Intend USD forks – advice wanted

Just noticed that TF Tuned are now selling & servicing Intend USD forks

Having been previously stung by boutique European forks (BOS + 6m warranty claims), I’ve managed to resist exploring the Intend fork, but the itch needs to be scratched!

Does anyone have any real world experience of riding, setting up and maintaining the the Intend USD forks?

Thank you

All my dealings have been direct with Intend/Cornelius, prior to TF taking them on, but they were super helpful and fast when I needed a load of new parts for a set I got SH, where the previous owner was a little clumsy and carved a canyon into a stanchion pulling them out of a van…

Set up is really simple (mine are 1st Gen Edges, with a new gen damper) simply put 1psi for each Kg you weigh, then set rebound & compression damping. No tokens to bugger about with. Have done no maintenance in 3 years of riding since essentially rebuilding them.

Incredibly smooth in use, may be a little twisty in a car park test, but not something you notice in trail. Fore and aft stiffness is very good. Very coil like in feel, super linear all the way through the (150mm) travel.

anything specific you want to know?

I only had a day on them but noticed the same as Tom. Grab the wheel between your knees and wiggle the bars and they might feel a bit more flexible than others. Riding them, this isn’t noticeable. I guess because the ground only offers a bit of friction right at the bottom of the tyre.

What you do notice is how stiff they are fore and aft. They feel very supple. I don’t know if that’s the upside downess of them, the stiffness or the wet seals but I thought the brakes felt better due to less fork flutter.

Thanks Tom & Onzadog

Really encouraging feedback

I ride a Geometron and my current Fox 36s feel very archaic compared to the back of the bike so fancy something which will compliment the back end

Tom – would you always pick these now over top end Fox or Rockshox alternatives?

I would, but then I’m a nichewhoretart.

There’s going to be a lot of personal preference at the shiny end of the market, it’s all pretty good. Fox and RS will be more adjustable at the extremes, but the Intend works well for me. (Think a hifi with loads of buttons/adjustments, vs one with just a volume dial)

Also, all the various QC issues that have been happening with mass market forks sold in the 10s of thousands (lack of/too much grease, build sheets stuck in dampers, needing a service straight out the box) simply don’t happen with Intend. Whilst it’s not just one bloke out of his bedroom anymore, it’s still only a 6 man band, selling minuscule numbers, so everything gets checked properly.

Awesome – thanks Tom

A nice little 50th birthday present to myself next year! ?

As per @tomhoward I am also a “nichewhoretart”™.

I’ve been speaking with the team at TF Tuned very recently and have settled on a Samurai TR for the front of my new XC bike when it arrives. Although no experience with the fork directly, TF have been absolutely brilliant and would have no qualms at all dealing with them again (as I’m sure I will for servicing).

The thing that puts me off is the mud guard situation given the lack of an arch. What do people use for that?

The thing that puts me off is the mud guard situation given the lack of an arch

That is a significant annoyance in the UK, although I did read something about them planning on an integrated one with the lower stanchion guards.

I’d want an extended ride on a set though, as I have a frame that came with a Hover on it (also with a Vivid Coil) which feels like a good improvement over the Hover (as does the Vivid Air I also have for the same frame).

They would need to be exceptionally good to warrant being 3 times the price of Lyrik Ultimates.

I ride a Geometron and my current Fox 36s feel very archaic compared to the back of the bike

Did you rule out a nice coil fork? Assuming you have an EXT Storia – I’ve found coil forks pair very well with them.