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Review: Intense Spider 29 Comp – A Bomber Mid-Travel Carbon Mountain Bike

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intense spider 29 comp full suspension carbon fiber mountain bike review
Photo: Derek Diluzio

This past spring, Micah and Tyler had the opportunity to ride the Intense Spider 29 Comp, a mid-travel full suspension 29er with a SEED-designed carbon fiber frame.

The Spider 29 Comp was introduced in summer 2012, bringing with it a quarter inch bump in travel over it’s aluminum counterpart. As if to put Intense’s style in perspective, this up-to-5″ travel bike is part of their XC collection. Remember when 80mm travel was considered XC? And when five inches of travel was bordering on freeride? Well, the Spider Comp’s performance puts a big, hard nail in the coffin of those notions by serving up plenty of travel with a quick, snappy ride.

Our review bikes were built up with the Pro build option with X1/X01, but with a few non-stock tweaks. Tyler’s was ridden primarily at the Cane Creek DB Inline launch, so it was spec’d with their new rear shock and some meaty Onza tires. Micah’s came with a Rockshox Revelation rather than the standard Fox FLOAT 32. Here’s how they did…

DESIGN AND SPEC

intense spider 29 comp full suspension carbon fiber mountain bike review

The headtube is shortish to keep the front end low, but the hump behind it provides an oversized section to keep it all stiff. It also pushes the section back a bit, letting the rest of the top tube slope more aggressively to reduce stand over height.

intense spider 29 comp full suspension carbon fiber mountain bike review

Rear suspension travel is changed by simply moving the lower shock mount bolt between two holes. The long travel is in top position, shorter travel at the bottom. Both keep geometry the same. The leverage ratio does change, though. In the long travel mode, you’ll need a bit more air pressure to get the same sag as in the shorter travel mode.

Cable routing includes options for front derailleur, stealth and non-stealth dropper posts and/or remote lockouts.

intense spider 29 comp full suspension carbon fiber mountain bike review

The front derailleur’s direct mount looks lonely on the Pro’s 1×11 build. Underneath, the bike gets their FLK GRD protection for the downtube and BB shell. The lower linkage has integrated grease ports to service the angular contact/collet bearings.

intense spider 29 comp full suspension carbon fiber mountain bike review

Out back, Intense’s G1 dropouts let you swap between QR and 12×142 thru axles. We’re seeing more brands use some manner of convertible dropouts and think it’s a brilliant idea, particularly for road/gravel/cross.

intense spider 29 comp full suspension carbon fiber mountain bike review

Per usual, SRAM’s 1x drivetrains worked flawlessly and were well suited to the type of riding we did (see below). The FLK GRD continues on the chainstay coupled with a metal chain guard at the front where chain suck could dig into carbon.

intense spider 29 comp full suspension carbon fiber mountain bike review

The rest of the Pro build spec is Avid Elixir 9 Trail brakes, FSA 740mm SLK carbon handlebar, Thomson stem and Rockshox Reverb dropper seatpost. Wheels are Novatec Flow Trail with Maxxis Ardent tubeless ready tires. Housebrand lock on grips and saddle finish it off. Retail is $6,399.

MICAH’S REVIEW

intense spider 29 comp full suspension carbon fiber mountain bike review

First impressions of this 29er reminded the rider of why big wheels have completely eclipsed the old standard. The slightly overused statement, to the point of cliché, holds markedly true for the Spider — the rider does not ride on the bike, rather, the rider rides in the bike. Intense has nailed the geometry here. With the earliest iterations of big wheels the pejorative nickname of “wagon wheel” was not unfounded — simply extending established geometries in order to accommodate 29 inch wheels resulted in cumbersome beasts that lumbered and fumbled through tight and technical singletrack. Most all of today’s 29ers have evolved far past these growing pains; the Spider is no exception.

With front and rear suspension properly inflated and adjusted (a point of the greatest importance), the Spider does not want to leave the trail. It’s a classic “point-&-shoot” game: point the bike where you wish to go (presumably along your favorite ribbon of singletrack) and simply stomp on the pedals; the Spider’s VPP suspension and large hoops do the rest. Roots or rock, hardpack, loose baby-heads, man-made log-rides, doesn’t matter, the Spider holds its line and sticks to it like velcro. All idioms and metaphors aside, what the highly acclaimed VPP accomplishes is a noticeable increase in traction control. Regardless of rider position — seated, standing, fore or aft — the rear tire engages with the terrain and will not slip. It’s impressive.

Perhaps the absolute best attribute any product can deliver is the ability to disappear, leaving you to think only about the trail that lies ahead. With the exception of the Reverb dropper-post developing an incredibly irritating creak, the Spider disappeared beneath me shortly into its very first ride. All novelties of such a high-end rig were enjoyed and then forgotten within the first two hours of riding. At that point the Spider handled and responded as predictably and naturally as if it were my longtime companion.

I tested the Spider in the hills around Washington, DC, which consisted of short-steep climbs and fast, tight, twisty descents. Terrain was hardpack, loose rock, and planted cobble plus a few manmade log-rides and boardwalks. The latter provided an excellent testing ground for slow-speed handling.

Only more time could tell of the Spider’s durability and its manners in mud or slop (only ideal spring conditions were encountered during my brief test period). But with some confidence it can be stated that Intense has capably refined its understanding of big wheels, equipped its line-up with well thought-out components, and delivered a product worthy of anyone’s consideration.

TYLER’S REVIEW

intense spider 29 comp full suspension carbon fiber mountain bike review

To mirror some of Micah’s thoughts, the bike did indeed handle predictably right off the bat. When I travel to bike and product launches, I never know what I’ll get. Some bikes have a bit of a learning curve, and some just feel right immediately, letting the focus shift to the parts being tested or the bike’s overall capabilities. Or, as Micah said, the trail ahead. The Intense falls squarely into the latter category.

What I found particularly interesting is that it could carry 130mm of travel without feeling big. Somehow it married a racy, XC fit and handling with the ability to crush big mountain terrain. The VPP suspension is a bit active when standing, but like Micah said, traction is solid. Seated, it’s very efficient. At 130mm, the Fox 32 fork was well matched for XC to trail riding. The 4.5″ to 5″ of rear travel translates to 114mm to 127mm, so it’s well matched and felt balanced. Intense says the bike works well with up to a 150mm fork, and for that I’d think something with wider stanchions would make sense.

The frame itself is stiff. Very stiff. The parts spec here complemented it well, too, creating a package I could muscle through the rough stuff without fearing frame or wheel flex would sabotage my intended line. My rides were around Asheville, NC, namely Pisgah Forest and Dupont. It was a good mix of long climbs, fast descents, roots, wet rock, drops and solid hits. Through it all, I had no complaints about my choice of bikes for the weekend.

Regarding the frame spec and perceived weight: Frame is claimed at 5.5lbs with shock, size medium. Micah and I both tested a Large and, while we didn’t get a chance to put it on the scale, my guess is around 28 pounds (dear commenters, yes, I have a pretty decent sense of these things by now). That’s not exactly XC weight, but with tire swaps and a standard seatpost, it gets close. Carbon rimmed, lighter wheels would also be sweet and provide the stiffness for anything while shedding a bit more weight. As is, it was still a capable climber if not exactly spritely on the climbs. On the flats or descending, the bike’s weight was a non-issue.

If you’re looking for a bike that can do a little bit of everything, the Intense Spider 29 Comp is definitely worth a look.

IntenseCycles.com

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19 Comments
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Bob
Bob
9 years ago

Intense makes great bikes, I have a few buds that ride them. Too bad they don’t make any XL’s…..

pornitswhatigaveupasitsbad4thesoul
pornitswhatigaveupasitsbad4thesoul
9 years ago

when will Intense make a true xc racing weapon. 21-22 lbs…something like an Epic WC? We all know they make bitchn trail and dh bikes. I would rather see that. Why are they making bikes so active now? Isnt the whole point of vpp is to make a solid pedaling platform that soaks up hits and pro pedals inst needed?

Tele
Tele
9 years ago

@Bob, I am with you. I guess it is hard for a smaller brand to afford the big mold. At 6′-4″ my issue is head tubes that are too short, not too tall. Even on my XL tracer 29 I show off a lot of steerer. Would love to go carbon, but it probably won’t be another Intense.

MissedThePoint
MissedThePoint
9 years ago

How noisy has this bike’s VPP gotten so far after some weeks? Issues with pivot hardware loosening?

i
i
9 years ago

I demoed one, at 6’3 the L is tiny. I’m surprised Tyler fit it (I gather he prefers a more “xc” kind of fit than I do, low bars and long stems). It needs at least 1-1.5″ more TT, I needed a 420mm post to get the seat to pedaling height and not be past the min insertion, and the head tube is so short I would have needed a riser stem and huge rise bar. And I’m not *that* tall.

Dear intense: I’ll buy the first Carbine 29 out of the mold in an XL. I’ll pay a couple hundred over the standard price, I won’t even complain that this high end a bike comes with Avid brakes even though we both know how stupid that is. I know tooling for carbon is expensive for a small company, but I can all but promise if you made an XL you’d sell more of them than you do size S.

Willis24
Willis24
9 years ago

Hook, line and sinker… you had me at hello! As if the looks were not enough, then you tell me it is not cumbersome like my old school XC geometry and even climbs better. Where do I sign up?

Kyle D
Kyle D
9 years ago

Ah, Intense. Raise your hand if you like tightening your pivot bolts before every ride.

Skelf71
9 years ago

@ Missed the point, have had one of these and currently ride a Carbine 29, also sell plenty of them. We have has two with top pivots come loose, but nothing that could’nt be fixed with a drop of loctite. No better or worse than any other brand at this price range.

sandiegomtb
sandiegomtb
9 years ago

I’m 6’2.5″ (185-190 lbs) and love the large. I’m running 1×11 XO1 with a spiderless absolute black, 130mm revelation, Cane Creek DB Air, Noxcomposite Wheels, i9 touch, 2.25 Nobby Nic, Reverb stealth. Actual bike weighs 26.6 lbs.

After 100s of single track miles cannot wait to throw my leg over it with that same first day smile – every day. Been hammering all kinds of peddles over the last 40+ years. Not an industry shill, just love to ride. My advice? Try one as soon as you can, but that experience will probably make you pissed you don’t own one.

Intense is a great company, thanks Jeff for these great rides!

josh
josh
9 years ago

What saddle to bb height were you running, I run 820mm would this be workable without being excessive?

Madpixl
Madpixl
9 years ago

I am 5-10′ and tightly comfortable on a Medium. This talk of the tight cockpit makes me think I could do a large. I have a 30.5 inseam, just wondering how it would be… Only spider left is a Large….

Tom Fleming
Tom Fleming
8 years ago

My Spider Carbon Comp went into the shop due to the pivot bolts constantly working loose, even with loctite blue. The problem is when they work loose while riding you can damage the whole pivot assemble. This was frustrating but Intense was sending a new swing link. The shop owner was gracious enough to loan me his 2015 Carbine 29 during the 4 weeks it took to get the repair done. And… the bolts came loose on the carbine as well. When they hold together the bikes are sensational. Unfortunately, these bikes are made for the smooth running trails of SoCal and not for anything rough and punishing. I’m an aggressive cross country rider and strongly urge any buyers out there to reconsider if you hammer on rough technical trails. Nothing hurts more then having a 7000 dollar bike keep failing on you. You can check bolts all you want but that’s not practical during a race or mid ride. And that’s when they fail. Buyer beware.

glove
glove
7 years ago

Dude, use a stronger loctite, I use red or next time green penetrating bore locker grade. It really depends but I can always get them out. Just because a green locks a race in place……or pf bottom bracket which is all the rage…..does not mean on a screw/blot you will not be able to get it lose. Don’t do the same things over&over without a solution.

glove
glove
7 years ago

“these bikes are made for the smooth running trails of SoCal and not for anything rough and punishing.” Not true imho, here from Rocky Mountains where front range riding is like no place else as far as punishing goes. “These bikes” hold up quite well. You don’t hear of cracked frames or lots of pivot bolts working lose with tech proficient riders or from shops after the first time. ( The pivot bolts has been reported by several riders on mtbr, but should not scare anyone away.) What would scare me away is if the tolerances weren’t right to stop sideways play when recommended preload is set properly the second time.) Basically, Spider 29C is a Santa Cruz TallboyC/LTC clone from licensed tech, done better. Now in 2016, with the changes that Santa Cruz has made to try and catch up to these guys (with SC’s latest mistakes in engineering the Hightower and TB3 ); these bikes are even more appealing.

marcelo silva
marcelo silva
7 years ago

I had for twice the top alloy link broked on my Spider Comp. I am very disappointed. Its an amazing bike. The nem Intense Primer comes with this link in carbon. I think that is not my problem. Its a construction defect. Anyone with the same trouble ?

marcelo silva
marcelo silva
7 years ago
Reply to  marcelo silva

*new

marcelo silva
marcelo silva
7 years ago

I received a new different link from Intense. Its working perfectly. Thanks !!!

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