About this time last year, Jeff Steber of Intense Cycles introduced the 2951 prototype to the world...a 29-inch wheeled downhill bike built from a modified 951 frame. Vital MTB visited the Intense factory in Temecula to speak with Jeff about the bike and see it in action.
Here's the video from last year:
Fast forward one year. Had Intense gone further with the bike? Had they tested it more or tweaked it? The answer is yes. Intense is still testing and tweaking the 2951. Craig "Stikman" Glaspell of Intense filled us in on the current status of the bike and sent over these new photos.
- There are currently 2 prototypes being tested
- Just because we can, we're testing a 69er version (26-inch rear wheel). The "jury is out" on the 69er set up, but we figured it was worth trying.
- Intense G3 dropouts allowed adjustment for the perfect bottom bracket height
- The hardest part of the progression so far is getting racers to actually use the bike in a competitive environment. JD Swanguen (Intense Pro Rider) is really excited about the bike, especially in rocky conditions. With the help of his sponsors, JD may be racing the 2951 in 2011.
- Tires are still the biggest limiting factor in a competitive downhill environment.
- CRC Intense team manager, Nigel Page, rode the 2951 prototype at a Southern California test track that is very steep and tight, a place we wouldn't expect the bike to shine. He was impressed by the capabilities of the bike and rode it for a good portion of the day.


Most recent 2951 prototype with 29-inch front and 26-inch rear wheel (aka 69er)


Why not? Intense put a Cane Creek Double Barrel and Manitou Dorado on a Tracer VP 29er with Hammerschmidt. A true, aggressive 29er trail bike.
The future is out there and it seems like most riders who have thrown a leg over the 2951 are surprised and stoked on the potential. Only time will tell (I hope we see more of it in 2011!)
Have your thoughts or views on the potential of this 29er DH rig changed since this time last year? Let us know in the comments.
Varaxis
3/26/2011 10:34 AM
1tonycaruso
2/1/2011 2:17 PM
Antonis_Virvilis
1/8/2011 5:32 PM
E_braker
11/21/2010 12:01 AM
Morpheous
11/17/2010 5:44 AM
Big E
11/13/2010 5:59 PM
ColoradoDirt
11/12/2010 7:05 PM
Michael_Dziewior
11/12/2010 3:56 PM
Ahh some things will never change, eh? People who don´t like 29ers (and probably haven't even tried one in their size and correct setup) seem to feel an uncontrollable urge to diss the big wheels. I ride a 26" DH bike and a 29er XC bike, and feel more than excited about the prospect of trying a DH 29er.
Props to Intense for keeping their minds open, unlike some people here.
intensecycles
11/12/2010 7:21 AM
Before the 29er haters go thinking we gone all 29er crazy, be reminded we currently one have ONE 29er in our lineup of 10 bikes. We haven't gone completely batsh1tcrazy.
Heck...you did see these m9's we did right?
http://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/member/Formula-One-Lotus-Tribute,1743/oct292010_intensepix19,12573/intensecycles,2130
http://www.vitalmtb.com/photos/member/M9-Formula-One-tribute-Pt-2,1770/Intense_Renault-1,13003/intensecycles,2130
Thanks to vitalmtb for sparking some good discussion and thanks to all the commenters on keeping the dialog rich.
Pininator
11/11/2010 11:26 PM
Watching that vid, I'd be a little worried about gnurling my nads on the rear tire if I got too far back off the saddle. Could be a painful learning-curve!
Seriously, though...interested to see where this thing goes. I could see it having some advantages in certain types of courses.
exlax1
11/11/2010 11:11 PM
bpatterson6
11/11/2010 9:44 PM
swilson669
11/11/2010 9:28 PM
29 inch tires = more rubber on the ground at all times, as well as more rotational weight
on the surface it seems like these bikes cant be good for racing, but it will be interesting to see how companies respond to the faults of a 29 inch wheel in designing their frames and components. however this doesn't mean that these bikes wont rip...we'll see soon enough!
zach morris
11/11/2010 9:10 PM
intensecycles
11/11/2010 8:51 PM
'ummmm'
We started Intense Tires in the late 90's, but turned our focus to bikes again and soon sold the licensing rights to Toby Henderson who has ran the Intense Tire and BMX brand for us, for almost 10 years. We can't directly control what tire models are produced...that being said, Toby has begun a proto EDGE Intense tire and we should have them soon.
Some of you haters might think this is wack, but we are just playing around with it, seeing where it is better. Just wait till we get on the '29er DH Tandem' craze and the '29er Fixie' craze.....sick
zach morris
11/11/2010 8:23 PM
umm... aren't you a tire brand, intense?
Luis
11/11/2010 2:51 PM
brandonschmit
11/11/2010 12:38 PM
I haven't laughed that hard in a while. Classic and on target for 95% of those attracted to 29in bikes. That being said, fat, rockered powder skis received the same reception years ago. Take a look at the 2011 ski product lines this year. Nick is spot on in that some instances, larger diameter wheels may be beneficial on certain courses. Would I trade my 26in dirt jumper for a 29in dirt jumper? No. Doesn't make sense. You could argue that 26in is too large based on how good the 20in community is when riding trails/park. When trying to go down a mountain quickly, and putting aesthetics aside, 0%-10% faster times for myself made me take notice. I approached it logically by systematically timing runs (n=3 per bike) down the same course throughout the day on the two bikes I feel very comfortable on (My 26in Specialized Demo versus 29in Lenz Sport PBJ - both weigh in just under 40lbs). It made a believer out of me. 0% on Silky Johnson (which is a testament to turning ability..at least I wasn't slower), 5% faster on Cheese It/Tron, 10% on Cougar and around 5% WP downhill course. Perhaps faster riders wouldn't see this advantage? In the few races I've done, I'm about 20% off the fastest course times as a gauge. I still have a lot to learn, wagon wheels or not
.....
Brandon
sspomer
11/11/2010 10:53 AM
bturman
11/11/2010 10:48 AM