BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Reviewer Reports: Enduro Bikes, Italian Suspension, & More (Ep.283)
David and Simon sat down to chat about a sampling of the stuff they’re currently testing, from the new Pivot Firebird to the EXT Vecta, Bosch’s higher-output software for their CX drive system, and a whole lot more.
What is ‘Amaro’ & Why is Bitter Better? Sennza Finne on a Spirit You Should Know (Ep.78)
Amaro is bitter, complex, and a little mysterious, and most people have no idea what it actually is. But you should, and in this conversation with the folks at Sennza Finne, a Seattle-based amaro producer, you’ll find out why.
Flash Review: Pivot Firebird V5
Update 7.16.25: We’ve got some more thoughts on the latest iteration of Pivot’s Enduro bike after spending some more time experimenting with the wheel size and geometry options.
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.)
Cannondale Moterra
Cannondale just launched the latest version of their Moterra eMTB in alloy frame options, featuring Bosch’s Performance Line CX drive system, a range of build kits that accommodate a variety of budgets, and more. Check out our First Look for all the info.
‘Inception’ w/ Ian McIntosh, Todd Ligare, & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.45)
Pro skier, Ian McIntosh, was Leonardo DiCaprio’s stunt double for the ski scenes in ‘Inception’, and he’s got a bunch of fantastic behind-the-scenes stories to share. And pro skier, Todd Ligare, brings his own great questions for Ian and excellent answers for our film awards for this movie.
Flash Review: Propain Tyee 6.1 CF
Propain gave the Tyee some tweaks that look good on paper, but has our take on their Enduro bike changed much? Here’s the early version.
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.)
Flash Review: Revel Ritual
Revel has been through a lot since launching their Ritual Enduro bike. But they’re back, and the Ritual is available — so how does it ride? We’ve been spending time on it to find out. Check out our initial on-trail 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.)
‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ w/ McKenna Peterson & Jed Yeiser, Blister Book Club (Ep.365)
Back in 2022 on a ski-testing trip, K2 ski designer, Jed Yeiser; K2 skier, McKenna Peterson; and I agreed that we would one do have a conversation about ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide’. And this strange little book seems to only be gaining more relevance with each passing year.
Xan Marshland
Age: 30 | Vitals: 5’10”, 160 lbs. | Years Riding: 20 | Current Residence: Salt Lake City, UT | Instagram: @xanmarshland For as long as I can remember, I’ve never been very interested in team sports. I wasn’t against competition, but I was a weird
Flash Review: HEL Advocate Brakes
HEL is a new brand to the bike world, so how do their Advocate brakes stack up? Here’s our preliminary take.
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.)
The Pro’s Gear: Marcus Goguen, 2025 Freeride World Tour Champion (Ep.355)
Jonathan talks to the FWT champ, Marcus Goguen, about the gear he skis on to film, rip around the resort, and yes, win the FWT. We also talk about his new YouTube series (it’s must-see-TV), and Marcus breaks news about his new project that comes out in October.
Win Shoes From Bert
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will both get a pair of pre- and post-activity shoes from Bert!
Santa Cruz Bullit 4
Did the Santa Cruz Bullit dethrone its stablemate, the Santa Cruz Vala, as Simon’s favorite eMTB so far this year? Check out our Full Review to find out, and why we think full-power eMTBs with a small battery and a range extender offer the most versatility for a lot of folks.
Deep Dive: Santa Cruz Bullit 4
We compare the Santa Cruz Bullit to the Cannondale Moterra SL, Trek Slash+, Mondraker Dune XR, Devinci E-Troy, and Orbea Wild.
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.)
BTR’s Paul ‘Burf’ Burford on Rat Bikes & Making Affordable UK-Built Frames (Ep.282)
Building frames by hand in the UK is expensive. But Paul ‘Burf’ Burford, the man behind BTR Fabrications, has an ambitious plan to make solid, simple ones at very affordable prices. So we sat down with Burf to hear all about Rat Bikes, how and why he wants to do it, and much more.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
OneUp V2 Carbon Handlebar
OneUp’s V2 carbon handlebar is all about “more” — both in size options, and in compliance. Is it a winner? We’ve spent the summer finding out.
10 Quick Things: ‘Big News & Updates’ Edition (Ep.371)
Jonathan shares some big news about Blister Summit 2026 (and announces dates); reveals what we’ll be reading next for the Blister Book Club; talks about getting on a gravel bike this weekend at Rebecca’s Private Idaho; and more.
Industry Nine Hydra2 Hubs & Trail Carbon Wheels
Industry Nine’s Hydra hubs have long been super popular for their ultra-fast engagement and plethora of color options, and now there’s a new Hydra2 that’s meant to improve some of the downsides of the original — while also engaging even faster. Check out how they’ve fared, and how the Hydra2 Trail Carbon wheels we’ve had them laced to perform.
Shimano GE900HS Shoes
Shimano recently launched a bunch of new gravity-oriented MTB shoes, including a racier version of their flagship gravity clip shoe, the GE9. Meet the new GE9HS, and get our take on how it stacks up.
GEAR THERAPY: Flat vs Clipless Pedals w/ Jonathan Ellsworth, Sascha Anastas, Simon Stewart, & Zach Henderson (Ep. 288)
We bring the team together to tackle Jonathan’s flat versus clipless pedal dilemma in today’s Gear Therapy episode, drawing on mountain bike coaching, industry, and shop experience.
Coffee Gear, Pt. 5: One-Year Update on Jonathan’s Coffee Setup & Journey (Ep.82)
Eli talks with Jonathan Ellsworth about what’s new in his setup; what he’s learned (or rejected) from the depths of coffee forums and online videos; and whether his coffee journey has been a brilliant pursuit of flavor, or just an expensive rabbit hole.
Santa Cruz Hightower 4
The 4th-generation Santa Cruz Hightower isn’t just a mid-travel All-Mountain bike — it’s a confident descender that could have been a true Enduro bike just a few years ago. With stable, versatile geometry and plush suspension, the Hightower 4 stands out as a capable one-bike quiver option.
Deep Dive: Santa Cruz Hightower 4
We compare the Santa Cruz Hightower 4 to the Santa Cruz Hightower 3, Santa Cruz Bronson 5, Santa Cruz Megatower 2, Santa Cruz Tallboy 5, Specialized Stumpjumper 15, Ibis Ripmo V3, Spot Mayhem 140, Cannondale Habit, Pivot Shadowcat, Transition Sentinel V3, and Trek Fuel EX Gen 7.
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.)
‘Chasing The Triple Crown’ w/ Hannah Otto (Ep. 49)
Hannah Otto has been ticking off impressive FKTs, and her latest film documents the highs and lows of her White Rim record-breaking effort, as well as the struggles of riding and filming in very unforgiving terrain.
Spark R&D + ATK Bindings: a New Collab Sparked at the Blister Summit
Today’s episode contains a number of “firsts.” So tune in to learn about a new collab between Spark R&D and ATK bindings, or tune in to hear Jonathan caught completely off guard multiple times.
Mountain In My Mind: When Ski Films Talk About What We Don’t (Ep.370)
Filmmaker John Padilla joins us to talk about his ski film series, Mountain In My Mind, and how he’s opening the conversation about mental health in mountain communities.
Flash Review: Fox 34 SL
Cross-Country race courses have gotten a lot gnarlier in recent years, and bikes and parts have had to adapt. The new Fox 34 SL offers up to 130 mm of travel in a very lightweight package, but how does it ride? We are ready to share first impressions from a few rides with Fox’s new race-oriented XC fork.
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.)