- This topic has 31 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 4 years ago by johnw1984.
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New Bike (again)!
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johnw1984Free Member
Had quite a few rides on my Pace RC529, but I’ve admitted defeat and realised I’m just not a hard tail guy.
Great on single track and fast descents, but anything rocky and I really dislike how they ride 🙁
Strict policy of one in, one out now means that it’s going to have to be split and sold off.
Anyway… I’ve got a new 2016 Intense Spider frame on the way! Not had a 650b for a while! It’s going to be a bit before it’s fully built as I need funds for wheels and a fork. Some belting Fox 34s on Chain Reaction, but it’s my luck that they’ll sell out before I get the money 🙂
I’ll update with pics of the frame and build progress. Quite excited as I’ve always fancied an Intense and the frame was a bargain.
superstuFree MemberShame, the RC529 seems a great bike.
Always had a soft spot for intense from back in the day, let’s see some pictures when it arrives.
johnw1984Free MemberI know, and it fitted so well too! I’ve had some great rides on it, but the negatives of it being a hard tail for me just spoil it 🙁
johnw1984Free MemberDispatch email arrived!
Coming with DPD tomorrow…
Had time to think about build spec and budget too. I’ll need to split my RC529 down and sell off the 29er bits. I think I’m even going to sell my SC Reserve 27 wheels! By far the best wheels I’ve ever ridden on too, but can’t afford another 27.5 set currently.
Also didn’t realise how cheap Deore 4 pot brakes are now, so fancy trying these on the new build.
Still undecided on fork. Some cheap Fox stuff on Chain Reaction, or I might steal my wife’s Fox 34 🙂
Genuinely excited for this one (I’m not a very excitable person usually!).
johnw1984Free MemberYeah I’ve seen a few on eBay. I’ll have to have a mooch around once funds are there.
Not really thought about the fork yet properly. Would be nice to have a kashima 34/36 to match the shock, but it’s not the end of the world if I can’t stretch to one.
Going to go for 140mm travel and needs to be boost.
johnw1984Free MemberFrame has arrived and it looks stunning in the flesh! The colour is laquered carbon with sparkly pearl White, it really pops when the light hits it.
I didn’t realise it was the higher end frame too with the composite linkage and titanium hardware. It feels silly light too! It’s the nicest frame I’ve had so far I reckon.
Missus has a new bike coming now, so that means I’ve got a Fox 34 ready to go on it. I’m still deciding on the rest of the build kit. I’ll have temporary Roval wheels to stick on it and Shimano XT/SLX. I’m going to look for an XTR shifter though as a cheap upgrade.
I’ve got other bits like a One Up dropper, White Charge Knife Ti saddle, Renthal bars. My Race Face cranks are a bit worn, so I’ll look at maybe getting some XTR cranks eventually
I’ll keep updating as the build progresses.
johnw1984Free MemberWell it’s finished (sort of).
Re-used a lot of my old parts and some bargains to get rolling. Ordered some 4 pot Shimano brakes to go on as I got sick of faffing with the Guides. Rear hose is too short anyway 🙂
Just need to set gears and controls up and cut excess cable now.
I had a problem with the Guides. I’ve fed the hose through the frame and attached a new connectamajig thing, but now the lever is solid and won’t even move the pistons. Could a bleed sort this?
It’s possible I’ve used the wrong connector as I had a reverb one knocking about and they could have gotten mixed up?
Just waiting for the bleed kit to be delivered so I can’t find out. Anyway a few pics.
johnw1984Free MemberMatt, Don’t let me missus see you call it a Pug. I’m convinced that it’s a Bulldog and she was adamant it was a Pug! 🙂
Shame about the brake as I can’t give it a test ride till that’s sorted 🙁
johnw1984Free MemberSo, I’ve been making a few changes in between rides on this thing and I’m getting near to perfection (for me).
Changed the 50mm stem to a 35mm and everything seemed to just click. Feels great now! The bike has tons of grip and feels really agile, such a fun bike to ride fast downhill.
Upgraded my wheels to some DT Swiss M1700 30mm rims (Pinkbike bargain) and they feel miles better than the cheap superstar ones I had to get rolling. Going to use the novatec hubs and learn to build wheels with some nicer rims as spares.
Got rid of the Guide RS that were too short and went for the Shimano M520 4-pot brakes. Again, well impressed with these!
Next upgrades are the search for a comfy perch and Shimano 12 speed setup. Here’s a pic of the current state 🙂
robownsFree MemberGreat looking bike. I’ve been on 29″ too long, those wheels look tiny! (Forgive me if it’s a 29 and you’re just huge).
johnw1984Free MemberHaha @robowns I know what you mean! I’ve been riding 29ers for a few years so it took a bit to get used to again. It is an XL frame though and even a touch longer than my Hightower was!
Can’t wait to properly finish it off as it was kinda put together with spares.
chillidaveFree MemberI picked up one of these frames for the same price but my build is going incredibly slow, great to see you’re happy with it John.
I have an issue with the seat tube though, I can only insert the post about 200mm till it hits a ring of carbon that stops it going further. It doesn’t look like it but does yours have the same issue?
johnw1984Free MemberAh nice one, I’m sure you’ll love it when it’s up and running 🙂
Hmm, mine went in fine… nothing blocking it at all. For reference, it’s an XL frame and a One Up dropper.
Wonder if it has some material left over from manufacturing?
chillidaveFree MemberThanks John! I appreciate your help and I think you’re right, it looks like a pretty uniform ring inside the tube, I really don’t want to take sandpaper to the frame, especially as it’s a fairly imprecise job but it’s a shame not to be able to run a nice long drop post.
I may send Merlin a mail, at least I know it’s not an issue on all Spiders, mine is also an XL.
johnw1984Free MemberNo worries, hope you can get it sorted.
Should have mine totally finished this week. I decided to go full XTR 11 speed with a Sunrace 11-46 cassette (instead of SLX 12 speed).
johnw1984Free MemberHow dare you! 🙂
Rims/wheels have been changed to DT Swiss now, so look ok (even though I did like the silver rim look hehe).
Still undecided on a saddle though as I’m still looking for something that suits me. Trying a WTB Volt I had spare next (also got a Charge Spoon that I might give a go).
johnw1984Free MemberWell, it’s pretty much finished for now. Still need to find a suitable saddle that doesn’t pinch when I’m sat down for a length of time.
I’d say it’s one of the best bikes I’ve ridden so far. Handling is very agile and poppy, but you can feel the rough stuff if it’s ridden at speed. I’m actually contemplating trying the Recluse linkage and getting a longer fork and coil shock (basically turning it into a Recluse, plus offset shock bushings).
Spec so far:
Frame: 2017 Intense Spider 275c (XL)
Fork: Fox 34 Performance Grip (140mm)
Shock: Factory Fox Float Evol
Wheels: DT Swiss M1700 Spline (30mm)
Tyres: Maxxis DHF 2.5 / Highroller 2 2.4
Seat Post: One Up Dropper (150mm)
Brakes: Shimano M520 4 pots
Groupset: Shimano XTR 11 speed (Sunrace MS8 Cassette, One Up oval ring).
Bar+Stem: Deity 787 aluminium bar, Nukeproof 35mm stem.
Pedals: Shimano XT TrailThinking of going to the closest Specialized shop and having my arse measured and trying a saddle as I’m struggling at the moment.
Anyway, here’s a few more pics of it’s current state for my millions of followers 😉
johnw1984Free MemberCan’t believe it’s been 7 months and counting since I built this! It’s had a few more changes since last time.
Put the 50mm stem back on and my old Renthal carbon Fat Bar.
Biggest change so far though… coil shock! I’ve wanted to try one for ages and it looks like this frame may last longer than 12 months 🙂
Next item on the list is the fork. I’ve been going back and forth on this. A lot of people suggested the MRP Ribbon and if I can stretch the budget, it’s up there as a contender.
My other idea was to get a Yari or Rev second hand and install a Yari’Up damper (then fit a Smashpot later). A bit of extra weight on this isn’t a concern as it pedals really well and it only weighed 13.7kg before the coil (XL frame).
Still loving how the bike feels around corners and over jumps. I’m finally getting a bit of consistency in that department, now I just need to work on the height!
I may eventually upgrade to XT 12 speed too, but we’ll see 🙂
johnw1984Free MemberDid I see this one in another thread? I remember thinking how nice it was and for some reason I didn’t notice the Green chain ring 🙂
mindmap3Free MemberI posted a less complete picture of it on the Black Friday bikes thread.
I’ll take some more pics today.
It’s impressively light for a big bike…it’s noticeably lighter than my Scout was.
johnw1984Free MemberGive the new coil a proper test today at Healey Nab. Brilliant place to session all sorts of stuff from jumps, drops, berms, rock gardens etc.
It’s completely transformed the rear of the bike! Small bumps aren’t even felt at all and the travel feels bottomless and more linear (using all 130mm of travel with aggressive riding now).
Even when using it all though, I didn’t feel any harsh bottom out and I generally ride this like a longer travel bike. It even feels better pedaling along because of how easy it floats over small bumps now.
There is a small weight penalty, but I honestly can’t tell (it’s maybe 250-300g).
Can’t wait to get the front sorted now! New fork over Christmas and a new head seat as the cheap Cane Creek ones are cheap for a reason 🙁
The one thing that has disappointed me on this bike is that I have ruined my XTR cranks with shoe rub! I’ve fitted a protection kit, but only realised today that I’ve rubbed through that too!
kayak23Full MemberEven when using it all though, I didn’t feel any harsh bottom out
Really? Your saddle tells a different story 😉
johnw1984Free MemberThat’s gone straight over my head I’m afraid hehe. Saddle angle? I just prefer it like that to be honest. Still on the hunt for the perfect perch 🙂
tdogFree MemberLooking hench!
Though bit gate like although guessing you’re a GIANT 👍😊
johnw1984Free MemberHaha, 6’2″ and around 15 stone so at the bottom end of big 🙂
I reckon it’s that seat mast that does it! Shorter seat tube would have done the design wonders. I do forget this frame came out in 2016, so it was quite progressive geometry wise (apart from the viewing platform).
johnw1984Free MemberSo… I think this is pretty much finished now. I’m terrible for always looking for the next bike though, but this is probably the best one I’ve had so far.
New bars, stem, grips, RRP bolt-on guard and a Works -2 deg Angleset fitted.
I was toying with the idea of a burlier fork, but it’s a big expense for a marginal gain. To be honest, the Fox 34 is fine. Sure it’s not the stiffest, but it’s a 130mm trail bike at the end of the day.
Going to see how the changes feel tomorrow, hopefully it all goes well and I don’t want a frame swap for at least another 6 months 🙂
johnw1984Free MemberThought I’d give this a little update after the test ride with the below changes.
Intense Spider 275c 130mm rear travel, 150mm front.
-2deg Works Angleset
Burgetec Josh Bryceland 800mm bars (38mm rise)
Burgtec 35mm StemYou can really feel the increase in wheel base, and see it when I put it on the car rack!
On the trail, I wasn’t sure if it would make much difference… I was wrong. It’s much faster through rough down hill sections now, to the point I have to remember to brake enough before a corner!
Hops and jumps need a little more input, but not to the point where it feels “dead” or hard to do. I also have to learn to trust the front wheel a bit more in corners and let the bike lean over. It feels a lot more rewarding when riding aggressively now!
I’ll have to retune my fork a little after the changes. The bike seems to use all the front travel quite readily, so going to pop another token in and try that.
The headset has done wonders for the climbing too. When I purchased the fork, I didn’t realise it was set at 150mm travel (Fox website and eBay advert had it at 140mm). It’s put the seat angle back to a more pedal friendly place and lowered the BB slightly.
Apart from just getting used to the changes, I can’t think of any negative effects so far. I’ll ride it more and hopefully get better acquainted 🙂
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