Bikes & Big Ideas

David Golay shares why he hasn’t jived with any of the eMTBs he’s ridden so far, and if the new light-assist bikes from Orbea and Norco he’s been spending time on might have a chance of changing his mind. Simon, on the other hand, is a big fan of eMTBs, regardless of whether they have a full-power or light-assist drive system, and has a couple of full-power beauties from Pivot and Norco to talk about. And to avoid a whole episode on bikes with motors, they throw the Atherton A.150.M in the mix, too.

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 Craft Collective
Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s Guide
Get Our Free Newsletter & Gear Giveaways
BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered
CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:
Blister Studios (our new channel)
Blister Review (our original channel)
TOPICS & TIMES:
Blister+ (1:27)
Atherton 150m (2:01)
Pivot Shuttle LT (13:02)
Orbea Rallon RS (24:47)
Norco Sight VLT TQ (39:41)
Norco Sight VLT CX (45:59)
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:
Blister Cinematic
GEAR:30
Blister Podcast
CRAFTED

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 [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 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 Cinematic
CRAFTED
GEAR:30
Blister Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Guide
BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered
TOPICS & 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 Cinematic
CRAFTED
GEAR:30
Blister Podcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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)
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:
Blister Cinematic
CRAFTED
GEAR:30
Blister Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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)
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:
Blister Cinematic
GEAR:30
Blister Podcast
CRAFTED
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.