Best Mountain Bike Reviews | Blister Outdoor Gear Review

Simon Stewart reviews the Canyon Strive:ON for Blister

Canyon Strive:ON CFR

May 11, 2023 by Simon Stewart

Canyon launched two new long-travel full-power e-MTBs simultaneously, and the new Strive:ON is meant to be the racing-oriented compatriot to the freeride-focused Torque:ON — but the two share nearly identical geometry and both rock a mullet, so what sets the two apart? Turns out that there’s quite a bit.

David Golay reviews the Trek Fuel EX for Blister

2023 Trek Fuel EX

June 6, 2023May 10, 2023 by David Golay

The Trek Fuel EX has grown in just about every respect from its fifth to sixth generations — suspension travel, wheelbase, degree of adjustability, and so on — and the end result is an extremely well-rounded Trail bike that we think could work for a ton of different riders.

Forbidden Druid V2

May 9, 2023 by David Golay

Forbidden was one of the first companies to offer a shorter-travel high-pivot Trail bike, and now that bike, the Druid, is getting a big update with a new (but still high-pivot) suspension layout and a whole lot more. Check out our First Look for the rundown.

Flash Review — Revel Ranger

May 6, 2023 by Dylan Wood

We've been spending time on Revel's newest bike, the Ranger, which is so far proving to be a nice mix of XC efficiency and Trail bike capability. Check out our initial impressions.

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David Golay reviews the Transition Smuggler for Blister

2023 Transition Smuggler

May 5, 2023May 4, 2023 by David Golay

The Transition Smuggler is back in their lineup after a lengthy hiatus, and it’s one of the most well-rounded, aggressive, short(ish)-travel Trail bikes we’ve ridden. Check out our full review for the whole story, including how it compares to several other bikes in its class.

Fox Proframe RS

April 27, 2023 by Zack Henderson

Fox released the Proframe RS as an evolution of their long-standing Proframe helmet, adding a swath of new features and safety technologies. After a long winter season in the Proframe RS, we think it's a great option for folks looking for a lightweight, highly-ventilated full-face helmet.

Pivot Shuttle LT

May 4, 2023April 24, 2023 by David Golay

The long-range eMTB market is heating up, with companies turning up the capability, and battery size bragging rights featuring prominently. But while the Pivot Shuttle LT’s battery isn’t the biggest out there, it might actually be a better bike for it.

David Golay reviews the TRP Evo Groupsets for Blister

TRP Evo12 and Evo7 Drivetrains

April 20, 2023April 20, 2023 by David Golay

Breaking into the mountain bike drivetrain market is a big task, but TRP is giving it a go — and their second-generation Evo12 and Evo7 drivetrains are now offered as a complete package including a cassette and cranks.

Fox Float and Float SL

August 28, 2023April 18, 2023 by David Golay

Fox is launching two new inline shocks — the Float and Float SL — that essentially replace the Float DPS and split it into two slightly different versions, for weight-conscious Trail riders and XC folks, respectively. Check out our First Look for all the info.

Marin Rift Zone E

April 17, 2023April 17, 2023 by Simon Stewart

A new Marin Rift Zone eMTB drops today from Marin, a brand making a strong case as a value leader in eMTBs.

David Golay reviews the Fizik Terra Artica GTX for Blister

Fizik Terra Artica GTX Shoe

April 13, 2023 by David Golay

A lot of the waterproof mountain bike shoes on the market are also very heavily insulated and warm, but if you’re after a wet-weather clipless shoe for cool-but-not-frigid temperatures, the Fizik Terra Artica GTX might just be the ticket.

Devinci Chainsaw

April 12, 2023 by David Golay

Stevie Smith was an enormous inspiration to the current generation of Canadian mountain bikers, and his longtime frame sponsor, Devinci, has launched a new, more-affordable Enduro / DH bike in his honor — appropriately named the Chainsaw.

Hayes Dominion T4 Brakes

April 7, 2023 by David Golay

The Hayes Dominion A4s have been one of our favorite brakes for a while now, but how about the lighter Dominion T4? Do they share the magic of the A4 or are they something else entirely? We’ve been logging a lot of time on the T4s and are ready to weigh in.

Lazer Coyote Kineticore

April 3, 2023 by David Golay

The Lazer Coyote is the newer, less-expensive addition to their line of Kineticore helmets (after the Jackal that we reviewed last year) and it’s an especially impressive offering for the price — at exactly half the cost of the top-tier Jackal.

Starling Murmur Enduro

January 18, 2024March 28, 2023 by David Golay

The Starling Murmur, with its steel construction and single-pivot suspension, doesn’t ride like most bikes, but those differences just might be what certain riders are looking for. Check out our full review to hear what sets the Murmur apart and how it compares to nine other bikes in its class.

SRAM Eagle AXS Long-Term Durability

March 27, 2023 by Simon Stewart

SRAM’s new Eagle Transmission is a big change to their mountain bike lineup, but what does the demise of the derailleur hanger mean for long-term durability, and is electronic shifting just an unnecessary gizmo or a genuine benefit? Blister Editor Simon Stewart reflects on four-plus years with the original Eagle AXS drivetrain.

SRAM Eagle Transmission

January 11, 2024March 21, 2023 by David Golay

There have been spy photos of what appeared to be a new direct-mount derailleur, plus updated Eagle cranks, cassettes, and controllers from SRAM floating around the internet for a while now — and today it all breaks cover, along with some new brakes and much more. Check out our First Look for all the info on the new Eagle Transmission.

Simon Stewart Reviews the Marin Alpine Trail E for Blister

2023 Marin Alpine Trail E

March 20, 2023 by Simon Stewart

The Marin Alpine Trail E gets a refresh today, and while its geometry hasn’t changed much, it’s still pretty out there for a ~150 mm travel bike — and the value for money in terms of the build specs is especially impressive.

Ibis Ripmo V2S

March 9, 2023 by David Golay

Ibis gave the Ripmo a light update late last year, and while the changes to the new V2S version aren’t all that dramatic, it’s still a good, well-rounded bike that blurs the line between longer-travel Trail bikes and full-on Enduro ones, in a way that we can imagine working well for a lot of folks. Check out our full review for our take, including how the Ripmo V2S stacks up against a dozen of its competitors.

Galfer Shark Rotors

March 8, 2023 by David Golay

We really like Galfer’s standard Wave rotors, but how about the fancier Shark versions that they’re launched more recently? And in general, who should think about upgrading their existing rotors? Check out our review to learn more.

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