Submitted by
Gordon Turner
a Weekend Warrior
from Glasgow
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2003
Strengths: Highly thought of manufacturer, not a common bike (UK). Damm good looking!!
Weaknesses: Minor; carbon sticker started (althought not yet) coming of after 18 months, Scottish weather.
Bottom Line:
MTBing for 10 years+. Never ridden a bike like this, when you first jump on it, instantly its an extention to your right arm, a long lost twin, in fact it sits as nicely as a free chilled beer at the end of a riding on a summers day.
I will admit I came from a hard tail to the Tracer, so maybe I aimed to high to soon & in terms of the quality of bike I get from now on, things will only stay the same in comparison (or get marginally better). If this is true I dont care, the bike is very good at most things and excellant at all things as far as I'm concerned.
At 28lbs, its no race bike. However it has never felt heavy in any way. I came from a 23lbs race bike & cant tell the diffrence (apart from its instantly more fun). I'm 210lbs and I have hammered this bike for two years with nothing yet to go wrong with it.
I'm not an engineer, so I'm not going to go into any technical waffle about "the back end being stiff" I'll leave that to others who know more than me about these things. What I will say, if you want an excellant bike that will take years of abuse & give years of fun go get a Tracer!!
Similar Products Used: Spesh Enduro, Giant XTC Team.
Bike Setup: Fox front and rear, RF everything, Hope disks.
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Submitted by
kyle
a Cross Country Rider
from new york
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2003
Strengths: makes me better rider.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
It is almost wrong how good this frame is. My first ride was like I have owned it forever. I was attacking trails that I had been spit off of for years like they were rail trails. If you can find one of these used within your budget, you are an idiot if you don't buy it.
Similar Products Used: Sc blur m5 epic fisher sugar
Bike Setup: what ever I can scrounge from ebay
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Submitted by
Mike Eder
a Weekend Warrior
from W. Orange NJ USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2003
Strengths: great all around bike, not for gram weenies, but acceptable, awesome craftsmanship, a thing of beauty.
Weaknesses: I'm on my second set of decals, my first badge got blown off by the wind when on my car rack. But by far my biggest gripe is the replacable derraileur hanger. I'm on my 5th one.! All you need to do is lay the bike down the wrong way and it bends.
Bottom Line:
The adjustability is a definite plus. For trail riding I use the shorter chain stay setup, For shuttle runs I switch it to the longer setting and throw on some 2.35 DH tires. It pretty much handles most of the things I throw at it. I do use discernment though, after all It's not a DH rig, so I wouldn't attempt 10 foot drops. It's just the hanger that gives my reason to gripe. I know it's better the hanger than your derraileur, but in all the other bikes I had with replacable hangers, I never had to replace them that frequently. I've probably spent over $100 on hangers alone. If it weren't for that I'd give it 5 chilis, because this bike can do it all
Similar Products Used: ellsworth truth, Rocky mountain element race
Bike Setup: Z1 xfly 100, hope C2, chris king hs, Raceface, Sram, Time, -replaced stock swing link with Uzzi SL - etc.
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Submitted by
Richard Hayter
a Cross Country Rider
from Guildford, UK
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2003
Strengths: Very laterally stiff; smooth, adjustable suspension; very well built; confidence inspiring ride...
Weaknesses: Er, let me think... the paint's not so tough... er... that's about it.
Bottom Line:
Well, it's almost 3 years since I last wrote a review of this bike, and a lot has happened. First off, I took the bike to Brekenridge, CO and Moab, UT for a riding holiday. What a blast! But the bike was much better suited for the trip than I was, I was SO unfit... All the same, the Tracer was superb, so confidence inspiring ripping downhill in Brekenridge and eating to bumps in Utah. Due to lack of fitness, I fell about 1.5 miles into the Slickrock Trail and cut myself pretty badly, so instead of testing the bike on that trail I had to walk back to the truck, dripping blood...
On the rooty forested mountain tracks of Brekenridge, the bike couldn't really be faulted. Superb geometry, very stiff rear end. Cool. Never was happy with that Rock Shox rear shock, though.
One area where the bike did proove difficult was very short, very steep climbs. I kept falling off the back. I couldn't figure out what was going on! I figured I didn't like riser bars after all...
On my return to England, I played a game of football (sorry, "soccer") and hurt my knee. Off the bike for 20 months. Bummer.
Got a few rides in last summer, but was never happy with the suspension feel on the less challenging trails where I live.
So we get to 2003. Toy with the idea of getting a Specialized Epic, but it's too much money. So I chage the bars and front forks, moving to Easton EC70s with bar ends and Fox F80RLTs.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE!
The Fox forks are superb (see my review of them) and really complement the bike. Feels like a whole new bike, in fact -- a better one!
Even though I've put on even more weight, the bike handles it superbly, never flexing under power. And it's still pretty damn light, too. My next move is to get the SID rear shock re-valved to cope better with my fat gut...
Similar Products Used: Raven, FSR, Serotta, G-Zero.
Bike Setup: XTR hubs, shifters, brakes, derailleurs. Race Face headset, cranks and seatpost. Easton EC70 flat bars, Titiec carbon bar ends, Bontrager Mustang Rims, Syncros stem, Time ATAC pedals, Fox F80RLT.
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Submitted by
Jason S
a Cross Country Rider
from Calhoun,Georgia,USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2003
Strengths: Atteniton to detail. Adjustability. Not everyone has one.
Weaknesses: The decals were a little nicked but the frame had been built by the dealer so it could have happened there. Give me a break, I'm looking for a weakness.
Bottom Line:
I have ridden many bikes in my 7 years of mountain biking, but this one is the absolute best. There is none of the rear end flex that I had come to believe was just something I was going to have to accept due to my weight(230lbs.) after riding may other FS bikes. I have tried the 3" travel setting, although this was only due to the fact that the kid at the bike shop had no idea what he was selling me, and could not offer me a owners manual or a warranty card, but I am currently running the bike in the 4" setting with the slacker head angle. The head angle felt a liitle steep in the 3" setting so I opted for the slacker setting. As others have already stated, I was truly amazed with the customer service I received from Intense. When I called shortly after purchasing the frame, and told my dealer story, I was sent an owners manual, a Manitou manual for the OL shock, a warranty card, and two Intense catalogs, within 3 days. The sales manager who answered the phone acted as if he had nothing better to do than to stay on the phone as long as I wanted and answer the many questions I had about linkage, wheelbase, and shock set-up. This alone erased any concerns I had following my dealer episode. I highly recommend the company and their product.
Similar Products Used: Numerous hartails, and a few other FS bikes, but I read all the articles and new this is what I wanted
Bike Setup: Large frame, Manitou X-vert, All XTR except XT V-brakes & Chris King hubs. Chris King headset, Race Face cranks & stem, Thompson seat post, Time pedals, Mavic X618 ceramic rims, Profile carbon bars, UDI lock on grips.
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Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2001
Strengths: Solid construction, adjustablity, FSR/Horst link design
Weaknesses: weight (compared to other trailbikes), minor paint durability issues, derailleur clanking
Bottom Line:
I moved to this bike from a Specialized M4 FSR and I have been impressed but not overwhelmed. In the 3" setting it did not feel substantially more plush than the M4, though the 4" setting is better. The handling is more solid, and the rear end stiffer than the M4, but I think the handling is also a bit slower -- probably better for fast downhills but not very agile through tight singletrack. With a 100mm fork it would be even slower (I had an 80mm fork). The frame geometry is well suited to general trail riding (and the top tube is much more appropriate than the stunted, very short Specialized frames) but I wouldn't race on the Tracer, even in the 3" mode.
That said, the suspension design is great; I don't think you can beat the standard four-bar, Horst link setup. The rear end is quite stiff and the whole bike is way overbuilt and very solid. This also accounts for its weight: my medium is at least 6 pounds, whereas the Specialized was about 5.5 and other frames, like the Ellsworth Truth, claim to be even lighter.
One quibble: as with many Horst-link designs, the rear derailleur hits the chainstay and makes noise constantly on downhills. I eventually zip-tied a piece of rubber to the XTR r. der. to solve this problem, but it's the sort of minor detail you might expect to be worked out already on a $1600 frame (I've seen other, cheaper designs that include this kind of padding). My decals were also not perfectly straight. Also, rather bizarrely, I have noticed that some of the paint rubs off when I clean the bike with 409-type cleaner and a paper towel. The paint is now a bit more matte instead of nice and shiny. Stick to simple soap and water, perhaps??
As others have noted, it takes a bit of time to get the rear shock dialed in. For a long time I couldn't seem to find the right balance between a higher shock pressure that reduced initial sag, and rebound damping that kept me from being bounced off the saddle on hard hits but didn't cause the rear end to feel sluggish. I have finally found a happy medium but it took a lot of experimentation.
The bottom line: by any reasonable standard this is a great bike, with a very efficient and time-tested rear suspension design, extremely sturdy construction, and useful and practical adjustability. What it is not is a light, or quick-handling, full suspension racer.
Strengths: Excellent construction,and the materials are first rate. Well engineered design.
Very attractive design lines!
Weaknesses: No FRAME weaknesses!
Aesthetics: Paint does chip/peel-off. The DECALS on the bottom tube,and top tube (for 2001 models,at least) peel-off with exposure to water/wet conditions. The "TRACER" moniker is ok.
Bottom Line:
This is the only bike that I'd buy,if I could only have one bike in the world! I've ridden some good bikes,including: Kona King-Kikapoo; Klein Adept Pro; GT I-drive 1.0 ;Titus Racer-X & Switchblade; Turner XCE (?); Ellsworth Truth 2000 & 2001; Giant,Cannondale,Trek & Gary Fisher. They're all excellent bikes,and I really like them all! But as I said above: I could only get ONE bike,last year. ....So I picked the best bike for me --which just happens to be the best bike you can get! INTENSE TRACER.
It's more popular than ever;especially in California,where Intense operates from. But it will NEVER lose it's e-x-c-l-u-s-i-v-i-t-y,as some reviewers may have written,or implied. A good bike never gets overlooked!
Weaknesses: ha..Stickers. i havent had stickers on mine for a while. limited seat height adjustability due to interupted seat post. rear derailler and brake cable (rim brakes) routing at junction of seat tower & shock linkage. No replacable derailler hanger.
Bottom Line:
most recent build makes this bike the "GOD" of all trail bikes. I have beat the daylights outta this bike and it keeps coming back with a vengence. Its handling and attributes just seem to improve when built with more durable parts.
Similar Products Used: Ellsworth Truth, Specialized FSR, & SC Heckler.
Bike Setup: marzocchi Z3 LT, Fox vanilla R , RF Turbine Crankset, Action tec Ti BB, XT front derailler, Sram 9.0 SL shifters & rear derailler, XTR 12-32 Cassette, Mavic 317's, Avid mech disc brakes, 2.3 Conti Vert Pro (f), 2.1 Pana XC Pro (r). RF air alloy 1" riser, Easton 60 90o stem, SDG belair saddle.
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Submitted by
Billy
a Cross Country Rider
from Stamford, CT
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2001
Strengths: Horst link suspension, cartridge sealed bearings, adjustable geometry and travel, f*%@ing sweet looking.
Weaknesses: none once you have itdialed in to your desired geometry
Bottom Line:
I had read several reviews on this bike before I bough it and one resonates in my mind: "This bike makes you a better rider." It is true. It inspires confidence - it will have you riding harder, jumping higher, clearing things that you previously couldn't in no time. Part of the reason is its solid foundation. This is a finely built, durable steed.
It's riding chracteristics are literally point and shoot. The bike tracks exceptionally well. The suspension is supple and almost unnoticable on small bumps. It climbs like a three balled mountain goat on crack. You have the ability to lockout the suspension, but I haven't found a need for that yet. The Horst link (or FSR) suspension does an excellent job of dealing with pedal bob, especially on climbs. The bike itself isn't the lightest out there on the market, but at no time does the bike feel heavy. I honestly climb better than I did on my 23 lbs. titanium hardtail (that I sold to buy this baby).
One thing to keep in mind when purchasing this bike is that the geometry and the travel are adjustable. The first time I rode it I was unhappy with the way I felt, especially on the climbs. With help from my bike mechanic, we talked about my riding style and dialed it in perfectly. The feel was immediately evident the next ride. Keep this is mind, should you demo one or hop on one and aren't happy with it's geometry. WHatever your preference, the bike can be dialed in to fit your needs.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Buy one. Don't worry about cost b/c as soon as you ride it, you will get an immediate return on your investment.
Similar Products Used: Y2K K2 Evo Pro 2.0; 1999 Giant XTC DS2
Bike Setup: Rock Shox Psylo SL, XTR drivetrain, XT brakes and shifters, White Industry cranks, kore stem and handlbar, Azonic seatpost, Mavic Crossride wheels with 2.1 IRC Mythos XC tires
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Submitted by
Paulo Abreu
a Weekend Warrior
from Portugal-Madeira Island
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2001
Strengths: Quality build, flawless suspension design, Fox Float RC, Geometry, Bearing pivots, weight, made to last, adjustability.
Weaknesses: What ?
Bottom Line:
Undoubtly the best bike i had and, for me, the best i tried so far. Intense hit the goal to make a bike that can manage every challenge with "A" plus. I ride it on the more "Downhill" setup that gives me for confidence on speed and still fine for single tracks and fire roads (longest wheel base and less stepier head angle). A had several rigid frames and suspension frames, but sorry to say for now, this is my last one !
Similar Products Used: Several other susp bikes (owned Trek VRX500)
Bike Setup: Race Face cockpit, Manitou X-Vert Air 2001, Cookbros E cranks, King, XTR, Hayes Hydraulic, DT Onyx hubs, F519 rims and Conti Vertical Pro tires
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Submitted by
Ashley Wright
a Weekend Warrior
from Godalming, Surrey, England
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2001
Strengths: No flex, Sealed bearings, Horst Link, Well built, lots of mud clearence
Weaknesses: Paint a bit thin, Fox shock leaks (but I can't blame Intense for that) could have better disc brake mountings
Bottom Line:
WOW - the best bike I have ever ridden. I weigh 210lbs and I fly on this thing. The bike is set up for long distance cross country with a bit of free riding thrwon in and it handles it all perfectly. I had a bit of leakage from the FOX shock (no surprises there!) and the paint has started to rub off quite badly on the rear suspension arms, but apart from that I have put over 1000 miles of UK mud onto the frame in a very short while. This bike enables me to cycle for an extra hour easily.
The only problem is the UK importer went belly up, and the wait times are over 3 months here. Plus the bike is becoming very popular and starting to lose some of it's excusitivity.
Bike Setup: 18", with Judy Sl's (100mm) 4 inch travel with steep head angle, full XT gears, race face low riser bars, 100mm stem, hope/f519 wheels and hope C2 disc brakes (weighs about 26lbs) - in gloriuos black and silver
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Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Riverside,California
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2001
Strengths: Extremely tight, and stable. Rides like a dream. Unlimited adjustability. All around great bike. I was unhappy with the performance and lack of attention to detail. The customer service was the main reason for switching bikes. Intense has been extremely pleasant to deal with. I have had a small warrantee issue, and was prompted to contact them directly. The expirience was the oposite of what I was used to dealing with the other guys. Absolutely proffesional, as well as efficient, and curtious. I am a very happy camper.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I love this bike so much, thats obvious by my Email adress.
write-ups on this frame- no exaggerations. absolutely best trailbike on earth. versatile, strong, beefy, and still remains feathery. props to jeff steber. intense reps at customer service are friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable--very important. buy one...quickly!
Strengths: Great craftsmanship. Beautifully machined parts. Well designed.
Weaknesses: High bottom bracket. Horst link is designed poorly with derailleur interference. Top tube length is a bit short. Wish frame had option for 4.5" travel.
Bottom Line:
-I am fairly impressed with the bike so far. I am still trying to get the suspension dialed in. With the Psylo's set at 4 inches of travel and the suspension set up for the shallower head tube angle(and 4 inches travel), the bottom bracket height measures 14.5 inches(quite high in my opinion). With my seat height set at the same height as my hardtail, I feel like I am way off the ground. This is particularly noticeable when cornering. -Even with rubber zip tied to the rear derailleur, the slapping of the derailleur against the pivot is incessant and annoying. -The bike floats really well through rough sections, but doesn't unweight as easily as other bikes when you want to get airborn (probably shock set up). -The rear end is super stiff during out of the saddle efforts. -Fox shock is already showing signs of blowing out(I'm not worried about Fox hooking me up when it goes).
Bottom line, the bike is so smooth, you barely know it's there. I am faster, smoother, and more in control on this bike. It's a hoot to ride!!
Similar Products Used: Mountain Cycle San Andreas, CXS, Shockwave, Specialized FSR XC
Bike Setup: Rock Shox Psylo Race(@100mm), XT discs, King/Mavic 317 wheels, King HS, Thomson stem and post, Easton Carbon riser bars, Truvativ Team Stylo cranks and BB, Time pedals, XTR shifters and derailleurs (26.5lbs)
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Submitted by
Adam Davidson
a Cross Country Rider
from Chelmsford MA
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2001
Strengths: Very Stiff, suave travel, love the adjustability, beefy...
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
I love this frame. It was worth the money, very beefed frame. Smooth travel, stiff rear, love it. Look into one if you're going for high end fs!
Bike Setup: Grey ano frame, xt crank, brakes, shifters and full drivetrain, king headset, RF stem, icon riser, RF post, sun rhynolites, Spec. team treads, odi lock ons, shim. slalom platform spds, marzocchi z3 bam 80
Hi guys. I'm looking at maybe getting a 2000 Tracer for my wife. It has a pretty good build- XTR drivetrain, SID fork, King headset, Sun RPM rims (???), Race face everything else Read More »
I just bought a 2000 Tracer and would like to get some info on how people have their bike setup. The Wheelbase adjustment at rear is in the rear position. Any comments for front or Read More »
