INTENSE said that they were forced to stop production of the TRACER. Looks like they'll spotlight the attention on VPP designs, like the Spider XVP, 5.5 EVP, and M3 . Anyone know about the VPP Tazer? Uzzi SLX looks like it's hanging on in 2004.
In 2003, the TRACER was the model with the fewest unit sales, as per Intense Cycles email [response].

Sad to see such an excellent frame put to pasture before its time!
May have to consider a Titus SWITCHBLADE after my Tracer babies are retired!

That seems odd, because the Tracer is the frame that I see most on the trails. The second Intense model I see the most is the Uzzi SL. Not into DH so that isn't counting that part of the market. I really think that Intense could not afford to produce two similiar frames and they went with the new technology as they spent RD money on it. They have been under some belt tightening is what I have heard.

I agree about Tracers on the trails. See 'em all over the place, here in Austin.

I think the business focus at Intense is on frames that sell, so they've got to speculate what the riders want to buy. They are a pretty small outfit that puts out only a specific # of bikes, compared to Mama TREK!

The problem is the Tracer has been around for a long time already and everyone who wants one already has or has had it. The market is pretty saturated with them which is why you see so many. Marketing has completely overshadowed it too with all the new suspension tech thats been coming out. Intense already stated that they plan on a big hit VPP frame around mid 2004 to 2005 so there goes the Uzzi SLX and there is a prototype VPP tazer too. They are killing off their FSR line completely and going all VPP. I think had the Tracer been modified to run 5 inches and combined it with a stable platform shock and MARKETED it the Tracer would have continued to be a success. How many people would have skipped out on buying a Switchblade, 5 Spot or any other similar frame if they had the option to get a 5" travel Tracer? Who knows, maybe there will be a comeback like Santa Cruz did with the Heckler.

My Tracer in its last build before I sold it. I rode this frame through so much mud and water the paint was completely dull at the end from the constant abuse and washing.

Hecubus ~
I agree that it's a popular, but older design design. If Intense offered a link to facillitate more travel (with a stable platform shock) the issue of discontinuation may've been staved-off. It's not an obsolete design; there are more new fangled, effective frames out there.

Is the Tracer the only victim? No.
On the business end, good marketing keeps consumers interested in the latest trends - not fads! All frame styles get recycled, eventually.

I bet a newer, longer travel Tracer will emerge in the future ...and sooner than we all realize.

Until then, my friend, good riding!

Hecubus ~
I agree that it's a popular, but older design design. If Intense offered a link to facillitate more travel (with a stable platform shock) the issue of discontinuation may've been staved-off. It's not an obsolete design; there are more new fangled, effective frames out there.


It will probably take a bit more than a new linkage to upgrade the travel. Some minor adjustments will probably be needed to the headtube angle and swingarm since just putting in a longer travel link will just slacken the headtube way too much and the BB will be far too high.

Yeah, some refitting would be neccessary. Like cars, the bike chassis & styling would probably change to add better performance. Let's wait and see if Steber reincarnates the name in a few years. If he does, it'll probably be another homerun for Intense Cycles!

And it's for sale!

or, When bad things happen to good bikes!

(Warning: Rant Imminent)

I ride an Uzzi SL (discontinued last year as you all know), with a BAM that has formula standard disc tabs. To top it all off, the derailleur hanger isn't replacable and I already tweaked it once when a rear derailleur blew up. Soooo, I'm one wreck away from having the most overbuilt hardtail ever. Oh, to top it all off, I got it used and somebody has almost stripped out a few of the pivot bolts. I'm dreading when the times comes to service the bearings. I just found out from a recent post that these are custom machined by Intense-Anybody had to buy some of these recently?.

I'm used to it though, my hardtail is a '96 Bontrager Race with a 1" headset & no disc tabs.

It's too bad I love these bikes. I'm going to cry like a baby when I have to put 'em down.

Zizzle

or, When bad things happen to good bikes!

(Warning: Rant Imminent)

I ride an Uzzi SL (discontinued last year as you all know), with a BAM that has formula standard disc tabs. To top it all off, the derailleur hanger isn't replacable and I already tweaked it once when a rear derailleur blew up. Soooo, I'm one wreck away from having the most overbuilt hardtail ever. Oh, to top it all off, I got it used and somebody has almost stripped out a few of the pivot bolts. I'm dreading when the times comes to service the bearings. I just found out from a recent post that these are custom machined by Intense-Anybody had to buy some of these recently?.

I'm used to it though, my hardtail is a '96 Bontrager Race with a 1" headset & no disc tabs.

It's too bad I love these bikes. I'm going to cry like a baby when I have to put 'em down.

Zizzle


Dude which bolts you need? The long main pivot bolt or the 4 short swing link bolts. I got box of the short 8mm bolts if you need. The bolts are 8mmx16mm long, button head, about 14mm head dia. Same bolts on M1 swing link, tracer link, so.....let me know!

Yes, I'm talking about the small bolts that go on the swing link & the horst pivot. The shaft on mine seems to measure a little longer than 16 mm. (snicker) Maybe 18 or so--must be the same bolt though, right?

I'd love to lay hands on a few of those shiny bits. Let me know what to do.

Just in case--do you have any of the 6X90 mm bolts that go through the rear shock eyelet? This isn't a custom piece of work, but all the same I bent mine and I'm having a difficult time finding a replacement.

Zizzzle

Ya you right, The ones I got don't fit the swing link, Intense look to have a coarser thread than mine and yes they are 18mm long in the Intense