Submitted by
johnboy123
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis, MO USA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2008
Strengths: Stable handling on all trail conditions. Multiple geometry set ups by changing pivot point locations to suit your riding style. Very little pedal feedback. Does NOT flex at all up front and very little flexing in the rear.
Weaknesses: Pivot bolt at bottom bracket breaks frequently at same spot. Horrible customer service from Intense about this. Poor cable routing
Bottom Line:
The main pivot by bottom bracket is undersized for the strain it takes. Frequent bearing and bolt failure at this pivot. All other pivots on bike function fine. If you are willing to fork out another 150ish dollars I recommend changing the material of the pivot bolt to 440C heat treated stainless. I had machine shop make me a bolt out of this material. Since I did that I never broke a bolt again.
If you eliminated this unacceptable flaw and don't care about customer service from Intense this is an excellent all mountain bicycle.
Solely because of the poor main pivot strength and indifference from Intense about it, I cannot recommend this bike.
Similar Products Used: Klein Mantra, Giant ATX 990, Trek Y
Bike Setup: 4 inch travel front and rear. Fox Vanilla RLC fork, Chris King hubs and headset, Thompson steam/seat post, flat bar with bar ends, XT drive train, Avid Ultimate rim brakes, 747 pedals, WTB tires/saddle. Changed rear shock to Fox RP3
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Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento,CA
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2005
Strengths: Quality build, welds, zero failures, downhills, uphills, great handling, great looks.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I've been riding this for 4 years now and I'm still amazed at how awesome this bike is (See my previous review in the 1999 Tracer review). I have the 2001 frame and have never been disappointed. I still do a few mtn bike races each year and I'm happy everytime I lift my leg over this bike. It has also been very reliable. I recently upgraded the wheels and cranks. I'm racing triathlons now but it's great to do a little cross training and hit the trails or do a couple mtb races. It's too bad they stopped making this frame, it's indestructable. I'm by no means easy on it and it has with stood years of abuse.
Bike Setup: XTR shifters & derailers, Proshift brakes, FSA carbon cranks, Dream wheels, Chris King hubs & headset, Marzocchi, Eatson monkey light bars, Thompson seatpost and stem
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Submitted by
Yogi
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2005
Strengths: Ultra plush and efficient FSR suspension. Super strong and reliable. Adjustable geometry makes the frame very versatile. Looks perty.
Weaknesses: None. Intense stopped making them which I think was a mistake (see comments below).
Bottom Line:
The Tracer is absolutely the BEST full suspension XC bike I know of. I owned a 2000 Tracer for 4 years and absolutely loved it. I rode it for 4 full seasons, including several trips to the ultimate MTB testing grounds in Moab. The bike performed and help up incredibly well and took as much abuse as I could throw at it. I had every intention of keeping it for several more years. However, when Intense came out with the Spider XVP I figured it was newer and must be better, so I decided to trade in the Tracer for a Spider. HUGE mistake! The Spider's VPP suspension and Manitou Swinger SPV shock may have been a tad more efficient at preventing bob than the Tracer's Fox Float, but the suspension design is much less plush and there's alot of pedal feedback. The Spider felt like a 3" travel bike instead of 4" and it performed HORRIBLY any time I needed to hit rough patches of trail under power. It was like the suspension locked up when pedaling, so it was horrible at uphill technical trails. I adjusted the shock setup in 100 different ways but was never happy. The Spider just didn't live up to the hype. I also had a ton of mechanical issues with the Spider and decided to trade it in for a 2003 Tracer after one very diappointing season. My new 2003 Tracer has me smiling again. It has a 2005 Fox RP3 stable platform shock which improved the Tracer's already awesome pedaling efficiency by more than 10% over the standard Float RL. I'm running a Fox TALAS fork which is the perfect fork to go with the Tracer's adjustable geometry and travel settings. I've replaced the TALAS' damping cartridge with a Stratos Inertial Damping (ID) cartridge which turns the fork into a stable platform. The combo of these two shocks is amazing! It rockets uphill and I get almost no brake dive on downhills. I would recommend the Tracer to anyone looking for the perfect FS XC rig. P.S. Check out the Specialized website tech section for an explanation of why the FSR design is superior to other designs. I learned from experience and agree 100%.
I let my bud ride it... shortly after the trail ride, we went to the shop and he bought the same frame too. The only difference is the color... talk about a product selling itself! I think anyone who's a serious enough XC rider should definitely consider investing in a Intense Tracer... The only problem is... You'd have to search for a frame, Intense has already retired the design.
Bike Setup: THIS BIKE IS BUILT AS AN AGRESSIVE XC KILLER AT SUB 24 LBS. HUGI 717 WHLS, BONTRAGER XXX LITE BAR-STEM-POST, FROGS PEDALS, VELO PROLITE SEAT, DT SWISS 210 SHOCK, MXR AIR FORK, XTR EVERYTHING ELSE.
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Submitted by
Sergio Arroyo
a Cross Country Rider
from Cabo San Lucas MEXICO
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2004
Strengths: A lot of bikes in one....
Weaknesses: Doesnt come with manual to understand diferent set ups..
Bottom Line:
This bike is difficult to find the right set up, at the same time that´s the best part of it, There are days that I would like to climb fast, easy change the chainstay short. The next day long Down Hills with technical sections , rocky and sand.. no problem change the Head Angle and twist the best fork ever to 110 or 125 and the bike is a DH rige... The first 5 months i did try lots of different set ups and have change fork 3 time TALAS is the one for this bike, Like we say in MEXICO "VIVA LA TRACER", all I can say if some one wants a MUTANT XC/DH BIKE THIS IS IT BUY IT even do Intense doesen´t advertise it any more ...
Purchased At: mission cylery with my good friend Ex owner jhon carroll
Similar Products Used: Trek Fuel 90, Fisher Sugar 3
Bike Setup: Fox Talas, CrossMax SL all XTR.. Monkey Lite XC CF bar, Thomson Steam and Seat post,
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Submitted by
Dave Lawson
a Weekend Warrior
from Owen Sound, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2004
Strengths: Nice Light ride, now lags behind big travel XC bikes
Weaknesses: Customer Support, Fox Float
Bottom Line:
I was extremely pleased with this bike , until I recently noticed a crack right on a weld on the seat mast. When I contacted Intense (thru a Canadian Dealer), they said it was out of the warranty period (only two years). They offered to replace the front triangle for about $400. + shipping (3 way as it had to go thru the dealer). To top it off it would be 8 weeks to produce a new frame for me... I hate to complain, but the product is good, support leaves a lot to be desired. 8 weeks out of a 24 week Canadian riding season is a bit much to ask of a mtbr. To put it mildly, I will never buy another Intense bike and would probably go to Santa Cruz. I don`t think that they care, but hey I had to vent.
Strengths: Built like a tank, and its a xc rig! The bike took an 80 mile an hour impact from an SUV. Fork, frame shock, and rims destroyed. Frame is totally straight. VERY adjustable.
Weaknesses: 1. Bolts-keep and eye on 'em. Carry an extra pivot bolt. 2. I'd like to lower the seat for big hit rides - but the seat post would end up taking out the shock. Just can't have it all. 3. Sticker design was flawed, impossible to put on nicely - suggest getting the new sticker set, cut it into sections. Makes application super easy. 4. Shimanno rear derail. likes to slap the chain. Go with another manufacture, unless you like the hollow thudding while motoring through rocky decents.
Bottom Line:
Good investment - frame has outlasted many parts. Go with non shimano rear der, and a 100mm travel fork on a Large frame. You'll dig it.
Bike Setup: Today - xt'd with Hanebrink G6 up front. Superplush! Manitou frame shock, on number three.
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Submitted by
Todd Pepling
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2003
Strengths: climbing/traction, no pedal feedback, plush feel
Weaknesses: main swingarm pivot, a little flexy, bottom bracket a little high
Bottom Line:
Love the bike overall, but in 2 yrs I've snapped three main swingarm pivot bolts in *exactly* the same spot (where the threads start). Hope this has been fixed with newer models. I weigh 220 pounds and had I known about the Uzzi SL, I would have bought it instead. Overall though, nice ride. Buy if you're under 200, don't jump over cars, and like quick handling. Look elsewhere if your heavier, ride hard, or want a stabler handling bike.
Bike Setup: 01 Psylo XC, Hayes hydrolic, XT drive-train
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Submitted by
Darin
a Cross Country Rider
from W. Sacramento
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2003
Strengths: Climbs like a big horn sheep, plush and responsive suspension, 4" travel, lock out w/fox shock, nice design w/horst linkage, nimble and overall great performer. Made in USA.
Weaknesses: Decals, I removed them. The only other complaint is that there are some areas that are hard to clean. But that is what you get with a linkaged frame.
Bottom Line:
Arguably the best XC full suspension frame ever made.
Bike Setup: Shimano XT discs, hubs, shifters, derailluers, skewers, 636 pedals. Race Face ISIS cranks, BB, SyStem, risers, XY post. Sun singletrack wheels, Fire XC pro tires.
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Submitted by
Richard Hayter
a Weekend Warrior
from Guildford, Surrey, UK
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2003
Strengths: Strong, light, great build quality, amazing suspension action, easy-to-change geometry/travel. Rides like a dream. Rails corners. Climbs like a crazy b*stard.
Weaknesses: I got crappy service from the UK importer (but they have changed since I got mine in 2000). It's a Horst-link 4-bar system, so the rear mech bangs on the chainstay, unless you get a short rear mech, like I did.
Bottom Line:
An incredible bike. It took me a long time to get used to the high BB (compared to my hardtail) , but it feels natural now. It also took me a long time to get the setup dialled, but changing the forks from X-Fly to F80RLT sorted that out. Now, I love it. I can't think of any flaws that matter. Buy one.
Similar Products Used: Specialized FSR (old, old version), Cannondale Raven, Marin Team Titanium, various other hardtails.
Bike Setup: Fox F80RLT, SID rear shock (came with the frame as stock - had it revalved), XTR shifters, hubs, cassette & v-brakes, Bontrager ceramic rims, Race Face Turbine cranks and XY seatpost, Syncros Cattlehead stem, Easton EC70 bars, Titec carbon bar ends (I'm old fashioned!), Sachs Plasma raer mech, Time ATAC carbon pedals.
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Submitted by
kevin pender
a Racer
from honesdale pa
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2003
Strengths: great ride great handling
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
Ilove my sl&I race it.the tracer is my trailbike & rides& climbs just as well(better than a hardtail don`t care what anyone says about that)My bike is a 02 can`t find a spot in the 02 bike list to put it so I did it here, but it is a great bike.
Bike Setup: xt-xtr-a/c disc wheelset-blackair fork
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Submitted by
Mark Greer
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern Ireland
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2003
Strengths: Pretty much bomb-proof, sorted handling and very smooth suspension action. I also think it looks sweet (Mine's white).
Weaknesses: The clunking of my nice XTR rear derailleur took a bit of getting used too. The high BB was a little unsettling at first too.
Bottom Line:
First off, thanks to the guys at Ciclisport.com for sourcing the parts (Check out the pics in their custom builds webpage). I've been riding this thing now for about 3 months and each time it rocks. I bought a large to give a comfortable stretch, to allow hard riding all day. It also has an air of indestructability & looks the business. I toyed with the idea of a Santa Cruz, but feel I made the right choice. Buy one!!
Similar Products Used: I've rode a lot of bikes before buying this one. Definitely one of the best executed 4 bar links.
Bike Setup: Marazocchi Marathon 100's. XTR drivetrain. Hope Mini's. Thomson stem & post. Answer Carbon bars. RaceFace cranks & BB.
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Submitted by
Sundog
a Cross Country Rider
from Buena Vista
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2003
Strengths: Strong frame with square tubes in rear triangle and good gussets, excellent Fox RL rear shock sold with frameset
Weaknesses: Derailer was originally poorly designed and snapped easily. The newer replacements are much stronger. Also had a bolt break in the rear triangle on my first ride. Replaced by Excel and it never reoccurred. Great paint, less great decals, tend to peel.
Bottom Line:
This is a great all-mountain bike and a great cross-country bike for bigger aggressive riders. The Fox RL is great but I would definitely add the remote lock-out just because of the hard to reach location. I weigh 220 pounds and did get some bobbing in aggressive climbs until I added the lock-out to the rear shock and the firm spring in the front shock (the main cause of the bob). I have pounded this bike on the roughest trails in Colorado with hardly a scratch. My 3 other bikes look like pounded metal in comparison. Faster than my much lighter bikes for some unknown reason. TPC+ addition also works well.
Similar Products Used: My first All-Mtn bike, also own Jamis Team Dakar(light FS)
Bike Setup: All XTR, Manitou Black Elite 80/100mm with firm spring, Turner seatpost, WTB Laser saddle, remote lock-out for rear shock, TPC+ (2003 add-in) for front shock.
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Submitted by
Lawrence Mays
a Cross Country Rider
from Novato, Ca
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2003
Strengths: Quality,Ride,Looks.
Weaknesses: Decals, Puchased 03'Model and it came with 02'Graphics.
Bottom Line:
I had a Santacruz Heckler A few years back, and really liked the ride that bike offered. I moved up to a Uzzi-sl and never felt right on the bike. (Im 6ft.) Med frame was too small- yet a large Uzzi-sl is way too big. I talked to the folks at Intense and they recommended a large Tracer. This bike is every thing I was hoping the Uzzi-sl would be. I feel so much more in touch with the trail and am able to climb and make technical's I would miss on the SL. I have had no problems with mshifts that I have read in other post. I would like to try a coil/over and maybe the rocker arm off the Uzzi-sl to get a bit more travel out of the Tracer.
