Bikes & Frames

David Golay reviews the Chromag Darco for Blister

Chromag Darco

by
Chromag has been doing things their own way for decades, and their first adult full-suspension bike, the Darco, isn’t like much else out there. And while it won’t be for everyone, it’s a bike that the right folks will absolutely love.
Simon Stewart reviews the Orbea Wild for Blister

2023 Orbea Wild

by
The Orbea Wild has already collected its share of e-Enduro podiums, but does it perform well outside of the tape, too, or is it a one-dimensional speed demon? After a few months on it, we’re ready to weigh in — and compare it to several of long-travel, high-power eMTBs.
Simon Stewart reviews the Specialized Turbo Levo for BLISTER

Specialized Turbo Levo

by
Having logged more than 600 miles on the Specialized Turbo Levo (and burned through a couple of sets of brake pads and tires in the process) we’re well acquainted with the bike and ready to chime in — check out our full review of one of the most popular eMTBs on the market.
Simon Stewart reviews the Propain Ekano 2 for Blister

Propain Ekano 2 AL

by
Propain’s Ekano eMTB stood out from the rest of their line, with a different suspension layout and geometry that was starting to look a bit dated. That all changes today, with the new Ekano 2 getting a major overhaul. Propain is talking a big game about the Ekano 2 being an especially nimble, “fun” bike, despite its big travel numbers and modern geometry.
Dylan Wood reviews the Trek Fuel EXe Aluminum for Blister

Flash Review — Trek Fuel EXe Aluminum

by
We've started spending time on Trek's new aluminum Fuel EXe, testing its claims of a quieter motor and more "natural" feel on the trail — check out our initial 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.

If you’re already an active member, please log in.

(If you're already logged in and a member in good standing and seeing this message in error, please refresh this page in your browser.)

Dylan Wood reviews the Norco Fluid FS Carbon for Blister

2024 Norco Fluid FS Carbon

by
Norco released their updated all-rounder Trail bike, the Fluid FS Aluminum, last season, which was an immediate success due to its combination of performance and value for riders of all kinds. They’ve now introduced a carbon version with a few new build kits, too — check out all the details.
David Golay reviews the Yeti SB160 for Blister

Yeti SB160

by
The Yeti SB150’s geometry was notably radical when it launched back in 2018. Since then, the mountain bike landscape has changed a lot, and the SB150’s successor, the SB160, no longer stands out as much on paper. On trail, though, it’s still an especially game-on Enduro race bike — and a damn good one for folks with the right approach and preferences.
David Golay reviews the Commencal Meta V5 for Blister

Commencal Meta V5

by
Commencal’s new Meta V5 gets a new suspension platform and drops the model split between the Meta TR and Meta AM from the V4 iteration. So how does the Meta V5 slot into the current market, and what sets it apart from the prior-generation? Check out our First Look for all the info.
David Golay reviews the Pivot Mach 4 SL for Blister

Pivot Mach 4 SL V3

by
Pivot has dropped the new third-generation Mach 4 SL — their lightest, XC-race-oriented full-suspension bike — and while they’re talking about speed and race results first and foremost, words like “fun” pop up a bunch, too. And with a big range of builds covering both hardcore XC racing and more general-purpose lightweight Trail use, they just might be on to something there.
Simon Stewart reviews the Canyon Strive:ON for Blister

Canyon Strive:ON CFR

by
Canyon launched two new long-travel full-power e-MTBs simultaneously, and the new Strive:ON is meant to be the racing-oriented compatriot to the freeride-focused Torque:ON — but the two share nearly identical geometry and both rock a mullet, so what sets the two apart? Turns out that there’s quite a bit.
David Golay reviews the Trek Fuel EX for Blister

2023 Trek Fuel EX

by
The Trek Fuel EX has grown in just about every respect from its fifth to sixth generations — suspension travel, wheelbase, degree of adjustability, and so on — and the end result is an extremely well-rounded Trail bike that we think could work for a ton of different riders.

Flash Review — Revel Ranger

by
We've been spending time on Revel's newest bike, the Ranger, which is so far proving to be a nice mix of XC efficiency and Trail bike capability. Check out our initial 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.

If you’re already an active member, please log in.

(If you're already logged in and a member in good standing and seeing this message in error, please refresh this page in your browser.)

+ More