Intense is proud to announce the introduction of our flagship world cup downhill racing bike, the M9-FRO (For Race Only). For the last two years the M9-FRO has been in development by our engineering/design team and our world cup racers: Chris Kovarik, Matti Lehikoinen, Matt Simmonds, Ruaridh Cunningham, Claire Buchar and World Champion Emmeline Ragot. Our M9-FRO race team is currently the #1 ranked DH team in the world. Starting with the M1 back in 1994, we have built the most sought after downhill bikes in the world. The latest in the M-Series lineage redefines state of the art in no uncertain terms.

                                    GEOMETRY

                                      SM                        MD                                    LG

BB Height:            14.2”/14.5”                        14.2”/14.5”                        14.2”/14.5”

Top Tube:                        22”                        23”                                    24”

Head Angle:            64 (+/- .5, 1, 1.5)            64 (+/- .5, 1, 1.5) 64 (+/- .5, 1, 1.5)

Wheelbase:            45.4”-46.5”                        46.5”-47.5”                        47.5”-48.5”

Chainstay:            17.25, 17.5, 17.75            17.25, 17.5, 17.75            17.25, 17.5, 17.75

                                    FEATURES

• Adjustable travel between 8.5” and 9.5” (make adjustments on new travel adjustment module located on lower link).
• Adjustable Geometry.
• Adjustable progression/Shock curve.
• Refined geometry from past M series bikes.
• New G3 replaceable/adjustable/fully enclosed dropouts.
• 150mm by 12mm rear axle only.
• Full 1.5” headtube with upper pinch bolt system.
• Adjustable head angle via Cane Creek angleset. Includes the .5-1.5 range with simple pinch bolt head tube.
• 83mm BB shell.
• ISCG 05 integrated into BB shell.
• New flush set grease fittings at main pivots.
• 9.5” by 3” Fox RC4 shock.
• Completely redesigned upper and lower links.
• Redesigned tubing.
• Handmade in southern California.

Fox has recently jumped into the long travel single crown fork market. I shot most of these a few weeks ago and can say they look very nice. I have ridden a downhill bike with a long travel single crown Manitou on the front so I can appreciate the benefits they offer as well. Fox has been making some claims over the last six months about its new fork coatings. Only time will tell if this makes any real world difference. Many motorcycle suspension service companies offer a coating service so keep that in mind. If you ever get a bad scratch in a stanchion try calling around and see what is offered. 

Each model in the RC2 lineup features our all-new FIT RC2 inverted damper, the industry benchmark for damping performance and reliability. The new FIT RC2 damper lowers un-sprung weight, allowing the fork to react quicker for better steering control. Its unique single-wall bladder design has been engineered to provide incredibly reliable and consistent, fade-free damping. The inverted design offers the same range of adjustability, but the adjusters have been moved to the top of the stanchion for better convenience.

We designed the 36 180 mm series with an incredibly large amount of bushing overlap and a new below axle tube design, creating an extremely stiff chassis and the lowest axle-to-crown distance available in a 180 mm fork. RC2 models come with Kashima Coat stanchions for stiction-free performance, to give you quicker suspension response and improved durability. Riders who want on-the-fly adjustable travel will love the new 36 TALAS, with its new ergonomically pleasing TALAS lever that easily changes the travel setting from 180 to 140 mm.