2022 Intense Tracer 279 – All new and ready for the future

It’s 2022 and we’re seeing the 2022 Intense Tracer being launched. Wow, how novel – a bike for now (well, mid-May), not a year away. It’s been in the works for ages however, with development starting in 2019. Let’s take a look at the decision making process, and the outcome.

The Tracer has been in the Intense range for well over 20 years, and Intense thinks this new bike brings it bang up to date and ready for the future. Plenty of travel, good at climbing, good at descending, ‘longer, lower, slacker’ – of course, mullet wheel size, a flip chip, and even somewhere to keep your tools on the bike.

Intense team rider Isabeau Courdurier raced different versions of the ‘new’ Tracer at the Enduro World Series in 2019. She went on to win the final race on a mixed wheel frame and in the process claimed the series win. The bike that she rode went on to be used as the blueprint for the Tracer 279 that you see now. In addition, downhill racing legend Aaron Gwin joined Intense that year and started to give his feedback and input into the design. The Tracer 279 is the first bike from Intense with Aaron’s input.

2022 Intense Tracer 279 Features

• 170mm front and rear travel
• 29” front / 27.5” rear wheel
• JF tuned enduro link
• Flip chip adjustable geometry
• In-frame Chad storage system
• Öhlins spec’d s model, fox spec’d expert build • full carbon frame with titanium hardware
• Frame protection and shuttle guard
• All-new soft compound chainstay protector
• Easy-to-use quick release rear axle

The Intense Tracer uses inspiration and technology from the M29 downhill bike, using a JF enduro link and taking the shock down low and horizontal. This bottom link driven rear shock provides a firm pedal platform with a lower centre of gravity. Also keeping the centre of gravity low is the Chad storage system – named after their colleague Chad Peterson – tucked away close to the bottom bracket – which is threaded, you’ll be pleased to hear.

The full-carbon Tracer is available in four sizes (S, M, L and XL), and with a reach ranging from 425mm-505mm, a 64.5⁰ head angle (HI setting), and a 77.9⁰ effective seat tube. There are two complete build options and also a frame-only package.

• Tracer 279 Expert – $5,499/€4,999/£4,799
• Öhlins spec’d Tracer 279 S – $7199/€6,499/£5,999
• Factory Frame ($3299/€3,199/£2,799)

All will be available from mid-May, direct from Intense for UK buyers.

Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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