The Intense Tracer VP replaces the 5.5 EVP trailbike. The Tracer has the second generation of the VPP suspension (which it shares with the Santa Cruz Blur LT) designed for less chain growth and less pedal feedback, plus a new bearing system and grease ports at the pivots for regular maintenance (Intense includes a grease gun with every bike). Along with the suspension redesign, the Tracer gets two shock mount options offering either 5.5 or six inches of rear wheel travel and a 1.5-inch head tube. Intense will offer three kits for the Tracer, ranging from a more cross-country feel to an aggressive all-mountain trailbike orientation. The frame geometry on the new Tracer has been tweaked towards all-mountain riding, and the standover is lower than the 5.5 EVP it is replacing.

THE TWO BUILD BASICS
White Tracer: The white Tracer VP trailbike features a 5.5-inch travel Fox 32 F fork with a standard nine-millimeter axle and Shimano’s XTR drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes and wheels. A carbon fiber Titec handlebar and seatpost feature Intense’s own grips and titanium-rail saddle. This Tracer VP weighs 27.2 pounds with Shimano XTR pedals. This frame and XTR build kit sells for $6349.



Red Tracer: This build kit is for the rider who will set up the Tracer using the full six inches of rear travel. It features a beefier component spec geared for aggressive all-mountain riding, including Fox’s TALAS 36 R fork. Rather than Shimano’s race-oriented XTR group, the red Tracer is equipped with Shimano’s versatile XT trailbike kit, featuring drivetrain components, hydraulic disc brakes, and XT wheels with a 20-millimeter thru-axle front hub. Both bikes roll on Intense’s own 2.25x26 System 4 trailbike tires. The Tracer with this XT kit weighs 31.2 pounds and sells for $5049.


TWO ON THE TRAIL
We wanted to see just how different two bikes using the same frame could feel on the trail. Riders can also use the results of our side-by-side test to determine how they can build a Tracer to match their riding style and terrain.



MAGAZINE REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS: WHITE TRACER VP
- The sloping top tube of the new Tracer VP frame, and the 73-degree seat angle, put the rider in a balanced position for attacking uphills as well as descents.


The 90-millimeter Titec stem and 27-inch-wide Titec Pluto carbon handlebar
make for a comfortable, versatile cockpit.

-On cross-country test rides we were impressed with how the white Tracer VP screamed uphill. The suspension setup had almost no unwanted suspension movement and maintained ideal traction when in the saddle. Aboard this Tracer with a 69-degree head angle and 13.5-inch bottom bracket, we found ourselves cresting some of our toughest climbs hammering in the middle chainring and getting to the top quicker than usual.

- When it comes to high-performance components, Shimano’s XTR line is often the first that comes to mind. The white Tracer features XTR hydraulic disc brakes with six-inch rotors front and rear. The organic pads have decent bite after about six hours of riding; however, heavier riders might want to look into throwing a metallic brake pad or two on the front wheel.


We can’t say enough good things about Shimano’s XTR wheels. We’ve ridden them on numerous cross-country bikes over the past year and they’ve remained impressively true.

- With 5.5 inches of front and rear suspension, the Tracer VP can gobble up technical cross-country trails with the best of them. After setting the sag, which is crucial for the VPP suspension to operate to its full potential, the Tracer’s rear end sucked up hits at speed and when slicing through rutted corners.

MAGAZINE REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS: RED TRACER VP
-The two Tracers have the same frame, so the extended travel of the red bike was found by positioning the lower shock mount in the top hole of the two mounting options in the suspension’s link. Using the 6.3-inch-travel Fox 36 TALAS R fork slackens the head angle to 67.5 degrees (from 69) and raises the bottom bracket from 13.5 inches to 13.8 inches. The longer fork also grows the wheelbase on the size medium frame from 43 inches to 43.5 inches. The Titec ProLite stem shrinks from 90 millimeters to 80 millimeters, shortening the feel of the cockpit.


The ProPedal lever is easy to reach, so you are encouraged to use it often.

- The Fox 36 TALAS fork has three travel settings, 3.9, 5.1 and 6.3 inches. Dropping the fork travel can be helpful during extended climbs, especially with a shorter stem setup like on the red Tracer. A shorter stem combined with a longer travel fork like the 36 can cause the front end to wander when riding uphill. Only on extended steep uphills did we drop the fork down in travel, and then the bike handled most naturally in the 5.1-inch-travel setting.

-While a lesser bike weighing 32 pounds would be drudgery on a climb, the red Tracer uses its VPP suspension to hide its weight. You would be forgiven for assuming you are riding a sub-31 pound bike.

- The red Tracer is equipped with Shimano’s do-it-all XT component group. The XT brakes have an easy-to-use lever reach adjustment on the perch, and the eight-inch front rotor and six-inch rear rotor provide plenty of bite for stopping the 32-pound Tracer.

- Even though the changes to the red Tracer may seem minute when compared to the white bike’s build, the improved descending capabilities were remarkable. The shorter 80-millimeter stem and longer 6.3-inch-travel fork position an aggressive rider over the front of the bike in an attack position. And, the 20-millimeter, air-sprung, thru-axle Fox fork is an impressive slider, allowing the rider to point-and-shoot his way down the trail. We descended our favorite cross-country trail faster on this new Tracer than we had on any bike previously tested.

TWO COMPLETE PACKAGES
The expression “you get what you pay for” couldn’t be truer than with the new Intense Tracer VP.  The build kits aren’t cheap, but with high-end components mounted on a hand-built frame made in the United States, that’s to be expected. Both of the builds offer premium performance and display the versatility of Intense’s new Tracer.
Riders who consider themselves more traditional cross-country types will appreciate how the white-build Tracer scampers uphill and the 5.5 inches of travel smooth whatever lies ahead on the trail. If getting to the top eventually and not shying away from a single obstacle on the descents is more important to you than getting to the top at cross-country race speed, then the red-build Tracer is for you. With either Tracer VP, you’ll be leaving your friends in the dust in at least one direction.
For More Info go to http://www.intensecycles.com/

INTENSE TRACER VP (WHITE)
Price   $6349 (frame and shock is $2280)
Country of origin   USA
Weight   27.2 pounds
Hotline   (951) 296-9596
Frame tested   Medium
Bottom bracket height   13.5"
Chainstay length   17"
Top tube length   23"
Head tube angle   69°
Seat tube angle   73°
Standover height   27.5"
Wheelbase   43"
Suspension travel (front) 5.5"
Suspension travel (rear) 5.5"
Frame material   Aluminum
Fork   Fox TALAS 32 RL
Shock   Fox Shox RP23
Rims   Shimano XTR
Tires   Intense System 4
Hubs   Shimano XTR
Brakes   Shimano XTR
Brake levers   Shimano XTR
Crankset   Shimano XTR
Shifters   Shimano XTR
Rear derailleur   Shimano XTR
Chainrings   Shimano XTR (44/32/22)
Cassette   Shimano XTR (11-34)
Pedals   None (weighed with Shimano XTR)


INTENSE TRACER VP (RED)
Price   $5049 (frame and shock is $2280)
Country of origin   USA
Weight   31.2 pounds
Hotline   (951) 296-9596
Frame tested   Medium
Bottom bracket height   13.8"
Chainstay length   17"
Top tube length   23"
Head tube angle   67.5°
Seat tube angle   71.5°
Standover height   28.5"
Wheelbase   43.5"
Suspension travel (front) 6.3"
Suspension travel (rear) 6"
Frame material   Aluminum
Fork   Fox TALAS 36 R
Shock   Fox Shox RP23
Rims   Shimano XT
Tires   Intense System 4
Hubs   Shimano XT
Brakes   Shimano XT
Brake levers   Shimano XT
Crankset   Shimano XT
Shifters   Shimano XTR
Rear derailleur   Shimano XT
Chainrings   Shimano XT (44/32/22)
Cassette   Shimano XT (11-34)
Pedals   None (weighed with Shimano XT)

By Ryan Cleek