Medicine (Ep.62)

October 27, 2021December 12, 2017 by Jonathan Ellsworth

What items should you be carrying with you, and what do you need to know before venturing out into the backcountry in the first place? We discuss backcountry travel and wilderness medicine with Blister reviewer, AWLS instructor, and physician Paul Forward.