BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Flash Review — Privateer 161 V2
Privateer made a name for themselves by building super burly, affordable Enduro race bikes and we’ve started spending time on their latest take on that theme, the 161 V2. Check out our take on how it’s faring so far.
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2024-2025 Meier Crosscut BC
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Meier Crosscut BC.
Flash Review: 24/25 Armada Declivity X 108
Revamped for 24/25, the Declivity X 108 bridges the gap between Armada’s big-mountain Declivty X 115 and the more all-round Declivity X 102. So, which of its siblings does the new 108 most closely resemble? Here are our initial thoughts.
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.
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Rebecca Rusch & Carlos Perez on Mtn Biking, Gravel Riding, Rebecca’s Private Idaho, & More (Ep.320)
We talk with 7x world champion, Rebecca Rusch, and Bike Monkey founder, Carlos Perez, about mountain biking in the 2024 Olympics; whether gravel biking ought to be in the Olympics; the new Potato Olympics, and her signature event, Rebecca’s Private Idaho.
Hope XCR Pro X2 and E4 Brakes
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.
Reviewing the Reviewer: Zack Henderson (Ep.308)
We talk to Blister bike reviewer Zach Henderson about his gear preferences when it comes to bikes, skis, and snowboarders. We also start the episode by remembering our friend and fellow reviewer, Eric Freson.
Modern Gear for Traditional Skiing | Bishop Telemark 2025 Lineup Video
There are lots of passionate telemark skiers out there, but far fewer tele-specific gear companies. Bishop Telemark is one of those brands, and at Blister Summit 2024, we sat down with Bishop’s owner and engineer, Dave Bombard, to get the rundown on the current lineup, including their latest cross-compatible bindings; their collection of skis and how they designed them specifically for tele skiers; the San Juan Stick and its historical significance, and more.
Win MTB Handlebars From Forge+Bond
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get a F+B 25 MTN Bar from Forge+Bond!
Vermont Mountain Bike Association on Assessing, Funding, & Building Adaptive Trails (Ep.234)
Vermont Mountain Bike Association, in conjunction with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, are building an impressive network of adaptive trails. So we sat down to find out what has made them so successful; what goes into adaptive trail building; and why other trail organizations should take a look at what they’re doing.
Rocky Mountain Altitude
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.
Deep Dive: 2024 Rocky Mountain Altitude
We compare the Rocky Mountain Altitude to the prior-generation Altitude, Orbea Rallon, Santa Cruz Megatower, Chromag Lowdown, Yeti SB160, Pivot Firebird, RAAW Madonna, Trek Slash, Ibis HD6, and Yeti SB165.
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.
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Trek Fuel EXe Aluminum
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.
Deep Dive: Trek Fuel EXe Aluminum
We compare the Trek Fuel EXe Aluminum to the Pivot Shuttle SL, Norco Fluid VLT 130, Cannondale Moterra SL, Pivot Shuttle AM, Trek Slash+, Santa Cruz Heckler SL, Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay, & Trek Fuel EX.
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.
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2024-2025 WNDR Alpine Vital 98
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the WNDR Alpine Vital 98.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, July 2024 (Ep.319)
Cody and Jonathan discuss the Olympics; what makes someone an “athlete”; LeBron James & bikes; Amaury Pierron; the Most Canadian News; what we’re reading and watching; & more.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Moment Skis 24/25 Lineup with Luke Jacobson (Ep.319)
Jonathan talks with Moment Skis CEO, Luke Jacobson, about Moment’s latest skis; some former Moment skis; some other companies’ skis; why Hoji is a traitor(!!); and more.
Kona Process 134
The Kona Process 134 stays true to its roots and proves — yet again — that a bike doesn’t need to be complicated to be good. Check out our Full Review to see what it’s all about.
Arid Cycles on Self-Taught Frame Design, the Spade Enduro Bike, & More (Ep.245)
The Arid Spade Enduro bike prototypes are awfully striking for a host of reasons — including that their designer, Ethan Eggert, is just 19 years old. We sat down with Ethan to hear how and why he decided to start building bikes; how the Spade has evolved over its first three iterations; his plans for eventually selling frames; and a bunch more.
Propain Rage 3 R CF
Propain has been on a roll with new bike releases this year, and now it’s their Downhill bike’s turn — enter the new Rage 3 R CF. Feedback from Propain’s race team has yielded small changes that focus on frame stiffness and a quieter ride. All of the details are in our First Look.
Park City Ski Boot
With 43 years of experience, and the impressive balance of being both a ski industry expert and bootfitter as well as a board-certified Pedorthist, Brent Amsbury at Park City Ski Boot has the expertise, passion, and tools to ensure that you are comfortable and dialed in your next pair of ski boots!
2025 Pivot Shuttle LT
The updated Pivot Shuttle LT is the latest eMTB with the new Bosch Performance Line CX motor, but it goes one step further with the Race Limited Edition version of the drive system. The new version gets some other updates, too — our First Look has the details.
Dr. Gloria Beim on the Paris Olympics; Pre-Season Training Advice; the Most Common Ski & Snowboard Injuries; & More (Ep.329)
Dr. Gloria Beim, the head physician for the USA Olympic Team in Paris, is back to talk about her experience at the Paris games; pre-season training; the most common ski & snowboard injuries; and some of the things you can do to prevent them.
Deep Dive: 2025 Trek Top Fuel
We compare the Trek Top Fuel to the prior-generation Top Fuel, Specialized Epic Evo, Rocky Mountain Element, Transition Spur, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Revel Rascal V2, Pivot Trail 429, and Forbidden Druid V2
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.
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2025 Trek Top Fuel
The last Trek Top Fuel was a big departure from the versions that preceded it — so has Trek given it another major overhaul with their latest update, or refined the recipe that made the outgoing model popular in the first place? We’ve got answers.
Blister Travel Guide: Chamonix
Considering a ski or snowboard trip to Chamonix? It’s one of the most famous locales in the wintersports world for a reason, and in this Blister Travel Guide, we provide all the insider info needed to make the most of your trip.
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5-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (24/25)
Which 5 skis would you pick for all the skiing you do? We’re once again asking our reviewers to provide their answers, and in Part Two of our 5-ski quiver picks, we hear from Paul Forward, Mark Danielson, & Jonathan Ellsworth.
24/25 Ski Season & Big Moves w/ Spokane Alpine Haus (Ep.318)
We catch up with Drew and Rachel Harding of our Blister Recommended Shop, Spokane Alpine Haus, to hear all about the exciting recent developments at the shop; how this news runs counter to a lot of what you see from local retailers these days; what ski / snowboard gear they’re excited about for the 24/25 season, and more.