Bike Check: Aaron Gwin's Intense M29 FRO
Now that it's official news that the new Intense Factory Team will be Aaron Gwin, Neko Mulally, and Jack Moir, we can show you the M29 FRO that Gwin will be racing this year. As you can imagine, Gwin has been testing sizes and setups in the off season and one of the more surprising discoveries (for both Gwin and us) was that all three will be racing the XL sized frame. Moir, who has had the most time on the M29, is already height challenged, and actually runs a 40 millimeter rise handlebar, with an additional 20 millimeters of spacers under the fork crown. Gwin, on the other hand is the shortest of the trio, so his setup is quite the opposite, with the smallest headset spacer he can run and 30 millimeter rise Renthal Fatbar.
Gwin says the big wheels, and corresponding longer wheelbase they create, make the XL feel "pretty long" and that Intense is working on a special linkage that will shorten the chainstay length to snap up its handling.
Gwin says he likes almost everything about the smaller size large (which he has traditionally chosen for competition). "It pedals better, I can pump off of everything, and it corners better," says Gwin. "But when I am pushing hard down the steeper sections, I feel like I am pushed forward on the large. The XL feels a little long, but it's going to be better on the World Cups."
Gwin says he likes almost everything about the smaller size large (which he has traditionally chosen for competition). "It pedals better, I can pump off of everything, and it corners better," says Gwin. "But when I am pushing hard down the steeper sections, I feel like I am pushed forward on the large. The XL feels a little long, but it's going to be better on the World Cups."
The current paint scheme will be changed to this in the near future. Jeff Steber says Gwin chose the the grey tone from a Porsche he liked.
Other than setups, the team are reportedly all on production M29s, and Gwin brought almost all of his key component sponsors with him. The glaring exception is that Kenda is the team's tire sponsor this season. All of the riders' bikes, including Aaron's, were fitted with Hellkat Pro tires on both ends, That said, however, Gwin has reportedly had contractual agreements with his tire suppliers that allow him to ride another brand until that maker can supply competitive rubber. Still, it has to be awkward that another brand is selling his signature Aquila tire design.
John Hall, Gwin's mechanic, spoke highly of last season's carbon E*Thirteen LG1r DH wheels and says they're even stronger this year. Tires are Kenda Hellkats with dual-ply casings.
TRP collaborated with Gwin to perfect their four-pot brakes and this year, they have outfitted the team with a production version of the shift lever and rear derailleur that Aaron and Neko were race testing during their 2018 season with YT.
TRP's seven-speed transmission drives a tiny e*thirteen 9 by 21 tooth cassette, which allows Aaron to run a smaller chainring without eroding his top speed.
TRP's seven-speed transmission drives a tiny e*thirteen 9 by 21 tooth cassette, which allows Aaron to run a smaller chainring without eroding his top speed.
TRP's shift pod looks like its in production now.
E*thirteen wheels and 9x 21-tooth seven-speed cassette.
A look at the production version of TRP's rear changer.
Big, 223-millimeter brake rotors to compensate for 29-inch wheels.
That's big news in itself, but there's more. TRP recognizes that larger diameter wheels put more stress on the brakes, so they developed larger, 223-millimeter rotors with aluminum centers to keep the weight to a minimum, Gwin's bike had them on the front and rear wheels.
Gwin prefers the Fox Float X2 shock. Cranks are carbon e*Thirteen.
Intense Factory Racing will be supported by Fox suspension. The 49 fork is standard equipment for all and to keep the XL size bike as low as possible, Gwin's stanchion tubes are raised 15 millimeters above the crowns. Gwin and Mulally both will use the Fox X2 RVS air-sprung damper, while Moir prefers the DPX coil shock. Gwin remarked that the M29's rear suspension felt so good that it made him think whether any of his previous DH bikes ever performed well. It will be interesting to see how he does with the Intense as the season progresses.
Number plates are a professional touch. Gwin prefers Renthal's recently released 30-millimeter rise Fatbar and jokingly says he cuts it down to 797 millimeters wide. Drew Ruiz photo
There are a lot of smaller items that deserve mention, like Gwin's new lock-on grips, the SDG saddle, and anodized titanium hardware from wheel to wheel. I especially liked the dedicated rear mud guard and number plate. The Intense M29 was favorably reviewed recently by Paul Aston on Pinkbike in the XL size, so if you are curious about its finer points, like geometry and handling, I'd suggest you give it read.
In case you were wondering, none of the three riders will be taking 27.5-inch M16's to the World Cups this season. Intense Factory Racing is on 29ers for life. Drew Ruiz photo
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
How to Watch the 2024 Mountain Bike World Cup [Update: Staylive Offering Access in New Zealand, South Africa & More]
59444 views
59444 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
www.mtb-mag.com/en/galfer-anounces-massive-223mm-wave-rotor
Fixed it for you.
thank you
Haha! I went back too. @wittereus
It would be good to back to back test the 3 different sizes as decent Vet (I would consider myself a decent vet, mid pack expert rider) and see what the difference is for a normal rider.
If you are traveling at a certain speed on any size wheel, you have a fixed inertia energy regardless of wheel size. Your brake rotor size obviously effects the leverage and moment force, but the moment force of the wheel isn't what you are slowing down, it's the whole system (including rider). It's like the whole 29er bikes accelerate slower myth. They dont, because the bigger wheel's lower rotational acceleration is directly proportional to their increased circumference, and so distance travelled.
As far as I can see, the only reason you might need a bigger rotor with bigger wheels is if YOU were actually going faster. Which the jury is still out on
@FCX250: Gears for piston engines are just about keeping the engine in it's ideal rpm range. Not really relevant here.
@fprince: I is only the moment of inertia, and half the story. Of course, rotational momentum = I . w
In essence, a bigger wheel with a set torque applied to it (through gravity or the drivetrain) has a higher moment of inertia, and a directly proportionally lower angular velocity, resulting in the same rotational momentum.
A 100kg system at a given velocity has a set inertia, and how much of that belongs in the wheel or in the rider is irrelevant. As far as I can see, the only ways 29ers need more braking torque is if the whole system is heavier, or travelling faster.
That's a weird way to spell minion
www.pinterest.ch/pin/16888567338313600
Who makes tires for Specialized and Trek?
It's like asking how Cheng Shin tires are still in business - all they make is cheap garbage after all ;-)
Maxxis tires are owned by Chang shin rubber co.
Who makes tires for Specialized and Trek?
It's like asking how Cheng Shin tires are still in business - all they make is cheap garbage after all ;-)
"Gwin remarked that's the m29 rear suspension felt so good it made him think whether his previous dh bike ever performed well"
Then he'll for sure win 2019 WC .... I wonder if I should keep watching the Live events now
"Other than setups, the team are reportedly all on production M29s"
Last I checked, linkage is part of the frame. If he's running a special custom linkage, then he's not on a production frame.
Rooting for you guys! I think you already won.
Bike. CHECK!
who would have predicted AG and Neko to Intense ?
data.whicdn.com/images/294104855/large.png
Granted, now that I think about it. Champerey WC track is pretty bike parked out these days I bet? I remember seeing pics & vids within the last few years of everybody and their brother pinning it down it.
Or is it still the most gnar?
Bikes have changed a bit during the interim of that event, but the riders were every bit as skilled. Matter of fact, several are still on the circuit that barely it made it down that thing.
I'll see myself out.....
Btw , I personally couldn’t care less about what “ you think” AG meant, report the news as its suppose to be reported ... now you’re the douche
Having said this, that Intense is damned sexy bike!
I really can't believe that most riders are only interested in DH.