From the make of the top downhill race bicycles in the world, comes revolutionary Spider XVP.
Featuring the patented VPP suspension design, the Spider XVP has been reffered to by many as the best cross country specific bike ever made. A superior climber, torque sensative ascender and traction master.
Submitted by
stomper
a Weekend Warrior
from Antrim Ireland
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2010
Strengths: Gr8 trail bike, vpp works well, found it twichy at the start as my other bike's the Tracer but the bike's fully sic.
Bought it for xc raceing endro rides. Last few weeks the only bike i've riden.
Weaknesses: a bit loose on the fast decents
Bottom Line:
Got the tracer for fast desents and big trail rideing and has been left in the shed of weeks. The Spider is an a gr8 ride quick up hills, handles swichbacks with ease. Bought as a X demo haven't looked back
Similar Products Used: Intense Tracer VP, Cannondale Rize.
Bike Setup: Reba fork, XT drivetrain/shifters, Juicy 7, manitou swinger air 3-way shock, mavic race wheel set
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Submitted by
Addison Hinrichs
a Cross Country Rider
from Temecula, Ca
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2010
Strengths: I really enjoy the vpp suspension I dont feel like i lose too much energy at all on the long climbs. I dont Feel that i need a lock out or a propedal I don't get alot of pedal bob.
Weaknesses: not Completely steady on the big rocky descents but none the less it still holds a line nicely!! also bearings do need to be replaced more often than other bikes
Bottom Line:
this bike holds a line very nicely and climbs excellently good quality. i prefer intense over any other brand, good quality bikes. this bike is for someone who wants a bike that can climb, but also descends well enough to be versatile.
Bike Setup: crossmax maverics, thompson stem and seatpost, xt shifters, xt drivetrain,
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Submitted by
frana
a Cross Country Rider
from alta loma, CA
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2009
Strengths: climbs well. rp23 lockout works great. Suspension soaks up bumps very well. Minimal bob when seated and not locked out. No problems with linkages or bearings. Linkage issues have been solved according to another user who I corresponded with.
Weaknesses: Only thing I notice is on fast semi-rough descents, stiffness could be better.
Bottom Line:
Great XC bike. Smooth riding with VPP suspension with 20% sag. Great quality, no issues with the frame. I bought just the frame from Jensonusa. Highly recommend
Bike Setup: crossmax xl wheels, fox rlt fork, titec carbon stem and seatpost, egg beaters, ceramic V brakes. 26 lbs.
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Submitted by
teledaddy207
a Cross Country Rider
from Augusta Maine
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2009
Strengths: this was my first new bike in 20 yrs, I'm am wondering why I waited so long, but 4 kids came first, I averaged @ 100 miles a week August, September and October, never had to so much as tweak a thing, followed Jenson.s unpacking info and Rockshock and Fox set up. I 'm looking forward to Spring
Weaknesses: the brakes don't modulate as well as my old XTR V's, Juicy threes, but I took the package knowing I would slowly trade up
Bottom Line:
very happy with my investment, this bike handles all I thro at it w/ ease, the ability to lock out front when climbing or on smooth trails is nice and adjust both front and rear shock on the fly is wonderful, still tweaking both shocks, previous Noleen was limited in adjustemnt
Similar Products Used: my last bike was a K2 Razorback and I loved it's suspension design, my son is now riding and racing that, bought used w/ a raceface XTR mix
Bike Setup: fox rp23 rear, reba race front, xt, x9 drive, avid juicy 3( now has magua martaSL's) truvativ cockpit and crank
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Submitted by
Red Spider
a Cross Country Rider
from Indonesia
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2009
Strengths: Light & Strong Easton Frame, stable downhill, good climber
USA Handmade
Weaknesses: Bearings need to be replaced after 6 months
Bottom Line:
Fast & responsive frame, better than Anthem on downhill (but the frame will cost you almost double if compare to Anthem)
Bike Setup: XTR Drive Train & Wheelset, Fox F100 RLC, Thomson
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Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from charlotte,nc
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2008
Bottom Line:
This is a follow-up to a previous post. I have been riding this bike for greater than 9 months. I ride 30 miles or more a week and I have raced the bike a bit. I bought a monoblock rear pivot..this updates the frame to 2007 spec. The frame has been great. I was worried that the pivot bolts would continue to loosen/creek. This is NOT a problem. I love riding this bike. I think this is a great bike for long rides. I also have a giant anthem. The giant is lighter and I think it climbs better. The bottom bracket of the giant is too low and is always smacking rocks/roots. I have been riding a friends specialized epic and I might like this better. Still, I would strongly recommend the spider!
Bike Setup: x0 and x9, cane creek wheels, avid juicy 7, reba team
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Submitted by
zaskar1
a Cross Country Rider
from san jose, ca usa
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2008
Strengths: control comfort
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
i got the special deal sram setup with the ok reba race front and fox rear, still was not cheap, but is worth the $$
i was concerned that the wheels were too heavy and the limited travel of the suspension
my reservations were unfounded, as this bike climbs better than my 24lbs hardtail, an old gt zaskar race bike and sticks to the trail on the climbs and descents so i have to be careful as not to go too fast as i have absolute control
my only regret is that i didnt buy this sooner
the guys at trailhead in san jose were extremely helpful
i dont understand the negative reviews this bike has received as it is made in the usa, so you should buy this one to keep the jobs here
Weaknesses: the seattube BB weld has cracked on all three frames I've owned.Tire clearance
Bottom Line:
I am so disappointed that all my frames have not lasted more than 12 months and I don't do any crazy stunts. They tell me that I don't have enough sag so I guess I'll have to soften it. I bought this to save my HT and my HTs last longer. so now I have to purchase a crash replacement at a discounted price and the economy is failing is so is my bank account.
Submitted by
Steven Dembones
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2007
Strengths: Awsome frame, very light and durable. Very quiet. Little to no frame flex or unused motion. Very responsive on all types of terrain.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
This bike rips. If you can afford this level of bike nothing in this price range comes close. It is light, has a great suspension design and is very responsive to all types of terrain. I run Mavic crossmax ST wheels and intense tires. If you like a light bike, cross country race, dont do much jumping and like to climb this is your bike.
My frame is a 2006...the pivot bolt issue came up immediately...It looks like it's solved with loctite. The bike is well worth the trouble. Super fast...and light. The rear end is pretty firm even with 30% sag. Feels like a racing bike. Great paint. I feel lucky to have this bike...I just hope it lasts at least 6 months.
Strengths: climbs very well, seems like bottomless rear suspension, built very nice
Weaknesses: rear wheel clearance very tight, seatpost tube is very tight and hard to adjust height
Bottom Line:
Only crashed once because I wasnt paying attention. However the bike rides like a dream. Singletrack, fireroads, street riding, the bike does it all. I use it for general purpose trail riding. I like the lightweight frame and the ability to be able to climb almost any hill. The powdercoat finish is great, no nicks or paint chips like most other frames on the market. I've popped over logs and some small boulders and the bike hasnt let me down. The VPP bearings has been changed once and it was easy to do. I think this version is burlier than the Santa Cruz Blur, the rear triangle seems to have more support. It doesnt flex much on sharp turns which is great for such a lightweight frame. Highly recommend the 2.3 WTB Timberwolf kevlar folding tires as well as it helps grip the dirt 120% more than other tires.
Strengths: frame and VPP linkage; general looks (it's gorgeous!)
Weaknesses: haven't found any yet.
Bottom Line:
A fantastic piece of kit. I've done about 2,000km with this bike and have thoroughly enjoyed every one. The frame is light and stiff, and the suspension is there when you need it and otherwise invisible. There is no discernible pedal bob and when climbing the VPP linkage keeps the rear end stuck to the ground. Descending and cornering it's taut and under control, always feeling like you could go faster. The bike is at it's best when hammering along a twisty bit of single track. No bearing or frame issues at all and I'm 6'1" and 200lbs. I do, however, really only ride XC -no DH-type descents and no big drops, and the bike is meticulously maintained by me and my LBS which, given the cost, only makes sense, right? It's expensive, but if you want the top of the heap for XC use then look no further...
Similar Products Used: MARIN, SPECIALISED, SANTA CRUZ
Bike Setup: INTENSE '05 frame; FOX F100X fork; FOX RP3 shock; MAVIC CrossMaxXL wheels; SRAM XO gears; RACEFACE DeusXC cranks; AVID Juicy7 brakes (200mmF/160mmR); CHRIS KING headset; EASTON EA70 stem, bars and seatpost.
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Submitted by
keith smarte
a Cross Country Rider
from earlysville,va
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2007
Strengths: climbing,fast cornering
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
great bike,richards bikes was a great bike dealer...they talked with me and were fantastic helping me set-up my bike for me...next bike will be from them
Bike Setup: fox rp23 rear,foxrl,sram x-9 twister shifters with xt crank
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Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2007
Strengths: Very solid bike, still the best XC bike I have tried.
Weaknesses: Limited rear tire clearance
Bottom Line:
This bike really works. It climbs better than any Specialized and still has active feeling suspension. When I have ridden a few of the Specialized Epics and Fuels, they always feel harsher than this bike. The Santa Cruz Blur and Marins are similar but this bike still has the best balance and feel I have tried. There are small problems with the pivots but Intense has been very good at helping over the years and really for the past 18 months I have not had a bottom pivot come out again. I am riding my third spider and all have been great. There are lighter bikes and bigger travel bikes but for all day riding and racing you cannot beat the Spider. Just look at the World Xterra Championships and you will see 2-3 Intense Spiders in the top 10, more than any other bike. It still gets attention on the trail and looks great after all the pounding I give it.
Best bike I've ever owned so far. It cost me a fortune to build, but I have no regrets. Outfitted with hand picked components made this bike as solid as it can ever be. Handles great, decent weight for a full suspension XC (just a little over 24 lbs.). Will make you a better and confident rider.
