Reviewer Reports: New eMTBs From Pivot, Norco, Orbea, & More

The frame building community lost an integral parts supplier with the closing of Paragon Machine Works, so today, Mike and Simon talk about what happened and what's next for frame builders. The first race of the Monster Pro Downhill series had some surprises, leading them to throw out some predictions for what is shaping up to be one hell of a World Cup DH season. We also discuss the dangers of kids riding Surrons and why parents might want to pay attention, plus a solid rant on crazy high hotel pet fees, 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 GuideGet Our Free Newsletter & Gear GiveawaysBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredMike’s The Grimy Handshake SubstackTOPICS & TIMES:Hero Dirt (3:28)Crazy High Hotel Pet Fees (5:17)32” Wheel Momentum (16:38)Paragon Machine Works Closes (26:47)Knolly Bikes Restructuring (32:16)The Danger of Kids on Surrons (33:52)More recalls (41:14)Racing updates (42:38)Will this be Luca Shaw’s Year? (47:11)Mike Waxing His… (51:12)What we’re reading & watching (1:03:20)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDGEAR:30Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hans Rey joins Simon to discuss the letter he wrote to the bike industry about crazy-high eBike power numbers and the total disregard for the existing Class 1 eBike power limits we’re seeing currently. Hans is worried, and rightfully so, that the eBike power war is out of control, and what it means for rider safety and future trail access needs to be considered. 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 GuideBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredTOPICS & TIMES:The eBike Power War (4:28)Class 1 vs Class 3 (8:45)Defining What an eBike is (14:14)Who Makes the Rules? (15:31)How Much Power is too Much? (18:48)Are Chinese Brands to Blame? (24:48)Should the Industry Self-Regulate? (27:12)Preserving Trail Access (29:46)Are Bike Brands Being Irresponsible? (34:41)Moving the Goal Post (37:34)Impossible Climbs Made Possible (43:04)What’s Next for Hans (52:12)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicGEAR:30Blister PodcastCRAFTED Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are 32’’ wheels going to take over the MTB world, or become a flash in the pan like plus-sized tires did a decade ago? How did the bike industry take sudden interest in a unicycle wheel size — and are 32’’ wheeled-bikes even truly new? And, maybe most importantly, how do the big wheels actually ride? We’re joined by Daniel Yang of Neuhaus Metalworks to discuss the burgeoning wheel size, the challenges of designing a bike for bigger wheels, and get a history lesson on the evolution of MTB wheel sizes.RELATED LINKS:Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s GuideBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredTOPICS & TIMES:The history of MTB wheel sizesThe first 29er tireTubeless MTB tiresFirst production 29erThe first 32’’ bikeNeuhaus 32’’ prototypesTesting 32’’ wheelsPredictions for the future of 32’’ wheelsCHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDGEAR:30Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Mike and Simon discuss what's happening, and not happening, with the investigations into the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, and Kristi Noem’s complete lack of accountability. On the bike news side, there’s an ongoing power war taking place among eBike drive system manufacturers; bike companies suing to get much-needed tariff money back; Tadej Pogacar dominating the Strade Bianche again; new bikes from Pivot, Specialized, and Kona; plus a whole lot 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 GuideGet Our Free Newsletter & Gear GiveawaysBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredMike’s The Grimy Handshake SubstackTOPICS & TIMES:Accountability for the Deaths of Alex Pretti & Renee Good (3:42)Will Bike Companies Get Money Back From Tariffs? (9:32)Hans Rey’s Letter to the Bike Industry (16:26)Emil Johansson Rampage Injury Update (33:35)Tadej Pogacar’s Strade Bianche Dominance (38:09)A Drop Bar Kona Mountain Bike (44:07)Turbo Levo R (50:04)New Pivot Mach 4 SL (57:35)What We’re Reading & Watching (1:02:05)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDGEAR:30Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The current Kavenz VHP bikes come with a sticker that says “Made from aluminum: we give a shit,” a nod to the recyclability and (purportedly) lower environmental impact of aluminum compared to carbon fiber.But Kavenz is also openly developing the next-generation VHP platform — and it’s using carbon tubes bonded to aluminum lugs. So, why change materials, especially when aluminum is such a big part of the brand’s image and ethos? Why document the whole process for the public, rather than developing a new bike in secret, as most brands do? Is the environmental impact of aluminum even really lower? We sat down with Kavenz founder Giacomo Großehagenbrock to discuss all that and much more.RELATED LINKS:Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s GuideBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredTOPICS & TIMES:Founding Kavenz & Documenting Frame Design (2:41)Why Update the VHP? (8:07)Material Options & Refining the VHP X (12:49)Filament Winding & Carbon Tubes (15:50)Environmental Impact of Carbon Fiber (18:51)Bonding a Frame (22:22)Sample Testing & Next Steps (28:32)Availability & Pricing (38:28)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicCRAFTEDGEAR:30Blister Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many times have you attempted a trick or a move in a row before finally getting it? It’s probably a lot fewer than 400. Today, Danny MacAskill breaks down the trick that taught him how to persevere and overcome the impossible.Danny’s Inspired Bicycles video was a sensation. Everyone was talking about it, sharing it, and our minds were blown. What happened after that video is well known, and to say it went a wee bit viral is an understatement, since it has amassed over 40 million views, launching Danny’s prolific career that has now spanned over 16 years, and has given us so many memorable moments.Danny talks about other challenging tricks, like front flipping off Edinburgh Castle, as well as his worst injuries, exploring new terrain on his eBike, trials riding with a motor, creative jogging, and why he should be in the next James Bond film.RELATED LINKS:Blister Mountain Bike Buyer’s GuideBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredTOPICS & TIMES:Being a Hero to Kids (2:18)Danny’s Bike Idols (3:47)Trials Riding on eBikes (12:04)James Bond (15:40)The “Spiky Fence” Trick (16:53)Front Flipping off Edinburgh Castle (25:38)His Long Injury List (32:03)Is Danny Slowing Down Moving into his 40s? (39:50)Why Nipple Height is Important (40:33)Keeping Soul in his Riding & What he’s Producing (43:42)His Love of Music & What He’s Listening to (50:46)CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PODCASTS:Blister CinematicGEAR:30Blister PodcastCRAFTED Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 CollectiveBlister Mountain Bike Buyer’s GuideGet Our Free Newsletter & Gear GiveawaysBLISTER+ Get Yourself CoveredCHECK 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 CinematicGEAR:30Blister PodcastCRAFTED 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 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 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 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 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 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.