Submitted by
G Man
a Downhiller
from Portland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2004
Strengths: Excellent all-around downhill rig, very well balanced, jumps way better than the VPP designs like the V-10.
Weaknesses: A little heavier than I'd like
Bottom Line:
Great bike! Had the Fox RC shock which was smooth but upgraded to the Progressive 5th Element. To do so, had to cut the rear cross-member of the swingarm which reduces lateral stiffness (Intense said I wouldn't notice but tracking is not quite as good). The trade-off was better medium and big hit absorption that the 5th Element gives you, not to mention faster ride because of less bob. Looking back, I'm not sure I would do it again as the Fox was decent and I certainly wouldn't recommend it for large riders that will really notice the lateral compromised stiffness. I am faster on the 5th element tho but you will feel the small bumps more now. If you race, get the 5th element for sure!
Bike Setup: Stratos S8 fork (AWESOME), 5th Element rear, XTR, MRP, Azonic cranks (strong!), Hayes discs (suck - get some Galfer rotors and pads for a HUGE improvement), Intense WC rear and Gazzaloddi front.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Sam High
a Downhiller
from Anacortes, WA
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003
Strengths: Proven FSR Design, Awesome 5th Element shock, geometry, solid rear axle option (stiffness difference is HUGE), beefy
Weaknesses: Low BB Height, i would prefer a 1/2 or 3/4 inch height increase so I can comfortably run 170mm cranks
Bottom Line:
To those reading reviews lower down, and especially to The Infidel who bought a used model 2000, with no Progressive shock, the bike isn't at all as he described... the frame on the bike I demoed was burly as hell and I had no problems getting the shock tuned perfectly to me within 5 minutes. They guy at the booth was very helpful but any bikeshop mechanic should know how to set up a 5th element as they are one of the most adjustable coil shocks on the market. And the FSR geometry pedals like a dream. Even on the paved parking lot and running on burly FRO World Cup Intense tires, I had no problem getting up to a good 20mph with minimal bob. The bike was barely harder to pedal then my 02 Specialized Enduro with half the travel. The bike really held on through the turns and you can push this bike to the very outside of a berm and pull back to the inside with minimal effort. It turns like a midengined sports car. If you don't know how to set this bike up, please take a look through Bartlett's manual, read the instruction manual that came with your frame, and the owner's guide to the 5th element shock. And if you still cant, take it to the bike shop and have someone with half a brain set it up for you, cause if you can't figure out a way to make this bike perform for you, you don't deserve to be riding ANY bike.
Similar Products Used: Karpiel Armageddon, Santa Cruz Super 8, Specialized Big Hit Comp (Not the long-travel DH, yet), 99 Specialized Team DH
Bike Setup: When I buy the frame, it'll be Race Face everything - Signature DH BB, North Shore DH cranks, Real Seal Headset, running on Mavic D321 rims and 8" Hayes - fork undecided
Strengths: great race frame, pedals really well, super tunable
Weaknesses: low bb
Bottom Line:
I guess the fool who was crying about the bobbing ( he bought a used frame...probably had a bad shock or he didnt know how to set it up)hasnt ridden a "set up" M1. I weigh 235lbs, I put in a heavier spring ,set the shock up with a call to tech help from Progressive. The big pedals way better than my old bike, I can stand and hammer on it and actually get somewhere.The travel feels limitless as long as you stay centered on the bike. Freeride/dropoff bike it's not, but as far as racing...it the best there is as long as you take the time to set it up right. Use short 165mm cranks cause the bike is low,and corners will still get you when you pedal
I have no idea what that plank is talking about when he says the 2002 M1 bobs! It will bob/stay rock solid/be plush/be progressive/or what ever it's set up to do. I absolutely dissagree, he needs to urgently get down to a race team who use M1's to find out what's wrong, if you set the air pressure to 175psi, set the beggining stroke to max, and have the 450lb spring, it will pedal like a hardtail. I am around 200lbs and regularly launch of 6 foot+ drops at high speed and the bike takes it with total ease. I ride downhill races in the UK, most of which are not steep and very pedally, I only got my first podium after buying this bike and this was on a course more suited to cross country races. It tracks round corners extremely well, takes massive hits, pedals like a badger on speed, looks superb, has a great reputation and after sales support, is extremely adjustable and is winning World Cup Races by the handful......what more do you want geezer!!!!! By the way, I also am a privateer and bought this frame with my own money and I've never spent money so wisely before. If you've got a genuine 2002 M1 (with 5th element shock) and it does what you claim then something is wrong so get it sorted, it's your problem not Intense's. Top marks Intense keep up the good work.
Similar Products Used: Karpiel Army, Disco, Super 8, Cortina Hardtail, Giant AC-1, Santa Cruz Chameleon, Kona Stab.
Bike Setup: M1/Dorado/Hayes/MRP/WTB tires,rims/Truvative cranks, BB/Stealth Hubs/Easton Bars/Thomson seatpost/SRAM drivetrain
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
matt
a Downhiller
from downieville ca
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2002
Strengths: the m1 is a great preforming bike. it peddles way better then the disco that guy at the bottom does not know what he is talking about i ride circles around my friend who has one and he is in better condition then i am. the bike is plush enough to take big hits while still being able to race well
Weaknesses: the frame is as thin as tin-foil i have broken three frames i guess it is time for a new one, and i only weigh 160, but it brakes like i weigh 500.
Bottom Line:
this bike is a very good bike but it is just not strong enough for hard ass riding. the people that have broke theres just don't ride hard enough.
Strengths: Great welds, overall solid construction. Highly adjustable (wheelbase, head angel, progression, BB height etc). Very smooth and plush 8" rear end but that's nothing new to this segment. Weight is respectable.
Weaknesses: This is the most overhyped, overpriced bike I've ever ridden. Why you ask? Let's see: Its a soggy pedaler. Even with the suspension set up fairly firm it seems to bob incessantly at low speed. Even my Super8 didn't bob nearly as much as this hobbyhorse. Trying to set it up firm defeats the purpose of having all the travel. Read: Bad idea. The paint job is pitiful for a $3000+ frame. My red frame has scratches and chips all over it. I've seen thicker nail polish. Overall, this bike is way overpriced for what it is. That's why I'm selling it for a Turner.
Bottom Line:
It pains me to say it but...bottom line is that there are better bikes out there. Unfortunately this is exactly what most Intense owners don't want to hear. Look, it's a good bike and I can understand why many pros race it, but a GREAT bike?? No way unless all of your riding is done at over 40 mph @ 30 degree incline. There are better-pedaling better-cornering and plusher bikes out there for LESS $$$$. Intense needs to update this design or at least lower the price by half a grand. I'm glad I bought this bike used. I'd be pretty pissed if I threw away $5k on this thing.
Sorry Intense fans, my purchasing money goes to Turner now. They can beat Intense in a heartbeat. Results, not hype. Ride one and open your eyes.
2/5 value 3/5 overall
p.s. I am not sponsored by Turner or anyone else for that manner--I am a privateer racer. I have bought all of my bikes and equipment using my own coin and test it myself before I pass judgement on it. I have no problems calling a spade a spade, and neither should any of you.
Similar Products Used: Santa Cruz Super8, Intense Uzzi SLX, Turner DH Racer (finest bike out there IMO), Turner RFX, Schwinn Straight8, Foes Weasel, GT Lobo (piece of garbage)
Bike Setup: Medium. Profiles, XT, Hayes, Boxxer, Blackspire, Sun Tomac DH, etc.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2001
Strengths: EVERY THING GET IT, JUST EVERYTHING!!!!
Weaknesses: It dosn't have a motor option cuz its better than any motorbike i ever rode.
Bottom Line:
Don't listen to the stupid queer at the very bottom of this page, he probable never even rode an M1. If you can get a used one for cheep, dont think just buy, and send it back to Intense for a refurbish (bearings, 2002 paint job, bushings) all for $135usd. INTENSE ROCKS Rock on!!!!!!!!
Favorite Trail: Searchmont resort, which is bankrupt by the way
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At: used
Similar Products Used: 2000 KHS Dominitrax (CRAP DO NOT BUY) buy a super 8 instead of a KHS, their the same price.
Bike Setup: I probably have the best 98 M1 in the world, it has 2001 Manitou X-vert carbons, mavic 321's, purple hayes, sram 9.0sl, brand new 2002 Fox Vanilla RC shock on a 98, how cool eh!!
Strengths: Amazing product quality: look at the welds and you know. For a non professional rider who is serious about downhill it's probably the best choice. Coz it's a hundred bikes! Setup options are so vast that you can customize the bike to your liking and/or the track. Sections that i found difficult with other bikes (i tried quite some, see below) are simple as picking your nose.
Weaknesses: No other weaknesses then any other dedicated DH machine. If the bike don't work for you, you got the setup wrong for you Only, you need a hell of a track to be challenged with this bike
Bottom Line:
I'm in DH for 5 years now. Never thought of buying an M1 because of the price. Untill i cracked my Foes. I found a 2nd hand M1 team issue for a bargain price. I'm over the moon now. I can't think of a bike that would fit my specific needs better, given the adjustability. This is paramount for me living in Belgium (short technical tracks) and border hopping to France (big open fast tracks)
Similar Products Used: Foes LTS, Foes Slammer, GT Lobo, Nicolai Lambda, Sunn Radical, Cannondale SuperV4000, Sintesi, Ancilotti, Scott DH, .....tried the whole field, and with some tuning the intense is the one!
Bike Setup: Foes F1 forks, Formula and hope disks, Mavic 321 with Tioga and hutchinson tires, SDG Bigboy seat. MRP chain thingy, Roox Bomber bars Roox Commander stem, Cook Bros cranks, DMR bmx pedals, Riding with low BB and 7" travel, progressive, short wheelbase for the technical tracks. For speedtracks i put it full on: full travel, full progressivity, BB up , max wheelbase, slack Head angle.....
Strengths: its an M1 by intense...plush as hell.....good quality and quantity travel...
Weaknesses: it still cant get me to win races....
Bottom Line:
there is nothing to argue about, this is one of the best dh frames out there...although the Stab Dee lux is also damn good.....i still like the intense over any other...
Strengths: Strong frame, soft suspension set up, upto nine inches travel, adjustable everything.
Weaknesses: weight, but with the right component choices, can be setup quite light.
Bottom Line:
This is an excellent piece of machinery, but does take a while to set up right, and requires a lot of maintainance. You need to be technicaly adept to keep this bike in good condition.
It`s a very good bike,but you have to understand it first. There`s a lot of adjustments on the pivot points. It took me 3 months to get it right. my wieght is 68 kilo,I need a 850lbs spring to fill my needs (i`ve tried a 600 and 650 spring before). BE warned, if you want to ride a m1 sl by the medium because a small frame has only to mounting holes for the top of the shock (instead of four). In my opinion it is the best,why buy crap. good is good,the rest is bullshit.
