| |
Submitted by
Big Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Corona, CA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2005 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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). | |
|
$ 3200.00
