Intense Electric Bike Review: Is Intense Ebike A Good Brand? Pros, Cons?

Nice, when you type "Intense ebike Review", you're not looking for some technical specs or a plain feature overview. You're on a mission to discover whether a brand that boasts a legendary reputation in the world of gravity mountain biking can make the transition from racing DNA to electric power. What you guys want to know is whether a motorized version of Intense is as razor-sharp, fast, and in-control feeling as it is when it loses the motor and keeps on shredding uphill. This review is intended to cut through the marketing language and to provide a real, substantial approach to what it means to own and ride an Intense e-bike. We will take a look at their offering, take a deep dive into the real-world experience of some of their most popular models, and answer all the important questions you may have before you make up your mind if this premium brand is the right fit for your upcoming riding adventures.

Intense E-Bike Models

Enjoying a resurgence, Intense has been putting out some hard-hitting e-MTBs, each with its own flavor in the range for a specific high-performance type of riding. The hierarchy is broad and clear, built upon a core of Tazer and 951 platforms. This is the full lineup of the e-bikes that they carry:

Tazer MX Pro
Tazer MX Expert
Tazer MX S Build
951 EVO
951 Trail

Let’s leave the catalog behind and move to the trail where a bike truly shows its colors. The Intense Tazer MX lineup—especially the Pro model—is the brand’s top-of-the-line e-MTB, and it rides just like its genealogy would imply: like a downhill bike infused with the superpower of climbing. The bike has a purposeful and aggressive feel the moment you swing a leg over the full carbon frame. The “mullet” wheel configuration, running a 29-inch wheel in the front and a 27.5-inch wheel in the back, is not a gimmick; rather, it is an engineering stroke of genius. On the trail, this translates to a sense of boundless confidence. A bigger front wheel blasts over any rock that dares cross your path while swapping its traction for surgical precision through rock gardens and over roots. At the same time, however, the smaller rear wheel makes the bike feel remarkably nimble and playful, allowing you to snap through tight corners and lift the bike into the air with ease. This sucker is driven by the reliable Shimano motor and offers a powerful, natural, smooth-to-surge on and off help at all kinds of success. It isn’t a switching sensation; it’s not a case of powered/pedal transition. It’s the smoothest transfer of your own power command through to the cranks, marrying up with your pedaling to make otherwise impossibly steep, technical climbs seem quite within your reach. The suspension (usually high-end Öhlins or Fox on whichever build) feels bottomless, swallowing big hits yet also staying supportive for efficient pedaling. Riding the Tazer MX is a sensation of lifting the limits; it pushes you to go harder, ride faster, and take lines that you never thought were possible. The 951 Trail, on the other hand, presents a new and exciting version of the adventure. It is the heart of the Intense brand—performance, quality, and superb trail manners—and brings it to the all-mountain rider on a budget. Instead, it rides less like a thoroughbred race machine and more like the perfect trail companion. The geometry remains cutting-edge and progressive, except now it’s dialed a touch more towards a broader spectrum of conditions, from smooth, flowing singletrack to moderately technical descents. What you see and experience is a perfectly balanced bike. It climbs with astonishing efficiency, allowing the motor to do much of the work and leaving your energy for the fun parts, and it descends with a stability and poise that shoots confidence through your veins with every turn. It is the sort of electric bike that will make you want to keep riding, go further, and finish every ride with a gigantic grin.

The Intense Ecosystem

There are definitely some things to remember when considering a premium brand like Intense. You’re not purchasing just a bike; you’re buying into an entire ecosystem and philosophy. To begin with, one must first comprehend the Intense DNA. These aren’t casual cruisers. They are unrestrained performance machines forged from decades of racing experience, from the mind of legendary rider, Ricky Carmichael, for riders who want to run at the front and push the limits on challenging terrain. This single-mindedness is a huge benefit for you if you’re an intermediate to expert rider, as the bike’s geometry and component selection reflect a desire to go fast and turn fast. Another very important factor is the motorization. Intense's decision to spec Shimano's EP series motors (EP8 and EP6) is a big win as well. This is not some closed, secret system. It is one of the most dependable and ubiquitously supported e-bike motor platforms on the planet. Which is to say, you can find a mechanic to work on them easily for many years to come. In addition, a purchase of a brand like Intense will often return dividends in ownership in the form of free shuttle rides and such. Its reputable brand and reputation for quality often elicit a higher resale value than other less-known or generic brands. This can compensate for the premium you pay when you purchase the bike. You are joining a community of enthusiasts who appreciate high performance without compromise. This common bond and the brand prevalence at bike parks and events generates a feeling of solidarity that enriches the experience of ownership. In the end, when you select an Intense e-bike, you confirm you value an aerospace design with performance-specialized details and serviceable quality that will stand the test of time, listening to its owner, their riding style, and keeping you on the trails you ride best.

The ENGWE Alternative

It’s a big world, the electric bike world, and while Intense builds masterpieces for the gnarliest mountain terrain, there are different tools for different jobs. For lots of riders, adventure isn’t just about the Everest black-diamond trails; it’s the day-to-day search for new experiences, where the only limit is your imagination. And for that, a brand like ENGWE is a smartly engineered decision. One such model is the ENGWE EP-2 Boost – a bike that prides itself on the flexible nature of its design. The clever design of its foldable electric bike frame allows it to be locked away conveniently in any apartment, packed into the boot of the car for use at the weekend, or tucked under a desk for the daily commute; this bike unlocks a world of cycling possibilities.

It’s all about smoothness, courtesy of the latest in technology through the advanced Torque Sensor, offering power in a way that is both intuitive and responsive, giving you the feeling of Amplified Acceleration; less energy, more miles. For those times when you have to employ a little extra oomph up a steep city hill or a super tough trail incline, simply hit the BOOST button and let rip 55 Nm of torque onto the ground immediately. With its fat 20 x 4.0 tires, a comfortable cushion saddle, and a suspension fork to take the edge off the bumps, the Monster 20 is the perfect introduction to fat biking. It offers up to 120 km of 100% electric travel and the possibility of removing the battery for "home recharging" without any worries about autonomy. Finishing the package is the combination of strong 180mm disc brakes and robust one-piece wheels for added safety and reliability. For the rider in need of an efficient, convenient, and very versatile partner, the ENGWE EP-2 Boost model is a wise option to consider.

Intense Model Comparison

Crucial Questions Answered

5 Crucial Questions for Potential Intense E-bike Purchasers Answered

Are Intense e-bikes worth the additional premium?

Absolutely, for the right rider. The expense reflects a major investment in research and development, quality materials (full carbon fiber frames), high-end components from brands such as Öhlins, Fox, and Shimano, and a geometry that’s been honed by professional racers. You are buying into a level of performance, durability, and ride feel that's an obvious cut above mass-market options. If you want to ride harder (and it’s not a question of if you do), riding an Intense e-bike simply means more speed, control, and confidence out on the toughest mountain bike trails.

How reliable is the Shimano motor & battery setup?

Extremely reliable. This is one of my main reasons for loving Intense e-bikes. With Shimano’s best-in-industry EP-series motors and batteries, Intense owners will also have access to a global network of service centers. This system is popular for its perfect powerband and extreme durability. And because Shimano doesn’t make its own bikes, you won’t have to scramble to find support or parts, a big consideration in something you’re going to leave your money in for a long time.

What do I get for range in the battery, real-world?

This is the most significant variable, and it’s the result of your weight, the terrain you’re riding, and what level of assist you’re in (Eco, Trail, or Boost). As a rule of thumb, prepare yourself for at least 2-4 hours of strenuous, aggressive trail riding, with plenty of climbing. You might get that to 50 miles in Eco mode on rolling terrain and by moderating your speed on pavement. Hardcore bikes are not for all-day maximum range and weight and performance compromise - they are for ensuring enough power to shred till your legs give out on inhumanly long mountain bike epics well beyond weight-weenie, XC concepts of one big climb and descent per charge.

Is the Intense e-bike too much bike for beginner or intermediate riders?

This is a fair question. An Intense e-bike is a high-performance machine that’s meant to be ridden hard, and a fireplace road rider might feel like this is “too much bike” for them. But it can also be a fantastic means of progressing. The stable and confidence-inspiring nature of the bike can support an intermediate rider attempting more challenging trails in a safer environment. The electric assist helps me keep pace with fitter friends and reach out for longer, more rewarding loops that would otherwise require a long car trip. It’s a bike you can upgrade into, and its level of performance and capability will never hold you back.

How does the Tazer MX compare to the 951 series?

Their main disparity is their central theme and material. The Tazer MX is Intense’s top-end e-MTB, with 170/155mm of front/rear wheel travel. It has a full carbon frame and a "mullet" mixed-wheel size, so it's a purebred enduro and bike park race bike that's built to go faster and feel more stable than a classic long-travel bike — even on the rowdiest terrain. This is in contrast to the 951 series, which features a burly aluminum frame and is the more approachable entry into the Intense ecosystem, but without diluting the brand's DNA for performance. The 951 Trail is the do-it-all on steroids, and the 951 EVO starts to skate more towards aggressive all-mountain/light enduro territory. Consider the Tazer as the specialty scalpel and the 951 as the very capable and adaptable workhorse.

At the end of the day, this isn’t shopping; this is an investment in the kind of performance that won’t be relegated to the past, and in a brand that won’t be, either.