Best Mountain Bike Reviews | Blister Outdoor Gear Review

Blister Brand Guide: Trek Mountain Bike Lineup, 2021

August 30, 2021March 1, 2021 by Dylan Wood

For 2021, Trek trimmed down their mountain bike lineup slightly, but also made some updates to long-standing models. Check out our Brand Guide to see which Trek bike could make the most sense for you.

Sweet Protection Arbitrator MIPS Helmet

February 22, 2021 by Noah Bodman

Is it possible to have "one helmet for everything" — from long days of pedaling to shuttle or lift laps? The convertible Sweet Protection Arbitrator helmet might be the best option for this that we've used. Check out our full review to see why.

David Golay reviews the Canyon Stoic for Blister

2021 Canyon Stoic

February 11, 2021 by David Golay

Sub-$2K price tag, huge size range, modern geometry — the new Canyon Stoic hardtail checks a lot of boxes on paper. And after spending a couple months riding it, we think it checks a lot of boxes on the trail, too. Check out our full review of this versatile hardtail.

David Golay reviews the 2021 Fox 40 for Blister

2021 Fox 40 Fork

January 27, 2022February 8, 2021 by David Golay

The first iteration of the Fox 40 dual-crown fork came onto the market in 2005, and now for 2021, Fox has given it an overhaul. So just how different is the new version, and how does it perform on the trail? Check out our full review.

Smith Mainline Helmet

January 29, 2021 by David Golay

For folks who want full-face protection on the down without the full-face sweatiness on the up, the Smith Mainline should be high on your list. Check out our review of this lighter, more breathable alternative to traditional full-face helmets.

David Golay discusses the Nukeproof Giga for Blister

2021 Nukeproof Giga

January 28, 2021January 27, 2021 by David Golay

What's a "Super Enduro" bike? Apparently, the brand-new Nukeproof Giga is one of them, and you can check out our First Look to learn more about this competitively priced, extra-long-travel bike that's still designed to pedal uphill.

Dylan Wood reviews the Trek Slash for Blister in Crested Butte, Colorado.

2021 Trek Slash

January 24, 2021January 23, 2021 by Dylan Wood

We’ve spent quite a bit of time now on the new Trek Slash, and three of our reviewers are weighing in on this smooth, stable, and surprisingly versatile long-travel bike. Check out our full review.

Manitou Mara Pro Shock

January 13, 2021 by David Golay

We were very impressed by the Manitou Mezzer Pro Fork this past year, but what about the rear shock Manitou designed to pair with it? Check out our full review of the Mara Pro.

PNW Components Rainier Gen 3 Dropper Post

December 23, 2020 by Jonathan Ellsworth

The PNW Components Gen-3 Rainier is a very promising option in the increasingly crowded field of dropper posts, and comes at an unusually attractive price. So how does it compare to the competition? Check out our review.

Blister's 2020 mountain bike jacket roundup

Mountain Bike Jacket Roundup — 2020

December 17, 2020December 17, 2020 by David Golay

This roundup is for the folks who don't let a bit of cold and / or wet weather keep them from getting out on the trails. Check out 8 of the Mtb shells we've been testing, ranging from ultra packable and breathable to burly and fully waterproof.

Hunt All-Mountain Carbon H_Impact Wheelset

December 10, 2020December 10, 2020 by Noah Bodman

Can a product that costs half as much as the competition perform just as well? That's basically what Hunt is claiming about their Carbon H-Impact wheelset, and after 5 months of testing, we actually don't think they're far off. Check out our review of this impressive wheelset.

David Golay reviews the Pivot Mach 6 for Blister

2021 Pivot Mach 6

December 8, 2020December 8, 2020 by David Golay

Pivot just announced a brand-new bike — the latest generation of their 27.5" Trail / Enduro bike, the Mach 6. Check out our First Look to learn more about the bike that Pivot says offers "eye-watering speed, telepathic handling, & unflappable stability."

David Golay reviews the Canfield Tilt & Canfield Lithium for Blister

2021 Canfield Tilt & Lithium

August 10, 2021November 30, 2020 by David Golay

Canfield recently added two new 29ers to their lineup, the Tilt & Lithium, and we're very excited about both. Check out our First Look to see why.

Hayes Dominion A4 Brakes

June 23, 2021November 13, 2020 by David Golay

After 6 months of testing, the Hayes Dominion A4 has become one of our all-time favorite brakes for aggressive trail and DH riding.

David Golay reviews the Smith Forefront 2 Helmet & Smith Attack MAG MTB Glasses for Blister

Smith Forefront 2 Helmet & Attack MAG MTB Glasses

November 6, 2020 by David Golay

Smith recently updated their highest-end Trail helmet, the Forefront 2, and we've been testing the new version along with their Attack MAG MTB Glasses to see how the two work together and how they compare to the competition.

David Golay reviews the Guerrilla Gravity Gnarvana for Blister

2020 Guerrilla Gravity Gnarvana

November 3, 2020November 3, 2020 by David Golay

Enduro racer? Long-legged Trail bike? Both? After 3 months of riding, we've updated our full review of Guerrilla Gravity's longest-travel bike, the Gnarvana, and provide our take on where it slots into the market.

David Golay reviews the RockShox ZEB fork for Blister

RockShox ZEB Ultimate Fork

October 8, 2020 by David Golay

We've spent the last couple of months using the new RockShox ZEB — check out our updated review for thoughts on how it compares to forks like the RockShox Lyrik & Manitou Mezzer Pro, and who we think is going to get along best with it.

Noah Bodman reviews the Fox 38 Fork and compares it to the Fox 36 & Rockshox Lyrik for Blister

2021 Fox 38 Fork

October 1, 2020October 1, 2020 by Noah Bodman

We've spent the last 3 months riding Fox's burliest single-crown fork, the 38, and comparing it to other mainstays in the category to see just how much of a difference the bigger chassis (and new internals) make on the trail. Spoiler alert: it's a significant difference, but there's more to it. Check out our full review.

Manitou Mezzer Pro Fork

October 1, 2020September 24, 2020 by David Golay

Manitou's Mezzer Pro was one of the first "extra-stiff," single-crown forks to hit the market, and we've spent the last 4 months comparing it to its growing competition. Check out our full review to see how it stacks up.

David Golay reviews the EXT Storia Lok V3 coil shock for Blister

EXT Storia Lok V3 Shock

September 22, 2020September 22, 2020 by David Golay

EXT's custom shocks have been used on everything from F1 cars to motocross, but they also make some very interesting suspension components for mountain bikers. We've been testing the latest version of their Enduro-oriented Storia Lok shock, and it is very impressive. Check out our full review for an in-depth explanation.

+ More