Intense SS: Who's got one, and how you like it?

I've had an SS for a few months now, and I use it for the same purpose you intend too. You can ride it on real Dh trails in a pinch but mine with a 36 on it seems just a little steep. I weigh 200lbs and I have mine built to 34lbs with steel cranks and it's just a fun bike that i can do anything with. There's even enough seat tube to run a full length post.

I use it for light DH with DH tires (~37lb), and AM with XC tires (~33lb). With Talas 36 you can climb most trails (obviously not as well as Nomad). But if you plan to use it for N*/lift type of riding (and not much climbing), you might think about a 180mm fork. By the way, BB is really low (~13.5"), so you can't plow at all with this bike, and have to watch all the time for pedal strikes.

Keep in mind that Intense has changed the bike completely for 2010, making it a 6" version of 951.

I have one with a full-blown DH build; Totem, 2-ply Minions, etc. I used it for lift riding about 5-6 days per week all summer long, and loved it. I would be a great climber with a different part spec, but I didn't feel that I would want to sacrifice the DH ability. It jumps great, is super flickable in the air, and really boosts lips well. I was able to ride tight dirt jumps with it too, which was kinda surprising. Absolutely rips the corners. It may not be as much travel as most DH bikes, but I felt it definitely held its own on steep, nasty terrain. Pedal strikes if you don't pay attention, but no different then other low bikes. It just has good overall geometry, kinda like a super-aggressive version of the Nomad. I don't feel like it really holds me back that much for even for DH racing. It pretty much kills it all over the mountain, a great overall bike park bike that can handle everything you throw at it. I can't think of any complaints whatsoever with the ride, but watch your pivot hardware, as it seems to rattle loose frequently.

cableguy said:

I use it for light DH with DH tires (~37lb), and AM with XC tires (~33lb). With Talas 36 you can climb most trails (obviously not as well as Nomad). But if you plan to use it for N*/lift type of riding (and not much climbing), you might think about a 180mm fork. By the way, BB is really low (~13.5"), so you can't plow at all with this bike, and have to watch all the time for pedal strikes.

Keep in mind that Intense has changed the bike completely for 2010, making it a 6" version of 951.

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sucks that the new one has minimal seat height adjustment. I understand it's a purpose-built bike and climbing isn't purpose but it would be nice to have the option for those of us who pedal our DH bikes on XC rides from time-to-time.

^Agreed






.

I weigh about the same as you, and I have one and love it. I know some people complain about a flexy rear end and loosening pivot bolts, but I have not had a problem (I have a 2009 version). I also run a 10mm thru axel which is probably helping with the stiffness a bit.

But you already have a Nomad, which I thought was a pretty similar bike (I don't know, I have never ridden one). Owning both would seem a bit redundant, but I guess it all depends on your builds. Again, I have never ridden Nomad...but that's what it seems like to me. I guess the 2010 version is supposed to be significantly different though.

You looking at an older SS or the new 2010 version?

DirtMcGirk said:

I'm hoping to find a NIB 08 or 09.

Yea, they are very redundant to one another. However, I have my reasons. The Nomad was a gift from someone who isn't with me anymore, so I want to keep it somewhat nice. My "friends" all think its the community bike, which is starting to piss me off.

I'm going to take up a collection from everyone I've ridden with who's mooched a bike this year to go towards this build up. Cheap ass bastards.

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Ah I see. I haven't seen any of the older ones on Chainlove lately, but I got mine from Jensonusa.com for just over $1100 on a special clearance they had, but it looks like they are all gone. There might be a few floating around on ebay still.

My roommate has one with a 55rc3 but you could probably work out a deal for a totem solo air that he is trying to trade for a full blown DH bike if you have one sitting around. I think you were talking about how you have like 50 DH bikes? He ran it at N* all year, he was using it for exactly what you described, its full XT. Either way, it worked wonderfully, he just found he couldn't go quite as fast because the bike just couldn't handle the bigger stuff the way a full blown DH bike could. I say get the SS (whether or not its my roommates for trade). Its pretty sick.

But you already have a Nomad, which I thought was a pretty similar bike (I don't know, I have never ridden one). Owning both would seem a bit redundant, but I guess it all depends on your builds. Again, I have never ridden Nomad...but that's what it seems like to me.

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I haven't ridden either bike either, but if I can remember correctly, the Nomad and the SS were built for different purposes. The Nomad is more of a long-travel AM type of bike, and the SS seemed to be a more aggressively designed "mini-DH" bike. It's not on the website anymore, but I'm pretty sure Intense used to make a bike called the 6.6 which had 6.6 inches of travel and was probably more similar in purpose to the Nomad. I think in terms of geometry the SS is more suited to park riding than the 6.6 or Nomad.

We have had one as our shop bike for almost 2 years, 36 float, DHX coil, hammerschmidt, ect. I've never ridden lifts with it, just trail riding, here's my impression. Pedals really well for a heavier bike, feels rock solid which I like, geo on the large feels good for a trailbike (I'm 5'10"). However, you already have a nomad as a trail bike, which has a lot of the same traits. As a park-DH-fun bike, I would want the head tube a little slacker. I haven't gotten to ride the new one, it very well may be slacker, and the lack of seat adjustment might not matter for what you want to use it for. The Commencal Supreme (mini-dh) is easily the best bike in the segment that I have ridden, with the ht in the slacker position it feels exactly like a downhill bike, just more responsive and more fun to jump and flick around. The new SS may very well be a great bike too, just can't comment yet. The Commencal may not have the finish quality and bling factor of the intense, but I also think that single pivot suspension is perfect for this kind of application. I think it makes for a more connected and lively feeling ride, which is great for a bike that is purely for having fun.

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216112

Still loving mine. No new shots to post... Still hoping to upgrade the rear shock, plus maybe a Hammerschmidt.

i would go with an SXT instead

I had an Uzzi VPX (same rear triangle and similar sus), and there is considerable pedal feedback in granny. This doesn't matter if you don't pedal it uphill, and the feedback disappears in the middle ring. Also, the rear end is very flexible which isn't ideal for a heavier guy. I like the geo on the SS, but I'm a born-again single pivot lover.

Slopestyle's are excellent frames...and if price is not an issue for you, then go for it!

If you require it to be versatile I would suggest running an air 36/Lyric up front with dual ring/hammerschmidt. However, if you're predominantly pointing downhill and hitting jumps, go for a longer travel fork and single front ring.

Mine is set up for DH duties...and I've been very impressed with the bike's performance and capabilities over the past year. I'm running a coil Totem up front with a PUSH tuned DHX5 coil at the rear. The rear end feels amazingly planted, even through the rough stuff...plus the longer fork slackens the HA a little. The low BB helps it to corner so well, but does mean that 165/170 cranks are a must.

Here she is: http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2896414/

I've spent the last year riding local DH on mine, with a week of lift accessed DH in France (morzine/Les Gets/Chatel) this summer...and I can't say I've ever felt totally out of my depth on it. I am NOT implying that it is as capable pointing downhill and tackling gnarly terrain as a DH specific race bike, however it copes really well and has amazing fun factor! If you already have the 303 for pure DH, then the SS will make an excellent addition as the "inbetween" bike you require.

Just for info: I weigh 200lbs with helmet/pads and haven't had any issues with the frame. Pivot bolts have come loose once, plus I bent the mech hanger (but that was due to a crash)...that's about it! If you weigh 200lbs+ you will need a heavier spring as the standard one is pretty soft. Rear end is a little flexi, but I've never noticed it when riding.

Hope that helps.