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Today’s Deals2018 Intense
Sniper XC Expert
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension crosscountry bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
$4,499| Weight | 24.1 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Suspension | Full, 100 / 100mm |
| Fork | Fox Performance Elite Float 32 |
| Shock | Fox Float DPS Performance Elite |
| Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | GX Eagle, Truvativ Stylo |
| Brakes | Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
5'2" – 5'8"
5'6" – 5'11"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'1" – 6'7"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
Do you have this bike? Help other riders make a decision about which size will work for them by sharing your own size and fit notes.
Summary
The Intense Sniper is praised for its stable and efficient ride, excelling in both climbing and descending with modern geometry. It offers a versatile performance that blends cross-country speed with trail bike confidence, though some note minor issues with rear stiffness and suspension harshness. Overall, it's a capable and fun bike for aggressive riding.
Stable ride with predictable handling
Efficient pedaling and good climbing performance
Lightweight frame and modern geometry
Versatile for both XC racing and technical terrain
Rear end can flex in high-force corners
Mid-stroke suspension may feel harsh on repetitive hits
Limited tire clearance and seat tube length for taller riders
Intense calls the Sniper a 'dedicated pedaling machine' but also says that it’s a 'stable ride that goes where you point it.'
BIKE MagazineIt goes like stink when you drop the hammer, with addictive bursts of speed that rival the most potent race-ready rigs.
BikeRadarThe Sniper doesn’t judge. It will help you climb like an XC racer and descend like a seasoned downhill pro.
Canadian Cycling MagazineFeedback?
View all reviews
Dec 2019 · Mick Kirkman
The fast and feisty Sniper slays accelerations and climbs, and is fun and confident downhill too
Serious attitude that rewards hard pedal efforts and dynamic riding
Suspension and geometry can handle high speeds and rough terrain way better than expected, considering the pace elsewhere
Brilliant value
You can’t try a bike for size or demo at a local dealer, although Intense’s 14-day ‘ride and return’ scheme gives a full refund if you don’t love your new bike
Sep 2018
Scoping out Intense's short-travel trail bike, the Intense Sniper Trail.
Jul 2018 · McCoy
Cross-country racing has seen a bit of a renaissance in the last couple of years, with World Cup courses becoming more technical and riders demanding more
Jul 2018 · David Arthur
Type “XC bikes are dead” into Google and you get 385,000 results. But if the new Intense Sniper taught me anything, it’s that short travel bikes with proper modern geometry, wide bars, and a dropper post make a complete mockery of this myth.
Fast and light
Modern geometry
Wider bars and dropper post
Long seat tube
Unless racing, Trail version might be better pick
Limited tire clearance
Jun 2018
Watch our full video review of the Intense Sniper XC. Intense have infused a full-blown XC race bike with their own downhill DNA to create a lightweight, super efficient, race machine. Hear our thoughts after racing it at the Port to Port MTB stage race.
XC low weight and pedal efficiency with geometry that shreds.
Comfortable for four days of racing.
Our type of XC race bike.
Rear end lacks stiffness.
No cable routing provisions for left/rear brake.
Dropper became sticky and slow after three days.
Mar 2018 · Jordan Villella
Intense launches 100mm XC and 120mm Trail Sniper, designed to rock your race season to the next level. - Mtbr.com
| Frame | Carbon Fiber BB Standard: BB86/BB92, Press Fit |
|---|---|
| Fork | FOX Performance Elite 32, 3-position adjust, 44mm offset, Boost, Kabolt axle Travel: 100mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | FOX Performance Elite DPS, 165mm x 40mm Travel: 100mm |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM BB92 |
| Headset | Cane Creek AER Integrated |
| Stem | Intense Recon, 50mm length |
| Handlebar | Intense Flat, alloy, 760mm width |
| Saddle | WTB Silverado Race with chromoly rails |
| Seatpost | KS Lev Ci, carbon, 125mm drop Type: Dropper |
| Pedals | N/A |
| Grips | Intense Nano Foam |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle |
|---|---|
| Front Derailleur | N/A |
| Crank | SRAM Stylo Alloy Eagle Boost GXP, 175mm length |
| Shifters | SRAM GX Eagle, 12-speed |
| Cassette | SRAM XG-1275 X01 Eagle, 10-50 tooth, 12-speed |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle |
| Chain Guide | N/A |
| Brakes | Shimano XT with 160mm Centerlock rotors Type: Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano XT |
| Rims | DT Swiss XR 1900 Spline, 28 hole, 25mm inner width |
|---|---|
| Spokes | DT Swiss |
| Front Hub | DT Swiss 1900 Spline, Boost front and rear, Centerlock, XD driver |
| Rear Hub | DT Swiss 1900 Spline, Boost front and rear, Centerlock, XD driver |
| Tires | Maxxis Rekon, 2.25" Folding 120tpi DC EXO TR |
First added September 3
Last updated September 3
Not listed for 2,828 days