Best Mountain Bike Reviews | Blister Outdoor Gear Review

Women’s Mountain Bike Shorts & Pants Roundup – 2023

October 19, 2023October 17, 2023 by Kara Williard

There are more options for mountain bike shorts and pants than ever before, and in our latest roundup of women’s ones, we’ve got eight new pairs to add to the mix after a bunch of time testing them in a ton of different conditions.

Five Ten Trailcross XT

October 17, 2023October 16, 2023 by Zack Henderson

Five Ten’s Trailcross line is meant to blend functionality from bike and trail running shoes into a lightweight, breathable package that works well both on and off the bike. The updated Trailcross XT now uses recycled materials extensively, in a design that’s pretty different from the original. So how does it all pan out on the trail?

Propain Ekano 2 CF

October 12, 2023 by David Golay

Propain launched the Ekano 2 AL just a few months ago as a “freeride eMTB,” but the new Ekano 2 CF is substantially different from its aluminum sibling — starting but not ending with the SRAM Eagle Powertrain drive system.

Transition Repeater Powertrain

October 10, 2023October 10, 2023 by Simon Stewart

The SRAM Eagle Powertrain bikes are rolling out, and Transition’s offering, the Repeater Powertrain, isn’t just a Repeater with a motor swap. Check out our First Look for all the info.

Shimano GE900 Shoes

October 6, 2023 by David Golay

As part of their recent MTB shoe overhaul, Shimano replaced the longstanding and ultra-popular ME7 and AM9 models with a single new shoe: the GE900. But has that bold move paid off, or has Shimano messed with a good thing too much? We’ve been spending a lot of time in the new GE900 and are ready to weigh in.

David Golay reviews the Orbea Occam SL and Occam LT for Blister

2024 Orbea Occam SL and Occam LT

October 5, 2023 by David Golay

Orbea is giving their Occam line of Trail bikes a big overhaul, and while the new Occam SL and Occam LT may look a lot like the bikes they’re replacing, they’ve changed substantially once you dig a little deeper.

Vitus Escarpe

October 3, 2023 by Noah Bodman

Vitus is making a return to the US mountain bike market, and their Escarpe looks like an especially good value for an all-rounder Trail bike. But is there a catch?

Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon

October 2, 2023 by David Golay

SRAM launched their new Eagle Powertrain last week, and the first bike to feature it is here. Meet the Nukeproof Megawatt Carbon.

Liv Intrigue LT Advanced Pro

September 29, 2023 by Kara Williard

The Liv Intrigue LT Advanced Pro 0 is a women-specific Enduro bike that's proven to be an adaptable partner for a huge range of trails over the last several months. It's also the most expensive mountain bike we've ever reviewed.

SRAM Eagle Powertrain

October 2, 2023September 28, 2023 by Simon Stewart

SRAM is officially in the eMTB drive-system business, and it’s about time. Check out our First Look for all the details on how the SRAM Eagle Powertrain compares to the alternatives from Bosch, Shimano, Specialized, and more.

Zack Henderson and David Golay review the Canyon Torque:ON for Blister

Canyon Torque:ON CF

September 27, 2023September 27, 2023 by Zack Henderson

The Torque:ON is Canyon’s burliest eMTB, with lots of suspension travel and a massive battery to match. After several months aboard this 54+ pound giant, it has proven to be an interesting take on the ever-diversifying long-travel eMTB category.

Chromag Darco

January 22, 2024September 22, 2023 by David Golay

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

January 22, 2024September 20, 2023 by Simon Stewart

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.

Ride Concepts Hellion Clip Shoe

September 18, 2023September 18, 2023 by Dylan Wood

The Hellion Clip is the lightest “all-mountain” clipless shoe that Ride Concepts makes, and we’ve spent all summer riding in it to figure out where it excels, where it falls short, and how it compares to the rest of the market.

Liv Rail MIPS Helmet

September 15, 2023 by Kara Williard

Liv’s recently overhauled Rail MIPS helmet is the brand’s highest-end model for off-road use, and it’s been a welcome companion during all of our hot rides this summer.

David Golay reviews the Manitou Mattoc Pro for Blister

2023 Manitou Mattoc

September 14, 2023September 13, 2023 by David Golay

Our Bike Editor has long been a big fan of the Manitou Mezzer and got pretty excited when Manitou dropped a new version of their Mattoc Trail bike fork, since it looked a lot like a mini-Mezzer on paper. Having now spent a lot of time with the Mattoc, the story is a bit more complicated than that — but that’s probably a good thing for a lot of folks.

David Golay reviews the We Are One Triad wheels for Blister

We Are One Convergence Wheels

September 8, 2023 by David Golay

We Are One has been making some of our favorite carbon wheels for quite a while now, and the latest models in their Convergence line are claimed to be stronger and more damped than their longstanding Union rims — and they use a wild-looking design to get there. We’ve been spending a lot of time on the middle-width wheel in the range, the Triad, and are ready to weigh in.

Kara Williard reviews the Endura Women’s SingleTrack Tank Top for BLISTER.

Women’s MTB Jersey Roundup – 2023

September 6, 2023 by Kara Williard

Lots of miles on the bike this summer has meant plenty of time for testing a bunch of women-specific jerseys, and for this year’s women’s MTB Jersey Roundup, we have nine options that span everything from tank tops to long-sleeve downhill jerseys.

Specialized Turbo Levo

January 22, 2024September 4, 2023 by Simon Stewart

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.

David Golay reviews the MRP AMg for BLISTER

MRP AMg Chain Guide

September 1, 2023September 1, 2023 by David Golay

MRP is one of the biggest names out there when it comes to products that keep your drivetrain protected and operating as it should; the latest iteration of their AMg chain guide brings some nice refinements to their upper guide and bash guard style offering, with an eye to ease of setup and adjustability.