I love reviews that are brutally honest!!!

There's an elegance and professionalism to your reviews that I find refreshing

@MBRmagazine

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

I really liked this way of reviewing, so detailed! Love how its focused on what makes the bikes unique and not wich components they use. This really clearifies things in a world where u only hear ow i love this suspension.

2020 Primer 29 checking in! I have had this bike for a few months now. Probably one of the first in my region to own one. It is Expert build. I have to say while part of me wishes I had the 36 on the front, it is only the part that watches reviews on KZread. The larger part of me, the part that rides all kinds of trails, says the 34 was taylor made for this TRAIL bike. This is not an enduro bike. If it were an enduro bike it would have the 36. This is the type of bike that you can pedal all day and still shred the downhill keeping up with and even passing peeps on enduro bikes. I am continually impressed with the form and function of this bike. Regardless of this review, I am a fan of the primer.

@Windband1

4 жыл бұрын

How is the seat angle working for you?

@jjr1314

4 жыл бұрын

Windband1 climbs like a dream. I went from climbing at the back of the pack to easily keeping up with the best climbers in my group! I have traded bikes with friends for rides and they don’t want to give it back. Seat angle works well on this set up.

@Windband1

4 жыл бұрын

@@jjr1314 Cool. Glad it's working out for you!

@MBRmagazine

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you like it. At the end of the day that’s all that really counts. ✌️

@pgjudo

4 жыл бұрын

I ended up with the 2020 Hightower S build, but thought the Primer was KILLER when I was shopping. To be fair, I didn’t get a chance to ride the Primer HARD, but I’d be stoked to have that bike.

Just watched this review after odering...... The Hightower I knew I'd made the rite choice, but this just confirmed it. Thanks guys. 👍 Top review.

Very accurate review on the hightower. I have the 2020 and it does everything perfectly. The only bike I will need for the next few years!

I just bought a 2021 Primer 29 and honestly, I absolutely love it. His complaint about the fork as been resolved in 2021 (now comes with fox 36s) and the rear suspension feels awesome on my butt (I'm a heavier rider and feel I am getting full travel). It climbs exceptionally well and the dropper is the perfect length for my height. I also got a great price at my local bike store and honestly, I'm lucky to found any bike at all during the pandemic.

@RebBoySF

Жыл бұрын

I think heavier riders than the light weight dudes often seen in these reviews bring a whole different range of how to think of the mid stroke and suspension dynamics. As a heavier rider I appreciate the Intense design more than the Santa, and also a Fox 36 or Lyrik over a 34.

What an excellent test. Very clear and well presented and it just goes to show, that price isn’t always the only factor. You do get a really good bike with the direct sales bike, but it’s not always the best compared to dealer sold bikes based purely on cost. Certainly in this case, anyway.

A few years late but I’m getting this intense next Friday......my dreams have come true 👌🏼❤️

Great test, Thank you! Hightower for me.

very in depth and comprehensive :)

I just purchased the 2020 Intense Primer 29 frame and will be selecting the parts for a custom build. Although I have already planned to put a Fox 36 on the bike, explaining how the 34 reacted with the bike, how the rear shock reacted were great topics covered since suspension is a huge part of the bike. Great review video and I already see some things I can improve when building my bike. Thank you for creating the video.

@MBRmagazine

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks and hope you enjoy the Primer!

I’m looking at the Hightower and the Pivot 429 for my next bike, thanks great review!

I bought a brand new 2021 Primer 29 and love it!

Bought my 2019 Hightower last spring, before they made the rear shock mount change. I love the bike, well worth the investment. Tempted to try the new version, but not willing to change now.

@travelthenarrowtrail8660

4 жыл бұрын

You wouldn't be that impressed with the new Hightower, its actually not as fun as the old Hightower. It pedals uphill better but its not as poppy and playful as the old Hightower.

I have the primer and it’s a trail bike. Efficient on the climbs and plenty on the descents. Planted and lots of fun. If you want the full enduro get one, oddly enough the company makes one. Riding east coast chunk I’ve never felt the fork to be less than enough, and after running Xt brakes on three bikes I haven’t approached the limits of them, ever. The fork has yet to show signs of flex and I’m confident I am a larger fellow, and I ride hard. Sounds like you made the choice before the review started. Not too much of a surprise given the prior reviews here. Be passing up your channel from now on.

@jjr1314

4 жыл бұрын

Chris Hart dame here!

@MBRmagazine

4 жыл бұрын

Chris, if YOU like your Primer, that’s all that really matters. We are equally entitled to our opinion, arrived at after considerable back to back testing. ✌️

@pgjudo

3 жыл бұрын

Your bike was out-performed in a head-to-head, so you’re angry with mbr? 🥺 Shouldn’t you be mad at Intense instead? 🤔🙄

@literbiker

3 жыл бұрын

@@pgjudo No. I've watched many "reviews" by this channel and after having ridden over 2K miles on my primer, and other bikes I think that the "ticky tack" little issues brought up aren't valid in my personal opinion. I don't recall using any "angry" language toward them but I did express disagreement with their opinions. Please refrain from putting your words of ignorance into other's mouth/expressions.

@pgjudo

3 жыл бұрын

@@literbiker, lmao. You’re so upset you said you were going to stop watching the channel. Your bike isn’t as good as a Hightower... so what? I’m sure it’s still a good bike. Get over it and quit crying. 🥺😂

Good review. V. Honest & knowledgeable. I’d never heard of Intense as a brand, this bike sounds awful for a relative full suspension novice like myself. My boutique hire brand when I visit the States is Pivot. Would like to try a Santa Cruz though as they’re amazing looking bikes, with really cool colour schemes & Specs.

I really appreciate this valuable review and comparison. This folks, is why we do our homework before spending hard earned money on a bike.. This saved me from potentially making a purchase mistake. I did own the 2018 Primer, just sold it, and am looking. I asked Intense about this, since I was considering a 2022 Primer or 951. I want to make a good purchase decision and be stoked and not bummed! This is their response: Stephen K. - USA (Intense Cycles ) Mar 23, 2022, 12:46 PM PDT Hi Daryl, Thanks for reaching out! The redesign of the Primer in 2020 brought the new JS tuned trail suspension. The design is intended to increase small bump compliance without sacrificing pedal efficiency. My personal experience with the primer (which is my current bike of choice) is it can be finicky to dial in suspension settings right off the bat. I've spent a bit of time playing with air pressure, clicker settings, and different volume spacers. That being said, once you find a good spot the bike rides really really well! I tend to focus on the downhill stuff so small bump and big impacts are important but I also like technical climbing so I'm very particular about sag and bb height. Long story short, I believe if you take the time to perfect your settings, you can tune the bike exactly how you want it. Hope this helps! Stephen

Very helpful. About to get the 2021 Hightower. Thanks!

@eatnpooter1634

3 жыл бұрын

I just got one ! Best bike ever ! !

I like the design shape and color scheme of the Intense but I like the frame shape of the High Tower better.I bought the Hight Tower last April and love it. I also love the lifetime warranty on the frame and bushings. If I had to pick a something negative about the High Tower, it would be the low BB height and I wish Sant Cruz would have put more into the paint/decal design just to give it some extra character. I get a lot more pedal strikes than I did on my Scott Spark. This bike is better than my Spark in every way other than BB height and weight. It is a heavy bike but I think that is what helps it to ride and climb better than my Spark, it makes it more stable and keeps it planted. I can manual this bike way easier than I could my Spark. I love my Santa Cruz and have no regrets with my purchase.

I have demoed the Hightower and loved it. Climbing and control were excellent. It is one of my top bikes that I have tested out. (others that were my favorite were the canyon lux 8.0, Kona process 153, Niner Jet RDO, and transition sentinal, Canyon spectral was a close 2nd, but I didn't like the way it climbed.) Still need to test out the intense.

Great review.

I ordered my High Tower last Friday and can't wait for it to come in. I do wish Santa Cruz would do more with their paint/decal designing it is a bit boring to look at, especially in the desert color. I also wish there was more clearance behind the rear shock guard and the rear tire, the tire is really close to that guard and rocks will get caught up in there. Other than that I'm ok with everything else as it is.

Santa Cruz was boutique at one time... when they were made in the USA. Now they are huge, and very common. Still a great bike though.

@travelthenarrowtrail8660

4 жыл бұрын

Ya, not so much boutique anylonger. Now that Pon Holdings owns them and backs them financially they are pretty big. Not as big as Trek, Specy, or Cannondale but they're coming up. They've done well for themselves.

@07BLUESTI

4 жыл бұрын

@@REB4444 where are they made/?

@ur2slob724

4 жыл бұрын

REB4 👏👏👏

@07BLUESTI

4 жыл бұрын

@@REB4444 are any full carbon made in USA?

@pgjudo

3 жыл бұрын

@@REB4444, it absolutely matters who owns them, as they’re a business; they make and sell things. The buyout gave them access to efficiencies and capital they never had before, allowing them to seriously threaten the biggest bike companies. Made a tremendous difference; made them better at making and selling things.

wow yall reeally like the Hightower

Nice honest review. 👍🏻 >> 1.25x speed recommended though.

Knowing what you know now, would you buy a 2021 Sniper T? Regular Sniper? Customer service? When was the last official redesign? What tools are needed and how often do the bearings in the suspension/frame need to be replaced, approximately? Cost of tools? Has Intense fixed the backend coming apart? Shock great, or is it a must to replace with a DPX2 or some other shock? Is it a good bottom bracket height for 175 cranks in a rocky area? Or is it a pedal and Crankset destroyer? What exactly is the functional difference between the JS suspension vs VPP or even DW link? Is it strong enough for a geared up/kitted 6ft 1 175 pound rider? Is it flexy, stiff, harsh, or just right? I ride in the Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Tennessee area. So rocks, roots, mud, sand, loam, loose over hard... tight single track and switchbacks, etc. Have you compared it to the Top Fuel, Transition, yeti sb 115, Ripley, etc. Pluses? Minuses? What else may we want to know or think about? Thank you!

Sounds like the only thing the Intense has got over the Santa is cost. The reviewer kept saying if cost is your main consideration, the Intense is cheaper......but guess what, so is a bike from Halfords or GoOutdoors......I think it's safe to say, if you're looking at bike comparisons between Santa Cruz and "something else" then price isn't your main consideration.

Do you think the rear suspension issue on the intense is due to the fox shock? or a design flaw. Would a different rear shock, like a coil over, have made a difference?

@MBRmagazine

4 жыл бұрын

It's a characteristic of the upper link driven VPP design.

Did you try reducing sag to 25% and taking out volume spacer completely? I'm not sure what a .88 is doing there in the first place with the steeply progressive curve. When the bb numbers are compared to comparable bikes - Mojo 3, Pivot 5.5, it's the same height.

@MBRmagazine

4 жыл бұрын

We didn't try it without any volume spacers. We were running really high pressures to get 30% sag - the shock would have been well north of 250psi to get 25% sag at our (fairly low) body weight of 73kg.

Santa Cruz’s evolutionary approach to their bikes is really paying dividends

To battle the midstroke support issue on earlier designs, ill say ditch the spacers and go for higher springrate. The Older SC vpp works very well with a high springrate coilshock, 30% sag is way too much for those designs and SC even recomends between 14 and 18% sag for lets say the earlier Bronson

@pgjudo

3 жыл бұрын

They didn’t have a problem with the SC’s midstroke support; it was the Intense’s problem. Also, they had to over-pressurize just to get to 30%. If they removed spacers, they’d have to add even more pressure to an already over-pressurized shock. Makes no sense.

@djjmann

3 жыл бұрын

The DPX2 has always felt anemic to me. Ive ran it on so many builds hoping that i would find the perfect frame-shock marriage but it never happened. The Super Deluxe, Fox X2 and Ohlins was the answer. I want to try a Cane Creek Kitsuma, and I have a feeling it would pair very well with the Primer as it also does with the Carbine. The VPP design loves large volume air cans. The small DPX2 just doesnt have enough volume to give you the midstroke support no matter upping pressure and adding spacers. The new Float X would also be another good shock to try.

@RebBoySF

Жыл бұрын

It would be good to try both bikes with the same model rear shock. I’ve found RS Deluxe to be much better at mid stroke than a Fox DPX2.

This is one of the best reviews of the Hightower I have seen or read. Seriously considering one and this review helps. Should I buy a new Hightower or upgrade my 10 year old Cannondale to a 1x drivetrain since I ride trails only a few time per year and spend most of my riding on the roads?

@jonc.5310

4 жыл бұрын

May as well just buy a road bike.

@ur2slob724

4 жыл бұрын

Santa Cruz

@eatnpooter1634

3 жыл бұрын

Buy a Santa Cruz Hardball ... best of both worlds

nice review :) . How many tokens did you run in the fork on the hightower ?

@MBRmagazine

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks. We left the fork stock, which should be two tokens

@russc5269

4 жыл бұрын

@@MBRmagazine thanks for the reply 👍

Would a Fox 36 with 160mm travel work with the Hightower?

@MBRmagazine

4 жыл бұрын

No reason why not. Head angle is quite slack already so it’ll probably drop it back half a degree. But other than that should be fine.

Considering that fact I just started Mtbing and the only bike I ever rode is my $400 budget hardtail, I wouldn’t know the first thing about what a dual suspension mtb would feel like. And for my first dual susp I don’t think I need to spend $8000, I’m thinking more around $2-$3k on my first full susp bike. That way it doesn’t cost as much when I crash and have to buy replacement parts.

@pgjudo

3 жыл бұрын

Then shouldn’t you be watching reviews of $2k-$3k bikes? 🤔🙄

How do you adjust the geometry of the Hightower?

@MBRmagazine

3 жыл бұрын

There’s a flip chip at the rear shock mount/lower link. Just flip the inserts 👍

I wouldn't put either on my list, Ibis or Pivot for me.

Can I ask you. What is the diference between santa cruz hightower and santa cruz bronson?

@deanallan48

3 жыл бұрын

SHG_ Sokka_ I think the biggest difference is wheel size, 29 for the Hightower and 27.5 for the Bronson.

@pgjudo

3 жыл бұрын

Bronson has 27.5” wheels, 160mm front, and 150mm rear. HT is a 29er with 150mm front, and 140mm rear.

@Chiefkeefyy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you guys for the support

Intense wouldn't be on my wish list regardless of budget, let alone if it was no object.

@radagascar1

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, nothing compelling about the price or spec. Might as well get an Orbea Occam

@07BLUESTI

4 жыл бұрын

Why are broke people always so angry?

@mauriceparris1816

4 жыл бұрын

@@07BLUESTI If you were broke you would be angry too.

@jajm611

3 жыл бұрын

Hightower is more pricey if you want a decent front shock

7:06 👌🏽

I have my HT😍

It’s funny how you criticize the 34Fox fork and suggested that a 36Fox would have been a better spec. Let’s see what reviewers will be saying about the 36Fox when they launch a 38Fox. I’m sure we won’t be surprised with what everyone will be saying.

@MBRmagazine

4 жыл бұрын

As I’m sure you’re aware, stanchion diameter is not the only factor in fork stiffness.

@hardmtnbiker

4 жыл бұрын

Mountain Bike Rider true, I was just pointing out that detail. I’ve rode a SC Hightower, it’s a great bike and the 36Fox has more features than the top of the line 34Fox 130 that I have on my hardtail.

If I had my choice I would definitely say the Hightower more so in the sense of it has a similar stance to my s-works Camber but at the same time I would choose the intense for the gear ratios cuz it seems like the gear ratios on the intense are a little easier on your legs then say what the Hightower has on hand but riding in the southwest we have more helium complicated trails and it seems like that drivetrain wouldn't quite match up

How about the primer S?

@MBRmagazine

4 жыл бұрын

It has better spec (a 36 fork) but the BB is very low and it doesn't fix the suspension or the geo problems.

I just ordered a 2022 Hightower.

5.11 ..... what size santa cruz hightower for me

@MBRmagazine

3 жыл бұрын

You could go either large or extra-large depending on whether you prefer stability or agility

Tunnel Hill?

@MBRmagazine

4 жыл бұрын

The GoPro stuff was shot fairly close to Tunnel.

How come Mountain bikes, become so expensive, you could buy. Car 🚙 for the amount of money , but would love a upgrade tho nice bike

@geemail369

4 жыл бұрын

_"How come _*_phones_*_ have become so expensive, you could buy. MTB 🚵🏼‍♂️ for the amount of money!"_ 😉

Did he say heathen or hidden link design 🤷

@MBRmagazine

4 жыл бұрын

Hidden 👍

These reviews are great but lets be honest, nearly no one will be able to tell the difference and have these minor complaints about these bikes unless you're a professional MTB racer. I'm a huge Intense fan but am not a fan of the direction they went. I love my 2018 Carbine but if I had to choose between these two and price wasn't an option I'd go Santa Cruz as well. If the most innovative thing Intense decided to bring into 2020 is a 27"/29" wheel combo you're going to lag behind the competition.

@boringuserhandle

4 жыл бұрын

Don't agree at all. Poor mid stroke support would be noticeable to many riders.

@BhBraaq

4 жыл бұрын

@@boringuserhandle I've ridden the Primer, granted I went with the Carbine, and I didn't at all.

@jjr1314

4 жыл бұрын

I have ridden the Primer 29 for a few months and have not witnessed any problems with the mid stroke support.

@Windband1

4 жыл бұрын

I was very disappointed to see such a conservative STA on the Intense. They need to step their game up. Look at what Norco is doing with their geo. (Of course I know they didn't invent that. Mondraker and Geometron started all that.)

@MBRmagazine

4 жыл бұрын

Rocky Mountain was arguably one of the first brands to really promote steep seat angles on its full-suspension bikes.

I take the Hightower lt

@travelthenarrowtrail8660

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, the HTLT is still a really fun ride and if you have one its not worth upgrading to the new Hightower. The new Hightower is not that great, it pedals better up hills but its not lively and fun and poppy like the HTLT.

@eatnpooter1634

3 жыл бұрын

Agree to disagree the new Hightower is epic !

@pgjudo

3 жыл бұрын

@@travelthenarrowtrail8660, nah... the new HT is awesome. Totally different bike than the HTLT (apples and oranges). If someone wants a “poppy” 29er, the new Tallboy is dope. Having ridden all three, I much prefer the new HT and Tallboy to the old HTLT. Be happy with a HTLT, it’s a killer bike. You don’t have to sour-grapes the better bikes... Santa Cruz definitely improved them. ✌️

Customer service for intense primer is horrible . Just like canyon , the turn around to get anything done for warranty issues is at best three weeks to two months out .

Sounds like the new primer regressed

So the only thing you get with the Santa Cruz for the extra $1k is… A better bike! Sounds worth it to me.

Why can't intense make there paint jobs a little more subtle, they are just too loud

The fox 34 is a deal breaker for me

If money was no object i would still ride my Canyon Spectral AL ^^

Nothing like a Santa Cruz.. people who say otherwise just can’t afford one 🤔😂😂😂

Should have added a fuel ex in the mix.

Santa Cruz all day.

So for 8 grand USD you don't even get a 36? lmao

@iLLGT2

4 жыл бұрын

Bike is 5699 I believe not 8 ! I do agree should have the 36 they have on the S

Probably the last good bike review

Intense isn’t a boutique brand!

@Windband1

4 жыл бұрын

Why not?

@TAZMON20

4 жыл бұрын

They've gone backwards since Gwinn got involved.

The Intense looks so 2014

Neither of them!

Knolly Fugitive LT destroys both of these bikes . #fact

I’ll stick with my IBIS Ripmo AF for 3k. DVO suspension.....

@travelthenarrowtrail8660

4 жыл бұрын

No argument there! That build blows both these two bikes in this video away.

Ibis Ripmo put this two off

@emmanouiltzavidas9119

4 жыл бұрын

Οk Boomer

@Cbagz795

4 жыл бұрын

Agreed, I’d avoid both of these two.

@thorwoutwarntjes8702

4 жыл бұрын

I was looking for this comment! Just built mine and really love it

@travelthenarrowtrail8660

4 жыл бұрын

Compared to the Ripmo its a dead issue. The Ripmo climbs so much better, and its so much faster and fun than these two. I've done review videos on my channel and the Ripmo is super fun. It even makes climbing fun. I would say though in agreement with the video, the Intense is really outdated geo wise and it rides sort of dead feeling. The Hightower is not that far behind though. It's geo numbers are all that, and it climbs well but it's lost that playfulness the Hightower LT had. Good bike but yes, the Ripmo is far superior.

@TAZMON20

4 жыл бұрын

Especially the Ripmo 2.

Actually never really heard a good thing about Intense bikes.

0:57 Did the camera guy fart so he had to move over or WTF? LoL

Of course the intense got a shabby review because it's cheaper ! I bet the average rider would love the intense :) just my opinion though

@MBRmagazine

4 жыл бұрын

Only reason the Intense is cheaper is because it’s sold direct to the consumer.

The Santa Cruz looks so much better

Polo stamina 140

Я бы лучше посмотрел форвард вс стингер! По хардкору хартейлы! А то санта круз и интенс.... Ха! Видали мы!

Intense’s direct to market approach (see also: Canyon, YT, Commencal), is hugely detrimental to local bike shops. I’ll take my hightower please.

@vomErsten

4 жыл бұрын

Jesse Espinosa Intense is a hybrid brand, selling both direct and through dealers.

@mtnbikerva1

3 жыл бұрын

If you have local bike shops worth a shit, mail order is bad. I used to have a local bike shop with a great employee but he got a better job and moved to North Carolina. Most of the rest of the people at the bike lan are idiots and Ass holes.

santa cruz bikes are overpriced by about 30%across the board

@MaxMustermannnnnn

4 жыл бұрын

I thought this too until i rode one. SC bike are well engineered machines and for me they are worth the money. The low linkage driven vpp is a dream. But like all, its personal preference.

@Windband1

4 жыл бұрын

WAY over priced! It's ridiculous. Their bikes are over $7K US, and you still can't get Fox Factory susp. Lame.

@terrencelim9577

4 жыл бұрын

You're paying for the lifetime warranty I guess

@MaxMustermannnnnn

4 жыл бұрын

Terrence Lim I dont know. Trek has also lifetime warranty but not for all bikes. I wanted a Slash first but the aluminium has only 3 year warranty and the carbon only 2. You can find this only in a very little text. That was a no go for me. I think the price is for engineering and I think they sell not as much as Trek or Giant? Maybe i am wrong but in my country SC is an exotic brand. I only know 3 SC riders and they are sponsored athletes. If you compare a Slash 9.8 and a Megatower S the components are on a same level but the Slash has carbon wheels.

@boyuap

4 жыл бұрын

If santa is overpriced, what about yeti, specialized, trek, orbea.. When it comes to warranty SC can replace your broken frame anytime..

Having thought that the intense was going to do a lot better it helps me remember just how much I love my s works the intense looks like a really solid bike but I can definitely see the chinks in its armor and the fact that I ride out in the southwest it makes me wonder how it would handle but I've always been a fan of Santa Cruz then after I finish with my 2018 camber I think I would see myself getting a Santa Cruz setup I would even set it up in a mullet with the 27.5 wheel and back in the 29 inch wheel up front