Issue: March 2002, pg. 62
Price: $2175 (frame only)
Purpose: Full suspension big hit bike
Contact: Intense Cycles (909) 296-9596
C Value
D Weight: 32.9 pounds
A Frame design
B Fork performance: Manitou Black Elite, Adjustable 4" or 5" travel
A Rear Suspension: Progressive Fifth Element, 6" travel
A Component selection
C Climbing performance
A Cornering ability
A Descending prowess
Test highlights: Intense's Uzzi SLX easily falls into the dream bike category. It can handle technical downhills and stunts like a downhill-specific rig, but it can be pedaled to the top of the mountain and beyond. The Uzzi is the ultimate dream bike for a rider who might race the occasional downhill, enjoys shuttle runs and wants to keep up on mid-week group rides. The Fifth Element Shock keeps the chassis stable in turns, allows it to pedal and climb like a 26-pound trailbike, and descend like an eight-inch travel downhill rig. Complaints? Shimano's XT discs were too sudden and harsh for our tastes. The lack of a chainguide requires riders to be conscious of not backpedaling, at the risk of dropping the chain.
Best quote: "What's the use of being able to pedal to the top of the mountain if you can't have fun once you get there? The SLX is a great playbike and handles big drops as well as it pedals."
MBA's Bottom line: The SLX continues the tradition of the Intense Tracer and the Intense M-1 by being a bike that most riders will dream about but only the lucky and most dedicated can afford.
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