Best Mountain Bike Reviews | Blister Outdoor Gear Review

Zack Henderson reviews the Forge+Bond Shift 30 EM wheels

Forge+Bond Shift Series Wheels

August 14, 2024August 14, 2024 by Zack Henderson

Forge+Bond’s Shift wheels are one of the most affordable ways to get into a US-made carbon fiber wheelset — and use the same rims as Forge+Bond’s higher-end wheels — so is there a catch? Check out our Full Review to see how they’ve fared.

David Golay reviews the Hope XCR Pro E4 Brakes for Blister

Hope XCR Pro X2 and E4 Brakes

August 12, 2024August 12, 2024 by David Golay

Hope’s new pairing of their lightweight, bare-bones XCR Pro lever with the four-piston E4 caliper may seem like an incongruous one, but there are good reasons to consider the XCR Pro E4s besides just weight savings.

Rocky Mountain Altitude

August 9, 2024August 8, 2024 by David Golay

The new Rocky Mountain Altitude doesn’t look anything like the old one, but how do the new suspension layout and overhauled geometry come together on the trail? Check out our Full Review for our take.

Trek Fuel EXe Aluminum

August 7, 2024August 7, 2024 by Dylan Wood

Built around the quiet and smooth TQ HPR50 motor, Trek’s Fuel EXe provides an eMTB experience that non-motorized mountain bikers will find familiar. But, this eMTB also surprised us in a few ways that have nothing to do with its drive system. Check out our Full Review and accompanying video review.

SRAM Maven Brakes

August 2, 2024 by David Golay

Mountain bike brakes have been creeping up in power in recent years, but SRAM’s claim that their new Maven brakes best their longstanding Codes by *50%* is still pretty wild. But it takes a lot more than just raw power to make a good brake, and after spending six months on the Maven Ultimates, we’re ready to weigh in on how well SRAM has done.

David Golay and Zack Henderson review the Formula Belva for Blister

Formula Belva Fork

August 1, 2024August 1, 2024 by David Golay

The Formula Belva is one of the only dual-crown Enduro forks available — so is there a good reason for that? Check out our Full Review to see what we thought after a few months with this uncommon Italian fork.

Deviate Highlander II

September 18, 2024July 30, 2024 by Zack Henderson

High-pivot Trail bikes are becoming increasingly common, but Deviate was way ahead of the curve there — so how does their Highlander II ride? We’ve spent several months on it, and the results have been both surprising and impressive.

Knolly Delirium

July 24, 2024 by Zack Henderson

After a few years hiatus, the Knolly Delirium is back and burlier than ever. Now fully in the Freeride / Park realm, the new Delirium gets mixed wheels, 190 mm of rear travel, dual crown compatibility, and updated geometry. Check out our First Look for more.

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.