First Look: Intense Recluse
Named after one of North America's most venomous spiders, the Recluse is Intense's answer to accomplished riders who want to cheat death on the downs aboard a lightweight, crisp pedaling trail bike. In fact, founder/designer Jeff Steber says that the Recluse was intended to be a much more aggressive and edgier incarnation of the Spider 27.5 that Intense released just a few months earlier - and without actually saying it, Steber hinted that the Recluse also addresses the wish lists of their best-selling Tracer 275c customers. If that list includes a slacker head angle, a steeper seat angle, shortened chainstays, ISCG mounts, a lengthened front-center, a stiffer and simpler frame design, and reconfigured suspension, then the Recluse is going to stir up some excitement among Intense fans - and some trepidation among their competitors.
 | We are not extending our model range, we are upgrading our existing models. Intense got a new management team and more resources, so we had the opportunity to start a number of new design cycles. It takes about a year to come out with a new carbon model, so we are just now seeing those designs coming into production. - Jeff Steber |
What You Need to Know:
• Purpose: All-mountain/trail
• Frame: Carbon front section and swingarm, low-stand-over design, JS-tuned dual-link suspension, collet-type rear axle, Boost hub spacing, ISCG mounts, internal cable routing.
• Wheel size: 27.5-inch, with room for 2.5-inch tires.
• Wheel Travel: 140mm (R), 150mm (F)
• Double secure, collet-type rear axle
• Modern geometry: Technically minded, with a 66-degree head angle, ample reach (438mm/17.3" for size M), a 75-degree seat angle and 419mm/16.5" chainstays
• Next-level suspension: top models feature Fox Float Factory 36 forks and Factory Float X2 reservoir shocks
• Wide Rim format: Intense designed its own 30mm ID carbon-rim wheelset to maximize traction and cornering stability.
• Sizes: Small, medium, large and X-large
• Five models: $9499 Factory, $7899 Elite, $6999 Pro, Expert $5899, and the $4599 Foundation build
• Available: Now
• More about the Recluse at Intense Cycles
Recon Carbon Wheelset
The ink had not dried completely on the Recluse's specification sheets when Intense announced that it would be outfitting their new trailbike with a proprietary wheelset. Recon wheels showcase Intense's 30-millimeter inner-width carbon rim that has a flatter profile than we are used to seeing. Jeff Steber says that the design was the brainchild of product manager Chad Peterson. Reportedly, Peterson, who has extensive experience with wheel design, set out to craft a rim with the strength to stand up to enduro, or all-mountain shredders, but with a little more compliance than the leading carbon hoops possess. The solution was to employ a flatter profile and lower flanges. Steber says that the wheels also ended up a little lighter than their rival's as well.
New suspension kinematics maintain a firm pedaling platform, while its uber-capable Fox Float X2 damper adds next-level traction and bump control.
The bottom bracket area has been widened to form a rigid "i-Box" that houses the lower link., and a dog-leg in the downtube makes room for a water bottle.
The Recluse also debuts Intense's new 30mm ID Recon carbon rims. The flatter profile of the rim is intended to erase some of the harshness that its semi-aero-profile competitors exhibit.
Intense will roll out two versions of the carbon wheelset: a 28-spoke trail model, paired with a 32-spoke enduro version, and 29er wheelset is in the works. So far, Recon wheels will only be spec'ed on Intense's complete builds, but there is a good chance that they will eventually be sold separately in the aftermarket. No prices or weights were available at this time, but Pinkbike has a Recon-equipped Recluse Factory build in our review lineup, so that information will be forthcoming.
New Color Combinations
Each of the five Recluse models will be offered in at least two color schemes - one mild and one wild - which should make every potential customer happy.
Prices and Components
| RECLUSE FACTORY $9499: FRAME – RECLUSE SL Monocoque UD Carbon Front and Rear Triangle, i-BOX Pivot System, Downtube Flak Guard Armor, Internal Derailleur, Brake & Dropper Post Routing, Ti Hardware, ISCG 05 Mount, 140mm travel. FRONT SUSPENSION - FOX FACTORY 36 FLOAT, Kashima, 150 mm, 3POS-ADJ, FIT4, 15QRx110 BOOST REAR SUSPENSION - FOX FACTORY FLOAT X2, 2 Position Lever w/ Open Mode Adj, 200x57mm HUBS - Mavic XA PRO, 110x15 MM FRONT, 148x12MM REAR, 6 BOLT RIMS - Mavic XA PRO CARBON WHEELSET, 110x15 MM FRONT, 148x12MM REAR, 6 BOLT, INCLUDING VALVE RIM STRIP SHIFTERS - SRAM XX1, 11 speed REAR DERAILLEUR - SRAM XX1 X-Horizon Carbon, 11 speed CRANK - Race Face NEXT SL, 32T CASSETTE - E13 9-44, 11 speed SADDLE - Fabric Scoop Radius Pro SEATPOST - RockShox Reverb Stealth, 31.6mm x 420 mm, zero offset, 150 mm of travel HANDLEBAR - RENTHAL FatBar Carbon 20mm - 760mm BRAKESET - Shimano XTR Hydraulic Disc, 180 mm front and 160 mm rear RECLUSE ELITE $7899: FRAME – Recluse 275 SL Carbon Front and Rear Triangle, i-BOX Pivot System, Downtube Flak Guard Armor, Internal Derailleur, Brake & Dropper Post Routing, ISCG 05 Mount, Ti Hardware 140mm travel. FRONT SUSPENSION - FOX Performance Float 36, 27.5IN, 3 Position, GRIP, MATTE BLK, 15QRx110 BOOST REAR SUSPENSION - FOX Performance FLOAT X2, 2 Position Lever w/ Open Mode Adj, 200x57 mm HUBS - 28 Hole DT Swiss 350, 15 x 110 mm Front Hub; 148x12 Rear Hub, XD Driver, 6-Bolt RIMS - INTENSE CARBON 30 MM SHIFTERS - SRAM X1, 11 speed REAR DERAILLEUR - SRAM X01, 11 speed CRANK - Race Face NEXT, DM32T, 175mm , 11 SPD CASSETTE - E13 9-44, 11 speed SADDLE - Fabric Scoop Radius elite SEATPOST - RockShox Reverb Stealth, 31.6mm x 420 mm, zero offset, 150 mm of travel HANDLEBAR - Renthal Fatbar 20mm x 760 mm BRAKESET - SRAM GUIDE RS, 180 mm front, 160 mm rear RECLUSE PRO $6999: FRAME – Recluse 275 SL Carbon Front and Rear Triangle, i-BOX Pivot System, Downtube Flak Guard Armor, Internal Derailleur, Brake & Dropper Post Routing, ISCG 05 Mount, Ti Hardware 140mm travel. FRONT SUSPENSION - FOX Performance Float 36, 27.5IN, 3 Position, GRIP, MATTE BLK, 15QRx110 BOOST REAR SUSPENSION - FOX Performance FLOAT X2, 2 Position Lever w/ Open Mode Adj, 200x57 mm HUBS - Mavic XA ELITE ULTIMATE WHEELSET, 110x15 MM FRONT, 148x12MM REAR, 6 BOLT, INCLUDING VALVES RIM STRIP RIMS - Mavic XA ELITE ULTIMATE WHEELSET, 110x15 MM FRONT, 148x12MM REAR, 6 BOLT, INCLUDING VALVES RIM STRIP SHIFTERS - SRAM X1, 11 speed REAR DERAILLEUR - SRAM X01, 11 speed CRANK - Race Face NEXT, DM32T, 175mm , 11 SPD CASSETTE - E13 9-44, 11 speed SADDLE - Fabric Scoop Radius elite SEATPOST - RockShox Reverb Stealth, 31.6mm x 420 mm, zero offset, 150 mm of travel HANDLEBAR - Renthal Fatbar 20mm x 760 mm BRAKESET - SRAM GUIDE RS, 180 mm front, 160 mm rear RECLUSE EXPERT $5899: FRAME – Recluse 275 Carbon Front and Rear Triangle, i-BOX Pivot System, Downtube Flak Guard Armor, Internal Derailleur, Brake & Dropper Post Routing, ISCG 05 Mount, Ti Hardware 140mm travel. FRONT SUSPENSION - RockShox Pike RC, 27.5” 15QR Thru Axle, 150mm Travel, 100 x 15mm REAR SUSPENSION - Rock Shox Monarch Plus HV MM, RC3 HV MM, Custom Tune, 200x57mm HUBS - 28 Hole DT Swiss SPLINE® hub with pawl drive system, silk matt black ; 100 x15mm Front Hub; 148x12 BOOST Rear Hub Shimano Driver, centerlock RIMS - DT Swiss E 1900 Spline 275, Tubeless Ready SHIFTERS - Shimano DEORE XT, RIGHT, 11-SPEED REAR DERAILLEUR - Shimano DEORE XT, RD-M8000, SGS 11-SPEED TOP-NORMAL SHADOW PLUS DESIGN CRANK - RACE FACE TURBINE, 32T CASSETTE - Shimano DEORE XT, 11-SPEED, 11-42 SADDLE - WTB Silverado Race SEATPOST - RockShox Reverb Stealth, 31.6mm x 420 mm, zero offset, 150 mm of travel HANDLEBAR - Renthal Fatbar 20mm x 760 mm BRAKESET - SRAM GUIDE RS, 180 mm front, 160 mm rear RECLUSE FOUNDATION $4599: FRAME – Recluse 275 Carbon Front and Rear Triangle, i-BOX Pivot System, Downtube Flak Guard Armor, Internal Derailleur, Brake & Dropper Post Routing, ISCG 05 Mount, Ti Hardware 140mm travel. FRONT SUSPENSION - RockShox Pike RC, 27.5” 15QR Thru Axle, 150mm Travel, 100 x 15mm REAR SUSPENSION - Rock Shox Monarch Plus HV MM, R HV MM, Custom Tune, 200x57mm HUBS - 32 Hole Intense Tuned; 148x12 BOOST Rear Hub Shimano Driver, 110x15 BOOST Front, 6-Bolt RIMS - DT Swiss E 1900 Spline 275, Tubeless Ready SHIFTERS - Shimano 11-speed REAR DERAILLEUR - Shimano 11-speed CRANK - RACE FACE AEFFECT, 32T CASSETTE - Shimano 11-42, 11-speed SADDLE - WTB Silverado SPORT SEATPOST - RockShox Reverb Stealth, 31.6mm x 420 mm, zero offset, 150 mm of travel HANDLEBAR - Intense Recon 31.8 x 18 x 760 mm BRAKESET - Shimano BL M506 180 mm front and 160 mm rear |
Where the Recluse Fits Into the Intense Range
MENTIONS: @intensecyclesusa
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
• You won't have the cash to own one.
Did they edit the specs after your guys' comments or something? Where are you guys reading this stuff??
Their XL is like some brands Medium. AND they don't even do an XL carbon bike...
The new, "modern" Jeffsy is only 465 for the XL frame. Aluminum Capra is 460. (that they only do the cheap builds on which is BS since they STILL don't have an XL carbon frame)
I'm sure you have plenty of people having to size up on YT's. I'll also admit you probably have people size down on Kona now and then.
But for tall riders YT is not as great as it is for everyone else...
Over and out!
Wasn't referring to DH bikes since this artucle is on the all mountain recluse. But the Tues has no XL frame at all, 450 reach on the large carbon and only 440 on the large aluminum.
Kona's medium Operator is almost as long as the large aluminum Tues.
At 6 foot your probably OK. But only if your done growing!
Freeriding isn't free.
So really, it's a perfect comparison. If you walk into a Lamborghini dealer and ask "why does this cost $300k?" You'll probably get an answer like "well it's a Lamborghini, of course!". That's basically what Intense is saying about their bikes. Some guys will hear that and say "YESSS PLEASE TAKE MY MONEY!!" and others will say "No thanks" and browse on over to the YT site. Totally depends on the money you have and what you want from your bike/manufacturer.
But you are right that their name is not known well to the general public. Neither is Yeti, Pivot, Santa Cruz, Kona, Devinci, Knolly, Mondraker...and pretty much all the awesome brands we love. The general public knows Trek, Specialized, and Giant.
And rear collet axle? How convenient.
Otherwise neat bike! Now please please please note the above comments when you renew the carbine 29!
Do you guys who want longer seat tubes ever ride technical stuff?
I have come to accept that my next bike is going to cost more than a decent motorcycle, I just wish I could buy it without feeling like I'm being nickle and dimed to death along the way.
Man, this is the bike I wanted!
Am I being blind, or am I missing a frame only price?
But why are all forks lately becoming "boost" as well?!
When it comes to average consumer product, you may be correct. Trek does theirs in house, iirc though.
Huh?
I owned an Intense Uzzi DH in 2002. 6 inch travel, Helix coil with shock lockout, adjustable seat tower. Awesome bike for a few years of trail riding and DH racing. Weighed 32lbs. Did great. Cost - $3k complete
Got to ride a Nukeproof Mega Comp last week on the local trails. Only $2900 and it screamed up and down the trail. Just an awesome bike. No fault in it. Just so impressed because the bike, weight and price point made sense.
These pricepoints make no sense. They're not even hand welded by the only thing about Intense that really matters, Jeff Steber. He's why people used to buy Intense.
Moving on.
Or will it be conservative which is regressive to progressive, at best flat-ish, as on too many VPP bikes...
Anyhow, the V10 shows that vpp and progressive LR are possible. The question is why vpp makers keep on with the j shaped curve?
Your spot on about previous VPP wallow though. Made manualing wierd and unpredictable and Ive dumped the front end on the older vpp a few times trying to manual to bumpjump on the trail.
+ 1 WAKIdesigns, VPP bikes awesome goes with coil shocks
As of Air shock you should choose only modern top range shocks like X2;
REAR DERAILLEUR - Shimano GX 11-speed
CRANK - RACE FACE AEFFECT, 32T
CASSETTE - Shimano NX 11-42, 11-speed"
Did I miss a corporate merger or something?
Must be a great bike but for that amount of dough, I'd rather have other color options.