Competitive Cyclist

INTENSE TRACER 29

The Tracer VP is a like a Swiss army mountain bike -- functioning equally as well in marathon races, on backwoods bushwhacks, or rough and tumble days at the bike park. The adjustable travel is certainly a big factor in its compliance and willingness to tackle just about any ride with ease. With its success and instant following, Intense decided to take what was great about the Tracer platform and build a big-wheeled version for 29'er aficionados. The new Tracer 29 is meant to provide the same all-purpose characteristics as its little brother. It's a trail-ready beast designed to tackle everything from a quick lap on your well-groomed local trail to all day adventures.

Though the Tracer 29 has been specifically designed around the larger diameter wheel size, it retains the familiar sex appeal that makes it instantly recognizable as a Tracer. The welded monocoque top tube engulfs the tapered head tube for a torsionally stiff front end. From there it drops down to the braced dual intersection at the seat tube and yet allows for plenty of standover clearance. The upper VPP linkage has two shock mounting positions to give a choice between 4.75 or 5.25 inches of rear wheel travel. It is designed around a 120mm travel front fork. A new tapered headtube allows the use of a 1.5" lower bearing for added steering precision and stability.

VPP uses dual linkages to create the virtual pivot point suspension. This dual coupling allows the upper and lower links to rotate opposite each other as the suspension compresses (top link rotates counter-clockwise, while the bottom link rotates clockwise as you look at the right side of the bike). This helps give a VPP bike the same level of "activeness" as a four-bar, but it does so while causing pedaling forces to drive the rear wheel downward rather than up. The resulting traction makes Intense bikes superior climbers and breathtakingly stable in corners. The Tracer 29 comes stock with a Fox Float RP23 shock -- ideal for those of us that set-it-and-forget-it. (View our set-up video). Pressurize it to the appropriate sag setting, and turn the ProPedal feature on or off as the terrain dictates. The Cane Creek Double Barrel rear shock w/ steel coil spring is available as an upgrade for an additional $250. The Double Barrel is infinitely adjustable and offers riders the ability to fine tune the ride to match any trail conditions.

The new VPP link found on the Intense Tracer 29 minimizes chain growth, which reduces pedal feedback as the suspension cycles. In turn, this allows the suspension to stay more active as you pedal, resulting in a plush ride with loads of traction. Angular contact bearings help keep the linkages stable and laterally stiff, enhancing the already legendary Intense tracking characteristic. The new design drastically reduces the amount of maintenance required, and makes doing it a whole lot easier. Zerk fittings can be found at the pivots for the lower link which allow for lubrication without disassembly. A grease gun is used at each fitting to squirt in fresh, new grease and simultaneously purge the pivots of old, contaminated grease. The job will take just a few minutes. Bearings last longer, and the suspension action stays smooth and quiet.

The new Intense Tracer 29 will be available in Intense Red, Stealth Black, Works (raw aluminum), and Apple Green in sizes medium, large and XL. It uses a 31.6mm seatpost, and requires a 34.9mm top swing/top pull front derailleur.

We expect the Tracer 29 to begin shipping late March, 2010.

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2010 Intense Tracer 29 Pricing