Intense M16C Pro Build - Review

Dec 14, 2015
by Mike Kazimer  



The history of Intense's M-Series downhill bikes begins all the way back in 1994, when the 5” travel M-1 debuted. It didn't take long before the California-based company was making their mark on the DH race circuit, particularly in the late 1990s when it seemed as if nearly every elite racer was on one of the distinctive frames, often painted and stickered with another company's logo.

The M16 is the latest addition to the M-Series line, a bike that was designed based on the lessons learned in the years since the first M-1 hit the market. Feedback from elite racers, including the legendary Shaun Palmer and Chris Kovarik was also taken into consideration, and the result is an eye-catching machine with a 63.5° head angle and between 8.5” or 9.5” of rear travel delivered via a virtual pivot point suspension design.

Intense M16C Details

• Intended use: downhill
• Wheel size: 27.5''
• Rear wheel travel: 8.5"(215mm) or 9.5"(240mm)
• 63.5° head angle
• Virtual pivot point suspension design
• Full carbon frame
• Threaded 83mm bottom bracket
• 12 x 157mm rear spacing
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Weight: 34.8lb / 15.8kg (large, actual, w/o pedals)
• MSRP: $8499 USD at tested / $3699 frame and shock
www.intensecycles.com
First released in an aluminum version called the M16A, the M16C is the follow up, sporting identical geometry, but with a carbon fiber frame that's said to weigh two pounds less than the alloy model. As tested, the M16C Pro Build retails for $8499 USD with a parts spec that includes a RockShox BoXXer World Cup, SRAM's X01 DH 7-speed drivetrain, Renthal bar and stem, and Shimano Saint brakes.


Intense M16 Review
The M16C is a good looking bike from any angle.
Intense M16 Review
Internal cable routing is in place for the rear derailleur and brake housing.

Frame Details

The M16C's front triangle and swingarm are made from EPS-molded unidirectional carbon fiber, a construction technique that involves wrapping layers of epoxy-impregnated carbon fiber around a foam form, which is then put into a mold and exposed to heat in order to 'cure'. Even the link that connects the seat stays to the seat tube is made from compression molded carbon fiber in order to shed a few more grams. The lower link is made from aluminum, and is held in place using angular contact bearings and an expanding collet axle system. Two grease ports are built in that can be used to push the old bearing grease out and new grease in, a handy feature for riders in wet and muddy climates.

Unlike its aluminum counterpart, the M16C has internal cable routing for the brake and derailleur housing. The housing runs through ports on each side of the head tube, and then through guides that are built into the frame. It then briefly reemerges on the topside of the downtube before both the derailleur and brake housing are routed through their respective chainstays. It's not as common to have the brake housing fully routed internally, especially on a DH race bike due to the increased amount of time it takes to perform a brake swap, but it does help keep it safe from any potential rock damage.

Other frame details include a 12x157mm expanding collett style rear thru-axle, a 83mm threaded bottom bracket, ISCG 05 tabs, and molded chainstay and down tube protection. There's also a plastic fender that's bolted to the swingarm to help protect the shock from the flying muck and debris tossed up by the rear wheel.



Intense M16 Review
Depending on the rear shock mount position the M16C can be set up with either 215 or 240mm of travel.

Suspension Design

The M16C uses the latest version of Intense's virtual pivot point design, which relies on two short counter-rotating links to control the rear end as it goes through its travel. The M16C has a fairly high amount of anti-squat to help prevent pedaling forces from affecting the suspension, and the suspension curve is progressive to keep the bike from bottoming out on big hits.

Previously, Intense had licensed the virtual pivot point design from Santa Cruz, but the patent has since expired, and Intense now refers to the design as JS-Tuned Suspension, where JS refers to company owner Jeff Steber. On that note, now that both the virtual pivot point and Horst Link suspension patents have expired the playing field is wide open – it will be interesting to see how frame designs change in the coming years.



Geometry

Intense M16 geometry


Specifications

Specifications
Price $8499
Travel 214mm - 240mm
Rear Shock RockShox Vivid Coil R2C
Fork RockShox Boxxer World Cup, 200 mm
Headset Cane Creek 40
Cassette SRAM XG-795 10-24, 7 speed
Crankarms SRAM X01, 36T
Chainguide E13 LG1
Chain SRAM X1, 11 speed
Rear Derailleur SRAM X01 DH, 7 speed
Shifter Pods SRAM X01 DH, 7 speed
Handlebar Renthal Fatbar Lite DH 20 mm x 780 mm
Stem RENTHAL INTEGRA II Direct Mount 45 mm
Grips Intense Dual Density Lock-On
Brakes Shimano Saint
Rim Stan’s No Tubes Rapid 30
Tires Maxxis Minion DHF, 27.5 X 2.5"
Seat WTB Volt Team
Seatpost Thomson Elite, 31.6 mm, zero offset

Intense M16 Review






bigquotesThere's a liveliness to the M16's handling that I hadn't expected, a trait that made it easy to get airborne and transfer from one side of the trail to the other at a moment's notice.

Set Up

Setting up the BoXXer World Cup was hassle free, and for anyone who has spent time on a Pike it will be a very familiar process. It's simply a matter of inflating the air spring side to the correct air pressure for your weight, and then dialing in the compression and rebound to your liking. No tools are required, and all of the adjustments make a noticeable difference on the trail. Riders who find themselves looking for more bottom out resistance can add more Bottomless Tokens, the small plastic spacers that first appeared in RockShox's Pike, by removing the air spring top cap.

The Vivid Coil R2C is also fairly straightforward to adjust, although the end stroke rebound adjustment does add another level of fiddling to the process. With the end stroke rebound, the difference that a few clicks in either direction makes isn't as drastic as changes to the beginning stroke rebound adjustment, which can make it a little trickier to decide on a setting. The Vivid also had a distinct top-out knock when it returned to full extension, a trait that didn't end up being noticeable on the trail, but it would still be nice to see that quieted down.


Handling

When it comes to cockpit measurements, the M16C falls somewhere in the middle of the road for modern DH bikes, with a reach of 436mm and a top tube length of 616mm for a size large. Those numbers give it a less roomy feel compared to a bike like the GT Fury or a Giant Glory, but it's in the same realm as a Rocky Mountain Maiden or Norco Aurum. At 5'11” I was felt like I was right on the edge as far as sizing goes, and if all-out speed were my ultimate goal I would seriously consider an XL to gain more room in the cockpit. On the other hand, the size large was easy to whip around, and had a very composed, well balanced feel.

The M16C is billed as a World Cup race machine, but it also worked extremely well in the bike park, where it felt just as at home boosting off the lips of a machine built jump run as it did plowing through the rooty chunder. I took laps with the bike in both the 8.5” and 9.5” travel setting and ended up preferring the 8.5” option. This gave the rear end a more supportive feel, with additional ramp up at the end of its stroke to prevent it from bottoming out or using its travel too quickly. The rear travel is well managed, and there always seemed to be a little extra squish left to help out with those wheel-sucking surprises or harsh landings. When it does come time to pedal there's a very efficient feel, with much less pedal bob than you would typically expect from a downhill bike.


Intense M16C review


There's a liveliness to the M16's handling that I hadn't expected, a trait that made it easy to get airborne and transfer from one side of the trail to the other at a moment's notice. That being said, it's still happiest traveling at higher speeds, and when the miles-per-hour drop, the longish rear end does need some extra coaxing to get around tighter corners.

On the topic of turning, I did have one semi-scary moment when the fork turned less than I'd expected it to, halted by the hard plastic integrated bump stops. That was enough to make me decide to unscrew the bump stops and run just the softer rubber guards found on the BoXXer World Cup instead. This increased the fork's turning radius, and made it much easier to get through sharp corners without worrying about getting tossed off the bike.

Inevitably, comments will be made about how the M16C resembles the Santa Cruz V10, and while it is true that the two frames share a similar look (and suspension design), there's a very noticeable difference in how they ride. I found the V10 to feel more glued to the ground, with a touch more stability at higher speeds and a more forgiving nature if line choice errors were made, while the M16C has a more lively, poppy feel to it that performs best under an attentive and aggressive rider. There's also a difference in swingarm design between the two bikes, and on the M16C the drive side chainstay's vertical height is shorter, with the brace located only on the non-drive side. This creates more room between it and the chain, and makes the M16C quieter than the V10.


Intense M16 Review
Renthal takes care of the M16C's 780mm bar and 45mm stem.
Intense M16 Review
The X01 DH drivetrain was precise and quiet no matter how rough the terrain.


Component Check

• Grips: The Intense-branded lock-on grips are nice and thin, but they did a number on my hands after a couple of long days in the park. The diamond pattern provides plenty of grip, but it's like holding onto a file, and it left my hands feeling sore and raw.

• SRAM X01 DH drivetrain: SRAM's 7-speed drivetrain worked flawlessly for the duration of the test period, and I never found myself wishing for more gears or a greater range.

• Integrated fender: The upper bolt that secured the fender onto the swingarm worked itself loose after a couple of days, and accessing it to snug it down requires removing the rear wheel. It's not a huge deal, but it is something to check every once in a while.

• RockShox BoXXer World Cup: Simply put, the BoXXer World Cup is outstanding. This is in large part due to the use of the Charger damper technology first found in the venerable Pike single crown fork. It's quiet and composed, with the ideal blend of suppleness for sucking up the small bumps and mid-stroke support for resisting diving during hard cornering or in extremely rough terrain. As an added bonus, a degree in engineering isn't required to get it set up properly, and even riders who don't consider themselves particularly mechanically minded should be able to tune it to their liking with minimal effort.


Intense M16C review


Pinkbike's Take:
bigquotesThe M16C is a fitting successor to the M-Series throne, a formidable machine that's capable of everything from bike park laps to full-on downhill racing. It may not be the absolute lowest and longest DH bike around, but it'll still take on the steepest tracks without putting up a fuss. That trait, plus the well constructed frame and top notch build kit work together to create a bike that I'd imagine almost any downhill rider would be happy to own. - Mike Kazimer




Visit the high-res gallery for more images from this review.



About the Reviewer
Stats: Age: 32 • Height: 5'11” • Inseam: 33" • Weight: 155lb • Industry affiliations / sponsors: None
Twenty years into a mountain biking addiction that began as a way to escape the suburban sprawl of Connecticut, Mike Kazimer is most at home deep the woods, carving his way down steep, technical trails. The decade he spent as a bike mechanic helped create a solid technical background to draw from when reviewing products, and his current location in the Pacific Northwest allows for easy access to the wettest, muddiest conditions imaginable.


Author Info:
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Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,719 articles

182 Comments
  • 332 25
 The M16: the bike you get if you don't like any of the V10 colors.
  • 21 63
flag chyu (Dec 13, 2015 at 22:58) (Below Threshold)
 Our frame has been bought and rebranded for a decade. We wonder how it feels to do so. Now we know.
  • 18 16
 This will be my first Intense M series that will be straight!!! Loving my Tracer 275C DVO!
  • 55 4
 I think intense has earned the honour to use the vpp setup considering most brands were using intense bikes since the 90's. Plus the way you all talk its like they went out and ripped them off last month, meanwhile they have been using vpp linkage for well over a decade
  • 16 33
flag white1414 (Dec 14, 2015 at 8:54) (Below Threshold)
 danmanholl is very different from the v10 people that say it looks like a v10 are the ones that can´t afford a intense
  • 8 2
 @TheFireSermon - Haha, took my M9 back to get straightened out when it was new cus the shock wouldn't line up. When they gave it back they said, "Here you go, it's not perfect, but it's better than it was". After paying 3k for a frame though, I would have liked them to bridge the gap from "better than it was" to how it's supposed to be. Is what it is I guess...
  • 30 9
 Intense has been using the Vpp since Day 1. They developed it WITH Santa Cruz.
  • 20 0
 Anyone who says Intense ripped off S.C. has been living under a rock for 15 years and didn't bother to read the article. Practically all the numbers are different and thats what gives a bike its identity.
  • 6 1
 Is there any reason the V10 and the M16 have 14+ inch bottom brackets while other companies are in the 13.5-13.7 range? Is it a VPP characteristic?
  • 9 0
 The amount of sag they both run drops the bb to that range once the rider is on the bike.
  • 22 0
 enduroelite, Intense & Santa Cruz are not the inventors of VPP.....it was invented by James Klassen and Jamie Calon for Outland bikes. Intense & Santa Cruz bought the rights to the patent, then developed the design you see today.
  • 3 23
flag stankiec (Dec 14, 2015 at 16:48) (Below Threshold)
 looks like a V10
  • 4 20
flag drivereight (Dec 14, 2015 at 20:07) (Below Threshold)
 If you like nice looking bikes, buy Intense, but if you like to ride fast, buy a V10.
  • 4 0
 @Highrevkev I stand corrected, thank you.
  • 3 0
 Not sure why @chyu received so many neg props and the fool that made a blatantly unfounded comment got so many positive props. What he said was valid.
  • 4 0
 @mhosall earn t the right thats hilarious pretty sure santa cruz and intense went 50 50 when buying the rights .... and unlike the cruz intense are still made where they were born
  • 2 0
 I just meant they have earned the right to have the best suspension setup on their bikes considering they paved the way for downhill bikes everywhere, and thanks but im well aware of my biking history so you don't have to be a prick to me like im stupid or something
  • 2 0
 hahah sorry @mhoshal im just a sh*t c*nt that likes to stir people up
  • 3 0
 Well, at least it doesn't look like a Session. I'm getting one.
  • 1 0
 So, I have question regarding DH bikes, I am looking at 2 bikes to purchase it's Intense M16 OR Santa Cruz v10c KIT witch bike you recommend this will be my first DH bike?
  • 1 0
 @rbscs2010: So what you're saying is its between a alu M16 and a carbon V10c? -Get the carbon one, rides quite a bit calmer if you can get the two for the same price.

Allthough, owning a M16c (Yes, I actually bought one) and ridden a lot ov V10c's. I much prefer the snappiness and liveliness of the M16c over the freight-training V10c.
  • 1 0
 @megatryn: so both bikes are carbon however one is newer M16 carbon, and v10ckit is of demo. but still with all the original warranty and v10 is a Medium so I'm not sure what to take....v10 its about 350 less.
  • 1 0
 @rbscs2010: I had the choice between the two as well, and went for the M16c, and am very happy with my choice. I much prefer the liveliness of the M16c, rather than the freight-train feel of the V10c(c). I bought mine big (L), and mounted a short 25mm stem on it (I'm 173cm), which suits my riding style brilliantly. I felt right at home on the bike as soon as I mounted it.

So the question is: What type of tracks do you ride, and what's your riding style like?
  • 1 0
 @megatryn: yeah man I did felling in love with santa cruz v10 bike, I am looking very hard for one size Medium....
  • 1 0
 @rbscs2010: If you're in love with the V10, go for the V10. Easy. Both bikes are awesome.
  • 138 16
 Tbh i think it looks and seems better than a V-10.
  • 21 2
 Agree. They are both extreme eye candy with a perfectly dialed ride, but if I was forced to pick one (not that you'd have to force me), Intense FTW.
  • 21 1
 There's also the exclusivity of the M16. V10s are very common, but when I see an M6, M9, or M16 I stop and stare
  • 41 2
 It doesn't look like a session! Definitely like this better than the alloy version and stoked they kept a threaded bottom bracket. Looks solid!
  • 13 0
 I like the military/industrial look of the alloy. Plus it's cheaper
  • 21 1
 *Less expensive
  • 2 9
flag ridethree (Dec 14, 2015 at 16:26) (Below Threshold)
 Looks like a Demo... but better
  • 3 11
flag stankiec (Dec 14, 2015 at 16:49) (Below Threshold)
 looks like a v10
  • 47 9
 Sexiest DH bike on the market hands down!
  • 17 51
flag lawnweenies1 (Dec 13, 2015 at 21:07) (Below Threshold)
 Right behind trek session
  • 6 12
flag Uuno (Dec 14, 2015 at 3:33) (Below Threshold)
 Or YT Tues if you dont like the seattube that looks unsupported. Red and black is always winner
  • 36 2
 Can we just take a minute to appreciate how outrageous(ly wonderful) the branding is? The industry seems to think logo size is directly proportional to bike aggressiveness, so this "INTE" must ride like a freight train on a roller coaster track.
  • 3 21
flag blackthorne (Dec 13, 2015 at 22:17) (Below Threshold)
 No
  • 11 14
 "Inte" means "Not" in Swedish and Norwegian so if you mean Roller Coaster track in Hafjell then it is indeed going to turn heads
  • 8 0
 Ikke
  • 2 10
flag WAKIdesigns (Dec 14, 2015 at 0:55) (Below Threshold)
 Sorry!
  • 10 2
 Am I the only one to notice that the M16 on the seat stay even looks like it says V10????

How's that for branding!!
  • 2 0
 They're just trying to make the words look like what they mean. So, they've made a rather intense "intense".
  • 1 4
 The badge is on crooked!
  • 36 8
 My OCD is going crazy with that crooked head badge.....
  • 5 3
 I was looking to see if anyone commented on that!
  • 7 1
 I had noticed that as well! I wasn't sure if it was the angle of the pic? For $8499 you'd think Intense would get it perfect!!!
  • 9 6
 Actually, kind of goes with what I’ve heard - because they’re hand made, at least with the aluminum bikes in the past, it’s not uncommon for Intense bikes to need washers here and there to compensate for loose tolerances. An impressive bike for sure but the head badge is one place you don’t want to screw up. It’s like the emblem on a car or Chip Foose’s signature -, the eye goes right to it. How do you put in the time it takes to build a bike like that and not get the badge straight? Doesn’t instill confidence for me anyway.
  • 22 0
 Is that not an optical illusion created by the offset angle of the paint graphic behind? Wahdaya think?
  • 7 4
 Loose tolerances aren't because of the bikes being hand made. Loads of brands are hand made - Intense have a long history of shoddy quality (And Jeff Steber has acknowledged that himself).

The good thing about the carbon ones is that someone else builds them.
  • 2 2
 I don’t think so. @timmytuckshop
  • 9 0
 yeah I've dealt with too many customers in the past with Intense suspension bikes that constantly eat bearings due to poorly manufactured frame. some frame so wonky out the box the customer got refund from the retailer.

quality control has nothing to do with "hand built", and everything to do with paying attention through rigorous checks. its shocking that the QC on a number of boutique brands is / has been so poor considering the premium $$ price tag, whilst the "big brands" generally produce very well put together, but perhaps 'boring' frames at more affordable prices
  • 10 0
 Isn't that an optical illusion due to the stickers below it? I've just stared at it for a bit and it kinda straightens out.
  • 5 2
 It is straight. Its the cocked decal underneath making it look funny.
  • 7 1
 It's not straight...

I literally copy+pasted the picture into MS Paint, drew a box around the head tube to confirm the head tube is pictured straight, then drew a box around the badge. The badge is wonky; right-side higher than left-side.

MS Paint for the win!
  • 4 0
 it also looks a few millimeters further to the right, it is not only croocked (how is that spelled?) it is also not centered horizontally.
  • 3 0
 It looks like the frame isn't shot straight from the front, on the left you can see an out of focus part that I guess could be the rear triangle.
  • 3 0
 Who's to say the photo isn't off center? Look at the rubber cable guides on the frame- if you moved the camera to make those even then the badge would be too. I doubt they spent forever making sure they lined up the shot to the thousandth of an inch.
  • 3 0
 There's a huge gap between thousands of an inch and a few milimiters. Still... i agree that pinkish spot on the back show that the bike might've not be very well centered at the time the pic was taken.
  • 11 2
 For God's sake people, it's a picture taken by a human being! Look at the lower crown on the Boxxer and the cable guides. ...and then stop wasting your time complaining about a head badge.
  • 18 0
 I want it. Now, how to convince the wife I NEED IT......
  • 14 1
 just buy it.....and tell her later
  • 14 1
 Just get it for her as a Christmas present, and if she doesn't use it just say you're making sure it didn't go to waste
  • 2 1
 Find a lady to share with her how her husband wasted time and money on mistresses. And envy her for having a husband only spend time between biking and home.
  • 6 4
 @chyu - you are right on the money! - I am pounding it to many people's head: marital treason is not immoral - it is completely stupid. Flashes of bad conscience are nothing, you really have to be an idiot to screw around - it is extremely time consuming, non-functional and non-economical. You'll have to do snap chat, listen to her when you don't want yo, buy presents, be creative to surprise her, make up tons of stupid things how great you are to impress her, deal with yet another unstable person with bad moods, figure out what was is that you said wrong, was it the words, the tone? She can decide not to have sex with you while you are having sex! Really, if you are to cheat on your spouse, screw a guy.
  • 1 1
 Waki, you started off by saying "i am pounding into peoples heads" and ended with "screw a guy" .See this how they get ya, first it starts with try a m16 instead of a v10 and then POW right in the saddle area.
  • 14 0
 But how does it climb? Seems to be all the rage these days with bike reviews.
  • 2 13
flag bigburd (Dec 14, 2015 at 9:46) (Below Threshold)
 Climbs like an XC bike from 1902 and descends like a DH bike from 1907, worst of both worlds
  • 11 0
 Am I the only one who didn't realize the VPP patent had expired for SC? Now, seeing the renamed JS Tuned suspension on the Uzzi article a few months back makes all sorts of sense.
  • 7 0
 A fair few brands are using or have used "pro" in the name of a product for the high spec version. Yet I have never seen anyone use "amateur" in the name for the lower spec models
  • 10 0
 "The squid model"
  • 2 0
 I think that is marketing 101, like the story about the different sizes of Japanese condoms: enormous, huge, and gargantuan [whatever]
  • 9 0
 Its.... so..... BEAUTIFUL!
  • 10 2
 Would anyone else here prefer to save the money and have the beautifully welded in the USA alloy version?
  • 1 0
 The alloy one is almost more sexy, the head tube alone arouses me
  • 1 0
 Did they say what the weight difference in frames was? If not much, go alloy.
  • 8 0
 2lbs
  • 4 5
 I would rather have a frame welded in taiwan than a "american made" intense frame. unless you like having frames that are crooked and snap lol
  • 5 3
 You obviously have not owned a recent American made intense
  • 1 6
flag nismo325 (Dec 15, 2015 at 8:49) (Below Threshold)
 haha your right i wouldn't own one. lots of dudes run them at my local hill and i've seen a lot of problems with them.
  • 3 1
 I've only owned an Intense bmx bike, so I can't personally comment on the durability except to say that if you go to the Fontana races, you will see more Intense's (M9's, Tracers and 951's) than anything else, especially among the amateurs, so that's a whole lot of older Intense bikes being ridden very hard and holding up. Living in Southern California, where Intense is located, there are probably more here than anywhere else and I have never once heard from anyone about these supposed inherent problems being spoken of. Intense holds demos all the time (way more than any other brand around here) to get people on their bikes and it works, as all my friends who own one, first demoed it and loved it. None of this sounds like a bike company that has problems with their frames.
  • 1 1
 i've seen two snapped rear triangle and one cracked front. they had issues with warped frames too. If you google intense frame problems you will find a ton. maybe there brand new stuff is ok but they have had lots of issues.
  • 2 0
 If you google Santa Cruz, Specialized, Trek, Giant, even newer brands like YT and "frame problems", you will, of course, get a ton of, you guessed it, frame problems. I have personally seen dozens, if not hundreds, of cracked frames over the years, but its not like they were just one brand. And I probably did see many more broke Intense frames than, say, DeVinci's, but that is because waaay more people ride Intense in Southern California. Just look at the heat Yeti took for some pre-production review frames cracking earlier this year to see how quickly word spreads, and you are alleging this is an older problem that is well known. But a company that has had an abnormal number of problems would not still be so popular. This Pinkbike poll www.pinkbike.com/news/what-people-are-riding-whistler-opening-weekend-2015.html shows Whistler had as many Intense's running as Trek's on opening day and their most popular model is one that has not been in production for two years, meaning they are holding up at a bike park famous for its gnarly trails, huge gaps etc.
  • 1 2
 yes all frames can break but not all companies have the quality control issues intense had. they had issues with frames warping from there heat treating process and also a ton of frames had issues with cracking/ snapping. I believe the FRO models where the worst tho all the issues i've seen are on standard models. Just because 2% of people ride intense and 2% of people ride trek at whistler doesn't put them on the same level.... not even close. actually 2% ride norco a-lines and kona stabs LOL! so intense is on the same level as them? you can try and act like they never had problems but thats just lying to yourself. google searching most companies wont give you as many frame issues as intense has had especially for the small volume they sell compared to companies like trek and spec.
  • 1 0
 Everybody has seen broken Intense frames. And Treks and Santa Cruz's. Bikes break. Intense frames are well made. So are Trek and Santa Cruz.
  • 2 0
 And yet the.scores and.scores of older Intense models you see riding dh tracks in Southern California speaks to their incredible durabilty. Behind Konas they are probably the most frequemtly seen older model gravity bikes in Sputhern California. Everyone (but me) seems to own one and it is stilll going strong.
  • 2 0
 i guess is useless to make any comment on frame durability until you read some well made stat...otherwise we will always be biased by our personal experience. i have an M9 and it's rock solid so far, but that's my personal case and it doesn't count over the total amount of sold frames. personally i couldn't love more my dh rig and i'm an intense fan (and i love the M16). Another example, on the enduro i have CrankBros Iodine 3, (in)famous for their hub problems. well never had a single problem with them, and i rode them in a dolomites bike park this summer and in finale ligure, so they received a nice amount of bashing. but then again, it's true those wheels in the past had problems, as per admission from CB itself. look ad the numbers, bros.
  • 6 1
 "At 5'11” I was felt like I was right on the edge as far as sizing goes, and if all-out speed were my ultimate goal I would seriously consider an XL to gain more room in the cockpit." - This is why tall people don't get to have nice things.
  • 2 1
 Exactly. I made it to that point in the review, said "oh, so it only comes in kid sizes" and stopped.

ok, I don't exactly have a need for a $9k downhill bike, but it's still a little disappointing that their XL fits riders I'd call M at most.
  • 2 0
 Their Carbines and Tracers run big. They warned me that at 6'2", I was too small for an XL and they were right. So this might just be a personal preference of the reviewer.
  • 2 1
 The Carbine 29C in indeed a surprisingly big bike for a company that typically runs small. But like many companies they misunderstand tall riders by sticking the big bike with low stack and a slack STA.
  • 8 0
 If I had a spare 11k lying around I would put the red enves, fox suspension, and saint drivetrain on this puppy
  • 14 6
 So you didn't have to tighten the pivot bolts after each run? Impressive.
  • 6 3
 2005 called, it wants it's maintenance regimen back! Seriously though, that hasn't been a problem in approximately forever.
  • 4 6
 Funny, because I know at least 4 people here in Tucson that have anything from an M3 to and M9 and they'd say different.
  • 4 1
 ...and I know at least 4 people here in PA that would not. So who's right?
  • 6 1
 To quote a friend of mine last week about riding a Tracer.. "You rode it without tightening the pivots? What are you thinking? "

As good as new suspension designs are, more moving parts mean more maintenance. .
  • 1 1
 I mean don't get me wrong, this was a regular, accepted part of owning one of Intense's works of art 10 years ago, no question, and I have no doubt that it has happened to frames since then. But by and large, it's fixed with the new pivot bolt design. My 2014 T275a has NEVER needed a touching of the pivot bolts, nor have any of the countless Intense frames that I have rehabbed and rebuilt since the 2008 model year.
  • 2 0
 You my friend are a lucky man. I have been riding a 2015 Tracer T275 A and need to tighten it up after every second ride.
  • 1 0
 Actually I think it's more like you are an unlucky man. Could also be that you ride alot more rock gardens than I do.
  • 4 0
 Don't get me wrong. The ride quality is worth it! This bike f''n rips!
  • 2 0
 I have a buddy who just got a 2015 Tracer but his pivots had to be tightened after each run. And they were only 2:30 long. So odd.
  • 1 0
 @TheRaven, not saying anyone is right, just stating facts from personal experience.
  • 1 0
 @xignigenax - same here, no offense meant or taken.
  • 1 0
 Is this the case with the V-10 as well?
  • 1 0
 Not sure. The only experience I have with one is when my buddy had one of the first gen V10's. It was a pig, but rock solid.
  • 2 0
 @xTwoSnakesx - No, the the V-10 uses a different collet style that doesn't loosen on it's own easily.
  • 1 0
 @xtwosnakesx I work with a shuttle/travvel company. Loosing bolts while ridding is not a common thing, I only see a few old bikes loosing some bolts here and there. They have a few old alloy V-10 to rent with this problem, but if you take care of your bike and check all the bolts sometimes it may be not a problem. Blue loctite,and if the problem persist it sure the bike need new bearings and bolts. The most weird thing I see is to flip the entire rear end in and old Santacruz DH bike (previous model to V10)in a crash...I see a pair of frames say goodbye, one Yt tues alloy 26 inch and a Kona Operator 26 inch too...It´s also know if you are a heavy rider buying a Mondraker = new frame every few months, at least Mondraker sends you another whit no question.
  • 3 0
 Can someone tell me why DH bikes have a small reach and long wheelbase measurements when compared to an Enduro bike?

For example, my Canyon Strive Medium has almost the same reach measurement as the XL version of this bike but the wheelbase comes up smaller than the Small sized DH bike.
  • 5 0
 Slacker head angles and more travel
  • 4 0
 Got it!
  • 4 0
 Sorry if that sounded a bit patronising, didn't mean it to be! I always thought the same too until i put my spicy up against my friend's demo (mine has longer reach whereas his wheelbase is longer) just to compare the geometries and it was easy to see that thats where the extra length came from, and thinking about it practically and mathematically, it makes sense! Hope that helps.
  • 1 0
 No, not patronising at all. I liked the conciseness of your answer. It makes perfect sense.
  • 2 0
 I've wondered about this too actually and @dbeardy if you know feel free to chime in. I know if you take the same frame and throw a bigger fork on it, bars move up and back and reach shortens. But, if you assume steeper terrain, as with a DH bike, you still have the same amount of room, or the same reach while riding.

So my question is, is there an index by which your reach should decrease as your bike gets bigger? Like if I am on a nomad that is about 440mm, and I get an M16 do I want a shorter reach? by how much? If I get a 5010 should I go longer?
  • 8 3
 Eight thousand five hundred dollars. Plu stax. Plus shipping. For a bicycle. Meanwhile, half the world still lives on a dollar per day.
  • 4 0
 Not that I disagree with you about the price of the bike (or the price of MTB in general), but i'd bet good money you are reading this from a $600 smartphone or $1000 laptop.

Once we stop buying these things, prices will go down. Until then, no point in complaining.
  • 2 0
 my jaw hit the floor and bounced back up to slap me in the face, since santa's naughty/nice list leaked on the internet, on the list..."M16C reserved for the naughty" Nice Unit!
  • 3 0
 Just gotta wait for the " beating a dead horse/palmers out of money so come crawling back to MTB " edition now, he's so relevant.
  • 3 1
 Glad to see this must be one of the last true dh pigs left! Bummer that the V10 is down to 8.5" Give me that extra inch Smile Intense all the way baby!
  • 2 0
 But the reviewer said the M16C was more playful but less of a ground hugger. However, he did run it at 8.5".
  • 1 0
 Hello Everyone,
I have a question and I need some Opinion regarding 2 BIKE DH, not sure witch one to buy V10C-KIT OR INTENSE M16? can someone help me out this will be my first DH bike..
thanks.
  • 6 3
 Looks like a damn fast bike. Coincidentally it also looks a little like a v10.
  • 3 0
 I want them all. All the downhill bikes. They all sound too fun. M16 w/ speed and pop. Damn you money!
  • 4 0
 It's Carbon Fibre. You are a Canadian website.
  • 3 0
 I know it legalized, but damn don't smoke before putting the damn badges on these!
  • 4 0
 I'm going to get 2 of them
  • 2 1
 Why can't Rock Shox figure out the harsh top out knock problem on the Vivid? This has been an ongoing issue and a source of frustration for many of my racing friends.
  • 3 0
 SRAM drivetrain, SRAM suspension, Shimano brakes... hmmm
  • 2 0
 great combo in these days
  • 2 0
 Nice to see it get a good review after the slam they took in this month's Decline.
  • 2 0
 I'm just glad it appears that I don't have to remove the rear wheel to drop the shock out.
  • 4 1
 What's with the special "nutcracker hump" on the top tube?
  • 4 0
 At what point will your jock ever be up there?
  • 2 0
 It's the frame flexing it's muscle. Smile
  • 2 0
 With such a low price, I hope they can at least make some profit on this bike lol
  • 1 0
 Now if Intense can put together a winning DH team that would be sweet. The V10 still has more wins though. Both are sick bikes. Not too happy with SC frame colors this year.
  • 4 1
 Looks like a rocket...
  • 4 1
 The intensity builds
  • 1 0
 Hey danmanholl, the m16 is the bike you get if you want something that resembles the old v10 rear wheel travel
  • 2 0
 So what was wrong with the aluminuim one...nothing!!
  • 3 0
 Except that it weighs two or three pounds more than this one.
  • 2 1
 Damnit, I shouldn't read porn on my parent's tablet. But the force is too strong in this one. Frown
  • 1 1
 glad to see they fixed all the issues that the M9 had. still would get the aluminum one over the carbon one due to being able to take a lot more abuse
  • 2 0
 Prob already been posted but is the headbadge crooked?...
  • 2 0
 sick bike but a bid expesive
  • 1 0
 The M16 is already taken, can't you guys come up with an original like a V10?
  • 2 0
 What pedals are those?
  • 3 2
 gheeez that frame looks so smooth and sexy!
  • 7 6
 really a vivid for that MUCH money ? could have at least put a CCDB
  • 2 1
 You are paying a premium for the name on the frame.
  • 12 1
 and a ccdb allows you to ruin your bike... a vivd is a top performer but with less margin for error on the knobs
  • 1 0
 Shit! That sure is pleasing on the old peepers.
  • 1 0
 So it makes like braaaaap, but a bit different than the V10?
  • 2 1
 mine is on the water coming to australia cant FUCKING wait
  • 1 0
 A certain female US legend is riding one... start the rumor mill
  • 18 0
 Oprah?
  • 1 0
 Nah, a certain dh girl who made a return at windham last year.
  • 7 0
 So if I get one will Oprah put a present under my seat?
  • 1 0
 I like that nifty little rear fender.
  • 1 0
 8500$$ ......... un ski-doo ? on peux laissez ca dans cour ???
  • 3 2
 Dear santa.....
  • 34 2
 Dear Santa.........Cruz.
  • 2 1
 Drop dead sexy Drool
  • 1 0
 Gygydy
  • 1 0
 everyone is dumb
  • 3 4
 Very nice bike. Just needs to win races.
  • 7 2
 You should pay attention to the past 2 asytralian races ;-)
  • 2 1
 World Cup Races!
  • 2 4
 The second name is: Inte-Cruz V-10 improved Smile
  • 1 2
 Sounds so so
  • 2 4
 looks like v10
  • 2 4
 Its v10 isnt it?
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