Vital Test Sessions - Intense Tracer 279

Intense has a long history of building race-winning bikes and carries on that legacy with the Intense Factory Race team and Tracer 279. With one win under its belt and second place overall in the U21 EWS beneath Seth Sherlock, the Tracer 279 is a very promising platform from Intense and has proven competitive on track. Stepping away from the VPP designs of the past, the newest Tracer uses Intense's own JS link.

Thanks to these brands for supporting the test!

#MTB #mountainbike #enduro

[TheAngryHusky]

I own this bike. It's an incredibly quick sporty feeling bike and a blast to ride IMHO. I changed the spring out to a Fox SLS 425# spring I think. I'm 165 lbs and it feels great. I did have to test a few springs to get it dialed however.

[Acill]

I went with the full 29er and like it a lot more over the 279 I test rode. The 29er even comes with a X2. Changing out my fork and rear shock to a factory also made a huge difference.

[paul]

Is stack measured only on the frame or like actually up to the stem/handlebar??

[downhilldonnie]

I rode the Tracer 29 briefly this summer and liked how it looked and rode, and was really optimistic about this new bike from Intense (some nostalgia for sure). Unfortunately there was so much flex in the rear end the cranks were rubbing on the chainstay, and I ended up returning it to Intense. Definitely a let down.

[micheandmikey]

My favorite comment in this review is shifting felt nice".... well that's because Shimano is the best of the best, Intense had nothing to do with that part of the build 😄. It is a good looking bike, my only concern as an XL frame rider is that seat post height. I run a 240mm dropper to get it down and out of the way. Would a 240 even work on this bike or would you need to be 7' with a 240mm dropper in order to reach the pedals?

[SpicyCavallo]

How can an air shock be more linear than a coil one?
This is oddly confusing if you compare the usual S-shape graph of an air shock vs. the straight line of a coil shock. Pls help🙃

[rickyvic]

it is weird I was looking at this vpp bike and it seems the leverage ratio is linear which is strange, and then they probably use a lot of damping and progression in the shock to counteract that, another weird thing is that the x2 is really linear for being an air shock. not sure this is still relevant in 2025 but maybe someone can chip in

[mikemerkley]

I know mullets are just so in fashion right now but you really should've tested the Tracer 29 with its Float X2. From day 1 I have had zero of the issues with the suspension that you guys complained about here. You basically handcuffed yourselves and then complained because you didn't have the key

[johnnybravo]

So it’s not a lower link VPP like Santa Cruz ??

[JosefMihajlovits]

I am looking at buying this bike. can anyone give me feedback???

[DC]

I know shocks don’t have neg. travel that looks like a loose pivot or blown bearing or bushing but with the bike not even on the stand right I wouldn’t assume you guys to know better. 😂

[pbls]

Too much progressiveness can be a reality 😮

[milktop]

I’ve know too many intense that broke so I’d never buy one personally

[rickflubadubdub]

Never buy a bike that doesn’t have a lifetime warranty on the frame.