Words cannot describe.....

[1x1clyde]

how much I love this Spider 29 Comp!

Thanks crew at Intense for making this beauty/beast

Specs:

Large Spider 29 Comp
Easton Carbon Havoc Bar
Syntace 60mm Stem flipped down
Red King Headset
Fox 32 Float 29 - 120mm - waiting for spacer kit so I can install my Fox 34 at 130mm
XTR Brakes
Roval Carbon Wheels
XX1 drivetrain 34t up front
Nobby Nic front, Rocket Ron back
Reverb Stealth post
Red Hope Seat Collar

weight.....26 lbs, 7oz!

I love the balance this bike gives on the flow and downhill, truly intuitive.
The climbing is just fine, pedal smoothly and up you go.
I gave up my Tallboy LTC to go with the Spider and Strava speaks the truth...a bunch of my DH PR's are now on the Spider

[smithrider]

That is sick - very nice build! I keep lurking on these new build threads to keep myself tided over until mine arrives, hopefully next week. I am going with a 130mm spaced down 34 Float on mine as well. Enjoy it in good health.

[gcohen]

Sweet rig!

[WilliamK]

Wow lovely bike there clyde. I think I would go the same colour and size.

Can you give us more details, a small ride review mate. You comp guys are holding back on us lurkers and procrastinators. It’s time to fess up and give us some ride opinions, as subjective as they may be.

Now you are the perfect candidate Clyde, as you have come off a TB Ltc. Can you give us your views on where you think the Comp might have had strengths on/over the TB? What rear travel are you running by the way?

The comp is way slacker than a TB, did you notice any draw backs with the slackness in more XC tracks?

Please elaborate so as we can salivate.

[prealps]

me too i like to know what you find pro and cons from the Santa TB LTc you have come.

[Just J]

I love that bike! Looking forward to hearing your comparisons to the TB LTc too...

[Fired Yo Momma]

Must be nice!!!!!

[stejam]

Amazing LOOKING rig....

Could I please ask you a few questions?

Why are you planning to change to a 34 fork, is it because you want a higher from end / slacker head angle with the same amount of travel on the front or is it because you feel the 32 is to flexy?

Could you please let me know what travel you are running the rear in at present with the 130mm forks?

Do you find the bike has a long top tube? and please could you say how tall you are?

Regards
Steve

[1x1clyde]

Wow lovely bike there clyde. I think I would go the same colour and size.

Can you give us more details, a small ride review mate. You comp guys are holding back on us lurkers and procrastinators. It’s time to fess up and give us some ride opinions, as subjective as they may be.

Now you are the perfect candidate Clyde, as you have come off a TB Ltc. Can you give us your views on where you think the Comp might have had strengths on/over the TB? What rear travel are you running by the way?

The comp is way slacker than a TB, did you notice any draw backs with the slackness in more XC tracks?

Please elaborate so as we can salivate.

A few observations/comparisons for you

I really did like my LTC but it always had that "long" feel and rightfully so with the 17.9 chainstays and longer front end feel. Going from a Tallboy C to a LTC its the Ups that you notice right away.
My Tallboy was such a good pedaler and solid uphill bike there were times you felt like you were cheating...the LTC never had that feeling but was worth every pedal stroke once the trail was flow and or down.
This is where the Spider fits in.
Climbs like my Tallboy and has that more upright feel but when it flows and go downs, I feel like I am on the LTC but a much "peppier" feel.
The Spider begs to go fast and I have lost nothing from the LTC...Granted there is a noticeable difference on the big stuff but not enough to give up the Spider for the rest of trail.
Steep climbs, especially the grinders here in socal, you just stay seated and pedal or on short and steeps I just stand up. I really have yet to feel any loss from a Tallboy C.
I have yet to run the 5" travel position- kinda waiting to convert my Fox 34 140 to 130mm - but am planning on at least trying it on a couple trails the next few days as we are heading to Sedona today!

[1x1clyde]

Amazing LOOKING rig....

Could I please ask you a few questions?

Why are you planning to change to a 34 fork, is it because you want a higher from end / slacker head angle with the same amount of travel on the front or is it because you feel the 32 is to flexy?

Could you please let me know what travel you are running the rear in at present with the 130mm forks?

Do you find the bike has a long top tube? and please could you say how tall you are?

Regards
Steve

I had the 34 fork on my LTC and really liked the lateral stiffness. Never thought I'd be able to tell the difference until I got back on a 32 and hit the same trail and felt "pinging"...it just wouldn't hold the line as smoothly. Not a huge deal but glad I kept my 34!
I demoed a Spider with a 130mm fork and it felt great so I can only imagine the 34mm fork
set to 130mm of travel should be even better, I hope!
The large has a long TT which I like. It allows me to run a nice short stem so it is soo much easier for me to get over the front and drive the bike through corners. I am 6ft tall with a 33" inseam and love the way the large fits.
Hope that helps!

[WilliamK]

Hey clyde, thanks heaps for your further impressions. It seems that you were holding back and had an even deeper appreciation of TBs, having also owned the TBc. You are indeed a worthy advisor and guide here...It was really good to hear your opinions with the mix of those 3 top end bikes under your belt.

And, I liked what you had to say. Makes sense re the climbing, the Spider comp has a pretty good seat angle, should be a great climber really.

“Peppier” than an Ltc and more capable than a TBc is the ticket I’d say. Sounds like a real weapon, seriously nice with that longer top tube allowing for short stems and inviting some nice weight work over the front tyre – yum! And yes it will be interesting to see how it is in full travel position to – possibly a close match for a Ltc and possibly too close to tell the difference in 8mm of travel unless super rough and fast, although I’d prefer the Spider HA for the steeps. Ah, compromises. So much fun to be had with so little ride time huh. Again, great bike Clyde. Thank you.

[1x1clyde]

Well a quick South Mountain/Sedona trip these last few days just reaffirmed my love lol!

A few pix from South Mountain..

great conditions, the overcast and light rain made the trails tasty!

Had a Carbine with us as well as a Rocky Element BC Edition, excellent selection of bikes lol!

[WilliamK]

That looks great on the trail Clyde. Somehow it just seems all the more appealing when it is in context with other bikes on a trail. Or, that could be just the fact that you have one and I want one.

That's a very decent weight for the calibre of the bike. No wonder it flys. Feel free to show off and woo us some more with gushing tails of trails. Thanks for sharing those pictures. Cheers.

[1x1clyde]

Finally made it to Palm Springs to ride this last weekend and brought the beast!

So much fun, once the Spider just goes and goes and what a great trail....once again it charged all over the palm to pines trail!

[TwoTone]

A few observations/comparisons for you

I really did like my LTC but it always had that "long" feel and rightfully so with the 17.9 chainstays and longer front end feel. Going from a Tallboy C to a LTC its the Ups that you notice right away.
My Tallboy was such a good pedaler and solid uphill bike there were times you felt like you were cheating...the LTC never had that feeling but was worth every pedal stroke once the trail was flow and or down.
This is where the Spider fits in.
Climbs like my Tallboy and has that more upright feel but when it flows and go downs, I feel like I am on the LTC but a much "peppier" feel.
The Spider begs to go fast and I have lost nothing from the LTC...Granted there is a noticeable difference on the big stuff but not enough to give up the Spider for the rest of trail.
Steep climbs, especially the grinders here in socal, you just stay seated and pedal or on short and steeps I just stand up. I really have yet to feel any loss from a Tallboy C.
I have yet to run the 5" travel position- kinda waiting to convert my Fox 34 140 to 130mm - but am planning on at least trying it on a couple trails the next few days as we are heading to Sedona today!

Interesting to read. I'm currently on a TBc, but thinking I should have gone longer travel. I've been looking at the Spider 29Comp and the Niner RIP 9 RDO.

Having ridden it now for a while I would like to hear your thoughts on my plan. I was considering a Spider Comp with the Fox 34 Talas 150/120.

I was thinking that the Talas would really make the bike versatile. 4.5 inch with 120 for aggressive XC and 5 inch/150mm for a few times a year that I go ride some bigger stuff.

[Salespunk]

Clyde, what Q cranks did you end up with?