FIRST RIDE. FIRST RIDE.
FIRST RIDE: INTENSE V8APRIL 27
By Ryan Cleek
Each year, the Sea Otter Classic marks the start of the racing season. Every year teams arrive with new uniforms and bikes. I wandered around the pits and expo area looking for tasty prototype goodies, but my thoughts drifted to Jeff Steber, Intense Cycles President. I’ve made a few V8 bikes for the Sea Otter downhill course. They will be raced by Sabrina Jonnier, David Klassenvanoorschot and you are welcome to race one in your own race. Deal. Deal.
THE SPEC
The eight-inch V8 travel frame features the?onepointfive’. Standard headtube was used. It is equipped with a Manitou Sherman Breakout single crown fork and a Manitou Swinger 6-Way SPV shock. This is the ‘race-version. This freeride-oriented V8 featured an MRP chainguide and Sun Ringle Eight Track tires.
COURSE
My face was bright with grins from my first practice run to my 7th place in Expert downhill. In past Sea Otter downhills I have raced full-sized 20kg downhill rigs as well as quick four-inch travel Slalom bikes. Its V20 cms efficiency pedaling, balanced suspension, and overall agile design made it feel like a long-travel BMX bicycle and transformed the Otter downhill course to a huge dirt playground.
You can find more information about the First Ride in the August issue MBA. Also, keep an eye out for a full-test report of the freeride-oriented IntenseV8 in an upcoming issue.
