Bikes & Big Ideas

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
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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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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.
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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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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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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 Guide
BLISTER+ Get Yourself Covered
Blister Podcast Ep.388
TOPICS & 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)
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