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Average Rating
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4.72/5
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# of Reviews
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110
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MSRP
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$ 2050.00
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Weight
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Description:Equipped with 5.5” of seemingly bottomless travel, it’s torque sensative VPP design makes it the perfect choice for all day, go anywhere, endura rides.
With ultra efficient no BOB power transfer, and superior handling, the 5.5 EVP does it all.
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Submitted by
Cable0guy
a Weekend Warrior
from Torrance, CA
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Does everything extremely well | | Weaknesses: | High maintenance, especially the bearings. Creaks. | | Similar Products Used: | Turner, Specialized, GT, Santa Cruz | | Bike Setup: | Talas, RP23, Mavic wheelset, Formula brakes | | Bottom Line: | The best trail bike out there (the new Intense trail bike is due out later this year). Climbs, handles, and does everything well. Looks beautiful. The only downside is that you need to maintain the pivot bearings at least once a year, and sometimes twice a year. I also have a creak in the seatpost that I can't seem to get rid of. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
puckhead
a Cross Country Rider
from Pasadena, CA
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | El Prieto | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Greenfish | | Strengths: | It looks good. I wish I could say the quality matches the looks. | | Weaknesses: | see below | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain ETSX, Santa Cruz Heckler, Spec Stumpjumper FSR | | Bike Setup: | Pike Air, X9/XT, Formula Oro Bianco, DT Swiss wheels, Panaracer Rampage | | Bottom Line: | Not happy with Intense at all. After 1 year of riding the 5.5 I took the bike to my LBS to have the bearings replaces. The LBS told me that 3 of the bearings seat loose in the frame, they should press in and not seat loose. Either one of two things happened;
1) the frame came from the factory with the tolerances off and the bearings were loose from the get go
Or
2) the frame was misaligned which caused the bearing to wear into the frame and cause the loose seating in the frame
The LBS locktite the bearing back in the frame but gave no assurances that back end would not have slop or play. Emailed Intense about the situation and they never bothered to respond. Did some research on the forums and it seems like many people have had quality control issues with Intense including problems with misaligned frames, especially on the 5.5 and 6.6. I’ll keep riding the bike, but I’m none too happy about the situation. I’ve learned my lesson, next time I drop $2K on a frame, I’m going with a company with superior customer service like Turner or Ventana.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Mackie
a Racer
from Bristol
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mountain Ash | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Handling.
Suspension action.
Geometry. | | Weaknesses: | The colour of mine is Magnolia!
VPP bearings wear out very fast.
| | Similar Products Used: | Orange 5. Spesh Enduro. Yeti 575. SC Blur. | | Bike Setup: | Pikes. Tubeless wheels with Maxxis HRs 2.1. Speedball seatpost (get one!). Shimano XT. Hope mono mini pros. | | Bottom Line: | I have owned one of these for 2 years now and it is by far the best bike I have ever ridden. I can't understand why it doesn't feature more in trail bike reviews - maybe Intense don't bother with bribes?
It does everything well. The handling is the best feature.
Only minor niggle is that the VPP is bearing hungry. The bottom ones go every 6 months. Its a small price to pay for a brilliant ride though.
The previous review echos what I am about to say: this bike will hurt you and reward you in equally significant measures. It took me a long while to get used to this bike - at first I hated it. The thing is this: if you have a good ride the bike will reward you tenfold. If you're feeling tired, picking bad lines, or just riding badly, this bike will throw you off. It is not for beginners! I put this down to razor sharp handling of the bike.
Now that I have mastered the 5.5 (it took about ten rides) it is by far the best bike I have ever ridden and I feel it will do whatever I want it to. What limits it going quicker? Rider input.
I have fitted a Roco coil shock on the rear with Ti spring and this has been a brilliant upgrade. Rear wheel tracks the ground superbly and low level sensitivity is increased.
Love it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | It goes where you want it to. On rock drops the front end sticks so you can bring the rear wheel back. The bike climbs better when the rear suspension is unlocked. At speeds it keeps confidence. All in all pretty sick | | Weaknesses: | only demo'd it so I actually don't own it | | Bottom Line: | I rode this thing on Porcupine Rim, Slickrock and a third trail. Slickrock could be ridden on a rigid bike, but the build was so light I never felt like I was lugging it around, in fact I climbed faster than my friends on hardtails. It handles the smooth rolly stuff very well
On Porcupine Rim it handled the inital climb well. Once the downhill began and the terrain changed I learned the bike is insanely good. On the rock-drops, just dip the fork over and ease the rear wheel and the bike responds and goes perfectly. On the smooth fireroad parts this thing flies and responds to every little bunny hop with more speed. My friend said he had never seen me ride so fast.
This bike is confident in the high speed, agile in the slow speed, and a billygoat climbing. I WANT ONE | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bluechair84
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Stanedge, trans-pennine | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | stiffness, agility and finesse, cimbs well, efficient, descends brillinatly, rear wheel tracks very well, easy to move around the bike, ever so slightly small so it's flickable but roomy enough to breath... you name it, goes in here. | | Weaknesses: | Oooh where to start, it will hurt you, mud clearence, fork clearence at downtube, lower link sits too close to the BB shell to run an E-type bash plate and roller, it will hurt you, can't remove the rear wheel without taking off the nut as it hits the rear mech, it will hurt you, its fast responses often slip into 'nervousness' territory. Seatpost slips a little - need a damn good seat pin, Hose guides aren't zip tie holed and brakes need to be dismantlled and rebuilt through them. | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose Teocali, GT I-drive (hated them both), quad mount vision, Whyte 69 thingy. | | Bike Setup: | Pace RC41, Mavic 619 on hope XC, Maxxis Minion, Hayes, XT chainset mechs and gubbins, E-Thirteen DRS - I run this bike as a light AM machine. Weight is down, 6inch travel forks and chain guide & roller keep it ready to rock though. | | Bottom Line: | Ok, we need to get something sorted. The 'it will hurt you' bit. It will, and it will make you bleed. You see, you'll start off at the trail head and you'll bounce on the suspension and you'll say 'yeah, it moves like suspension',. Then you hit the climb and sit and churn and think 'ooh, this ain't arf bad!', the seatpost might slip down a little but the sun is beaming and your mates are getting ahead - so you gun it and you'll pedal your heart out and you'll be at the top of the climbs with all those shiney XC boys in their lycra much to everyones suprise. You will be buzzing already by how excellently the first KMs went by. Then you'll hit the descent and put a few strokes in. The speed will come naturally, too naturally, you're flying! Dab the brakes, hit the first few turns and pause thinking; 'I can do better than this but something's holding me back'. You up the rebound, you haven't hit the trail like this before and you need the back wheel to be ripping. So you'll let go of the brakes more, take the risk of not feathering the brakes or even one finger prep. Holding the bars full fist enables you greater control, the bike will fly faster and faster. As it picks up speed the bike bites into every corner like it has a berm seeming to reveal in the new blurry world beside you. Knock the rebound to full blitz as you're out pacing the shocks ability to keep up, suspension whirring like Titanics pistons. Your XC buddies will be way behind you by now and you will be whooping with adrenaline! Then kapow! The bike will ditch you. You were going too fast for yourself you silly man, you just aren't as good as you thought you were, you found the little secret of the Intense and you couldn't handle it - and it will be hard to forget my friend.
You see, this bike is phenomenally good and you can build it into whatever you want. But this comes at a price, its speed comes from a natural and slight nervous nature that comes with lighning handling it isn't noticeable most of the time but it is always lurking behind the next meander. By the time it has done its jekyl and hyde thing you will be going waaaay to fast to be able to deal with it and you will find yourself regularly laying on the floor crying with laughter and pain.
Slow deft rock gardens? No problem. Fast suprising rock gardens? cleared! Long climbs? Lovely stuff. Twisty trails? Haulehluya! 3ft drops, Northshore, double packs, seesaws, whoops, XC, FR, AM, night and day, It's good to be a biker! Build it how you like - this is the greatest do it all bike ever built but put it trail side and its is just so wonderful. Slight waver of concentration, tiredness, too fast for your own good, got a cold? Bring bandagees.
This is a bike that takes some time to get to know and if you are a beginner it will seriously knock your confidence - rich boys pretending to be bikers, get a Blur or Nomad or Whyte. If you are experienced it will scare you but then you learn, and then you know what fast is. I don't know of another bike that you need to run the shock at full rebound to keep up with the terrain flying beneath you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Preston
a Cross Country Rider
from Manchester, UK
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Dyfi Forest, Wales | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$6000.00 | | Purchased At: | Leisure Lakes, Bury | | Strengths: | VPP
Handling
Weight
| | Weaknesses: | Bearings & DU Bushing
Don't bother with stock Manitou shock | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro
Cannondale Gemini
Specialized Epic (similar...?!) | | Bike Setup: | Rock shox Revelations
Fox RP23 shock
Hope pro II with Mavic 717 rims
XT drivetrain with SRAM chain and Middleburn rings
Avid Juicy 5 brakes (need upgrading...)
Panaracer Cinder 2.25s
Thomson post & stem
Easton EA70 bar
SDG saddle | | Bottom Line: | NB: Price reflects current UK:USA exchange rate of c.£1 - $2.
This is a phenominal confidence inducing bike. I used to have an Epic which was preceded by a Stumpjumper Hardtail as I liked fast bikes. However, neither bike suited my aggressive style, and so were frequently wrecked. The test ride was racing at a 10 hour race in Scotland, and I loved it. So I bought one. Climbs brilliantly, but best on windy technical singletrack, preferably downhill. The handling is second to none. I still haven't found its limits (just my own) - the bike begs for more. The Pennine UK winters have trashed the bearings and shock bushing though, and I guess its because Southern California doesn't know what mud is. So it does require a bit of upkeep. But the bike is sufficiently wonderful when in working order, I find myself forgiving it for breaking.
You can race on this too - I've got podium finishes in long distance races against blokes on Carbon hardtails - strategy is damage limitation on the climbs and destroy the descents as the bike demands.
So all in all not a bad piece of kit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dirtsurfer
a Weekend Warrior
from Camarillo, CA
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Latigo Cyn- before the fire | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Warrior | | Strengths: | Great climber, corners very well, strong brakes, smooth shifting, bombs down hill. | | Weaknesses: | One of the bolts loosens while riding, a little lock tite took care of it. | | Similar Products Used: | '01 Intense Tracer, Ellsworth Id | | Bike Setup: | '08 Lg 5.5 EVP, Rockshox Pike 406, Shimano 08 XT front & rear Derailer, cranks and BB, Avid Juicy 5, Mavic rims, Nevegal 2.35 tires | | Bottom Line: | I thought my old Tracer was a good climber and decender but compaired to the 5.5 I was way off. The slightly heavier 5.5 climbs better, with more control and balance. On my first ride I cleaned a climb we call the stairway, on my old bike I never could negoiate the climbs with the hair pin turns with out a dab or two. I have easily climbed all the challenges at Chesebro. Going down hill when you turn off the Pro pedal you can fell the bike sag into it travel and the bumps melt away. The Thru-axle Pike up front combined with stiff rear make for a tight cornering, stable ride. Forget picking a line, I just point it down hill and let it fly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Fitkin
a Cross Country Rider
from Maui
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | the next one I ride | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | West Maui Cycles | | Strengths: | Super-efficient suspension - plush & smooth downhill...rear wheel sticks to the trail like flypaper going up. Ultra-responsive in tight singletrack. Great balance of weight Front-to-rear. The whole package redefines the term "obstacle." | | Weaknesses: | None yet...it's the newer generation upgraded frame...but to be fair I've only had it 3 months. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyll | | Bike Setup: | XTR drivetrain, Chris King hubs & headset, Fox front & rear (Float RLC, RP23), Hayes El Camino brakes, Easton monkeylite, Thompson, Kenda nevegals. | | Bottom Line: | I couldn't be happier, this bike delivers the goods. After 7 years on my lefty-equiped Jekyll, (hey,hey,be nice...I loved that bike, and it took me flawlessly through 4 Xterra races) my LBS guru pointed to the intense frame on the wall when I mentioned I was thinking of upgrading/updating my ride. My very first thought upon taking a good look at it was how unattractive and heavy it looked - it's the "raw" finish. However, after spending the next few days reading most of the reviews here, I did a complete 180 and quickly realized, from a functionality standpoint, this was the bike I was looking for. Within days I found myself in the grips of a financially insane, no-holds-barred dream build, ending up with a killer bike with 5.5 inches of intelligent travel that weighs exactly the same as the old-school 4.5 inch travel bike it replaces - 28.5 lbs. And I've even grown to absolutely love the "stealthy" - and environmentally-friendly, I might add - finish.
I love the way I was able to custom build it to my specs, I love the fact it was handmade by a small group of people passionate about their product, and above all, I love the way this bike functions - it's all business, no marketing fluff. Some things really are priceless.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stan
a Weekend Warrior
from London
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | new Afan whytes level | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Strengths: | Strong, rigid, fast, superb VPP technology, goes uphill like the clappers and down even faster | | Weaknesses: | Collects mud at the BB area behind the link | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Liquid, Cove stiffee | | Bike Setup: | Fox RP23, Mavic wheelset, Blackburn chain rings, FSA Stem/Cranks, LX, Easton Bars, Hope M4's, Marzocchi 2005 AM2 fork, overweight rider :0) | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the nuts. I bought frame only and was dubious about the cost (although I got a demo frame at reduced cost). It just soars uphills with no loss of power from the Vpp, which, on technical ups just rolls easily over roots and rocks and edges. Going down, there seems to be no end to the travel and the bike grips like mad on dry dusty trails and rock, floats over drops, and hooks up very well in the wet. As an example of its efficiency I just came back from 3 months with only 4 rides in that period, and immediately after a 3 week all inclusive holiday with no exercise did a four hour eyeballs out dry Epping forest scream with my mates and kept in the middle of the pack (at the front on climbs) - this bike gives you that extra 10% that you want, and gives you the impression theres even more if your body (or mind) can take it! One thing though in agreement with some other comments - this isn't a begineers bike - its fast, twitchy and demands some focus, but if you deliver that it will pay you back many times over. Buy one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dale
a Cross Country Rider
from Buckinghamshire, England
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Afan | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain Mania | | Strengths: | Great frame, paint and weld lines! Looks superb in custom iron grey. Almost primer finish but better than the raw works | | Weaknesses: | Not found any yet, be decals are just stuck on and may take a beating. | | Similar Products Used: | Tomac Eli (frame bust) | | Bike Setup: | XC717's with Fire XC Pro, Hope Bulb XC hubs, Hope M4 brakes 180mm rotars, Hope Headset, QR's and Seat Pin, Race Face Carbon seat post with BEL Air Tit Saddle, Race Face XC stem and bars. Pace XCAM 41 forks, XTR/XT Mechs and shifters Hollwtech XT BB......... :-) | | Bottom Line: | I have only ridden this bike a few times to date and it climbs excellent, esp when the pro-pedal is switched it certainly climbs like a hardtail. Downhills are super fast and absorbs all the bumps, roots and rocks you can throw at it. On one downhill i was certainly faster than my previous ride.
I know I will enjoy this bike for many years to come. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alec
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine, CA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | San Juan, Moro, Whiting, Aliso, etc. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | The greatest strength is the ride. I've had it for 2-yrs now and ridden approx. 2200 miles. I've upgraded to the new Intense one piece rear linkage. Supple over most bumps even when climbing... great climbing machine! I was worried about the weight but it climbs better than anything else I have ridden. Downhill it gives you a wide range of options and flatters my skills. It's a great pleasure to ride. | | Weaknesses: | The bearings/VVP linkage & Paint... I'm sure they'll correct these issues very soon! | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Blur LT, Specialized Stumpjumper, OLD GT | | Bike Setup: | All Shimano XTR & SRAM X.O, CrossMax XL Tubeless Wheelset, 7" Hope M4 Disc Brakes and lots more! | | Bottom Line: | Overall, GREAT full suspension bike! I'm good with tools and you'll need to be hands on with this bike because it's a machine that will require attention from time to time. But every great machine does and the 5.5 is well worth it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas Woods
a
from Lyons, CO
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Hall Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3300.00 | | Purchased At: | Golden Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Fast climber, very stable and supple frame, eats up terrain, comfortable, light, responsive. Night and day difference between this bike and my well-used 2003 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp FSR XC. The Intense 5.5 is a MUCH better bike than the Stumpjumper. The difference between virtually all attributes of the two bikes really surprised me. Made in the USA. Very high quality. | | Weaknesses: | Bulit-up bike had SRAM X9 components, which over three days of riding I figured out were GARBAGE compared to Shimano XT and XTR componets I have used in past. Ripped all the SRAM stuff off and replaced it with Shimano. The Manitou swinger rear shock the bbike came with was OK, but it's headed for eBay as well asnd will be rpelaced with a Fox RP23. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper, Cannondale V700 Super, Raleigh Technium (a long time ago). | | Bike Setup: | Juicy 7 disk brakes, Shimano XT drivetrain exept for Truvative carbon crank, Fox FLS 100, Fox RP23, etc. | | Bottom Line: | An unusually good bike, and more than worth any difference you in price you might pay between it and a bike made in Taiwan (like a Specialized Stumpjumper). I'm surpirsed I don't see more of them on the trail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michael valentino
a Cross Country Rider
from Creedmoor, NC USA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | New Light | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2050.00 | | Purchased At: | Intense Dealer | | Strengths: | VPP Design; sweet tubeset and solid front triangle; a lot of travel for only 5.5"; good customer servide | | Weaknesses: | 04 shock linkage; paint-powder coat; stickers; lack of reinforcement @ bottom bracket; 04 rear triangle; suspension bolts and the list goes on | | Similar Products Used: | Spider, Santa Cruz Blur, Specialized Epic and Enduro, Titus Loco Moto and Racer X100, Trek Liquid & many others | | Bike Setup: | SHOCK-Fox AVA w/ PUSH Linkage; FORK-Marzocchi Z1 SL 130mm? dual air; BRAKES-SRAM Juicy 5 disc; WHEELSET-King/Mavic; TIRES-Kenda 2.35 Nevagal DTC Tomac with tubes; DRIVE-SRAM-XO, X9; CRANKSET-Race Face Turbine LP; POST/STEM-Thomson; SADDLE-WTB Rocket V; BAR-Easton Carbon; GRIPS-ODI Ruffian; PEDALS-Crank Bros Egg beater | | Bottom Line: | I am a 6’ tall and ~200# cross county rider who enjoys two wheels on the ground and an occasional drop.
This is somewhat of a dual review. I have been riding Intense frames for years and have logged over 3500 miles on the 5.5 and Spider combined. My insight is from two very different bikes from the same family. I may post a review on the Spider in the future. If you are looking for one and only one bike, pick the 5.5. The Spider has helped me get to the podium numerous times and even kept me in front of Tinker on a single lap (he was running 12 hours and I was 1 of 4 on a team). I have raced the 5.5 and it is slightly slower but has still won a race or two.
The 5.5 is plush, very plush. I feel very connected with the trail but small bumps disappear and big hits are tolerable. There is no need to pick a line, just hammer through. I like to say you are riding 'IN' the bike rather than, 'ON' with many others including the Spider. The under 6" bike appears to be just enough travel to do some crazy stuff but not too heavy to penalize you on the uphill.
As with any other company whom licenses a patented technology, Intense thinks they have a niche and can offer something different than Santa Cruz. They do and if you compare product lines there are not too many direct competitors. I rode the 1st generation Blur and loved it for years until I blew it up. I checked the Intense frame and they corrected a few of the early Blur’s problems as has Santa Cruz with the newer generation.
Intense has a few issues of their own and has continued to improve with each year’s offerings.
The LINKAGES were not good but have been upgraded on the newer models. I opted for a PUSH shock linkage but now Intense sells the frame with a PUSH knock off which connects the two side plates together. I actually cracked a Blur linkage but have never broken an Intense linkage.
The BEARINGS wear quickly and in my opinion prematurely. I know Intense does not make them but why not make something that works? Plan on replacing the two sets at the bottom bracket every six months to a year (or have intense do it every time you send the frame back). If the bike it not creaking or squeaking it is broken. You are not going to sneak up on anybody on a VPP.
The SUSPENSION BOLTS are not good. I have tried nearly everything to keep them in one piece and in their place. I have broken nearly one of each kind. I can not seem to keep them secure even using red lock-tite and the set screw.
The POWDER COAT is poor. I have had two frames (one 5.5 and one Spider) re-coated after the paint fell off. I would love to have an anodized frame but Intense says it costs them too much? I would pay more to avoid having to deal with a coating. The STICKERS were not great but that whole issue could be done away with by anodizing and etching like Ellsworth.
The REAR TRIANGLE on the 04 model was a bit light. The 07 rear has changed a bit but did not address the issue I encountered on both my 5.5 and Spider on two consecutive rides. The Spider has never even been jumped off a curb. The chain stay on the drive side sheared in the center of the weld and the best I can tell it happened over repeated use and not a single hit. The warranty replacement ‘07 has a larger chain stay tube but not the huge CNCd drop out like the 6.6. I could go for the few extra grams to avoid replacing that part again.
The FRONT TRIANGLE cracked in front and back of the bottom bracket. It was not a catastrophic failure but contributed to the pain of owning a $2000+ frame that can not hold up to a few jumps. It was replaced under warranty and has not failed in two years.
INTENSE CUSTOMER SERVICE – Brandon
He can probably tell you some stories about me but ever since they got rid of some joker a few years back have been extremely professional. Their frames are in high demand and they have helped me get back on the trail and taken extra good care of me for all three times the frame has gone back to be repainted or replaced. I feel taken care of when I talk to Brandon and two new frames and one paint job in three years may be out of the norm but that is the cost of performance. There are no B.S. limitations on their warranty like most of their competition.
The build out weighs in at less than 30 pounds and stays firmly planted on the ground with 5.5 inches of travel in the back and 5 inches up front. I seldom sense the bottom of the travel even though I am getting all of it on the trail. Although it sounds like there are major issues above, they are not terrible. The frame is fairly stiff and resists most lateral forces. I recommend this frame to anyone who is not afraid of turning a wrench. This is a high performance machine which requires a little bit of tweaking to keep up and when she runs, she runs great.
Time to rest before the next ride, hope to see you on the Trail.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
boy wonder
a
from Orange County
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Porcupine Rim, Holy Jim | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | I have a 2005 5.5 (older swingarm/2 pc upper link)that I purchased used. This out climbs and out decends my uzzi's; out of the saddle climbing is like nite and day. Feels taller and shorter than the Uzzi. Feels slightly more like you are sitting "in" it than "on" it. My Uzzi's feel like I'm riding an aluminum baseball bat compared to the 5.5, the 5.5 is very plush. Standover height is substantially higher on the 5.5 than the Uzzi (all of my bikes are large size). To clarify some tire clearance concerns, I am running 2.4 motoraptors on the 5.5 with no problems. It's a little tight, but it fits. We don't have much mud in So Cal (and when we do, I'm more concerned about my house sliding down the hill than my rear tire clearance) The VPP really hooks up when out of the saddle, and doesn't bob. The 5.5 doesn't seem quite as stout as the uzzi (I weigh about 190)but a 1 piece upper link (PUSH monoblock or post april 2006 stock upper link) would probably improve this. I am running a 2005 Float RLC 130mm fork, and this thing carves. | | Weaknesses: | Bottom bracket and crank selection can be a little tricky, since the granny ring bolts can rub on the lower link pivots with shorter BB spindles. Get a BB with the widest spindle width if possible, although other setups will also work (YMMV. The 5.5 does not have the adjustability of the uzzi (head angle, ride height, etc) A slightly lower standover height would be nice. | | Similar Products Used: | 2 uzzi SL's (still have them, one going on 10 yrs!), tracer | | Bike Setup: | 8 speed XTR rapid rise, DT swiss 240's/velocity rims, fox float 130 RLC, Thomson stem and post | | Bottom Line: | Best bike I have owned. Climbs, descends, doesn't bob, really hooks up for out of the saddle climbing. I am running motoraptor 2.4's F and R no problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luis A. Diaz
a Cross Country Rider
from Miami, FL
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$4500.00 | | Purchased At: | RBikes.com | | Strengths: | Excellent rideability, beautiful performance and design | | Weaknesses: | Name stickers tendo to come off too easy. On such a high end product, the name should be stenciled | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bike Setup: | Chris King hubs and headset, Mavic 819 rims, Kenda Nevegal tubeless tires, Thompson post and stem, Juicy 7 brakes, XTR derrailers, Monkey Lite handle bar, Fox Tallas fork, Fox RP23 rear shock, Specialized Rival saddle, Crank Bros. stainless steel pedals | | Bottom Line: | I am very satisfied with the performance of this bike. It climbs extremely well and descends just as good. I recommend this type of bike for all mountain ridding, it is very comfortable and the VPP works rather well. I have been ridding for a number of years and gone through a number of bikes, and as far as I am concerned, this is the bike to keep. It is fast, sturdy and strong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Skarhed
a Weekend Warrior
from Manila, Philippines
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | A lot! :) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Cycle Options Trading | | Strengths: | Top notch manufacturing! This is my first Intense frame so I spent an arm, a leg plus my left nut for this! (I'm working as a wrench at a local bike shop in a third world country, so do the math about the excahnge rate! hee hee) Jeff does a real good job making frames so attention to detail is a major strength here. Frame alignment, welding, bearings and VPP suspension technology!!! | | Weaknesses: | The proverbial chink in the armor is the shafting that holds lover VPP link tends to come loose so pre and post ride rituals should be checking for looseness, but Intense quickly resolved this issue with the 6.6, by adding C-clips to the ends of the shafts to prevent them from pulling loose. Another is not being able to use bottom swing front deraillers (it's not so much a weakness but more of nitpicking) as the seat tube flares out a bit and the rear triangle will hit the derailler mount. Lastly is that if you want to mount a chainguide or shiftguide like the Truvative ShiftGuide, a little modification on the shiftguide is needed. (again I'm nitpicking...) | | Similar Products Used: | Well, not exactly similar products but other products to compare with... admittedly I'm a bike freak as I got a small stable of bikes: Transition DirtBag, EMR (EchoMikeRacing) XC fullsus frame, Da Bomb XLR8R, Schwinn Moab hardtail, Santa Cruz Bullit. | | Bike Setup: | I set up the 5.5 "slope-style" meaning, short travel freeride! :) 03 Z1 DropOff (best line of Zokes for me!) Holzfeller Dual Chainring and vintage 8 (yes, eight speed!!!) XTR and XT drivetrain. Why Shimano discountinued this I'll never know?!? 24 / 26 wheelsets and my favorite Planet X Goliath hubs! Oh and a Manitou 6-Way rear with a 550 spring rate! (springers for me only!) | | Bottom Line: | It's a damn good frame! Expensive... but well worth the moolah! If you want something that doesn't fall into the big hit / hucker category but still wanna go 10 rounds in the ring with a hairy trail... I'd recommend this frame! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aardonhope
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Solid build | | Weaknesses: | Mud room, harsher ride than the Blur LT in the first part of the shock | | Similar Products Used: | Blur LT, GTI-drive 5-1.0 | | Bottom Line: | Stiff, powerful off the mark.The fastest thing i have ridden ever like a hardtail off the blocks. Its like a wild horse let loose, aggressive, hard and hooliganistic.I was dreading a demo locally on my trail as the bike weighed 32 lbs with pedals and i'm not a heavy guy...But wow what power from the back end.Climbs like nothing else, seriously.Very nice finish. I had the raw works out , very industrial looking in all its natural glory.
Could do with some more mud room at the back..lots of little places for mud to collect on the rear mech area.I can't believe that no one has commented on the shock ramp..
Quite harsh on smaller bumps even with about 30% sag and no propedal on, the ramp on the shock is stiffer on start up but settles down nicely on downhill rougher stuff. Could maybe do with a large volume air sleeve like the Blur LT or DHX5. Maybe Santa Cruz found this ramp problem on the Blur which is exactly the same set up at the back on the intense.Maybe it was cos i had the first ride on a new bike.
Intense rep has been spot on very communicative..Great bike and i would have put money down on it but for the sacrifice of comfort on smaller bumpy stuff.....If anyone has found the ride gets smoother let me know.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Capone
a Cross Country Rider
from Macc - UK
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | ladybower - (clockwise) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | NWBMC | | Strengths: | Weight, Toughness, VVP tech, Looks ;) | | Weaknesses: | Cost.. err...cost ! good job I got the x demo
oh and the chain comes off (probably fixable !) | | Similar Products Used: | Yeti 575, Orange 5, Spesh stumpjumper, cove hustler, Marin attack trail, Whyte 46, Trek fuel EX9, Marin Mount vision, Commencial 5.5 | | Bike Setup: | juicy 7's (185f, 160r)and X9 shifters mounted to a raceface bar and truative stem,on a FSA headset, on a works finish 5.5 fitted with a manitou 4 way and RS PIKE duel air sus. powered by XT hollowtech crank (2 rings and bashguard) sram chain shifting XT cassette. XT rear mech and deore front. Mavic hoops running on hope hubs. Just waiting on my maverick speedball r for pure luxury of not stopping!! | | Bottom Line: | LOVE THIS BIKE.
after months of testing (see above)i was undecided on the cove ,yeti or whyte. all are good bikes and would grace any trail, but this just felt right for me. you cant put a price on feel.
the orange is really highly rated, but I had a stinker of a ride on it so not for me.
This bike does man made trails like it has wings and took me down Jacobs ladder with the biggest grin possible. It is fast, and the weight means it gets to the top as quick as you can take it. Never runs out of grip (i just run out of balance)the technical ups and downs pose no problems for it. the PIKE is a match made in heaven - Just point the shortest route and GO GO GO - make your own route!.
Looking forward to a summer of fun.
I have emailed intense twice and got a response within 1 working day, seem ok..
no regrets so far! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William Yelvington
a Cross Country Rider
from Espanola, New Mexico, USA
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | South Boundry/North boundry circle | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | friends bike shop when it was 3 month old | | Strengths: | My first ride out this bike paid for itself by saving my ass where my old four inch travel Rocky Mtn would have sent me to the hospital (I kinda know as I've broken bones more than once on a bike)This bike does it all. just like it says..... as long as you don't huck too big.climbs great goes downhill better. a true adventure riders bike (just locktite the pivots and replace bearings according to how much you abuse them)I've been riding Mtn bikes since my 81 Stumpy and these things just keep getting better and better(unfortunately the price has gone up exponentially also) | | Weaknesses: | Pivots (blue loctite all threads) and bearings need attention once in a while but this is not a weakness just a fact of life with a more complicateed bike. you gotta pay for your plush with more than money it takes tinker time also. Also older bikes had clearance problems with the rear tire. get the one piece suspension linkage if you have a pre 07 it really stiffens up the rear triangle. | | Similar Products Used: | never had a long travel bike before but I've been lucky to have had 81 stumpjumper 86 Fat chance 90 Klein (with a 1' Manitou fork) 92 amp B-1 94 amp B-3 and a 97 Rocky Mtn Instinct all great bikes in their own right and time.
What I'm saying here is the 5.5 is just as much a part of history al all of these bikes (It just kicks my butt to have a bike that wieghs less than my stump jumper with so much damn good technology and such little weight). | | Bike Setup: | Adventure rider dependable: Pushed fox vinilla fork Pushed fox ava float rl rear shock, xtr hubs 717 rims 3x double butted brass nipples, xtr rapid fire shifters(not the fancy new ones though) xtr rear and front derailleurs, avid bb-7 mechanical brakes with xtr v-brake levers and avid full metel jacket housing and cables.FSA k force BB and crank( last gen xtr wore out way too fast for the cost) monkey light bar, race face stem and seatpost, terry ti saddle sram chain. | | Bottom Line: | Less painfull going up, less painfull coming down. less time and/or medication needed for recovery. forgiving suspension lets me be long ride stupid after a 50-70 mile high altitude beater and not pay the price by bleeding (either from crashes or over use of non steroidal anti inflamitory pills) .
Expensive......but worth it. (I haven't had to deal with Intense yet though(as I am meticulus about checking over and cleaning my bike {hey my life could literally depend on it} and some of the reviews above seem to have a trend going... too bad such a good company dosent put their mouth where our money goes.) I am only giving it 4 chilis at value because because most of the riders above paid way more than I did and Specialized and others still have better value bikes for those of you who don't like to pay more for your bike than your car. I don't mind I really like to ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Wixon
a Weekend Warrior
from Needham
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Dangerous ones | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1550.00 | | Purchased At: | Internation Bicycle Centers | | Strengths: | Can take the abuse I dish out every day I ride, Gloss Black powdercoat finish is gorgeous, Major bling bling, Rides on a marshmallow cloud, Mechanical advantage of VPP increases the amount of power going to the rear wheels. | | Weaknesses: | Rather difficult to adjust the Fox RP23 to my liking with the VPP, but once dialed in, it works as one with the frame! | | Similar Products Used: | 6.6 VPP, Uzzi, K2 Attack 3.0, Trek Liquid 10, Trek Fuel 80 | | Bottom Line: | Don't bother with any other Duallie. Takes abuse from XC - To freeride easily. It will NOT break ever from what I have experienced!
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Submitted by
stephane
a Cross Country Rider
from sunnyvale, ca
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | too many to list | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Bike Connection (Palo Alto, ca) | | Strengths: | Incredible bike. The VPP suspension works as good as the spider. The added travel makes a true difference going downhill. If you are a cross country rider and are looking to own only one bike, don't look further , this is your bike. I am totally sold | | Weaknesses: | None noted | | Similar Products Used: | This is my third Intense. Last bike was the spider | | Bike Setup: | SRAM XO, XTR Crankset, FOX Talas 100 mm to 140 mm, MAVIC rims with Chris King hubs. Bike was built by Bike Connection in Palo Alto. Great service | | Bottom Line: | Another winner from Intense. The VPP technology is the best I have ever tried going uphill. The Combination of the rear FOX and the Talas in the front makes it a flying machine going downhill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RayRay
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | UCSC North Campus | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1450.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyco SF | | Strengths: | Provides all the advantages of a longer travel chassis but still manages to show very well for those XC riders not yet ready to give up the ghost.
Build quality on this frame will make you moist. The welds are burly and perfect.
Subtle beauty in things like re-profiled journals and shaped fixing bolts. Where 'handmade detail' shows through. | | Weaknesses: | Cockpit is critical with this bike if you want to fully realize XC efficiency. 70 degree head angle begs for a traditional trailbike handlebar for both comfort and predictability.
Have to learn how to carry a couple extra pounds around, but you get used to it.
Pretty spendy. | | Similar Products Used: | Chumba Evo, Ventana El Salt, Santa Cruz Blue LT, Titus MotoLite | | Bike Setup: | Fox Float 32/RP23, XT throughout, Hugi 240's, Hayes HFX Carbon Disc, Kenda Blue Groove 2.3 (Front), Specialized Resolution Pro D2 2Bliss(Rear) | | Bottom Line: | Superior in every way. The bike allows you to go out and competently ride the full terrain spectrum.
W/ 6 inches of travel up front, I found that I hand height was something I had to tinker with to properly weight the front on steep climbs.
The EVP/VPP design really throws down some amazing traction on highly efficient pedaling platform. Hang on, it might provide some initial surprises on those steeps and switchbacks.
A reasonably skilled rider will have no problem boosting sizeable drops and hucks on this ride, but dont mistake it for some monster black diamond rig. Particularly on those really steep technical descents.
Bottom line: This is a perfect bike for XC riders who find that their riding preferences are migrating toward more aggressive terrain and a little air under the tires.
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