|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Big Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Corona, CA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Fullerton Loop (only because it was my backyard) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | frame/Bike Co; components/other stores | | Strengths: | Well I've ridden this bike since March 2001. Back in my earlier posting I said I would give it another posting since I've only had three rides on the Tracer. 200+ rides later I have to say this bike is a do it all! Back in 2001 I had a hard time transitioning from a hardtail w/2.5" travel to a f/s w/a 5" fork (w/lockout). Shortly I was able to time when to 'lockout' the fork and the rear suspension. I'm sure if I had a 3-4" fork I would have climbed better but never the less, the Tracer climbed very well for me for all the trails in So Cal. Descending was truly awesome. Prior to 2005 I was running 2.1s and it handles all the technical singletracks w/out any problems. Sometime this year I switched to 2.4s and the ride was 10x better on the descends. Overall, the 4" rear travel was perfect for the semi-freeride sections of SoCal. | | Weaknesses: | Chainslap on chainstay. As I got more aggressive on descends, the chainslap became annoying! | | Similar Products Used: | Intense 5.5, Intense VPX, Santa Cruz VP Free | | Bike Setup: | Back in 2001: From the top: Easton CT2 Riser Bars, RaceFace Team SL H/S, RaceFace System, Oury grips, Sram 9.0SL brake levers, XTR shifters,Marzocchi Z-1 MCR w/lockout, Thompson Seatpost, SDG BelAir saddle w/Ti rails, RaceFace NextLPs w/ISIS spline, Bebop pedals, XTR cassette,rear derailleur, front derailleur, V-brakes and hubs, Mavic 517CD w/Panaracer FireXC tires.
2004/2004 changed to Hayes Disc Brakes; Vuelta Wheelsets & 2.4 Panaracers | | Bottom Line: | I just reently bought an Intense 5.5. I will miss riding my Tracer as it served me well through the years. For those who love riding mtbs, who know how important our rigs are! Bottom line, I would recommend this bike to anyone; however if they have a little bit more $$$ and wants to step up to a 5.5 or VPX I would rather go that route. Cant miss w/Intense bikes!
Ride HARD, Ride FAST!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek
a Cross Country Rider
from Philadelphia
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Thunder Mountain, UT | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Strengths: | Great geometry, handles like a dream. | | Weaknesses: | Lots of maintenence. Excessive chain slap. | | Similar Products Used: | Ellesworth Truth, Santa Heckler, Klein Androit | | Bike Setup: | Manitou X-Vert super, Race Face Turbine, XTR deraileurs and hubs, Avid Archrival, monkeylite carbon, Thompson post and stem, Mavic 517 rims. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rides awesome. Have ridden Ellesworth and Santa Cruz - this bike just seems to fit me better and handles like its attatched to my hands and feet. 4 inches of plush front and rear travel to ride out the bumps, yet climbs like most hardtails with little bobbing noted. Have lockout rear shock but never need to use. I will say though, this bike does require frequent maintenence. Bushing bolts, especially in rear by rear drop outs do need occasional tightening. Even after a drop of locktight they backout after aggressive riding. Might have to change bushings. Also I snapped the bottom link bolt just behind the bottom bracket and had to push my bike 7 miles back to the parking lot. WHAT A HASTLE! Was in Utah and had to rent bike for 3 days. Contacted Intense by email, they had a bolt to me (plus 2 extra) in a week. But when you ride 5-6x a week, thats five or six days withour your baby. Anyway. Awesome bike, however not for those who want a relatively maintenence free bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BUCK CULP
a Weekend Warrior
from AUSTIN TX. 78736
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ALL THE AUSTIN TRAILS | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | WRENCHSCIENCE.COM | | Strengths: | THIS BIKE IS ADJUSTABLE FOR ANY TYPE OF TERRAIN AND TO ANY TYPE OF RIDER. THE FRAME IS BULLIT-PROOF,STIFF,NOT TOO HEAVY AND IS A WORK OF ART. | | Weaknesses: | CHEEZY GRAPHICS. STICKERS ARE STARTING TO PEEL A LITTLE | | Similar Products Used: | KLEIN MANTRA COMP | | Bike Setup: | RACE FACE SP,HB,STEM SRAM SHIFTERS, MANITOU BLACK FORK, TRU-VATIVE CRANK | | Bottom Line: | COMBINE THIS FRAME WITH A MANITOU BLACK FORK AND YOU HAVE THE ULTIMATE TRAIL BIKE.SET THE FORK TO 3" TRAVEL AND CLIMB LIKE A GOAT, SET THE FORK TO 4"TRAVEL AND JUST BOMB (NOT TO MENTION THE REAR TRAVEL, CHAIN STAY LENGTH AND HEAD ANGLE ARE ALL ADJUSTABLE AS WELL).THIS BIKE HAS GIVEN ME SCARY CONFIDENCE.I RIDE FAIRLY AGGRESSIVE 3 TIMES A WEEK ON SOME VERY TECHNICAL TRAILS AND I HAVE YET TO LAY THIS SWEET RIDE OVER(A WEEKLY OCCURRENCE ON THE KLEIN).
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING A HIGH-END BIKE SUCH AS AN INTENSE LOOK NO FURTHER THAN WRENCHSCIENCE.COM!!! AFTER ENTERING SEVERAL MEASUREMENTS AND PICKING A FRAME, THE WEBSITE WILL ONLY LET YOU PICK COMPATABLE BUILD-KITS AND COMPONENTS AND WILL SIZE THE COMPONENTS TO BUILD A PERFECT CUSTOM RIDE.
THE WEB SITE IS A FRONT FOR MEDINA CYCLEWORKS WITH PROFESSIONAL BIKE BUILDERS AND NOT JUST A WAREHOUSE.
ALL THIS AND THE BIKE WAS ABOUT $150 CHEAPER THAN THEIR COMPETITOR AND HAD BY FAR THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE( THEY SENT ME TWO FREE TIOGA TIRES WHEN I BIATCHED ABOUT UPS SCRATCHING THE FRAME!
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE ULTIMATE TRAIL BIKE, GO TO WRENCHSCIENCE.COM AND GIT YOU A TRACER! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Backbone | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Variety - pieced together | | Strengths: | Lateral stability; Nimble and quick on the technical track; Very stable down hill; plush active suspension in the rear. | | Weaknesses: | Contrary to many other reviews, I do not think that it climbs very well.
Intense customer service is very poor, it is almost impossible to get a response out of them. All who answer the phone come across as ignorant arrogant punks. Thr arrogance would be tolerable if they were not so ignorant and unwilling to help. I mistakenly thought that customer support was for the customer??!! | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized (no lateral stability); G. Fisher Sugar, Kona Stinky D
| | Bike Setup: | Monkey Lite bars (1" rise)Full XTR, XT disc, Chris King headset and hubs, Velocity aerodisc wheels (hot... strong and light!)psylo SL fork | | Bottom Line: | An expensive bike but the best I've ridden! It has given me loads of confidence on the steep technical stuff and allows me to handle fairly big drops. On hills that I blaze up with on an old heavy hard tail give me problems. A great bike but you have to work hard going up... I guess that's the trade off. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tyron park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$4300.00 | | Purchased At: | Park Ave Bike Shop | | Strengths: | light but strong, adjustability, the ride | | Weaknesses: | not superlight, exspensive, can't portage it on shoulder | | Similar Products Used: | Klein hardtail, Klein mantra Pro | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Mars Elite, Easton monkey lites, Thompson post, Time attacks, Race face isis, Avid V-brakes and levers, Custom wheel set(Velocity, American Classic, Bullseye)Conti tires, King headset. | | Bottom Line: | All that is reported good on this bike is true. This is an incredible bike. I weigh 180 pounds a race xc aggressively. This bike weighs in at 25.5 pounds(size large!) and just feels rock solid all over. No flex anywhere. The suspension is fully active from any position while still being relatively firm under power. Descending on a tracer will surely make you crash. The bike has the ability to take downhills much faster than most riders skill levels will allow! There is only a slight amount of bob in small gears but not enough to rob any significant power (besides the fox shock has a lockout lever). Standing and sprinting will cause some increased bob but it stays in check with the bike. The two bearings nearest the bottom bracket were contaminated within 2 months of mostly dry riding so monthly bearing maintenance is required. The lower bearing pivot axle sheared about a month ago for no apparent reason but I think it was just one of those freak things since no one else with a Tracer has had this problem. Overall this bike is amazing. I would reccomend it to anyone who rides aggressively and larger riders who XC race on technical courses. Save your money and buy a dream. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from Morgan Hil
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Henry Cole | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Goes anywhere | | Weaknesses: | The Rear hanger!!!!! I have been down for a month the hanger on my bike is not replaceable. Intense is charging me freight and warrenting the frame | | Similar Products Used: | Specilazed, Giant, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Hayes hydrolics, X-Vet, Easton Risers, Mavic tubeless, etc | | Bottom Line: | For $ 3,000 bucks the hanger should not have these issues | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Florida
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Reddick Fl. | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Brintnall bicycle center | | Strengths: | Great workmanship,EXELLENT CUST. SERVICE,adjustability-(having 3 shock and 2 chainstay adjustments make it a very versital bike,sweet looking,very stiff for a f/s bike bike.Handles like a dream!! | | Weaknesses: | The powdercoat on mine started to chip badly after about 3 months of use.derailer slap due to horst link. | | Similar Products Used: | specilized m-4,gt I-drive race | | Bike Setup: | Tracer frame,Marzocci z-2 x-fly fork,crossmax ust tubeless wheels,chris king headset,kore elight stem 135x0,easton monkey light carbon riser bars,easton ea-50 seatpost,sdg satilite seat,race face next lp cranks(isis)& bottom bracket,race face rings,XTR-front & rear derailers,cassette,brakes,shifters/brake levers,time atac carbon pedals,salsa skewers(ti-rear),odi lock on grips(ruffian),hutchinson ust python tires,the(intense)chainstay protector,gore ride on cables.Weight-25.6 pds on shop scale. | | Bottom Line: | I reviewed this bike about a year and a half ago,but I thought this bit of info is relevent.Like I mentioned above the powdercoat on my frame started to chip badly after about 3 months of use.So I called Intense and told them about it.I spoke with Greg in warranty and he said knew of a problem that exsisted with a couple of runs of tracers may have defective powdercoat.He told me to send it back and they would re-coat it.Since I was in the middle of a race series and doing well I didnt want to send it back right away.No problem he said call me when your ready and Ill send you a call tag.So I sent it back when the series ended.While I tore the bike down I thought it might be cool get thr swingarm on my bike painted,since mine had a polished one on my bike and was tired of keeping up that polished alum.So I called greg again and asked if that was possible and how much would it cost?Expecting him to shoot me a price of $100 or so,he said no problem we will do it for FREE!!To make a long story short in the end Intense recoated my frame including the swingarm in a custom color(yellow),new style stickers and headbadge,all new bearing pivots,new shock mount bolts & a new derailer hanger!!All at NO CHARGE!!!Plus they sent me a 3 day delivery call tag to and from the shop where I bought it.The only down side was it took about 5 1/2 weeks to get my ride back.But let me say this,Greg at Intense was great to deal with,always polite and informative he did everything I expected and more.I feel with some of the other high end bikes in this class(Ellsworth Truth & Turner 02)the tracer is a all round better bike for about$400 less.I love my bike and greg and Intense gave me one more reason to stay a loyal Intense fan.Since it took me to 5 podium finishes in 6 races(including 2 wins & a couple of VERY close seconds in 30-39 sport class) I have No complaints at all on its performance,perfect.Buy one ,you wont be sorry. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rikos Zervopoulos
a Weekend Warrior
from Athens Greece
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3800.00 | | Purchased At: | Broadribbs UK | | Strengths: | Good and solid built. Friendly and very easy all around ride. | | Weaknesses: | The anoying noise when the rear deralliur hits the frame. Terrible graphics on decals. I had to cut around the letters all the crappy carbon look part. | | Similar Products Used: | My first full suspension bike was a Klein Mantra witch is not that similar to the Tracer. I have ridden GT idrives also. | | Bike Setup: | Small size frame, Manitou Supernova 120m fork, XTR mecs with Gripshift's Rocket Shorty shifters and Hope XC4 discbrakes. RaceFace's Tubline crank, Sys stem, XY seatpost. Selle Italia Flight Gel seat, Easton MonkeyLite CT2 low riser bar and ChrisKing headset. Mavic317 disc rims with Hope bulb hubs and Intense CC 2.25 tires. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike for weekend rides. I ride in Greece and there are not any made mountain bike ride trails. So I actually do a little bit of everything. My favorite type of ride is downhill technical trails. I think that the Tracer is excellent for that use. My bike set up is a little funny with the 120mm travel fork and the 2.25 tires but it rocks on downhill this way. I might try to put a Fox fork when these become available. It is heavy but it's so comfortable on uphill that it doesn't matter. I can feel some vibration on front wheel during slow speed turns, while the handling isn't the best but I think that it has to do with the long fork and the big fat tires I use. I havn't broke the rear derailleur hanger yet but it feels like sooner or later it will. Finally I think that if someone wants to by only one bike, capable for (almost) any type of ride the Traser is by far the best. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Harvey Fujimoto
a Weekend Warrior
from Wheat Ridge, CO
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | Mojo Wheels | | Strengths: | I have owned this bike for over 1 1/2 years, and I still LOVE it! I did need to have the rear deraileur and brake cables shortened slightly to avoid their rubbing the inside of my legs, and also needed to put a little "padding" on the front part of the rear derailleur to eliminate it banging on the rear linkage, but there are no inherent faults that I can find with this bike/frame. The 4 inches of travel is sufficient to add comfort and traction to climbs, as well as a little "shredding" element to descents, without being overly heavy or unresponsive. | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first full-suspension bike - my previous hardtails were: Dean Titanium w/XTR and Z2 A-Bomb; Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo w/LX and Rock Shox Q10; Diamond Back Ascent EX w/LX | | Bike Setup: | 9-speed full XT w/Grip Shift Attack; Sid 100; Mavic 517 Grey Ano w/DT spokes; Panaracer Fire XC Pro Comps;Thompson post/Avocet O2 Saddle; Control Tech stem/Bar/bar ends; SPD737 | | Bottom Line: | This bike is pricey, but if you indulge yourself, you will not regret it! As an aging weekend warrior, I appreciate the fact that this bike allows me to still ride trail sections that I probably wouldn't attempt on a hardtail. It also soothes my not-so-toughened tush with a cush ride! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fishboy
a Cross Country Rider
from Eastern PA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Strengths: | Proven suspension design that works and is light. Beefy swingarm and frame.. A perfect bike for aggressive XC riding, and even racing.. The bike is so light and responsive it's SO MUCH FUN to lift up and get air off any jump or drop... And it climbs better than most hard tails... | | Weaknesses: | Not much except for Deraileur hanger.. BUY A FEW EXTRA and keep them with you. I broke one after about a month. In addition zip tie a piece of bike tube on your derailer to stop the annoying slap.. (all of these are already posted on MTBR.. Nice.) | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, Voodoo Canzo. | | Bike Setup: | Black 2001 Frame, Race Face Cranks, Mavic 517 Cer w/XTR. XTR brakes and Thompson Post and Stem w/Synchros bars. Sella Italia Flite Gel Saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is that this bike was perfect for me because I wanted an all around bike that can do it all and hold up to my aggressive riding and the East Coast technical rocky terrian. You get what you pay for and this is definetly worth it. It gets funner to ride with every ride and I can't stop looking at it as it looks so sweet and rides even better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sprint
a Cross Country Rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Junkie | | Strengths: | The whole thing. This is the best riding bike I have owned. | | Weaknesses: | Poor decals (mine are coming off already). Otherwise I have no complaints so far. | | Similar Products Used: | IBIS Sazbo. ProFlex 856 | | Bike Setup: | Race Face Cranks, XTR Rapid Fire Shifters and Rear Deraileur, Chris King Headset, Marzocchi Z.1 MCR, Hayes Mechanical Disc Brakes, Hayes Elite Hubs, Sun Zero Degree wheels, | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is I recomend this bike to anyone who enjoys mountainbiking and is looking for a reliable frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sprint
a Cross Country Rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Junkie | | Strengths: | The whole thing. This is the best riding bike I have owned. | | Weaknesses: | Poor decals (mine are coming off already). Otherwise I have no complaints so far. | | Similar Products Used: | IBIS Sazbo. ProFlex 856 | | Bike Setup: | Race Face Cranks, XTR Rapid Fire Shifters and Rear Deraileur, Chris King Headset, Marzocchi Z.1 MCR, Hayes Mechanical Disc Brakes, Hayes Elite Hubs, Sun Zero Degree wheels, | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is I recomend this bike to anyone who enjoys mountainbiking and is looking for a reliable frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob the Techno-Slut
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Slickrock | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike shop | | Strengths: | Everything.The workmanship,adjustable geometry+travel,all-cartridge bearing rear end,and the plush yet mostly bob-free performance never leaves me wanting.This is the ultimate racer/trailbike(that is,until I get my Monolink).All it takes is 20 minutes and a few tools to make the switch.Climbs so well you'd swear it was a hardtail,but descends beautifully too.Mine weighs about 25 lbs,and that's with fairly average weight parts--nothing too stupidly light.That's competitive with most new XC full-suspension designs,but this bike also doubles as a trail machine!Set it up with 4" f&r and HAMMER AWAY!
If you could only have one bike this is the one to get..... | | Weaknesses: | Decals are cheap,and the paint is a little too thin and easy to scratch.But that's okay.I never baby my bikes!Price is a little much too.That $1800 listed above covers the FRAME only!But trust me,it may be your last.. | | Similar Products Used: | Prior bike was a '96 Rockhopper.Not even close!
Demos:Ellsworth Truth,Specialized S-Works FSR-XC,Aeon Isis,Cannondale Raven,and Santa Cruz Heckler | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR,Marzocchi Z1 X-Fly 100mm fork,4" travel/standard angle setup,Syncros Hardcore post,Easton stem,Easton EA70 riser,Selle Italia XO saddle,Time ATAC pedals,Mavic Crossride wheels | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks my world.I cut my teeth with full suspension on this bike,and the verdict is unanimous:I will NEVER touch a hardtail again!!The Tracer is worlds beyond any bike I have ever ridden,INCLUDING every machine in the above box.As good as the competitors are,Intense still has the high-end FS market to itself.I have never regretted laying down the cash for this awesome machine.It is a hefty chunk of change,but it's SOOO worth it--the perfect do-all bike.The only reason it's leaving me is because I'm making room for my new Maverick Monolink!Sniff..sniff..bye bye Tracer,I'll miss you... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian Foo
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any challenging trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Wheels n Boards | | Strengths: | Frame, looks great, components, weight, great XC suspension | | Weaknesses: | costs $$$$$, but probably worth it | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyll 3000, Yeti ASR, Ironhorse Ginsu (all with reviews | | Bike Setup: | manitou XVERT super, Fox vanilla float rc, Shimano XTR drivetrain and brakes, Easton handlebar, Kore Elite Stem, Chris King Hubs, Intense tires | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike, no complaints, unless u cant afford a top of the line mountain bike. Components added up give u the best | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jack
a Cross Country Rider
from newport beach
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | rattlesnake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | laguna cyclery | | Strengths: | double beef-a-lo welds and gussets, Intense name and prowess, cockpit comfort and balance | | Weaknesses: | suspension works so well, its hard to feel what's going on beneath the bike...darn. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Sugar 3, santa cruz superlight | | Bike Setup: | easton riser bar and stem, nokian beazobeano rubber on sun ds-1 xc rims w/xt hubs, shimano disc brakes, xtr drivetrain, rock shox psylo sl 2002 fork | | Bottom Line: | after lengthy research on this most excellent website, I came to the conclusion that this was the bike for me and proceeded to shop all avenues including internet bike/build sites. But because of the price, I wanted to be able to look someone in the eye should things go awry with any of the components. Patrick at Laguna Cyclery handled the transaction materfully with continued support on tweakings.
Everything aforementioned about the bike is absolutely true, just point it at any rock garden, ledge drop, stairs (up or down) and hammer it. The bike just floats over the obstacle. It truly makes you a better rider, no longer having to pick your way up or down a track. I had to bull#$@% my wife on the price, but man'o'man is it worth it! Other guys riding the tracer were very open and candid on the trail about the bike which helped in my decision. This is why we work! Mucho maxo chiles, arriba! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Racer
from London
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Monte Brione, Italy | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Very well made (look at the quality of the welds). Laterally stiff. Superb handling. Eye catching. | | Weaknesses: | The aforementioned chain and rear mech slap. Fox rear shock not quite as adjustable as SID (very minor). | | Similar Products Used: | Giant XCX, Mountaincycle San Andreas, Cannondale, Marin Mount Vision. | | Bike Setup: | RaceFace cranks, stem, risers & headset. Shimano discs& rear mech. Mavic Crosslink wheels. Sram Rocket shifters. Syncross seat post. SID SL fork. Time attac pedals. Flite saddle | | Bottom Line: | The bike is a real piece of art. It looks wonderful and the ride is even better. It climbs excellently and descends like nothing else inspiring real confidence. The suspension doesn't seem to move that much when you're on it but that's decieving as once you get off you can see how much that little rubber ring on the stanchion has moved. Perhaps a little on the heavy side for real racing but if the course is technical you'll be sailing past the hardtails. The one problem I have is the SID SL fork just doesn't match the plushness of the rear and so I may well try the Duke 100 once the racing season ends which should help.
Overall very pricey (£1400 for the frame in the UK!!) but you pays your money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bugeye
a Cross Country Rider
from Morristown, NJ
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | American Standard, Jim Thorpe | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeSource | | Strengths: | This bike is incredible. Even set at the slacker head angle, longer wheelbase and longer travel settings, it outclimbs my prior FS bike (SuperV) and hardtail. Very stable, and easy to power over obstacles.
Rear derailleur slap is annoying…don’t mind the noise as much as I worry about my deralleur falling off one day 20 miles from the trail head.
For those pining for a new FS ride, I give this a hearty two thumbs up. I had considered the Foes FXC and Santa Cruz superlight, but decided that since my prior bike was a single pivot, I would try the FSR design. The positive reviews in the bike mags and on MTBR helped a great deal too. I wanted to use my LBS, but they had an minimum 8 week wait, and couldn’t guarantee my color coice. So I checked out all the mail orders, and found Bike Source to be the most competitive. If you shop with them, ask for Nate or Dave. Great advice, and a great shopping experience.
| | Bike Setup: | Tracer with Judy Race, Fox Float RC, 4 inches front/rear, XT group, Avid Discs, XT/Sun DS-1 XC wheels, Bontrager post/bar, Kore stem. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is incredible. Even set at the slacker head angle, longer wheelbase and longer travel settings, it outclimbs my prior FS bike (SuperV) and hardtail. Very stable, and easy to power over obstacles.
Rear derailleur slap is annoying…don’t mind the noise as much as I worry about my deralleur falling off one day 20 miles from the trail head.
For those pining for a new FS ride, I give this a hearty two thumbs up. I had considered the Foes FXC and Santa Cruz superlight, but decided that since my prior bike was a single pivot, I would try the FSR design. The positive reviews in the bike mags and on MTBR helped a great deal too. I wanted to use my LBS, but they had an minimum 8 week wait, and couldn’t guarantee my color coice. So I checked out all the mail orders, and found Bike Source to be the most competitive. If you shop with them, ask for Nate or Dave. Great advice, and a great shopping experience.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Boss Vader
a Cross Country Rider
from Huntington Beach
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2995.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Craftsmanship. Take a close look at the frame. Well engineered, sealed replaceable bearings, variable geometry, nice welds, incredibly stout but still light, cutouts in the proper places to save weight, Flame Head Badge, Absolutely Out-of-Control Finish (Anodized Gray) | | Weaknesses: | Still looking... I don't consider the chain/derailleur slap a weakness, it just part of the Horst Link. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, Trek Fuel 100 | | Bike Setup: | Rockshox Psylo SL, XTR Brakes and Drive Train, Race Face Crankset, Cross Max UST (incredible), Chris King up top, Race Face Stem and Riser Bar, Easton Post, SDG Intense Team Saddle(cool), M747, 4" front and back, ~27lbs | | Bottom Line: | For a guy that used to be a weight weenie, it climbs very well, much better than I expected it would, especially through the rock gardens and techno-twisties... better than my hard tail.
On the descents it’s like butta! Its going to make me lazy, I don't have to pick the perfect line I just relax, lean back a bit and let it carve the turns, who needs to worry about those ruts and rocks anymore. On my first ride I cut 3 minutes off a 40-minute single track descent. The geometry allows me to easily rotate the bike on stair steps/drops and the high bottom bracket gives plenty of clearance. The bike is very stiff laterally and generally just feels solid.
I have it set up "slack" right now and it tracks beautifully , I may try "aggressive" geometry just to see how it handles in the really tight stuff, I like the fact that I can do that, lots of variables to dial in.
Overall this is a superior piece of machinery, everything promised, everything realized, worth every cent I paid. Every ride I am appreciating it more, dialing it more, enjoying it more... Oh by the way did I mention that finish turns heads everywhere I go, not that that matters much ;)
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cosmic Crab
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern Territory, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | behind the bushes | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | London, England | | Strengths: | nuke proof, will take you anywhere your brave enough to go, adjustability, BB hight is crucial - don't have to be conscience of the pedals touching down pedaling around corners. Sealed bearings on pivots.
Likes to be abused constantly.
| | Weaknesses: | Rear derailer slaps on the frame. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR M4, Cannondale Jekyll. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi ATOM 80 fork, hope xc4 disk, Mavic 317 with hope sport hubs, xtr derailer, xtr 9 speed, Race Face turbine crank/rings/BB, Blackspire granny ring cause it's lighter than RF. Thompson elite seat post(couldn't find a carbon one to fit), Easton Monkey light bars, Profile carbon climbing bars, SRAM Rocket shifters, FSA headset, cheap SPD pedals. MAXXIS Hardrive 2.1 Rear, Mofo 1.95 front. | | Bottom Line: | I built this bike from frame up, Intense should provide more info on what componet sizes and setup work the best eg, drive train.
I'm throwing the SRAM shifters away, just don't trust them, rather have the hand space on the grips because the Tracer inspires so much confidence you end up mach 1 everywhere hangin on and your eyes popping out of your head.
The rear shifting is read bad, no bike shop has managed to sort the shifting out, when the suspension becomes active the chain bounces between gears. Going to try XTR rapid fire with a DMR Chain guide.
The rear is set to 3" for XC and to match the ATOM 80's on the front. I'm getting a pair of 4" travel marzocchi's to use on those crazy freeride days when I change the rear to 4" and attach the downhill pedals.
This is truly an awsome ride, light enough for XC and hardcore enough to abuse it. The wheel base feels a bit long in the tight stuff but it's very stable at high speeds.
No illusions here my Tracer weighs in at 28 pounds. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh / Sydney
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Addiction - Manly AU | | Strengths: | (2001) Plush, climbs better than a hardtail, fit & finish of the frame. Adjustability - travel (4"), slackness, wheelbase, etc | | Weaknesses: | Derailuer (sp) hits FSR link on anything above a moderate hit. Takes a while to get used to the high BB. Weight | | Similar Products Used: | Norco VPS, Hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z3 (coil), Mavic 519 wheels (heavy), XT/LX drivetrain, Azonic bits, Deore Hydro Discs (they rule!!) | | Bottom Line: | Lots of stress over spending the green on this, but it appears to be worth it - Plush, fast, controllable. Its a true rocket. For the stuff I ride here - rocky, technical singletrack with many 1-2 ft. drops - its the sh*t. But, if you're on buff singletrack, not really a need - its probably overkill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mick
a Cross Country Rider
from Sun Valley, Idaho, USA
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Warm Springs to Cold Springs | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | local resident | | Strengths: | Lightweight for a FS ride, climbs like a scalded cat, and makes you look cooler than Joe Dirt! High price keeps the riff raff away. Intense linkage is WAY stronger than Specialized versions. Build quality makes you proud to be from the good ol' US of A! Your friends will be jealous! | | Weaknesses: | High price makes the riff raff want to rip it off! Rear derailleur slap is annoying but thats a small price to pay for riding this rig. Your friends will be jealous! | | Similar Products Used: | GT STS ThermoSnap, Cannondale Jekyll, Gary Fischer Sugar. | | Bike Setup: | XTR brakes, shifters and derailleurs, Race Face cranks and stem, Thomson seatpost, Easton riser bar, Mavic Crossmax wheels on XTR hubs with Intense 2.4" tires, SID SL fork, Speedplay pedals, and a partridge in a pear tree. | | Bottom Line: | Five Flamin' Chilis for this bad boy! Absolutely worth every penny you can scrounge up. BIG SMILES every ride guarantee! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Kern
a Cross Country Rider
from Lakewood, CO
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | fruita | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | excel sports | | Strengths: | STABILITY AND BALANCE, great down up across and over the hill. | | Weaknesses: | 0 | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Joshua XO, Ellsworth Truth | | Bike Setup: | 2000 z1 x fly, easton monkey lite, titec stem, thompson seatpost, raceface crank and bb, xtr rest, rolf propel wheels. | | Bottom Line: | bottom line.... this bike is it, I wanted to express the wow factor. I just got two days ago and got one good ride last night. Absolutly incredible, this bike is worth $10k. It just works I almost feel like I stole some of the challenge. I often found myself at the top of my gears wondering if I had any more b/c I knew I could push this thing faster. Plus, she is so stable kind of feel like your in the car you can just lookaround and you know shell roll over anything.
GET A TRACER NOW.
will write a more thorough review in six months, kinda doubt I will have much to say due to my permagrin.
Got a great deal from Josh at Excel Sports he knows his bike and they were so helpfull. Best fitters in the world, They will fit you from cleat position to stem length to seat height, to where your seat should be on the rails. You look down and wonder if there is still a bike under you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike snare
a Cross Country Rider
from london
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | abertillery | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1599.00 | | Purchased At: | cambria | | Strengths: | quality of build, value for money, plush!, overall handling, adjustability | | Weaknesses: | weight, lack of quality user manual. 1 bottle cage | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale, uzzi sl | | Bike Setup: | xtr, king, mavic, thomson | | Bottom Line: | this is the 2001 version.i'd view this bike as a ardcore xc bike capable of crazy downhills an more than usual abuse. compared to turners an elsworth costing more this is an amazin bike for the bucks.
build quality an general amounts of thought that hav gone into this frame are high.cnc, alighment, gussets, headbadge etc
the adjustability of the chainstay lenght an shock position make a big difference to how you want the bike to feel, fast handling, tight feeling xc race bike, or slow handling dh feel bike, this bike is waay overbuilt so it could handle a fair amount of abuse.
now that i've tweaked the ridin position( dont be put off by my apparent lack of ownership time i've just done a 3 week bike holiday in moab and durango!) short chainstay low pivot swingarm, the bike feels plush an fast handling like my FAT TI!
overal this is well made, plush , cliched confidence inspiring! an makes feel wanna ride real fast,
negatives, on long shallow climbs you're gonna feel the excess weight, the lockout helps a lot, but you'll still notice, only 1 bottle cage!! 1, carry bottles or camelback.
rear mech needs 2 b padded otherwise clunk every time u hit a bump. f.mech was tricky 2 adjust '1st. remeber the bike is weighted when ridden. uses a lot of cable outer, remeber 2 buy extra! wider heals/ankles may rub against the wide seatstays, chainstay protector works!
after 15years on a hardtail the conversion was easier than i thought, if u wanna race xc then get M4 fsr, for ardcore xc use this bike is the best effort yet.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Iowa City, Iowa
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | haven't found it yet | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4200.00 | | Strengths: | 1. Climbing improved over hardtail. 2. Technical downhill handling improved over hardtail and other f/s bikes I've ridden. 3. This bike takes tight single-track beautifully, not twitchy, and not slow, it just carves. There's no feeling of oversteering or slackness in this bike. 4. The higher bottom bracket height a definite advantage for clearing roots/logs/rocks. 5. Steering, this bike seems to be able to make a 360 turn as slow/fast as I want! 6. All-around use is incredible with rear lockout on the Fox. | | Weaknesses: | I have found none to date, only cosmetic issue of cables wearing the paint, so just put duct tape underneath, no big deal. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel, GF Sugar, 2 hardtails | | Bike Setup: | 2001 medium frame, Manitou X Vert Super, Hayes, CK, full XTR, Thomson Stem & Post, Easton Monkeylite, Mavic 317 rims, Hugi hubs | | Bottom Line: | Spending this much for a bike was unsettling and I was hoping for a noticeable improvement over the others, plus I was used to mainly riding a hardtail. I worried over loosing the "climbing" aspect of a hardtail and its ability to carve tight single track, and that a full suspension would be slower and "dull". The first time on this bike I was blown away by the complete and utter control I suddenly had. To my amazement, climbing was improved, and I can say VASTLY! My rearend tracks much better on rocks and rooty trails now with so much less spin-out, and crazy enough where I had to stand to hammer up rooted climbs, I can actually stay seated! I descend so much faster and smoother I'm stoked that my speed averages and max's are way improved. More confidence to go faster, I'm in control on this bike! Technical downhill is as fast or slow as I want, this bike soaks up the hits and I'm finding more ride time because of less fatique. The bottom bracket height gives that extra clearance over roots and log clearing. I can't say enough about how it takes tight single track. No overstearing sloppiness or twitchy hardtail feel. The anxiety over spending this much disappeared after the 6th ride. I've been in 6 States with the Tracer, in all sorts of conditions, and there is no weakening in the rear, no creaks, no problems. I've had this bike so coated in mud you couldn't tell the color of it. Spray it down, lube the contact points and its another day. Flipping the lever on the Vanilla Fox RC is simple for long rides to trailheads, it instantly locks out the rear. I don't understand the comments on decals, the 2001 are very high-quality and the paint is powder-coated and extremely tough. The attention to detail on this frame, the welds, the seatmast, etc., I can't stop looking at it. Yeah, I'm very happy over this decision. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Manny E.
a
from Austin,Tx.
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | The Bike Company | | Bottom Line: | ******This is my Product UPDATE******
So far it's been a dream to own/ride this TRACER!
There's a lot of bikes I could've bought - but I'm still glad I got this one!
PERFORMANCE. The TRACER has no noticable 'monkey-motion'. I 've been messing with the Fox FLOAT RC's pressure settings,and sag,but it's still all good! I've had no funny noises in the frame. 'Chainslap/Rear Derailleur pop' was one of my original issues: The fix I made (Back in JAN. 2001) is still working good. This bike responds like a fighter jet!
I'm moving up to some Crossmax wheels. With so much shock absorption in the bike frame,I figure that I can use really stiff wheels.
PAINT/DECALS . I've gotta say that the paint is taking a beating!(The decals have always been a bit 'low quality,but I don't really care,so much.) ** If you want to get your bike re-painted professionally,take note: all INTENSE frames are POWERCOATED at the factory! This word comes from the guys at Intense,themselves. They don't spray coat them!!
The BOTTOM LINE. Dudes ~ I am so stoked on this bike,still!! It was the best choice for me.(6'-1",200lbs) I could've gotten an Ellsworth 'Truth',or Titus 'Racer X',Santa Cruz,YETI,--or whatever else! But this small,professional bike company 'INTENSE',has got its mind in the right place,dig? They make a great,bombproof TRACER bike! --And I'm hoping to get an 'UZZI SL' soon!!
peace.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shib
a Cross Country Rider
from Sac Town, CA
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Demo | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Trailhead Cyclery in San Jose, CA | | Strengths: | Psychokinetic handling on singletrack and downhill. Climbs well enough to make me wonder why people complain about FS bikes not being strong climbers. The rear suspension actually helps that tire stay planted on the climbs. High BB height gives great clearance. Point it and go! | | Weaknesses: | Rear deraileur slap- working on a better solution than rubber zip-tied on. Stock black deraileur hangers CHEESY. Broke mine. Trailhead Cyclery had these sweet machined silver replacement hangers. I bought 4. Put one on my bike, and it hasn't broken yet (knock, knock). Put one in my Camelbak, put another in my toolbox. Sold the last one to a friend in Sac Town who ordered up a Tracer. He read all y'all reviews and noticed the problem. He wants to build the bike up with the machined hanger. Wise man. Why couldn't his LBS get one? Are these hard to get? Cables that move with the suspension wear the paint. Probably gonna end up putting stickers all over my bike. Rear cables wearing from bottom of seatpost hitting them (I have a small frame). | | Similar Products Used: | First FS bike. | | Bike Setup: | Trailhead Cyclery did an AWESOME job building this bike up for me, especially the cable routing. Since this bike was to be my reward for suffering through years of BS at UC Davis, I picked the wee wee poo poo parts list:
King headset and discotech hubs; RaceFace BB, Next cranks, rings; Mavic 317's with DT Revolution spokes; Hayes brakes; Marzzochi Z1 XFly '01; Easton Monkey Lite; XTR deraileurs, 646 pedals, and shifters (that's it for Shimano, thank buddha!); Thomson stem (ditched the RaceFace junk) and seatpost (SRP bolts); Salsa skewers and sp clamp; RazorRock levers; King cage with SRP bolts for those nightrides; etc. | | Bottom Line: | Buy it if you are insane enough to part with the $$$. But, buy it from a good LBS, cause you'll have to work on this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Fullerton
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Fullerton Loop(only because its my backyard) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | frame/The Bike Co; components/JensonUSA, Universal Cycles, Supergo, Beyond Bikes | | Strengths: | Definetely a singletrack seeking bike. Overall...all aspects of mountain biking | | Weaknesses: | I've only had three rides on it. I'm still trying to get used to climbing with a 5" travel fork. So far I've managed to climb most hills that was a piece of cake with my hardtail. Just a little bit more effort. The rear end holds up well on the climbs. More on the next posting. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | From the top: Easton CT2 Riser Bars, RaceFace Team SL H/S, RaceFace System, Oury grips, Sram 9.0SL brake levers, XTR shifters,Marzocchi Z-1 MCR w/lockout, Thompson Seatpost, SDG BelAir saddle w/Ti rails, RaceFace NextLPs w/ISIS spline, Bebop pedals, XTR cassette,rear derailleur, front derailleur, V-brakes and hubs, Mavic 517CD w/Panaracer FireXC tires. | | Bottom Line: | So far, this bike has lived up to 99.9% of the postings listed below. It freakin' rocks!!! Again, I've only had three rides on it and I went to trails where I normally ride just so I can get the feeling of what the difference from a hardtail. This past Saturday I rode with some friends to Old Camp in Trabuco Canyon. The climb was pretty brutal, considering this was my first real climb on a f/s bike, however, coming down was a different story. This bike totally floated over everything. It sucked up all the hits and the steering was like a motorcycle. Many has listed below "just point and shoot" and damn, that's the way it was. I'll put in a follow-up posting in about a month. I'm going to ride at more advanced trails and see what this bad-boy can do!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
paul black
a Cross Country Rider
from nebraska
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 123bikes | | Strengths: | craftmanship,smooth down hill,good on climbing. just get one and find out!!! | | Weaknesses: | it dosnt come with a cup holder | | Similar Products Used: | c'dale jekell | | Bike Setup: | king headset and wheelset,xtr,thompson post and stem,monkey lite riser. | | Bottom Line: | A real good bike to ride, a tad heavy but dont be a wimp. mine is at 24lbs.so pick up the phone and call Dave at 123bikes and tell him I sent you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek
a
from Orange County CA
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Old Camp | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | From Intense | | Strengths: | Downhill singletrack | | Weaknesses: | This bike does not climb very well. The back end is heavy and feels that way on the climbs | | Similar Products Used: | haven't used a good xc full suspension bike yet | | Bike Setup: | Full xtr, king and Hugi accessories with shimano discs | | Bottom Line: | Everyone says how great this bike is for an all around bike. I respectflly disagree. If you like to climb do not get this bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Wales Center NY (south of Buffalo)
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | All trails at Hunter's | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Everything is just sweet. Including climbing, because there is no bob in the supsension. It's GREAT!! | | Weaknesses: | Have not encountered any as of yet. Hopefully never will. | | Similar Products Used: | First F/S bike. | | Bike Setup: | Manitou X-vert Super. Raceface, Shimano XTR that about covers it. | | Bottom Line: | I know people like to complain about cost. You get what you pay for. After tearing down the bike for a through off season cleaning, I was suprised how clean it was. It was a very wet racing season. I also plan on having this bike for many years. After how it cleaned up, it should last. I absolutely LOVE this bike. It is so much fun to ride that it pushed me to train harder this winter, just to be able to ride it harder this season.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Liberino
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Dailey Ranch (my back yard) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$3300.00 | | Strengths: | Climbing, adjustability, predictable handling, sealed bearing pivots, customer service from INTENSE and it's made in the USA. What more could you want? | | Weaknesses: | Your kidding right? | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR | | Bike Setup: | Starting at the top... Azonic high rise bars, SRAM grip shift attack, Easton stem, Chris King HS, Manitou X-Vert Super, Salsa Flip-Offs, SUN/Ringle wheelset, SDG saddle, Thompson Elite seat post, all XTR 9-Speed, XTR brake levers,
Race Face chainrings, Top Line cranks, 747 pedals | | Bottom Line: | If your looking for a CC bike that climbs and descends better than any other, this is the one. I was used to a coil ride on a bike and was amazed at how well that little FOX Float RC shock performed. Overall the bike has incredible, predictable handling on the singletracks, climbs like you can't imagine and can be built up light with the right components for serious racing.
Customer service is also very important to me, especially when you pay a lot of money for a bike (but it's worth every penny). I found INTENSE to be very responsive to my calls and always willing to help me out when I needed it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate
a Cross Country Rider
from West Boxford, Ma USA
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Middlesex Fells | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1499.00 | | Purchased At: | The one and only Supergo | | Strengths: | This frame is a joy to ride and a beautiful work of art to hang your components on. I was riding a Schwinn Moab (read the stiffest hard tail you have ever felt) and was worried about the transition to full-suspension, but I knew I wanted it. So I got the Tracer and after the first climb in knew it was ment to be. Sure, no matter how perfect the set up, you lose some energy to the suspension, but this bike sticks to the ground so well it makes up for that compleatly. My Schwinn would skip and hop over roots when I would power up hill (my riding style leads to "attacking" the hills) but the Tracer's rear wheel never leaves the ground and is always putting power down. I don't think I even need to talk about it's performance on the downhills, after all it is and Intense. All I can say is that you will be over come with tears of joy the first time you point it at a technical single track. | | Weaknesses: | What? Are you joking? No, the only problem with this bike is that when trying to remove the rear wheel when running V-Brakes you have to take off the brakes or deflate the tire in order to get the wheel off. | | Bike Setup: | Black w/red Tracer. 2000 Bomber Z-1 X-Fly. Raceface Turbine cranks, Avid Mechanical Disk brakes, cockpit all Raceface, other XTR components round out the package. | | Bottom Line: | A perfect bike for all-around riding. In other words, unless your dropping of 20-foot cliffs or training for the 2001 NORBA national championship, this is the bike for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Rossendale, UK
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Cowpe Lowe | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4500.00 | | Strengths: | Wonderfully smooth suspension, climbs on stones and mud with minimal bobbing and the rear wheel nailed to the ground. Descent is fantastic, always better than the rider (me!). Build quality (proper bearings, welds, CNC machining) and looks are wonderful. There is a lot to be said for the Intense name, always a puller, but the brand actually seems to represent the highest achievement in design, material and build. | | Weaknesses: | Derailleur slap on the chain stay took a bit of solving. Availability of gear hangers in the UK is spasmodic, buy 2 when you can | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Homegrown 4-banger – great bike, nice paint job, bobs less though a little heavy, probably maps onto the Uzzi
Marin Mount Vision Pro – Hardtail with a spring chucked in, obvious why traditional XC racers like it as it isn’t really a full suspension bike so doesn’t freak them out
| | Bike Setup: | Red medium 2000 Tracer frame, XT HollowTech drive train apart from XTR long cage derailleur, Time ATACs, Marzocchi 100mm Z1 Fly, Hope Sport hubs & skewers, Mavic X317 rims, Tioga Factory Mud tyres, Hope O2 Pro brakes with large discs and gold pads, King headset, Azonic Shorty 100mm stem, Eastern EA70 risers, Richey foam grips, Raceface offset post, Fizik titanium saddle, Crud rear guard and THE front guard, Gore-Tex cables – be still beating Visa card… | | Bottom Line: | My bike was built up on the strong side for Pennine conditions and my inabilities as a rider rather than super light, hence Marzocchi’s as opposed to the lighter but probably less resilient SIDs and the strong stem and post.
The bike got nicknamed the “Titanic” as it broke a gear hanger on the first ride out after an incident with mud and some bailing wire dropped by a farmer (read Guardian of the Environment). Took over a month to source a new one (beautifully machined) but will be stick to the aluminium work of art manufactured in my local shop with a file, grinder and wood chisel (and not a little skill) until it breaks. Perhaps the best advice is to carry a spare at all times?
Chain stay slap was very annoying on the descents but a long cage derailleur and some spring winding seems to have cured entirely. I weigh around 160lbs giving me 30psi at the front and 165psi in the Fox for a plush ride. The highish bottom bracket takes some getting used to, perhaps I have short legs as I can’t touch the ground at all? Net effect is you rarely bottom out which is a real advantage on the wet stony ascents and rutted packhorse trails.
Ride is wonderful, inspiring confidence beyond sense on the downhills and jaw dropping climbing ability on the rough stuff. Night descents are a dream as you get ultra confident that the bike will ride over most things without throwing you off. Very forgiving of my riding inadequacies, goes where you point it.
Shame on those that claim not to like the attention, what better than peer appreciation and friendly rivalry? The bike is always a talking point (indeed I can bore on the topic at some length), still rare in the UK, and joy to ride and behold – if you have it, flaunt it, cut the false modestly and political correctness.
Bottom line is that a Tracer is very, very expensive but the melon smile lasts longer than the nasty credit card bill – a bike to die and cry for, bar none, well done my American cousins!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brandon
a Cross Country Rider
from michigan
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Bottom Line: | it the best bike i have ever riden. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikesource | | Strengths: | Proven rear suspension setup, bomb-proof frame quality, jet-fighter handling, smooth and adjustable ride, killer image and looks. This thing climbs and descends smooth without any hassles. Due to its light weight, the Tracer shines in an increadibly wide spectrum of terrains. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't noticed anything yet. Wait for a follow up. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar, Cannondale Jeckyl | | Bike Setup: | All XT, Manitou SX 100 fork, Easton CT-2 Carbon Handlebar, Profile Design Carbon Bar-ends, Selle flite titanium saddle, Control Tech seatpost, Bontrager Mustang wheels, Kore Elite stem, Michelin Wildgripper Lite tires. | | Bottom Line: | You get what you pay for and then some. This price might seem like a lot for a bike to some people. But its not when you get the absolute best in return. This bike doesn't just ride well, it inspires confidence and makes you a better rider - and it puts a big grin on your face.
One nore thing: it unfortunately attracts crowds. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Manny Estrada
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin,Texas
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bandera,Tx ; Muleshoe | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3400.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Company | | Strengths: | This 2001 frame is just amazing! No poor quality issues to note. It's constructed in a European manner.... with LOVE! The weld seams are heavy,and evenly spaced. Paint is excellent.(Mine?- Ferrari Red!) This bike screams for attention! | | Weaknesses: | There is one MINOR issue.
1.)The rear derailleur assembly pivots upward during hard hits,and makes a loud "Catchink!". It's hard to eliminate,because there isn't a lot of space to create your own fix. I tried the 'buffer' method - a piece of tire tube,held in place by a tie wrap. But it was too thick. So,I ended up putting a few layers of red,super-sticky duct tape at this contact area. Voila! Fixed it. | | Similar Products Used: | I had a '97 Jamis Dakar Pro. I loved it .(...so does the punk who stole it!!) | | Bike Setup: | RaceFace drivetrain : Taperlock BB; Next LP cranks; Compact rings.
All the rest : V-brakes,shifter pods,cables,front/rear derailleurs are Shimano XT. Speedplay Frog pedals. | | Bottom Line: | A classic bike,and it's special because it is a 'custom' bike. It makes me feel like I'm a better driver--which I ain't,as of yet. But the bike is super responsive;the Panaracer Fire XC tires grab everything that I've put to 'em. Point the front tire,and she's gonna go that way --all of the way!! It's all good,muchachos!
The chain clinks a bit,too,but I'm like, " HEY!-Did I just take another hit??" I can't even feel it,man!
It's expensive,my fellow Americans,but it's worth every dollar!!! Good riding! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerd
a Weekend Warrior
from Germany
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountainbike City, Calgary Canada | | Strengths: | everything you can think of | | Weaknesses: | price, lower fox bushings | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Hope C2, Marzocchi Z1, Sram 9.0 SL, Race Face parts | | Bottom Line: | This bike rips, really. There is almost no reason to comlain about, except the long wheelbase in tight turns. But you can forget about that when you hamer down the single tracks. Just awesome.
When I got the frame in March 2000 I had a few problems but now I am totally convinced of this frame.
I painted my fork grey with the original Intense flames.
(http://www.wolgaa.de/images/htms/fahrrad.htm).
Buy this frame and you will be happy in all situations. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russ Doyle
a Cross Country Rider
from North Hampton, NH USA
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Exeter Woods (Henderson/Swasey) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | Strengths: | My first f/s bike...this was my dream bike and I did not have the 3+ grand for a new one but I got a smokin' deal from a dude who needed cash for a downhill bike. I race a '97 Stump M2 and let's just say it is a different ride. It took a while to get used to the different geometry but now it is just like 'wow'. I had a bit of a problem climbing at first but the shock was low and as soon as I added more air this thing flew uphill. The BB is much higher than my Stump and overall it rides much taller, which also took some getting used to. The rear wheel actually digs in and aids climbing, especially over rough technical sections. If I look down at the Fox shock while riding normally, I see the suspension move but I don't feel it, which is a tribute to the FSR link, right? I only weigh 160 so I don't anticipate hurting this bike too much. It is great at eating up the bumps, I don't think I've bottomed it out. I don't use the lockout lever on the Fox because I don't need to. The bike's geometry, wheelbase and travel are adjustable, but I don't know if I will tinker with that too much. You can go from 3" to 4" rear travel and dial the bike to fit the riding conditios. | | Weaknesses: | It climbs great, as long as I sit. If I stand and hammer on a climb, I lose the rear wheel. The frame is a thing of beauty but the decals are flimsy and they are peeling--'sup with that? I dig the Monkey Lite but I miss my bar-ends on climbs. | | Similar Products Used: | GT XCR-LE | | Bike Setup: | too much for me...Fox Float RC, Manitou X-Vert (4"), Easton Monkey Lite bar, KORE stem, King NoThreadset & rear hub, Mavic 517s, Thompson post, SDG saddle, RaceFace rings, Avid V-brakes, XT front-XTR rear derailluers, XTR cassette, Michelin Wildgripper tires, 747 pedals | | Bottom Line: | If I had 3 grand laying around, I would have bought this bike new. I was in the right place at the right time--the guy I bought it from babied it and the price was right (less than the frame itself). It weighs 26 lbs and I could go lower by putting my SX Ti fork and Hutchinson Pythons on but I love the 4" fork and the Michelins grab everything. Note that my value rating is 5 partially becuase I paid less than half price. This bike gives me the confidence to tackle stuff I would not try on my hardtail, uphill or down. To be honest, it is cool to own an Intense...they are rare here in NH. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Slasher
a Weekend Warrior
from Pommie land
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Kings Road | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Vincent de Paul's house of bikes | | Strengths: | Beefy yet quite light for something as highperformance and strong as this. Finish is excellent. Assembly seems good.
Goes down and up anything. Lot's of clearance | | Weaknesses: | I'm not a big fan of the interrupted seat tube design. Limits adjustment for seat height. Rides high.
Replaceable hangar is expensive!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Hartails. You name any full suspension rig and I've tried it. | | Bike Setup: | XT and XTR mix. King here and Avid there. Mavic wheels, Intense tires (also good). A little bit of Titec and Control Tech. Marzocchi Air up front. | | Bottom Line: | Most of my friends and all the people i meet tell me that I really carve it up when I'm on the bike. I took me 5 years of kicken butt to really realise this, but when I did, I decided I needed the best rig money could buy. That's why I chose the Intense Tracer. Let's face it, to be the best, you need to have the best support and what else would I go for? I'd break any of those other mid travel wanna be's with my first hell ride. Not the INtense. It just sux it up and keeps begging for more. It's a bit of a pain when you rip like me to spend the time to cut the seat post to the right length. Similarly, anyone with clanking derailleur on the chain stay should wind that little adjustment bolt all the way in to get enough clearance. Check torque on the linkages too just to ensure no funny noises that will vex you later. This might save you some anxious time sorting later. Tape the frame where the cables run through - watch where the cable will rub due to suspension movement. Save that finish! It is an excellent ride. worthy of my skill. I just wanna ride baby, yeah!!
Buy it if you want the best performing dual suspension action all purpose machine money can buy.
Don't buy it if you are looking for a really light weight machine that will break in a coupla years - or sojmething that you can let your little sister ride to the shop - cause she'll drop that seatpost too low and ruin your shock. Watch it baby - yeah!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | IBC | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up to my previous review - I've ridden my Tracer hard since getting it new in the summer. It's been phenomenal-a sturdy XC bike and able to withstand rocky east-coast riding under my 200+lb weight.
Since I've had it there have been 2 problem areas- 1) The lower rear shock mount developed a bit of play. This didn't go away after my LBS replaced the Tracer-specific shock spacers. After a warranty replacement of the shock bushing (by Fox) the play disappeared.
The other problem has been the frailty of the Tracer's derailleur hanger. I've gone through several (2 this week), mostly on rocky rides. This hanger is too flimsy, and causes drivetrain irregularity with just a tiny nudge. (looking at it funny will flex/bend it). I understand needing to protect a much more expensive rear triangle & XTR derailleur, but $30 a pop is WAY too much for such a flimsy part.
If anyone sees these cheaper, please email me! It might be worth having one custom machined out of something stronger...
Other than that, it's been a rockin' bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BMW
a Weekend Warrior
from Asheville, NC
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything in Pisgah Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Need For Speed Racing | | Strengths: | Handling, strength, quality welds, awesome suspension
Pure eye candy...I cant stop looking at it!!! | | Weaknesses: | Rear der. hits the chainstay on the dwonhills, otehrwise none!!! | | Similar Products Used: | First full suspension frame I"ve owned. I've ridden the superlight, the sugar and the trek stp, but the intense won me over. | | Bike Setup: | Blue medium frame, XT/XTR drivetrain, shifters, Avid brakes, mavic wheelset with king hubs. 130mm R/F stem 1 1/2 inch rise on the monkey lites! | | Bottom Line: |
Awesome bike...with my setup, it weighs a reasonable 25 and 1/2 pounds. I gained a couple of pounds off my hardtail, but the performance is definitely woth the extra weight. I can't even notice it. It rips on the downhills and climbs very well. Rember, this bike won the Bike of the Year award. it's awesome!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Wagner
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento, Ca
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Darrington & Forest Hill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | American River Bikes(916-427-6199), ask for Jeff) | | Strengths: | Quality Design and build, excellent welds, very strong frame, excellent on the downhills! | | Weaknesses: | Frame weight is heavy for a XC /over 4 month wait to get this frame. | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Mountain, Klein, GT, Santa Cruz, Ventana | | Bike Setup: | Thomson post/stem,XTR shifters/derailers,Cris King headset,Bontrager pedals/rims,Marzocchi Z1 x-fly,Proshift brakes,XT cranks(waiting for Race Face splined BB and cranks) | | Bottom Line: | I decided I wanted a bike that loves the downhills. My Klein Mantra Race just didn't cut it, you shouldn't have to stay seated on the downhills for the suspension to work. The only thing wrong with the Intense is the long wait to get a frame, they can't built them fast enough. The frame finally came in after 4 months of waiting. I had a choice of white or polished aluminum 2001 model. Since I'll be racing this, I wanted it light,so I bought the unpainted one. I have a Medium frame. The painted one was 6.4lbs and non-painted was 6 lbs, which is still heavy for a XC frame, but I'm going light on all the components. I only had the bike a little over a week and rode it twice now. The first time out, I was amazed at how well it desends the hills. You can really fly down them, point it and go. It didn't take any time to adjust to it. My Klein needed to be finessed downhills, but the Intense soaks up everything you give it. The second time out I was even more comfortable with the bike, it just rips around the corners, I'm sure it'll get even better with more time on the bike. It still climbs well, on the long smooth grinders, you can use the lockout. Climbing works good in or out of the saddle. It was a long wait, but well worth it. This bike is awesome! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Menlo Park
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Santa Cruz to Orange County | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4500.00 | | Purchased At: | Suns Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Excellent handling, quality design and, It's an INTENSE. | | Weaknesses: | COST $$$$$ | | Similar Products Used: | FSR S-Work M-4, Diamonback XR8, | | Bike Setup: | Atom 80, Cane Creek Wam Disc, Hayes hydraulic, Sram 9.0, XTR everywhere, Next LP, many more... | | Bottom Line: | This is an awsome bike. Just look at the brand: It's an Intense. I love this bike .Point it will take you up with ease. And point it down and it will take you where you want to go...with confidence!!! It's what every full suspension bike is dreaming to be. Go INTENSE !!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A B
a Racer
from Laguna Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything vertical | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bikes | | Strengths: | Everything. This bike climbs as well as my Bontrager (built by Keith) hardtail and decends like a champ.
| | Weaknesses: | Zero. | | Similar Products Used: | Lots and lots | | Bike Setup: | Deluxe. Ritchey Zero Dish disc wheels. Hayes brakeset. XTR everywhere. Thompson post. Bontrager bar and stem. Selle Italia Trans Am (cutout) saddle. 848 pedals. Velociraptor rubber. | | Bottom Line: | Everyone below has already said it. Spent the extra cash and get the best cross country rig in the world. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler Higgins
a
from Denver, Colorado
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | It's all good! | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Pro deal from Intense | | Strengths: | Kick ass looks
Bomb proof anodized finish
killer performance up and down
detailed craftsmanship | | Weaknesses: | Cable handers
No pump with shock
| | Similar Products Used: | There is no similar products to this frame | | Bike Setup: | Grey anodized finish, Manitou SX Ti, All XTR, All Kore, Mavic 517, Panaracer XC Pro | | Bottom Line: | I rolled the dice and was one of the first people to purchase this new frame design in early 99. It was a totally wise decision and I've been kicking ass on this bike ever since.
I am one of the hardest riders I know and I'm 6'1" 180 lbs, so this frame has been through hell the last couple of seasons and I've had no problems what so ever. I've had to replace the Aluminum bushings that hold the Fox in place (clean them often) but that is it. I've got over 5000 miles in the saddle on this bike on some of the toughest single track in the US and Canada, and I plan getting another 5000 miles.
The bottom line is this frame climbs like a goat and destroys any downhill you can throw at it. It's light enough to make a killer cross-country bike, yet strong enough to be used as a freeride bike. The quality and function in design surpass anything I've ever used. I have to give five chilies to Intense for breaking into the Cross-Country market with a frame that blows the rest away! Get off you ass and go get one! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TC Medlock
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, Texas USA
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Boulder Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3100.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Best full suspension climber I've ever ridden.Great handling, will make you a better rider in no time. If you like attention this bike will definitely get that for you.I'm a tall rider and the long top tube works for me where an FSR does not. | | Weaknesses: | Rear derailleur hits the chain stay at the horst link and the only fix from Intense is to wrap the derailleur or the chainstay with rubber and zip tie it on. Not the most appealing fix for a $1600.00 frame. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, Gary Fisher Joshua | | Bike Setup: | Full XT with Marzzochi 3.5 4" fork. White Industries hubs with Mavic rims. Kore seatpost and stem. Answer Taperlite riser bar. Italia Flite saddle. Bontrager Revolt X tires. | | Bottom Line: | The best bike on the planet for XC or just trailriding. Point it and it goes--up or down. Just got back from Colorado where I hit 53MPH on a dirt fireroad and the high speed stability was awesome. Climbs better than any hard tail I've ever ridden. Buy this bike if you can find one! Watch for bolts on rear triangle backing out on your first few rides. Keep retightening or use some Loctite and they'll be fine. Except for the rear derailleur/frame contact, I am totally satisfied. The rear shocks air adjustability is perfect for a heavier rider(200 lbs). i can dial it in without buying springs. Invest in a shock pump and this bike can be dialed in to perfection. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerdy
a Cross Country Rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Schönbuch | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | custom build up | | Strengths: | plush ride, good locking, workmanship, performance
| | Weaknesses: | price, undefinably noises in bottom bracket area | | Similar Products Used: | cycle craft, nicolay, votec, hot chili | | Bike Setup: | marzocchi Z1, hope db, race face, shimano XTR | | Bottom Line: | First of all, I love this bike. Maybe not because of the performance, there are many other bikes with the same excellence performance, but because this frame is the eyecatcher plainly. Workmanship is perfect, I like especially the machined rear triangle, it is so sweet.
I had a little misadventure when I got the frame the first time. When I was going to build it up I crossed the threads in the bottom bracked somehow. This was not the first time I have build in a BB, I knew what I did, so I advice you be carefully with that. After fixing it with epoxy everything is fine till now.
I have heared the same storry from several other guys.
Concerning the crunching in the BB area, I don't know what it is. I changend pretty much everything on my bike but no result. The frame crunches under hard stain.
But now my experiences with the bike.
I am a fast rider and I like to hammer down the trials as fast as I go up the hills and in every situation this bike does what I want it to do. First I had installed the marzocchi Z2 but after switching it with the Z1 there was a new performance, just awesome. So if you are going with the tracer take the marzocchi Z1. This plush fork matches with the plush frame. I think the range of use is something in between freeride and race. Lateral stiffness is like my old hardtail, no complains.
I don't use the lock out lever on the damper, you just don't need it. You don't want miss the soft feeling on the frame.
The bobbing does not bug me, far from it, I love it. It shows me that the suspension is working fine.
Only four chilis besause of the high cost and the little problems I had with the frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | freetown | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop (IBC) | | Strengths: | Strength, Weight, Balancel, Anodized Finish | | Weaknesses: | Price, Rear Deraileur Hanger could be a bit stronger | | Similar Products Used: | Conejo ARS/5 FS | | Bike Setup: | XT/XTR, 'Zokes Z2 X Fly, Hayes Discs, Core Rat Body Armour | | Bottom Line: | This is for the 2000 Tracer-
Very impressive performance-my last bike was a '94 Conejo ARS/5 FS and suffered a structural failure at Lynn Woods. This bike has improved my riding in the first 3 months. It doesn't have as much rear travel as my last (3 or 4"), but the adjustability of the geometry and damping really helps get things dialed in. It feels just plush enough to be a great handler without losing any control.
I'm a heavy rider (6'3"/200#) and am hard on frames & parts. On my Tracer I outclimb my hardtail riding friends on steep technical climbs, rock gardens, and decents. The Fox Vanilla/RC can lock-out, but I haven't needed to use it yet.
The only problem I've had is shifting issues with the rear cogset-both times due to deraileur hanger damage. At 20$, the replacements seem flimsier than most and could be beefed up a bit. Of course, the alternative-$100 for a new XTR or more for triangle-Worth every penny for the Tracer! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Huffstetler
a Racer
from Lincolnton NC
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pee Wee's MTB Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$4200.00 | | Purchased At: | Ride-A-Bike Bicycle Shop | | Strengths: | Superb strength and reliability. Fast as Hell! Sealed bearings, 4 bar linkage is the smoothest ever. Adjustable geometry for every rider. Beautiful welds, lightweight and durable. | | Weaknesses: | Absolutely none. | | Similar Products Used: | You name it. | | Bike Setup: | All Race Face, SRAM ESP 9.0SL, Cane Creek WAM Disc, Hayes Hydraulic Brakes, Specialized saddle, Shimano 646 pedals, Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires (1.8-2.1), Rock Shox SID 100, Fox Air Float w/ lockout. | | Bottom Line: | Like a hot woman, you don't want to get off. Goes anywhere you point it, fast and goes big at every opportunity. Adjust the geometry to terrain type. Quick and easy setup. Absoultely the best bike I have ever ridden. The guys at Intense are the best to work with. Climbs well and soaks up everything. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Dacko
a
from Madison, WI
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Quarry park trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This thing is smooth. many geometry options to choose from. Stiff as hell and light. Sealed bearings. | | Weaknesses: | The only thing and I know that it is needed though is the seat post height. have come close to ruining the shock. | | Similar Products Used: | You name it I have ridden it. | | Bike Setup: | hayes, king, kore, hugi, ESP 9.0, X-vert super, truvativ, WTB 2.4 tires | | Bottom Line: | i love this bike. for all the complaints that i could have for being picky, I just think how much fun it is to ride. It takes everything I throw at it and the boys at Intense could not be better. i passion to ride shows through in the product you produce, some other companies should look into it!! Urban, stunt riding, X-country, drops, jumps, and even the grocery store this bike does it all. This is the only bike I ride, if i haven't broke anything on it. THIS BIKE LIKES TO GO FAST AND BIG at the same time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange, Ca
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | El Moro (Crystal Cove) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Ability to climb hills and speed up fire roads. Handles downhill runs like my free-rider. The suspension design has every detail one could want, Intense didn't miss a trick. | | Weaknesses: | Not to knock this great bike, but I will list my personal issues. The stickers (Intense Logo) peels too easily. The rear derailer bangs against the rear suspension ( Fixed with a piece of rubber zip tied to problem area.) I have noticed that the bottom tube (bottom bracket area) tends to sqeek while pedaling on rough trails. | | Similar Products Used: | Iron Horse G-Spot | | Bike Setup: | Crossmax Disc rims, Hayes 6" discs, Manitou X-Vert Super fork, Complete Shimano XTR Package, Easton stem, bars, and seat post | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike, just needed a little time personalize it to my riding style, and iron out minor problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Many | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Build quality | | Similar Products Used: | Other high end full suspension | | Bike Setup: | SID XC, all other quality components | | Bottom Line: | I have only been riding mountain bikes for approx 6 months. Have had the opportunity to ride other high end FS bikes including my own. Do as much riding as humanly possible. The chance to ride Tracer before ordering could not be passed up. After reading every thing possible about this bike and all the MTBR reviews I had difficulty believing a bike could be so good and actually improve your riding, or confidence at least. All I can say after a short 2 hour ride is that all I read was correct. This bike was an excellent experience and I can't wait till I get mine. The cost is but now a distant memory. Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith Caliguari
a Weekend Warrior
from Bridgewater, N.J. U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Chimney Rock | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | The Peddler Cycles | | Strengths: | Ride quality, stiffness,weight, Unbelievable ability to climb, even when Fox isn't locked out. Plus it looks awesome! (People driving along side almost hit my car to get a glimpse of bike when transporting on roof!) | | Weaknesses: | Cable routing- especially in rear. Also rear derailer slap on horst link over large rocks. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondales, Treks, GT, Santa Cruz, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Z1-X Fly, Mavic 317, Hayes, XTR shifters and derailers, RaceFace stem and bar, Thompson post, Next cranks, Tioga tires | | Bottom Line: | Phenomenal bike, very plush, can handle anything I go up against. Very fast and light. Recommended to anyone who wants the very best and expects to pay for it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Hollander
a Cross Country Rider
from Queens, New York, USA
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Sunset and Shultz Creek loop, Flagstaff | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Amazing handling mannors. Agile yet stable. Lots of adjustments to play with like wheel base and head angle, rear shock travel. Light for this breed. Four bar linkage that is sensitive to all sorts of trail obsticals, hugs the ground, and lets you leave the ground when you want to (jumps), and really hooks up in traction for the climbs. | | Weaknesses: | People always asking how much your bike costs! May be hard to get your hands on one. Difficult to find built up bikes to demo is all I can think of. No issues with the frame whatsoever. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Y-22, Specialized FRS XC, and a breif demo of the Santa Cruz SL. | | Bike Setup: | Large grey frame, Hayes/Chris King headset and Disco Tech hubs w/mavic 317's. Race face stem and cranks, Easton seatpost and monkey light low rise. XTR and Xt components. 00 Sid 100. Basically went for tough cross country - light weight free ride. bathroom scale says about 26 lbs. | | Bottom Line: | I am a 6' 1" rider with an inseam that almost 35". I got a litle bit concerned after reading a lot of posts that many six foot riders were buying medium frames, but I seem to fit fine on this large. Bike is set up in long travel mode.
No problems in the tight woods single track with even this large frame set on slack angles. This bike runs circles around my old Y-22, and turns that I had to brake a lot for, I just carve like it's conected to rails. AND... it is stable at the same time(much more so then the specialized fsr xc). If the bike does break from the ground it is a balanced and controled slide that regains traction just as smoothly. While my trek was chore to jump, The Tracer leaps like a gazel. From my first ride on my familiar local loop I was railing turns, ripping down hills and leaping logs all like never before, and that sh*t-eating grin never left my face. I feel like I am a better rider now. This bike pushes the envelope in what you can do because of it's brilliant handeling.
The SID 100 works really well with the rear and the disc brakes add another level of control, complementing the already superb handeling.
Buy it if: Your a hard core rider looking for one bike that can pretty much do it all on most any type of terrain or trail. You want long travel and plush without a lot of fat. You like the challange of a good climb, but you know ripping downhill is where it's at!
Stay away if: If your a gram counting(and dollar counting) weight weenie, obsessed with racing. "Plush" is a dirty word in your book. You like twitchy feeling handling and you care more about climbing faster then decending faster. Big air jumpers and huge drop lovers best seek the Intense Uzzi instead.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J. W.
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison, WI
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything technical | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Stiff, Light, Adjustable, Sealed Pivot Bearings (Specialized finally woke up!) | | Weaknesses: | Absolutely, Positively None | | Similar Products Used: | FSR Enduro, Amp B5 | | Bike Setup: | Full XT, XT Disc, Manitou X-Vert Super, Specialized Team Tires, Race Face | | Bottom Line: | It can't be beat in performance and fun factor in XC. Specialized is finally putting sealed bearings in their FSR bikes for 2001 but I seriously doubt they will still be able to match the performance of this frame. They may own the patent on the horst linkage, but Intense perfected it. The Fox rear shock and X-Vert are a great match. The XT Disc work great after they are broken in. The frame is worth every penney. 5 flamin Chihuahuas! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gadget
a Weekend Warrior
from Latrobe,PA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Laurel Moutain Summit trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Weight, Quality, Stiffness, Plush suspension... you name it it does it well. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Proflex Something or other. | | Bike Setup: | Hanebrink LT-8, RaceFace Next Cranks, Hope disks (front and rear, Sram SL9.0 package, Thompson stem, Easton Bars, post and a WTB Saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Mama!! This thing is great. I'll like to put out a BIG THANK YOU to Chris and the gang at SPEEDGOAT (www.speedgoat.com, sorry for the shameless plug but it's a wonderful shop) for this beautiful piece of machinery. I can't really complain about the cost of it, how do you put a price on perfection. I've been riding it through the rock gardens of the Laurel Mountain area and the hiking trails of SW New York with a smile on my face a mile wide. The Fox shock works great and so does everything else. I can understand why it has been called the ultimate XC suspension. You may ask "An 8" travel Hanebrink, what are you nuts?" Well you haven't seen these rock gardens. Everyone should at least test ride one of these bikes. You'll be hooked too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Baton Rouge/Hammond,La.,U.S.
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Hooper rd.(B.R.) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Fuhgeddaboutit!!!!!!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | Fuhgeddaboutit!!!!!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | There is nothing similiar to this thing. | | Bike Setup: | Y2K Large polished frame,Y2K Judy Race,King headset,Easton Monkey lite low risers, Avid SD 25 brakes, otherwise full XT group, Time ATAC HP, Panaracer Fire XC, Mavic X517,Spec. Body Geom. Comp MTN saddle. | | Bottom Line: | When I decided to go full suspension, I told myself to get it right the first time, and boy did I ever! This ride is unbelievable.
It soaks up the bumps like a sponge and still allows me to stand and crank on the short steep stuff w/o bobbing.I haven't even used the lock out yet.
I have mine set up on the stock (4") shock position and the short chainstay position(it doesn't hinder the downs but does help the climbs). I easily hit 26 mph the other day w/o a worry.
This bike is a work of art. The welds are lovely, and the CNC machining is beautiful. It just looks like a bombproof package. Check out the stout seat and chainstays, no flex there!
I have done 58 miles so far all of it consisting of steep drop-ins, short tech. climbs, long grinding climbs, and way curvy singletrack w/o so much as a hitch in performance. There are parts on local trails that I always nailed on my hardtail but it was a little sketchy, on the Tracer I just slice on through them and it ain't no thing but a chicken wing!
The most often heard complaints about this bike are that (1) The seat post will not lower far enough. (2) The cables bow out and touch the calves. (3) Large footed riders clip thier heels on the stays. In response: (1) Who cares! (2) Shorten the cables or use the provided hole in the mini-link to zip tie them down. (3) I wear size 12 shoes and have yet to have this problem.
This bike rocks pure and simple. I can't recommend it highly enough! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clay Young
a Cross Country Rider
from Eagle, Idaho, USA
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything Above Treeline! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light, Rigid, well designed frame makes it climb like nothing I've ridden. Carves like a knife at speed and navigates techno-rubble with ease. This is the first XC bike that I've ridden where I can say that 7 hours in the saddle is perfectly comfortable. | | Weaknesses: | There's some money involved...
The Fox shock is nice except when you are doing yoyo riding and want to open and close it frequently. At speed this can be hazerdous (on a good day)!! | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Y22, Trek Y33, Spec. FSR | | Bike Setup: | Rolf Propel wheelset, XTR except for the crank (went with lighter Hollowcore XT), 2000 XC fork (they finally got it right!), Thompson, Icon, Selle, Stratos XC Pro shock | | Bottom Line: | After 15 years racing Motocross and 15 more racing and riding MTBs, I thought I'd gotten jaded. Before I rode a Tracer, I'd already burned through 3 full-suspension bikes and many hardtails. I was starting to think the XC bikes were relegated to the land of poor quality, loose handling and crappy climbing characteristics. The Tracer changed my view completely. This is a bike that is nearly as light as a hardtail (my setup hits 23.5 lbs), climbs like a tractor, handles at speed like a motocross bike and works through the techno stuff like a trials bike. It's the kind of machine that can make a good rider substantially better and an old-hand grin like a Cheshire cat. I'm not sure a completely new rider would have much appreciation and I think "Posers" should be banned from buying it - because they have become almost impossible to get as it is.
If you have the money, are serious about MTBing and want the best, buy a Tracer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean Ralph
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | see earlier review | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | See earlier review | | Weaknesses: | See earlier review | | Similar Products Used: | See earlier review | | Bike Setup: | See earlier review | | Bottom Line: | Chainslap wasn't the issue - it's the rear derailleur. The main body of the derailleur was slapping the rear Horst link on rocky sections. Upped the tension on the rear derailleur and zap strapped some grip rubber around it - gone!
RIDE ON | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean Ralph
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Sasquatch at Mt. Tremblant | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light weight and very plush - looks the biz brah!
I vowed to not replace my GT Zaskar hardtail until I could get a plush, active softtail at the same weight - done!
It's more rare than an FSR - and better at what it does. | | Weaknesses: | Pricey - but I'm worth it!
Support your local bikeshop - mail order is for poseurs! If you're good to your shop they'll give you a better deal - and tip the mechanics (a 12 pack of fine lager goes a long way to getting free help in the future) | | Similar Products Used: | GT, Specialized and Trek softails (demo only) | | Bike Setup: | Azonic Riser Bar, Kore Aheadlight Stem, Chris King Headset, Manitou Xvert Super Fork, Avocet O2 Saddle (to be replaced with a Salsa Zona Tres), Syncros post (cut down to end of seat mast tube), Ringle Super Bubba & Super Duper Bubba Hubs laced to Sun Rhyno Lites (32 hole), 8 speed XT group with XTR V-Brakes & Levers (next year Sun Ringle SUV wheelset & Hayes Disks, Manitou Millenium Thru Axle Fork), Cooks Bros Cranks (10 years old, still going strong) Real Chainrings and a Sachs chain, XT BB, IRC Mythos tires, Shimano SPD peddles, Yeti Grips, AVID Flak Jacket cables all around, Salsa flipoff skewers, Roach Top Tube & Stem Pads, Lizard Skins rear shock and chainstay covers | | Bottom Line: | I like how this bike takes the proven design of AMP Research and the Horst Link but spared no expense by using real sealed bearings at the main pivots. I've seen too many sloppy Specialized and GT rigs that died because of the crappy bushings used. This frame (like all Intense bikes) is a work of art. It looks even sexier muddy!
This bike is the best if you like to go for all day epics with long grinds and technical descents - you are a freeriding purest! Best bike for the hardtail purest looking to make the switch without paying the price of excess weight. This is the ultimate "one bike" - convert that old hardtail into a girlfriend bike or loner for buddies!
Don't buy it if you just like to ride chairlifts and downhills - by an Uzzi or an M1 instead.
Most of my parts came off my GT straight onto this bike. It's lite, but no feather weight XC rig that will fold up on you. Mine weighs in at 25.5 lbs all buttoned up.
I'm not in to huge drops, but I do ride pretty aggressively, 3-4 2 hour rides on weekdays and a 4 - 6 hour ride on weekends. The beefier Sun/Ringle wheels are great. I also love the lockout option on the Fox Float RC rear shock - great because I like long grinds - you gotta earn your turns! Manitou forks rule - get the no-bob lockout for the fork if you like to climb rigid.
I was getting lots of chain slap - invest a couple extra bucks on some Lizard Skins for the swingarm and rear shock -well worth it!
I'm heading to Nelson BC for some of the buffest singletrack in the world - I'll post an update then. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michael
a Weekend Warrior
from castaic, ca
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | whatever I am riding | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Adjustability, looks, all bearing pivots. | | Weaknesses: | Less and less every day...but if I had to say something bad, it is not the ultimate plush-0-matic free ride, etc. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou F/S, Specialized FSR, tons of hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | Same as before is earlier review. | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up to an earlier review. Now I have had the benefit of several hours on the bike in all kinds of (So-Cal) conditions, I though it worthy of an update. One of the rides was a 5 hour mini-epic loop with a little of everthing included....grinder pavement climb (lock out is nice), long fireroad climb, multi hour technical singletrack descent with rocks, creek crossings, sand, etc. The bike and all the components performed perfectly and simply amazed me on many sketchy parts of the ride. The Z3 Flylight 100 fork is not the plushest but is sooo stout and deals with anything I have thrown at it so far. I finally ended up with the swingarm on the short length setting, the link at 4 inches of travel, and the head angle setting on the slack position. On the steep position, the bottom bracket is obscenely high and a check with a angle finder revealed good angles even with a long Marzocchi up front and the link set to slack. No trace of slowness in the steering...rails singletrack. Take the time to set up the rear to match the front...makes a real difference. Buy one...ride hard. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Butch
a Weekend Warrior
from Norwalk, CT
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | The 2000 model.
susension design:4-bar linkage, sealed bearings, beefed up rear triangle, weight - not too bad for this type of machine | | Weaknesses: | certain small things (descibed below) and price. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized - FSRC XC | | Bike Setup: | Marzocci 5" Z1-Dropp-off, Race Face, King headset, Mavik X-ride wheels, XTR brakes, Gripshift 8speed XT-rear + Front, WTB Velociraptors, Raceface seatpost, WTB CroMo seat. | | Bottom Line: | I've learned to really enjoy this bike, but have had numerous mishaps
first two weeks - 3 derailleur hangers (use a short cage derailleur).
Fourth week - the big bolt that holds the rear swingarm to the BB snapped (???!!) - that should never have happened.
Finally, the seta mast (where the seat post attaches) folded like a coke can on a small drop off (given I slipped of thepedals into the seat, but I am not heavy and the hit was not that bad. I learned that the new model has that part of the frame reinforced (my replacement frame is coming with it :-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kathryn
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, Oregon
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Fireland 10/Newton Rd/Fo Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light, high quality, good handling | | Weaknesses: | no phone number on their web site! | | Similar Products Used: | Mountain Cycle CXS, Ibis Szazbo | | Bike Setup: | XTR, Marzocchi Z3 Flylight 100, Bonti King Race Light Wheels, Synchros Cranks, Time Pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is the best bike I've ever ridden. It's great uphill and great coming down. There is no bobbing, unlike some other f/s frames. It holds up well in the wet muddy conditions of Oregon.
It loves tight single track. Buy this bike if you love XC riding....but don't buy it if you're someone who wants a heavier duy downhill machine.
I love this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MARK LOPEZ
a Racer
from LAKE WORTH FL.PALM BCH.
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | REDDICK FL. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | ADJUSTABILITY,STIFFNESS,LOOKS | | Weaknesses: | PRICE | | Similar Products Used: | GT-I-DRIVE,SPECIALIZED FSR M-4 | | Bike Setup: | TRACER FRAME,MARzocchi z-2 x-fly fork,mavic cross max wheels,kore elight stem,easton monkey light carbon riser bars,easton ea-50 seatpost,flight italia ti-gel seat,race face next lp cranks,time carbon pedals,XTR derailers,cassette,shifters,brakes,gore tex cables,intense xc tires | | Bottom Line: | WORTH EVERY PENNY.HOW EVER YOU RIDE THER IS A SETTING FOR YOU.MOST CONFIDENCE BUILDING BIKE I HAVE EVER RIDDEN.QUALITY OF WORKMANSHIP IS OUTSTANDING.YOU CAN SET IT UP TO BE A XC RACER OR A FREERIDE DREAM .IF YOU HAVE THE BUCKS THIS IS THE ULTIMATE BUILD-UP. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike eder
a Cross Country Rider
from belleville, NJ
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | chimney rock | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | great stiffness, almost mistake proof, smooth suspension, a joy to gaze at, sealed bearings on pivots and most importantly, adjustability! | | Weaknesses: | rear cable routing makes activating lockout on rear shock a little tricky. | | Similar Products Used: | rocky mountain element race | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi z1 x-fly fork, hope hydraulic disc brakes, hope ti-glide hubs, ritchey disc 0cr rims, DT revolution spokes, Raceface Next crank, BB, Raceface sy-stem, Air Alloy bar, King headset, Thompson post. Sram ESP shifters & rear der. xtr front der. Secialized team control/master tires, roach pads. | | Bottom Line: | It's not the lightest 4" travel bike, but the feel and ride is second to none. It rides taller than most and the BB is also high. This took a little getting used to, however, I bash my chainrings far less. The freedom of ride adjustability is what makes this bike shine. Being able to compensate for a longer of shorter travel fork without upsetting bike geometry is great. It definitely wasn't cheap , so I would recommend it only for serious hammers that know exactly what they are looking for in a bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michael
a Weekend Warrior
from castaic, ca
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | five deer | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Stiff, strong feeling. Adjustability. | | Weaknesses: | Hmmm, high bottom bracket compared to others I have owned. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou FS, Specialized FSR Enduro | | Bike Setup: | Mix of good stuff, XT hollowtech, XTR rear w/Rocket 9 shifters, Marzocchi Flylight 100, Avid brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Very impressive frame. I have been riding a long time, so I know what I want and what is hype. So far this is the real thing. It built up reasonably light with tough, quality components (no stupid-light art deco parts)and feels very tight and stable...very rigid under load in high-G moves. Very smooth rear link. The adjustable link and wheelbase is a tech-heads dream. I am still working on the right combo for me. I will post updates as time goes by. Very good So-Cal bike. Maybe not the ultimate woods bike. 4 flaming chilies just because the initial cost is high...however the build quality is excellent, welds, sealed bearing pivots, etc. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paulo Abreu
a Weekend Warrior
from Portugal
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Quality of construction; FSR linkage works perfectly and flawless; Fox Float RC; frame stiffness | | Weaknesses: | Not the best clearance for saddle adjustment (not necessarly a problem!) | | Similar Products Used: | Trek VRX500, several other FS brands and designs. | | Bike Setup: | Hayes Hyd disks, Rock Shox SID XL, Cookbroos E cranks w/ RaceFace rings, King headset, Race face system stem, handlebar, seatpost and Titanium BB, Rolf dolomite disk wheels, SPD 545, XTR derailleurs and shifts, X-lite PSS saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Outstanding build and look. good descender, very smooth over rocks and stable at speed. Light. For me, this bike gets the BEST compromise you can get on a mountain bike:
Supple, Light, maintenance free, Full suspension, strenght!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Mongeluzzi
a Weekend Warrior
from pa
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Wissahickon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Awesome versatility.Great climber in technical sections,downhills fast through anything.You look for rocks to roll over-smooth beyond imagination,bounces like a pogo stick-has doubled my jump height | | Weaknesses: | slight bobbing | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing is similar to this bike | | Bike Setup: | XTR,Chris King hubs and headset,SID 100,Monkeylight bars,Mavic rims | | Bottom Line: | The best and most fun bike I,ve ever ridden.Gorgeous looking,too.Great bike for any skill level imaginable . | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Cross Country Rider
from France
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | First :It's an Intense, Second :Polished finish frame and Incredibly rigid | | Weaknesses: | For the moment nothing, after regarding no pump delevery with the frame for the Float RC. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale and Cannondale Raven, Specialized FSR XC | | Bike Setup: | XTR K7 front and rear derailleur, XTR Rapidfire shifter, Chris King disc hubs, Mavic 317 rims, Huthinson tires, Greenlite tubes, Magura Louise disc brakes, STM stem, Easton Carbonfiber bar, Marzocchi Z2 X-FLY front shock w/80mm travel. | | Bottom Line: | The best buy I made since my Cannondale.
This bike work everywhere pedal all the time lots of tight tech single trak with rocks here in France, and feels stong in control, lateral rigidty is great, climbs well.
The polished finish is extremly beautiful.
Dear Mr Intense can you make a TRACER SPECIAL EDITION in Easton Extra Lite. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
El Jefe
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, Ca
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Soapstone, Azalea Springs Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Adjustable travel and steering angle. Solid feel for a
lightweight. Pure craftsmanship. | | Weaknesses: | Lower rear shock bushing wears out fast. Rear cable
housings are in the way. Sticker on frame peeled immediate-
ly. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR. Trek Y-22. GT LT-1 | | Bike Setup: | Maivic 517 w. Chris King hubs.Specialized Team Controls. Sella Italian Ti gel seat. All XTR componentry. WTB headset. Race Face Cranks. Shimano 848's. Manitou Super
X-Vert. | | Bottom Line: | This is the most awesome ride I've been on. I can't
believe there is a more comfortable XC bike made.
My bike weighs a little more than 25 lbs. I'm set up with
4" travel front and rear. For what I have, I think the
price was unbeatable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DEAN
a Cross Country Rider
from CHINO HILLS,CALIFORNIA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | ST GEORGE UTAH | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | VERY REPUTABLE COMPANY,SEALED BEARINGS,DESIGN | | Weaknesses: | NOISY FRAME | | Similar Products Used: | VENTANA MARBLE PEAK, MOUNTAIN CYCLE SAN ANDREAS,AMP B3,PROFLEX ANIMAL, | | Bike Setup: | FULL XTR EXCEPT FOR RACEFACE CRANKSET,MAVIC 517,SYNCROS POST,RACEFACE STEM,KING HEADSET,XMO FORK (DOESN'T FLEX LIKE SID),WORLD CLASS TI BOTTOM BRACKET.BIKE WEIGHS 24 LBS. | | Bottom Line: | THIS BIKE HAS A LONG TOP TUBE WHICH IS PERFECT FOR CROSS COUNTRY RIDING.GREAT CLIMBER THANKS TO THE FOX FLOAT RC,VERY SMOOTH ON DOWNHILL EXCEPT THE BIKE MAKES SOME NOISE LIKE A MONOCOQUE FRAME.I LOVE THE "FSR" SWINGARM OF THIS BIKE THAT MAKES IT A GREAT DESCENDER LIKE THE M1. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Murray
a
from San Mateo, California
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Skeggs | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Beautifully crafted bike (checkout the welding and the machining) and it performs as well as it looks. Nice and stiff with great suspension. Pretty light considering the bombproof performance. | | Weaknesses: | Cable routing for rear - with natural routing the cables sprung out and hit legs when suspension compressed - so crossed them over but now rubs on shock. Decals (swingarm ones started to catch and peel very quick and I don't have big feet), not sure how durable the main ones will be. I've had it 8 months now and everything else is perfect. | | Bike Setup: | Polished finish frame, Marzocchi Z3 LT 100, Race Face LP cranks, Titec Hellbent riser bar, Power Tools stem, Thompson seatpost, Selle Italia saddle, XTR 8 spd, XT V brakes, WTB stealth pedals, IRC Mythos 2.1 tires, Mavic rims, Mudmacheen mudguards. | | Bottom Line: | No regrets. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl
a Cross Country Rider
from Richland, Wash. USA
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | State patrol | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Incredibly rigid for such a light bike. Fit and finish. Predictable handling. Goes down and up equally as well. | | Weaknesses: | Limited dealers | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR XC, FSR ground control, Fisher Joshua, Test ridden just about everything. | | Bike Setup: | XTR, XT, Race Face cranks, hayes disks, SID XC 80mm, riser bar, Specialized team master and control tires, WTB sst seat. | | Bottom Line: | The best bike by far that I have ever owned, ridden, or seen. This thing surpasses anything I have ridden two fold. It climbs awesome, has predictable handling and tracks straight while descending. The price is so worth it. If you want the best bike made buy a Tracer. It even makes my Specialized FSR MAX backbone bike feel like it came off of the shelf at Toys-R-Us. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lance Zunich
a Cross Country Rider
from Happy Valley Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tai Lam Resivor | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | exceeds the expectations of all the Reviews! control control control!, cuts and corners with ease, bike tracks everywhere you want it to go | | Weaknesses: | rear shock setting (PSI required) varies with seat height as length of post and weight create more leverage on suspension ( shock ) | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, Klein Mantra, UZZI SL | | Bike Setup: | Grey Tracer with Z1 Alloy 100mm, Deore XT with xtr hubs and deraileur, Mavic d521 rims, and intense 7.0 comp 1.90 tires | | Bottom Line: | This is a fantastic ride. I was torn between the Klien mantra comp and the TRACER, but after reading the reviews and a test ride there was only once choice.
The bike does all the reviews say and if you wanted to get it super light for xc sub 25 lbs ( lighter rims and a SID type shock ) it would not be a problem, this for 4" in the rear and 100 mm in the front!
Thus Unsurpaseed Performance! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Kwok
a Cross Country Rider
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tai Mo Sha | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | It's an Intense! | | Weaknesses: | It's an Intense! | | Similar Products Used: | Raven, the first generation. | | Bike Setup: | Sid, Xtr, Xt, V-brakes, riser bar, perfectly tuned! | | Bottom Line: | People keep saying my Intense's great finishing. I would like to say that it performs much better than it looks. I don't want to say it is the best thing yet found on earth, unless the staff at Intense modify its way to run those cables. It weighs I guess 26 pounds, but it climbs as good as any hardtail on paved road. You can adjust it in many ways, but the most important adjustment is the front and rear shocks. I guess it will be even better if the compression damping become adjustable. Go for the anodized grey or a few ride later, a few weeks later you will regret. Even you don't crash. This is a pure trusty equipment for fun, so sad that in Hong Kong, people buy expensive bikes for showing off. Sad! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ivan
a Cross Country Rider
from Kitchener, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Adam's Run | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Adjustability & solid balanced feel. | | Weaknesses: | Not much seatpost adjustment.
| | Similar Products Used: | GT Idrive, Specialized FSR | | Bike Setup: | XT package, Raceface BB/Cranks/Rings/Stem/Seatpost(XY0)
Easton MonkeyLite low-rise bar | | Bottom Line: | The best trail bike I've ever ridden. Solid, responsive & predictable - confidence inspiring - If you ride trails this is your bike - worth every penny! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chuck Paradise
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO USA
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Colorado Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Awesome in every condition--lightweight and quick in XC conditions, tough in DH situations. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Homegrown All-Mountain
Gary Fisher Big Sur | | Bike Setup: | XTR components
Rock Shox Sid XC fork
Bontrager Race Light cranks
etc.... | | Bottom Line: | This may be the best bike on the market (although I'll admit I haven't tried everything!). The handling is excellent, and you can steer it through just about anything. I've found no weaknesses. The bike is so solid--it will be interesting to see how durable the frame really is. This bike is for a rider that enjoys both the trail and the mountain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Dubois, Wyoming
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pinnacles Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Incredible downhill screamer. Cuts through crud like a knife and the best downhill bike I have ever ridden/owned. Excellent suspension and handling.Well built frame, sealed bearings, adjustible suspension and wheelbase. | | Weaknesses: | Limited seatpost adjustment due to the position of the rear shock. Also, large seatpost diameter (31.8mm) limits selection of aftermarket stems. Weight is a minor consideration at 5.7lbs for a bike with 3-4" of adjustable travel. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn, Cannondale, Trek, GT, Santa Cruz, others. | | Bike Setup: | XTR gearing and derailers, XTR Rapidfire shifter, Chris King disc hubs, Mavic 317 rims, Huthinson tires, Greenlite tubes, Hayes disc brakes, Ritchey stem, Easton Carbonfiber Monkeylite bar, Control Tech stem, WTB SST saddle, Rockshox SID SL front shock w/63mm-89mm travel. | | Bottom Line: | Buy now or pay later. I have never enjoyed a XC full suspension bike like this one. Climbs well even without the lockout and downhills like a speeding bullet with total control and stability. You get what you pay for! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Gooseberry Mesa | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light weight for a 4" bike, great handling, adjustability,climbs great, decends flawlessly! | | Weaknesses: | Price, although you will never regret it! | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro & FSR XC | | Bike Setup: | Marz. X-FLY, 517/Nukeproof wheelset, XT/XTR, RaceFace Next LP cranks, Specialized Team Control/Master tires, Easton Scandium Riser, Thompson Post | | Bottom Line: | I work for Specialized, but still spent the money (retail) to ride the best frameset in the world! Its the Enduro Pro on a diet. I have never ridden a bike that is this much fun and without the "freeride" weight penalty.
This bike is for everyone/anyone who has a passion for riding, its well worth saving for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Arsenault
a Weekend Warrior
from Aliso Viejo, Ca. usa
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | JT's Aliso Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Floats over everything, great on climing with
lock out shock. | | Weaknesses: | Due to high head set angle, got watch the turns,
point of no return, take awhile to get use to.
But well worth it! | | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS | | Bike Setup: | XTR, MANITOU SX CAR. SPIN WHEELS. | | Bottom Line: | THE BEST BIKE OUT THERE FOR FREERIDING, EXPENSIVE
BUT IF YOU RIDE ALOT, AND LIKE TO FLY DOWNHILL
IT'S A GOT AHAVE MACHINE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from Tustin,California
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Noble Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great descender, awesome climber,stiff,predictable | | Weaknesses: | Cannot lower the seatpost enough on technical downhill stuff. It bottoms out on the rear shock, which unfortunately I have had to replace once already. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher joshua F1 , specialized S-works FSR XC | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR, Race Face Cranks, BB, stem and seatpost. Easton Monkey light riser bars, Marzochi Z2 atom 80 forks. Chris King Head set and hubs, Mavic 517 | | Bottom Line: | Awesome trail bike that will handle a beating. Just wish it was a little lighter than 24.5lbs. Best buy | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ari D
a Please Select
from Staten Island
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | rocky point | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | you name it | | Weaknesses: | maybe weight? | | Similar Products Used: | s works fsr xc | | Bike Setup: | xtr brakes, shifters, thompson seat post, crossmax wheels, raceface crank and stem , king aheadtset, Z1 xfly, titec hellbent xc bar. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is off the hook, feels like a hummer off road, feels stong in control, lateral rigidty is great, climbs well, slick looking, got it in anodized grey. Best XC bike I have ridden. What more can I say, go get it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RON
a Cross Country Rider
from NY NY
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | MT. SNOW | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | WELL MADE FRAME,REAR SEALED BEARINGS,ADJUSTABLE WHEELBASE AND TRAVEL | | Similar Products Used: | SPECIALIZED FSR XC | | Bike Setup: | FULL XTR,GRIP SHIFT,MANITOU SX TI,MAVIC 517 SPECIALIZED TIRES,EASTON CARBON HANDLEBARS,KORE STEM AND KING HEAD SET | | Bottom Line: | THIS IS THE BEST BIKE MADE.GOOD ON DOWN HILLS AND GREAT ON CLIMBS.IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A FULL SUSPENSION BIKE THIS IS THE ONE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd samuelson
a Racer
from Centerbrook CT
Date Reviewed: November 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Cocaponsett | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
full active suspension lateral strength light weight 24.25 side load cartridge bearings throughout | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Similar Products Used: |
fsr xc and other full suspension unified softtails turner | | Bike Setup: |
intense fox float rc lock out [pavement only] sid sl 80mm 96 xt cranks xtr levers and shifters avid tri align 3 brakes xt derailers king hs wheels mavic 517 control tech team stem kore elite post specialized team tires | | Bottom Line: | works everywhere pedal all the time lots of tight tech single trak with rocks here in new england the wheels track around turns -hooked up suspension is very adjustably 3' race 4'plush steep and slack with short or long wheelbase awesome | | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 3200.00
