Hold your chin and keep breathing calmly. Yes, you read that right, the new Tracer from the luxury brand Intense costs up to 11998 euros. A price for which some people would rather buy a new small car or at least three to four enduro mountain bikes from the mail-order range. If you don't necessarily need the top model, you can also flirt with the affordable Intense Tracer from 5298 euros.
Key data of the new Intense Tracer
The new Tracer also remains true to its line and relies on a VPP rear triangle, which originated years ago from a co-operation with Santa Cruz and has been continuously refined. The latest model with 27.5-inch wheels offers 160 millimetres of travel and has a progressive character. As a potent enduro MTB, Intense even allows the use of forks with up to 180 millimetres of travel. Even with a 160 mm fork, the steering angle is a flat 65.2 degrees. In the top configuration with wide E13 tyres and Enve carbon wheels, the bike weighs 13.12 kilos without pedals. The Fox Float X2 shock matches the consistent design and leaves nothing to be desired downhill.
Cooperation with Cero-Design
Another special feature of the Tracer is the collaboration of Cesar Rojo, who has already caused a stir recently with his own brand Unno-Bikes. The Barcelona designer played a key role in the frame design and rear triangle kinematics. In addition to the flowing frame shape, the unusually long lower rocker of the Tracer, which is positioned in front of the bottom bracket, is particularly striking for a VPP rear triangle.
Geometry of the Intense Tracer
The Tracer will be available in four frame sizes. In the size L that we rode, the reach is 460 millimetres. The aforementioned slack head angle is complemented by a steep seat angle of 74.5 degrees, for plenty of pressure on the front wheel on steep climbs. Despite plenty of tyre clearance, the chainstays are a short 425 millimetres long.
Model range
Intense offers a total of five different models of the new Tracer, ranging from 5298 to 11998 euros. Only the three most expensive models have the 200 gram lighter SL frame, in which the upper rocker is also made of carbon. The SL frame costs a staggering 4198 euros individually.
Tracer SL Factory: 11998 Euro
Tracer SL Elite: 8198 Euro
Tracer SL Pro: 7698 Euro
Tracer NM Expert: 6298 Euro
Tracer NM Foundation: 5298 Euro
The complete test of the Intense Tracer SL Factory can be found in BIKE 4/17 - on newsstands from 7 March!
