INTENSE M279 HP6 Downhill Prototype

Coming into 2023 our goal is simple – we want to make the fastest pure downhill race bike that we can. Go behind the scenes and check out our latest downhill prototype, the INTENSE M279 HP6.

2022’s HP1 (High Pivot 1) was just a small part of this new INTENSE downhill bike development story. The HP1, which was raced to World Cup podium success by the INTENSE Factory Racing (IFR) team, was always meant to be just a stepping stone to something greater... the new M279 HP6.

We grabbed some words with Devon Sullivan (Ride Dynamics Manager for INTENSE and IFR) just after he had returned from a testing session out at Windrock (USA), where he, Aaron Gwin and Dakotah Norton, put the prototype M279 HP6 through its paces.

“Our M279 HP6 is the result of a close understanding of the current competitive landscape, race circuit, and suspension characteristics. We set out to make a bike that can win races at any level. While remaining fun and comfortable at the bike park. This involved detailed analysis of everything from single pivot to true 6-Bar. Each of those tends to offer strengths and weaknesses. Great for certain aspects and bike categories. This 6-Link high pivot provided us with the most neutral combination of kinematics for modern DH racing.”

“The horst-link concept provides certain traits that we had previously agreed were crucial for speed, stability, balance and comfort. The 6-Link adds an obvious degree of freedom to the suspension design. We discuss axle trajectory as opposed to idler and pivot locations. The execution and placement of pivots is a by-product of how we needed the bike to react. These performance metrics existed before the bike began development. Stability and energy management were also highly prioritized in choosing this layout. IFR helped tremendously in that regard. We could not have done this without them. The bike is fast and responsive whilst remaining calm. That can be challenging to achieve. And something we believe is best achieved from this 6-Link.”

“We’re very pleased with initial field testing. It was a quick decision to move onto M279 HP6 from HP1. These bikes are developed as a team, utilizing the team’s every step of the way. Our off-season R&D testing will continue internationally on varied terrain. The guys are fired up and ready to get racing on this bike. Our job is to utilize that downtime in optimizing this update.”

For further information read the interview with Devon on our INTENSE website:

https://eu.intensecycles.com/blogs/ne...