[Banga]

Im looking at trying some of these over our summer,
not really too sure what pattern but prob something from the EX line, (909 or edge)
has anyone had any time on these tires?
good/bad?

any imput much appreciated.

 

[thaflyinfatman]

I've done a few runs on the 909s, didn't like them much. Just a bit washy (didn't help that I was on someone else's M1 with a head angle raked out to bejesus) for my liking; the front wheel liked to understeer a bit too much. Not terrible, but I prefer my SRY Minions. Also, the casing is thick as hell (and exceptionally heavy), so they don't seem to deform much to fit the terrain. I don't like that either. A couple of guys I know swear by them though, so I dunno.

 

[ThePriceSeliger]

I rode some for a while and from my experiance they are a bitch to put on

 

[binary visions]

I don't have a lot of riding time on them, but a bunch of practice runs and one race at Mt. Snow. They gripped pretty well (I still like my Michelins, though), but they were appallingly heavy (these were the heavy duty casing). I wouldn't run them simply because I don't need an extra pound or so of rotating weight on each wheel.

Those Intruders were sweet in the Mt. Snow mud, though.

 

[KleinMp99]

I had one of their dh 4 ply FRO tires. Got it on the rim pretty easily but it would not seat no matter what...plus it was all twisted looking and looked like a 2.1 instead of 2.7 like it was supposed to be. I got rid of it real quick....

 

[Transcend]

Ok I ran intense tires for almost 4 years, switched to maxxis this year due to the intense tire buyout by THE. Here are my observations:

1- in 4 years i never once flatted due to the massive casings
2- due to the massive casing, i once did a run with no air (changed tires, forgot to inflate rear) and barely realized it at 140lbs. I **** you not.
3- This casing is insanely heavy and is one reason i changed
4- Tread patterns are fantastic. I prefered 909 or Dh front and rear, or Dh front and WC semi slick rear for when the courses were fast. Intruder is the best mud tire ever created, bar none. Works especially well in loose to deep mud with exposed rocks and roots.

The 909 is meant for loose dusty conditions, where the DH is more of a hardpack or loose over hardpack design. The 909 puts down ALOT of rubber in the contact patch. Great for slippery conditions, but rolls slowly.

The compund in the SRY line (Sticky rubber) is bizarre. Feels hard to the touch, but slow rebounding. When riding it seems to grip a BIT less then a maxxis 42a. I preeferred the minions in 42a as a front tire after having time on both.

The newer versions of these tires seem to dry rot and crack, the middle of the era versions seemed to tear apart (possibly due to this??). They do not tear apart anymore as far as I can tell.

The EX line has a 2 ply, not 4 ply casing. It will be more comparable to a maxxis 50 series tire. Weigh just a little bit more, but have significantly less grip.

My verdict - don't stress over them. Go get some maxxis 50 highrollers for $30 and be happy.

 

[Mtnrider]

I ran 909's the summer before last, I think they are good tires and hook up pretty well in dry and loose conditions. But I've since been using Maxxis Minions and I think that those are the best tires I have used yet.

 

[Peete]

I ran Intense WCs for a couple of years and loved them. I was able to run 20psi in the front and 16psi in the rear and experienced the occasional pinch flat. I'm 190#.
Changed to Maxxis Highrollers, lighter tube and higher psi and noticed grip was on par w/ the WCs. Also no pinch flats. Went back to WCs for a day and couldn't believe how much rolling resistance they have. And they weigh a ton.
I never got to try out the EXs unfortunately but I'm very pleased w/ the Maxxis line.

 

[Zark]

The EX casing cuts the weight a lot, but they only come in 60 durometer. If they had a SRY compound on the EX casing it would be a great tire.

 

[OGRipper]

I used to run 909s, I thought they were great for really rocky stuff because the casings are ridiculously thick and heavy.

But everyone I know that uses them started complaining that the knobs rip off. Then I bought a 909 last summer and after about three days of riding had lost about half of the outside knobs. Just ripped right off, leaving the inner ply exposed.

I've been riding Kendas ever since and like 'em much better. Great sticky rubber and the knobs stay on.

 

[JRogers]

I ran some Intense tires for a while. I really like some of the tread patterns they have (DH modell, Edge and Intruder particularly). As mentioned, the casings are THE stiffest of any tire out there. Makes them hard to get on the rim but they rarely flat (mine never did) or bottom on the rim. The durability issue appears to be mixed. I never had an issue with mine. Most of my buddies that used them never had an unreasonable problem either but I've heard complaints too many times....

There are three things I did not like about them. They weigh a ton. The sidewall is so damn stiff and thick. Because of this, they are very sensetive to pressure settings. I found that on my 2.7 DH, it would have terrible grip anywhere over say 24 psi. It was hard to dial them in. Also, they are friggin expensive. I think go-ride has some on sale right now but they are always more than any major brand.

Now I run Kenda and Michelin. I don't get flats really, even with XC tubes and low pressures. I would go for the Intenses if you have issues flatting or wrecking tires/rims. The weight and tradeoffs are not enough for me to use them.

 

[Eigil]

I've tried everything, and nothing grips like SR Intenses. The FRO casing is gnarly and heavy, but I've never flatted one, even at 8psi at Northstar. The EX uses a normal casing, so you'll probably love them. Some people whine about the knobs coming off on the FRO tires, but it says "For Race Only" on the sidewall, they're only meant to last a race or two. Overall, Intenses are my favorites.

 

[jon-boy]

I've ran a 909 on the front for this past summer, prior to that I had a Highroller.
The tyre is stiff and it is heavy no denying it, however I've ran an XC tube on the front with no punctures whatsoever. I'm in the 200lb range and ride Whistler, North Shore and DH race.
I think the tyre is great for my needs. Grip is great, especially on hardpack and rock, something to do with the softer rubber I suppose. Even in loam and softer conditions the tyre grips really well, the tread doens't hold onto mud too bad either.
It is a huge pain to get the tyre on and off though. I like the stiff sidewalls as it allows me to run a good pressure for grip without worrying about the sidewall of the tyre rolling something that I used to do and not enjoy on the Maxxis tyres.

So... if you're just into DH get them. If you're pedalling up, get something lighter.
Jon

 

[nh dude]

i ran intense for 2 season ran maxxis this year
maxxis are much lighter
but that intruder is like a call from that old girlfriend who put on some wieght, its a sure thing but is heaveir
depends what you like really and how you care about weight. Ive never had a flat with an intense and only one flat with a maxxis. i dont weight that much 140 or so and ride with 22 or so for pressure.