We know what you're thinking, and it's not that. No Jeri Curl here, baby, just pure gas, as in speed. In Intensespeak, FRO translates to "For Race Only," which Intense applies to specific frames or tires to optimize them for race day. When you see a frame with this designation in the Intense lineup, you know it's fast, and typically substantially lighter than the original model. The Intense Spider FRO is no different, as it tips the scales at about 5 pounds thanks to its ultralight, proprietary Intense/Easton bi-oval flared tubeset. FRO Frames have been available to the pros for a while, but now the opportunity is yours.

Apart from its super light tubeset, the Intense Spider FRO clones the Spider XVP including the Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) suspension. The Spider FRO provides 4" of travel, but instead of doing so with a single main pivot, Intense uses a dual pivot coupling at its main pivot point. This coupling allows two adjoining pivots to rotate around each other as the suspension compresses, which causes the rear axle to follow a backwards S-path distinctly dissimilar to the vertical path taken by a traditional 4-bar linkage. This helps give a VPP bike the same level of "activeness" as a 4-bar, but it does so while causing pedaling forces to drive the rear wheel downward rather than up. The resulting traction makes the Spider FRO a superior climber and breathtakingly stable in corners.

Our friends at Mountain Bike Action were recently amazed by the Intense Spider FRO, "While the FRO is an explosive sprinter, its ace in the hole is its comfortable cruise. With four inches of suspension working full time, you can relax and spin where other riders who are on stiffer-riding dual-suspension or hardtail frames must brace themselves against bumpy chatter and waste concentration choosing precise lines to avoid minor obstacles. We [MBA] found that by using smooth pedal strokes, we could ease into the next higher cog -- as if some invisible force was pushing from behind."

The Intense Spider FRO is available in Intense Red, Stealth Black, Pearl White, Works (raw aluminum) or Midnight Blue. Or for a $125 upcharge and 3-4 week wait, you can customize your Spider FRO in any of the following colors: Java, Platinum, Works Red, Works Blue, Black Chrome, Hot Rod Orange, Baby Blue or Iron Grey. It uses a 31.6mm seatpost, and requires a 34.9mm top swing/top pull front derailleur. Please note that while the Spider FRO receives the same great warranty as other Intense frames, they have imposed a 180 pound weight limit and stress that the frame is designed for what it is named -- For Race Only.

2008 Intense Spider FRO Pricing
	Frame	XTR 970	SRAM X.O	XT 770	SRAM X-9
Spider FRO	$2289	5366	4445	4465	4276

2008 Intense Spider FRO Geometry

Size	Seat Tube	Effective Top Tube	Stand Over	BB Height	Head Tube Angle	Seat Tube Angle	Head Tube	Chainstay Length
S	14.75	22.25	28.0	12.5	72.0	73.5	4.75	16.75
M	18.00	23.25	28.0	12.5	72.0	73.5	5.00	16.75
L	19.75	24.25	28.5	12.5	72.0	73.5	5.60	16.75
All lengths are measured in inches.