BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
2024-2025 Ferreol Explo 86
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Ferreol Explo 86.
Win a Dropper Post From OneUp Components
The winner of our Gear Giveaway this week will get OneUp’s new V3 Dropper Post and V3 Dropper Post Remote!
Deep Dive: Specialized Epic Evo 8
We compare the Specialized Epic Evo to the Trek Top Fuel, Banshee Phantom V3, Santa Cruz Tallboy, Revel Rascal V2, Transition Spur, Canyon Spectral 125, and Rocky Mountain Element.
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Specialized Epic Evo 8
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.
2024-2025 FullSend Max K 106
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the FullSend Max K 106.
Sage Cattabriga-Alosa on Pizza Making & Big-Mountain Skiing (Ep.45)
One of the greatest big-mountain skiers of all time is also passionate about making great pizza. So what’s the story here, and what do you need to know to start making great pizza yourself?
Reviewing the News w/ Mike Ferrentino, June 2024 (Ep.229)
Mike Ferrentino and Simon Stewart get into the polarizing topic of bicycle access in wilderness areas, the inclusion of women at Red Bull Rampage, a new tire valve standard, and much more in the latest episode of Reviewing the News.
Manitou’s New R8 Fork & Updated Mara Shocks
Manitou has launched a new R8 XC fork, overhauled their whole shock lineup, and added some new remote lockout / dropper controls. Here are all the details.
Flash Review – Liv Intrigue X
Liv recently introduced the Intrigue X as the new mid-travel option to their Trail / Enduro lineup. Check out our early impressions, and see how it compares to its big sibling, the Intrigue LT.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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SRAM S-1000 Transmission & DB8 Stealth Brakes
SRAM’s AXS Transmission continues to trickle down to more affordable groups — meet the new S-1000 group and updated DB8 brakes.
2024-2025 Kästle Paragon 101
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Kastle Paragon 101.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, May & June 2024 (Ep.314)
Cody and Jonathan discuss the two new action-sports leagues; the inclusion of women at Red Bull Rampage; the latest controversies re: Nims Purja; Spring Energy’s questionably awesome sauce?; new rulings on liability waivers; what we’re reading & watching; & more.
Flash Review — Cannondale Moterra SL
Cannondale’s new Moterra SL looks pretty wild on paper — it’s a very light, full-power, long-travel eMTB — but how does it come together on the trail? Check out our early impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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2024-2025 Majesty Havoc 90 Ti
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for Majesty’s newest and narrowest freeride ski, the Havoc 90 Ti.
Flash Review: 24/25 Black Crows Corvus
A couple of our reviewers started spending time on the latest (and very different) version of the original Black Crows ski — here are their initial impressions on the new Corvus.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Win Jackets From Strafe
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get the men’s or women’s Highlands Shirt Jacket from Strafe!
2024 Pivot Phoenix
The new Pivot Phoenix has dropped the lugged construction from the prototype versions but kept their wild six-bar, dual-idler, high-pivot suspension layout, and the result is awfully interesting. Check out the latest iteration of Pivot’s DH bike.
Reviewing the News w/ Mike Ferrentino, September 2024 (Ep.242)
On the latest episode of Reviewing the News, Mike and Simon dig into what may have happened to close the doors of one of the biggest retail bike stores in the country; why selling Rad Power bikes in Best Buy stores is a terrible idea; the exciting inaugural Lake Placid XC World Cup; plus a bunch more and the usual banter you don’t want to miss.
2025 Orbea Wild
Orbea has refreshed their Wild eMTB. It’s a story of incremental rather than radical change, but also includes the new Bosch Performance Line CX motor — plus there’s now a shorter travel ST model. Read on for our First Look.
Making Skis in a Ski Town | 2025 Romp Ski Lineup | Blister Summit Video
Few ski companies make their skis as close to the slopes as Romp, and at Blister Summit 2024, we sat down with Romp’s Eligh Purvis to discuss the ins and outs of operating a ski factory in Crested Butte, CO; Romp’s fully custom vs. “Romp Ready” ski options; some new models they rolled out for the 24/25 season, and more.
Flash Review — Schwalbe Albert Tires
Schwalbe says that their new radial casing tires offer a very different feel from more conventional tire constructions, and we’ve started to put those claims to the test. Here are our early impressions.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Schwalbe Radial Tire Casings + New Albert & Shredda Tires
Schwalbe has added a couple of new tires to their mountain bike lineup, and they debuted a new radial casing construction that they’re making some very big — and very intriguing — claims about. Check out what they’ve come up with.
Kavenz VHP G2
The Kavenz VHP G2 takes their latest VHP V7 design and adapts it to a gearbox application, with broad compatibility across Pinion and Effigear systems. We’ve walked through Kavenz’s latest creation in our First Look.
‘Deeper’ w/ Jeremy Jones & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.25)
Jeremy Jones & Jonathan Ellsworth revisit the 2010 film, Deeper, which Jeremy calls the most important movie of his snowboarding career — which is saying something, coming from a guy who was named snowboarder of the year 10 times, and a guy that’s starred in over 100 films.
Stuff We Like: September 2024
This edition of our ‘Stuff We Like’ series is all about apparel — from ultralight rain shells to versatile baselayers, cozy insulators, bike shorts, and much more. Check it out to learn more about the standout products our reviewers have been testing.
Mountain Gazette’s Mike Rogge on ‘His’ New Ski; Baseball & Skiing; MG Issue #202; & More (Ep.326)
Mountain Gazette owner & editor Mike Rogge is back to talk about good skis and bad gear reviews; put Shohei Ohtani’s accomplishments in skier terms; discuss a growing new development in the outdoor industry; & more.
Flash Review — Ohlins RXF38 m.2 Coil Kit
Ohlins’ Coil Spring Kit is easy to install, doesn’t add too much weight, and, unlike kits for other forks, still allows you to go back to an air spring later. So, what’s it like to ride? We have some initial thoughts in our Flash Review.
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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