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Intense Releases 2022 Tracer 279

Apr 4, 2022
by Matt Beer  
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Intense have never done things by the book or followed the status quo. Marching to the beat of their own drum, Intense invited me to ride Chris Kovarik's personal Tracer 279 for a First Ride, well before it was ready to launch. Based on the First Ride impressions, the Tracer 279 was up to the tasks of pedalling the walls of Whistler and rallying the bike park too.

Since July, the geometry and kinematics have changed slightly for the official launch, but the Tracer 279 maintains its 170mm of travel via the JS Tuned suspension and runs on mixed wheels only. Intense have also tweaked the carbon layup throughout the extensive prototyping process. This bike has been a long time coming. If you're a mixed wheel fan, the Tracer leaves little to be desired; in-frame storage, water bottle mounts, low mounted coil shock - the list is long.

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Tracer 279 Details

• Intended use: Enduro
• Wheel Size: 29" front / 27.5" rear
• Travel: 170mm front and rear
• CHAD downtube storage compartment
• Full carbon frame and upper link w/Ti hardware
• Flip-chip adjustment in lower link
• Hidden quick-release axle lever
• Head angle: 64 - 64.5º
• Seat tube angle: 77.4 - 77.9º
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Warranty: 5 years
• Price: $5,499 - 7,199 ($3,299 frame only)
• intensecycles.com


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Frame Details

Intense's latest enduro creation is a vast departure from the last Tracer in terms of looks, aside from the classic seat tube brace and collar. The new carbon frame uses two counter-rotating links, where the lower one pivots around the bottom bracket to drive the trunnion mounted shock through the split seat tube tunnel. Titanium hardware is used throughout the bike with rubber plugs that add to the attention to detail, and even the upper link is made from carbon fiber.

Under the shock and inside the downtube, Intense has created its own storage solution, adding to the number of manufacturers incorporating an on board tool cabinet. They've dubbed the compartment the CHAD In-frame storage system in memory of their friend Chad Peterson.

Protecting that area is a large rubber downtube pad that nearly runs to the head tube, similar to the material found on the chainstay to keep the noise levels to a minimum. Mainstays like fully guided housing, Boost hub spacing, ISCG tabs, and a threaded bottom bracket take the worry out of maintenance or mechanic work. There's also a sleek fender to keep debris out of the lower linkage and a hidden lever in the rear axle for tool-free wheel removal.


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Geometry and Sizing

On the geometry front, there are no numbers that jump off of the page on the Tracer 279. At the time of the First Ride, Intense was hesitant to reveal the exact numbers of the "prototype," even though the carbon molds were unlikely to change shape. The charts don't stray too far from my initial guesses, but the chainstays have been trimmed down to 437mm from the 445 that I originally measured.

All four sizes from S through to XL use the same seat tube angle and chainstay length, which has no adjustment. Those sizes place the reach numbers at 420, 450, 475, and 500mm with moderately high stack measurements of 622, 631, 640, 649mm.

Angles like a 64 at the head tube and 77.4-degree seat tube in the low flip-chip position are fairly standard these days and suit the nature of Intense's enduro bike well. Placing the chip in the high setting will tip those angles upright by 0.5-degrees and gain 5mm of reach.


Pricing and Availability

Intense have kept the options straightforward with two build kits, a moderate and a high end option, that will be ready to roll out in the middle of May. There's also a frame-only option for $3,299 with an Ohlins TTX22M coil shock and either package, frame or full bike, comes in two color choices.

Starting at $5,499, the Expert build receives a SRAM NX drivetrain and Code R brakes, Fox Performance suspension, Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR II tire combo, e*thirteen LG1 wheels and Base 35 bar/stem controls, along with an Intense branded dropper post. At $7,199, you'll step up to the Tracer S with an Ohlins RXF 38 air sprung fork and TTX22M coil shock, Magura MT7 brakes, a mix of mid-range SRAM components, and e*thirteen's Race SL hubs, noting that Intense adds DH casing Maxxis tires to the premium build.

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Tracer 279 S - $7199 / €6,499 / £5,999
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Tracer 279 Expert - $5,499 / €4,999 / £4,799
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Tracer 279 frame kit with Ohlins TTX22M shock - $3,299 / €3,199 / £2,799


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Reviews and Tech Press Releases Enduro Bikes Intense Intense Tracer 279


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254 Comments
  • 291 73
 At what point do they hire new graphic designers?
  • 105 6
 It's their thing. Call it branding. You either like it or you don't. (I don't.)
  • 76 110
flag jadias (Apr 4, 2022 at 6:04) (Below Threshold)
 Agreed, absolutely the ugliest paintjobs in the business.
  • 64 9
 @jadias: I think there is plenty of competition out there for ugly. But no matter how good brands try to make their bikes, riders make it worse with bolting on miss matched "bling" that they are convinced look cool. I saw an orange SC yesterday with hot pink components. WTF?
  • 244 1
 I was going to say that these are the 2 best Intense colorways that I’ve seen in a long while.
  • 19 20
 tbf the frame itself is not a looker either. Its not a clean design. However the geo looks really good, and I bet it rides amazing. So I guess it's function over form for Jeff these days. Its a shame Intense decided to pull out of the UK, otherwise I would have definitely wanted a demo on this bike.
  • 111 0
 @AndrewFleming: If you're not high as balls while ordering your custom I9's with every color spoke in the rainbow, are you really living?
  • 27 90
flag thenotoriousmic (Apr 4, 2022 at 6:24) (Below Threshold)
 And again they’ve made it out of plastic. Carbon has been mostly proven just to be a marketing gimmick with the trend moving back to aluminium why is a company known for making some of the best performing / best looking bikes in house still outsourcing to the Far East? Obviously it’s cheaper to just put bits of carbon into a mould in China than it is paying Americans to actually weld you a frame in America.
  • 44 0
 @thenotoriousmic: It's not like the trendy aluminum bikes make theirs in the US or Europe though. Raaw, Privateer, any aluminum Santa Cruz or Transition. All welded in factories in Asia.
  • 3 5
 @pisgahgnar: So that's what I'm doing wrong! Thanks, man. I mean... Sweet, brah!
  • 3 5
 I think JS's wife is the graphic designer, so that's not going to change. Someone in the know, correct me if I'm wrong though.
  • 6 0
 @rich-2000: What do you mean with pull out of the UK? UK region is working as usual (uk.intensecycles.com) and is now directly managed by INTENSE, like in Europe.
  • 4 0
 @luked5: Yes, you are wrong :-)
  • 4 5
 @pisgahgnar: Intense used made in the US though before they moved to Asia, roughly around the same time Intense almost completely disappeared and people stopped buying their bikes. Coincidence?
  • 15 0
 @pisgahgnar: My Stumpjumper Evo says "Handmade in Taiwan" on it lmao
  • 4 0
 What are you talking about; three whole tubes *and* the links don't say INTENSE, and the rest only have it once!
  • 8 7
 the NASCAR of the bike industry
  • 2 0
 @gravitybass:

Because it is?

Carbon layup is done by hand, at least for bicycles.
  • 3 0
 Yeah i agree. Not quite the drool bate of some bikes but getting better. I would be happy with the gold one.@hllclmbr:
  • 2 1
 @bcnbikerteam:

Intense used to have a distributor in the UK with a large demo fleet, organising demo days, providing local customer service.

Now its just a website in europe serving the UK.
  • 5 0
 @jadias: have you not seen Trek bikes? it's like they tried to play it safe and still failed.
  • 43 1
 What’s wrong with Red/Silver and Black/Red? No weird patterns, solid blocks of colour that should be easy to match components with.

There’s no weird colours at all
  • 1 0
 @AndrewFleming: would have looked sick with blue tho
  • 19 0
 I quite like the graphics on this, and the colours too. Beats the boring black/grey/sand plain colour schemes so many other brands are doing. Not 100% sure about the frame shape but hey at least they're doing something different.
  • 5 0
 Steber is an F1 fan. Most of their bikes graphics are based on some F1 cars livery.
  • 12 0
 Raw aluminum is my favorite.
  • 5 0
 @rich-2000: to be fair, no one has done a demo day for 2 years because of covid and stock issues! Hopefully those days will return.
  • 3 13
flag bxxer-rider (Apr 4, 2022 at 10:01) (Below Threshold)
 Graphics isn't the problem here. Not only is it god awful ugly, its also needlessly trunnion shock mount, yay another frame that eats shocks.
  • 2 1
 @theboypanda: Nukeproof and Whyte just did a demo day down at the FoD last weekend with Ace Bicycles.
Intense used to do a few a year there too, as did specialized recently.

I was at the Tweedlove festival in September, 100s of demo bikes to try out there...
  • 2 1
 @thenotoriousmic: @thenotoriousmic: "a company known for making some of the best performing / best looking bikes in house"

You sure that's what Intense was? I mean credit where it's due, they kinda revolutionised DH bike design eons ago but their more modern in-house alu frames seemed to be notorious for bad quality, misalignment issues and so on.

I'm only basing it on second hands accounts though so might be wrong.
  • 11 0
 This is probably the most "tame"/BEST colorways they've done in like 8-12 years IMO
  • 1 3
 Re graphic designer, @intensecyclesusa contact me... I have experience in action sports, and I can help.
  • 4 1
 as soon as Santa Cruz does now that the shock is sitting in the belly of the bike...its basically an Intenser Bronson
  • 1 0
 @psycln: True, though this bike's lower link is concentric with the BB so guessing kinematics will be different. I look forward to the review.
  • 1 1
 It's Steber's wife so it will never happen.
  • 1 2
 I know let’s design a new bike based off the prototype downhill bike that some amazing riders hated riding for 2 years as they feel they couldn’t get the results on it and market it as a new enduro bike which is amazing as so many years of R&D went into
  • 3 1
 Colour/graphics wise it looks like a Rotwild from 20 years back.
As for the bike…Owning an Intense is amazing. You get a new frame regularly. For free!! Normally about the time a new standard renders your components obsolete.
  • 2 0
 @jferroRx:
Could you please put "the NASCAR of the bike industry" into context for the rest of the world?
  • 1 1
 they hired dale ernhardt juniors graphic designer years ago and just keep paying his invoices
  • 2 0
 @heavyp: the proto for this came out three seasons ago in 19' for the last EWS race (1st place 1st race) and the design has been in development in one way or another since Palmer took a tracer proto out to Fontana in 2016 when they were playing with the lower shock mount for the first time. The DH bike was throw together last season in a rush.
  • 11 0
 Haters just need another Ellsworth to hate on, that's all. Should have some respect for the role Intense had in the history of out sport. And this bike looks great.
  • 4 0
 @Mfro: Maybe it means "goes round endlessly in circles and is only popular in America"...
  • 8 0
 On a serious note: RIP to Chad. One of the gnarliest marathon endurance dudes.
  • 1 2
 @psycln: Exactly. Its a bronson with a cascade link in 170.
  • 5 0
 @hllclmbr: agree! The comment section is buggin. They wish it looked like a session
  • 4 0
 I doubt estethics are hampering their sales. I've seen more hideous offerings from YT et al.
  • 3 0
 You don’t look at the paint job when your riding the bike
  • 2 0
 @Drew-O: ah good catch, i missed that subtlety, i generally like Intense (i have had a 2018 Primer been very good to me here in the Lonestar State)
  • 4 1
 @thenotoriousmic: : This is just wrong. The buying public has been hammered with the "weight doesn't matter" bullshit by the media for a decade so manufacturers could make less expensive carbon frames (a shit ton of resin everywhere and easy layup schedules) that they don't have to worry about fat assed people warrantying every year. They "could " make incredibly light carbon frames that would hold up to 98% of the people riding them but why bother now when they get killer margins un subpar frames. It's why a company like last now make "non-fat ass" versions of their carbon frames now, they know for some people weight still matters and it should.
  • 2 0
 Graphics/colours on this one are fine. Have you forgotten the raging fluo and Spider-Man themes of past models?
  • 4 0
 Looks good to me. I’d take one.

I had a 2017 Primer. Killer bike.
  • 1 0
 @OnTheRivet: I agree with you in that one they could use good quality carbon but they don’t because obviously it would be really expensive. The carbon they use is fine for making mountain bikes is at best as good as aluminium strength and weight wise. There’s no reason to use it other than it’s cheaper to produce once you’ve invested in the moulds etc and you can charge more money for it.
  • 180 14
 I don't get all the hate against this bike...yea it isn't ground breaking or innovative in any one department but overall it's a decent looking bike with a decent spec at a decent price..those slagging off it's looks must be blind...that precious Specialized Enduro that every one seems to love is far uglier than this thing...yea the paint job isn't great but it isn't bad either in the red, it's basically just a red bike with intense written down the side, just like every other generic crap looking popular enduro bike... what do you expect, Antidote Carbon Jack levels of carbon finish quality or a Fat Creations paint job for this price? Look at Santa Cruz with lime green bikes with pink logos or the absolutely dull looking Specialized enduro in wine red...there is a lot worse, garish or dull looking bikes out there than this one even if it is another cookie cutter low shock mount bike with conservative geo.
  • 46 1
 Agree. The colorway is actually pretty tame and I am guessing these bikes look pretty sweet in person. People just want to hate because everyone else is hating and some are still bitter they are not still welding them as aluminum bikes in SoCal. I can understand their desire for an aluminum bike but my guess is they couldn't do both and they believed they wouldn't have survived if they had just stuck with that model. Here come the downvotes.....
  • 11 21
flag jeremy3220 FL (Apr 4, 2022 at 6:56) (Below Threshold)
 The color isn't the issue. It's that the graphics look like something from 2016 and the frame design is anything but elegant. Yes, people are over reacting a bit and probably are a bit biased against Intense but this bike definitely isn't a looker.
  • 13 2
 @jeremy3220: dude, santa cruz stole their typography from star trek
  • 14 8
 It's mullet-only, so it's automatically irrelevant to me. It's 2022 and there is no excuse for not giving the riders the choice which wheel size they want on their bike.
  • 8 0
 @oldejeans: Star Trek is from the future so it works out.
  • 12 0
 @Muscovir: 29" front and back version in the works.
  • 5 1
 @RCederholm: Honestly there are plenty of bikes out there that don't have particularly inspiring color ways. I would not say these look ugly. My big complaint is the angle of the top tube. I love straight lines, but this makes the bike look sort of squashed. The geo is spot on though and is totally current with the industry, so that's great. If the kinematics are good, it should ride great!
  • 6 0
 @mybaben: Oh, I don't mind the paint or geo design at all. I'd buy any of the designs offered here. There are plenty of boring bikes out there and I am not crazy about some of the SC paint options. I am betting this bike rips but we shall see.
  • 18 0
 @mybaben: and yet that IBIS with stupid rainbow coloured paint job was voted best looking bike a few months back...the worst of both worlds, weird awkward lines that make no sense and a garish paint job and yet everyone was for it...now this bike has so much as a kink near the seat tube and people think it's ugly. I'm sure Pinkers don't know what they want. I actually think it looks pretty good, it's got Ferrari-esque vibes about it...but if people prefer squiggly awkward looking IBIS bikes with rainbow paint jobs so be it...I certainly don't.
  • 3 0
 @jeremy3220: what company has changed their graphics/lettering since 2016?
  • 3 0
 @Danzzz88: Yeah, the Ibis frames have literally never looked good. I wouldn't say it's the kink in the top tube, as much as it makes the front of the bike look squashed... I don't mind the paint, it's fine. Honestly there aren't a ton of bikes out there with super inspiring paint these days...IMO. Lots of good frames, but not paint....
  • 1 0
 @Muscovir: agreed. Waiting on 29’er
  • 2 0
 My opinion: the Ohlins colorway with the red is unattractive. Put a Zeb on it and a Superdeluxe and it would look better.
  • 72 7
 Looks like an awesome bike. Worth the wait. Can't wait to buy one. Its very clear that most of the "TOOLS" on this site who comment on design/angles/geo and just about anything related to the design and production process have zero design education but think their time is better spent trying to tear down those that do. The internet is a disgusting place filled w/ disgusting people. First of all for all of the people that think Santa Cruz fell out of the sky and started making beautiful bikes you can take a look at the 2002 V-10. www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-US/bike/v10/1. This gem was their first attempt at the VPP. If you look at this history lesson of the M series of bikes that revolutionized DH and MTB (www.pinkbike.com/news/the-history-of-intense-m-bikes.html) in general you will see that the current V-10 "looks like" an M3 from 2003. At some point along the timeline Santa Cruz started looking a lot more like Intense than the other way around. As far as chainstays shrinking/growing, angles, wheelpaths, pivot locations, etc. If you think all bikes should have the same exact #'s then you definitely have zero idea how all of the factors of the design process work together as a system and you can't just look at the numbers of 1 bike and apply them across the board to every other bike. So if Jeff Steber, Aaron Gwin and everyone else that had input on that bike decides it needs shorter stays, then guess what, it needs shorter stays. As far as "color ways", graphics and i guess what most of you morons refer to as "design" if you would prefer for the "designers" to just pick 2 contrasting colors (one for paint and one for logo) or just paint everything they ever make turquoise there are plenty of brands for you out there. Also, if you compare the elegance of how they tucked that shock INTO the frame as opposed to how it sits way above the downtube on all of the Santa Cruz bikes and you still think it "looks like a nomad" you are visually impaired. Also, if you think design is just connecting the dots that the mechanical engineer gives you and then hitting autosmooth in your 3D program then you would not make it 2 semesters through a design education anyway. Lastly if you can't have respect for people (Jeff Steber & Co) that have busted their asses developing great bikes and ideas over the years and have managed to keep their company going independently through thick and thin then I feel sorry for you. Most of the so called "core brands" have been gobbled up by outside investors so if you want to keep giving your money to Pon holdings be my guest.
  • 6 0
 Preach!
  • 3 0
 This!
  • 2 0
 Those chain stays aren't short anyway. People are tripping. It's a 275 rear end with 439 in the Low setting, and most 275s market are 435 or even shorter...
  • 5 0
 @Marxyrydz… Amen brother.
  • 3 0
 ^yessir! .....think the bike looks amazing! much better looking then previous versions. Cant wait for some reviews to come out, on my radar as next bike to own.
  • 3 0
 Regarding the shock placement, it's more a kinematic choice than an elegant choice. SC have it higher cuz' the whole kinematic is higher, they don't have the low hanging pivot behind the BB.
The Intense has it, more like the Norco Range.

To me it's really the shape of the toptube that makes this frame look a bit weird. They bent it this way probably to increase standover height but a straighter toptube would've look better.
Or, seeing how the upper link is fixed "inside" the toptube rather than outside anyway, maybe they could've keep it thinner on the upper half so as to make the toptube continue straight to the seat tube, and keep a similar standover height.
  • 1 0
 Sorry I cant like this comment its at 69 likes
  • 1 0
 Bitchin' response! Dead on. All these haters would not know good design if it bit them on the arse! Have mine on order and cannot wait.
  • 48 0
 $5400 for a bike with NX on it. What a time to be alive.

And how sad that I suspect the shifter+cassette is actually SX.
  • 8 1
 At least we know why it's over 16kg.
  • 9 0
 This. I don’t understand why more people aren’t commenting on the price when the entire pinkbike community freaks out over similarly priced/specced bikes from pivot, yeti, etc (which are also silly expensive).
  • 14 0
 @PhillipJ: So I don't hate Intense ( I don't really get the hate ) But the Specialized (whom I get the hate) Status 160 is $3k, weighs under 34 pounds, and also has SX build. The carbon vs aluminum and a bump in suspension spec is hard to justify the over $2000 price difference, not to mention the weigh savings.
  • 5 0
 Yeah it's just crazy. A few years ago you had some nice parts on a bike of that price. These days you just get entry level stuff.
  • 3 0
 freaking typo, I meant NX, not SX
  • 3 0
 @hamncheez: I think the Status changed to a full NX build now, at least that's how it's configured on their site at that price. Still a killer deal (although I would ditch the dropper post). This looks similar to the INTENSE 951 offering as far as specs go.
  • 1 0
 @creativefletch: Also changed to float x shock which is a huge improvement over dpx2
  • 2 0
 Yeah, the price seems high, but, that’s probably in line with what most of the market will be shortly, unfortunately. If it doesn’t sell well at that price, maybe we will go back to the days of Intense blowout end of season sales where you can get it for $3k.
  • 2 0
 It does seem like used bike prices have gone up too. This higher pricing really hurts the person adding a bike to their fleet or getting into the sport. As we all know, once you have a bike to sell it helps pay for the new one. For those who don’t, hopefully they kind find something used that’s decent. I’d say used bikes are getting a lot better now that “modern” geometry and say 12 speed drivetrains have been around for a handful of years.
  • 3 0
 @txcx166: yeah, going into my 5th season on a bike that’s only 1/2 degree off a modern version of the new bike (because I over forked it by 10mm) makes it hard to feel the need to upgrade, especially as I just replaced the drivetrain as normal maintenance anyway. Of course, that probably helps increase the prices of used bikes as many of us aren’t turning them over like we used to.
On the plus side, “entry level” bikes like a Ripmo AF are way better than we ever used to have: good geo, shifting that works, and actual performance suspension.
  • 44 4
 "They've dubbed the compartment the CHAD In-frame storage system"
Literally 2 minutes on Reddit would have told them this was a questionable idea.
  • 33 2
 Im really not sure whether they're intentionally leaning into it, or their marketing team is just that stupid.
Maybe it'll ship with a bottle of mountain dew in the CHAD? That way you can punch holes through your drywall, while assembling your bike?
  • 19 2
 Given the access point I would call it BUTT
  • 35 0
 It's named after their former COO Chad Peterson who died in 2019.
  • 17 7
 @derekbnorakim: No disrepect intended to the man. But they could have called it the CP box, the Peterson tube...
Checking your product name on the internet should be step one.
  • 13 6
 @AyJayDoubleyou: Like reading an article to see the reason behind the name?
  • 16 7
 @derekbnorakim: Dude, this is the internet. Nobody does their research, reads articles, or gives a shit about good intentions. The fact is that its a marketing fail.
  • 6 1
 @derekbnorakim: I read it today, and I understand it today. Next year, people just call it a CHAD box and the reason is forgotten. That or they (customers) just call it a swat box regardless of whats written on it.
  • 17 4
 @ratedgg13: Out of touch has been Intenses theme for the better part of a decade.
  • 7 0
 @AyJayDoubleyou: CP has way worse internet connotation than CHAD. And it doesn't stand for cheese pizza. Peterson Tube also sounds pretty graphic.
  • 7 0
 The could have went with CHODE
  • 3 1
 This bike looks like a classic CHAD,full equip, bling bling equipment running across the map deleting other enduro bikes taking their Ti hardware and carbon parts only...If they would name it the Scav bike it would be another thing hehehe...
Intense need young blood to choose the name&color of their new bikes. The paint job looks a little dated.
Being serious,this bike looks quite Intense(good),so IMO it is a good thing for those who love the brand.
  • 4 0
 Forget the name. Is it me, or does the design with the hatch at the bottom mean that if it is not 100% secure, the weight of whatever is in there is going to pound it's way out if you are riding it hard and landing off any sizeable drops/jumps?
  • 39 0
 That storage compartment was designed by people who aren’t allowed to ride when it’s wet out.
  • 13 0
 I never ride unless its 0% humidity.
  • 3 0
 @REZEN: what's humidity?
  • 1 0
 @LuvAZ: Name checks out
  • 37 6
 Looks like a Nomad
  • 3 0
 agreed.. I was going say a cross between a megatower and specialized enduro... or nomad/enduro.
  • 37 9
 I want a Santa Cruz but they are too pretty.

Jeff Steber- "hold my beer"
  • 19 1
 Hmmm...An Intense, I'd actually might buy.
  • 13 0
 Well, I have seen it in person, and it looks AMAZING! The red and black version, medium size. Last October, closing day at Snow Summit when Jen and several team members were waiting in the lift line right behind my buddy and me, took awhile to load up, so we had plenty of time to scope it out, ask some questions. She literally is one of the nicest people, don't get all the criticism about her design choices. It's what they're known for, and not everyone will be happy. But when you see it in person, believe me, it will catch your eye... really is sharp! From preliminary reviews, handles like a beast. Can't wait to get that S model..
  • 17 3
 only available at MEC.... this is where everyone stopped loving your bikes in canada and you became a noob brand we now all don't care for.
  • 16 0
 Mountain Equipment Company. Fuck MEC and the way they terminated 900 staff with an email.
  • 2 0
 @swenzowski: Eh, saves time!
  • 1 0
 Not anymore- MEC is doing Cannondale now -
  • 1 0
 @regdunlop: that is actually insane!!!!
  • 12 0
 This is a great looking bike. The geo looks awesome, beautiful paint (check out the high res stills), and pricing is in line with everyone else. I think we forget that sourcing certain parts is still difficult and perhaps this might explain the NX. Also, everything 'bike' has gone up 5-20% over the last year.

As for the VPP and Santa Cruz comments... That's what happens when you give another bike company exclusive rights to your patent. SC bought the original design from Outback, renamed it VPP and then contacted JS at Intense to have him use it on his bikes. The two companies have been using VPP ever since, albeit, from a slightly different approach. The Intense version appears to have a more rearward path just based on the lower link position. Some question how the lower link hangs low but at sag it would be less of an issue and beyond sag it wouldnt be an issue at all. Just my thoughts. I'm excited whenever any company is coming out with a new ride... It's a good sign.
  • 12 0
 Since it wasn't mentioned in the article a medium comes in at 36 lbs 6 oz / 16.5kg
weight / weighs (gotta keep the keywords up for the ctrl+f in the crowd)
  • 2 0
 I just checked out the pics, and did exactly this. thank you.
  • 11 0
 Love it....it looks like a megatower...but most bikes do now...love the undercarriage storage....definitely get a banquet in there....cheese, ham and toatoe be my choice....Maybe some mayo....lovely
  • 13 2
 'Intense have never done things by the book or followed the status quo. Marching to the beat of their own drum' - Looks like a Santa cruz to me cuz
  • 10 0
 For all the comparisons to Santa Cruz, in Australia the Tracer frameset is 2.2k aud cheaper than a Megatower frame. Considering the frames are both made in Taiwan and the Tracer has a better shock that's pretty impressive.
  • 9 0
 I like the integrated rear mudguard. Every bike with a linkage in back should have mounts and a molded guard. I like the integrated storage but the location means it would be for emergency repairs not snackies.
  • 8 1
 Every single effective seat tube angle is the same, to the tenths? Despite identical actual angles (to the tenths) and the 22-32mm difference in seat tube length? That would mean 5-8mm different seat tube offset just to make the effective angle the same at the top of the seat tube, let alone at an actual useful saddle height.
  • 11 1
 They did a better job executing that link on the toptube than Santa Cruz...
  • 9 1
 I sincerely hope that when the full review comes out tomorrow, that they chose a Santa Cruz as the comparable bike.
  • 7 15
flag jeremy3220 FL (Apr 4, 2022 at 6:58) (Below Threshold)
 Yeah and pick a 3-4 year old SC model because that's basically what Intense has become.
  • 5 0
 Looks like a solid bike. Reach and wheelbase on the medium are in line with my medium V3 Wreckoning. A bit disappointed with the "Expert" build kit. IMO expert labeled builds should not come with NX anything or base level forks. I get they are trying to hit a price point, but if being cheap and not using GX, at least put SLX drivetrain on there, it is so much better than NX.
  • 2 0
 Probably more a matter of availability. Shimano stuff is still nearly non-existent on the market. Still plenty of NX/SX to go around (and for good reason).
  • 2 1
 @WY228: yeah no one wants to buy it
  • 5 1
 Frame looks fine to me. I do not find the paint offensive either. If the finish is nice, I do not care. What I do care about is the health of the company and the likelihood of sticking around. About 2 years ago when I was shopping, I wanted to give Intense a shot. I could not find a distributor and the one I found local(ish) to me did not return an email or pick up a phone.
  • 7 0
 Congrats Jeff and everyone at Intense! Can't wait to ride the F out of mine! 3
  • 5 0
 Their bikes always look fantastic IMO.. not just a single solid color frame with a name decal but rather some style and thought….. which is what I want when spending thousands..
  • 7 0
 Other than Orange is there any bike Manufacturer that gets more undeserved negative comments that Intense?
  • 3 0
 I’ll suggest that Pinkbike purposely posts news of any new Orange or Intense models because they know it will end in a comment-fest.
Personally an admirer of both brands so I’m interested in their new bikes but the coverage they get seems disproportional to their size. In 23 years of riding all over the US I’ve never seen a Orange bike.
And The hate is unjustified, people are doing it as there is a bandwagon to be jumped on.
  • 2 0
 @Superburner: Same with SRAM brakes.
  • 6 0
 There's no excuse for a bike that costs more than $5k to come with an NX drivetrain.
  • 5 0
 Took a while, but appears to be worth the wait! Sick angles on a sick bike.
  • 7 4
 average workday at intense hq:
9-4:57 prototyping dh bikes for gwin
4:57-5 everyone says “F*** we were supposed to make a bike people will actually buy, well it’s about time to go home”
  • 5 0
 id buy one its like a santa cruz except no one else in the car park will be offloading one from their audi
  • 2 0
 i like the “sway back” top tube design some ridersn are dissing. what i found is that this top tube design keeps the seat good and low and outta the way when riding steep fall line descents and climbing up, thru embedded rock gardens. it just gives me more room for body english. nice colors btw
  • 3 0
 Why are people tripping on the chain stays? 439 in Low position is NOT short for a 275 rear end! That's basically 440, and that is actually LONG for most 275 bikes on the market. People need to look at more geo charts!
  • 2 0
 Actually the last thing that people need to do is keep looking at geo charts and should trust the people that design, test, refine and make the bike what they want it to be.
  • 7 2
 Frames that look like a sway back horse don't do it for me.
  • 2 1
 Agreed, looks like a sway back horse literally... like a camel figuratively Frown
  • 1 0
 Agreed. I'm not enjoying the angle of that top tube.
  • 1 0
 Looks pretty nice overall, although the kink in the top tube just at the upper link annoys me more than it probably should, just looks misaligned. be interesting to see if the short chainstays for all sizes bites them with the current trend of people looking for longer chainstays, especially on bigger sizes.
  • 2 0
 439 mm chainstays short?? I don't like the top tube either.
  • 2 0
 @mybaben: it's not too short for a small / medium bike but on an L or XL with 500 reach it is, might not be a dealbreaker currently but see alot of people talking about longer chainstays so it might fall out of favour for some in the future. I can see them doing a full 29 version with longer stays using a different rear triangle, that might be the plan all along and the reason they went relatively short on this.
  • 1 0
 @maglor: Remember that this is a mullet, and they use 275 rear ends. 439 (low) is long for a typical 275. They are working on a full 29er version, and as you point out, for a full 29er, then yes, that would be almost a bit short. 29ers seem to be coming in between 440-450 these days. Ultimately using longer chain stays for bigger bikes is best. A few people are using different size triangles with each bike size, which is very cool!
  • 4 2
 Pretty cool. Would have been great if released two years ago. They really should have kept the long chainstays though, swing and a miss there. At least give us a flipchip at the rear axle to add 10mm.
  • 4 0
 Whoa is that the guy who won the second round of the Southeast Downhill series in the last picture?
  • 2 0
 I think the bikes pink bike comment section posters have came up with themselves and made available for people to ride are way nicer / faster / prettier and overall way gooder !
  • 4 0
 "LoOKs lIkE A saNtA CruZ"

Many people on here need to look up the history between Santa Cruz and Intense.
  • 4 0
 FINALLY A bike with proper undercarriage protection! Awesome work @intensecyclesusa
  • 2 0
 I think this frame wants me, to go back to Intense this time. Its time for a long travel mullet. I do have a n5 that I've been want to mullet but the geo is just to short.haha.. Intense is back for sure.
  • 2 0
 Maybe all the little bitch negative comments are coming from insecure mountain bikers who only care how they look on Instagram rather than how well they ride? All you negative Nancy's can suck a whales 10ft dork!
  • 2 0
 So wait, exactly where all the dirt, mud etc goed on the underside of teh downtube they put the opening for the in frame storage? Is there really no mud in Cali?
  • 3 0
 Comments about the paint but in the meantime it's based off the DH prototype that they scrapped..
  • 1 0
 yeah for world cup DH, you wont be missing anything on this bike Matt
  • 2 0
 I've never understood why intense likes to have that lower swing arm link hanging below the BB. I would never buy one just because of that design.
  • 1 0
 That's how SC's design was too before they changed their VPP link locations.
  • 3 1
 If only there was a round object near the bb that would be lower than that pivot and thus protect it from impacts.
  • 1 0
 I wonder if a mullet causes even more nose dives for the Friday Fails due to its added weight at the front. Or if the big front wheel is more of a saver as it is more forgiving.
  • 3 0
 Nothing like having to wipe my bike’s ass to get my snacks out of my downtube.
  • 1 1
 Right? That's a fail for us in the PNW. Same with the low shock placement, like the SC bikes too.
  • 1 1
 Snow summit this summer will be full of those, every third kid will be on intense, cause every first on S; Overall look nice, I do not like intense warranty, like 5 years and inability to customize bike, however looks on par with S enduro from 2019
  • 3 0
 is it an optical illusion that the reach/cockpit looks super short?
  • 13 1
 You could read the geo chart to find out.
  • 2 0
 I think it's just the higher stack height plus the significant stem spacers on the display model they used for the catalogue photos. It looks a lot less weird on the shots of it being ridden by the dude at the end (with fewer stem spacers) and in the frame-only shot.
  • 9 0
 @big-red: “the dude at the end” ouch.
  • 1 0
 For a split second I thought this was a tazer when I saw the headline. I was very excited and not for the obese tazer, I'm talking about the 4X
  • 4 3
 That short chainstay on the large and xl is going to feel... interesting? I guess if you corner exactly like Gwin in that photo then it makes sense.
  • 4 1
 Disagree that 439 is short...
  • 3 1
 @mybaben: I ride a bike with 440 so yeah, it's not short. But I also ride a medium with 455 reach. 439 is pretty unbalanced when you have it on a large with a 500 reach.
  • 2 1
 @pisgahgnar: I understand, that makes sense, but it's sort of a different conversation. I'm saying for a 275, 439/440 is not short. However, to your point, it would be better if makers increased chain stay length as sizes go up for sure. 440 is getting too short for an XL.
  • 4 0
 Pretty bike.
  • 4 1
 I like it a lot, looks really good
  • 5 3
 It's literally a Santa Cruz Bronson V4 with Intense logos. Almost identical copy
  • 4 3
 Wrong!! The shock on the Intense sits lower in the frame. It has more travel. The Intense has the frame storage. The axle path and kinematics are different as the main pivot locations.
  • 6 1
 The intense has the advantage of not being painted in Santa Cruz colours.
  • 2 0
 @CM999: I feel like that goes both ways depending on personal taste.
  • 1 0
 It'll survive the rigours of the trail better than it does the PB comments section. I'd have one and know it would ride good.
  • 2 0
 Never seen a good or bad paint job make a rider faster. Who cares what color it is.
  • 1 1
 Geo and design looks very nice. The industrial design and paint, not so much. Way too busy and bulbus for no reason. Give me straight tubes and a clean aesthetic. The large fender is a nice touch.
  • 2 0
 The leverage curve looks amazing. Big improvement. Thanks for providing that.
  • 2 0
 Wow this might be my next bike park-BIG trail bike! These things just look fast!
  • 2 0
 That's surprisingly cheap for an Intense bike... Commencal is asking almost the same for those aluminium frames.
  • 4 5
 Wait an enduro bike with in frame storage? Is this an end to strapping all your shit to your bike with tape, zip ties and $50 straps? I also sense an end to the hip pack/bum bag trend of the early 2020s.
  • 7 7
 "Intense have never done things by the book or followed the status quo." I mean, other than copy/pasting Santa Cruz but with worse graphic design...
  • 5 0
 Well, they licensed Santa Cruz's tech, so it kind makes sense it looks similar. The storage is where that statement really falls down. Yeah, they moved the door, but they're like 6th or 7th in line for getting in-frame storage into production, and the bag looks like a straight-up clone of Sepcialized's _old_ bag.
  • 3 0
 Looks sharp!
  • 2 0
 Just miss a dyedbro kit to make it even prettier !
  • 2 0
 If a v10 and a norco made a baby
  • 4 5
 I'm afraid I'll only ever know Intense as the brand that makes worse looking versions of Santa Cruz bikes.. The M16 was an ugly copy of the V10 and this is an ugly copy of the Nomad.
  • 6 4
 When will these be available at Costco?
  • 2 0
 Bummer they shortened the chainstays… sucks for the tall folks
  • 3 1
 It's Mullet-only, so I'm automatically not interested.
  • 2 0
 Prices are pre-Pandemic
or what? Are much higher in the website.
  • 4 5
 "Intense have never done things by the book or followed the status quo. Marching to the beat of their own drum..."

Proceeds to copy paste a Santa Cruz frame and slap their logo on it lmfao
  • 2 0
 Tempting. A full 29 version and I'm sold. Love the rear mud guard.
  • 1 3
 What's the point of new bikes that you can't buy. Just don't release it until you have stock. I'm so sick of seeing things on pinkbike and finding out there is not even an ETA for availability. It's 2022 not 2020 there's no excuse
  • 1 0
 Nice bike with sorted geo. What a pity it does not support a 29" rear wheel.
  • 1 0
 They're releasing a 29er later.
  • 2 0
 looks... squished..
  • 3 1
 36 pounds……..
  • 1 0
 Looks like gwinn prototype dh bike made with less travel into a enduro
  • 1 0
 How does the access hatch work with an inch of dubious organics on it?
  • 1 0
 Comes with a rear fender but not one on the fork?
  • 1 0
 We'll have to see how it compares to the benchmark enduro.
  • 1 0
 I’m sure it rides great. Still don’t want a mullet.
  • 1 0
 Cool specialized enduro, or norco, or Santa Cruz.
  • 1 0
 ……..Santa Cruz Nomad ?????
  • 1 1
 I like what they've done here, a bit like Transition Spire... Development of next years #Ebike motor in the BB area.
  • 1 0
 Man this bike looks just like the Specialized Enduro
  • 1 0
 No it doesn't.
  • 2 0
 Sweet looking bike!
  • 1 0
 No provision for a big rear wheel as well?
  • 1 0
 the angle of that lower link looks like VPP v1. odd.
  • 1 0
 Finally... a Nomad in red!!
  • 1 0
 No linkage graph no love.
  • 1 0
 Looks intense......
  • 4 3
 Looks like a Santa.
  • 11 11
 Looks like a shitting dog
  • 1 0
 How many whatts ?
  • 1 1
 Wait... how is this not a Santa Cruz?
  • 2 3
 Just 6,499€ for the top tier model? Nahhh… Walmart/Decathlon bike, no worth a review.
  • 3 3
 Looks like a freaking Santa Cruz!
  • 3 3
 Look like a ... Santa Cruz !
  • 1 1
 will there be an incel revolt over the CHAD?
  • 3 3
 Thats a nice santa cruz with intense branding.
  • 1 0
 That thing is INTENSE
  • 2 2
 So a Megatower with brighter graphics?
  • 1 2
 Too heavy, maybe if gwin wins a race this year we’ll all start to consider Intense again.
  • 1 0
 That won’t happen. He will be lucky to get in the top 10
  • 1 2
 Exactly lol so I’ll never buy an intense @CM999:
  • 1 1
 Gwin will head over and race this after another rough year in DH…
  • 1 0
 He already did last year in an Enduro race in CA or Nevada (got 1st but that probably isn't saying much for a regional enduro race). Neko raced it as a downhill bike at Sea Otter last fall (got 2nd to Mick I believe)
  • 1 0
 *in EWS
  • 1 0
 Aaron Gwin though!
  • 1 0
 No 27”
  • 1 4
 Hey Intense finally catching up with 21st century geometry. Now if they add some trail/enduro aluminium bikes too they actually might be onto something.
  • 2 3
 an ugly megatower
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