Slowly but surely it seems that most manufacturers are adding at least one plus-size bike to their line-up. Intense are the latest to back the wide(r) tyre trend with their new ACV trail bike.
The frame
Intense are keen to point out that the ACV (Air Cushioned Vehicle) has been built specifically around 650b+ tyres. Though you can slot a set of 29in wheels into the frame, it’s not something the American brand are pushing.
The ACV delivers either 115mm or 130mm of travel (changed at the lowermost shock mount) via Intense’s own‘JS Tuned’ twinlink suspension system (they no longer license the VPP design from Santa Cruz, though this is similar), complete with ‘i-BOX’ lower link, which attaches to the mainframe just above the bottom bracket. Intense say this new lower link – which still has a handy grease port – allows for shorter chainstays.
They’ve sleeved the BB, upper pivot and head tube to ensure things fit more precisely and last longer, and the Boosted rear triangle gets a driveside bracing strut to improve stifness further. The cable routing is all internal and doesn’t rattle about in the frame, plus there’s integrated chainstay protection to help quieten things down.
The kit
After testing a variety of diferent rim and tyre combos, Intense settled on 2.8in Maxxis Ikon+ tyres mounted on DT Swiss M 1600 40mm rims. Suspension duties are taken care of by a 150mm travel RockShox Pike RCT3 up front and a RockShox Monarch RT3 DebonAir at the rear.
The brakes also come from the SRAM stable, in the shape of the mid-range Guide RS, while the transmission uses a mix of SRAM’s 11-speed components, including an X01 rear mech and X1 shifter. As well as this top-end ‘Pro’ bike, Intense also ofer a ‘Foundation’ build at 6150$.
The ride
From the sprightly eagerness of the first pedal stroke to the way the ACV likes to be popped and placed with reckless abandon just about anywhere on the trail, you’d be hard pressed to not have fun aboard this bike almost instantly. Find the right tyre pressures (we settled on 16psi front, 18psi rear) and rattle into rough, rooty, rock-strewn trails and you’ll be surprised what you can get away with when it comes to line choice.
The big tyres do a great job of smoothing out nadgery, speedsapping bumps and chunder, ofering impressive traction, especially on loose dry trails or technical climbs. The supple rear suspension helps here too, and when you do get a little carried away it ramps up enough to avoid a harsh bottom-out.We added a touch more rebound damping than usual to compensate for the undamped bounce of the big tyres and increase control through fast, pinball-like sections.
Push the bike hard and, provided you can keep air in the tyres, you’re rewarded with a lively, playful ride that feels confident and manoeuvrable in a wide range of terrain. That is, until it rains – in which case the low profile of the Maxxis Ikon+ tyres means any traction advantages are washed away and things can get pretty dicey. Thankfully Intense are talking about shipping the ACV with Maxxis’s more aggressive Rekon+ tyres in the near future.
Sizing on our medium felt roomy enough for our 5ft 8in test pilot, though the length of the seat tube means those with shorter legs may struggle with the post at full extension.
HIGHS
- In the right conditions, the ACV and its 2.8in tyres ofer more traction than a regular trail bike and the ability to brake later
- Great looking, nicely packaged machine
LOWS
- The low-profile tyres struggle if there’s any sign of moisture
The ACV’s a lot of fun to ride, but tougher, more aggressive tyres would help in UK conditions
Frame Carbon fibre, 115-130mm (4.5-5.1in) travel
Fork RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air Boost, 150mm (5.9in) travel
Shock RockShox Monarch RT3 DebonAir
Drivetrain SRAM X01 rear mech, X1 shifter and Race Face Next SL cranks (1x11)
Wheelset DT Swiss M1600 SPLINE TWO rims on 240 Boost hubs, Maxxis Ikon+ EXO 27.5x2.8in tyres
Brakes SRAM Guide RS
Bar/stem Renthal Fatbar, 760mm/Thomson, 50mm
Seatpost/saddle KS LEV Integra (dropper)/Fabric Scoop Radius Elite
Weight 13.85kg (30.53lb), medium size, with pedals
Price 8100$