• Home
  • Gear Reviews
    • Mountain Biking
    • Road Biking
    • Bike Commuting
    • Trail Running
    • Skiing
    • Outdoors
    • Water Sports
    • Vehicles
  • News
  • Trip Reports
  • Videos
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Facebook Twitter Instagram
FeedTheHabit.com
  • Home
  • Gear Reviews
    • Mountain Biking
    • Road Biking
    • Bike Commuting
    • Trail Running
    • Skiing
    • Outdoors
    • Water Sports
    • Vehicles
  • News
  • Trip Reports
  • Videos
FeedTheHabit.com
Gear Reviews

Intense Spider 29 Quick Review

Jason MitchellBy Jason MitchellAugust 6, 20123 Comments3 Mins Read

While at DealerCamp, my search for 650B bikes proved more difficult than I had thought, so I ended up going to what felt comfortable. And, that led me to my first bike of the day, the Intense Spider 29. While it’s not billed as the lightest or fastest 29er on the market, Intense sure knows how to make great bikes. So, off I went.

Intense Spider 29 Features:

  • 4.25″-4.75″ Adjustable Travel
  • Designed around 100mm-120mm forks
  • Replaceable rear dropout system
  • 135 QR/142×12 QR rear wheel compatibility
  • Tapered headtube (1 1/8″ to 1.5″ lower)
  • FOX Float RPL 7.5 X 2.0 Shock
  • Colors: Works, Stealth, Works Red (custom colors available)
  • MSRP: $2149 (frame only)

Intense Spider 29 Review

It’s been awhile since I’ve ridden an Intense, so I was anxious to ride on the Spider 29 — even though it’s not all that new. In typical Intense fashion, the Spider is set up as a versatile, American-made big wheeler with adjustable travel (4.25 or 4.75 inches). This bike is well-suited as an all-day marathon rig.

With its G1 Dropout system, you can stiffen up the rear end via 142mm thru axle or adapt to any “new” standards that come our way. Of course, the Spider 29 utilizes the VPP suspension design for extra smoothness both up and down the trails. For 2013, the Spider 29 will only be available with the Fox Float RPL rear shock, which performed without quibble on this machine.

Wanting to test out the climbing abilities of the Spider 29, I quickly ascended up from the Snow Park base area at Deer Valley. The initial climb is via a loose fire road that steepens considerably near the end. I was surprised how much I relied on the lockout switch to settle down the suspension. Now, granted, I haven’t spent much time on a VPP bike in recent years, but the amount of pedal stroke-sucking movement I felt was a little unnerving. Thankfully, the lockout calmed things down and squirted me efficiently forward.

On rolling XC terrain, the overall feel of the bike with a custom 130mm Fox 34 Float 29 fork was smooth and comfortable. I could push it hard in varied terrain and the bike responded very well.

When things pointed downhill in earnest, the heft of the Spider 29 turned into a distinct advantage as it simply plowed through everything in its path. I could maintain momentum and comfortably maneuver through the twisty Deer Valley singletrack.

The Good

  • Very comfortable on any trail
  • American-made goodness
  • Versatility that’s hard to match
  • Really plows through anything yet handles nimbly

The Bad

  • I had to rely on the rear lockout to maintain efficiency
  • No water bottle mounts

Bottom Line: Intense Spider 29

Yes, my time was pretty limited on this rig, but I was immediately impressed by the rideability of the Spider 29. It rides with predictability that’s sometimes hard to find. As an all-day American-made trail slayer, the Spider 29 has a lot to offer.

Buy Now: Visit WrenchScience.com

128
SHARES
ShareTweet
29er intense cycles
Jason Mitchell
  • Website
  • Twitter

A native of the Pacific Northwest, Jason quickly developed a love for the outdoors and a thing for mountains. That infatuation continues as he founded this site in 1999 -- sharing his love of road biking, mountain biking, trail running and skiing. That passion is channeled into every article or gear review he writes. Utah's Wasatch Mountains are his playground.

You Might Also Like

Tifosi Rail Sunglasses Review

May 16, 2022

Outdoor Vitals Ventus Active Hoodie

May 12, 2022

Salomon Ultra Glide Review

May 9, 2022

3 Comments

  1. Hammerballs on August 6, 2012 1:58 pm

    Was the rear end setup correctly for you? I have a Tracer 29 with the same VPP suspension and I don’t notice much pedal bob. I have an RP23 but rarely bother turning the ProPedal on.

    Reply
    • Jason Mitchell on August 10, 2012 10:51 pm

      They dialed in the suspension for my riding weight and I didn’t bother with it. On the downhill, it felt smooth and controlled and I was using all the travel. I’m sure it could be tweaked, but the bob was not my friend on the road or extended climbs.

      Reply
  2. DirtyAL on August 8, 2012 10:54 am

    No water bottle mounts! No Bueno!

    Reply

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Most Popular
9.5

Wahoo Speedplay Zero Pedals Review

April 14, 2022
8.9

Zipp 303 S Carbon Wheelset Review

November 4, 2021
9.1

Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 TLR Wheelset Review

September 9, 2021

Hoka One One Anacapa Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review

November 2, 2021
9.4

Roval CL 50 Disc Wheelset Review

September 13, 2019
9.0

Canyon Endurace CF SL 8 Disc Di2 Review

August 13, 2020

Salomon Ultra Glide Review

May 9, 2022
9.1

Bontrager Aeolus Pro 37 TLR Wheelset Review

June 18, 2020

Review: SRAM GX AXS Upgrade Kit

December 21, 2021

Ultimate All-rounder? Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket Review

February 2, 2021
Advertisement
Our Latest Posts
  • Tifosi Rail Sunglasses Review
  • Outdoor Vitals Ventus Active Hoodie
  • Salomon Ultra Glide Review
  • Pearl Izumi Expedition PRO Bib Shorts Review
  • Louis Garneau Garnott LS Jersey Review
  • Fresh Wheels: Campagnolo Levante Gravel Wheelset
  • Review: Scott Gravel Tuned Bike Shoes
  • Colnago C68 Ditches Lugs, Goes Modular
  • Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody Review
  • Wahoo Speedplay Zero Pedals Review
About Us
About Us

Since 1999, we have delivered in-depth gear reviews, articles and content. We feature a small staff of savvy, experienced writers who love to review outdoor gear.

External links to Amazon, REI, Backcountry and other retailers include affiliate codes that give us a small commission on each sale.

To contact us or learn more, go to our About Us page.

© 1999-2022 FeedTheHabit.com All rights reserved // About Us // Privacy Policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.