The Intense Spike is the most aggressive downhill tyre here and the proven racer's choice for the worst weather.
Despite the tall, spiked tread and narrow width, the sticky FRO Lite compound means the tyre is controllable on wet rock, roots and dirty mid-race boulder fi elds. It rolls OK for a tyre with a spiked tread, it rails without squirming too much when leant over and it turns sharply.
Where the Spike excels though is cutting deep into the sloppiest mud for incredible grip in conditions where most tyres have given up. As long as you're careful, it runs happily under 30psi, which helps give a distinctive 'sucked onto the trail' feel - unusual for a spiked tyre. It can clog in heavy mud though, and quality costs, so save it for race days.
