Price: (frame only) $2175 w/ 5th Element, steel spring
Sizes: 16", 18" (tested), and 20"
Weight: 9.2 lbs (frame w/ shock)
Colors: Red, white, black
Contact: Intense Cycles, (909) 296-9596, www.intensecycles.com
Pros: Gorgeous! Great pedaling free ride, big-hit bike with potential to be good trail bike, and good DH bike.
Cons: High BB, weight, could benefit from stiffer, one-piece linkage.

Intense. The name implies flawless design, peerless construction, and the zenith of performance. In the case of the Uzzi SLX, all implications are spot on. For 2001, Intense created a bike to address the greedy free-ride market. The six, or seven-inch travel SLX is not just a bigger Uzzi-SL, or a smaller M-1. It is a purpose-built, long-travel, free ride machine - with the emphasis on "ride". At the end of its second year of production, it's still one of the most coveted bikes on the planet, and more so for the addition of the much anticipated Progressive Suspension 5th Element shock, as an option to the Fox Vanilla RLC. With two shock choices, two rear axle options, adjustable wheelbase, three bottom bracket heights with three corresponding head-tube angles, two seat angle positions, and two travel options, it's arguably, one of the most adjustable, and most versatile.

The frame is a masterpiece of 6061-aluminum metalwork. Every piece of the frame is welded with beads like stacks of dimes, and the liberal use of machined bits leaves nothing to question about quality. Borrowing technology from the M1, the frame uses a mix of hydro-formed monocoque gussets, massive butted tubing, and very robust machined yokes, pivots, and mounts. All this beef makes for a very brawny frame designed to accept the plethora of dual-crown forks favored by the big hit crowd. Trail riders can rejoice in how well it works with 5" single-crown forks.

Four-bar suspension designs are all over the map these days, but it is universally acknowledged that Specialized's FSR design is the best. Given the constant innovation from the mind of founder Jeff Steber, the fact that the highly respected Intense has licensed the technology gives it even more credit. This Horst-link suspension is used throughout the Intense line-up for the simple reason that it is the most efficient pedaling system available.

Furthering the Uzzi SLX's prowess is the Progressive Suspension 5th Element shock co-developed by Intense. The adjustability of this shock is mind-boggling. Adjustments include rebound damping, end-of-stroke and beginning of stroke threshold tuning, compression damping, air pressure and air volume. The secret to this coil spring's effectiveness is the adjustable air pressure compression damping. It is the only adjustment I have ever touched on the shock, except for rebound. I'm scared to touch anything else, but truthfully, I haven't felt the need. I've done everything from an epic 5 hr cross country ride, to the gnarly DH trails at Sunday River in Maine and have barely adjusted the shock.

As a cross-country ride, the SLX has some obvious disadvantages, but it really is a great all around bike. At 9.2 lbs, the frame is heavy, and the high shock position and seat pod create a high center of gravity. Because of the extremely high bottom bracket (14.25" - 15.25"), the bike is very tall requiring an "allioop" to mount it on the trail, and some instability in long, fast corners.

Of course, most would dismiss a 43 lb 6" travel bike with dual crown fork as an "all-rounder", but the pedaling efficiency of this bike makes up for a lot. The FSR linkage and 5th Element combine to neutralize pedal feedback in the suspension. You can really climb on this bike! Although there is a great deal of initial sag, once you start pedaling, the shock doesn't move until it is activated by a bump. And when it does activate, there isn't the jerkiness associated with other shocks. All movements are controlled and fluid. The rear wheel stays planted, and allows you to pedal in a normal fashion, without having to compensate for suspension movement. Here I use a higher air pressure in compression to get more pedal efficiency without sacrificing suspension movement.

The two-position seat pod really is a great feature. I was struggling a little on my first ride with the SLX at Exeter woods. It just didn't feel as efficient as it was in the boulder gardens of Lynn Woods. When I changed the seat to the forward setting, it was an epiphany. Although this effectively shortens the cockpit (23" to 22"), it positions the rider over the front end, which aids in climbing and fast flats. Conversely, with the seat in the aft position, the rider's weight transfers to back, aiding on steep descents and technical sections - perfect for the drops and chutes at Lynn Woods.

At Lynn woods, the SLX is champion. (Though its rider may not be) Technical riding requires forced steering inputs, and leveraging wheels on immovable objects. The super-stiff front end feels so solid off drops, and so precise in rock gardens that it inspires confidence. The disadvantage of the high bottom bracket is not as evident at a place like Lynn. The increased clearance is welcomed, and Lynn's tight, rocky turns don't expose the high center of gravity, as cross-country trails will. There is a noticeable flex in the rear end when turning in rock gardens, but is never a problem.

Although there is another inch of travel available to me, the sophistication of the 5th Element shock makes it feel like it's already there. With a reduced air pressure in the compression damping adjustment, the suspension ramps up nicely on big drops and remains supple on loose rock and roots. Climbing Lynn's steep, short hills requires a bit more body over the bars, but once again the suspension steps up.

Sunday River is known for super steep, super technical, always-on-the-brakes DH runs. For this, the SLX gives a lot away to its race-bred brethren, the M1. However, with just one 6mm Allen wrench, you can make the SLX into a competent descender. Here's how it works. Switch the linkage plates around for seven inches of travel, position the shock in the lowest hole on the linkage to drop the BB and slacken the head angle, lengthen the wheelbase on the chain-stay, slow the rebound way down on the shock, and reduce the air pressure in compression. Presto! You've got a really good DH rig, that is super plush and very maneuverable. It's not a purpose-built racer, but it is very capable, and very strong. When the trail does turn up hill, that same excellent climbing ability is on tap.

The Uzzi SLX is a true free-ride machine. It impresses on the cross-country oriented trail as well as on the DH course. Where the SLX really shines is at places with steeps, drops, chutes, rocks and ruts. The places you like to hurl yourself off perfectly good rocks, and clean near impossible lines. It has the pedaling action of a great trail bike, with the brawn to last. Intense scores another ace with the FSR suspension, the 5th Element shock, and their proven quality and design.