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Submitted by
Andy
a
from New york
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | killington | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Strengths: | I am reviewing a '98 uzzi which is amazing. Everything is great. Unlike all the people who got '99 I got a '98 with 4.5"-6" of rear whell travel. The best part is it weighs in at just about 25lbs! | | Weaknesses: | -seat post clearance just cut it down a bit
| | Similar Products Used: | bullit | | Bike Setup: | Z1mcr full xtr tioga factory Dh 2.3" syncros stem Fox vanilla tc | | Bottom Line: | Best bike ever made that I have tried. I am thinking of putting on a 2002 Jr.t pro. You have to try this bike because it's so good. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Javier
a Cross Country Rider
from Antelope,CA USA
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | 123bikes | | Strengths: | It's an Intense so you already know it is great. The bike handles well, soaks up the hits and the rear end is stiff. It's light enough to ride up the hill. That means you can smoke that guy on his sub 24lb full suspension Santa Cruz! | | Weaknesses: | It doesn't come in the same colors as the Tracer. Would look cool in anodized. | | Similar Products Used: | First full-suspension bike. | | Bike Setup: | '01 Uzzi SL,Z1MCR,Race Face Next LP ISIS,xt/xtr drivetrain,Easton munkylite h-bars,thompson seatpost/stem,ChrisKing headset/dischubs,rynolites,Hope mini's | | Bottom Line: | This is a great frame. I was undecided on which frame I wanted. I decided on the Uzzi SL because it's made in Southern CA, Intense has a great reputation and it looked good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alpentalic
a Downhiller
from Bellingham WA
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | el pollo elastico | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | mtbr. com | | Strengths: | wow where do I start. my favorite thing about the bike is the four bar linkage. I have tried many bikes having worked in a bike shop and to date four bar is the smoothest feel. Also high bottom bracket is a huge plus for this bike. I almost bought a 2001 enduro pro, but the b.b. is almost 2" lower, which sucks! Also the rear dropouts are the most beautiful put on a bike. They are one inch squares that would appear to be more burly than any out other similar bike. Another thing I love about this bike is the adjustability. The seat tower is awesome. It can be set back for hardcore downhilling or can be brought forward for a more c.c. oriented ride or I guess just whatever feels right to you, play around with it and you will dial this bike into a dream machine. Oh yeah you can also adjust the angle of the rear linkage in a three setting adjustment. What this does is effectively changes the amount of travel, sweeeet. any way I could go for days | | Weaknesses: | only weakness I found was that the mounts that hold the shock on were a little wide and the shock had a little play in there, though a couple microscopicly thin washers cured that problem. | | Similar Products Used: | many many many. Ones I would encourage you to compare to would be cove g-spot, s.c. bullit, and uzzi dh "the only ride I would trade for mine. | | Bike Setup: | marz Z1 bam 130mm, stratos helix pro rear, mavic 517, nokian gazzaloddi 2.6 front and intense 2.3 rear, king head set, selle flite seat, and an xt kit for drive train and hubs. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the bomb let me tell you. Though it is not really made for any type of racing, it is the ultimate do-it-all bike on the market. I spend about half the time on trails and about half just moshin the city lookin for 10 footers. I highly recommend a marzocchi 130mil shock for this bike. Any way I love this bike more than my girlfriend and definitely spend more time on it than her, not to say that I don't love you baby but I can't jump on your back and fly down whistler's dh course at 40+ mph. Anyway if you are concerned about the price, maybe try to find one used like I did, by the way got really lucky on condition, a cc rider from kansas sold it to me, yessss. Oh and if you can find one in chrome it is the most bad ass lookin thing you ever saw. So buy one today and have the time of your life. www.intensecycles.com | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Colby
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Everywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1850.00 | | Purchased At: | IBC, Brighton | | Strengths: | Everything so far! | | Weaknesses: | Nothing yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized 98 FSR Sport, 98 Extreme, 98 Elite and 00 Bighit(piece of crap). | | Bike Setup: | Selle Italia Ti saddle, Thomson Elite post, Bontrager stem, Profile Carbon fiber handlebar, Gripshift 1/2 pipe(sucks), will switch to XTR pods, King headset, Manitou XVert Super, Avid Ti levers/ V-brakes, XTR/ Mavic 517 wheels, Bontrager tires, XTR BB/cranks, XTR front/ rear derailleur, Sram powerlink chain, Avid rollamajig, Xt cassette, M858 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is a review for the 2000 Uzzi SL. It has an adjustable wheelbase, shock mount, and seat tower. All this for those who like to fine tune in their ride. With my set up, I can ride this thing everywhere. Trails, road, up/down stairs, uphill/ downhill, you name it. At roughly 27 lbs, it's pretty light for a bike that can handle almost everything. The best all-purpose bike! Buy it if you like all type of riding and don't want to be concern about your frame breaking. Don't buy it if you hardcore freerider/ downhiller. That's what the Intense SXL/ M1 are made for. Happy riding! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roger Zimmermann
a Weekend Warrior
from Switzerland
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Nearly everything | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Technik | | Strengths: | First, it's the 2000 Uzzi i'm talking about! Cool look, You can adjust it to your needs, Not too heavy, very good handling. | | Weaknesses: | The dropout tab ist too thin. It broke after a year. And there is a problem how the shock is mounted to the frame. I think if you do a lot of stairs/drops to flat terrain the bushing of the shock becomes wider, and after a certain time the bushing is to wide and that will kill the shock (it happened to me). And the customer support is a bit weak here in europe. | | Similar Products Used: | Orange Patriot, Rocky Mountain Pipeline | | Bike Setup: | Z1 MCR, Shimano XT Disc | | Bottom Line: | This Frame is way to expensive. It looks cool, rides good, but as i said before, the dropout tab is to weak and if you ride hard you will sooner or later kill your shock. Its good as a "easy" freeride bike, but nothing for the harder stuff. I like the frame but i woulden't recommend it anymore. I had too much trouble with it within the last three months. I spent more time in my workshop... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Per Arild Strand
a Downhiller
from Norway
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | trampe heis | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | smoth dampening
varialbel geomethy | | Weaknesses: | way to expensive compared to what you get
a bit on the heavy side for a 4,5 incher
could have more travel
BAD BAD customer support!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Kona "King Kikapu"
Gary Fisher X-caliber
GT IDH
pluss more | | Bike Setup: | Hayes, Z1 CR 100mm, Bontrager disc. rims, Tioga 2.1DH in front Huchison Aligator back | | Bottom Line: | This frame comes whit a bad customer support. When I bougt the frame it came whit a broken bolt. Which I discovered after a while. The reason was they had used some cheep Taiwan ballrings which in turn led to bolt failure..And this was when the frame was still bran new.
Impossible to get in touch whith Intense, NO coustomer support at all - kinda strange when you think of the price on this frame..
So the bottom line is that if you are a privateer DON'T by this frame. It's just to pricy compared to what you get. It excist dozens of other better value and performing mountainrigs eg. Kona, Giant ATC's, Bulit an so on.. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fred Nau
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO US
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | All of them | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$3800.00 | | Purchased At: | MOJO Cyclery | | Strengths: | Design, construction and feel. | | Weaknesses: | Support from the Manfacturer | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike I have but would never buy another. Trying to get support from Intense is impossible. I wanted to upgrade to Hayes Disc brakes. I wanted to purchase a new rear triangle that would accept disc mounts. I emailed them many times never to get a response.I then tried to go after market with "Brake Thearpy". They kept my new Ringle wheel set for 45 days and never did a thing. Finally after two month my mechanic was able to beg a new rear triangle from Intense to get me back on the road. No one after spending that much money on a product should have the customer service problems I did. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geoff .
a Weekend Warrior
from Wellington, N.Z.
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Makara Peak | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1850.00 | | Purchased At: | Blue Shark Enterprises | | Strengths: | Super plush rear, great traction for climbing slippery stuff, finish quality, adjustability, a real 'hot rod' of a frame | | Weaknesses: | no replacable derailuer hanger, cable routing a bit suss (poke thru the seat stay slot wears out cables or zip tie to the outside and the cable hits the inside of leg as it compresses), triple clamps put small dents in down tube | | Similar Products Used: | C/dale raven, foes weasel, Spec FSR | | Bike Setup: | 99 Uzzi SL, X-vert R, hayes, king, mavic, kujo, syncros, kooka cranks | | Bottom Line: | Definately the best bike I have ridden, Expensive frame but worth it if you have the dosh, subtley cool, rockstar performance. This bike is for those that don't mind a good grind up and crave the ride back down. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sherpa
a Cross Country Rider
from Haverhill, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Res and Fort Rock | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1850.00 | | Purchased At: | International Bicycle, Alston | | Strengths: | This 2000 Uzzi SL frame is strong with little or no flex and has great ground clearance. Its adjustable geometry is also a plus for dialing the frame in to your body and riding style. | | Weaknesses: | The only faults so far are minor. The Cable routing is not great. The cables are wearing the paint at the head tube and at the forward seat support. | | Similar Products Used: | Haro Escape (great first bike), GT LTS (Demo), GT, Intense Tracer (Demo) | | Bike Setup: | Uzzi SL, XT Crank; hubs; cassettes and derailures, Thompson seat post and stem, Monkey riser bar, Manitou SX-R 100mm, XT v-brakes, grip shift, Michellin Hot s, Mavic 517 rims | | Bottom Line: | This is an expensive frame. To get this baby and keep the cost down, I stripped my old bikes for parts. Using whatever would fit and was still in good shape. I figure I'll run with this and as stuff wears out, upgrade the components.
One word....great. I have become a much better rider on this frame while being able to ride all day without being fatigued. This frame is for a XC rider who wants to tackle the more extreme terrain, boulder fields, drops, the works. It absorbs the hits, bumps, launches and drops with ease while being responsive. I've experienced no problems climbing the steeps either. This bike climbs better than my old hard tail. The bike weighs a little more than most but so do I after a few beers. Don't be a weight weenie. Don't sacrifice durability and capability for a few pounds.
If you are thinking about the Tracer, go demo the Uzzi SL. It's a much better setup.
A+ to the guys at International Bicycle and Len for hooking me up with this frame.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AS
a Racer
from NY
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | One made of dirt! | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Web Retailer | | Strengths: | The Navy Seal of the bike world. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Many others | | Bike Setup: | For this Spring... Freeride! | | Bottom Line: | I've reviewed this bike in every way possible. (Read my reviews.)
I turned it into a Semi-Downhill bike back in 1998, complete with a 6" Rock Shox Boxxer. In 1999 I swaped all the heavy DH parts for light XC ones and had a blast riding the trails. For 2000 I replaced the light XC wheels for sturdier "freeriding" hoops and threw on a Marzocchi fork with 4" of solid travel. The bike jumped liked a rabbit and landed 6' drops with ease.
This bike is worth every penny. There is no better trail bike on the planet. It has 4.5" of travel that feels more like 6" when you slacken the head angle but then feels like 4" of active travel when you steepen it. The 4-bar linkage combined with the Horst-Link gives this bike superior suspension performance.
Over 50 reviews with a 4.80 overall rating! Buy it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from San Clemente
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | supergo (fountain valley) ask for Sean (he will go out of his way to help you) | | Strengths: | I am just adding to my previous post. I had trouble with my old 97 Uzzi frame (does not have replacable rr hanger)and Mike from INTENSE and SEAN from Supergo set me up under warrantie and had my bike back to me in 3 days.I want to thank these guys again for helping me get my bike on the road quick and cheap. | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | nothing compares | | Bottom Line: | As I said before I couldn't be more pleased with my Uzzi and the customer service provided by INTENSE and SUPERGO.Having a bike building company and a bike sales and service company that care about there customers as much as they do, why would you ride anything else or buy from anywhere else.
I am STOKED. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian Pitcairn
a Cross Country Rider
from Tequesta
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | J-Town Bikes Jupiter, Fl | | Strengths: | Handing! Best handling bike I have ever tossed a leg over. It's a little heavy. Active rear end. | | Weaknesses: | It's a little heavy. Active rear end. | | Similar Products Used: | any bike I can get my hands on. | | Bike Setup: | Before Mar 01: XT shifters, race face crank, M-Z1 fork, Mavic X-land wheels, coil fox shock.
After Mar 01: I replaced the 1997 Z1 with a 2001 Z3-100-Air and the fox-coil with a Stratos-Air with remote adj lockout. Suntour XC-PRO remote level on left handle bar. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. I waited 2 years before reviewing it. The fact it is still in one piece says all you need to know.
I actual was looking to maybe buy an XC bike to get me climbing and go through sand better, but the thought of giving up the handing of this bike was more than I could bare (yes I've tried the Tracer). I changed the shock set up instead. I now have the ultimate all around bike!! Going to air shocks lightened it up and settled the back end down. Now it can climb like a hard tail (just slide the lever) or stomp like a (almost) down-hiller and any thing inbetween. I now think I could race this bike. But the best thing this bike does is install confidence to the rider! The handling is so solid you will be spoiled when riding anything else. When you blast at speed the extra 2lbs in the frame keeps the bike under you and stearing on line. The BB height is nice and high so clearing logs, rocks, and riders thinking they're having fun on hardtails and XC-bikes easy.
Bottom line if you weigh 175lbs or more this is the best bike you can buy for hardcore MtBing, the adjustablilty of the frame set will let you set it up for any local situation. The value rating is a 6 flamer because I don't need 2 bikes to do one job and overall quality. Thanks Intense for making me a better rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from San Clemente
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | San Juan Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1850.00 | | Purchased At: | Super Go | | Strengths: | I have ridden this bike since I bought it new in 98, and I believe that this bike is the best all round bike that you can own.There is nothing you can't do on this bike,it climbs well, handles the DH ( but is no means a DH bike)and is just a fun bike to ride under any condition. | | Weaknesses: | Well, I have only had this frame stop me from riding one time. I have just recently broke the pivot bolt that holds the rear swingarm on behind the BB.I called Intense on this and they rushed a bolt to Super Go to get the bike back to me ASAP. | | Similar Products Used: | I have tried a number of bikes from hardtails to full susp.I still can't find anything that is as versatile as this bike. I guess there would be other options if I had enough money to buy 3 different bikes,but to own just one bike this is the one. | | Bike Setup: | 98 Intense Uzzi SL frame,01 Marzocchi Z1 MCR fork,XTR TO THE HILT,Sun Ryno Lites W/ Chris King,Hayes,Pro taper,Azonic shorty,545 shimano,and a set of DH tires to give it that sturdy feel!KILLER ALL ROUND BIKE!!!!!!!!! | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that I love my bike setup.I may consider the new Uzzi SLX but am having trouble justifying 1 1/2" more travel for an extra 1000.00 after I sell this frame for 1000.00.I think I will just keep riding this bike until it falls apart (Yeah right!) and be very happy with what I've got.I can't say enough good things about this frame,buy it and you will not be sorry.FIVE BIG RED HOT CHILI'S FROM ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenixville, PA
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Adjustability, smoothness of suspension action, quality of construction, solidness of frame, Intense stands behind the product. | | Weaknesses: | Minor stuff - decals peeled in 3 months, cable routing leads to wear marks (be careful & put mylar stickers on the rub points). Medium stuff: collapsed a seat tower "just riding along" which was warrantied w/o question, mounting system for rear shock cause quick wear of bushings & reducers (not enough free movement), '99 didn't have a replaceable dropout/hanger. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Joshua, test rode an FSR and a GT iDrive. | | Bike Setup: | Intense Uzzi SL, Fox Air Float RC, Manitou XVert Super, XTR drivetrain, RaceFace cranks, Avid SD 2.5 brakes, Hutchinson Python tires, Titec Bar/Stem, WTB Saddle, Thompson seatpost, Time ATAC carbon pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Love the frame. Wouldn't trade it for anything. There is room for improvement, but it has increased my confidence & abilities w/o a doubt. I'd love to give it a 5, but the few gotchas (a couple of which were addressed in the latest model) keep it at a 4. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
philip craven
a Weekend Warrior
from sheffield,yorkshire,england
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | houndkirk | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4500.00 | | Purchased At: | chaineys cycles | | Strengths: | beautiful finish and machining of frame,plush travel | | Weaknesses: | relative weight,nodding donkey on hills,rear brake and gear cables abraided through on second ride,aluminium rod connecting rear rocker arms wearing after 3wks-needed new steal replacemnet custom machining,all rear pivot bearings worn out at 3m,decals all came off at 1m | | Similar Products Used: | turner xce,san andreas,heckler superlite,marins,amp b4 | | Bike Setup: | chris king headset,azonic bars and stem,hope discs.raceface cranks,pace forks,xtr otherwize | | Bottom Line: | bought after san andreas stolen on basis of rave reviews.v disappointing,slow across country esp hills and not dramatic down them,lacking in rigidity,poor durabilty,sold aft 3m to local bike shop owner for his personal use who again rapidly moved it on after further durability probs,replaced by heckler superlite,a dream overall compared with it ,and latterly again by another san andreas-a timeless classic and not beaten in my opinion for hard trail work | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jon kirkpatrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Sherman Oaks California
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Flume trail, Mr Toads Wild Ride, Powerlines | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bicycle Outfitters | | Strengths: | If your looking for a bike that you can take to the slopes in the summer for some DH fun, and still be able to kick your friends butt on the cross country stuff, than this is it. This bike is an awesome "do anything" bike. The variable geometry allows you to set it up to climb like a monster, or a point a shoot downhill flyer (just with less travel). The head tube angle can be adjusted from 69.5 to 71.5 degrees The wheel base can also be moved out a half an inch to suit riding style and type of trail being riden. The rear geometry was licensed from Specialized, so if you like specialized but want beefier then Intense is for you. Aslo Haro is now in cahoots with Intense and building a bike with the intense rear triangle. So, three bike companies same design, hmmm. Maybe cause this is the best out there?. Another high point to make your friends jealous is the beautifully machined out swing arm and strut, roller bearing pivots, and Fox Vanilla RC coil over shock. I love this bike. | | Weaknesses: | WEIGHT. My bike set up weighs in at a porky 30 lbs. But then again Its not like I'm racing for a 10th of a second either. Its a small price to pay for a stiff 4.5 inches or rear travel on a bike strong enough to withstand landing from five feet in the air. Using lighter weight parts and a lighter fork can brig the weight down quiete a bit. | | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS, Canondale Jeckyl, GT XCR 1000, Santa Cruz super 8, Mountain Cycle san andreas,Specialized S-works FSR xc, | | Bike Setup: | Uzzi SL, Marzocchi Jr. T, Mavic 317 disk, Hayes Hydrolic, Tompson seatpost, shimano 646 pedals, Race Face LP cranks, xtr rear derailer, king BB, Cane Creek headset, Titec hell bent bar, xt shifters, xt front derailer <-(had to save money somewhere) | | Bottom Line: | This is a lot of money for a bike that isn't world champion DH or XC material, what it is, is a little of both. If your buying a bike for versatility and to be able to have a great time anywhere than this may be just what the doctor ordered. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy
a Downhiller
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3700.00 | | Purchased At: | speedgoat.com | | Strengths: | adjustability
quick handling
plush travel and plenty of it
| | Weaknesses: | could be stiffer in the rear end
not a great climber but who cares
pricey | | Similar Products Used: | FSR, IDrive | | Bike Setup: | XTR, Z1XFLY, RaceFace Next, Thomson post/stem, Avid stoppers, comes in a hair over @28lbs | | Bottom Line: | Its a blast! This thing just wants to go...fast. And it stays tacked to the ground and manuvers through tight sections surprisingly well. Hard to believe, but not too long ago the travel on this bike would have been enough to compete in DH at the National level. No more, but now its a fun all 'round bomb machine that can handle some of the toughest stuff out there. Just did some of the knarliest stuff in Moab a few weeks ago and it was awesome!! As someone once said, I don't know exactly what freeride means, but this may be the perfect bike for it. Just enough travel to do fairly big drops with ease, but not so much that it needs a chairlift to get back up. Don't buy it if you want the lightest XC suspension bike, but totally workable as an all 'round bike and for only a few pounds more than some hardtails you get 4.5" of travel!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dick Player
a Cross Country Rider
from Texas
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Sandia Peak, NM | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1850.00 | | Purchased At: | Phat Tire, of course | | Strengths: | This frame does everything well. It's a confidence inspiring ride and it wants to be abused. Be sure you're up to it, even though it's forgiving of stupidity. | | Weaknesses: | This frame is expensive, if that's a weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | Turner XCE. | | Bike Setup: | White Bros. DC 118; Fox Vanilla RC; Race Face cranks, stem, bars and post; ESP 9.0; Hayes 6" discs and hubs; THE fenders; Mavic rims and Intense tires. | | Bottom Line: | You have to really want this frame to cough up the cash for it. But once you do make sure you hang every piece of pricey swag on it you can because this is the best mountain bike you'll probably ever own. It may be the only bike you ever need to own. Maybe. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Team Monkey
a
from Diamond Springs CA
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Diamond Dam | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Jason's | | Strengths: | A true trail bike, great geometry, bombs and climbs well, looks fantastic, rugged design | | Weaknesses: | Bent the bolt at shock pivot-replced w/case hardend, gone thru 3 shock bushings-when they go the frame wobbles and squeaks maybe that's why they redesigned that point | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Yglide,Ventana El Terramoto, Klien Mantra | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1 bam,Hope disc, RaceFace, sub 30lb. trail bike nothing more nothing less!!! | | Bottom Line: | Comming off a hardtial which I still enjoy, I wanted to build an aggressive multipurpose bike that suites my airtime style. I'll go to Northstar at Tahoe and brave the downhill course or do 30 miles of crosscountry at Auburn its all good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bikerhagan (Eric Hagan)
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Excellent craftsmanship, sealed pivots! horst-link rear end, no other "freeride" bike can touch it. But don't call the Uzzi a freeride bike, that would be an injustice. | | Weaknesses: | Make sure the shock coil is stiff enough for your weight | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR XC, FSR, | | Bike Setup: | All XTR, Marzocchi up front, Spinergy wheels, Time ATAC pedals, Selle Italia pad, | | Bottom Line: | Ride one of these bikes... period. The looks you get while on it are reason enough. But it doesn't stop there, this is the best all-around mountain ride I have ever ridden.
I unfortuneately do not own the one I have, but it has been in my possesion for quit a while. But I may have to get one myself when I can afford it.
Anyway, Believe the hype that surrounds Intense bikes, believe it baby! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hank Sola
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston,MA
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | "Vietnam" (in Milford,MA) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | One bike does ALL!
SUPER PLUSH!
LOW MAINTENANCE!
MODERATE WIEGHT.
ADJUSTABLE! | | Weaknesses: | A bit heavy and tall on climbs, but it's worth it for the downhill! I did break a swingarm, a shock, and a BB pivot bolt (different instances). Intense covered all under warranty. They didn't even ask for the old swingarm back! I gues the tries to lighten up the swingarm by machining out litte more at the yoke - bad idea. They sent me a beefier one. A bit costly - I pent $4300 piecing it together. | | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS | | Bike Setup: | Marzochi Z1 BAM 5" travel; XTR cranks,BB,der's,and shifters; Azonic bars and stem; Hayes disc brakes; DT Hugi Hubs w/mavic X317 rims and Specialized tires | | Bottom Line: | It is totally true that if you can only afford? one bike and enjoy downhill as much as XC, this is the bike! I set mine up with light rims and tires to keep the climbs tolerable. One thing: the 5" travel up front rakes out the steering angle, but luckily Intense lets you adjust the shock mount. I put the shock in the first hole (tallest rear end). This compensates for the long fork and makes the BB very high. This works well on the type of New England Rocky singletrack that I ride most of the time. When I go downhilling, I put the shock in the middle hole giving me a more stable, lower ride.
If you would rather have one AWESOME DO ALL bike than two decent rigs this is the bike. I have no regrets. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kuzn Robby
a
from Long Island NY
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Kuzn's Loop @ Stillwell | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | The adjustability, versatility, strength, quality and beauty of the frame. | | Weaknesses: | None yet, and this is one of two INTENSE bikes I own! | | Similar Products Used: | INTENSE UZZI XC , Specialized Stump Jumper | | Bike Setup: | Size fame: small, Marzochi Z1 QR20, front rim; Marzochi QR20 hub with rhyno lite rims,rear rim; Real disc hub w/ rhyno lite rims, Hayes hydraulic discs, Chris King headset, Azonic shorty stem, Titec hell bent bars, Koobi Si seat, Thompson seatpost, Raceface BB, Raceface North Shore XS cranks, Shimano 636 pedals, XT front derlr., SRAM ESP 9.0 rear derlr., Half-pipe shifters | | Bottom Line: | Okay, yesterday was the first time I took my "rig" to Mountain Creek, the local downhill mecca for the tri-state area (NY,NJ,CT). I was feeling intimitated 'cause of all the serious downhill rigs I was seeing. But after a few runs, I was able to keep pace with these guys on most of the technical trails through the woods. Of course on the real rutted and steep downhill runs they were smoking me. This frameset is awesome. Back home I use it as a trail bike for xc rides, a jump bike and a freeride bike. Now I can add DH'ing to its duties. What can't this bike do? Can somebody please tell me?! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Simpson
a Downhiller
from Point Reyes, CA.
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | China Camp | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Kick A** Full Suspension Bike. | | Weaknesses: | Price and Intense Stickers on frame could be of better quality | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar1, FSR, Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | bike is decked out with XTR, Race face seat post and stem,Mavic 517 SUP Ceramic rims, XTR Hubs, Marzocchi Z1 CR, Fox Vanilla RC, XTR V Brakes, Berzerker DH Seat. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. I bought it 6/23/00 at Supergo. I have had two problems with the bike and i blame them both on Supergo. First the spokes were so loose that I could bend them 1.5 inches W/ my fingers, and second The bike had a 112.5 BB that was to small (when i peddled the bike the chain rings hit the frame) However Supergo replaced the BB with a 116 and tightened the spokes. The bike cost $3995.00 so if you buy one make sure you have home owners insurance or something!!! This is the best freeride bike I have ever owned. It's killer on DH Single Track and works well for XC use. I gave the bike a 5 for value rating because I think it's well worth paying the money for it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lock "The ground shaker" Baker
a Downhiller
from Southport, CT
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | my "north shore replica" in easton | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | super rigid rear end, meticulous craftsmanship, full bearings, prover four bar design, adjustability | | Weaknesses: | well, the only thing to go wrong so far is a bent shock pin (But thats after launching a set of 15 steps landing on flat concrete). Also, It takes about a 800 pound coil for a 150 pound rider.. so I don't know what you would do for a 230+ pound rider. | | Similar Products Used: | M1, rocky mountain pipeline, heckler, GT lobo, mountain cycle DHS, outland DH, and a loada hardtails | | Bike Setup: | z1 bam w/five in, beefy wheels, esp, azonic shorty and bar, ect. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is possibly one of if not the best of the mid travel freeride bikes. It is very adjustable, so you can't really complain about much as far as bb height, shock tuning and frame geometry. The bike I have used is my friends, and over the last two years I have spent a fair amount of time on it. He has done some pretty sick s@#$ on it, and it has held up very well, esspecially considering how long he has had it. I would say that intense has the best working and most durable rear suspension out there. If you want a strait up XC rig, don't get this, that would be a waist of such a nice working bike. This bike competes with bikes like the Pipeline, Kona stinky, titus quasi moto, ect. While the rear end looks similar from a distance, don't even compare it to a FSR or any other mass produced bushing bike. This bike works like Neo at the end of the Matrix when he is kicking Agent Smiths ass, and an FSR is Agent Smith.. get it? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
josh haddad
a Weekend Warrior
from brighton, MA usa
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Government center Boston, Ma | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Strength, Durability, Looks, Suspension | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | U name it. I tested so many downhill bikes, and this bike was the best for the city riding I do. | | Bike Setup: | marzocci z3.5 4 inch travel fork. Sun ringle tensioner, race face single front chain ring, Xt everything else. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is my dream come true. I had an older univega hard tail that i rode for years. I wanted a full suspension and had no clue where to start. I tested ALOT of bikes and this was the bike that i could bunny hop the highest on (which is important in the city) and could go off the sickest 6 ft drops, and stairs. I love it so much. I mean I'm really in love. Much more than my girlfriend, thats how much. I dont really know what freeriding means, but i think this is the best bike for it. If u want to go 20 mph toward a car, hop up on its hood, and get mad air off its windsheild, this is the bike for u, my sick and twistwed fellow beasts. I spent 3000 even on this bike, and i honestly beleive it was well worth it. Hell, its worth 4000. I'm not sure how itll be in the future, because ive only had it for a month. but if its anything like my hardtail, which is 93 issue (I hope technology has improved in the lst 7 years) than ithink it'll be a great investment. Ride on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Messiah
a Cross Country Rider
from Fetteresso, Scotland
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lochnagar | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Greatest thing since sliced bread. If only I needed one bike this would be it. | | Weaknesses: | Not a single-tiny-little-one, nope! Hard as I try I cannot fault my little baby. | | Similar Products Used: | Loads of other bikes, many of which are now BROKEN! | | Bike Setup: | XT stuff - cheap to replace... Hope disks - the bee's-knees... Big forks - X-vertR's(broken) - SuperT's (not broken but heavy)... BIG ASS WHEELS & TYRES... BIG ASS HANDLEBARS & SHORT STEM... Flite saddle - cush my butt | | Bottom Line: | This bike does everything. In three years of ownership it's been up (and down) the mountains of Scotland and Spain, round the forests and mudbaths, and in my kitchen. If I could sleep with this bike I would be riding it now...
OK.. so - I broke the seat tower (replaced by warranty), the shock pivot knocks (broken and replaced once - warranty). I've worn out a set of bearings (easy to replace), dented the frame in a couple of places and had the back end bent by baggage handlers (bent back by me). My home made disk mount has handled the pain but the cable stops are a bit worn.
I used to get three to six months out of thousand pound hardtail frames so this bike gets MAXIMUM points for value.
SPLASH THE CASH AND YOU MAY NEVER NEED TO BUY ANOTHER BIKE (unless your like me and need four... some of us can never get enough riding partners).
Buy this bike if you can't afford it.
Don't buy this bike if your not gonna ride it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a Weekend Warrior
from Redmond, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Mad Lake Loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Impressive looks
Quality of manufacturing
Adjustability | | Weaknesses: | Cost
| | Similar Products Used: | Klein Mantra Race | | Bike Setup: | XTR, Raceface, Hope disc brakes, etc | | Bottom Line: | I bottom the frame and parts about a month ago and I've only had it together for a couple of weeks. Overall I like it and it's an excellent trail bike. It rides a lot lighter than feels when you pick it up. The only strange feeling thing about the bike is the height of the bottom bracket - at 13.5 inches it makes me feel like the bike is really tall. The plus side of the high BB is that I almost never whack the pedals on anything. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Antonio S
a Racer
from NY
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | I have a couple... | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | -Superb craftsmanship
-Smooth/solid frame
-Excellent suspension action
-"WoW" appeal | | Weaknesses: | When I got the bike, it was price. Now, you can get the frame for $1100, which aint bad. | | Similar Products Used: | -Diamond Back V6
-GT LTS | | Bike Setup: | Judy 100, Easton monkey-lite bars and CT2 post, Race Face stem, bottom bracket and crank, SDG comp seat, Grip Shift 9.0 sl, XTR V-brakes and levers, XTR hubs w/ Sun CR17A rims and DT 14/15 db spokes, -did I forget anything? | | Bottom Line: | WOW! What a piece of work. This bike is awsome. My SL is from 1997, has no disk brake tabs, and comes with the coil-over rear shock. I have a heavy (750lb) spring in the rear which really eliminates excessive bobbing. Somehow, I manged to get my baby down to 26.8 lbs using the parts I listed.
It's a great XC bike. Not quite as fast as my old, 23lb hardtail but WAY MORE versatile. read: usefull/comfortable
The real value of this frame is it's adjustability. I used it for light DH in '97 and had a blast. This is a true "freeride" bike.
The Tracer is basically a lighter version of the SL minus the travel and DH options. If you're strictly a XC person or have a DH rig then go for the Tracer. If you are looking for the ultimate do-everything bike, get the Uzzi SL. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MADMATT
a Cross Country Rider
from MA
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any Singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | I have been riding my Uzzi Sl for about 2 years now and am still amazed how well the active suspension has held up with minimal maintenance. Because the bike can be set up with different top tube,bottom bracket and rear wheel travel it's a true blast to take on technical singletrack then swap setup to handle the downhills @ Mt.Snow VT. | | Weaknesses: | I blew out my first Fox Alps 5R air/oil shock, but the service from INTENSE was great and they had FOX swap it out for a new one in about 1week. The new shock has been fine for over 1yr. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized (Cheap copy), K2/Proflex, Cannondale SuperV2000 | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR,White Bros.SC90AT Fork,King headset,Azonic bar & stem,WTB rims, Specialized FearMaster/FearControll tires. | | Bottom Line: | At about 28.5lbs. I feel it is one of the best bikes $$ can buy.Great on singletrack or downhills. Great service and a proven race track record. To save a couple of lbs try the new INTENSE TRACER. A friend bought one and loves it.The only reason for the 4 Flamin'Chilis as a value rating is the price tag.Overall it can't be beat. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan
a Cross-Country Rider
from West Greenwich, RI
Date Reviewed: November 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Mt.Tom, Arcadia | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Plush, Fast, very adjustable, Light enough, great in technical | | Weaknesses: |
none that are worth mentioning | | Similar Products Used: |
FSR, K25000, M1SL, Gary Fisher Joshua. | | Bike Setup: |
Girvin chubby 5 with dual stage speed springs, Mavic 231 ceramic rims, XTV Brakes, Race Face headset, cranks & Stem | | Bottom Line: | This bike rules!! it is 4 lbs heavier them my custom K2 and much faster. I climb everything with this bad boy and much faster and super plush - a true secret weapon in the technical. I played with the many adjustments and like the longer wheel base setting, with the center setting on rocker. and the 2nd to longest top tube length on the seat tower. I just ordered a Z1cr to replace the chubby - I think that will better match the plushness of the rear | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fakaui
a Cross-Country Rider
from Rancho Santa Margarita
Date Reviewed: October 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Any Technical Singletrack | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Always active. VERY Plush ride. Rides over everything. loves to go fast. company stands behind the product with fast costomer service dept. | | Weaknesses: |
To plush for XC riding.Broke my 1st frame and the 2nd one was not aligned properly. Ghost shift when shock bottoms out. | | Similar Products Used: |
Manitou FS. GT LTS. Schwinn 4Banger | | Bike Setup: |
Full XTR. Judy XLC | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for going fast, but its not the bike I take for long rides because its rear end it way too soft for xc riding. Dont get me wrong, the bike rips, but I cant keep up with my friends on 4hr rides. I broke my 1st frame at the point of the sub frame and was replaced in 4 days, but the rear began to feel out of alignment. After checking the bike, I got another frame in 1 week. The company was great and didnt ask any questions!! only 4 stars because nothing is perfect! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Whitaker
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ventura, Ca.
Date Reviewed: October 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Any good technical singletrack | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
The design, function, and durability. | | Weaknesses: |
Is there one? | | Similar Products Used: |
1st full suspension bike was a GT LTS (good rear suspension anyway!) 2nd was an Outland VPP5 (great handling and performance, but WAY to high maintanance and I broke the frame $$$), 3rd an Outland VPP5 DH (All was the same but it didn't break!) 4th is the Intense Uzzi SL (outstanding bike!) | | Bike Setup: |
Marricochi Mr T., Hope Pro disc brakes, Raceface cranks, XTR drive train, Mavic/Hope wheels....lots of great stuff!!! | | Bottom Line: | I believe the INTENSE UZZI SL is one of the best full suspension bike on the market. It is my opinion that most all four link rear suspensions are the way to go for XC. The UZZI SL climbs, descends, and tracks extremely well over just about any terrain you might come accross on a mountain bike. What's important to me is performance, durability, and low maintanance. The UZZI SL has all that and more!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hugo Hool
a Cross-Country Rider
from Huntington Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Santa Monica Recreational Area | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Solid Frame, smooth bearings, 4+ in. of travel, Lat. stiffness to the extreme | | Weaknesses: |
@ 7lbs with coil rear shock it is about a pound over wt. (but extremely strong),
pricey | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized FSR, Schwinn Homegrown 4 banger, schwinn s-10 carbon | | Bike Setup: |
Fork- Rox SidXL 100mm C3, Mavic disc/hayes, Race face | | Bottom Line: | One of the best all around full suspension frames out there! Hard to keep light at any price. Lateral stiffness for days with a frame that won't break. The ride is smooth and sure I have no regrets!! You need to bring your Credit CARD. | | Overall Rating: |
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