Competitive Cyclist

INTENSE SPIDER 2

Is it a marathon bike? Is it a trail bike? You decide. Or don't, and just ride it.

The Intense Spider 2 is a new thoroughbred from Intense modeled in the esteemed Spider bloodline. Unlike previous fixed travel iterations, the Spider 2 offers a choice between 4.5" or 5" of travel achieved by simply moving the pivot to the alternate location on the upper swing link. It allows you to mate any fork between 120mm and 140mm of travel. At just 5.75 pounds, it tackles everything from xc to marathon to trail. All the things we love about VPP are alive and well -- the incredible traction, giddy-up climbing, and unparalleled stability in corners. But the Spider 2 does so using the 2nd generation VPP link.

The 2nd Generation VPP link found on the Intense Spider 2 helps to minimize chain growth by some 15-20%, which reduces pedal feedback during the suspension cycle. In turn, this allows the suspension to stay more active, resulting in a plush ride with loads of traction. Angular contact bearings help keep the link stable and laterally stiff, enhancing the already legendary Intense tracking characteristic. The design drastically reduces the amount of maintenance required, and makes doing it a whole lot easier. Zerk fittings can be found at the pivots which allow for lubrication without disassembly. A grease gun is used at each fitting to squirt a touch of grease in. Two minutes, and you're back on the trail. Bearings last longer, and the suspension action stays smooth and quiet.

None of the Intense artistry has been spared -- in fact, it's been crafted much in the same mold as the Tracer VP -- featuring a beautiful hydroformed top tube is angled downward with a subtle bend to it, reinforced at the seat tube with a small brace, providing gobs of standover clearance. Hand crafted goodness from sunny SoCal!

The new Intense Spider 2 will be available in Kawasaki Green (yeah!), Intense Red, Stealth Black, Pearl White, and Works (raw aluminum). It uses a 31.6mm seatpost, and requires a 34.9mm top swing/top pull front derailleur and comes stock with a Fox Float R shock. A grease gun fitting is included with your frame purchase to cover routine maintenance, although the grease gun is sold seperately. The frame weight, with Float R shock, is, according to Intense, 5.75lbs (2.610kg). The frame has a two year warranty against manufacturing defects.

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2010 Intense Spider 2 Pricing