Best Mountain Bike Reviews | Blister Outdoor Gear Review

Shimano AM45 SPD shoe

June 16, 2013August 27, 2011 by Kevin Bazar

Product: Shimano AM45 SPD shoe

Intended Use: Shreddin, thrashin, rippin, tearin, all mountainin’, standin’, walkin’

Rider: 5’9”, 160lbs, likes zooming, curr…

Continental Rain King 2.5 & Continental Der Kaiser 2.5

November 17, 2021August 17, 2011 by Marshal Olson

Two of the best tires on the market, reviewed in one place.

Kenda Slant Six 2.35 tire

September 25, 2012August 12, 2011 by Adam Vincent

The Kenda Slant Six 2.35 is an excellent choice for hardpack to intermediate XC terrain.

Dianese Dynamo Armor Jacket, Blister Gear Review

Dainese Dynamo Armor Jacket

November 17, 2021August 10, 2011 by Marshal Olson

DH and ski protection that won't cause suffocation or heat stroke? Yes, please.

2011 X-Fusion Vector rear shock, Blister Gear Review

2011 X-Fusion Vector HLR rear shock

September 25, 2012August 3, 2011 by Marshal Olson

Want to float for a fraction of the price? Look no further.

Kenda BBG 2.35 Dual Compound tire

September 25, 2012August 1, 2011 by Marshal Olson

Meet the Kenda BBG, perhaps the single best trail bike tire currently on the market.

2011 RockShox Reverb 125mm adjustable seatpost

September 25, 2012July 25, 2011 by Marshal Olson

When it works, it is "invaluable." But when it doesn't....Check out Marshal's Love / Hate relationship to the 2011 Reverb.

2010-2011 Formula THE ONE Brakes

September 25, 2012July 19, 2011 by Marshal Olson

THE ONE brakes by Formula are some of the lightest and best performing brakes out there. (Especially with one highly recommended, relatively expensive upgrade.)

2011 X-Fusion Vengeance RC 160mm fork

November 22, 2021July 14, 2011 by Marshal Olson

According to Marshal Olson, "this is the best trail bike fork currently on the market, in all aspects of its construction." Well, then.

2011 Specialized SX – Part 2: TRAILS

June 27, 2012July 12, 2011 by Kevin Bazar

Kevin Bazar is persistent, and his Specialized SX is now dialed. (Whew.) Read on to learn how he got it there.

2011 Fulcrum Red Fire Disc Wheelset (Tubeless)

September 25, 2012July 6, 2011 by Marshal Olson

Time to go tubeless? Marshal Olson thinks so.

2010 Morewood Makulu

June 27, 2012June 29, 2011 by Marshal Olson

Frame: 2010 Morewood Makulu, size “long” – 24″ top tube

Intended Use: DH Race

Rider: 6’2”, 205 lbs., athletic, technically proficient, modestly fast and relatively fluid.

Geometry Chart: Morewood Makulu frame

2011 Specialized SX – Part 1: JUMPS

June 27, 2012June 27, 2011 by Kevin Bazar

Frame: 2011 Specialized SX, with OEM Fox RP23, and Pushed Fox RP23 with special tune. “Short” size of two options.

Intended Use: Four cross, Slalom, Slopestyle, Dirtjumping, General jumpy mayhem

Geometry Chart: Specialized SX Frame

Rider: 5’8”, 160 lbs. of stocky, pissed-off chihuahua, with about a decade of DH, 15 years of XC, 7 years of dirtjumping, way too much digging, and a love for speed over any and all terrain.

Test Location: Woodward West Mega Trails, Northstar dirtjump park

Duration of test: Several months of intermittent riding since Autumn, 2010.

The Specialized SX is the little brother of the very popular Specialized SX Trail, and has been around for years in several different incarnations. It is and always has been a 4 inch(-ish) travel frame that sported a design similar to the corresponding version of the SX trail, but with more of a focus on transitions, jumping and pumping.

Commencal Supreme DHv2 – Atherton Edition

June 27, 2012May 24, 2011 by Marshal Olson

Frame: 2011 Commencal Supreme DHv2 – Atherton Edition, with Fox RC4 rear shock, size L/XL.

Intended Use: DH Race

Geometry Chart: Commencal Supreme DHv2

Rider: 6’2”, 205 lbs., athletic, technically proficient, fast and fluid.

My regular DH bike: Morewood Makulu, size Large, with an Avalanche Woodie rear shock.

Test Location: Colorado Front Range. Steep, fast, rough, rocky trails, with plenty of small/mid sized jumps. Generally in dry, dusty, loose over hardpack, pebbly terrain, but 2 days with freshly melting snow and riding in tacky awesomeness mized with muck and puddles.

Duration of test: 4 days, total of about 30 runs.

The Commencal Supreme DHv2 is one of the most decorated downhill bikes on the World Cup, so going in to this review, the question wasn’t whether this thing was any good. Rather, I was looking to identify any specific strengths or perceivable weaknesses, and see whether the bike demanded an expert-level rider, or whether it could accommodate advanced or intermediate riders, too.

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