Weaknesses: 5th element shock hit frame on rising rate setting. Seat hits tyre on slacker head settings.
Bottom Line:
Absolutely the very best DH rig this planet has ever seen!
With the Dorado's up front this rig rules the world and is so good looking it'll make you cry....if only I had the skill to match the performance. It corners extremely well and eats major drop offs without breaking into a sweat. As for pedalling....set correctly it can pedal better than a 4" rig, it's infinately tunable (which takes time to get used to) with adjustability at the beggining and ending of it's travel (to name just a couple of adjustments).
It has massive rear travel which is more than the stated 9" on the web site, my tyre hits the seat when it's 9.5" away!!! Unfortunately I need to run my seat slightly higher than I would prefer due to this clearance problem, this proves more of an issue when you drop the shock down on the link to slacken the head angle, I would like to see the seat tube angle a bit steeper to allow for a bit more clearance from the tyre, but as long as you know about it, it's not a problem.
My cranks are too long at 175mm (never thought when buying) so go for shorter ones as the pedals will strike the ground (when set very soft) through compressions/corners due to the huge amount of travel.
Don't use the rising rate setting on the frame (where the shock link connects to the frame) as there is a chance the resevoir may strike the frame as mine did (replaced under warauntee no worries), this setting is not needed as you can achieve a rising rate stroke through the shock adjustments anyway (I just like messing with the settings...oops!).
The 2002 frame now comes with the International Standard chain device mounts, this elliminates the need to mount the device on the B/B, excellent idea and works superbly.
No replaceable rear hangers on this rig so be prepared to bend it back into place after slapping that rock, it's quite beefy so it takes a good whacking. Silver spacers allows you to run QR or 20mm at the rear, nice and simple and very user friendly. Superb build quality and welds with beautiful decals finish this awsome machine off....a must for any true DH'er. Don't get impatient and end up buying some cheaper "Intense Wonnaby" rig...keep saving for the ultimate........believe me it's worth it!
Strengths: Takes drops like none other,pedals, corners, relative light weight. Simply said it does it all better than any other bike out there
Weaknesses: Only minor detail is BB height is a little low and even w 165mm cranks it still smacks every now and then.
Bottom Line:
If you can find one and afford on get it. I've ridden most competitive frames ou there and this one tops them all. i was lucky enough to get to race one last season and i licked it so much i bought it off my sponsor. intense stands behinds there products and the people there are real cool and helpful. This is one purchase you won't regret!
Similar Products Used: trek DH, 99 M-1, 2k foes DHS Mono and Tube, Lenz pro descender,super 8, GT DHi, HARO dhr, yeti DH-8
Bike Setup: Monster T, hayes hubs 321 rims, maxxis tires, purple hayes8" race face components.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Eugene Lim
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2001
Strengths: super plush travel,increases stiffness on rear swingarm,extra strong swinglink,easier adjustment on wheelbase and better pedalling ease copare to 99 model.
Weaknesses: no weaknesses,this is one hell of a downhilling machine.
Bottom Line:
NO OTHER DH FRAMES THAT CAN THREATS THIS FRAME!I SAY THIS IS CAUSE ...... NO NEGATIVE COMMENTS ANYWAY.
Similar Products Used: none- this bike is unlike any other
Bike Setup: hayes w/ 8" rotors front and rear, fox vanilla rc 8" travel, monster T, mrp, sun modo wheels, intense 2.7 tire on front, 3.0 on rear, 24" rear wheel setup
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Chad
a Downhiller
from Breckenridge, Colorado
Weaknesses: Waiting for 6 months for the new frame, having to tap the bottom bracket shell and derailleur hanger on a brand new, expensive frame
Bottom Line:
Well, INtense is saying that they have improved the winningest DH frame in the world, and they have! This bike pedals much better than the 99' and the travel is even smoother than before! If you are willing to try anything on this bike - it's ready for it! Big drops are no problem because the suspension works great. My only complaint is that a frame costing this much should have all the treads tapped prior to it being shipped. After waiting for 6 months this frame, the last thing I wanted to do was go over all the treads before assembly. Eitherway, this is the frame to be on so go get one!
