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Intense Socom only for DH?

skiracer

skiracer

Chimp
Jul 12, 2009
7
0
Ottawa, Canada
Hi!

I'm looking to buy an intense socom to do some downhill at my local hill and enter some races throughout the province. I am also planning to do some freeride trails I have built near me with it. However my lbs has told me that the Socom is a Fro bike which I already know and that it won't hold up to any other stress than downhill becuase it's built just for downhill. I was somewhat confused because I am a fairly light rider (And still growing a bit since I'm 14). I want to hear your opinions on this and in the end tell me if I should get the bike or not. If it is not good for some multi-tasking, what are some good subsitutes that have similar geo?

Thanks A lot!

Alex
 
Last edited:
Sandwich

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,067
5,976
borcester rhymes
lol...

The intense is a solid bike and will probably hold up fine, especially if you're a lighter rider. Heavier guys have a problem with stiffness, but lighter guys should do OK. I don't know how gnarly your trails are, but if you're talking 40 ft gaps and such, you may want a different bike, otherwise I think you'll get several years out of the SOCOM before it's clapped out.
 
skiracer

skiracer

Chimp
Jul 12, 2009
7
0
Ottawa, Canada
My biggest gap in my trail is a measured 31.5 feet. I still havn't gotten the nerve to hit it but I'm pretty sure I will soon. The biggest gap other then that that I have hit has been 27 feet. Thanks for the help!
 
DirtyMike

DirtyMike

Turbo Fluffer
Aug 8, 2005
14,437
1,017
My own world inside my head
Well I am not sure I would be hitting 30 plus foot gaps on a Socom, Steber described the Socom as.... A Bike I built for Fontana...its a cool bike, YOu can do some freeride on it, it will take a fair beating without breaking on you. But do remember it was designed as a race bike, its thinner, lighter, and it is more fragile than what you expect to see in a freeride bike. It is a great bike for DH, and for your general trail riding.
 
D

dh_newbie

Monkey
Jun 7, 2006
191
0
Hong Kong
I think the SOCOM can be fit to your selection since you is a light weight rider. Most of our local owned SOCOM rider always compliant the flex rear end but since SOCOM is build for the pedal DH smooth track.

May be you can consider the NEW 951.
 
stiksandstones

stiksandstones

Turbo Monkey
May 21, 2002
5,078
25
Orange, Ca
FWIW
I did 2-2 week whistler trips riding a SOCOM, was perfect for every trail. My wife (former pro) did a bunch of races on her SOCOM and has done 2 2 week whistler trips as well.
 
iRider

iRider

Turbo Monkey
Apr 5, 2008
5,653
3,092
I would say if you are a smooth rider you can do everything on the Socom, including big gaps, jumps etc. I don't get guys that say it is 'race only'. If I freeride I take my time and don't put as much stress on the frame as I do going all out while racing. There is just no time in a race. :D
And FWIW: the rear triangle is identical to the old Uzzi VPX, yes, a freeride bike! :eek: The mainframe is seriously thin tubing though and doesn't take crashes too well.
So if you are light, smooth and don't crash too often the Socom is a phantastic bike.
And if you want to lower/slacken the frame get those slacker dropouts that the guy 'Intense CNC' on mtbr sells.
 
norbar

norbar

KESSLER PROBLEM. Just cause
Jun 7, 2007
11,368
1,606
Warsaw :/
Just don't crash and case jumps and you should be fine. I know there are people who don't do that too often (not me ) and if you're one of them go for it. If you crash and break stuff go with sth heavier.
 
Jm_

Jm_

sled dog's bollocks
Jan 14, 2002
18,978
9,638
AK
There could be other reasons, such as why Intense said that the SS bike shouldn't be used for trail-riding/riding up. The reason they said not to do this is due to seatpost extention. Even if you have plenty of overlap, it creates a much bigger lever that the bike was not designed for.
 
skiracer

skiracer

Chimp
Jul 12, 2009
7
0
Ottawa, Canada
Thanks for all the answers guys! Intense still hasn't answered my e-mail but once they do I'm going to compare all the answers I have received to the e-mail and see whether I should get the bike or not!

Thanks once again,
Alex

PS: You can keep replying in the thread if you want.
 
jcaramia

jcaramia

Monkey
Oct 28, 2007
914
0
Clifton, NJ
My 15 year old brother has an 07 Socom and it has been holding up since the day he got it two years ago. He weighs about 120lbs and beats the piss out of it.



 
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