Thread: "Sea Otter: Intense Cycles unveils new all-mountain machine" or wtf am I gonna buy?

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"
Mountain bike manufacturer Intense Cycles chose this year’s Sea Otter Classic to launch an all-mountain/trail bike frame that’s so new that it doesn’t even have a name yet. The new bike's revamped VPP suspension system can be easily switched from approximately 140mm to 152mm (5.5in to 6in) of travel and the light-yet-strong 2.8kg (6.25lb) chassis can be built as either a reasonably lightweight trail bike or a burly all-mountain rig.

According to Intense founder Jeff Steber, the next-generation Virtual Pivot Point linkage design reduces chain growth by about 15-20 percent, thus lessening the pedal feedback of the original geometry. Steber also said that the tweaked linkage positions delivers more usable travel through the range and pedaling performance has improved as well. Frame features include a curvaceous hydroformed top tube and an internal-style 1.5in-compatible head tube which will also work with the new crop of 1 1/8in-to-1 1/2in headsets and forks. The new lower link will be fitted with angular contact bearings that are better able to handle side load as well as built-in grease fittings and one-way seals for easy maintenance. Intense will also offer grease port retrofit kits for older models.

The frame’s release date is still to be determined but potential buyers should expect prices similar to those of the current 5.5 model."





So...would you be willing to buy the now obsolete 2008 5.5? Anyone else see the uncanny similarity to the new Blur LT?

...or the Yeti 575?

Seriously, I think you're going to be happy either way. My buddy has the 5.5 and LOVES it. All three of these are great bikes so I don't think you can lose.

I'm pulling the trigger on 575 at the end of the month i can't wait. Trendy "I just pulled the trigger" thread to follow

Sweet...shorter travel FRO AM rig.

No thanks, I don't want to get to know the warranty dept.

Originally Posted by The Reverend Floater

...or the Yeti 575?

Seriously, I think you're going to be happy either way. My buddy has the 5.5 and LOVES it. All three of these are great bikes so I don't think you can lose.

Agreed, but with the Blur and 575 being new releases and the 5.5 now being a phase out it's tough to justify it as an option.

Originally Posted by truth

Agreed, but with the Blur and 575 being new releases and the 5.5 now being a phase out it's tough to justify it as an option.

You lost me there.
The 5.5 is a great rig. It will now be even better priced on the open market(thus making it a great option).

Originally Posted by trainnvain

You lost me there.
The 5.5 is a great rig. It will now be even better priced on the open market(thus making it a great option).

No, don't you understand? Once something new comes out, it automatically makes the thing it's replacing worse.

The 5.5 used to be a great rig. If this thing wasn't replacing it, it would still be a great rig. But since it's not the latest, it's no longer a great rig. Get it?

the 5.5 is a great rig and the blur LT interests me greatly. this thing looks sick. I saw a new 5.5 today in the "raw red" which is the raw finish with a metallic candy apple red clear coat that has to be one of the sickest colors i have ever seen.

I spoke with my guru today and he said its a wise choice not to go with the 4.1d as its a pretty soft rim. You really can't go wrong with any of these bikes and do you really want to wait on the is thing? get something and go ride now!

Originally Posted by trainnvain

You lost me there.
The 5.5 is a great rig. It will now be even better priced on the open market(thus making it a great option).

Not really. Intense won't even give that new frame a name until the end of this season for that exact reason. Anyone looking for a bike NOW will pay full price for the 5.5 which in my mind is less attractive. With all three (5.5, Blur, 575) being re-designed within a year of each other paying the same premium for the older design is meh. If I had time to wait around for a fire sale on the old 5.5 it'd be swell, but that's not the case.

Originally Posted by truth

Not really. Intense won't even give that new frame a name until the end of this season for that exact reason. Anyone looking for a bike NOW will pay full price for the 5.5 which in my mind is less attractive. With all three (5.5, Blur, 575) being re-designed within a year of each other paying the same premium for the older design is meh. If I had time to wait around for a fire sale on the old 5.5 it'd be swell, but that's not the case.

Thats why you should buy a used 575 now There are a lot of 575 riders who upgraded to the 08 frame and are selling their old ones......i know because i got a good deal on one and am loving it

Seems to me all these fancy new models are just slight improvements over the bikes from the past couple years - a little tweak in the geometry here or there.....

If you want to pony up for a new bike then i guess its worth it to get the newest of the new but i'm completely satisfied with my "new" used 575 and will be spending all the money i saved on travel etc.....

If you want to wait until the middle of next summer, by all means, get this frame.
They can't even get their 5.5 29er produced, and people have been ready to throw money down on it for months, and last I heard, they won't even be available this year.
Truth, the 5.5 is a popular, proven bike. I can almost assure that there will be some sort of 1st gen problems with this new frame. Don't sweat the 'discontinued' bike.

Originally Posted by trainnvain

You lost me there.
The 5.5 is a great rig. It will now be even better priced on the open market(thus making it a great option).

Agreed. Already, I have seen a number of 5.5 and 6.6 for sale new @ 30% off. If I hadn't just upgraded my Prophet with new Thompson and X-0 components, I would be all over the 6.6

Intense bikes are schweet.

Originally Posted by schindlerpiste

Agreed. Already, I have seen a number of 5.5 and 6.6 for sale new @ 30% off. I

Where was this?

Jan's in PC has a couple for 30% off. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know.

Originally Posted by schindlerpiste

Jan's in PC has a couple for 30% off. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know.

Thanks, just sent them my RFQ email. We'll see which LBS comes up with the best plan.

Marin Wolf Ridge, anyone?

Originally Posted by truth

Damn, thats a sexy bike.

looks hot but as Flow mentions getting your hands on one is a tall order. are the redesigned blurs around in stock?

Originally Posted by hev

looks hot but as Flow mentions getting your hands on one is a tall order. are the redesigned blurs around in stock?

Nope. Seems that they just started shipping this week. I'm trying to hold off buying until I can get on one but my patience is hanging on by a very thin thread.