Long Termer Review: Jon’s Intense Tracer 2
Jon's been riding the Tracer 2 all over the place - six months down the line here's a comprehensive review
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Posted on: November 14, 2011
Always liked Intense , this one looks special even for them. I wanted to know if you’ve tried the 29 version , seen some good reviews. I’m over 6 foot so maybe a 29er would be better for me?
Always liked intense, but not their rep for mis aligned frames, snapping, and those gopping manipulated tubes. Offered a tracer at cost I still turned it down.
Thanks for the review. I am glad you got to experience the new generation of Intense bikes. There is something magical about the ride of an Intense. It is so often the most favoured bike of riders that have a choice, an unbiased choice. Riders Choice.
Good review, would be interested to see how the Tracer would stack up against the Yeti SB-66, the Santa Cruz Nomad and the Ibis Mojo HD.
“There is something magical about the ride of an Intense. It is so often the most favoured bike of riders that have a choice, an unbiased choice. Riders Choice.” – Really now, this isn’t pink bike. Nebulous waffle only invites hatin’.
4130oryg: I’m well under 6 ft so can’t really comment, but we’ve had a Spider 2 29er recently and the big wheels give a substantially different ride feel. If you’re a big lad then I reckon the big wheeled Tracer2 has got to be worth a look and test ride though…
crashtestmonkey: I’ve gone fairly hard on this bike and it’s still in one, straight piece. I can’t comment on other people’s experiences but in the office it’s been overwhelmingly good. I like the ‘manufactured’ look – I can understand why others don’t – much like that other formed aluminium brand from Halifax it’s a bit like marmite…
Jambo13: Cheers, we’ve got a Mojo HD on test at the moment and hopefully we’ll see a Nomad and SB-66 soon…
Nice write up. Especially liking the detail you put about the shock tunes and the effect they had. Thanks.
As a Tracer VP owner, my questions is … is it significantly better than the old one?
Also, I’ve heard that the frame is close to 8lbs which is quite a bit more than the Tracer VP, any thoughts?
Oh, I don’t really need one though, do I ..?
I know it’s a bit of a dream build so hard to compare but how much does it weigh?
Large frame, just over 8Lbs!
Misaligned frame replaced.
Second frame kept coming undone.
CCDB sent with w
Wrong reducing hardware for frame.
Nice to ride, not to own.
Nice review – thanks.
Great review. Am just about to place an order for one of these and this has just made me impatient
I haven’t weighed the frame alone but the complete build with uppy/downy post, tubed 2.5″ tyres with sturdy casings is a smidge over 30lbs. Could drop a bit off that if I went tubeless and had some lighter tyres, carbon bars instead of big wide alloy ones, etc, but this build has been entirely durable for riding that should be out of it’s depth.
I haven’t spent much time on the old Tracer VP but having spoken to a couple of people who’ve ridden old and new, this version is stiffer and harder hitting all round…
Great review mate, but great pilot, too! I was by chance at Finale Ligure when you was riding this tracer 2. I will wait until for your next Ibis Mojo HD long termer review before to make my final choice between those to californian bikes.
Hi Philippe! I’m still hoping that we’ll get our hands on a Carbine and then be able to do a bit of a carbon fibre head to head with the Mojo HD – they’re rare beasts at the moment though…
Write-up pretty much 100% matches my impressions (bought mine in May).
My Large frame weighs a smidge over 8lbs, not light, but it feels like that weight translates to a stiff & strong feeling frame. I’m not particularly hard on bikes, but the Tracer 2 is much burlier than the Tracer VP. I’ve also slackened mine with an angle set, so personally, I think it should be a degree slacker for the kind of riding it encourages.
In 2 words, confidence inspiring and predictable.
Its the sexy weld scales that are like lace lingerie, especially the central seam down the top tube – phwoooar. The colours are nice but the raw finish makes it look like its weapons grade.
From your experience, do you thing Tracer 2 geometry could scale out to produce best in class T29 for rider who is looking for a more comfort, secure bike for Enduro utilzation?