To be perfectly honest, I seriously thought about absconding with this bike and never showing my face at Art’s HQ again. Thankfully for this bike’s owner to be, I was able to convince myself not to. I mean, what kind of person would I be if I took off with the surprise birthday bike for one extremely lucky wife. Sure, I’d have one sweet bike, but just think of that dose of bad karma. No thanks!
Each part carefully picked out by one very loving husband, this Intense Carbine 275 cuts quite the figure. And, tastefully outfitted in red, black and white livery, it’s a steed that’s sure to arrest the gaze of plenty at the local trailhead too.
Intense’s Carbine 275 was one of the first 27.5-inch frames to hit the market from a major manufacturer, and it’s a frame that has certainly proven itself as a worthy contender. Built around the well-established VPP suspension platform the Carbine 275 boasts impeccable trail manners—both up and down.
- One good-looking build, for one lucky spouse.
- Chris King and Chromag make for a striking combination.
- Tasked with trail-taming duty is RockShox’s capable Pike, in 160-millimeter guise.
- Industry Nine’s Torch Trail 24 wheelset
- Schwalbe’s aggressive Magic Mary treads fill out quit nicely on the i9’s generously wide rims.
- While Intense’s carbon frames are produced overseas, the company is still a huge proponent of keeping as much manufactring and design work stateside, machining all of their hardware in -house at their Southern California headquarters.
- G1 dropouts afford the Carbine 275 with roughly a half-inch longer wheelbase to make room for 27.5-inch wheels.
- Chromag’s Scarab flat pedals make sure this build matches from head to toe.
Tech Specs:
Frame:Intense Carbine 275 Naked Carbon
Fork: Rock Shox Pike RCT3 27.5″ Solo Air 160mm
Shock: Fox Factory Kashima CTD shock
Headset: Chris King InSet3
Wheels: Industry Nine Torch Trail 24 27.5
Brakes: Shimano XT M785
Crankset: Shimano M785 XT Double Crankset
Chainrings: 38/26
Cassette: Shimano M771 Deore XT 10-Speed
Chain: Shimano XT HG-X 10-Speed
Bottom Bracket: Chris King PF24 Bottom Bracket
Shift Levers: Shimano XT M780
Front Derailleur: Shimano XT M786 Shadow Plus
Seatpost: Kind Shock LEV Dropper Seat Post 125mm
Saddle: WTB Pure V Race Saddle
Stem: Chromag Ranger Stem
Handlebars: Easton Haven Carbon
Tires: F: Schwalbe Magic Mary Evo 2.35 , R: Schwalbe Magic Mary Evo 2.35
Pedals: Chromag Scarab Flat Pedals
Grips: ODI Troy Lee Lock-On Grip
Weight: 29 lbs. 4 oz.