Bikes & Big Ideas

Today, Mike and Simon discuss the invasion of Minneapolis, the killing of fellow cyclist Alex Pretti by ICE, and how the cycling community united in solidarity worldwide. They also talk about some bike industry news, like Revel Bikes relocating, and more fires to put out for Rad Power Bikes. Downhill racing kicked off with Red Bull Hardline in Tasmania, so they put in their picks, plus Mike recaps the Cyclocross World Championships, 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 info@blisterreview.com to weigh in.RELATED LINKS:Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s GuideGet Our Free Newsletter & Gear GiveawaysBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredMike’s The Grimy Handshake SubstackTOPICS & TIMES:Mike’s Latest Substack Story (7:13)Simon’s Return To Bike Racing (12:29)Alex Pretti (22:28)Revel is Relocating (30:28)Rad Power Bikes on Fire (Again) & Their New Ownership (32:47)Red Bull Hardline Tasmania Preview (37:08)Cyclocross World Championships Recap (43:38)First Impressions of the New Pivot Shuttle LT (52:57)Are Lightweight Trail Bikes Making a Comeback? (59:50)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDGEAR:30Blister Podcast

Frameworks has just added Aaron Gwin — the most successful American DH racer of the modern era — to an already-stacked lineup of Asa Vermette and Anna Newkirk, launched updated versions of their Enduro and DH bikes, and more. So we brought Neko Mulally back on the show to tell us about all of it, including the behind-the-scenes contract challenges with a rider of Aaron’s stature; the new bikes and what has (and hasn’t) changed; team dynamics and offseason prep; and a whole lot more.RELATED LINKS:Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s GuideBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredTOPICS & TIMES:Signing Aaron Gwin (1:53)The 2026 Frameworks Roster (12:43)Bike Setup for the Team (17:25)The 2026 DH Bike (24:41)2026 Frameworks Enduro (31:18)Preseason Prep (32:09)Team Goals for 2026 (34:42)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDGEAR:30Blister Podcast

We’re wrapping up our Best Bikes of the Century series, so today, Blister reviewers Zack Henderson, Xan Marshland, David Golay, and Simon Stewart reveal their top three selections. We also share picks and insights from a number of bike industry luminaries and legends, along with some listener opinions, before trying to narrow it down to a final podium.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 info@blisterreview.com to weigh in.RELATED LINKS:Best Bikes of the Century SurveyBlister Craft CollectiveBlister Mountain Bike Buyer’s GuideBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredTOPICS & TIMES:Industry Picks (1:23)Our Picks (26:56)Listener Comments (58:25)The Final Countdown (1:03:20)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDGEAR:30Blister Podcast

Will 32’’ wheels have staying power, or will they be another flash in the pan like plus-sized tires? Either way, they’re coming, and we sat down with Manitou Product Manager, Phil Ott, and Reynolds Director of Wheel Development, Todd Tanner, to discuss what it takes to design parts for 32’’ bikes; how to avoid a mess of competing standards as 32’’ bikes come online; where we are (and aren’t) likely to see 32’’ wheels in a few years; and a whole lot more.RELATED LINKS:Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s GuideBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredTOPICS & TIMES:Introductions (1:19)When did Hayes start taking 32’’ wheels seriously? (3:02)What made it clear that 32’’ wheels were happening? (5:57)The importance of the UCI sanctioning 32’’ wheels (8:43)Early prototyping (11:13)Refinements & limitations of the wheel size (16:29)Fork offset & other details (32:07)Phil and Todd’s wish lists (33:55)What’s the ceiling for 32’’ wheels? (38:43)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicGEAR:30Blister PodcastCRAFTED

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:Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s GuideBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredTOPICS & TIMES:Kavenz VHP G2 (2:11)Evil Offering (16:59)Lal Katana (30:29)Transition Regulator SX (38:45)Chain Damper Roundup (47:56)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDGEAR:30Blister Podcast

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.  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 info@blisterreview.com to weigh in.RELATED LINKS:Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s GuideGet Our Free Newsletter & Gear GiveawaysBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredMike’s The Grimy Handshake SubstackTOPICS & 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 & 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:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDGEAR:30Blister Podcast

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:Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s GuideBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredTOPICS & 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:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDGEAR:30Blister Podcast

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:Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s GuideBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredBlister Podcast Ep.388TOPICS & TIMES:The YT Mob & YT’s insolvency (2:50)Team contracts & how the season unfolded (5:13)Racing after team funding was cut (18:11)Talks with other teams & moving to Commencal (23:45)Consistency & race results (25:25)Racing for a new contract & managing pressure (27:52)Bikepacking & gravel bikes (31:20)Vali’s goals for 2026 (35:21)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDGEAR:30Blister Podcast