BLISTER Gear Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles
Flash Review — Cannondale Scalpel
Riding season is in full swing, and we’ve been spending some time aboard the latest version of the Cannondale Scalpel. Check out our initial 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.)
![When the world’s elite athletes compete later this month at the Olympic Games in Paris, who treats them? And when injuries happen, how are decisions made about whether the athlete can continue to compete? For answers, we talk to Dr. Gloria Beim, the Head Team Physician at the Olympic Games for Team USA. [Blister Podcast]](https://blisterreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/glo-rings-640x422.jpg)
The Team Behind the Team: USA Olympic Head Team Physician, Dr. Gloria Beim (Ep.315)
When the world’s elite athletes compete later this month at the Olympic Games in Paris, who treats them? And when injuries happen, how are decisions made about whether the athlete can continue to compete? For answers, we talk to Dr. Gloria Beim, the Head Team Physician at the Olympic Games for Team USA.
2024-2025 Liberty Radian 100
Here are our measured specs, rocker profile pictures, and flex pattern numbers for the Liberty Radian 100.
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.
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.)
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
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.)
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.
BLISTER Reviews, Podcasts, & Articles:
Cannondale Moterra SL
The groundbreaking Cannondale Moterra SL is claimed to be the lightest full-power eMTB on the market, but has it made too many compromises to get there, or does it deliver something truly unique? Check out our Full Review for our take.
Deep Dive: Cannondale Moterra SL
We compare the Cannondale Moterra SL to the Pivot Shuttle LT, Pivot Shuttle AM, Orbea Wild, Devinci E-Troy, Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay, and Mondraker Dune XR.
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.)
Wayfarer Vans w/ Andy Mullins (Ep.50)
Camper vans are everywhere, and in today’s CRAFTED conversation, Simon is joined by Wayfarer Van’s Andy Mullins to answer commonly asked questions about camping in — and building — vans.
Teton Village Sports
Teton Village Sports has been at the base of the fabled Jackson Hole tram since it opened for skiing. They are a full-service ski shop offering top-tier bootfitting and custom footbeds, large demo ski rental fleet that matches their retail ski offering, and an award-winning tune and repair shop offering overnight tunes ready for first chair the next day.
2025 Rocky Mountain Element
The Rocky Mountain Element was an early example of a cross-country bike with more aggressive geometry, and the new Element makes some refinements without messing with that winning recipe. Read all about it in our First Look.
‘The Hard Way’ w/ Paul Forward & Jonathan Ellsworth (Ep.27)
Jonathan talks with our friend and longtime Blister reviewer, Paul Forward, about a beautiful new series of three short films about Paul, called The Hard Way, that delve into Paul’s lifelong passion for traditional bow hunting, and the ethics that guide Paul’s practice.
Manitou Mara Pro PB
Manitou’s rear shocks aren’t necessarily a common sight on the trails, but the updated Mara Pro PB makes a strong case for why that should change. Our Full Review chronicles our findings after a few months of heavy use.
Mondraker Dune
The Mondraker Dune XR is exceptionally good at going downhill and adds the impressive Bosch SX drive system to help bring it back up for more. Check out the Full Review to see what Mondraker has done to make the Dune XR so unique.
Deep Dive: Mondraker Dune XR
The Mondraker Dune XR is one of the more unique light-assist eMTBs we’ve tested, and as such there aren’t many direct comparisons, so we’re including some full-power eMTBs that match up a bit closer as well.
We compare the Mondraker Dune to the Pivot Shuttle LT, Orbea Wild, Devinci E-Troy, Canyon Torque:ON CF, and Trek Slash+.
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.)
Team USA Snowboarder, Bea Kim (Ep.328)
At the age of 17, not many of us find ourselves competing for World Cup titles, or speaking in front of the United Nations. But then there’s Bea Kim, and you’re definitely going to want to get to know her and her story.
Vorsprung Smashpot V2 Coil Spring Fork Conversion Kit
Vorsprung’s new Smashpot V2 still lets you convert your fork to a coil spring, but V2 offers increased tunability, a wider range of travel and fork compatibility options — including dual-crown ones — and a new dual-rate progressive spring setup for longer-travel configurations. Check out our First Look for all the details.
Formula Nebbia
The Nebbia is Formula’s first air shock, with a strong focus on tunability and ease of service. After a few months of testing, we have gotten a good sense of how it performs — and the results are even more interesting than expected.