[Dirk77]

I just sold my dh bike to get a one bike solution!

I'm getting really interested in the new tracer. Anyone out there own one or test ride one? What you guys think about them?

Hers a few models, I'm looking at.

SL elite build for 6k.
SL pro build for 5500
non sl frame expert build for 4200.

Is The sl frame worth The extra money? The build spec on the sl elite model is really good... And for 6k i can't see anything of the big brands that comes to that spec.

I've read all the reviews i can on the bike and they are all positive, with pretty much only pinkbike saying that it doesn't climb great without flipping the lever, but flip the lever and it seems to climb great. I'm fine with them getting rid of the anti squat for smoother downs. I'd flipping a lever is all it takes to climb good and putting on a coil shock for park days makes it a mini dh bike, then I'm down!

Fwiw i have a 2015 tracer and i love it. The bike climbs really good, but it does have a "steeper" ht angle @66.5 And it does have a high anti squat properties as well. It's such a fun bike too.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Beware the head tubes...

https://www.pinkbike.com/video/463858/

 

[StiHacka]

Do the Intense VPP bikes still come with the weird leverage curve?
I'd get this and replace parts when they break: https://www.competitivecyclist.com/santa-cruz-bicycles-nomad-carbon-c-r-complete-mountain-bike-2018?skid=SNZ00CQ-TN-M&CMP_SKU=SNZ00CQ&MER=0406&CSPID=0914&mr:trackingCode=DAEB211B-7E61-E711-80F5-0050569428E8&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&mr:ad=185059600064&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:tid=pla-289554909325&mr:ploc=9001913&mr:iloc=&mr:store=&mr:filter=289554909325&CMP_ID=PLA_GOc014&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&k_clickid=25aabb71-255d-47b2-b8eb-ce762d2853bf&CSPID=0914&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr5b2vcLL1QIVCC9pCh1ZXQrjEAQYASABEgK1MfD_BwE

 

[Dirk77]

Holy shnikes! That's a bad hit. Looks like he did it multiple times and intense replaced it really fast at least.

 

[Dirk77]

I've thought a lot about the new nomad. Intense definitely had that build package/ price beat though.

The new intense tracer did away with the regressive vpp curve.

 

[1soulrider]

The new nomad is awesome. Just spent a week at whistler riding one. Quite like a mini v10 in the low setting. Pedals respectably as well if set up properly. Geo and #s feel spot on.

 

[Dirk77]

The new nomad is awesome. Just spent a week at whistler riding one. Quite like a mini v10 in the low setting. Pedals respectably as well if set up properly. Geo and #s feel spot on.

Did you get some good climbing on with it? What build package where you riding?

 

[jstuhlman]

I've been on a 2009 Uzzi as my "one" bike since 2010 . . . with a coil to smooth out the curve, it's been terrific. Seriously thinking about the new nomad to replace it when it comes out in aluminum. the GG megatrail is another top contender. for some reason the new tracer just doesn't appeal to me.

 

[iRider]

Beware the head tubes...

https://www.pinkbike.com/video/463858/

That is what happens if you leave it out in the sun for too long!

 

[iRider]

Not made in the US anymore.
Dentist approved.
On sale for 50% off 2 days after it was introduced.
Strange colorwayz.
Jack Moir and Dean Lucas are riding well on the 29er aluminum bike, not the carbon M16.

Just some thoughts......

 

[Dirk77]

Hmm, Ya maybe i need to get that tracer outta my head.

Rocky slayer i demod one, it was pretty frckn sweet..
Yeti sb6
Ohlins Enduro 29er! Looks really Badass!
Sc Newmad
Trek Slash

 

[Jm_]

Ohlins Enduro 29er! Looks really Badass!

The key is to look as badass as possible.

 

[1soulrider]

Did you get some good climbing on with it? What build package where you riding?

XO1 build with reserve carbon wheels. Super Deluxe Air in the back and Lyric RTC in front.
It climbed surprisingly well, especially in the high setting. The steep seat angle helps it feel comfortable uphill as well.
In the low setting it feels more like a mini dh bike.
I'm really enjoying the bike.

 

[SkaredShtles]

The key is to look as badass as possible.

Esp if you have a Special Ed.

 

[StiHacka]

Boom! https://www.canyon.com/en-us/mtb/strive

Threaded BB included.

 

[Dirk77]

Boom! https://www.canyon.com/en-us/mtb/strive

Threaded BB included.

Very interesting! Top tube length 648cm on a large!? I'm 5'11" 180cm. But that seems huge!

 

[StiHacka]

And now for something entirely awesome.
http://www.vitalmtb.com/features/So-British-Riding-the-Hope-HB-160,1919

 

[iRider]

And now for something entirely awesome.
http://www.vitalmtb.com/features/So-British-Riding-the-Hope-HB-160,1919

More "standardzzzzzzzz"!!

 

[johnbryanpeters]

And now for something entirely awesome.
http://www.vitalmtb.com/features/So-British-Riding-the-Hope-HB-160,1919

How do they get the carbon to leak oil?

 

[kidwoo]

More "standardzzzzzzzz"!!

Must be Canadian

 

[Dirk77]

Just bought the new Tracer!

And enrolled in dental school...

I got a new 2018 solid black expert gx/eagle/lyrik/monarch build, for a REALLY good price.

I've been reading bike reviews like crazy, got really interested in the enduro 29er, test rode the new slayer and altitude (great bikes) but just kept going back to the tracer. And at the price i got it, It's about the only bike, i don't have to upgrade anything right away. I'm thinking maybe coil fox x2 and some saint brakes for park days in the future.

[

 

[djjohnr]

Nice. What were your impressions of the Altitude? How did it corner?

 

[Dirk77]

Nice. What were your impressions of the Altitude? How did it corner?

I thought it was a really fun bike that cornered great and rode really predictable. It felt like a really snappy stable, big bike. Actually the only trail i rode, was a rough steep, rutted, rooty, blown out, switchback, really fun trail with a 10-12 foot drop in the middle. The trail is called Frank & beans at silver mountain bike park.

I didn't do any climbing. Since the demo was at the park. And i only climb when i have to.

I turned in a decent strava time (iknow...) and rode it multiple times, same as the slayer. I spent half the day riding the same trail on both those bikes, med and large, because that's where the demo run was set up for.

Then i jumped on my 2015 tracer275c and turned in a better time than either bike, and had more fun. That was the first time i rode my tracer on that trail, I've ridden it quit a bit on my dh bike. And came really close to my fastest speed. So, i came away with being really impressed with my tracer. There where only a few really fast big jump trails where i felt like my tracer was a tad short wheelbase and just a tad steep. So i figured the new tracer is exactly what I'm looking for. The tracers corner so good. Sure i smack pedals everywhere, but that low bb is worth it!

 

[Dirk77]

Of course the shipment was delayed for a few weeks..

Got some parts gathered up for it though.
170mm air shaft Travel adjuster for the lyrik.
Beefy tires
Minimal chain guide
And a nicely used '18 dhx2, can't wait to see what this feels like!

Tracer parts

• Dirk77
• Sep 2, 2017

 

[StiHacka]

Is that a 7.875x2.25 shock? How long is the spring? TIA.

 

[Dirk77]

Tia? Shock is 8.5x2.5 spring is 2.75

 

[StiHacka]

Tia? Shock is 8.5x2.5 spring is 2.75

Thanks! TIA == thanks in advance

 

[jstuhlman]

interested how those pedals hold up. one of mine instantly developed play, as did the rebuild kit; then the tiny inside screw stripped, rendering them useless. they had a good feel while they lasted. so i went back to my 10yo kona wah wahs and never looked back

 

[Dirk77]

interested how those pedals hold up. one of mine instantly developed play, as did the rebuild kit; then the tiny inside screw stripped, rendering them useless. they had a good feel while they lasted. so i went back to my 10yo kona wah wahs and never looked back

No shit huh!? I went out on a limb and bought them. They sure are thin, I think I'll like how the bearing keeps your foot out of the crank. I'll keep ya informed on how they do. I have really good luck with deity pedals but sold them with the bike.

 

[Dirk77]

Metric shock spacing does seem stupid, but why didn't intense spec them on the tracer, but they are sourced on the new carbine?

 

[ChrisRobin]

I think because the Carbine is a 2018 model where the Tracer was 2017.

 

[Dirk77]

Hmm, metric was introduced late 2016?

I've read that a guy on pink bike put a longer stroke fox (2.75") on his tracer and it didn't rub anything. It does look like in pics, that there is some room in between the linkage. He said the tire didn't rub either.

I wonder if a metric shock fits.

 

[ChrisRobin]

Who knows... All these new standards are stupid.

 

[Dirk77]

Ya, kinda ridiculous to be buying next year's bike and being out of date already..

 

[Dirk77]

First real ride at the bike park today. This bike kicks ass! plenty of rear travel, Rails corners, jumps great, comfortable geo, runs silent, nothing funky.. and the fox coil, really makes this into a beast!

Tracer

• Dirk77
• Sep 30, 2017

 

[Henski]

Looks great, I just bought a 2017 tracer pro build and find it climbs a little rough in the firm setting on the fox x2, any ideas how to smooth this out. My climbs are very technical and long

 

[Henski]

Oh yeah forgot to mention, congrats on dental school, I’m a dentist in Canada.

 

[Dirk77]

I'm not the best climber, but I didn't really see much difference in how this bike climbs compared to the last tracer, or other enduro bikes. The climb switch on the float x2 does make the shock pretty stiff though. I think the dhx2 definitely had a softer climb mode.

Maybe add just enough low speed compression to keep it high in the travel?

 

[Dirk77]

How do you like it on the downs? Mine feels like a dh bike with that coil. It jumps so smooth, i haven't gotten bucked at all on jumps yet.

What air pressure, how much you weigh? I blew the fox coil, they are fixing it this week. I'm 205lbs and on the 525lb spring. I felt it bottom a few times, I might move up to the 550 spring.

 

[StiHacka]

I blew the fox coil, they are fixing it this week.

How did it fail? My new DHX2 is being serviced under warranty right now, a failed seal most likely.