You're probably no different from most aficionados of XC mountain biking: You recognize the potential of full-suspension to make your riding faster, more efficient, and more comfortable. But if you're anything like us -- finicky and detail oriented about our bikes -- you've probably been underwhelmed by most of the models you've tried. Many are too heavy, and most suffer from the eternal downfall of full-suspension: Pedal hard, your suspension compresses. Ease up on the pedals, your suspension extends. The engineers call it CLF -- short for chain load induced forces. We call it pogoing, and it's the #1 reason why skilled riders tend to shy away from full-suspension. While we agree that full suspension allows you to more or less plow over obstacles that you'd need to do a skillful ballet to get through on a hardtail, the fact that you ride full suspension doesn't mean that riding becomes a simple point-and-click affair. Even on a full suspension bike you need to exert plenty of body english on your machine to get from one end of the trail to the next. But when your rear wheel pulls off the ground as you accelerate (or when the opposite happens -- a big hit disrupts an otherwise fluid pedaling cadence), all hope for using nuance to control your bike goes out the window.

The Intense Spider XVP is by many accounts the most precision-engineered, most technologically evolved answer to the evils of CLF. How did Intense do it? Through Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) technology. The Spider 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 opposite each other as the suspension compresses (top pivots rotate counter-clockwise, while bottom pivots rotate clockwise), 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 a superior climber and breathtakingly stable in corners.

While other companies out there utilize VPP technology, none build their frames with the same precision and expense as Intense. You don't see cast frame components, bushings, or any of the other telltale signs of manufacturing corner-cutting. Time-intensive CNC work can be found everywhere on the Spider, and the pivots on the suspension make extensive use of sealed bearings. In 2005, Intense enlarged these bearings and the crush tubes in the lower swing link to promote longer bearing life and a silky smoothness to suspension performance unlike any other brand of VPP bike.

The Spider is Intense's most versatile frame. Thanks to its proprietary Intense/ Easton bi-oval flared tubeset, the Spider weighs in at a lightweight 5.6 lbs, and can accommodate 80mm-100mm forks, and either cantilever or disc brakes. It's a strong foundation for just about any sort of riding you can imagine - XC, Enduro, and all points in between. Each of our Spider frames comes equipped with a Fox Float RP23 shock.

The Intense Spider XVP 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 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.

2008 Intense Spider XVP Pricing
	Frame	XTR 970	SRAM X.O	XT 770	SRAM X-9
Spider XVP	$1949	5036	4119	4135	3945

2008 Intense Spider XVP Geometry

Size	Seat Tube	Effective Top Tube	Stand Over	BB Height	Head Tube Angle	Seat Tube Angle	Head Tube	Chainstay Length
XS	15.25	21.5	28.5	12.5	71.0	73.0	4.0	16.75
S	16.0	22.0	28.5	12.5	71.0	73.0	4.0	16.75
M	19.0	23.0	29.5	12.5	71.0	73.0	4.625	16.75
L	21.0	24.0	30.5	12.5	71.0	73.0	5.25	16.75
All lengths are measured in inches.