Interbike was Intense!

Dominating the Intense booth was their SoCal take on VPP technology, the M3. A direct replacement for the M1, which has now ceased production, the M3 has a target frame/rear shock weight of 10lbs. The prototype we fondled at the booth was built with a ('til now) top secret Manitou Revolver DH air shock. Production bikes will come spec'd with a 3 inch stroke Manitou Swinger 6 way coilover and should begin delivery in early spring of 2004.


Custom built by the hands of Intense's head man, Jeff Steber, this beast is an absolute beauty, in fact, I'd rate it as the bike I most lusted over at the show. As for changes to the production version, Steber advised it's only the streamlining construction details that stand in the way of the M3 and consumers. Expect Kovaric to campaign the bike in the Australian National series this winter.



Filling the virtual pivot void between their Spider XVP and the big bad M3 is the new 5.5. Just like the name suggests, the bike offers 5 inches of travel for the trail bike/enduro crowd and delivery should begin by December this year.

Other news at Intense for 2004 is their commitment to buiding a "freeride" VPP frameset. The bike is most likely to be aimed at the climb happy downhiller (rather than the huck set) and travel will be in the 7-8 inch range.


The Intense Tire family will see some renewed life after a recent restructuring. Steber complained both lines (bikes and tires) were too much for the company to manage evenly, and he has handed the tire and BMX lines' reigns (through licensing agreements) to Toby Henderson of THE Products and Pro Bike Parts. In the not too distant future, I'd expect to see some major changes to the tire line once Toby's had time to tweak the existing goods.
Click here to play Intense’s 2004 Interbike Audio Interview.

For more information on the Intense Family, visit www.intensecycles.com.