Best Mountain Bike Reviews | Blister Outdoor Gear Review

David Golay reviews the Norco Optic for Blister

2024 Norco Optic

July 22, 2024 by David Golay

Norco did a lot to spearhead the recent resurgence of high-pivot bikes, but it still caught a lot of people by surprise when they moved their 125mm-travel Optic to the layout. So how has it panned out? Check out our Full Review for our take.

Specialized Status 2

July 19, 2024 by Zack Henderson

The Specialized Status 2 presents some big updates over the outgoing one, with new geometry, more adjustments, and new S0 sizing for shorter riders and young guns. Check out our First Look for all the details.

Ibis Ripley and Ripmo

July 16, 2024 by Zack Henderson

The Ibis Ripley and Ripmo have gotten an overhaul, with new lines, new geometry, and mixed wheel compatibility. Ibis left no stone unturned with its updates, so take a look at our First Look for the full rundown.

TRP Evo 12 Drivetrain

July 16, 2024 by David Golay

The big two S-brands have a stranglehold on the mountain bike drivetrain market, but that isn’t stopping TRP from trying to join them. So, is TRP’s Evo12 drivetrain a worthy contender? Check out our Full Review for our take.

RAAW Madonna V3

July 22, 2024July 12, 2024 by David Golay

RAAW has made a name for themselves by building burly, simple bikes that are easy to live with for the long haul, and we’ve spent the last several months with their updated Madonna V3 to see how that promise is borne out — and how the big Enduro bike rides. Check out our Full Review for the whole story.

Zack Henderson reviews the Kona Process 153 and 134

Kona Process 153 & 134

July 11, 2024 by Zack Henderson

Now back under the ownership of its original founders, Kona is dropping new versions of its Process 153 and Process 134. Check out our First Look for more on these all-new frames, which feature mixed wheel compatibility and myriad other refinements.

SCOR 2030

July 10, 2024July 9, 2024 by David Golay

SCOR has cooked up something really special with their short-travel Trail bike, the 2030. Check out our Full Review to see how they’ve done it — and whether it'd be a good fit for you.

David Golay and Zack Henderson review the Specialized Epic Evo for Blister

Specialized Epic Evo 8

July 5, 2024July 5, 2024 by David Golay

The new Specialized Epic Evo uses the same exact frame as the race-oriented Epic, but the Evo pairs it with a slightly more aggressive build to conquer rougher trails outside the tape. Read our Full Review for our take on how the Epic Evo blends its race-born DNA with more well-rounded Trail-bike intentions.

David Golay reviews the Manitou R8 fork and Mara shocks for Blister

Manitou’s New R8 Fork & Updated Mara Shocks

August 26, 2024July 4, 2024 by David Golay

Manitou has launched a new R8 XC fork, overhauled their whole shock lineup, and added some new remote lockout / dropper controls. Here are all the details.

David Golay reviews the SRAM S-1000 Transmission and DB8 Stealth brakes for Blister

SRAM S-1000 Transmission & DB8 Stealth Brakes

July 2, 2024 by David Golay

SRAM’s AXS Transmission continues to trickle down to more affordable groups — meet the new S-1000 group and updated DB8 brakes.

Starling Mini Murmur

June 28, 2024 by Zack Henderson

Starling has shrunken its Murmur into a short travel version dubbed the Mini Murmur. With a handmade steel frame and 120 mm of travel, the Mini Murmur prioritizes a responsive, fun ride. Take a peek at our First Look for more.

Magura Gustav Pro Brakes

June 26, 2024 by David Golay

The original Magura Gustav was known for being exceptionally powerful in an era when most MTB brakes were pretty wimpy by modern standards — and after a very long hiatus, it’s back. Check out what the modern Gustav has to offer.

Knolly Warden MX

June 26, 2024 by David Golay

Knolly has overhauled the final model in their full-suspension MTB lineup, with the new Warden getting mixed wheel sizes, revised geometry, improved aesthetics, and a bunch more. Check out what they’ve come up with.

2024 Norco Sight

June 24, 2024 by David Golay

Norco has been one of the pioneers in the recent resurgence of high-pivot bikes, but their decision to move their mid-travel Sight to the layout still came as a bit of a surprise. But has it paid off? We’ve been spending a lot of time on the updated Sight and are ready to weigh in.

David Golay reviews the EXT Storia V4 for Blister

EXT Storia & Arma V4

June 21, 2024June 21, 2024 by David Golay

EXT hasn’t been shy about the fact that new V4 iterations of their Storia and Arma rear shocks were on the way, but now they’re here. Check out our First Look for all the info on their new offerings, and our Flash Review for our early impressions of the Storia V4.

Cannondale Habit

June 21, 2024June 21, 2024 by Dylan Wood

In a market full of generalist Trail bikes that strive to do well at a little of everything, the Cannondale Habit occupies a clear niche that is bound to excite the right rider. Check out our Full Review for the whole story, and our Deep Dive comparisons to see how it stacks up to several other Trail bikes.

David Golay reviews the 2025 RockShox Flight Attendant suspension for Blister

2025 RockShox Flight Attendant Forks & Shocks

June 20, 2024 by David Golay

Right on the heels of RockShox launching their new Vivid Coil shock and Charger 3.1 fork damper, they’ve released new electronically-controlled Flight Attendant versions of all the above (and the air-sprung Vivid). Check out what they’ve come up with.

Zack Henderson reviews the Specialized Chisel for Blister

2024 Specialized Chisel

June 18, 2024 by David Golay

Hot on the heels of the recently released Epic and Epic EVO, Specialized is announcing the new Chisel. The Chisel keeps similar kinematics and geometry to the Epic, but gets an impressively light aluminum frame to bring down cost. Let’s look at what Specialized has welded up.

Scott Solace Gravel eRIDE

June 17, 2024June 17, 2024 by Simon Stewart

The Scott Solace Gravel eRIDE puts the excellent TQ HPR50 drive system in a Gravel / All Road package. Throw in a few geometry tweaks, generous tire clearance, and options for Road and Gravel builds, and the Solace starts to look very interesting.

Kavenz VHP 16 V7

August 23, 2024June 13, 2024 by Zack Henderson

The Kavenz VHP 16 is now in its 7th iteration, and it still stands out as a unique combination of often disparate handling traits. Check out our Full Review and Deep Dive for our impressions after a few months of saddle time.

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