Intense showed prototypes back in May, and now it’s official. Ship date is pegged for October, and they’re building them now in their own US factory. Like Pivot, Intense is outside our door getting ready to show off the goods at DealerCamp, so stay tuned for hands on photos and weights. For now, press release and stock photos below, and check out their mini site for the bike at Tracer275.com…
PRESS RELEASE: Made in our factory in Southern California, the Tracer 275 is the latest offspring from the creative mind of designer/president, Jeff Steber. The idea to do the 275 came to Steber while he was traveling abroad. A few weeks later, he was riding the first prototype.
“One of the advantages of having our own factory on-site is that we can put plans into motion right away,” says Steber. “ I can visualize it and can make the first prototypes a reality within a very short window.”
The 275 combines the best qualities of the 26” & 29” wheels. It has all the precision and efficiency of the 26” wheel and the added power and stability offered by 29ers.
“If the industry had to decide on one wheel size, I would vote for the 27.5, without hesitation. It is just as much fun as a 26, but faster” says Intense Marketing Manager, Scott Sharples. “If I had to pick one bike from my quiver right now, it would be my Tracer 275. Without a doubt.”
The Tracer 275 offers 5.5-6” of adjustable travel, 17” chainstays, a 13.3” bottom bracket, cable routing for RockShox’s stealth reverb dropper post, our G1 replaceable dropout system and a modified geometry 67-degree head angle. If you have been in search of the perfect trail bike, Intense built it for you.
“The 27.5” wheels roll right over the chatter, float through the sand and still rail into the corner without the overbearing feel of the 29er. The best part is, you don’t’ have to adjust the way you ride on the 275. You can hop right on and feel instantly comfortable with the bigger wheels”, says Intense Sales Manager, Mike Dettmers.
While locked away in “Area 51”, Steber also found the time and the creativity to develop a second 275 model. The Carbine, a 5.5-6” travel Carbon Fiber trail bike released late last fall also gets the 275 treatment. A modified G1 Dropout allows for ample tire clearance and as well adjusts geometry, which gives the bike the same dialed head angle that all Intense bikes are known for. While the Carbine 275 is a conversion kit, there are no compromises; the Carbine 275 will allow a full size 2.35” tire unlike many of the other bikes being converted on the market.
TRACER COLORS
