Intense clearly hasn't been taking a breather since shifting their focus to new carbon frames, with the 2018 Carbine shown below being yet another new addition to their ever-growing catalog. The fresh Carbine is all-new front to back, and the 155mm-travel, 29'' wheeled machine has been designed for all-mountain riding and enduro racing, a category of bikes that seems to be getting more and more competitive each and every day. The press release details from Intense are below, but the gist is that it features revised geometry, an updated leverage curve compared to the previous iteration, and a single travel setting via the 'JS Trail' dual-link suspension layout.
Intense is offering the Carbine in five variations, starting at $3,999 USD for the 'Foundation Build' model that's assembled around the standard frame with an aluminum link. At the top of the hill is the $10,399 USD 'Factory Build' that sports a 12-speed Eagle drivetrain and a Lyrik RCT3 fork bolted to the lightweight SL frame that includes a carbon link. And, in a first for Intense, the new bike will be available as a frame-only option in two flavors: the $3,399 USD SL model that weighs less thanks to a revised carbon layup and carbon link, and the less expensive standard frame that goes for $3,099 USD that has an aluminum link.
A lot is expected of a contemporary all-mountain bike these days because riders are doing a lot with them. Some people buy bikes in the this category for all around use on terrain that's no overly demanding, while others are looking at this travel bracket for an all-out enduro race bike. You'll be able to read a review of where and how the new Carbine performs on that spectrum soon, but for now you can find all the details and photos from the press release below, as well as first impressions from RC's time on the Carbine in Sedona, Arizona. -
Mike Levy
Carbine Details
RC's First ImpressionsI rode the new 29-inch-wheel Carbine this Spring at the Sedona, Arizona, launch. It was the top-drawer Factory build based around a 12-speed SRAM XX1 Eagle component group, and I was happy to be on a 29er – that was a given. Sedona is a perfect match for big wheels because, without them, there is less hope of maintaining momentum over the endless chatter of slick rock and rubble that makes up the trail network there. What I was more curious about, was how the Carbine’s new Cero-Design rear suspension was going to climb, and if its longer, slacker chassis would mesh happily with the fast-break grade changes and do-or-die decision making that I would face on Sedona’s tougher lines.
Fearing a repeat performance of the 2017 Tracer 275’s sullen climbing feel (its Cero-designed suspension kinematics ripped the downs, but resisted strong climbing efforts) I immediately put the new Carbine to work on back-to-back climbs. The first - a relatively smooth, fast-paced leg sapper, punctuated by short, technical steeps - was a lot more pleasant than I had imagined. You’ll want to engage the climb switch to keep the pedals feeling fresh, but it rolls uphill in an encouraging manner. I also found that the Carbine’s longer front center and stretched wheelbase kept the chassis from dropping into holes and getting hung up on ledges.
Climb number two was tighter and doubled down on the technical side of the gauge. Steering felt a bit slow, but not heavy at the handlebar, and I had trouble guiding the long-feeling chassis up, around, and over stepped corners, or anything that required precise steering in tight quarters. The tradeoff for its nerdy manners in the tight stuff, however, was how easily the Carbine leaped and clawed its way up big, vertical step-ups (which are a Sedona signature move). I rolled up a handful of boulders that had been my undoing on a number of different makes.
Climb all you want, the real reason that the Carbine was redesigned was to give it the strength and the resolve to tackle meaty downs. In that capacity, the 2017 Carbine made Sedona’s step-downs, vertical rock rolls, and Hail Mary gravity lines seem like they were a lot bigger last year. Evidently, the Carbine’s designers have been swept up by Enduro racing’s influence. That’s the word that kept popping into my head as I explored tougher lines on once familiar trails.
Since the Carbine was first launched, Intense has struggled to define its existence. The previous Carbines were too dainty to play rough, but a little too dull to dance at cross-country trailbike clubs. This one has the muscles to handle technical descents, and just enough pep to maintain pace everywhere else. If you are searching for the old Carbine, but with a more aggressive chassis and an appetite for technical climbs, Intense’s Primer is the better option. If you are a downhill-dominant fancier of enduro, you should enjoy the new Carbine -
RC
The Carbine Factory retails for $10,399 USD. Not much room to upgrade with this one, then.
Hey Intense how about making bikes from Titanium? All I mean is, Intense bikes don't look as desirable as they used to a few years back. They look like just another brand. What makes them better than Radon? These days, nothing. Intense used to be what UNNO, Geometron/Nicolai or Antidote are today.
If I spend 5k+ on a bike (which is absolutely mental by the way) I'd want it to last.
Was just checking the sum of my orders from bike-components the other day,
and that is already half a bike worth in spares and tools.
One notable cash drain was the Float X which needed service (incl nitro refil) and that's 140 euros where I live.
It was cheaper to replace with X2 (new 'second hand') in the not so long run.
@WAKIdesigns raw would look incredible and stickerless with the exception of a head tube badge.
Droool, Droool, Droooooool.
Ok, Sociology class is over. Time for me to duck before I get shot by Trump's supporters.
It would make for wealth of multimedia, and give the editors a chance to actually connect with the audience in a new way.
mid 2017. - now
2018. bikes - revealed
2019. bikes - raced by team riders
2020. bikes being developed by engineers
You buy a new bike and it already feels old.
I was just kidding, Is your comment ironical?
1.
www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/average-length-of-us-vehicle-ownership-hit-an-all_time-high/2000007854
So 72 month (6 year) for a brand new car, 49 for a used, leasing is 3 years.
Most of people around me kept their bikes between 4 and 6 years.
2.
A new car loose half of its value the first year, so it's pretty equivalent with bikes
3.
Changing width, motors, wheels size... for my car, three mags size are available, 3 motors, 3 body types... And once you chose once, you cannot change it, which is not the case for mtb tires, suspensions, components, transmissions, etc...
With such a long front centre, this bike would have benefitted from 17" chainstays like the wreckoning and enduro. The old carbine's 17.75" chainstay really helped the stability due to the fairly short front centre. This front centre is massive in comparison so the 17" CS would have really helped the manouverability through the twisties.
I know they are not as cool, but it seems the Big S and Wreckoning (if you forgive the seat angle) have nailed this catogories geo....
That nicolai tho. I forget they hand make them there so on top of crazy geo, it is like getting a smaller sized frame builder to do your full-sus.
Unno with a pinion C-line would be the ultimate.
UNNO is also justifying its exorbitant pricing by Handmade in Europe/Spain (or Catalonia?) using best materials, technologies and whatnot. But seriously, I don't think that the latest Scott Genius is made using much inferior process or number of carbon pieces glued and baked together.
Of these exclusive companies I like Robot Bike the most, technology wise that is. But, those guys are hardly pushing any innovation in bike design (geometry, kinematics, drivetrain) whatsoever and they have THE rapid prototyping technology right there at their fingertips, no carbon mould manufacturing costs and lead time. Even aluminum prototypes seem harder to make.
That rant being over, 160mm travel 29er Pinion C-line Robot Bike would be my ultimate.
-need a rear fender as the shock is exposed to rock strikes off the tire
-Size L with Fox 36 and aluminum build weighed in at 33 pounds. (Not unreasonable for a bike this size IMO but not a 27 pound carbon machine either)
-long wheelbase makes tight moves difficult
-price
Pros:
-tons of room to move around while standing/descending
-super stable at speed and pedals exceptionally well while hammering
-steep seat angle looks goofy but works awesome while climbing seated, also getting the seat out of the way while descending.
-as stated before the build quality is exceptional.
-future proof with rear axle standards.
Unno to me is like buying a Ferrari F40 or a Porsche 959, you'll never see another and you have to be into that before anything else, otherwise you just can't justify that $.
The whole industry is getting lackluster, everyone has the same looking bikes. Gen 1 nomad was somthing i'd have put a poster up on the wall for, that doesn't happen much these days.
www.instagram.com/p/BVOM3NThAFC
@Tmackstab: Thanks!
Ha maybe I will next time around!
Haha yes- typing out on a phone isnt great. I had to edit the
Post 5 times and then ran out of time for the rest - its still full of errors!!!!
Yes agee if the wreck had been slightly steeper ASA, and or a better climber it would win. The enduro eTT relative to seat tube is definely a bit short, but not compared to reach. If you have long legs best to size up on enduro - but if long torso, you're scuppered!!
The others are retina burning $10k attention whore's.
They also point out that they're not enough room for the shock, which touch the frame and cracks the paint.
FINALLY THE PEOPLE OF SEDONA CAN RIDE MOUNTAIN BIKES!!!
This is a joke right?
Curious why his was released now. Seems like bikes have been around since the spring time. Did their container get lost on the way from China?
No bike will ever make everyone happy, folks will be polarized by certain geometry numbers and color schemes...Fortunately we are in an age where there are so many great MTBs!
At nearly 6'2" I chose the LG and am running 30%sag in the rear shock and 25% or so in the Lyrik up front... the bike cleans the chunky climbs to get to the DH goods, and delivers on providing the rider to do so in an aggressive fashion, and the bike certainly does come alive at speed! The high BB should be taken with a grain of salt when factoring in suspension sag and the need for the pedals to clear rocks as the rider stands and powers down the trail- very few pedal strikes and most of those are operator-error. I have done long sustained climbs with little difficulty- (17 miles of climbing to the start of the Whole Uncolada Trail near Montrose with a sweet 20 mile descent as a reward). The only weakness I have found are the DHRII's as I have torn 3 of these (one front two rear) and based on the nature of the tears I will chalk that up to the rocky chunder we have here in Western Colorado. I have placed a DHF 2.5 on the front without issues and have been rewarded with a great steering and fast rolling front tire. I will be mounting up an Agressor 2.3 DD after work and hopefully it will not only keep the torn tire syndrome at bay but roll a bit faster on our local trails as well. I loved the braking traction and overall feel of the DHRII's and if I lived somewhere loamy I would keep that as my rear tire! I am having a blast on the Carbine and that is what should matter, right? P.S. I know the color scheme looks jarring to some in photos, but in person, I can't get enough of the red, blue and gold! And I am by no means a "loud color loving" bike guy... I am however, the kind of guy who wants a durable bike to withstand the rigors of my local trail system and the brutal terrain it contains, and not to age myself, but I was around (and riding Lunch Loop, Kokopelli, 18 Road, CB, etc..) back when the first Rock Shox came out and 26" was the only option and hard-tails were so much better than the gangly first attempts at full suspension, cassette tapes were still more popular than CD's... you get the idea... and this Carbine, it allows me to ride the local trails in ways I never have before!
Also, while the eff seat angle may be steep enough, once you raise the post past horizontal this thing becomes a recumbent.
$10,399.00
$7,999.00
$6,999.00
$4,999.00
and entry level at YES, $3,999.00
According to my buddy employee they've sold 4 MTBs so far this season !
Population is > 1 million people with steady high tech and silly servant employment (and lots of dentists to take advantage of the dental plans).
Bikes are discounted at season end so that's when the sales happen he said.
The bikes look real nice although I don't believe there is much interest locally in the Intense brand.
Oh and there's plenty of folks running DHR2 on front. Actualy it makes sense to run DHR2 up front and DHF on the back since DHF rolls quite well for a knobby DH tyre.
Loving it as a front though.
dhf does not have as much traction as magic marry.
dhf has a vauge partial lean characteristic that MM's do not.
braking on MM's is also much better than dhf's
HR's brake much better than DHF's
MM however is more tolerant of lousy technique. 2.35 MM has much more volume than 2.3 DHF.
EXO vs Snakeskin feel about the same for me in stifness, and both have coped very well. Maxxis sideknobs knobs tend to outlast Schwalbe.
Love them both!
Not Stoked about: Metric shock, 29" wheels