TRACER 275 - ANOTHER "ROUND" FROM INTENSE
![]() In April at SEA OTTER we gave you a sneak peek into INTENSE CYCLES initial jump into the new wheel size trend. But do not call it 650B according to Jeff Steber owner of Intense Cycles. Always looking to set his creations apart from the industry, Jeff felt that 650b was a term more endeared to the road cycling faction. The moniker 275 was born as a more straight forward moniker for mountain bikers to latch onto. Whatever you decide to call it initial feedback from riders has been that the 275 Tracer and Carbines ride like a dream.
Meet the Tracer 275 – The next BIG THING from Intense Cycles. Made in their 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.
INTENSE Cycles of California, designs and manufactures high end mountain bikes for the global market for discerning customers in Enduro/Trail riding, World Cup Downhill racing, Cross-Country racing, to Dirt Jumping and weekend warriors. In addition to the ‘Made in U.S.A’ Aluminum frames, INTENSE is now producing exotic Carbon Fiber frames. Utilizing Jeff Steber’s design skills, fabrication skills, and SEED Engineering. Intense builds the most beautiful, efficient, and effective suspension bikes. |
|