Intense Cycles Sniper FRO

I’ve been a long the XC journey with Intense Cycles from the very beginning. Intense entered the XC sector back in 2011 with a hard tail 29er they called the Hard Eddie. The bike looked epic, it was fast but there is only so much you can do with a hard tail. In a short time, the XC segment added a lot of technology and innovation, so the Hard Eddie was more of a novelty then a race machine in a very short time. The Hard Eddie went away but the Sniper came shortly after. I purchased one right away and fell in love with the bike at first ride. The Sniper has some epic lines and geometry that was on the forefront of the XC segment. After spending last year on the Sniper T I finally made the big move to the Sniper FRO “For Racing Only”.

This was my first ever FRO model that I have had from Intense, and I almost wanted to mount it on the wall with the amazing paint and componentry, but we all know that wasn’t an option as it’s built For Race Only. Once I unboxed the bike the first thing, I noticed was how light it was. Weighing in at 21.5 lb/9.75 kg it’s hard to believe that it is a Mtb and not a roadie.  The Sniper FRO is equipped with the latest and greatest technology, using Rockshox SID fork and SID luxe shock, Sram Axis drivetrain, DT swiss Carbon Wheels wrapped with Maxxis Ikon tires, Carbon Dropper post, titanium hardware, and all new Intense stem and Carbon bar that is much improved from the 2021 model. The Sniper has industry leading XC geometry with a 67.5 degree head angle and a JS linkage design allowing me to descend the most technical tracks with confidence without compromising the most important part to me and that’s climbing.

My last year’s XC bike was the Sniper T and it did everything I wanted to do and more especially hitting PR’s on downhill sections of XC races. When I was moving from the 120mm set up back to the 100mm I was a little concerned if I would regret going back to less travel. I took the bike to my local trail network Nerang forest where there is some punchy climbs, technical descents, and of course those miserable rocky fire roads. Right away as I rolled out, I noticed how fast the bike responded when I put power into the pedals. The balance felt great, and the new stem and bar made the cockpit much more comfortable. This was my first time also using Sram Axis electronic shifting on a Mtb and was that a big improvement in efficiency and precise shifting under power. I will say that the trigger set up that comes programmed standard on the shifter was backwards in my opinion. The Rockshock’s SID fork and shock package is the biggest thing that stands out for me. I don’t like my XC bikes to sit deep in the stroke when climbing because and with the FOX shocks I have to run more pressure then recommended to get the position I would want but with Rockshox shock I can run the right pressure in a trail mode with the rear not bobbing up and down. The fork has very light feel and makes the bike feel very nimble and playful without sacrificing traction and hold up.

The Verdict

After putting multiple rides on the Sniper FRO I can say that I am just blown away on the performance and handling of this bike. Like I said before the frame geometry is industry leading in the XC segment. When you start with a platform like that and add he latest and greatest drivetrain, wheels, and components you have recipe that reminds guys like me that we are holding back a very fast piece of machinery. The suspension and Axis are the two changes that I feel elevate the bike from the others. I got rid of a cable on the bars, quicker shifting and bike that is faster than my Sniper T. I look forward to hitting some long XC races and maybe even some gravel rides on the bike with how fast and lite it is. One thing I’m on the fence about is if I will put on the Axis seat post. I know it’s heavier, but I’d like get rid of another cable. Lastly I will say the Axis shifting is great and a advantage with the performance but it took me a little bit to get use the paddle/pad.

 QUICK STANDOUTS

TRAVEL (FRONT/REAR): 100MM / 100MM

WHEEL SIZE: 29

 FRAME WEIGHT: (Size Medium) : 4lb 8oz

HT ANGLE: 67.5

REACH: 421MM / 16.6” (Small) // 444.5MM / 17.5” (Medium) // 468MM / 18.4” (Large) // 490MM / 19.3” (XL)

Full Specs

FRAME - Sniper 29 XC Monocoque Carbon Front and Rear Triangle, Carbon Top Link, Titanium Hardware, Internal Shift, Dropper Post and Brake Routing, Flak Guard. 100MM (4") Travel

FORK- Rockshox Sid SL Ultimate 100MM / Boost

SHOCK - Rockshox Sid Luxe Ultimate RL 165MM X 40MM (100mm Travel), 2-position (open/closed)

WHEELSET - DT Swiss XRC 1200 Spline Carbon 25mm Inner Width / Boost / 1411g Weight

HUBS - DT Swiss 180 15x110 front, 12x148 rear hub 6-bolt

TIRES - Maxxis Ikon Maxx Speed EXO 3C 29” X 2.20”

SHIFTER - Sram XX1 AXS Eagle 12SP Rocker Paddle

REAR DERAILLEUR - Sram XX1 AXS Eagle 12SP

CRANK - Sram XX1 AXS Eagle 12SP/ DUB / 34T 170MM SM / 175MM MD-XL / Boost

CASSETTE - Sram XG 1299 EAGLE 12SP / 10-52T

CHAIN - Sram XX1 Eagle 12SP

BOTTOM BRACKET - Sram DUB BB92

SADDLE - WTB Silverado Fusion

SEATPOST - Kindshock LEV Ci Dropper 31.6MM 125MM SM / 150MM MD / 175MM LG-XL

HANDLEBAR - INTENSE Recon Elite Carbon 760mm

STEM - NTENSE Recon XC 60mm SM-MD / 70mm LG-XL

HEADSET - Tange Seiki Integrated / IS41-IS52 / 40

BRAKESET - ram Level Ultimate Carbon 160mm Rotors Front and Rear

GRIPS - INTENSE Foam

For more information or to order your very own Intense visit Intensecycles.com