The Intense Primer has 140mm of travel in the rear and 150mm of travel in the front, providing riders with support and comfort on trails.
Experts were pleased with the flip-chip geometry on the shock. It allowed riders to fine-tune the bike’s head tube angle and bottom bracket height.
The Primer is lower in price than many other bikes in the carbon mid-travel mountain bike category.
Maxxis tires give riders excellent traction for backcountry adventures over rocks and roots.
The JS Trail suspension set-up offers riders excellent mid-stroke support, along with a quick feel on climbs.
The Fabric Scoop saddle on the Primer is comfortable.
The ovalized Intense grips are comfortable for long days of riding singletrack.
Intense offers riders protection for their frame, with a rubberized downtube protector and chainstay protector.
Test riders experienced minimal pedal bob on the Intense Primer.
The bike’s threaded bottom bracket makes it easy to maintain.
Riders found the bike stable and easy to control over jumps.

3 reasons not to buy

The bike’s long seat tube limits the dropper post length.
Although the JS Trail suspension cushions riders on descents, this bike does not have the plushest suspension in its category, according to testers.
The low bottom bracket led some experts to experience pedal strikes on the trail.

Bottom line

The Intense Primer is a mid-travel bike available with either 29" or 27.5" wheels. Smaller wheel size alters performance to better suit riders looking for a more playful ride. The bike has 140mm of travel in the rear and 150mm of travel in the fork. Experts found the flip-chip geometry adjustments easy to use. The Primer is lower in price than other high-quality carbon, mid-travel mountain bikes such as Santa Cruz’s Hightower. The bike offers similar features to higher-priced competitors. These include frame protection, a threaded bottom bracket and grippy Maxxis Tires. Testers complain that the bike does not have a long dropper post. It is also prone to pedal strikes, with its low bottom bracket.

Expert Reviews

73/100 based on 2 rated expert reviews

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Mountain Bike Rider

Level 5 expert

Intense Primer 29 Pro Review

Level 5 expert

Although the raw speed of the old Primer has been diluted in its new guise, this new version remains a fast bike that handles pretty well, and it would suit a more traditional diet of trail centre singletrack, where long, gradual climbs mix with flowing descents and you never have to be that dynamic.

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Mountain Biking Australia

Level 1 expert

Bike Review: Intense Primer 29

Level 1 expert

I think Intense have put forward a solid interpretation of the trail bike formula with the Primer, a capable and balanced bike that has the capability of a bigger bike than it is on the trail.

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D and N Boys

Level 1 expert

2020 Instense Primer Review! Way Different Than the Previous Primer?!

Level 1 expert

It has 29″ diameter wheels which makes it awesome for handling all kinds of terrain.

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Grown Dad Stuff

Level 1 expert

2020 Intense Primer First Ride Impressions

Level 1 expert

Rear suspension geometry is really good, really like it. So far so good.

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Mountain Bike Action

Level 5 expert

Intense Primer Shootout

Level 5 expert

The Primer 29 quickly became the go-to bike in this lineup, balancing the needs of our wrecking crew testers.

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mtbr

Level 5 expert

2020 Intense Primer First Ride Review

Level 5 expert

The 29er was definitely the roller. It kept its speed up and down. It exhibited great traction and was playful. Seemed like the perfect bike.

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swampmotolive

Level 1 expert

Trail Tested | Intense Primer 29 Elite Build

Level 1 expert

The bike is a work of art. While some Intense color schemes have been a little too bright for us in the past, the classy color combo of our test bike is easy on the eyes and looks racy!

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