From Fan to Sales Manager: Elliott's INTENSE Story
As a longtime fan of the brand, Elliott joined as Sales manager back in February 2026. The first bike he rode upon getting hired was a Spider, and after one ride he opted to build his dream bike in the INTENSE 3D configurator.
“I've been in this industry a long time, and have been lucky enough to ride a lot of amazing bikes. But, without a doubt, the SPIDER is the best mountain bike I have ever ridden. It motivates me like no other bike, It never disappoints, and always delivers a rad time on the trails. “
We sat down with Elliott, and talked about the Spider, INTENSE, and more.
What's your name and what do you do at INTENSE?
My name is Elliott Mirzaie, but most my friends call me EAZY haha. I am the Sales Manager for INTENSE Cycles.
Where did you grow up and how did you find MTB?
I grew up and down the California coast but eventually landed in Orange County during grade school. I started out as a skateboarder for most of my childhood but eventually was introduced to mountain biking by my brother. I was instantly hooked by the efforts, beauty of nature, and the progression of pushing my limits. 15 years later I am still motivated for those same reasons.
What was your experience with INTENSE as a rider earlier on?
Ohh man, INTENSE has been such an important part of my riding. My first high end bike was the INTENSE Tracer 2. Hand made in Temecula, that thing was so solid. I Rode it for thousands of miles all through Laguna Canyon and the Santa Ana Mountains. I found myself and defined my riding on that bike. I eventually worked for an INTENSE dealer where I rode the Primer, Recluse, and Tracer T275. Funny how it’s come full circle and I’m back on the bikes that started it all for me.
You’ve been riding the Spider for almost 6 months now. What is it about this bike that gets you stoked?
The SPIDER is easily the best mountain bike I have ridden to date, and I really define myself as that these days…a “mountain biker”. The SPIDER rewards efforts like crazy, putting power down on it gets you moving. For me, I need a bike that will get me into the mountains but still handle riding fast, chunky trails, and the Spider feels like a no compromise rig for my riding style. The work that the R&D team did with the kinematics on this bike are super impressive. It accelerates insanely fast, is super supportive when pushing hard at speeds, and dips into corners hard.
What is your setup?
When I started my job at INTENSE, the first thing I did was get onto the INTENSE 3D configurator and build out my SPIDER. That was a rad experience. I was able to fully dial it in for my riding style. The PRO spec was a perfect starting point for me. I just went with more aggressive tires; I am running DHF Maxx Grip Exo + in the front and DHR Maxx Grip Exo+ in the rear. I think it weighs in at 29.5 lbs with that setup.
What’s your favorite aspect of riding?
After all this time, getting out and ripping with good friends always gets me motivated. Being inland, Summertime gets pretty hot in So-Cal, so when my buddy Jake hit me up for a ride in San Clemente, I was fully in. The Spider felt right at home on those trails. There is a good selection of high-speed stuff mixed in with a few jumps if you want them. The supportive rear end of the spider was fast out there. It never felt slowed down, and tracked well through all the corners, even in the dust.
What are some of the other spots in the area you enjoy riding?
I spend lots of time getting out into the Santa Ana mountains and surrounding foothills. That’s where climbing capability is super important for me. There are some big climbs out here and aggressive single tracks to follow. The SPIDER saves me some legs on the way up so I can push harder into the downhills because of it.
What should the people expect out of INTENSE these next few months?
We have some huge things planned at INTENSE! We can definitely feel a renewed spirit around the office and from our customers. This brand has played such a huge role in our scene and looking forward to sharing that with the community.
