We’ve got a lot of interesting drivetrain-related testing going on right now, from our just-published roundup of chain damping devices to multiple gearbox bikes, the Supre Drive-equipped Lal Katana, and more. David and Zack sat down to discuss what they’re learning, debate the pros and cons of these novel options, and give a rundown on some more conventional bikes they’ve been spending time on, too.RELATED LINKS:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-mtb-buyers-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/shop/blisterplus-membership" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered</a>TOPICS &amp; TIMES:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/kavenz-vhp-g2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kavenz VHP G2</a> (2:11)<a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/evil-offering" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Evil Offering</a> (16:59)<a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/lal-katana" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lal Katana</a> (30:29)Transition Regulator SX (38:45)<a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/chain-damper-roundup-ochain-rimpact-and-dt-deg-df" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chain Damper Roundup</a> (47:56)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/podcasts/blister-cinematic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Cinematic</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/category/podcasts/crafted-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CRAFTED</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear30-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GEAR:30</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Podcast</a>

Reviewer Reports: Chain Dampers, Gearboxes, High-Pivots & More

Today, Mike joins us from Loretto, Mexico, and on his way down there, he stopped in Los Algodones to get his rotten teeth fixed in what's become known as Molar City. Mike recounts his experience with Mexico’s booming low-cost dental industry and how, at one point, he thought he might be in a Quentin Tarantino film.&nbsp;&nbsp; On the bike news front, we talk about more struggling companies, including Rad Power Bikes and Campagnolo, as well as a few recalls, before getting into World Cup DH athlete team changes, Mike’s take on 32” wheels, and more.Note: We Want to Hear From You!Please let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you’d like us to have on Bikes and Big Ideas. Email us at <a href="mailto:info@blisterreview.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">info@blisterreview.com</a> to weigh in.RELATED LINKS:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-mtb-buyers-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/subscribe-to-our-blister-newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get Our Free Newsletter &amp; Gear Giveaways</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/shop/blisterplus-membership" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered</a>Mike’s <a href="https://thegrimyhandshake.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Grimy Handshake</a> SubstackTOPICS &amp; TIMES:Mike’s Back in Mexico (1:22)Getting his Teeth Sorted in “Molar City” (2:33)RIP Joe Montgomery (14:14)Rad Power Bikes Files Bankruptcy (15:52)New Ducati eMTBs, Gravel &amp; Road Bikes (21:24)Giant Moving to Boulder, Colorado (25:18)Chinese Counterfeit Bike Bust (28:59)Campagnolo Cuts Workforce by 40% (34:14)Bike Recalls (37:42)Mike’s 32” Wheels Predictions (38:59)New Products (46:02)World Cup DH Athlete News (1:00:59)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/podcasts/blister-cinematic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Cinematic</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/category/podcasts/crafted-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CRAFTED</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear30-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GEAR:30</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Podcast</a>

Reviewing the News w/ Mike Ferrentino & Simon Stewart (December, 2025)

Hayden Zablotny showed up at Red Bull Rampage and became the first rookie to win since Brandon Semenuk did it back in 2008. Hayden’s path to the top step of the podium is a fascinating story chronicling a young, talented rider struggling to get noticed. Today, he joins us to talk about that journey, how he became known as “the poacher,” finally getting the coveted Rampage invite, his winning run, and how he kept his head in the game during one of the heaviest injury-laden Rampages ever.RELATED LINKS:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-mtb-buyers-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/shop/blisterplus-membership" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered</a>TOPICS &amp; TIMES:Getting started on Two Wheels and his BMX Legend Dad (4:14)Racing BMX and Building Skills (6:43)Moving to BC and Discovering Mountain Biking (8:14)Finding His Niche in Freestyle (10:09)Poaching Proving Grounds and Getting Noticed (24:11)Getting the Rampage Invite (35:49)Building His Line (41:48)Staying Focused Amidst all the Injuries (43:30)Breaking Down His Winning Run (46:34)Hayden’s Biike Setup (51:45)What’s next? (58:46)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/podcasts/blister-cinematic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Cinematic</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/category/podcasts/crafted-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CRAFTED</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear30-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GEAR:30</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Podcast</a>

2025 Red Bull Rampage Winner, Hayden Zablotny

Vali Höll is in the midst of one of the most dominant runs we’ve seen in World Cup DH racing, taking her third consecutive overall title and fourth consecutive World Championships win in 2025. And she did it despite her team, the YT Mob, shutting down mid-season amidst YT’s ongoing financial struggles. Vali joins us to tell the story of her season, what happened with the Mob, how she pressed on regardless, how she ended up signing with Commencal for 2026, and a whole lot more.RELATED LINKS:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-mtb-buyers-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/shop/blisterplus-membership" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/podcasts/2-big-blister-updates-for-2026-ep-388" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Podcast Ep.388</a>TOPICS &amp; TIMES:The YT Mob &amp; YT’s insolvency (2:50)Team contracts &amp; how the season unfolded (5:13)Racing after team funding was cut (18:11)Talks with other teams &amp; moving to Commencal (23:45)Consistency &amp; race results (25:25)Racing for a new contract &amp; managing pressure (27:52)Bikepacking &amp; gravel bikes (31:20)Vali’s goals for 2026 (35:21)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/podcasts/blister-cinematic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Cinematic</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/category/podcasts/crafted-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CRAFTED</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear30-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GEAR:30</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Podcast</a>

Vali Höll on Her 2025 Season & the Dissolution of the YT Mob

We’re currently testing a huge array of bikes, from the super-efficient Norco Revolver, to the long-travel, Bosch CX-equipped Yeti LTe, with a whole lot in between — including the Lal Katana, with its novel Supre Drive. David and Simon sat down to share our thoughts on all of those and more, and along the way, we got into some debates about wheel sizes, geometry preferences, and more.RELATED LINKS:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-mtb-buyers-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/shop/blisterplus-membership" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered</a>TOPICS &amp; TIMES:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/mountain-bike-reviews/bikes-frames/yeti-lte" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Yeti LTe</a> (1:37)<a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/mountain-bike-reviews/bikes-frames/cannondale-moterra" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cannondale Moterra</a> (15:39)<a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/norco-sight-vlt-cx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Norco Sight VLT</a> (24:51)<a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/trek-fuel-ex-mx-lx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Trek Fuel MX</a> (34:40)<a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/lal-katana" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lal Katana</a> (49:51)<a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/mountain-bike-reviews/bikes-frames/2026-norco-revolver-120-130" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Norco Revolver</a> (58:22)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/podcasts/blister-cinematic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Cinematic</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/category/podcasts/crafted-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CRAFTED</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear30-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GEAR:30</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Podcast</a>

Reviewer Reports: Lal Katana, Norco Sight VLT, Yeti LTe, & More

Gamux has never done things the conventional way and takes pride in that. But they aren’t being different for the sake of being different, either. Founder Pascal Tinner is back on the show to talk about what they’ve been up to, from their partnership with Reece Wilson’s AON Racing, to the ‘Trophy Truck’ prototype race bike, and a whole lot more.RELATED LINKS:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-mtb-buyers-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/shop/blisterplus-membership" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered</a>TOPICS &amp; TIMES:AON Racing &amp; Reece Wilson (1:45)The Sego (14:44)DH prototypes (22:38)Body types &amp; bike design (29:03)The Trophy Truck (33:40)Riders &amp; building a team (36:32)2026 &amp; beyond (45:10)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/podcasts/blister-cinematic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Cinematic</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/category/podcasts/crafted-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CRAFTED</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear30-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GEAR:30</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Podcast</a>

Gamux Founder Pascal Tinner on AON Racing, the ‘Trophy Truck,’ & More

For November’s Reviewing the News Episode, Mike clues us in on what's been going on in the Cyclocross season so far. Then we have a bunch of bike industry recalls to wade through — some of which are legitimately dangerous — which segways into Mike and Simon trying to understand why Rad Power Bikes is not issuing a recall for batteries that could burn down your house.Note: We Want to Hear From You!Please let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you’d like us to have on Bikes and Big Ideas. Email us at <a href="mailto:info@blisterreview.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">info@blisterreview.com</a> to weigh in.RELATED LINKS:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-mtb-buyers-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/subscribe-to-our-blister-newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get Our Free Newsletter &amp; Gear Giveaways</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/shop/blisterplus-membership" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered</a>TOPICS &amp; TIMES:Mike’s Cyclocross Season Update (5:32)Rad Power Bike’s Battery Problems (15:01)Can Trek’s Coaster Brake Failures Make Better Cyclists? (24:52)You Can Still Get Injured on a Peloton&nbsp; (32:56)Lezyne Floor Pumps at Risk of Exploding (38:58)Will the Bike Industry Ever Go Back to Normal? (42:44)Mike’s Madrone Derailleur (46:30)Charging eBikes Off-Grid (59:27)Mike’s Heading to Mexico to Fix his Teeth (1:07:02)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/podcasts/blister-cinematic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Cinematic</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/category/podcasts/crafted-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CRAFTED</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear30-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GEAR:30</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Podcast</a>

Reviewing the News w/ Mike Ferrentino & Simon Stewart (November, 2025)

In Part 2 of our series on the Best Bikes of the Century, Simon Stewart, David Golay, and Xan Marshland are back, plus Zack Henderson also joins them to dig into 16 more brands as they continue the hard work of trying to single out the best bikes from the last 25 years. Since they focused on many prominent brands from the early 2000s in Part 1, they take a closer look at newer brands, direct-to-consumer bike companies, plus a couple of OG ones, just to mix it up.Note: We Want to Hear From You!Please let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you’d like us to have on Bikes and Big Ideas. Email us at <a href="mailto:info@blisterreview.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">info@blisterreview.com</a> to weigh in.RELATED LINKS:<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNQ2muuyVi8994WozTD1pVIcAc372VaSlp4WHTxIhR-SBnsg/viewform" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Best Bikes of the Century Survey</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-craft-collective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Craft Collective</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-mtb-buyers-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/shop/blisterplus-membership" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered</a>TOPICS &amp; TIMES:Pivot (0:59)Canyon (7:03)YT (12:59)Forbidden (16:44)Norco (22:02)Mondraker (27:16)Scott (33:06)Salsa (38:38)Orbea (43:33)Commencal (47:04)Transition (50:15)Evil (56:56)Devinci (59:55)Revel (1:02:13)Marin (1:05:31)Surly&nbsp; (1:12:01)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/podcasts/blister-cinematic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Cinematic</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear30-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GEAR:30</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Podcast</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/category/podcasts/crafted-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CRAFTED</a>

Best Bikes of the Century, Part 2

Today, we’re kicking off a new series for Bikes and Big Ideas: we’re setting out to identify the best bikes of the 21st century from over 30 brands. We’ve done a similar series over on our Gear:30 podcast for skis, but that was easy compared to doing the same for bikes. Over the next couple of weeks, you’ll be hearing about our choices. We’re also including a survey, as we want to hear from you. Additionally, we’ll be sending the same survey to some bike industry luminaries, too. Once we've reviewed an array of brands, we’ll discuss how our selections align with your answers. And for our grand finale of this series, we’re going to offer our choices for the Very Best Bikes of the Century. It may seem like an impossible task, but we’re hoping we can agree on a top 10, maybe even a top 3, and if the stars align, one single bike. Or, we may never speak to each other again, but we’re willing to take that risk. Part 1 kicks off with Simon Stewart, David Golay, Dylan Wood, and Xan Marshland.Note: We Want to Hear From You!Please let us know if there’s a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you’d like us to have on Bikes and Big Ideas. Email us at <a href="mailto:info@blisterreview.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">info@blisterreview.com</a> to weigh in.RELATED LINKS:<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNQ2muuyVi8994WozTD1pVIcAc372VaSlp4WHTxIhR-SBnsg/viewform" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Best Bikes of the Century Survey</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-craft-collective" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Craft Collective</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-mtb-buyers-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/shop/blisterplus-membership" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered</a>TOPICS &amp; TIMES:Yeti (1:58)Klein (8:20)GT (11:11)Turner (13:57)Titus (18:40)Intense (22:05)Ibis (23:41)Rocky Mountain (28:05)Kona (31:40)Giant (36:14)Santa Cruz (40:08)Cannondale (49:48)Specialized (54:28)Gary Fisher (1:05:25)Trek (1:08:36)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:<a href="https://blisterreview.com/podcasts/blister-cinematic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Cinematic</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/category/podcasts/crafted-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CRAFTED</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/gear30-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GEAR:30</a><a href="https://blisterreview.com/blister-podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blister Podcast</a>

Best Bikes of the Century, Part 1

The most interesting conversations and important ideas from the bike world, and beyond. Part of the BLISTER Podcast Network.

Bikes &amp; Big Ideas is the weekly podcast from <a href="https://blisterreview.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BLISTER</a> that's dedicated to bringing you the most interesting conversations, news, and developments in the bike world.

Bikes & Big Ideas

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