1) Removing all the components
and packaging
2) Mount the handlebars to the stem
3) Mount the derailleur
4) Fit the front and rear wheels
5) Straighten the handlebars
6) Set up the saddle and pedals
7) Pump the tyres and shocks
8) Give everything a once over, especially the
brakes and gears before hitting the trailsAll the boxes inside the box are numbered
and labelled to make it easy to know what
order to remove things in. There are instructions
on the website and YouTube videos taking you
through the steps required. A bike work stand is
handy to have but in the absence of that you
could accomplish most of the build with either
the bike carefully upside down or fit the wheels
into the bike first then allow it to sit on the
wheels. Most people shouldn’t have a problem
with the process, the main thing is to make
sure not to cross-thread any screws or bolts
and take note of the torque specs to use with
the torque wrench when tightening things up.
Before heading out on the trail I run the
bike up and down the gears both in the work
stand and riding up and down the street.
Everything’s good without any real adjustment
required. I bed in the brakes with some almost-stops from speed down a slight hill, the first few
brake applications feel a bit less powerful but
by the time I’ve done a handful of repetitions
of slowing from 25 to 5km/h the Shimano XT
brakes now feel pretty good. The dropper’s
working and the seat angle and position feels
right. Let’s take this on the dirt!
The Sniper Trail’s a fast and fun trail bike
that rolls well over everything I could find on
my local loop with its 29er wheels, capable
geometry and a good choice of all-rounder
tyres in the Maxxis Forekaster EXO’s. There’s
not much else to say other than it’s great to
be opening the box one morning and with a
minimal amount of work, shredding trails on
the same day.Final Thoughts
There are certainly benefits in these direct sales
for both consumers and brands and I think that
Intense’s model has proven that an existing bike
brand can switch to a direct sales model and
succeed. The Australian delivery timelines offer
quick satisfaction from ordering to having a trail-
ready bike and there’s a good range of quality
bikes on offer. For where Intense sits in the
pricing spectrum, the quality assurance from
the factory through to delivery is reassuringly
thought out and executed. Just what you’d
expect from a top tier MTB brand.Right: One of the
benefits of online
delivery, you can hit
the trails in no time!
Below: Finally!
Something to show
from all those hours
playing Tetris!
BUYING ONLINE