We’re back and (mostly) recovered from Sea Otter, so David and Simon sat down to discuss the highlights and main trends from the show. And we’re busy as ever testing bikes, so we give some updates on a bunch of them, from the Pivot Mach 4 SL to the Devinci Spartan, the Specialized Levo R to the Pivot Shuttle AMP’d, and more.

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Hans Rey (Ep.319)

Chris Cocalis (Ep.321)

TOPICS & TIMES:

Sea Otter Recap (1:37)

Transition Spur (9:31)

Pivot Mach 4 SL (12:37)

Atherton A.150.M (19:25)

Specialized Turbo Levo R (26:29)

Devinci Spartan (34:04)

Pivot Shuttle AMP’d (39:54)

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There aren’t a lot of options for truly custom full-suspension frames out there, and the few that do exist tend to be very expensive. But Vessel Bike Project is offering US-made high-pivot steel frames with truly custom geometry and kinematics (and a massive amount of adjustability) for a surprisingly modest $3,300. So, how are they doing it? What does the customization process look like? And what is the general design philosophy behind Vessel? We dive into all of that and more with Vessel Founder, Jack Harle.

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TOPICS & TIMES:

Vessel’s backstory

Suspension kinematics & the baseline Vessel frame design

Frame layout

Anti-rise & its impact on performance

Selling bikes

The customization process

Leverage curves & tailoring them for different riders

Jack’s philosophy on bike design

Geometry

Suspension setup

Pricing & the ordering process

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Pivot just launched their new Avinox M2S powered Shuttle AMP’d, so today Pivot founder Chris Cocalis talks us through the development process, the decision to spec the controversial high-powered Avinox drive system, early prototypes, and the challenges of implementing a motor with that much power. He also gets into why he loves XC bikes, his thoughts on 32” wheels, and who he thinks is going to win the Supercross title, Eli Tomac, Ken Roczen, Hunter Lawrence, or?

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.

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TOPICS & TIMES:

New Shuttle AMP’d (1:58)

Why Avinox? (2:13)

Motor Swaps & Early Prototyping (5:52)

Adding Some Beef to the Chassis (8:57)

New Shuttle LT (28:59)

New Mach 4 SL (32:45)

Chris’ Take on 32” Wheels (42:11)

Who’s Going to Win Supercross (48:42)

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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 info@blisterreview.com to weigh in.

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Mike’s The Grimy Handshake Substack

TOPICS & 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)

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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 info@blisterreview.com to weigh in.

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TOPICS & 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)

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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.

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TOPICS & TIMES:

The history of MTB wheel sizes

The first 29er tire

Tubeless MTB tires

First production 29er

The first 32’’ bike

Neuhaus 32’’ prototypes

Testing 32’’ wheels

Predictions for the future of 32’’ wheels

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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 info@blisterreview.com to weigh in.

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Mike’s The Grimy Handshake Substack

TOPICS & 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)

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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.

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TOPICS & 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)

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