Trail pig - Intense 951

pink poodle

気が狂っている男
This is the slowest build I have ever undertaken. I purchased the frame at the end of June 2015. I was having an on-off love-hate thing with my DH/FR bike of the time (giant glory). I felt the geometry didn't match my riding style, particularly the top tube angle and the seat position, the ride felt too high. While working myself up on bike exchange late one night I found a shop selling an Intense 951. I had owned one before and really enjoyed riding it. The hic-ups that frame had seemed to have been ironed out in the newer design, and this new one was a medium, not a small. How could I resist? A few emails and it was mine.

Spec is mostly butchered from the predecessor.
Frame - Intense 951 in "black chrome" (aluminium, medium, 26 inch)
R/Shock - Fox RC2
Fork - Marzocchi 66RC3 evo Ti (so much beef!)
Brakes - Hope v4
Crank - Shimano Zee (170mm)
Drive - SRAM x0 shifting x9. Shiny gold kmc chain and a tiny SRAM road cassette (9 speed)
Wheels - DT Swiss Ex500 rims on 340 hubs (giant stickers everywhere!)
Chain guide - Gamut something or other
Pedals - NS leg eaters
Bar - fun 750mm
Stem - Fire Eye Talon (40mm. Rather a sweet low cost item)

Here is a little porn for foreplay:

DSC_0894~3.jpg
 

Mrlinderman

Likes Dirt
Killer looking bike, interesting choice of fork for a DH Rig, but saying that not like we have a need for 200+ travel here in AU
 

pink poodle

気が狂っている男
Killer looking bike, interesting choice of fork for a DH Rig, but saying that not like we have a need for 200+ travel here in AU
I don't race and enjoy performing the ocassional trick...sometimes I'm lucky enough to look like I'm doing an X-up or whip it sooooo phat a single crown fork is needed.

How's it pedal?
Way better than the glory. I chugged it along a road that takes me approx 15 minutes on my pivot m4x with street tyres. It took approx 25 minutes. It was the middle of the day and I was on my way to lunch, so energy and rushing weren't happening. In all I think it pedals well for what it is and riding it to/from the track won't be an issue.
 

pink poodle

気が狂っている男
but what does it weigh, without pedals of course!
I can't remember exactly. I should have written it down! I think t was 17.4kg. I want 16kg max...I'll weight it again soon.

Upgrades (towards weight loss) already undertaken...
- New pedals on the way!

I am considering unloading the hope brakes and getting more XT brakesm
 

pink poodle

気が狂っている男
Fat camp begins...

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Fire-eye hot candy pedals. 345g, much grams lost without even needing purple anno! Hopefully they hold together. I suspect they may not survive too many rock strikes.
 

slowmick

38-39"
i wandered around Newcastle for three days with the missus keeping an eye out for this beast whenever we passed a coffee or noodle shop. sweet looking bike bloke :thumb:
 

pink poodle

気が狂っている男
Time for some updates...

The new pedals (shown above) are awesome. Scales showed 1 of my old NS Leg eaters (awesome as they were) weighed about the same as the pair of new pedals. The feel underfoot is great and the pins hook in good. I've got the same pedals on my other bike and they are spinning smooth as panty butter after a lot of kms and jump/trail riding. The reds had a solid rock engagement on Sunday and passed the test. They are however a few grams lighter now. I certainly would recommend them and would buy again.

The bike overall is sweet as. I am loving the low stand over and short wheel base. The cockpit is really comfortable. It feels like the bike is always ready for action. Sunday was the first trip to the quarry of death. The bike excelled and inspired confidence. So much more playful than the predecessor! Shots from the whip off:

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Note my use of the "erect penis" technique! Sorry for poor image quality.

The bikes weight was barely an issue. I've lost my scales so can't weigh it up, but am looking forward to pulling the pedals and tyres off throwing some purple on and giving it a weigh in. I did start to feel the extra kgs towards the end of the day (approx 6 hours of riding and shit talking) on the pushes back up.

I need to shorten the chain. After running the clutched x9 on my m4x I really noticed the play in an old school derailleur! I also want a heavier spring or air shock (that actually fits the frame...).
 
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