California’s Intense Cycles have never been afraid to challenge convention and have made some highly sought-after machines over the years. Their latest ofering, the carbon Spider 275C trail bike, looks set to continue that tradition. While it’s relatively short on travel, Intense reckon its agile and aggressive ride feel makes it a “onebike quiver” that’s as at home on the descents as on long days in the saddle.
Intense used to license the VPP (Virtual Pivot Point) suspension platform from Santa Cruz, but the patent has expired so they’ve come up with their own tweaked dual-link design dubbed the ‘JS Tune’, after company founder Jef Steber. The Spider 275C can be switched between two travel settings – 130 (5.1in) or a slightly more progressive 115mm (4.5in) – to suit diferent terrain and riding styles. Intense have switched to special pivot bearings that don’t have a seal, which may seem counterintuitive but means you can grease and service the bearings after every ride or wash.
Using the ‘i-BOX’ design carried over from the alloy Spider 275A (where the lower link is recessed into the seat tube) and a Boost 148 rear end, they’ve managed to produce a bike with super-short 419mm chainstays. A decent length reach and wheelbase (467mm and 1,178mm, respectively, on the large frame) and 67-degree head angle keep things stable at speed, while a steep 75.5-degree seat angle aids climbing. Two frames are available – a standard carbon chassis with alloy linkage and a ‘Super Light’ version with carbon top link and thinner walls that’s claimed to weigh 215g less.
All the complete bikes come with 1x drivetrains, Fox 34 or RockShox Pike forks, wide bars and dropper posts as standard, backing up Intense’s ‘onebike quiver’ claims. ISCG-05 chain guide tabs and a direct-mount front derailleur attachment mean you can fit what you fancy. The top-of-the-range Spider 275C Factory seen here is a lofty 13500$ and weighs 11.4kg (25.13lb).