For 2015, Intense Cycles is once again resurrecting their top of the line Factory Models for three specific bikes. These dream builds will be available on the Tracer T27.5, Carbine 29er, and Spider 29er, and feature Enve wheels, Cane Creek rear suspension, a SRAM XX1 drivetrain, and Shimano XTR stoppers.
Last years top end models featured Renthal handlebars and stems, but the bikes now feature a Thomson cockpit – with matching colored face plate.
The Spyder and Carbine, which are more XC/Trail oriented models, will receive the fantastic Cane Creed Double Barrel Inline Shock. The 145-160mm travel Tracer T2.75 will come with the CC Double Barrel Air.
While Intense sources all of their carbon frames from Asia, all of the linkages, pivots, and hardware, are still made here in the United States in their Temecula, CA factory. I had the opportunity to visit it earlier this year, and you read about the experience here.
In previous years the Carbine 29 utilizes the company’s G3 Insert System, which allowed the end user to swap in different dropouts depending on what axle standard their rear hub was set up as. For the new model year, the company have moved to a 142×12 thru axle only, which is claimed to offer improved stiffness.
All the factory builds will come with SRAM XX1 drivetrains for 2015, but perhaps that will change as Shimano’s new XTR mechanical and Di2 11 speed drivetrain became more available? Based on Tyler’s first impressions of the two new groups, it will be interesting to see how things pan out in the near future.
