Submitted by
rafarider100
a Downhiller
from Braga Date Reviewed: July 3, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Sameiro/Falperra/SMarta
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
BikeZone
Strengths:
Strong Frame with a nice aspect , can take a lot of abuse
and pedals really fast with VPP and still climb good for a freeride bike .
Weaknesses:
none i can see
Similar Products Used:
kona stinky primo
Bike Setup:
Uzzi Vpx 2007 , Marzhocci 888 ATA WC ( 2008 ) , Sunline , E-thirteen , Hope M4 brakes , mavic 823 with hope hub and deemax with tubeless maxxis .
Bottom Line:
The Best Freeride Bike out there , its expensive but worth it
makes Konas and specializeds look like 50$ bikes x)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken
a Downhiller
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: August 2, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Beautiful, rugged, do everything machine that makes your friends drool and their girlfriends swoon as you ride by ;)
Weaknesses:
Umm.. doesn't actually do the pedaling for me? Your wife may never see you again during daylight hours? Seriously.. zero, zip, nada, none.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized, Ellsworth, Santa Cruz
Bike Setup:
07 Uzzi VPX (lrg, works finish), Fox DHX5, Totem Coil 1.5, Avid Code brakes, Hadley hubs (150mm rear w/12mm Ti bolt-on axle), Mavic EX721 rims, Shimano XT derailleurs/shifters, Shimano Hone cranks w/e13 DRS chainguide, FSA Orbit Extreme Pro 1.5 headset, Gravity Lite 1.5 60mm stem, Easton EA70 Monkey Bar, ODI lockons, Thomson Elite seatpost, WTB Pure V CroMo seat, Easton Flat Boy pedals, WTB Motoraptor 2.4 tires.
Bottom Line:
I'm not even sure why this is listed in the "downhill" category, it truly is a "do anything" freeride machine. Mine spends time on the ski lifts one day, takes a 12 mile trail ride up and down the mountains the next and then finishes up with a day at the jump park. You will need to get your weight right up to the bars for serious, mountain goat style climbs, but this bike will do it while still breezing over 6 footers on the way back down. It takes a little bit to dial in the right sag with the VPP design but it pays to get it right. This thing makes you smile just thinking about the next ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gaz
a Weekend Warrior
from Midlands - UK Date Reviewed: April 18, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Spooky wood
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Purchased At:
Bike Outlet York
Strengths:
Where do i start, Frame finishing, welds, strength of head tube area and suspension feel. A serious bike that eats crazy stuff and pedals really well.
Weaknesses:
None that are to put you off. Maybe cable routing to start nut i have fixed it now. If anyone buys a frame run the cables on the outside of the shock link.
Similar Products Used:
Other Dh and freeride bikes. Xc and jump bikes too.
Bike Setup:
Uzzi 150mm hub, Fox 40rc2, 823's on burgtec disco camo hubs. Raceface diabolus 31.8 bars, stem and seat post xt finishing kit
Bottom Line:
If you want a bombproof ride thats goes down the hill so fast your brain can't keep up then buy it. The suspension is better than its advertised. Its my first vp bike and will never buy another system. Can't describe how pleased i am. The geometry is so stable and inspires you to go faster and bigger!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cory
a Downhiller
from billings MT Date Reviewed: March 9, 2007
Favorite Trail:
elbow
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
plush suspension, 150x12mm dropouts, beefy, pedals well
Weaknesses:
cable routing, pivit bolts must constantly be checked,
Similar Products Used:
santa cruz bullit, santa cruz v-10, vp-free, glory, canfield brothers, rm-7, kona stinky
Bike Setup:
888 rc, e-13 srs, atomlab aircorp rims, full X9, jucy 7, holzfeller cranks, cane creek headset, intense 909 2.5
Bottom Line:
This bike handles amaizing. It pedals extreemely well, soaks up everything, has a good turning radius, and is stable. The cable routing is not designed for a full length housing and kinks at the pivit. It also gets twitchy at high speeds over rough ground. I have been a bike mechanic for 3 years and it definately has the best overall ride with the confidence of a dh racer and the nimbleness of an all mountain bike. It does require a lot of routine maintainence since there are so many pivits.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Munich,Germany Date Reviewed: March 7, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Schelyer Whistler
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
HiBike
Strengths:
plush plush, plush - great cornering abilities - easy to climb up, it realy does its job in the mountains and has a solid focus on trailriding and adventures in the park!
Weaknesses:
particulary bad workmanship - my Uzzi came with a 65mm BB shell - this is bad quality you Intense guys! pricing... paint quality - my steering tube was in realy bad condition due to bad machining - paint peeled off...
The Uzzi VPX is a versatile Hucker in any condition, a no nonsense bike with a lot of tricky know how inside but when it comes to quality a Ventana does a far better job! It's a bit pricy but once on the trail you will understand...!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Drew Dillard
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles Date Reviewed: February 6, 2007
Favorite Trail:
JPL, Del Cerro
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
Private
Strengths:
Don't know where to start. Hairy Chested, Silver Back Gorilla bike. Pedals like my Nobad, no bob, suspension just tracks over rocks, roots, street curbs, little animals, you name it. Gotta dual chain ring with e13 guide for the rough stuff. The suspension feels like it has no bottom, set it up so that you get that sweet sag spot (about 25%) of the travel both front and rear. Make sure your high speed compression is set to prevent bottom-out, low speed to track the small stuff and your golden.. Rebound is a personal thang, I like mine a bit on the fast side but that can toss the faint of heart. The bike can be scary fast when you point it down and let off the brakes, the ridiculous thing is that it will track like a F1 car on the knarliest of trails. It inspires confidence on the scariest of stuff. My first ride was a shuttle run down JPL in the Angeles Forest area and I was picking the sickest lines becasue the bike didn't care, its was sick, and i was scared shtless. It'll climb but the slack head angle will have your chest up on the bars to clear the steep stuff, for for steady climbs, just click in your gears, raise your seat and peddle over anything you see. the xc guys will be pissed that they can't drop you.. Now this ain't no 25lb xc racer, so your quads will look serious after a sesson of pushing this gorilla.
Weaknesses:
Not enough time to enjoy... Price is worth every penny. Didn't get the Works version
66 RC2 up Front, Fox dhx 5.0 rear, sag (25% of travel), platforms, handle bar- adjustable seat (SWEET), 2.5 tire up front, 2.35 rear, Race Face Diablous Bar & Stem.
Bottom Line:
What else could you want? Ask yourself if the fun factor is worth it, the bike is dope...Period.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dmob
a Downhiller
from S.F. California Date Reviewed: November 22, 2006
Favorite Trail:
the one no one knows about
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2100.00
Purchased At:
wrench science
Strengths:
the welds, the 1.5 inch headtube, the slack top tube for jumping, the versatility of the rear dropouts, the way it looks all badass, etc. etc. etc.
Weaknesses:
some loosening of one of the pivot bolts, but only after some serious Whistler abuse.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Bullit, Karpiel Disco Volante, Ellsworth Id
There is no better all-around bike that i have ever thrown a leg over. Ever. I ride as much as i possibly can and this thing makes you want to quit your job and just drive back and forth between Santa Cruz and Whistler, hitting everything you can find. when (or if) i ever have problems with it, you can be sure i'm gonna go right out and get another one. no question about it. pedal up (almost) anything and bomb down (literally)anything. Do 4 footers. Do 40 footers. This frame could be set up as a 35 pound all-mountain machine or as a 46 lb downhill beast. Either way it makes you feel like you get better every time you ride it. And isn't that what we all want?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jasen
a Downhiller
from Bay Area, Cali Date Reviewed: November 21, 2006
Favorite Trail:
UC santa cruz
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$6000.00
Purchased At:
Wrench Science
Strengths:
Where to start...The plush vpp suspension makes the 7.75" of travel seem endless. Pedals uphills like a savage. Soaks up 10 footers seemlessly. 1.5" steer tube. 150mm dropout option...
Weaknesses:
I wish intense made this bike with a 83mm bb. Running a dual chainring and a 150mm rear gave me a wicked chainline. After switching to diabolous cranks and 128mm spindles the problem was solved. Other then that the bike is amazing!!!!
Sram XO, Dt swiss fr2350,fox 40rc2, fox dhx 5.0 w/ti coil, thompson post/stem, magura carbon louise FR, race face diablous cranks, e-thirteen DRS chainguide, protaper bars...
Bottom Line:
I started seriously riding mountain bikes about a year ago. i went from XC type rides to DH trails. I sold my prophet and bought a uzzi vpx. This bike is "the one" I ride up to ride down. This bike pedals so well it is almost uncanny. I hit my first 12 foot last week and the bike felt amazing (yes I stuck it.) I am truly in love with this bike (I keep it in my bedroom.) I am not a fan of plugging company's products but I must say intense really developed an amazing machine that is worth every penny@@
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Downhiller
from Woodhaven, NY Date Reviewed: November 4, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Downhill bike that can be pushed into use as "the one" bike with the right parts. Pedals nice for 7.75" of travel. Nimble for a downhill bike, compact and quite manuverable even for trail use. Full length seat tube, 150mm or 135mm hub spacing with replacable dropouts, 1.5" headtube, Max type bearings throughout.
Weaknesses:
Fit issues with shocks and forks, though this may be frame size dependant (mine is a small). Cable routing kinda sucks. Depending on setup, your riding style and where you ride, it can be a handful at speeds.
Bottom Line:
To me, this is the best all around downhill/freeride bike since built up with the right parts it can be respectabley light and pedalable but still strong enough for stunts. Previously I was riding a GT DHi, which even in a small frame was just a tad large for me, not to mention heavy. I had to set that bike up super soft and just plow through everything because I couldn't maneuver it very well. With my Uzzi, I can actually make it go where I want it to go, I'm riding the bike as opposed to just holding on. At speed it can feel a bit twitchy and the bottom bracket caused me to bash my cranks and chainguide a lot initially but once you adjust your style it feels super agile and corners like it's on rails. The small size frame fits me well, and with my preference for smaller cockpits I'm able to handle this bike better when jumping as well. The VPP action was surprising at first, it sprints really well but feels super supple and responsive to rough terrain. Full length seat tube is a plus when you gotta sit down and slowly climb your way back up (if you have the gearing).
I've only been disappointed with a few issues with my frame. When it comes to shock fitting, I couldn't mount my DHX 5.0 in the orientation Intense has on their site because the Propedal knob and external resevior body would touch the down tube at full extention and actually bend the resevior under compression. Even funnier is my Marzocchi 66 RC2X... with a Crane Creek Xc headset there is under a millimeter of clearance from the side of the crown to the downtube if you turn the fork 90 degrees. Granted you're not likely to ever turn it that far normally, but when doing barspins/X-ups or in a crash, having the fork crown clear the downtube is a good thing. I had a Fox 36 fitted previously and the clearance was better, but still tight. Forget running a flush headset cup unless you're running a dual crown fork and even then you should check to make sure. The cable routing sucks to be honest, the front derailleur routing is ok, but the rear derailleiur cable and brake housing was getting pinched by the top swink link under compression and the cables themselves end up bowing and rub the seat tube. They should have had the cable stops they way did the M3 or Socom. Double check all suspension bolts, they should have lock tite applied and the lower link has set screws to lock the bolts down (these came loose on mine after the first few rides). The newer models have a C-clip at the ends of those bolts so it's harder for the bolt to come out completely, but still something that should be inspected.
Overall I think I found the perfect downhill/big hit/freeride bike for me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gravitykid
a Downhiller
from UK Date Reviewed: March 28, 2006
Small VPX with Fox DHX 5.0, Boxxer Team 7" forks, Hope hubs, Mavic rims, Middleburn Cranks, E13 SRS, Saint Brakes, Thomson and Easton bits n bobs.
Bottom Line:
I’ve always ridden a single pivot suspension bike, the same one for the last six years, and I loved it. So, moving onto a VP suspension design was always going to be different.
As soon as I got on the Uzzi I could feel the difference straight away; the whole bike seemed to sink down, as one. The suspension felt too soft; it was way more active than I was used to and it didn’t feel right. First ride and I threw the bike into its first berm and the whole bike just sunk down into the corner, this unnerved me a bit and consequently I made a hash of it. Time to try again, and remember if a bike sinks down into a corner it probably giving you more grip. So, I hit the same berm again, no hesitation, and the bike railed it, I was gobsmacked. I put my foot down and pedalled like git out of the corner, the pedalling response was like a hardtail, but it totally soaked up the lumps and bumps of the following rooty section. I continued on and attacked the rest of the course, jumps, drops, roots, rocks and all. Ok, so my run wasn’t perfect but after it I knew that given time I would dial this bike and be riding better than ever.
A few months later and having ridden in snow, wind and rain I can say that I am riding better than ever. I carry so much more speed over the ground and can attack things with much more confidence, knowing that the bike will soak up what I throw at it. Tight technical terrain is great too. The bike with my 7” boxxers is well balanced and manoeuvres great; the instantaneous pedal response gives much more direct control, especially at slower speeds.
What about the too soft suspension? Turns out that the suspension wasn’t soft enough, I ended up having to get a softer spring. As this is a totally different beast to my single pivot bike I would have been stupid trying to get it to ride the same. I’ve got used to the plushness, adapted to the bike and changed my riding style to suit it.
The result? I’ve got myself a bike that makes me grin from ear to ear and I’m sure that it will be another six years before I think of replacing this one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rich
a
from Philadelphia, PA Date Reviewed: November 22, 2005
I wish the titanium grey color was just a tiny bit darker. Just a little pedal feedback when riding in certain small gears.
Similar Products Used:
Intense Uzzi SLX, Specialized Enduro, Stumpjumper, lots of downhill bikes.
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi 66 SL, Saint group, Mavic 823 rims, DHX Air
Bottom Line:
The VPX is the perfect bike for me! 7.75" in the rear, but it pedals incredibly efficiently. With correct sag and just a touch of propedal, the rear basically doesn't move when you pedal. On this bike, I can go trail riding with my buddies, but pause to hit drops mid-ride. I love having a full-length seat tube for easy seat height adjustments.
I've always been a huge fan of Horst-link bikes. I've owned 6 or 7 of them over the years. I've also owned some older single-pivot bikes back when I was racing, and hated them! I was concerned about switching to a VPP design, but was interested in the pedaling characteristics and the full-length seat tube. After spending a few hours on a buddies' VP Free, I was sold!
I do get a small amount of pedal feedback. It happens in one or two gears during climbing, when you hit a bump. It's almost unnoticeable, and I quickly got used to it. There might be a tiny bit of brake jack, but not enough to worry about.
The bike is heavy, about 37 pounds, but it doesn't pedal like a bike that heavy. It feels very quick under power.
As soon as you point it down, the bike just comes alive! It loves to jump. It loves to take the roughest lines. The cockpit is nice and centered. With the seat lowered, you feel like you're in the bike, and it just rails corners. It's got a lower BB, a shorter wheelbase, and shorter chainstays than the VP Free.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric Easterly
a Downhiller
from little rock, ar. u.s.a Date Reviewed: October 15, 2005
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2050.00
Purchased At:
competitive cyclist
Strengths:
It's an intense....nuff said
Weaknesses:
was only available in red at the time of purchase, other than that NONE.
Similar Products Used:
santa cruz bullit, heckler, super 8, cannondale gemini, giant faith
Bike Setup:
66rc up front, hayes brakes, e-13 guide, sram x9, saint cranks, wellgo platforms
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is this, this thing is built like a tank, I'm sure it can take anything I can throw at it and MORE. I have never been more happy with a dh bike than this, it's pedals great, handles like a rally car. The bike loves for you to let go of the brakes and hammer the hell out of it. buy one if you can YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Flatland DHer
a Downhiller
from Tampa, Fl. USA Date Reviewed: October 8, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Hole in the ground
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1650.00
Purchased At:
bike co
Strengths:
Super tough all around
Weaknesses:
front derailluer clearance, use a XTR 950 provides just enough space, NONE Major
Similar Products Used:
SC Bullit, Karpiel,Intense M1, 5.5
Bike Setup:
Large & in charge, FOX DHX 5, Sherman breakout plus,Race face, Protaper, deemax, Maxxis swampthings, hayes, XTR, Thomson and a big a$$ double diamond WTB DH seat.
Bottom Line:
I first test rode this frame at the mammoth nationals a year ago & couldn't get it off my mind. I sold my lighter 5.5 and DH bike because of relocating to Florida. I had to build a bike that was the best of both worlds and this Is it. It pedals like a hard tail and is capable of DH or hucking. It weights in at about 45 lbs but doesn't feel like it with the performance from the Fox DHX 5 & VPP in action. I really like the 5th element shocks but the Fox really adds perfection to this Intense tank in my flat land jungle. If you are looking for a frame that is not a third world production import & have $$$ or good credit Intense is the way to go. WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD!!!!Can't wait to get it back to the West Coast!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a
from Maine Date Reviewed: September 21, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Mt. Ste Anne, Quebec
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
www.boutiquebikes.com
Strengths:
Supple on the drops/babyheads and efficient on the flats. Incredibly capable as an all around bike.
DHX coil and Breakout plus everything else is window dressing.
Bottom Line:
If you value bottomless suspension and XC pedalling efficiency BUY IT. Seriously, I bought this for a resort specific bike but I ride it every time I go out now. Still have 3 other bikes hanging from the garage ceiling. Unbelievable how good this bike handles singletrack and technical climbing. The SPV in the fork helps the XC performance and I'm sure the platform in the DHX is an assist as well. Heavy for a XC specific bike, my large is 35lbs, but if you are interested in the VPx you ain't really looking for a weight weenie bike. IMPORTANT: When I ride DH the 729 wheelset and 2.5 tires weigh in at about 8lbs each. Set up for XC the F219 and 2.1 EpicWolfs weigh about 5.8 lbs each. This wheelset difference makes all the difference in riding effort. Hmmm, I'm working to validate the bike as a XC capable ride, but the DH abilities flat kick ass ... but I think you knew that.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael Gunn
a Downhiller
from Salt Lake City Date Reviewed: June 11, 2005
Favorite Trail:
American Fork Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2050.00
Purchased At:
Revolutions
Strengths:
This is the most impressive bike I have ridden. It is a solid and stable ride. It climbs like a cross country bike. I have built the bike with some xtr and sram parts. Fox 36 RC2 fork. Titanuim spring. Mavic Crossmax XL wheels. The bike weights a impressive 31.5 pounds. It doesn't get any better than this.
XTR cranks, Mavic Crossmax XL wheels, Fox 36 RC2 fork, Sram front and rear derailluer, Sram pods, XTR calipers, Easton carbon bars, Thompson stem and post, Cane Creek headset, CrankBro mallets pedals, Continental Diesel Pro 2.5 front tire, Continental Gravity rear tire, Sram hollow pin chain, 8" front rotor and 6" rear rotor.
Bottom Line:
I you want the best all around mountain bike that bombs like downhill and climb like a cross country bike. This is the bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Evan Skeldon
a Downhiller
from PA Date Reviewed: June 5, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2700.00
Strengths:
great will never break
Weaknesses:
$$$$$
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE IS AMAZING
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bikebrain
a Weekend Warrior
from Riverside, CA Date Reviewed: May 17, 2005
Favorite Trail:
JPL
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2050.00
Purchased At:
Circle City Cyclery (Corona)
Strengths:
Beautiful stiff frame, Pedals very well, Seemingly bottomless travel, Handles very well. The geometry is perfect for peddaling up, and then bombing down.
Weaknesses:
A little heavy, but not when you consider the type of thrashing it is capable of handling. If you do not set the sag properly the ride is not nearly as good as it is when set up correctly.
Similar Products Used:
SC Bullit, Kona Stinky D, Giant AC1, GT LTS
Bike Setup:
Large frame, Mavic wheels, Fox DHX, 170mm Manitou Sherman Breakout Plus, Full Shimano Saint drivetrain.
Bottom Line:
This bike is serious, it has alomost no pedal bob while climbing, but is supple over rough ground. The VPP suspension design is very efficiant when set up correctly, offering deep plush travel when needed, and firm pedaling when it is required. The bike tracks the ground aggressivley making it scary fast when pointed down.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
hamish kay
a Downhiller
from new zealand Date Reviewed: May 14, 2005
Favorite Trail:
my trails
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
local shop
Strengths:
beautiful build quality. floats over all bumps and drops like its big brother the M3 and i'd say its faster than its big bro on tighter tracks we have round here just because it doesn't have the same bulk of the M3.
Weaknesses:
i really haven't found any as the bike has performed faultlessly since we first put it together. the retail is probably the biggest. sell ya mum its worth it!
Similar Products Used:
foes keewee kona turner intense santa cruz
Bike Setup:
Fox 40rc2 forx dhx 5.0 rear full raceface diabolis XT parts yawn...
Bottom Line:
if your looking for something to race and ride/plummet round your local hills i don't think there are many other bikes that can even come close to the performance to what Intense have crafted here. the vpp free from santa cruz is to be fair basically the same bike but, and this is a personal setup thingy here the intense just feels quicker in the corners and just looks abit more built to last.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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