Intense Tracer VP XT Fox 32 Talas RLC Complete: Once again, Intense bridges the gap between high performance all-mountain travel and lightweight with the 2009 Intense Tracer VP. With adjustable travel and geometry...
Submitted by
dropadrop
a Weekend Warrior
from Finland
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2012
Strengths: Looks nice, made in the US, people at Intense are very friendly when you happen to reach them
Weaknesses: Geo was way off the claims on the web site, warranty replacement took 6 months
Bottom Line:
I was really stoked to get the Tracer frame and start building up a new "dream bike". Originally I built it with a 140mm fork but it felt really sketchy compared to anything else I had ridden. I got a Fox Van 36 RC2 which helped, but it somehow still felt like a burly XC bike. I had the angles measured and the head angle (with the Fox 36 and 0-stack headset) was over 69 degree.
I contacted support but never got a response. Got a direct address to somebody who had helped someone else and got the ball rolling. Intense told me that the web site had wrong information (it was never fixed though) and that the HA for the size L Tracer VP really is over a degree steeper then what they claim on their site and other material. They promised to replace my frame with another model, and after 6 months I had it.
Unfortunately the new model has a crooked rear end, my dealer is no longer an Intense dealer, their customer support has not responded to me in almost 3 months and none of the people I emailed with last time work for the company any more. Quite a disaster for a company that claims to take pride in their products.
Submitted by
skibum
a Weekend Warrior
from East Linton, East Lothian, Scotland.
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2011
Strengths: Great build quality - the paint finish is fantastic works blue is just awesome. Handling is fantastic climbs well and bombs down anything. Spookey wood is even better on my Tracer than it was on my Meta 5.5 and that was pretty damn good.
Weaknesses: Paint finish is quite soft so needs to be heli taped but this is not a problem.
Bottom Line:
I just love this bike. I can't get out on it enough. I ride reds and blacks all year round at Glentress Laggan and Golspie and my Tracer does it all. Have even done Strathpuffer 24 hr in January - no problems! Expensive to buy but you can get good deals if you hunt around. I haven't paid full price for any of the parts and so consider I have got a top bike for reasonable money. Have had loads of people asking about it when out and about. Its a real pity Intense are now making their frames in Tiawan probably just as good but I like the idea that mine was built by hand.
Similar Products Used: Have only ridden my Meta and an Orange 5 the Tracer is way better than both in my view.
Bike Setup: 2011 36mm x 160 Fox Float RLC with Kashmina coating, SRAM X9 drive chain with XT Cranks, Hope Headset and bottom bracket, Hope Tech M4 (2011) with Blue 183mm Floating Rotors, Stans Flow rims with Blue Hope Pro 2 Hubs Easton Monkeylite DH Bar with ODI Ruffian Grips, Thomson Elite Seatpost and 50mm Stem. Maxxis High Roller 2.3 super Tacky Front and 2.3 60a rear. Knda SB8 2.3 for summer. SDG Bel Air Saddle. Hope bolt through to stiffen up the rear.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Darkstar
a Weekend Warrior
from Oceanside
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2010
Strengths: Soutly built. Very efficient riding up and down. Sweet looking. Grease fittings. Made in the US.
Weaknesses: Cable Routing, 2-year warranty, Don't drop your chain with the MRP guides - It will jam in there bad. No bottle cage inside front triangle.
Bottom Line:
I have a couple hundred miles on the bike and have finally got comfortable enough with it to post a review. I love the bike but I did have a long period to get accustomed. Mine is set up in the 5.5 travel position. I want to try the 6 position but have not gotten to it. I put it in 5.5 because I only have the 150 fork. I am an aggressive trail rider but not a hucker lift rider. I ride to the top and love to downhill.
This bike is noticeably a better climber than the 5.5. In slow speed technical climbing you get less pedal feedback. I also feel like I am way more over the front of the bike.
The geometry for whatever reason was a long adjustment. I figured the bike would be similar to the 5.5. At first I thought the medium I got (same as my 5.5) was too small. I had to put a ton of spacers on it and my seatpost is way far out there but now I think it is perfect if not as aesthetically pleasing as I would like. As I said I feel way more over the front so (so far) I am slower through really technical downhill stuff. Now I know I do have to put my weight back further and use more body English descending than I was on the 5.5. OF course I have to use less climbing. I changed from a 90 stem to a 70 to help with that over the front feeling also. I had this fork on the 5.5 which was meant for a 140 and this tracer would probably be better with a 160 so maybe that plays in. I don’t really know. IT would seem an inch is not a huge factor in angles but I am just not scientific enough to know. I cannot get the front end up as easily as I could the 5.5. The 5.5 would manual easily. This bike takes effort to get up there. I was annoyed at first but now I like the bike everywhere else enough I will just have to get better pulling up on the front end. This would probably not be an issue for people with better wheelie skills. The bike is better cornering for sure than the 5.5. Lean it over and it sticks well. I had to get use to quicker steering everywhere.
My rear end seems plenty stiff. I was dropping my chain which I worried was due to flex but my drivetrain just needed to be replaced. I did find out that you better have bolts in the chain guide mounts or you will get you chain jammed bad when it drops. MY chain line is perfect but if the chain drops it get sucked in there fast and solid. Put bolts in the guide and it is no issue. I have droped my chain once since the new drivechain and the bold made it no problem.
I am not a fan of the cable routing. As I ride the rear shifter cable gets pulled up to the bars. So at the end of longer rides the loop at the derailleur is too tight and shifting suffers. I have fixed this by replacing two of the frame clips with tight cable ties.
I also think the trend of no bottle mounts inside the front triangle is a bummer. I like having a bottle on longer rides in addition to my pack. There are mounts under the down tube but I think a cage there would last a single ride and it’s just ugly down there. There is enough room in this frame for a cage and a small bottle and I really miss it. Most of the trail frames I would look at have gone this way also (Enduro , MOJO). Bummer.
This bike was a crash replacement for a 5.5 that broke at the 2 places everyone's broke at. I loved my 5.5 (even with it’s many issues). I had it 6-7 years. IT had a 2 year warranty which brings me to one of the *possible weaknesses. Many Many (maybe all?) of the 5.5s broke at the seat tube BB junction in back or on the drive side chain stay. Does that seem like a defect? I knew it had only a 2 year warranty and so I was not expecting much but Intense through my bike shop offered me a crash replacement which is 15% off. I got lucky and the shop did not mark that up so my Tracer was cheap. If it had been $1800 I do not know if I would be riding it today. I am glad to have a bike hand made in the USA right here in So Cal but funds were tight and I probably would have gone for a Specialized or something with a lifetime warranty. Made in Taiwan though which sucks. (I hear that Specialized is doing away with their LT warranties too). As long as this one does not break or at least for 6-7 years I am happy with it. Warranty duration is a factor in bikes of this price range.
I think my 5.5 was full of QC issues. The rear end was a nightmare to line up after taking the links apart for cleaning which I had to do every few rides. I also needed bearings at least once a year sometimes twice or the rear end would stop being plush. I think that frame was out of alignment. The seatpost also slipped. I tried everything and eventually loc tited my seat post in. So far this Tracer has none of those issues and the grease ports are awesome. Flip it over push the gun in – pump till grease comes out the sides – wipe away excess – done. I love that. I assume it will line up better when I do need to replace those bearings. The rear end is definitely plusher than the 5.5.
So bottom line I like the bike aside from some pretty minor issues. I cannot call it a good value because 2250 for a 2 year warranty is just not value but the bike rocks and it is made by Americans in the good ole US which is nice and increasingly rare. All around trail riding I think it is hard to beat this bike.
Strengths: easy service great climbing will outclimb any of my friends bikes by a long shot very efficient pedaling
Weaknesses: customer service very hard to contact them ive sent them emails and they never responded. there is a small hole on the back of the seat stay that alows dirt and other things to get in however i put a little sticker over it and problem solved.
Bottom Line:
very fun bike however this is not the bike for the rider who goes out once a month and plays around this bike is for a serious trail rider or racer, but if you have the money and just want a really nice bike than go for it.
Similar Products Used: jamis dakar xam and intense 6.6 and specialized enduro
Bike Setup: full xt drivetrain and fox suspension
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Submitted by
Patrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Duluth, GA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2010
Bottom Line:
This is an update on a previous review for the 5.5 EVP, but more importantly it is a review of Intense Cycles. My experience with customer service (or customer no-service) at Intense has been mixed during the almost 2 years I have owned the 5.5. 3 weeks ago I noticed a hairline crack at the bottom of the seat tube, contacted Reality Bikes in Cumming, GA and they sent the frame back to Intense. I did not have very high expectations for how Intense would handle the repair. When I picked up my frame I was told Intense had repaired the crack and added a gusset to prevent any further issues. Much to my surprise, Intense had also completely refurbished the frame with updated components replacing the original links and bearings with the 2010 version of the VPP linkages and had also replace the linkage bearings with angular contact bearings and they also had added the grease ports to the frame as well as refurbishing the ‘raw’ finish and had replaced the old worn and faded decals with all new ones.
I had not asked for any of the upgraded components, just to have my frame repaired or replaced as necessary. Intense Cycles has gone way above what would be considered normal customer service and have created a huge proponent of their products and their outstanding customer service.
Submitted by
Rubelnaldo
a Weekend Warrior
from Dusseldorf, Germany
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2010
Strengths: The Tracer VP is one of the best All Mountain Bikes around, if not the best. If used it for 3 months now and works really well in all circumstances, you can use it for long tours with slim ityres and a longer stem. I also frequently take it to the bike park with thick tyres and short stem, it works very well on the descents, very responsive back and well balanced. It may not climb as well as some other CC Fullys, but the all round capabilities are great!
Weaknesses: Some minor noises from the VPP; bolts on VPP may come loose every once in a while
Bottom Line:
Not a cheap bur definitely a very good all mountain bike. If you are willing to spend that extra $, go for it, you won't be disappointed.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Enduro; Bergamont Big Air Team
Bike Setup: Fox Talas RLC, Fulcrum Red Metal 3 wheels, Hope V2 brakes
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
athowell
a Weekend Warrior
from Durango, CO, US
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2010
Strengths: Plush, smooth ride, and the burly frame with Fox suspension absorbs the bumps really well. The height of the bottom bracket makes for more upright torso positioning while riding, which is more comfortable for me than the typical hunched-over cross-country setup. Plus it handles turns well. It handles the downhill sections with ease and brings a smile to my face. It's made in the U.S.A.
Weaknesses: Some of the cable housing has questionable positioning around the pivot points, although it might have been determined by those who built the bike. The price given above was just for the frame. The rear triangle construction is questionable how the aluminum piece runs right behind nobs on the tire. It's no problem though.
Bottom Line:
I'd recommend this bike to anyone who loves technical rocky trails, long xc rides, or to aggressive riders in general.
Weaknesses: none detected yet...ive had no hint of the flexy rear that some of the people have mentioned.
Bottom Line:
Layman's review here:
Bike is beautiful to look at and ride. My wife suprised me with this..my dream bike.. on my 40th bday. She said it was my last toy as all new toys will be going to our soon to be born son! Fine with that..don't need anything else after this!
Coming off my stumpy FSR..which I loved at the time..I noticed immediately the great handling of the Tracer. Climbs great(sticks firmly to the ground with the VPP) Descends like a beast and challenges me to push faster despite my age. Hits the small, bumpy flats like you're gliding, corners awesome. Everything u want in a bike including pride of american ownership. The difference in energy efficiencies even after a short hr ride due to the bike's design and craftmanship is amazing.
The best thing I can say is that everytime I ride this bike I grin ear to ear.. for how awesome the bike is..and how awesome my wife is!! Luv u Em!!
Similar Products Used: Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Santa Cruz SuperLite, GT I-Drive 3.0, Mongoose IBOC
Bike Setup: CRC Limited Blue Edition Blue-XT build kit 6" Travel setup,Specialized Command Post, Fox 32 Talas 150 Fit Fork, Fox RP23BV shock. Weight: 29.5 lbs
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Submitted by
StephenJay
a Weekend Warrior
from Covina
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2010
Strengths: Beautiful to look at. My favorite bike to stare at in my garage. The idea of grease ports to keep the VPP pivot noises at bay.
Weaknesses: Extremely flexy rear triangle. Chain rub in small ring using Truvative cranks. Grease ports very difficult to actually use.
Bottom Line:
I want to love this bike. It looks great in flat black (with most stickers removed). Intense has a storied name and it is locally made. I found Intense's support via email to be good. However, the lateral flex in the rear triangle feels weird out of some corners and when landing small off-camber drops. It also causes noises in the rear dropouts unless the skewer is super tight. Grab the rear tire of a Tracer and rock it back and forth firmly and watch the chain stays wiggle. I’ve checked countless bikes and this is the most flex I’ve ever found. A related problem is the tire rub (on the seat stays) when climbing out of the saddle in the smallest ring and 2.3 tires. I've noticed this with two different tires. In the long travel mode, the tire also rubs the front of the rear triangle when you go down significant drops (bottoms on the frame). I never use the LT mode because of this, which is a bummer. Then there is the annoying rub on the stock pivot bolts when using Truvative cranks and the small chain ring. Intense sent me new (shorter) pivot bolts to fix this, but then you lose the lock rings on the bolts. I’d hate to have a bolt back out on me during a ride, and I’m guessing they put those stock lock rings on for good reason. The grease ports have been a big frustration for me - I only get grease in the fame 1 out of 6 tries. Instead, it usually oozes around the port. Probably user error, but I'm not that inept... it should be easier than this. I enjoy the bike despite all these problems, but I'm disappointed that Intense didn't solve these little details on what might be their best selling frame. With just a little more R&D this could have been my favorite trail bike to date.
Similar Products Used: Ventana El Saltamontes w/ 6" rocker (AM/Enduro setup)
Bike Setup: Fox 36, Industry ( N'duro wheels, 6" rear susp, Felt Revox 1.5/90x0 stem, Edge carbon rise bar, Thomson Masterpiece Setback seatpost, Fizk Tundra carbon saddle, Avid Elixir CR Mag 203/185 brakeset, RaceFace/XTR/Sram X0 transmission, Crank Bros. Acid 3 pedals, Nokon cables, King 1.5 sottovoce headset
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Submitted by
southerndandy
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2010
Strengths: great riding bike before frame failure
Weaknesses: Frame failure inevitable, Terrible customer service from Intense. Crappy warranty person (Chad). Hope you like spending a lot for total disappointment.
Bottom Line:
I spent a lot of money to not be riding. Warranty dept. dishonest about avialability of replacement rear-triangle. They admit their frames are defective and are totally remorseless, misleading and incompetent. If you have a Tracer VP, make sure it breaks before warranty is up, and buy another bike so that you can sell the Tracer to some sucker when, and if you ever get a replacement.
Weaknesses: Where should I start? Well, the rear triangle was way out of alignment....I needed to use all my force to put the back end back together after service. Bearings wear out very quickly and require way more service than prior bikes. The grease zirks failed and I had to replace each 2-3 time before I got some that actually worked. The shoulder bolts are 30 plus bucks each and last maybe 2 rear end servicing. I could never get the play out of the lower link bearings.....The only reason I did not feel it riding was that fact it was so out of alignment it took up the slap. My crank, XTR 960, would not work. I guess they changed this. I bought this bike for it's "Made in the USA" quality. But I was very very disappointed. I heard the ealy frames were made by someone other than Intense and this could be the problem. I sold the POS and I am back on a Specialized Enduro and have NO issues. To bad.
Bottom Line:
Do Not get this bike PERIOD. The ride is great, but workmanship is the worst I have seen hands down. I can ride the Enduro for months without issue...no servicing and if it does have a problem they will back it up. Sorry Intense.
Bike Setup: XT/XTR mix, Fox TALAS 36, Crossmax SX.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
leszazas
a Weekend Warrior
from FRANCE
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2010
Strengths: Geometry, VPP2 to a certain point, made in the continental US
Weaknesses: Flexy rear end under power, rear shock activation ratio
Bottom Line:
What a disapointment ! I bought my Tracer more than 1 year ago and at first the rear was flexy like a bubble gum frame. And I had play on the lower link bearings every MONTH ! I'm now a master in changing the bearing ! Nobody was able to help me. Who am I to say the rear of my precious Intense is flexy ?
Then I found the problem: crush tubes between lower bearings were too long inducing not enough torque on the angular contact bearings. These need to be squize to work with no play.
Ah, then it was better. It goes from castrophic flexy to flexy under power. I definitivly feel it during climb. You need to cranck harder than with other bikes with the same components. As I swap frame keeping my component I'm really sure it's the frame. Test it: apply brakes and while seated cranck the upper pedal. Ouups, you will see the bottom bracket going side way. It's impressive.
Now the rear shock. You simply go all the way through the middle of the travel. If you put more pressure you will have a very harsh bike. May be the 2010 fox with boost valve help, didn't try. Be aware that a slight change in pressure make a big riding change, which make setup difficult. I made a mod, reducing the air sleeve volume as explain here: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=503070. It's better, but far from perfect
Positive points: the geometry (a Large for me) is perfect, the VPP2 seems to work great until a certain point and with rear shock setup perfectly done and shock modified. That make many conditions for a bike that should be very good out of the box, no ?
Ah yes I put "made in the US" in postive point. I don't now where you work, but I'd like to keep my job too.
So to conclude, maybe you will be able to make the rear shock works, you still will have to cranck harder than competitor. Maybe carbon lower and upper link like the Nomad will help ? It's still a big disapointment for me, and so many times invested to try to find the flaws.
Strengths: Versatility. It can be built up to be a heavy duty all mountain bike or a long travel xc rig.
Weaknesses: None so far. Maybe a little pricey, but I got an insane deal on it brand new.
Bottom Line:
This bike has done everything I could have asked of it. There's no "the one" bike to please everyone, but this is the one for me. Obviously, the components you build your bike with make a huge difference, as do your riding style/expectations/geometry/etc. I actually took a blind leap and got lucky, but go demo one and see for yourself. I have it set up with an adjustable 160mm fork and keep it in 6" mode full time. The bike feels nice and stiff and tracks really well. It climbs amazing and drops beyond my expectations. I have the new RP23 with Boost Valve; no pedal bob and plush enough to handle the 3-5 foot drops and big rollers I routinely ride.
I ride with a guy who was forced to sell his because his shop stopped carrying them, and every time we ride together he says he regrets it. The same guy has a revolving bike collection including a Nomad, a Blur LTC and a Mojo. I think it speaks volumes that he still pines for the Tracer.
Bike Setup: 36 Talas RC2, XT comps, Easton Havoc AM wheelset, Formula Mega brakes, Thomson post, Syncros 70mm stem, Cane Creek 110 headset, EA70 bars
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Submitted by
ScottRacer88
a Racer
from Golden, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2009
Strengths: Climbs like a hard tail, descends like a light nimble DH bike, really an amazing bike. I raced some DH and some 4X on it and ride it cross county all the time. Super D here I come.
Weaknesses: Lateral flex in the rear triangle, the bike sorta shimmies around a little, but has a really good feel on the trail regardless. Costs twice as much as my car, but worth it.
Bottom Line:
Basically it the first trail bike I have owned, but I have done my research and ridden alot of bikes. This is where it is at, the Jack or all Trades. I have been running it on the 5.5 inch setting in the rear with the stock 160mm fox up front, this rakes out the front end a bunch. Honestly it still climbs amazing, it doesn't want to wheelie too much, I ride standing up a lot, as well though. But then on the descents it rallies like a DH bike. I would recommend this bike to every one, it is very versatile with all the different build options and adjustments, it can be tailored to fit almost every riding style.
On the top pivot there are some washers where the link mounts to the toptube. I noticed some movement in the link. When I undid the bolts, one bolt only had one washer on the outs Read More »
Just curious what setting people are riding their Tracers in 5.5 or 6" and what kind of terrain you mostly ride. I just tried out the 6" setting and I love the plushness but it se Read More »
I may have the opportunity to swap my 2010 TVP frame for a 2011 T2 same size, color, wear-n-tear(very little) for $250 - long story on how & why but it's all legit.
I absolutely Read More »
Curious. I've heard that the Tracer 2 rear triangle is stiffer than the VP it replaced, and that the Carbine is simply stiff all around due to carbon construction. Compared to the Read More »
I'm attempting this, but finding a compatibility issue between the frame and the 2 x 10 specific Shimano XTR m985 front derailleur. The seat tube transitions ever so slightly, such Read More »
