First Look: Intense M16 Carbon - Eurobike 2015

Aug 28, 2015
by Mike Kazimer  
Intense M16 Carbon Eurobike 2015

Meet the Carbon M16

Intense announced their aluminum M16 downhill bike last spring, and now a carbon version is on the way to stake its claim in the storied M-series line. Full details, including price and availability are still not available, but with a little bit of prodding I was able to convince the bike's guardian in the Shock Therapy booth to pull aside the white curtain that was hiding the bike (Shock Therapy is Intense's distributor in Germany and Austria).
Details
• Intended use: downhill
• 27.5" wheels
• 215 or 241mm of travel
• VPP suspension
• Carbon frame and swingarm
• Weight: N/A
• Price: N/A

Intense M16 Carbon Eurobike 2015

As would be expected, the carbon M16 uses Intense's version of a VPP suspension design for its 215 or 241mm of rear travel. Those travel options are selected by choosing one of the two lower shock bolt mounting options on the lower aluminum link, and that same link is fitted with two grease ports, allowing riders to maintain the bearings without completely disassembling the linkage.

The carbon M16 shares the same geometry as its aluminum counterpart, including the 63.5° head angle and 445mm chainstay length, but the frame has a few differences that were made possible by the use of carbon fiber. Internal routing has been added, with the housing entering the frame behind the integrated bump stops and exiting from a port on the downtube. The swingarm shape is also slightly different, and the seat and chainstays are now braced solely on the non-drive side, rather than having a brace on either side of the shock as is the case on the aluminum version.

There will be two build kits available, the Factory Carbon and the Pro Carbon. Both specs include a RockShox Boxxer World Cup fork and Vivid shock, but the Factory option gets a hearty dose of ENVE's carbon components, including their M90 wheels, DH handlebar, and seatpost.

Intense M16 Carbon Eurobike 2015
The housing is now hidden inside the frame, entering behind the integrated fork bumpers.
Intense M16 Carbon
After briefly emerging from the downtube, the internal routing continues for both the derailleur and brake housing.

Intense M16 Carbon

www.intensecycles.com / @intensecyclesusa

Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,716 articles

222 Comments
  • 462 11
 Doesn't look like a session, but it sure does look like a V10
  • 526 7
 It looks like... I don't have enough money for this bike.
  • 242 5
 The swingarm even looks like it says V10 on it.
  • 44 80
flag Jurgone (Aug 28, 2015 at 5:30) (Below Threshold)
 It looks like V10 because Intense and Santa Cruz are used the same Virtual Pivot Point Suspension. Santa Cruz allow to used their technology I do not know what behind between of the two company.
  • 19 6
 Yeah VPP is legit
  • 67 7
 Santa Cruz and Intense co own the patent to VPP.
  • 13 45
flag rifu (Aug 28, 2015 at 5:58) (Below Threshold)
 looks like a tues
  • 116 25
 Looks better than a v10
  • 161 4
 Do we really have to go over why intense and santa dh bikes seem the same... every time?
  • 8 18
flag PaTis (Aug 28, 2015 at 6:24) (Below Threshold)
 v10 mk3 FTW Big Grin
  • 24 1
 Of course it looks like a V10, the same way a Bronson is laid out a lot like a Tracer. There's only so many ways to package up a VPP bike and although they probably have slightly different ride characteristics, they're all going to look similar.
  • 33 7
 Graphics of a YT, frame of a Santa Cruz v10
  • 41 4
 @TFreeman price of Ferarri
  • 6 46
flag Gnarlydrops2219 (Aug 28, 2015 at 7:12) (Below Threshold)
 Intense arnt like super expensive ? At least In America there not , I have a team discount but still with out it there more affordable then a lot of other company's
  • 15 18
 I remember reading somewhere a brief history of the 2 companies - So in the beginning Intense paid SC to use the VPP technology but when the global financial crisis came in 2008, Intense got into a bind and SC injected a bunch of cash into Intense to help them out and from this SC has a small percentage of Intense. Part of the bailout included the use of VPP as co owner of the Technology. Correct me if I'm wrong but the story makes sense when you look at how close the bikes always look.
  • 18 0
 Shut up and take my Money. I would choose the Factory One. Carbon Frame wih ENVE Parts.....hell yeah....... i have to work much harder.... I. W.A.N.T I.T!!!
  • 26 0
 Maybe it's Intense-ional...
  • 8 1
 I'd be down with a solid DT swiss wheel build and some RF sixC bars and stem for waaay less hahaha
  • 8 1
 @donch15 - It's that the tracer looks like a bronson, not the other way around. Santa Cruz owns the patent, and Intense pays Santa Cruz to use it.
  • 10 2
 @arnoldtm2 - It's not a co-ownership, Santa Cruz owns the patent, and Intense pays them to use it.
  • 3 2
 @dualsuspensiondave, exactly! Tracer is a copy of the Nomad.
  • 3 1
 Bronson is laid out like a carbine, nomad is like a tracer
  • 6 3
 6-10 older bikes or 1 new overpriced bike..........?
  • 9 0
 That's right, the choice is yours. Bit like 6-10 packets of noodles... Or a fillet steak.
  • 1 0
 I thought the same thing
  • 4 0
 "Bit like 6-10 packets of noodles... Or a fillet steak..." that will become just the same packet of noodles in a few years. Just like those 6-10 older fillet steaks did.

And the mountains remains the same.
  • 9 1
 @ecly13 yeah the Tracer is a copy of the Nomad.... with 1.5degrees different head angle, different travel, different stack, different reach, different seat angle, different wheelbase, different chain stay length, different front triangle design..... but yeah it's got two 27.5" wheels and VPP so it's totally a copy!
  • 3 0
 Every time I see one of these posts, I hear a sucking sound coming out of my wallet.
  • 1 0
 Hahaha couldn't agree more!
  • 1 0
 Otherwise known as economics...
  • 131 5
 Say "V10" again! SAY "V10" again! I dare you! I double-dare you, motherf**ker! Say "V10" one more goddamn time!
  • 147 0
 A bit Intense wouldn't you say?
  • 72 0
 Nah, he's just enveous.
  • 39 1
 He needs some Carbon-hydrates and he should be fine.
  • 15 2
 Must be a south pole V10
  • 7 17
flag grgsmith (Aug 28, 2015 at 6:07) (Below Threshold)
 Listen to all these Evil puns...
  • 13 27
flag fercho25 (Aug 28, 2015 at 6:14) (Below Threshold)
 V10
  • 14 28
flag SPOKEn (Aug 28, 2015 at 6:27) (Below Threshold)
 B10.................................tricked u
  • 15 0
 Do you really love V10 or are you just saying it because you saw it?
  • 5 1
 hoping that people actually get the line and aren't just throwing in the usual bike puns!
  • 7 3
 @zacknolan88 Maybe you and I are the only ones who see the reference.
  • 22 0
 yeah of all pinkbike users just you two watch pulp fiction. seems legit
  • 9 0
 it's the "Royal with Cheese" of bikes and to Zack's point most of these posters are probably too young to catch the reference so it's literally interpreted.
  • 4 0
 I see you got your pun technique down pat, you aint ticklin or nothin
  • 2 0
 Bikes like the Jules in the crown
  • 1 0
 Do you know what they call these whoppers in France?
  • 1 0
 @graeme187 , you're three posts late man, the Royale with cheese was already mentioned. You gotta come up with an original. I mean, that movie was nothing more than a bunch of fantastic one liners, so there surely is something you can use Smile
  • 2 0
 @kickstand1 ah, I didn't actually read the post 3 above
  • 1 0
 Add me up
  • 95 4
 Santa Tense M10
  • 53 0
 Looks like a kidney.
  • 15 1
 I dont thing your kidney is enough for this bike, a kidney and testicle maybe
  • 17 0
 rumor is you can get about $35k US for a testicle these days.
  • 7 0
 So that's what, 2.5 of these bikes?
  • 7 2
 Shit really? Well f*ck, I've got two... but I don't have two of these... soooo
  • 7 0
 You're gonna need balls to ride this bike properly Wink
  • 1 3
 Wrong it is a V10
  • 45 3
 Strange Santa Cruz went lower in travel, and Intense took it to 10"...

Is this the real V10?
  • 50 0
 They're not turning it up to eleven tho.
  • 4 0
 Let's see how Many can relate to this reference! Lick my love pump!
  • 3 0
 Smell the glove!
  • 2 0
 C is the saddest of keys I find.
  • 5 0
 No dude, its D minor that is the saddest of keys. Makes people weep instantly when played.
  • 2 2
 Hopefully it makes people more Intense to do both.
  • 1 1
 Shit sandwich
  • 31 1
 We're all thinking the same thing
  • 32 2
 Yep, I can't afford it either
  • 23 0
 those beans tasted delicious?
  • 20 0
 My last two bikes have been Intense. This will definitely be my next bike. I've had awesome experiences with their customer services and absolutely love their bikes. In some ways its sad to see aluminum go away though. Theres just something beautiful and desirable about a hand welded frame. Its pure artwork.
  • 12 0
 On my third Intense and can't agree more. Best customer service I've had from any bike company. Intense FTW.
  • 7 0
 This will be my third one too! If I find a way to afford it though...
  • 5 0
 I'm on my fourth Intense, 2nd M9 , 2nd Tracer T275 I'm waiting to sell my present M9 so that I can purchase one of these gems.... just cant seem to find the colour that I want though....
  • 1 0
 I wish that was my only concern haha! Lucky dude!
  • 2 3
 Uh, they still make aluminum bikes, hand made in California. You can get that Tracer in metal, pretty sure you won't notice the extra pound either. I know a bunch of guys who've gone back to aluminum after breaking too many carbon frames.
  • 3 0
 Was speaking in general. Of course you still can get aluminum. But theres fewer and fewer every year.
  • 4 0
 @SlodownU "...breaking too many carbon frames" You must be referring to Yeti.
  • 24 1
 i see alot of hate, but i think this is one sexy steed
  • 8 1
 If I run out of Viagra, I can substitute with this.
  • 23 0
 Intense needs a WC team.
  • 8 10
 With Missy Giove racing for them.
  • 9 8
 Giove, Palmer , Armstrong....What do they all have in common?

That would be a hell of a team with a rap sheet the length of my arm.....
  • 8 2
 Intense Syndicate
#atradeteam
  • 10 1
 Luca Cometti did a few WC races this year for Intense, finished ~35th for each race which for a 19 year old racing for his first time against the big names on that circuit is pretty good. Watch for him next year breaking the top 20
  • 6 1
 Intense junior got 7th at windham as his first WC. He's in for world champs, and more juniors will be racing WCs next season
  • 4 4
 Greg Minnaar won his first WC overall age 19. It's not about the bike.
  • 8 2
 Giove was in the klink for drug posession Armstrong is a lying sac of shit about drug use Palmer, well lets just say, party hard, live fast, pass me a beer........
  • 4 11
flag SlodownU (Aug 28, 2015 at 13:16) (Below Threshold)
 Why the Missy hate? She got busted for trafficking weed, which is something that almost everyone on this site obviously smokes alot of, or wishes they could smoke alot of.
  • 5 4
 @slowdownu who's hatin?
  • 2 2
 @six66, the same douche nozzles that are down voting you. The holier than thou shit heads that get butt-hurt when you express an opinion different than theirs or diss on a bike that they will never be able to afford anyway with a high school GED.
  • 3 0
 Huh. Damn douche nozzles! Haha ah well, f*ck em, right?
  • 3 0
 After posting the above comment, someone informed me that Missy was racing because her wife had asked her to.
She is suffering from cancer that is apparently in the advanced stages and she is not likely to pull through, so Missy's race was a bucket list of her wife's. I meant no harm by what I had written and can only wish peace and happiness to them both.

I was ( and still am ) a fan of Missy Giove, she was the hardest thing on two wheels back in the day.
  • 24 3
 sorry but i think it looks better than a v10
  • 11 1
 I would say WAY better Smile
Also the swingarm looks nothing like a V10... (check the right side)
  • 8 4
 Yeah and I feel sorry for those who bought the v10
  • 6 4
 i don't know, i think it looks gorgeous but i still prefer the V10 myself so i wouldn't feel sorry for the people who bought the V10 cause chances are they still prefer it...
  • 13 0
 I'm just gonna wait till I get home from work and then press Ctrl + F on this post and type V10.
  • 13 2
 This bike is hot. Makes me think they intended it to be carbon all along. The seat tube top tube junction area goes from messy to sexy with no welds. I approve.
  • 7 1
 Copy from Wikipedia:
"The "Virtual Pivot Point" or VPP, is the name given to a four-bar linkage suspension with relatively short links connecting the rear triangle to the frame. It is characterized by having a chainstay lengthening effect and an 'S' shaped axle path.[15] Some variations may have the links rotate in opposite direction as the suspension moves. The instant centre of rotation, as found in all linkage systems, is also called virtual pivot point. The "Virtual Pivot Point" suspension was developed by Outland Bicycles in the nineties[16] and the associated patents are now owned by Santa Cruz Bicycles. VPP suspension is also licensed to Intense Cycles."

Also see: www.pinkbike.com/news/the-history-of-intense-m-bikes.html
"2003
Intense partner with Santa Cruz to license the Virtual Pivot Point suspension system patent and launch the M3. This system improved pedalling efficiency dramatically as well as giving better small and large bump performance. The M3 was the first Intense bike to have 9.5 inches of rear travel."
  • 4 0
 well said Wink
  • 3 0
 and klassen and calon thank you.
  • 7 1
 Looks like this, looks like that blah blah blah. I don't care. I want I want I want...
  • 6 0
 Funny thing is all brands are going longer in reach etc, but Intense keeps them short
  • 9 2
 Looks better than a V10
  • 6 0
 I don't carry what looks like, To me looks pretty sick!
  • 6 4
 This was posted by vital member bdamschen
If you pay attention to the evolution of the V10 vs Intense's VPP linked DH bikes, you might be surprised to notice that the V10 follows in the footsteps of intense and not the other way around. Early V10: i3.photobucket.com/albums/y81/Frankenschwinn/Bikes/V102005_0212AA.jpg Early M3 www.1jyo.com/common/image/custom/05_m3_comp_sky.jpg
  • 4 2
 intense and santa look the same since years now. i dont like the santa, but that intense is one hell of a good looking bike, esp. with that paint Job! #cantafforditanyway
  • 4 0
 I think its sexy but will stick with my raw 951.
  • 2 0
 Anybody noticed that the brake-stiffener is on the wrong side of the swing arm? Why is it needed on the drive side and nothing on the other?
  • 1 0
 the force of the braking is moving up the swingarm. the force from cranking on the pedals tries to move wheel up and split the rear swingarms hence a brace
  • 1 0
 WTF? Why do you want to pedal on a DH rig? Big Grin
  • 2 1
 Million times nicer than the aluminium version! I wonder what amazing price tag it comes with.... £8,000 - £10,000??? Hopefully Intense have actually come up with some quality control procedures by now as well
  • 2 2
 Yeah it's called not letting anyone touch any welding equipment anymore! Things line up like they should when you get the Germans to make it out of plastic.
  • 3 0
 Wow, even Intense is producing carbon bikes, you know alloy is over when a company like Intense starts shipping carbon.
  • 2 0
 Looks like a v 10 but I'd rather have the intense over a Santa Cruz there built tough Santa Cruz just keeps getting lighter and some are snapping
  • 2 0
 May just beat it the nice paint job but that looks nicer than a V10 to me.

Looks 110% nice than the Palmer Merica aluminium edition
  • 1 0
 hell yeah, sick frame...
  • 1 0
 Remove the Rockshox and put it in the bin. Fine for bidget bikes but not this work of art. Fit a BOS stoy shock and BOS Idylle forks and you will have one hell of a bike if my M9 is anything to go by.
  • 3 0
 Somehow I find it more sexy than a V-10, more aggressive lines
  • 3 0
 That's the most beautiful DH rig i've ever seen
  • 2 0
 how is weight and price not applicable? sees like the two most important things to me....
  • 1 0
 Morewood Makulu style mud guard although I still like the look of it unfortunately my bank balance is not fat enough for such a creation
  • 3 0
 This looks amazing! Loving the clean lines! Drool
  • 3 0
 That is a freakin' sick looking whip.
  • 4 2
 If I had to choose between Santa Cruz and Intense product support, I'd take Santa Cruz all day long
  • 4 1
 #bikeporn
  • 1 0
 .downtube-logo { font-size: 5em; }

Looks like a wacky alter-ego of v10. Awesome.
  • 2 0
 This bike is Sex on two wheels Big Grin Wink
  • 1 0
 Looks like a bike that will get you into a lot of trouble if you slam on those shimano brakes too hard!
  • 2 0
 Thats a sexy bike that... Like the access to the rear shock too
  • 1 0
 This is def the Ferrari of the bike world... guess i'll just stick with my 96' Honda civic of a bike for now #Broke
  • 1 0
 Hey, at least they're honest..it says PRICE: N/A - which stands for Not Affordable.
  • 1 0
 look, if you cover the first part of the m with your finger, it says v10. 'nuff said
  • 4 1
 M16 > v10
  • 2 0
 This thing is going to be some serious coin. That much we do know.
  • 1 1
 GT RTS-1 was the first to use a lower rearward rotating link . This same designer created VPP for Outland . I think his name was Gary Busby .
  • 4 0
 Wasn't he in point break and lethal weapon??
  • 2 0
 Dat was Gary Busy ;-)
  • 2 0
 Sam Hill used to ride Intense
  • 1 1
 Kinda sucks for all the people that just bough the aluminum M16. I'm sure a couple of them would have liked carbon over aluminum ahaha
  • 3 2
 At the risk of sounding like a total noobie, what's Vpp?
  • 2 0
 Google "virtual pivot point suspension", it is well explained on many resources
  • 1 0
 Looks like is not like works like. The important thing is to do its job.
  • 2 1
 Looks like.......
CHAH CHING!!!
$ $
L
O
  • 0 1
 Looks like a wacky alter-ego of v10. Awesome. #downtube-logo { font-size: 5em; }. Edit: oh pinkbike, someone needs to refactor comment textarea validation =\
  • 1 0
 Hello steel spring, how are you?)
  • 2 2
 The frame coloring, matte finish and black within the inner spaces looks a lot like the YT Industries Tues
  • 1 0
 This should be labeled NSFW because that bike is f***ing sexy.
  • 1 1
 Nice work Intense on the Carbon finish, top notch.. but please loose the ENVE matching wheels decals, just overkill.
  • 1 0
 All i see is a drunk speciallized
  • 2 0
 Looks like awesome!
  • 2 2
 wow what a breathtaking bike, so much innovation!! I mean, they are 10 years ahead of everyone! Smile
  • 2 1
 241mm travel wow that's a beast, looks so sick too
  • 2 0
 READY FOR RAMPAGE
  • 3 1
 now it needs proper fork - Marzocchi Super Monster Big Grin
  • 1 0
 price: 14399 USD $ cool
  • 2 2
 this is a v10...the sc v10 is actually a v8 ...need to change the names around up in here....what?
  • 2 1
 Looks BURLY. Much better than the alu version of the frame too.
  • 2 1
 TAKE MY MONEY... Wait... Oh, surely not enough Frown
  • 2 1
 3 days after Vital MTB though Wink
  • 1 0
 Looks way better than the alloy version!
  • 1 0
 MRSP = See your mortgage broker Frown
  • 1 0
 Make that in ltd edition flo red and carbon and that would be nice!
  • 1 0
 Price: If you have to ask...
  • 1 0
 Too expensive to compensate the lack of my riding skills.
  • 2 4
 You're on crack dude. Santa Cruz owns the VPP patent. Intense pays them to use VPP. Get your facts straight. In fact Santa Cruz helped Intense make damn near every bike they have made.
  • 2 4
 Again...INTENSE Designed the VPP system back in 01 and released it on the M3 in 03. Want to know how I know this?
  • 2 1
 Rob Roskopp got the VPP patent in 1999, then released the V10 with VPP in 2001. Again, you're on crack.
  • 2 2
 Really? What bike was that? Dying to hear this...
  • 2 2
 I just told you, can you not understand english? The 2001 Santa Cruz V10 was SC's first VPP bike. Intense's first VPP bike was the M3 in 2003. Intense started developing the M3 in 2001 right as the V10 was released. It's facts, there is no arguing it. Intense make killer bikes, but they are not owners of the VPP patent, nor did they come out with the first VPP bike between SC and Intense.
  • 1 2
 Wrong....
  • 3 1
 Jesus f*cking christ man. Are you serious, DaveATthreat?
I'm rarely compelled to comment on these stupid sections to complete f*cking idiots like you. But nevertheless, you are wrong.

AS explained by dualsuspesiondave, Santa Cruz obtained the VPP in 1999. Now, because your comments show that you're not very smart, I'll explain things real nice and simple.
When I use the word 'obtained', this means that Santa Cruz purchased the patents to the VPP design. They still own them today. Rob was keen to develop a bike that had better suspension action than a single pivot design.
They bought them from two guys, from Outland Bikes, who originally came up with the design. Santa Cruz are very open about this fact.
The first V10 used VPP before any intense bike did. Santa Cruz license the VPP to Intense.

Here are some links that back up what I've just explained:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_suspension#Virtual_Pivot_Point

www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/interview-rob-roskopp-owner-of-santa-cruz-bicycles-28844
  • 2 1
 Thanks for some actual proof! Carry on now haha! Big Grin
  • 1 1
 No problem! But I'm genuinely wondering why you were so adamant?
  • 1 3
 Sent you a message G-horseNoBrakes
  • 2 2
 at least they still make some bikes in america ...... just not this one
  • 1 1
 INTENSEionally looks like a V10......
  • 1 1
 The rear swing arm looks like it actually say v10
  • 1 3
 uhh what a piece of crap. super mainstream head angle i like to have 54/54 on my rigs. skinny tires too where are the 8 inchers
  • 1 0
 2025 V10 CCCCCCC?
  • 1 1
 Haha! No dude you are incorrect by along shot.
  • 1 0
 Here is a kidney....
  • 1 0
 HERE IS MONEY. GET ME ONE OF THOSE.
  • 4 4
 Looks like stupid steapost angle ...
  • 3 4
 Looks like a V10? You mean, looks like a Cannondale Fulcrum!

www.vintagecannondale.com/odd/98fulcrum/fulcrum.html
  • 1 2
 Wow no joke!
  • 1 0
 DHF on the back..? Smile
  • 1 0
 Looks like a session
  • 7 9
 where was santa cruz when theres m1 ? looks like v 10 ? bullshit.... santa cruz copied intense
  • 11 3
 Santa cruz and intence both developed vpp together
  • 3 2
 Did not Santa Cruz bought the patent for VPP?
  • 3 1
 Well, this comment was always going to happen wasn't it, so I thought I might as well go first Smile . No need for expletives. It's just funny they also went for the Enve wheels as well, you know, just to make choosing one easier in case someone here still has kidney's left.
  • 13 2
 VPP was developed by Outload Bicycles, than the technology and rights were sold to Santa Cruz Bicycles which licences VPP to Intense. Intense did no invent VPP, nor did Santa Cruz.
  • 3 1
 Yes i know they bought it, Santa cruz bought it originally. Then intence and santa cruz teamed up and tweaked it to make it better thats what i ment by developed it. Trying to keep it simple.
  • 3 1
 What boneDog said, Yeez!
  • 1 2
 No more cracks??
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