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Submitted by
Corey
a Racer
from Half Moon Bay
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | The Tracer has an infinite amount of strengths. It is light enough to climb and race. On descents it keeps stable at the highest of speeds and through the most technical sections. It is fun to cruise town or to go on an extreme ride. It's an Intense, what do you think? | | Weaknesses: | Not really any. It's not quite as light as other comparable lightweight cross country bikes, but it makes up for it in its ability to descend. | | Similar Products Used: | I have tried Santa Cruz Superlights, etc. | | Bike Setup: | I built it custom with a Z-2 X-Fly, full XTR, Kore stem and seatpost, Raceface carbon LP cranks, Time ATAC Carbon pedals, and wheels with Chris King hubs and Mavic 517 rims | | Bottom Line: | The best bike ever. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frisco Kid
a Downhiller
from Tempe, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | South Mt. [National] | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | This is an update to my first review. This bike doesn't stop amazing me. It takes everything I dish and loves it. The drops are getting bigger and bigger, and the downhill is getting faster and gnarlier. This bike lets you realize your potential, and it is higher than you can imagine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lionel Lin YiMing
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bukit Timah , Pulau Ubin | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Frame Head-Tube Design, Stress Points Reandforced, Price, Easton Made, Adjustable Seat-Tower | | Weaknesses: | Rear Shox = VOX ALPS 5, 1 kind of clamping, always leaks after 600km. Suspendsion Mounting | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Intense Uzzi XC 1999 Model. XTR levers shifters. Sram hubs 9.0 sl disc and brakes xt and xtr components | | Bottom Line: | The Uzzi XC is great though the Tracer took over it the suspendsion mounting is weak and can onli fit 1 kind of suspendsion FOX alps 5 and it leaks after 600km. if onli intense can replace for a SL for us for free! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frisco Kid
a Downhiller
from Tempe, AZ
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | South Mt. [National] | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Adjustability, looks, strength, feel...the bike is the bomb. | | Weaknesses: | My decals a peeling off already and Intense doesn't send out new decal sets. | | Similar Products Used: | Ridden: Chuck FS. | | Bike Setup: | Monkeylite riser bars, cane creek wheels, fireDHpro tires, Mzrzocchi Z1 CR (let out to 5 inches), full 99XT, Kore stem, Raceface XY post [no kickback]. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the do everything, big balls inspiring, no drop off to big, no shoot to steep and no line to skinny bike. I have bombed on this bike, pulling 4.5 foot drops, rompin' on the downhills and loving every minute of it. Oh yeah did i mention it climbs awesome? I have yet to lockout the shock for any technical climbs. My shoc leaks air, but i got some new seels and it should do the trick, hopefully. Otherwise this bike rocks, for whatever you want to do; freeride, cross country, downhill and even some trials [taking out the seat post gives you awesome clearance]. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Cross Country Rider
from Lakewood, Co, USA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Hall Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Quick Handling, Very solid, great bottom bracket clearance, appearance. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any. | | Similar Products Used: | '97 GT STS | | Bike Setup: | Full '00 XTR Mega-9 groupo, Mavic 517 Ceramic rims w/King hubs, '00 SID XC 80mm fork, Kore Elite Stem w/riser bars. Have rear set up in 4" travel mode with steepest head angle. | | Bottom Line: | This is by far the sweetest ride I've ever seen/owned/heard about or dreamed existed! I built the bike from the frame on up so I would only have myself to blame if it underperformed. Mine's a Y2K model but it's the same as '99. The set up could not be more perfect for the front range trails near Denver. The bike climbs like a dream! When I first got it I was psyched about the rear shock lockout, but after a couple of rides I realized that it often climbs better when the rear is fully active. The geometry is perfect for climbing and descending. On fast descents the bike tracks and corners like it's on rails. On technical descents all you have to do is look where you want to go and the bike goes there. Great all around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Racer
from Palo Alto
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything Skeggs! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Everything! Downhill, uphill, flat, dirtjumping. This bike does anything and everything with flying colors. I've even jumped Calabazas on it (local jumping spot). I love this bike | | Weaknesses: | None. Absolutely none | | Similar Products Used: | '98 FSR, Titus Quasimoto (also both nice bikes) | | Bike Setup: | XTR brakes, shifters and deraileurs RaceFace cranks,bb and stem, Kooka levers, X517 rims on King Hubs, '99 Manitou SXti fork | | Bottom Line: | This bike is god. Nothing beats it. Cost is no issue when it comes to the amount of performance you get from this bike. Anything goes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy Raney
a Downhiller
from Boiling Springs, SC
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | black mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | The RIDE. Light and Stiff. Adjustable. The best suspension
design available. The new 2000 model decals. Oh yeah, the ride, man the ride. | | Weaknesses: | It always cost to ride the best, but it is still cheaper than some lesser bikes. | | Similar Products Used: | Super-V, Kona Stab, etc... | | Bike Setup: | Z.2 X-fly, XTR, Cane Creek Wam's. | | Bottom Line: | The most enjoyable bike I have ever ridden. The way the bike rode downhill did not surprise me ( It is an Intense),
but it can climb anything. MBA was right when they said it felt like the bike was floating above the trail. Awesome ride. I loved the suspension action so much, that I have decided to sell my downhill frame, and see if I can scrimp up enough for the new M1. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Cross-Country Rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: December 3, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Hall Ranch | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
-Extremely plush
-Laterally ridgid
-Quiet!
-Apparently bombproof | | Weaknesses: |
-Decals
-None other so far! | | Similar Products Used: |
-GT XCR
-Specialized M4 FSR
-Yeti AC3 | | Bike Setup: |
-XTR brakes, hubs, r. der., shifters
-Avid levers, Easton carbon riser bar, Raceface cranks/rings
-Rock Shox w/ Englunds | | Bottom Line: | I have never ridden a better bike! This is particularly great news since, for once, that bike is mine! I had a crash the first week where my bars rotated around and the shifters and brake levers slammed into the top tube. Other than a scratch, no damage. I am convinced that the same crash would've dented the Specialized top tube. One thing that is truly surprising is the agile climber this bike is! Even with the slight bobbing under pedalling, I never lock the shock out. NO need! It climbs like a hardtail without the butt-banging on rocky trails. Of course, the downhill ability is born of Intense's past knowledge. I have to relearn how to descend now that I don't have to slow up anymore. This bike will make me into a holy terror! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tko
a Cross-Country Rider
from Chatsworth CA
Date Reviewed: November 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Balanced, no flex, strong, no squeeks or rattles, seems to handle just about everthing well. Having all suspension pivots sealed bearings was a big plus. You can talk direct to the factory and they have knowlegable people available. | | Weaknesses: |
decals only lasted one ride, price | | Similar Products Used: |
Cannondale HT, Mantra FS, Schwinn 4-banger | | Bike Setup: |
Thomson, RaceFace, XTR, Flight, Bebops, WB72UL | | Bottom Line: | I've had mine for about 6 months now. Built the bike up myself for lightweight XC (SouthernCa fireroads) at a weight of 24.3 lbs. Basically, the bike does everything I want. Handles great, does downhills as fast as I want to go, climbs well, and even handles out-of-the-saddle sprints. No flex, no squeeks, no rattles. The bike kind of dissiperes from underneath you - everything is pretty balanced and neutral so you stop thinking about it. About the only way I'd know if there was a better bike would be to do a month long side by side comparision - and the odds of doing that is pretty small. To me, this bike is one of the best compromises between a light weight, short travel XC frame and a longer travel downhill frame. The biggest differences? I find myself more and more just aiming right at the rough stuff and bombing through it. I can drift both wheels easier and balance the bike better at the edges. I can stand and sprint. Jumps are a little better balanced. Locking the rear shock does make me faster on uphills and smoother roads.I still haven't tried all the set up options - perhaps the ride can get better!Any negatives? Not that I notice at my level and in the terrain I ride. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a Cross-Country Rider
from Costa Mesa, Ca
Date Reviewed: October 23, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
wheelbase (42.5), TT (23.0), ability to except a 100mm travel fork and have the handlling remain neutral. Stability, craftsmanship, adjustability of rear suspension, and ride height, quality of travel, climbs real well, standover is great. | | Weaknesses: |
Decals (heck, i just took um off), No pump nor a frame manual. i had to call intense to get a manual and ask set up questions. Little bulky but dont know what finished product weighs yet. But im gonna say 27 maybe 28 lbs? | | Similar Products Used: |
Ridden, Ellsworth Truth, FSR-XC, Santa Cruz Heckler | | Bike Setup: |
My bike came with the fox RC w/lockout. Im using a manitou single crown X vert w/ 100mm of travel, CC headset, Race Face 110/5 stem, race face XC riser with 1' of rise and 5 degrees of sweep, XT crankset/bb and frnt derailler, ESP 9.0 SL rear and shifters, XTR 12-32 cassette,517 ano w/ hugi hubs, IRC Mythos rear and Backcountry frnt, SDG Belair saddle and anchor bontrager seat post(heck it was free w/ the frame. | | Bottom Line: | The frame came from intense set up with 4 of rear travel, 70.5 / 72 degree angles. I rode it once like because i had no manual to know this the 70.5/72 degree set up. The bike handled great. even with the angles the way they where the bikes handling was neutral and predictable.Then at work i called Intense to ask them to sell me a catalog. In the process i asked them about set and found out that i had the bike set up wrong. So i came home from work and changed the set-up to 4 or rear travel and a 71/73 degree angle set up. What a difference this made in the handling. The bike climbed as well as it did before with steeper angles. Bu tthe real improvement was in the way the bike felt on the technical. fire roads and single track. On the technical the standover allowed me to get over the back without a problem (im 5'8 with a 31.5 inseam so this is a revelation). i could roll of wheelie loft easily. The stability and neutral handling allowed me roll faster, carry more momentum, rail and apex almost anything (except for hikers). its performance on allowing corrections on off camber turns without having to muscle the front end was great. On singletrack the bikes a bit sluggo in the handling department. Now ill be the first to say that in part is me . But it was fast and carried momentum well in rollers. But it really shined in its ability to track and recover in transitions from hardpack to sand. Im real impressed with this bike.Thus far im giving it a 4 star rating cuz i havent had it long enough to either praise it or hate it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TigerT
a Weekend Warrior
from Huntington Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: September 15, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
As mentioned in my post below plus.....
Rear travel is sooo smooth and never makes a noise. Love the fast handling, yet it is very stable at speed. Rear is stiff - with the lock out on you would think it's a hardtail - not that I ever need to use the lockout. Alignment of the frame has been spot on and the riding performance has been superb. I will make it better with a longer travel fork upgrade. | | Weaknesses: |
Rear derailler slap on the suspension pivot - fixed wit the derailler tension screw wound right in - just.
See my comments below. | | Similar Products Used: |
Lots | | Bike Setup: |
Medium frame with parts mentioned in post below. | | Bottom Line: | I need more travel in my front fork selection - the Atom Bomb's travel just aint enough to match the rear. I'll try an 80mm fork (or more) - just can't decide between air or spring sprung? Riding the Tracer provides a great balance between not enough or too much suspension. The Tracer is light enough to be a great XC ride, yet has enough travel to excel in rocky drop offs and anything step and rough. Climbing is superb even out of the saddle. There is a sense of confidence I get with the Tracer that nothing can stop this frame.For all around riding even at the high price this is worth ever penny. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: September 13, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Laguna Mountains | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
LightweightGood standover heightSealed bearing pivotsStrong rear triangleReasonable price | | Weaknesses: |
Decals | | Similar Products Used: |
DBR V-8GT LTS-1 | | Bike Setup: |
Z-2 BAMChris King/Mavic wheelsXTR drivetrainEaston carbon bars | | Bottom Line: | I studied other high-end XC bikes for quite a while before selecting the Tracer. Very happy with the ride, looks, feel, construction. I highly recommend it! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T-Man
a Cross-Country Rider
from Denver
Date Reviewed: September 13, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Anything not paved | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
LOOOOOOOOOKS!
Killer Anodized finish (bullet proof)
Rear triangle and air shock - lockout is awesome!
Great BB clearance and handling.
Excellent climing and downhill combo. | | Weaknesses: |
Decals.
Most people would say frame weight (Large is 5.9 lbs), but I weigh 190 and this frame is bomb proof!
No pump for shock! | | Similar Products Used: |
I've worked in several bike stores and have tested most rides. | | Bike Setup: |
Full XTR Components
KORE stem, post & bar
Mavic 517 CD rims
Manitou SX Ti | | Bottom Line: | Excellent Cross-country bike for heavier riders and is strong enough to be used as a free-ride bike. Love it and have spent every free minute of my time with my butt in the saddle since I got it. Ride on! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TigerT
a Weekend Warrior
from Huntington Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: August 10, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Light enough - just
Made to last forever
Suspension is smooth and proven FSR design
Good price
Under top tube cable mounts are great.
Good stand over height
High BB (for clearance).
Neutral handling.
Love the manufacture of the rear stays and triangle - best I have seen. | | Weaknesses: |
One water bottle mount!
Decals are average (look ok from a distance) - head tube decal is the worse.
Seat tube finish (ream) was poor.
Front derailer hard to adjust - don't think a 22T front ring would work with anything but a 28 or lager cog.
| | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized FSR Sworks M4, Elsworth Truth, Trek Y22, Klein Mantra, Santa Cruz Heckler SL, Lightspeed Tasali... | | Bike Setup: |
Medium size ball burnish finish
Atom Bomb Z2 forks (heavy springs (I'm 165lbs)).
Race face - BBTi, Stem120/5, Post, CranksLP/175 & rings24/36/46.
XT rear, XTR front derailer.
Kore pedals.
Grip Shift plasma.
Kestral carbon flat bars.
Mavic Crossmax wheelset. | | Bottom Line: | Better value than the Truth - and better finished.
Not as light as my M4 FSR, but more travel and light enough.
Great finish, poor decals.
I'll post again when I have more ride time, but so far I am very happy and impressed. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scot
a Racer
from Westchester, New York
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Canaan, West Virginia | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Previously Listed | | Weaknesses: |
Previously Listed | | Similar Products Used: |
Previously Listed | | Bike Setup: |
Previously Listed | | Bottom Line: | ***********UPDATED INFORMATION******************
After posting my last review of the Intense Tracer I received a phone call from U.S. Sales Rep Mike Faello who was sincere and responsive to my gripes. This in itself proved to me that Intense is not just another big company making a buck. The only thing they need to correct is the stickers on the bike delaminating, which Mike assured me will be corrected on by the year 2000. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scot
a Racer
from Westchester, New York
Date Reviewed: July 12, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Canaan, West Virginia | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Tunable Suspension
Lockout Air shock
Excel Handling on Single
Aggresive Climber | | Weaknesses: |
No Air Pump W/FRAMESET
Sketchy on Downhills
Cable Hanger Mounts | | Similar Products Used: |
97 GT LTS - 1 | | Bike Setup: |
99 Zoke Z2 BAM W/Hope Disc | | Bottom Line: | Excellent Racer, don't be fooled with all the inacurrate weight specifications given by Intense Dealers (my MEDIUM equivilant to an 18 inch weighs 5.7 lbs). Great bike once dialed in....bike reacted better with 3 inches of travel then the 4 inches set from the factory. As far as the frame coming without a pump for the Fox Air Vanilla RC that disgusts me. For the expense of $1500 Clams they shouldn't be frivolous. | | Overall Rating: |
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