Southbound&Down

The Intense M9 is to bicycles what Slayer and Sepultura are to speedmetal. It is like being assaulted with double-bass drums, tearing amphetamine-fueled rifts and screaming chainsaw vocals, all while punching the speakers until your ears bleed and your knuckles are raw. The Intense M9 is the latest in Jeff Steber's long line of thoroughbred downhill race machines, and the caliber and reputation of this bike preceded it. We opened the box like excited little children, but as soon as the bike was built up we felt like it was time to man up—this thing screams speed.