[wi1trackrider]

Hi all. I've been lurking on this board for a while, ever since I saw the 6.6 write-up in MBA a few months ago. I'm seriously on the fence of getting one. I just wanted to throw a couple thoughts out there and get some feedback if possible. I know I'm the one who ultimately has to make the decision, but it's always nice to get some opinions, or suggestions on how to look at things a little differently.

I currently ride a Sugar 2 (talas, hayes, bash ring, 2.3 WTBs). I would describe my riding as XC towards 'all mountain'. Typically ride 15-25 miles on an outing - prefer singletrack. Living in Wisconsin, that's about all I can do. I really like the 6.6's features - build quality, travel, positive comments on this board. I'm just a bit worried that it would be too much bike for my type of riding - overkill. The last thing I want is a heavy bobbing beast that I'd be dreading while riding a flat (or worse yet up hill) couple miles of singletrack.

My Sugar is not a very efficient pedaler (Fox Float R), I get quite a bit of bob even when seated, so I think the 6.6 would be equal on pedaling with the VPP from what it sounds like. I'd be looking at getting a large (6'-2") and outfit it with a Manitou Nixon.

Basically I'd be using the 6.6 as an all around midwest trailbike - no downhill or free-riding here, allthough I may head up to the U.P. of MI and see what they have to offer. I was thinking of the 5.5 instead, but thought why not go up to the 6.6 - newer, bigger = better?

Again, any thoughts are appreciated. And congrats to all of you who have made the choice. They all look like some sweet rides.

 

[Brihombre]

Sugar 1 to Tracer to 5.5

Hi all. I've been lurking on this board for a while, ever since I saw the 6.6 write-up in MBA a few months ago. I'm seriously on the fence of getting one. I just wanted to throw a couple thoughts out there and get some feedback if possible. I know I'm the one who ultimately has to make the decision, but it's always nice to get some opinions, or suggestions on how to look at things a little differently.

I currently ride a Sugar 2 (talas, hayes, bash ring, 2.3 WTBs). I would describe my riding as XC towards 'all mountain'. Typically ride 15-25 miles on an outing - prefer singletrack. Living in Wisconsin, that's about all I can do. I really like the 6.6's features - build quality, travel, positive comments on this board. I'm just a bit worried that it would be too much bike for my type of riding - overkill. The last thing I want is a heavy bobbing beast that I'd be dreading while riding a flat (or worse yet up hill) couple miles of singletrack.

My Sugar is not a very efficient pedaler (Fox Float R), I get quite a bit of bob even when seated, so I think the 6.6 would be equal on pedaling with the VPP from what it sounds like. I'd be looking at getting a large (6'-2") and outfit it with a Manitou Nixon.

Basically I'd be using the 6.6 as an all around midwest trailbike - no downhill or free-riding here, allthough I may head up to the U.P. of MI and see what they have to offer. I was thinking of the 5.5 instead, but thought why not go up to the 6.6 - newer, bigger = better?

Again, any thoughts are appreciated. And congrats to all of you who have made the choice. They all look like some sweet rides.

That is my path. Do you think the 6.6 may be a bit much for your riding conditions? The 5.5 is lighter and climbs better. If you are concerned about climbing, what about a more cross country oriented bike like the Spider?

 

[Pedal Bike]

Overkill...

Been to WI... 6.6 could be overkill. 5.5 is the "all mountain/cross country" bike. I currently
live in Utah, and the 5.5 is plenty here...unless you're into big drops and wearing stormtrooper gear.

 

[SuperD]

If you don't plan on doing some fairly aggressive descending, it sounds like you would be happiest on a 5.5 - although the 6.6 is nowhere near "a heavy bobbing beast". With correct sag, VPP bikes all climb extremely well, and the 6.6 is no exception. The limiting factors for pedaling are more that the bigger bikes tend to be built heavier and to run much more aggressive (slow rolling) tires. I notice no pedaling difference between a 5.5 and a 6.6 running equivalent tires. Having said all that, I still think that the 6.6 may be a bit of overkill for an only bike for your Midwest riding. I have thousands of miles on a 5.5 and consider it the finest all around trail bike made. If I had to have only one bike, the 5.5 is my choice.

 

[muddywings]

I'd suggest a 5.5

Look into a 5.5. A coworker was looking into 6.6 just because it was getting a lot of press and when I asked him why he wanted one, he replied,"because they look cool."
Well can't argue with that logic but I bought a 5.5 and its a great bike and i still have a lot of learning/growing into it. I'm not using it to its full potentional by any means.

 

[HoJo]

No down side to a 6.6

I have a different opinion than my other posting brethren. Heck yes you should get a 6.6. It's a great handling trail bike at home on the tight twisty single track, or hauling A$$ down
Porcupine Rim in Moab

Allow me to elaborate. I run a 6.6 with a Nixon, (I installed a 06 Intrinsic cartridge in an 05 air version). Set up as my do all long legged trail bike it's reasonably light (29lbs), great single track and climbing geometry with a measured 69.5HA/74SA. It is the best pedaling over 4" travel bike I have ever ridden, and I have ridden most of them. After you have passed your required PhD to set up the DHX-A the bike soaks up all trail obstacles and pedals as well or better than most race type FS bikes. I did not believe it was possible for a bike this plush with this much travel could pedal and climb like my HH 100X.
Yet when I let it run on our rocky, ledgy, downhills it eats up the bumps and is much more stable than anything that pedals like it.
I've had this bike about a month and have already convinced two of my buds to move over to the big bike side

See the links below for pics of my Black med 6.6 and one of my buds BRG med version.
http://www.hammerheadbikes.com/images/intense66/

I just reread this and I sound like an Intense sales-man... Sorry but I'm just so pumped about this bike. After my bud's first ride on it he said, and this is a direct quote from his note to me:
" I may as well get this out of the way and say that the 6.6 is probably better than all the bikes I've owned or had experience with....May have to hang it in the bedroom."

 

[matthew]

Is that a 36 van?
how does it climb/ how steep does it feel?
what does it weigh and how did you get the bash buard for the xtr cranks?

thinking of that build for my new 6.6, want it to climb ok- I want a better desender- and weigh around 32 lbs?

thx
matt

 

[HoJo]

It's a Talas, more

Matt, the fork is a 36 Talas, and it measures a little steeper than my friend wanted, it's 69/73.5. He's thinking of a Van to slacken it out. Apparently Intense set geometry up for a 540 ish A/C fork. I will probably switch to a Van after I've had a chance to try a Med with one.
I have only ridden his bike around a parking lot, some stairs etc. As it's set up it's so close to mine with a Nixon that I could not tell them apart. You can see my eval comments above.
The Bash Guard he is running is a Hammerhead special made by some local Austin machinist. They call them City Park Condoms, if you have ridden City Park you would understand, it's very hard on big rings.
HoJo

 

[matthew]

thx
you just nudged me closer to a VAN for my 6.6

 

[Festusjrf]

same here

Look into a 5.5. A coworker was looking into 6.6 just because it was getting a lot of press and when I asked him why he wanted one, he replied,"because they look cool."
Well can't argue with that logic but I bought a 5.5 and its a great bike and i still have a lot of learning/growing into it. I'm not using it to its full potentional by any means.

I love the look and the low standover of the 6.6, but I still have a lot of bike to go with the 5.5 I am not pushing it, but getting closer every ride, they are jst very capable bikes.
I take mine to a jump park sometimes, and it does great.