BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Deep Dive: Knolly Fugitive 140
We compare the Knolly Fugitive 140 to the Santa Cruz Hightower 3, Trek Fuel EX, Revel Rascal V2, Santa Cruz Bronson, REEB Steezl, Rocky Mountain Instinct, Transition Smuggler, Norco Optic, Deviate Highlander II, Forbidden Druid V2, Norco Sight, Yeti SB140, Banshee Phantom V3, and Propain Hugene.
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Knolly Fugitive 140
We’ve had a couple of reviewers riding Knolly’s updated Fugitive 140, and it stands out from the mid-travel Trail bike market in a few interesting ways — not an easy task in that typically “jack of all trades, master of none” category. Here’s our Full Review.
Casey Brown on the Inaugural Women’s Red Bull Rampage (Ep.246)
Red Bull Rampage finally, belatedly, included a women’s category this year — and it was outstanding. Casey Brown arguably did more than anyone else to get her foot in the door, and to smash it down for others to follow, so we sat down with her to hear all about it. Don’t miss this one.
Stuff We Like: October 2024
This edition of Stuff We Like includes some excellent camera-friendly outdoor gear, several shoulder-season layering pieces, two of our bike editors’ favorite grips, and more. Check it out to see all the latest gear our reviewers have been digging.
Diner Coffee, Sour Beers, Well-Done Steaks, Putting Greens, & Brand Building with Alex LeBlanc of Calibration Coffee Lab (Ep.51)
Last year, we talked with Alex LeBlanc about starting Calibration Coffee Lab in Greenville, South Carolina. Today, Alex is back to talk about how it’s going, what he’s been learning, how his thinking about coffee has evolved, and how he’s trying to build a brand that people will love.
Michelin’s New Enduro and DH Tires
Michelin gave their Enduro and DH tire lineup a big overhaul this year, and we’ve been spending time on the whole range of models. Here are our thoughts on the new Wild Enduro MH, Wild Enduro MS, Wild Enduro Rear, DH 16, and DH 22.
‘Downhill Racer’ with Daron Rahlves & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.28)
55 years ago today, the movie ‘Downhill Racer’ came out, starring two legendary actors, Robert Redford and Gene Hackman. The film critic Roger Ebert calls this “the greatest sports movie ever made,” and today, we’re discussing it with one of the greatest American downhillers of all time, Daron Rahlves.
Natural Selection Tour Expands to Ski, Snowboard, Bike, & Surf Events
Big News: Travis Rice and the Natural Selection Tour have announced their most extensive development yet — the addition of ski, bike, and surf events. Here are the details.
Amie Engerbretson on Ugly Sweater Parties + Can the Outdoor Community Actually Make a Difference? (Ep.330)
Jonathan talks with professional skier Amie Engerbretson about our upcoming ugly sweater / ski-movie-rom-com event; her film, Hypocrite; and the question, “Can the outdoor community actually make a difference?”
Ohlins DH38 & RXF38 Coil Spring Kits
Öhlins is one of the few suspension brands offering a coil conversion kit for their forks, and it manages to incorporate some compelling features at a reasonable price point. Does it deliver that fabled coil-sprung magic, or is there more to the story? Our reviewers have some thoughts after a few months of testing.
4-Ski Quivers: Reviewers’ Selections (24/25)
Rounding out our annual 4-ski quiver picks, Jonathan Ellsworth and Kristin Sinnott share their thoughts on what their personal 4-ski quivers would look like.
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.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Cane Creek Tigon
Air and coil shocks both have their merits, but what about a hybrid of the two? Cane Creek took a creative new direction with their Tigon shock. But has it worked? Check out our Full Review to find out.
BMC URS AMP LT
The BMC URS AMP LT looks like a versatile off-road-focused eGravel Bike with progressive geometry and ample cargo-carrying capability — making for a very interesting take on the electrified Gravel Bike category.
Flash Review — BMC URS AMP LT
BMC has added the TQ HPR50 motor to their off-road focused URS LT Gravel Bike, check out our early impressions of the BMC URS AMP LT.
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 Blizzard Anomaly 88
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Blizzard Anomaly 88.
Flash Review: 24/25 Blizzard Anomaly 88
We’ve had multiple reviewers testing the new Anomaly 88 to see how it compares to the Blizzard Brahma and the rest of the narrower all-mountain class. Here are their 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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2024-2025 Kästle MX88
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Kästle MX88.
Ashley King of Significant Other Bikes on Custom Frames, Finding a Home in the Bike Industry, & More (Ep. 253)
Ashley King of Significant Other Bikes makes beautiful and distinctive frames out of her shop in Golden, Colorado, and her journey into the bike world and frame building is not a conventional one either. So we sat down with her to hear all about it.
2024-2025 LINE Vision 96
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new LINE Vision 96.
2024-2025 ON3P Billy Goat 118 Tour
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the ON3P Billy Goat 118 Tour.
Flash Review: 24/25 Armada ARV 112
Here are some of our initial takeaways after spending time on Armada’s new freestyle-friendly powder (or all-mountain?) ski.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2024-2025 Armada ARV 112
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Armada ARV 112.
Flash Review — Nicolai/Geometron G1
Update 12.18.2024: We’ve spent a lot more time on the new Geometron G1 and have experimented with a lot more of its myriad customization options. Check out what we’ve learned so far.
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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