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Intense Cycles Hard Eddie Expert Complete Mountain Bike - 2014
The Intense Hard Eddie Expert Complete Mountain Bike may be the first XC-oriented hardtail from the fabled California brand, but this XC rocket gets the full benefit of two decades of building really fast bikes. The stunning high modulus frame comes in at a waif-like 2.5 pounds for the medium size, and despite that feathery figure, it's anything but fragile. This makes it an ideal candidate for the Shimano XT-based Expert build kit. So whether you're chasing points in your local series, or just chasing some fun after work, the Hard Eddie will make it a little easier for you. Or maybe just harder for your riding buddies.
While Intense is best known for its American-made aluminum bikes, the Hard Eddie is built from carbon fiber. Knowing that carbon fiber can be finicky to work with, Intense brought in consultants from composite experts SEED to make the best possible use of the material, and then handed the manufacture to one of Taiwan's finest composites manufacturers. The Made in USA ethos still stands though, thanks to the fact that all the dropouts and hardware are built in Temecula, alongside Intense's aluminum models. It ensures that your bike benefits from the best of modern composite construction, and maintains the soul you'd expect from an Intense.
The frame is laid up as a whole from high modulus carbon fiber, rather than bonding the frame together from sub-assemblies. This construction method not only minimizes unnecessary material, and accordingly weight, but it maximizes the strength of the structures as well. That's because the fibers are uninterrupted by seams, which happens with bonded constructions. Weight is minimized as excess epoxy is squeezed from the frame prior to curing, and this ideal degree of compaction optimizes the strength. Plus, it keeps the frame weight at a feathery 2.5 pounds for a medium frame.
The Hard Eddie gets Intense's G1 replaceable dropout system, with a modern 12X142mm thru axle. By using a replaceable dropout, rather than a replaceable derailleur hanger, you get a stiffer mount for the derailleur, and accordingly, crisper shifts, with the peace of mind that comes with knowing you can replace your hanger should your derailleur meet a particularly grisly demise.
With a name like Hard Eddie, you'd expect it to be responsive when you get on the pedals. Thanks to the PF30 bottom bracket and large diameter down tube, that's undeniably true. However, the bowed top tube and seatstays enhance the vibration damping characteristics of the frame. In other words, you'll be surprised how fresh you feel after a long ride, especially compared to some of the other XC featherweights in its class.
For the Expert build, suspension duties are handled by a Factory Series FOX FLOAT 32, with 100mm of travel, and the highly sought after Kashima gold stanchions. The brakes and drivetrain come from Shimano's revered XT lineup, with the exception of the FSA SLK carbon fiber crankset, so there should be no questions as to durability or performance. The cockpit consists of a Thomson Elite seatpost topped with an Intense saddle, while a Thomson X4 stem holds onto the FSA SLK Carbon flat handlebar. It rolls on Novatec Flow Trail tubeless-compatible wheels, wrapped in Kenda Small Block 8 tires.
The Intense Hard Eddie Expert Complete Mountain Bike - 2014 is available in three sizes, from Small to Large, and in the colors Naked Carbon and Naked Carbon/red.
Price: $2999.99 (39% Off!)
Regularly: $4999.00
Buy Now
The Intense Hard Eddie Expert Complete Mountain Bike may be the first XC-oriented hardtail from the fabled California brand, but this XC rocket gets the full benefit of two decades of building really fast bikes. The stunning high modulus frame comes in at a waif-like 2.5 pounds for the medium size, and despite that feathery figure, it's anything but fragile. This makes it an ideal candidate for the Shimano XT-based Expert build kit. So whether you're chasing points in your local series, or just chasing some fun after work, the Hard Eddie will make it a little easier for you. Or maybe just harder for your riding buddies.
While Intense is best known for its American-made aluminum bikes, the Hard Eddie is built from carbon fiber. Knowing that carbon fiber can be finicky to work with, Intense brought in consultants from composite experts SEED to make the best possible use of the material, and then handed the manufacture to one of Taiwan's finest composites manufacturers. The Made in USA ethos still stands though, thanks to the fact that all the dropouts and hardware are built in Temecula, alongside Intense's aluminum models. It ensures that your bike benefits from the best of modern composite construction, and maintains the soul you'd expect from an Intense.
The frame is laid up as a whole from high modulus carbon fiber, rather than bonding the frame together from sub-assemblies. This construction method not only minimizes unnecessary material, and accordingly weight, but it maximizes the strength of the structures as well. That's because the fibers are uninterrupted by seams, which happens with bonded constructions. Weight is minimized as excess epoxy is squeezed from the frame prior to curing, and this ideal degree of compaction optimizes the strength. Plus, it keeps the frame weight at a feathery 2.5 pounds for a medium frame.
The Hard Eddie gets Intense's G1 replaceable dropout system, with a modern 12X142mm thru axle. By using a replaceable dropout, rather than a replaceable derailleur hanger, you get a stiffer mount for the derailleur, and accordingly, crisper shifts, with the peace of mind that comes with knowing you can replace your hanger should your derailleur meet a particularly grisly demise.
With a name like Hard Eddie, you'd expect it to be responsive when you get on the pedals. Thanks to the PF30 bottom bracket and large diameter down tube, that's undeniably true. However, the bowed top tube and seatstays enhance the vibration damping characteristics of the frame. In other words, you'll be surprised how fresh you feel after a long ride, especially compared to some of the other XC featherweights in its class.
For the Expert build, suspension duties are handled by a Factory Series FOX FLOAT 32, with 100mm of travel, and the highly sought after Kashima gold stanchions. The brakes and drivetrain come from Shimano's revered XT lineup, with the exception of the FSA SLK carbon fiber crankset, so there should be no questions as to durability or performance. The cockpit consists of a Thomson Elite seatpost topped with an Intense saddle, while a Thomson X4 stem holds onto the FSA SLK Carbon flat handlebar. It rolls on Novatec Flow Trail tubeless-compatible wheels, wrapped in Kenda Small Block 8 tires.
The Intense Hard Eddie Expert Complete Mountain Bike - 2014 is available in three sizes, from Small to Large, and in the colors Naked Carbon and Naked Carbon/red.
Price: $2999.99 (39% Off!)
Regularly: $4999.00
Buy Now
