BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Win Our 24/25 Winter Buyer’s Guide
The three winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get a print and digital copy of our new 2024-2025 Winter Buyer’s Guide!
Norco Fluid VLT
Norco’s Fluid VLT 130 pairs a responsive suspension platform, a lightweight build, and Bosch’s powerful SX drive system to create a unique offering in the light-assist eMTB category. Check out our Full Review and Deep Dive comparisons, as well as our “Head to Head” video comparing it to the Pivot Shuttle SL.
Deep Dive: Norco Fluid VLT 130
We compare the Norco Fluid VLT 130 to the Pivot Shuttle SL, Trek Fuel EXe, Santa Cruz Heckler SL, Canyon Neuron:ONfly, Mondraker Dune XR, and Cannondale Moterra SL.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
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Reviewing the News w/ Mike Ferrentino, August 2024 (Ep.238)
Mike Ferrentino is back handling the co-host duties on this episode of Reviewing the News. Simon admits to missing Mike during his absence, and the lads waste no time getting into recapping the UCI MTB World Championships; cross-country mountain bike courses getting too short; Mike’s take on the Specialized and Frameworks partnership; a belt drive lawsuit; and lots more.
Liv Intrigue X
The Intrigue X is the latest addition to Liv’s women-specific MTB lineup, and it claims to offer tons of versatility and adjustability for those who want to ride all sorts of trails on one bike. After several months with it, we’re now ready to weigh in on how accurate those claims proved to be — here’s our Full Review.
Chef Mark Connell on Craft & Trust; Tasting Menus; & Olive Oil Candy, Part 2 (Ep.49)
Mark Connell is the executive chef at PARC Aspen, and he’s back to talk about fine dining and the importance of tasting menus; what he learned at Alinea; the difference between striving for consistency vs. striving to be consistently good; and more.
Industry Nine SOLiX M TR300/290 DUO Wheels
Industry Nine’s new SOLiX M TR300/290 DUO wheels have a very long name and a very low weight — but how do they ride, and how have they held up to a summer of riding? Check out our Full Review to find out.
Reviewing the News w/ Cody Townsend, August 2024 (Ep.322)
Cody and Jonathan discuss summer skiing; the new FIS wildcard rule; some good news & dumb news re: national parks; art exhibits at ski areas; their top-3 mountain towns; & more.
‘Rad’ with Eddie Fiola, Jen Zeuner, & Simon Stewart (Ep.21)
There’s no denying that the film Rad is a cult classic, and we sat down with one of the stunt riders, BMX freestyle legend Eddie Fiola, as well as BMX Hall of Famer Jen Zeuner, to get the backstory on how Eddie got involved, how he got knocked out, the terrifying Helltrack drop-in, wearing Lori Loughlin’s pants, plus a whole lot more.
Shimano GRX Di2 2 x 12-Speed Drivetrain
Shimano’s GRX RX825 group brings Di2 technology to a 2 x 12 Gravel layout. After logging plenty of miles on the new setup, we think RX825 will have a lot of appeal to a broad set of riders. Our Full Review has all of the details.
2024-2025 Northland AM178
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Northland AM178.
Venture Snowboards — and New Venture Skis — w/ Klem Branner (Ep.311)
Venture Snowboards just announced that they will also be making Venture skis. So Jonathan talked with Klem Branner about why skis & why skis now; what’s harder or easier about making skis vs snowboards; and what, exactly, is this new ski of theirs, the Sultan?
Win MTB Shoes From Ride Concepts
The TWO winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get the new Tallac Mid BOA® MTB Shoe from Ride Concepts!
Pivot Shuttle SL
The Pivot Shuttle SL was one of the first light-assist eMTBs. But even after many other brands have added their takes on this hotly contested category, the Shuttle SL remains an excellent option for many reasons.
Deep Dive: Pivot Shuttle SL
We compare the Pivot Shuttle SL to the Trek Fuel EXe, Norco Fluid VLT 130, Santa Cruz Heckler SL, Canyon Neuron:ONfly, and Cannondale Moterra SL.
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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BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Deep Dive: Fischer The Curv GT 85 & Curv GT 85 Redefine
We compare the Fischer The Curv GT 85 and The Curv GT 85 Redefine to the Fischer RC One 82 GT, Fischer The Curv, Head Supershape e-Rally, K2 Disruption 82Ti, Elan Wingman 86 CTi, Rossignol Forza 70D V-Ti, Kastle MX84, Volkl Peregrine 82, Head Supershape e-Titan, Nordica Steadfast 85 DC, Head Kore 87, Atomic Maverick 88Ti, Rossignol Arcade 88, Stockli Montero AR, and Dynastar M-Cross 88.
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.)
Weather Forecasting, Artificial Intelligence, & Storm Chasing w/ OpenSnow Meteorologist, Joel Gratz (Ep.336)
OpenSnow’s Joel Gratz is back to talk about advancements in weather forecasting and how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing weather models; the challenges of making seasonal forecasts; & some tips for planning ski trips and for storm chasing and skiing in Japan.
Fizik Terra Nanuq GTX Shoes
Our Bike Editor has long been on the hunt for his ideal waterproof gravity-oriented clipless shoe for wet-weather winter use, and the Fizik Terra Nanuq GTX is the latest option he’s tried. So how have they worked out? Check out our Full Review to find out.
2024-2025 Armada ARV 106
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the updated Armada ARV 106.
2024-2025 Blizzard Black Pearl 84
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the new Blizzard Black Pearl 84.
Win Carv’s Digital Ski Coach System
The two winners of our Gear Giveaway this week will each get the Carv 2 Ski Coach system as well as a Carv Season Pass!
Ski Racing, Ski Tuning, & State of the Bike & Ski Industry w/ Sturtevant’s Olin Glenne (Ep.325)
Today we’re talking ski racing, ski tuning, ski finishing, ski-base flatness, and the state of the bike & ski Industry w/ Sturtevant’s Olin Glenne.
2024-2025 Head Crux 105 Pro
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Head Crux 105 Pro touring ski.
2024-2025 Elan Ripstick 100 W
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the women’s Elan Ripstick 100 W.
Küat Piston Pro
We’ve spent a year with Kuat’s Piston Pro hitch rack, including plenty of winter use and hauling lots of heavy eMTBs, so it’s time to weigh in on how it performed.
2024-2025 HEAD Supershape e-Rally
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the updated HEAD Supershape e-Rally.
Flash Review: 24/25 Head Supershape e-Rally
We’ve been spending time on the new Head Supershape e-Rally, and directly comparing it to the outgoing version. Check out 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.
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.)