The Intense 951 XC Bike Check: A Super Great Value for the Money
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- čas přidán 1. 03. 2024
- In today's bike check, I talk about my first impressions of the Intense 951 XC bike that I purchased from Costco.com. For a bike I purchased at Costco for a grand total of $1981, for what this bike comes with in terms of components, bike weight, bike performance, tools and accessories, closest-to-dialed out of the box assembly, it is the best out of the box bike I have ever purchased and a top three bike of all time favorite too!
For all the technical videos, check out Intense 951's site:
intense951.com/pages/tech-videos
Nice.
I got the Sniper trail 2019, my first full suspension and it turned out to be exactly what I hoped coming from hardtail.
I like a lightweight bike and did not want something that felt like it sapped the energy from my effort and the suspension kinematics are really on point. Even full open on the road there's little Bob.
The biggest improvement is the climbing ability on technical or just root terrain. I am still too used to unweighting the rear anticipating a ledge etc which is still a great skill but I have to learn to keep some weight there for traction and let the suspension do the work.
Short steep tracks with loose dirt that were impossible are now possible as I just keep weight down and winch up. Before I would spin out.
Love the bike as it just opens up more possibilities.
This is my first experience with the JS tuned VPP platform and I really how that feels overall. GT's Angle Optimized System (AOS) being my favorite. I do like colorways of the Intense Sniper frames.
But, yeah, I wanted a lightweight bike that wasn't going to tax me as I climb 1500' ascending non stop. Look up Tiger Mountain (Washington state) trails on Trailforks for reference - it's where I ride.
But for XC races, this bike does pretty good even though it weighs more than my hardtails.
Was looking for a new review after that deal at Costco. Thanks for the video
No problem - I actually was thinking the same thing which is why I made one. So far, after a week of riding this bike and throwing it around a really great jump line and some technical descents, my opinion and experience of this bike has only gone up.
You got a fantastic deal. I hope that you enjoy it.
I thoroughly have and it is currently one of my bikes I use for my XC competitions. I eventually will get Spinergy MXX30s wheels for it.
Grilling and mountain biking! My two favorite hobbies
Bikes and BBQ! I figured while I was cooking, I had time to make a bike video and that's how these two came together!
Great video, I am fairly new to mountain biking .I appreciate the information and you did not overcomlicate it.
Picked up the same bike through the same deal. Couldn’t be happier based off of the first few rides. I’ve been eyeing a mtb for some time now and I couldn’t pass up this bike for the value that it is. Great for a first time mtb with all of the accessories and tools to hit the trails right away
It's a really good set up. I swapped out the wheels to a spare set of carbon FSA Gradients, a Sram GX cassette and Vittoria Mezcals and the bike is lighter and quicker. But it doesn't feel as fun since these FSA carbon wheels are ultra stiff. I'll eventually replace the FSAs with Spinergy MXX30s so the ride quality isn't as rigid.
@@yuri_on_youtube Interesting I was considering a wheel upgrade at some point as well for the obvious weight improvement. I'll probably just plan to thrash the stock pair till I would realistically need something new since I likely won't be racing it in the near future.
Can’t wait to see how jot performa and holds up
I hope I can record my Ride Along vlog tomorrow unless it starts dumping rain and snow dumping again.
Smoking deal ! Well done
Yeah, even my friends who own bikes that equal at least two of these Costco specials even think it is a completely awesome price for what you're getting.
ty for this video A Super Great Value for the Money i couldnt agree with you more
i bought this recently when costco had the 1000k discount
the quality is every bit top notch and what INTENSE sells it for on their website $3,599.00
im definetly gonna upgrade the pedals
Right on. It's the best bike buy I have ever made. Yeah, now that I've had time to ride it, do a few XC races on it plus I did some parts change overs, I'm going to be putting out that video sometime tonight.
@@yuri_on_youtube its defintely the top bike now in my stable i bought it in size XL good luck w yours enjoy the rides
I got the 951 XC 6 months ago at Costco and it is. a fun bike to ride. The size Large can accommodate 2 water bottle cages inside the frame which is a huge plus. For a new owner of the bike, I would recommend swapping out the tires first and if possible the wheel set too along with some proper pedals. I rode it with the NX drivetrain for awhile and it was OK, good enough for a beginner or someone on a budget, but I ended up swapping out the drivetrain, wheel set, tires and handlebar from my old bike build to GX AXS, Mavic Crossmax and a carbon bar. I'll have to check but I'm pretty sure I'm running a wider rear tire, at least a 2.25, if not wider. I also got the different tool kit, same tools but in a zippered carrier.
Overall a great bike, especially for the price (Intense has it on sale on their website $3,300 which is still very good for a carbon full fox suspension bike), itis playful and snappy, climbs and descends well.
I plan of upgrading this rig as parts do wear out - I have a spare set of FSA Gradients and my go to are Vittoria Mezcals. I normally have spares because I do a lot of XC races here in WA, so I need back ups in case.
But yeah, pretty enjoyable rig out of the box. I do want to see how it fairs comapred to my two primary bikes I use for XC in its current configuration.
How much does it weigh after those upgrades? I upgrade my drivetrain to shimano xt/slx. And xt break. Love how it feels!
I just bought 2 for the wife and I. Still in the boxes. I hope the frame/swing arm can hold up to a 220lb rider? the spec is great for the price. Plan riding it and replacing stuff as it wears or breaks.
I'm about 215 lbs and if you watch my Cannon'rail video that I put out before this video, this Costco bike easily eats the same stuff up no problem! I'll do a ride review soon but it feels pretty dang robust!
Have you had a chance to swap out the 2.2 tires for 2.35 like you mentioned a couple weeks ago? I just picked up this bike and am considering putting 2.35 tubeless on it but would be interested to know if you found there is enough room for them in the back. Thanks.
I did go with 2.35s - Gets me thinking I should do an update video of this bike.
Have you swapped out the 2.2 tires for 2.35 yet? I just picked up this bike in Canada and was considering putting 2.35 tubeless on it but would be good to know if there is enough clearance in the back before doing so. Thanks.
I did and went with Vittoria Mezcal 2.35" wides and rode it pretty hard into berm turns to see if I would get any tire rub from wheel flex and did not encounter those issues. So, I can confirm that 2.35" wides will fit on this bike.
@@yuri_on_youtube Thanks Yuri for your response. I was thinking of going with the Schwalbe Hans Dampf but will have a look at the Mexcal's.
What date was your bike made? Mine was made 10/3/2022 and I got a different looking tool kit so curious if I got one that was sitting around a lot longer than others did
I'll take a look and see if I can sort that out - All I can say from the checklist taped to the bike is that it was signed off on last week.
@@yuri_on_youtube Wow you got a fresh bike! That's the date I was referencing so mine has been sitting for over a year. Don't think it really matters but it's interesting to see
honestly the only thing it looks like they cheaped out on is the NX groupset, but other than that it looks great. Kinda weird how narrow that rear triangle is, I'm really surprised you can't even go upto a 2.4 tire.
Yeah, the NX thing, not a fan, especially because the NX cassettes are usually Shimano HG compatible meaning you can't upgrade to GX or higher unless you get get a rear wheel with an XD driver. Also, if you don't install the NX cassette just right since most of the cogs and spacers are individual, you'll get a few mm of play regardless of how tight you make the locknut.
I'm going to install a Vittoria Mezcal 2.35 tire and see how snug or if I get any chain/seatstay rub.
i'm kind of interested in this but i think i want the trail version rather than the XC.
I haven't tried the trail version, I looked at it myself. The trail version is estimated to weigh 32-33 lbs, so about 4-5 lbs more than the XC model.
I have a few trail full suspension bikes. For me, I wanted something that was lighter.
Of note - The XC version has been updated with a universal derailleur hanger and a SID fork per the Intense 951 website. I would assume the trail bike will also get an update soon too.
@@yuri_on_youtube I saw one of the XC bikes at my local Costco and did take notice of how remarkably light it was by comparison to my current bike (which is an entry level starter trail bike).
I ordered one for me and one for the wife. Both bikes shipped and only one got delivered. Still waiting to see if UPS finds it. Costco is willing to refund me unfortunately they are sold out so they cant ship a replacement
Hopefully, the box is found vs gettinga refund. I rode this on some jump lines today and this bike is really easy to control and hope vs many of my other bikes.
Man, the sale is already over! The deal you got makes me feel ashamed of what I paid for a hardtail. Do you know whether or not this is the first time the bike has been listed for $1k off? Also, on weight: it appears to be 12.7kg with tubes, which is pretty good for the price but could be improved with something beyond SRAM SX/NX.
I've been watching this item specifically at Costco (versus the Intense951 website) and it is the first time I have seen it discounted by $1000. The only other rebate I saw was around Black Friday or sometime around then and it was $500 off.
Honestly, I didn't think the bike would sell out that fast at Costco because so many people on PinkBike talk smack about it being a Costco bike but who cares? It's a legit bike.
@@yuri_on_youtube I'm surprised as well because I've seen other heavily discounted carbon FS bikes sit for days without selling out.
@@icantgivecredit871 I will say for me, I had a few nerdy Costco things that did it in for me: #1) Costco's return policy. #2) The fact I could put this on my Costco Visa Not that $40 in money back is that huge but it influenced my decision. #3) Costco, based on previous orders, shipping is within 1-3 days for me regardless if its a big or small order.
Hell, if they sold it at the store, I think I would have tried buying two of them plus a $1.50 hotdog, pizza and a soda.
Ashamed of what I paid for an aluminum Scott.
I had looked at a few aluminum Scott full suspension bikes on eBay for ballpark under $2500. Glad I held out though.