atlas4gr

Santa Cruz frames probably cost $200 for them to make

26 is just as arbitrary a number as 29. 650b or 27.5 is the closest there is to a scientifically proven "right" wheel size. It's perfectly proportional, and really has no travel restraints and no glaring negative aspects. It rides like a 26 but with enhanced riding characteristics (traction, cornering, roll over). If we started from scratch there would be only one wheel size,650b. I have a carbine 275. Most satisfying machine I've ever owned, and I've owned over 30 bikes in my 19 years of riding.

For as "small" as they are Intense is a badass company with a great leader. They were smart to jump on the VPP platform early, and smarter to finally come out with carbon frames. And knowing they have a reputation to keep, they didn't come out with a cheap looking, poorly finished Chinese frames, but ones that are truly top notch, immaculately built, with US made aluminum hardware. My Intense Carbine 275 doesn't "fit in" with Santa Cruz LTCs or Specialized Epics or other mass produced bikes because it has that high end, boutique look and build quality that the other companies don't have. Add that to unbelievable performance and you have a bike you can truly be proud of. While it used to be that the boutique frame companies really made the best built and performing bikes, the introduction of suspension design platforms and carbon fiber have change that characteristic.It's hard to rationalize buying a heavier, inferior performing bike and paying more for it, even if you truly stand behind a US made product. It's great to see Intense coming out with products that are legitimately top end on the production side as well as the performance end.