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Average Rating
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5/5
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# of Reviews
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8
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MSRP
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$
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Weight
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More Products from Intense
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Description:Beefy swingarm and pivot points
Fox Vanilla RC coil over rear shock
Front derailleur compatible
6 inches of rear travel
12mm solid or 9mm standard axle
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Submitted by
Drew
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, N.C. U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bennett Gap | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Carolina Fatz | | Strengths: | N-D-Structible! Good overall climb/Descend in one. Chick Magnet. | | Weaknesses: | High BB(>16 in.) Only one useful suspension setting. | | Similar Products Used: | There is nothing like it. | | Bike Setup: | Bomber 66 RC2X,Fox Vanilla RC,Avid Mechs 203mm, Single Track Rims, MRP ring&guide 24-38 two ring. | | Bottom Line: | At first I didnt like how high this bike is. The BB sits at 16.25"! I tried using the lower suspension setting but soon realized the tire made contact with the frame on big hits at this setting(use the middle setting). As for the Good news this frame really is bomb proof! Whith the right rebound setting this thing makes you confident at 32MPH (GPS reading)on rocky single track and Ive never felt like it was bottoming out- even after casing 15 foot gaps and slamming the back tire into obstacles (the rims work great too).If you have experienced trouble with chain slap let me recommend an MRP chain guide, lizard skin and short cage deraileur (remove chain links if necessary). Use zip tie and piece of innertube to fix deraileur slap. As for the climbing abilities, I would like to try a telescoping seat post as there is not much room for your seat post to drop, but the thing eats fire roads as well as it eats rock and logs. Stand up and crank and the bob is considerably less than on other FS bikes with less travel (with Fox Vanilla RC). Total wt 37 lbs. Its a smooth and quiet ride in the roughest of conditions and the highest of speeds! If you want the ability to pedal anywhere and bomb anything - GET THIS BIKE!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a
from Long Island, NY
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Stillwell | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambriabike.com | | Strengths: | Very Strong! Have yet to crack it! I abuse the hell out of it!I own an 03' Uzzi SLX Best bike ever! | | Weaknesses: | I don't see any weakness! I put it through hell, and went back for more! | | Bike Setup: | 200mm triple 888r fork Saint cranks, Sun ringle SUV rims, Intense Hadley Hubs, Hayes HFX 9 HD brakes.5th Element rear Suspension | | Bottom Line: | I owned lighter bikes but this one seems to be just right! I can jump higher on this bike than I could on a bike that was lighter! No fear of High drop off's 8ft to 13ft. Never exceeded the 13 ft. drop offs yet. Bike is well built,welds are a work of art.Fully adjustable seat and rear linkage. I also used it to climb steep hills without any problems. I don't see the weight being a factor with this bike to climb hills. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vin Quenneville
a
from Killington, Vt
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lyne Woods, Ma | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Intense Quality, Adjustable Geometry, All and all an amazing go anywhere, do anything bike!!! | | Weaknesses: | Rear pivot design, (Ton's of Derailluer Slap!), Rear flex under hard cornering | | Similar Products Used: | Intense Tracer, Vent La Bruja | | Bike Setup: | '02 SLX w/ 5th Element, Z1, Dee Max's, XTR/Race Face, King, Blah, Blah, Blah | | Bottom Line: | To start with I'd like to comment on the previous review and was wondering what his thoughts were after riding it for another month. I, as most people with the 5th Element had to take alot of time dialing in the suspension. Once it's dialed in however, the bike climbs better than my Tracer did, (excluding the fact it's 10 lbs heavier!) I can't beleive any bike, including a Huffy from Walmart would climb like crap with a 5th Element on it!!!
I'd have to say this is the most amazing bike I've ever ridden!!!! I still ride with my XC buddies, (and still hang with'em)! The confidence it gives you to blast thru rock gardens and do BIG drops will amaze you!! The rear end just soaks everything up!!! I've been dropping off things I thought I'd never do! My only complaints, as mentioned are the way the Derailleur slaps against the rear pivot. It just seams that they could have done a better job with this! The other complaint is the noticable flex while DH'ing when cornering at high speeds. My friend has an '01 with the one piece link, which makes his much stiffer.
Ya, this bike costs a ton.... but if you want the best, you have to pay for it!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Byron
a Downhiller
from Whistler, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | any DH | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | from a buddy | | Strengths: | conquers cliffs, bumps, rumps, and mountains in a single bound, great craftmanship, 8" of obstacle-eating travel (with 5th element), eye-appealing, | | Weaknesses: | WILL cost u an arm, an leg, and perhaps a kidney, can't climb worth sh*t, so if u see a bear chasing u up a hill, get off and run! | | Similar Products Used: | intense M1, santa cruz v10, giant team DH, Kona stab primo, perhistoric norco vps 1, specialized bighit expert, norco shore, rocky mountain RM9, ellsworth dare DH (almost as good) | | Bike Setup: | 2003 uzzi slx -- 5th element piggyback shock, hayes HFX 8" hydros, durado DH, odi lock-on, titec berserker saddle, chris king ISODisc, Nothreadset, Mavic DeeMax, maxxis "something-can't remember" 2.7 | | Bottom Line: | Don't expect to get anywhere climbing on this bad boy... you won't get anywhere (applies only to 5th element, vanilla RC is a different story). Buy it if you're addicted to DH and nothing else this is your final and finishing weapon.
Be prepared to shell out a LOT of coin, but you won't be disappointed. although the M1 is abotu twice as popular, dont count this one out, it's an engineering/architectural masterpiece... every weld is probably just as good as Seven, and fram quality is only rivaled by equally impressive companies such as Ellsworth, Foes, and perhaps Turner. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Big Daddy
a Racer
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Snoq | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Adjustability, workmanship, customer service | | Weaknesses: | '01 doesn't have replaceable dropout | | Similar Products Used: | M1, Bullit, RM7 | | Bike Setup: | Super-T, Hayes 8", upgraded to 5th ele, all the goodies | | Bottom Line: | the bottom line is this bike is the shiznnit. it has allowed my riding skill to increase. i have so much confidence in my equipment that the only limit is my ability. i raced beginner DH for fun, but mostly stick to freeride trails. however, the best part of this bike and shock is that i can still go climb the fireroad and bomb the DH at Tiger. i might not be the fastest up the trail, but i'm definatly having the most fun coming down. if you want a bike that will holdup and a company that stands behind their product, invest in Intense. the purchase price is high, but you are paying upfront for quality assurance down the road. its worth it.
i have tried different setups on this bike (a Z1 and 3 rings to a SuperT and MRP) and found what works best for me is a NorthShore bash guard with 2 rings (34 & 22) a super-t dialed in fairly light. this way you have the low end torque to climp up those steep loose sections, and the mid range gears you use to w-drop off obstacles. the bash guard for protection and slidability over large logs. if you wanna huck and go fast, get this bike. if you want long CC rides with little risk in your riding, you might like something lighter. just get fit enough to pedal it up, and you'll be very happy. after all, who couldn't be more fit? you have the option to really throw down on this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a
from Pennsylvania
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Super-secret stuff I can't tell you about. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Abington Wheelwright Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Strength, attention to detail, adjustability, 5th Element shock makes this bike an efficient pedaller. | | Weaknesses: | Bottom bracket height | | Similar Products Used: | Multiple downhill bikes, Titus Quasi-moto, Specialized Enduro, Rocky Mountain RM-7 | | Bike Setup: | 70mm Race Face stem, Hayes, DH wheels, MRP Long-Range Patrol, Fox Vanilla | | Bottom Line: | First, this is not a bike for every rider! To get your money's worth out of this frame, you need to be ready to push your limits. A bike mag said it best: this is a downhiller's dream XC bike. I am a former DH racer, and this bike works perfectly for me. The 6" travel rear with the 5th Element shock actually works better than the last downhill bike I had, the 2000 Specialized Team DH. The 5th Element shock also filters out low-frequency input, so when you pedal, even standing, the shock moves very little. It's really amazing. The frame is stiff & very durable. The suspension is buttery smooth! Pair the 5th Element rear with a Fox Vanilla up front, and you are in for a treat. The fork matches the rear suspension very well. The frame is very adjustable, with a movable seat tower, adjustable wheel base, and three shock positions to change the BB height and head tube angle. That's actually my only real complaint. The BB is a little high: the lowest setting is 12.5", which is where I've been running it. Any of the other positions seem to tall to me. The 5th Element is harder to jump & bunny-hop, but your timing will adjust. If you have a long-travel bike, you owe it to yourself to try that shock!
I only give it 3 chilies because of the price: It's damn expensive. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wan
a Weekend Warrior
from HongKong
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | HK | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Shun Lee | | Strengths: | Frame came with 5th elements is the perfect match of FREE-RIDE. | | Weaknesses: | Price, $2100 for the frame w/5th element (Ti). | | Similar Products Used: | Uzzi SL, Uzzi DH, Tracer. | | Bike Setup: | Fox Vanilla 125RL, XT Kit, XT Disc, Mavic F219 w/Hope Hub | | Bottom Line: | Many rider use "The bike" to mention Intense Tracer. For my own , I side SLX is "The Bike"+"Big Hit"+"DownHill".
You can go down everywhere but climb against the "bobs". Very strong frame. very push when down going, with a single crown fork, It is the only Bike the I can ride anytime, anywhere and any conditions.(It made me FREE)
Everyone should go for it, It worth every dollars you paid.
Besides, buy it w/5th elements and Ti spring. It is wonderful, but you may take 5-10 rides to learn how to set it up. and remember the gas charge must check every ride. For different setting you got total different bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt thomas
a Cross Country Rider
from denver co USA
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | apex | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3350.00 | | Purchased At: | 123bikes.com | | Strengths: | bomb proof and tons of plush travle this thing could soake up a drop from space | | Weaknesses: | a little heavy but worth every pound of performance if you use the right component set you can get this bike, fully built at 24 pounds but you loose a little strength | | Similar Products Used: | I switched from a FSR specialized 98' this was quit a big change but I found that I out road the suspension of my old bike fairly quik | | Bike Setup: | Intense Uzzi slx frame, chris king headset, pyramid carbon bar, hopes mini disc brake set, xtr titanium casset and crank W/Ti-spindle, XTR titanium chain, Rolf Dolomite wheel set, Thompson seat post, XTR shifters, Ritchi pedels not the best but are very lite pedels. Kore stem, seat is a italia it is a little hard for long rides and I am using the michilen wild gripper tires | | Bottom Line: | This bike is considered by the manufacture to be a free ride bike but I myself like the performance of a free ride bike but with the ability to climb (oops I forgot to mention my fork it is the Phylo-SL one bad mama-jama)now the reason I used these components was to make it lite without forfeting the strength to free ride if the mood is right with this build I would list this bike as a Cross country/free ride bike. I personaly would recomend this bike to someone who has out ridden the average fs bike and is adicted to the huge drops and big hits of a raging down hill trail but who feels guilty if they don't do the climb first hey if you buy your stuff from 123bike.com you don't pay taxes on it you just pay for shipping. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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