All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

https://www.costco.com/intense-951-xc-bike.product.100691780.html

Is this too good to be true?

 

Intense has been supplying Costco bikes for a long time now, well 6 months probably. Delivery in a week, dislike it after a parking lot ride, take it back full refund.

They are the exact frames that Intense sells for the cost of the complete bike labeled 951.

As a person who loves Costco I did contemplate the XC bike at one point.

 

I think I’m going to pull the trigger and see how it rides. If I love it then I’ll throw some cool parts on it (fork, wheels, drivetrain). If I hate it, back to Costco it goes. Looks like they have a lot of “refurbished” ones on their site too which must’ve been Costco returns.

 

I think intense branched out 951 to be its entry level brand. definitely seems like a solid deal though.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/intense-announces-951-series-aimed-at-new-mountain-bikers.html

 

I remember this article and specifically this comment: "Ah yes, new riders who are willing to drop 3.7k on a bike. I'm definitely familiar with this large demographic of mountain bikers."

 

LA area riders - advice please!

In a couple weeks I'll be making a quick trip into Anaheim from Las Vegas. While I'm there, I'll have a half day available to ride. Trailforks shows a lot of spots close to I-15 (Peter's Canyon, Chino Hills, and four others in between)... can anyone recommend a local favorite? Only requirements are: I prefer trails that attract more baggy shorts than spandex, I won't have access to a shuttle or an ebike, and a good view would be cool since I don't get out there often.

Cheers!

 

oh man. the only experience i have in that area was way back in 09 on the Fullerton Loop. Fun xc style riding but that's about all I've got. :/ I'd be interested to know what other people say as I may be out there at some point for visiting. hah!

 

Peters is pretty tame riding. Chino Hills I've only ridden once, not much experience there, on clear days on the ridge can see a ways .
Santiago Oaks would be the best suggestion. Good variety with some stuff climbs.
Fully Loop is some strung together horse trails in between houses mostly. A bit tricky to navigate if you don't know it. People mostly ride that because it's near where they are.
Go to Santiago Oaks.

 

Santiago Oaks is probably closest to the style riding you're looking for. I haven't ridden there but some friends do regularly, its supposed to have some good descents (and tough climbs).

On the east side of the Santa anas there is Skinsuit/Diablo/Troylee etc. These are steep singletracks dropping off Skyline Truck Trail. If you aren't good at steep/loose/rutted trail you may not like these : )

If you can drive a little farther south there is some great riding:

Santiago Truck Trail to the Luge. Ride STT all the way out to Old Camp (base of Joplin) and back to Luge, then finish the loop through Whiting

Laguna Beach - lots of fun descents: Rock It, 5 Oaks, Car Wreck, Mentally Sensitive, Stairsteps, Laguna Ridge/T&A etc. This would have the best riding, best views by far and its easy to do as many laps as you have time for.

San Juan or Chiquito - climb up far as you have time for, then descend back down. San Juan is a nice climbing trail with great views. Chiquito is a technical rocky trail you'll have to push up, but fun to descend. You'd get to see the rock rolls by pushing up. San Juan Loop at the bottom of it is chunky fun too (that part not on TF). If you go this far you can take Hwy 74 and drop down to I-15 in Lake Elsinore to avoid traffic.

The other places between Peters and Chino hills are mostly xc riding. I've only ridden Chino Hills once. It's nice in spring with flowers out, but I've never felt the desire to go back.

 

Nothing says time to take a quick MTB camping trip like a pending winter storm.

 

Your stickers indicate you must be a southeastern-er. Where are you headed?

 

Has to be going to the Outer Banks because he’s missing a token OBX sticker!

 

Is that included in the Coexist and jesus fish sticker combo deal?

 

If you buy today you get a free "salt life" sticker as well.

 

Sweet bike how do you like it?

 

These people ripping hard on Intense, hopefully they can put something together.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/joe-breeden-and-dakotah-norton-join-intense-factory-racing.html

 

I didn’t know you had one of those campers! Those things are BA. Would love to check it out next time we link up.

Yea he’s another GA guy.

 

Sweet setup.

Welding a 2" receiver on to the back of my camper is on my winter long-list. Unfortunately it also coincides with pulling the camper off the frame, beefing up the frame, and putting a new axle and lift.