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Submitted by
G Man
a Downhiller
from Portland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anything steep! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | e-bay | | 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 | | Similar Products Used: | Uzzi, V-10, Foes Fly | | 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. | | 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! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam High
a Downhiller
from Anacortes, WA
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anacortes Community Forest Lands | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | Demo only | | 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 | | 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 | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
greg
a Downhiller
from phila pa
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | great race frame, pedals really well, super tunable | | Weaknesses: | low bb | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR Team DH | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Shiver, Profile cranks,MRP , Hope DH brakes & Big Un hubs w/Mavic 321 | | 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 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
craig bromley
a Downhiller
from UK
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mountain Ash | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Wrench Science | | Strengths: | Reputation, performance, adjustability.................. | | Weaknesses: | Are you kidding? | | Similar Products Used: | UZZI SLX, UZZI DH | | Bike Setup: | Dorado, MRP, Easton, Thompson, SDG | | Bottom Line: | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
allcapsguy
a Racer
from Nor Cal
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Gimp, Nelson, B.C. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | mtbr.com | | Strengths: | Bike is awesome coupled with Progressive Suspension rear shock. Pedals like a hardtail! Lots of adjustability. Race support. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | 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 | | Bottom Line: | Best DH bike I have ever ridden. Way better than the 2001 version. If you can't go fast on this bike, it is you, not the bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Downhiller
from downieville ca
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | pinenuts | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | downieville outfitters | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized downhill, turner | | Bike Setup: | superstar, hayes, azonic, sun rims, siesmic, scram | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Infidel
a Racer
from USA
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Used (this is a 2000 model M1) | | 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. | | 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. | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Searchmont resort, which is bankrupt by the way | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | EVERY THING GET IT, JUST EVERYTHING!!!! | | Weaknesses: | It dosn't have a motor option cuz its better than any motorbike i ever rode. | | 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!! | | 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!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jan De Vliegher
a Downhiller
from Gent
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | make fun wherever you are | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | 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 | | 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..... | | 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) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Downhiller
from England
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | To many to list | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | Super plush travel, ajustability and dam good looks.Works very well. | | Weaknesses: | Price, but its worth it if you want a top DH frame. Bit expencive for novices. | | Similar Products Used: | Super-8, Marin team DH | | Bike Setup: | Boxxers, Hope bulbs 321, hope 4 pots, x-lite bars,etc | | Bottom Line: | Best frame ive ridden for ages. If you can get your hands on one do so as you wont regret it. Just what you need for to flight DH. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A RIDER
a Downhiller
from T.C. Michigan
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Searchmont DH | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
strong, plush, active suspension, very adjustable. | | Weaknesses: |
When I think of something I'll let you know. | | Similar Products Used: |
Cannondale SVA 4000 | | Bike Setup: |
WB UD 180 fork. | | Bottom Line: | It's in the catagory of the very best. Since mtb ing is such a matured sport right now there are alot of bikes that could be called equall. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eigil Bisgaard
a Downhiller
from Alpine,CA
Date Reviewed: December 4, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Noble Canyon | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
LONG,LONG,LONG travel. It's very plush. | | Weaknesses: |
High price. | | Similar Products Used: |
AEON Joker
Rotec Pro DownHill
Karpiel Disco Volante | | Bike Setup: |
Stratos Superstar 6.0
Hayes hydraulic | | Bottom Line: | One of the best DH rigs on the market. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barrry
a Downhiller
from NJ
Date Reviewed: July 8, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Anything in plattekill | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
its an M1 by intense...plush as hell.....good quality and quantity travel... | | Weaknesses: |
it still cant get me to win races.... | | Similar Products Used: |
Storm H2....Karpiel Disco Volante....Stab Dee Lux | | Bike Setup: |
Marzocchi Super-T....Race Face cranks, bottom bracket and seat post.... azonic bar and stem....hope...dee max...Shimano xtr | | 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... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed. Scrivener
a Downhiller
from Wales
Date Reviewed: May 10, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Llangwyfan downhill track | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: |
GT Lobo, Scott FX DH, Super V 4000 DH, Marin B17 | | Bike Setup: |
Fox Vanilla RX shock (standard shock), Risse Champ 6' travel forks, hope hydraulics, middleburn cranks, X-Lite, Flite, Mavic D321 | | 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. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mart sak
a Downhiller
from holland
Date Reviewed: April 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
soft suspension | | Weaknesses: |
they don`t accept formula brakes | | Similar Products Used: |
super v,sun radical,hot chili warp 210. | | Bike Setup: |
xtr,hanebrink,formula,
mrp,king. | | Bottom Line: | 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. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Miguel Fonseca
a Downhiller
from Lisbon, Portugal
Date Reviewed: March 30, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Rigidity, Functioning, adjustability , well... everything!!! | | Weaknesses: |
tends to be a little slow on closed turns but you can adapt to her style.. | | Similar Products Used: |
Giant ATX DH, Foes Slammer | | Bike Setup: |
Manitou BIG SHAFT (rear), Rock Shox Boxxer Front | | Bottom Line: | For me it's the best bike for DH use ever !!! ride it and decide !!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
degear
a downhiller
from ny
Date Reviewed: December 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Why is Rotec listed in the bike and frame reviews and Intense is not? The frame is only the frame of choice for both the womens and mens usa downhill champs. They are a small company but their product is the best. The Rotec bobs when you petal and is difficult to handle in switch backs. Whats up MTB? Provide a site for Intense for 99. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Peterson
a downhiller
from SLC Utah
Date Reviewed: November 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
What is wrong with all you people? This bike is not what everyone thinks it is. Obviously many of you don't understand the basic problems with its design. And before I go into them, I will credit Jeff Steber. It's not that this bike is bad. It can't be-Johnny T, Cheri Elliot, Derin Stockton, Cully, Team mongoose, nearly everyone rides or has ridden one of these things. And they can haul and look great. But they can't pedal. The reason that pros can destroy on these things is because they're a lot faster than probably everyone on this site, myself included. The soft setup of the suspension and the pivot location make this bike a beast when you're going less than 20 mph. And, like Mountain Bike Action said when they tested their M-1, my rear end was off line with the main frame almost a whole inch! That could lose races, since DH can be decided in thousandths of seconds.
May I make a suggestion for a different steed: either Foes new mount, the Slammer, which is design-inherently good (I should say that I have an engineering background), or the Karpiel Disco Volante. The disco is my personal recommendation. What a bike! It has eight inches of velvety smooth travel, and the design allows us mortal racers to pedal without the bike bouncing like a trampoline! It's super stiff and Hayes compatible (which everyone knows are the best DH brakes on the market when you're concerned with pedaling, otherwise look no further than Magura Gustavs), has a rear end that will fit a Nokain Gazzaloddi (or leave room for mud with Tioga 2.3s or IRC 2.35s), and costs about $500 less than that damn M-1.
Well, no one really cares what I think and I'm probably wrong (if all you ride is more than 30 dgrees). But that's my piece and I'll stick with it. | | Overall Rating: |
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