Bikes & Big Ideas

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 [email protected] to weigh in.
RELATED LINKS:
Best Bikes of the Century Survey
Blister Craft Collective
Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide
BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered
TOPICS & TIMES:
Industry Picks (1:23)
Our Picks (26:56)
Listener Comments (58:25)
The Final Countdown (1:03:20)
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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 Guide
BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered
TOPICS & 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)
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Blister Cinematic
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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 Guide
BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered
TOPICS & TIMES:
Kavenz VHP G2 (2:11)
Evil Offering (16:59)
Lal Katana (30:29)
Transition Regulator SX (38:45)
Chain Damper Roundup (47:56)
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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 [email protected] to weigh in.
RELATED LINKS:
Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide
Get Our Free Newsletter & Gear Giveaways
BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered
Mike’s The Grimy Handshake Substack
TOPICS & 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)
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Blister Cinematic
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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 Guide
BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered
TOPICS & 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)
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Blister Cinematic
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