Submitted by
Federico Traube
a Downhiller
from Costa Rica
Date Reviewed: 3/24/2008 5:51:44 PM
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| FavoriteTrail: |
Providencia |
| Duration Product Used: |
6 months |
| Price Paid: |
$2500 |
| Purchased At: |
Ciclon Bike Shop Costa Rica |
| Strengths: |
It's ultra light, very little brake interferance with the suspension. Accelerates immediately after you release the brakes, precise cornering. You can choose between Manitou and Fox shoks, also the rear hub spacing.
They offer the raw aluminum finish: no paint and scratches to worry about! |
| Weaknesses: |
The smallest bearings in the lower VP Link wear in about 6 months of heavy use, but it's reasonable. For being such a complex bike it still requires little manteniance.
BB is a bit low, use short rods and then it's fine.
Everyone want's to try it and know how much it weights. |
| Similar Products Tried: |
Cannondale Gemini. |
| Bike Setup: |
888 RC2 World Cup, Code Brakes 7' rotors, Hadley hubs, DHX5 with Ti spring. Works finish (no paint) 165mm crank rods. |
| Bottom Line: |
She can take some heavy use, will float over anything as long as you keep your speed up. will "climb" better than any other DH bike.
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Submitted by
MC2
a Downhiller
from Socomville,Texas USA
Date Reviewed: 11/30/2007 12:45:28 PM
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| FavoriteTrail: |
Whistler Bike Park |
| Duration Product Used: |
1 Year |
| Purchased At: |
Sun and Ski Sports Bike Shop |
| Strengths: |
The frame is top notch craftsmanship! Hadles very well, in almost any DH situation! It accelerates quickly out of the corners and rails corners just as well! You can almost say you gain speed coming out of the corners almost like being shot out of slingshot or being on a roller coaster! Excellent shock choices! Non Platform shocks work AWESOME on this bike as the VPP does not require a platform type shock like Pro-Pedal. With recommendation from the crew at Intense I went with the 2007 Manitou Swinger X6 SFS shock since I couldnt afford the REVOX. This shock uses the same internal technology as the REVOX but without the hefty cost. Steel shaft on X6 vs. Alum shaft on the REVOX. I was a bit hesitant of using the Manitou but after getting input from the guys racing on the World Cup circuit with them and not a single blow out I was convinced to try it. LOVE IT!! Rocked it at Whistler and not a single issue! The pedalling is awesome even uphill! It handles most Dh with no problem and it just begs to go faster if you let it go!! It likes to keep planted on the dirt but has no prob catching some air once you get used to the suspension! Other plus is many colors to choose from and great guys at Intense!! Made in the USA and Race proven. Very sweet frame! Very easy to adapt to within the first 30 min of riding! I never felt more comfortable on a Dh bike. Very nimble and plush! Overall I cant say enough good about it! Buy It if you can! You will love it! I know some people using this frame for Trail riding as well! Once you set it up its nothing but fun! |
| Weaknesses: |
Hydro brake lines or cable housing can wear the paint off in small areas very quick. Clear Duck Tape on the frame solves it. If you want to protect it. Other than that nothing weak about it!! :) |
| Similar Products Tried: |
04,05 Elsworth Dare, Turner DHR, Santa Cruz V-10,S.Cruz Bullit,RMX |
| Bike Setup: |
Med SOCOM, Intense Red, FOX DH40 / Factory Issue Manitou Travis 180 1.5 SC forks, Red Chris King 1.5 Devolution headset, SRAM XO Short Cage Rr Der, X9 Trigger,Candy Red Hadley hubs with DT 14g spokes/MTX rims, Saint cranks, E-13 DH Ring 36t,E-13 LG-1 White,Saint 203 Disc Brakes, Goodridge lines, Thomson 4X Dh 50mm Stem,Thomson post, Answer Pro Taper OS Bars, Tioga MX Pro Pedals, WTB Prowler MX and Dissent Tires,WTB RED DEVO Ti seat, Red / Blue Intense DH Lock Ons from ODI. Etc.. |
| Bottom Line: |
The SOCOM ROCKS OUT!!! Cant say enough about it! Dont let the FRO badge fool you!! I am not a small rider by any means at 5'11" 235lbs and he frame does very well!! This thing handles the small bumps along with the big stuff with ease! 2 year warranty. Don't 2nd Guess, just get it and ride it!! You will have smile from ear to ear! Friends have ridden my bike and now they want one! Hope this helps! |
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Submitted by
Mike barosko
a Racer
from Moreno Valley CA. US
Date Reviewed: 10/21/2007 10:08:08 PM
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| FavoriteTrail: |
all of em |
| Duration Product Used: |
6 months |
| Purchased At: |
JensonUSA |
| Strengths: |
The Frame is built with care and precision and it is also built here in the US. Suspension is awesome, and the frame and Fox DHX 5.0 only weight in at 10.38lbs oh also with head set |
| Weaknesses: |
Only problem I had was with the rear spring being just a bit to much for me, but a quick call to the guys at Fox fixed that. oh and it doesn't come with a rear axle but I just called Intense and Chad got one out to me next day |
| Bike Setup: |
Gloss black frame Fox DHX5.0, Marzocchi 888RC2X, single track wheel set, XTR drive train, Funn saddle, Kenda nevegals, Hayes nines, MRP mini me. |
| Bottom Line: |
The bike is awesome and the crew over at Intense are doing a great job, I can't wait until racing season starts. |
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Submitted by
Paul
from England
Date Reviewed: 5/25/2007 3:25:26 AM
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| Duration Product Used: |
Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: |
$1100 |
| Strengths: |
Light. Vpp suspension tracks the ground and handles very well. Made with care and attention. Looks the bomb. Comes from a company that's dedicated to bikes and hasn't sold out by outsourcing its production to asia for the almighty dollar. |
| Weaknesses: |
EXPENSIVE. But you get what you pay for. People question the strength constantly quoting the 'F.R.O' tag, but it's not a huck bike so don't huck it and it won't snap. Low B.B (no biggie). Bearings that need changing more frequently than other frames. |
| Bike Setup: |
Bontrager wheels, 66rc2x forks, dhx5 coil (would like a revox), saint cranks, sram transmission, e13 srs. Weighs about 40 - 42 pounds with heavy tires/tubes. Not too light, not too heavy. |
| Bottom Line: |
Coming from a heavy single pivot this bike felt like jumping on a ducati after being stuck on a harley. The heavy sag and low centre of gravity means this thing sticks to the ground and it feels very stable because of that. When it comes to cornering it's not so much how far the bike CAN be pushed but rather how far you're WILLING to push the bike. I thought that becasue of the sag it would feel a bit unresponsive on jumps, it doesnt. I took it round my local 4x track to get a feel of it in the air and it sailed the doubles and tables with ease. I wanted a bike that was light enough to pedal, yet with the goods to go fast through the rough stuff. I dont do 30 foot drops and wont be trying huge nose-dumped 360s on massive doubles so I dont see why the F.R.O tag should matter. This is for someone who likes to go FAST - plain and simple. I guess the only problem with that is you better get your skills dialed or all that speed could put you in hospital. |
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Submitted by
Stuart McLaren
a Downhiller
from Forfar, Angus, Scotland
Date Reviewed: 5/1/2007 8:28:17 PM
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| FavoriteTrail: |
Fort William Dh track |
| Duration Product Used: |
Less than 1 month |
| Strengths: |
It is designed as a race bike, and from riding it this comes through. Straight line the bike is easy to pump and lift / jump, even at speed. Cornering I find it really easy to get drifting and on the edge of the tyre, which is fun. Jumping the bike is balanced and predictable, which may reflect my suspension more but the weight is balanced.
Even though its 'for race only' I over shot a road gap and dropped roughly 40 feet on to a shallow transition, the bike took it and held its line through full compression. I still bailed after landing because a tree got in my way, but I landed it.
If you want to change your rear wheel to 100mm OD hub you can by changing to drop out. |
| Weaknesses: |
Rear drop-out costs a fortune to replace, UK £105, which is an absolute joke, oh, and thats one side only!!
Paint is a bit soft and easy scratched.
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| Similar Products Tried: |
Iron Horse Sunday, but not worth the money. Nothing else compares to this bad boy |
| Bike Setup: |
Boxxer air up front, Fox DHx5.0 with Ti spring 450 lbs, EThirteen on saints with 38 ring, SRAM 9 rear and block, Hadley hubs on Mavic rims. |
| Bottom Line: |
Very fast, should come with a warning sticker. |
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Submitted by
Brian
a Downhiller
from Tucson
Date Reviewed: 4/23/2007 10:31:54 PM
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| FavoriteTrail: |
Fast, flowy, tech., lots of air |
| Duration Product Used: |
3 months |
| Strengths: |
Low BB, short chainstays, quick and nimble, excellent angles for what I like, takes square hits nicely, very fast and corners great. I have fallen for the VP Free. |
| Weaknesses: |
I wasn't used to the VP Free and how it felt but after 28 minutes I was in love. |
| Similar Products Tried: |
Demo 8 '06, Demo 9 '04 |
| Bike Setup: |
Mavic 721, Atom Lab hubs, Holzfellar cranks and BB, Fox DHX 5.0, '07Marzocchi RC2X, X9, Juicy 7, SDG |
| Bottom Line: |
Buh-by FSR, Hello VP Free. Sooooooo fast. If you want fast and flowy this is the bike. |
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Submitted by
Linc
a Downhiller
from Newcastle Australia
Date Reviewed: 2/28/2007 1:03:08 PM
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| FavoriteTrail: |
r.i.p. Amazon |
| Duration Product Used: |
3 months |
| Price Paid: |
$3000 |
| Purchased At: |
Gateshead cycles |
| Strengths: |
Light, low, fast, nimble,looks insane. Bought this to race and it has taken seconds off my best times at the local club trails. The low BB, light weight and short rear end make this bike fly through tight singletrack and easy to move around in the air, but high speed stability is still rock solid. |
| Weaknesses: |
Price..? Cheaper than an M3, V10, Turner etc but not great value compared to a Glory or Sunday.
Unless you are a lightweight the standard 400lb spring on the Fox DHX5 is too soft. |
| Similar Products Tried: |
SC vpfree, SC Bullit |
| Bike Setup: |
Boxxer World Cups, 450 lb spring on Fox dhx5, x9, dt swiss and lots of other stuff |
| Bottom Line: |
It took no time to adjust to this bike as the suspension feel is so similar to my vp free ( they look pretty similar too...). The rear end is plush but it lets you know exactly what the rear tyre is doing, and the 8 inches feels like enough travel.
The bike came with a 2 yr factory warranty so i have faith that it hasn't sacrificed strength for weight.
Buy this bike if you love downhill and don't mind everyone asking for a ride. It is FAAAAST.
Don't buy it if you love to huck and ride Northshore because the lower BB and 'For Race Only' tag may bring you unstuck(buy a VP free instead) |
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