|   Tracer: 6 months update(adjustability&personalites) | Quattro
Nov 24, 2002 12:35 PM | | Well,I've been riding my polished small Tracer for 6 months.
I kept it in the factory settings for about 5 months. I've
got a 105mm Manitou XVERT Air on front and the stock air
Float RL in the rear.The bike,in this configuration is a
stable trail bike.It has to pushed in fast singletrack
and isn't the best cornering bike for fast DH runs,but is
very stable in DH runs. It climbs OK, but needs attention
and body English in steep, rocky, technical climbs(front end).
It does have very good traction from its suspension and is
very active.
The first thing I tried, as far as adjustments was the
wheelbase setting in the short position. This requires
the air to be let out of the shock and is done very
easily.This setting dramatically improved the singletrack
performance. All you do is lean and pedal and it flies.
In this position fast DH cornering is improved so much
that you can corner a lot faster, while stability remains
high.This position(slack head angle and short chain stays)
is probably the best position for all around trail riding
for people who like to push it.On fast DH runs,it is very
confidence inspiring and stable.It is a much faster feeling
bike in this position.I read a recent post of someone who
complained about the singletrack performance of the Tracer.
This is probably the reason(long wheelbase setting).
This position also offers a very fast cornering DH feel.
The latest adjustment I tried is the steep head angle
position of the suspension link.I kept it in the short
wheelbase setting.This position requires seat adjustment.
This position offers outstanding climbing performance.
If you like to climb long steep ones, as well as steep
technical rocky climbs, this is the optimum setting.
This position requires little effort to keep the front
end down. This makes climbing much easier. The amount of
body English needed to make the steep technical sections,
is minimal.It just hooks up and goes.It makes long
rocky climbs much easier because of less effort needed
to keep the bike under control. I haven't noticed any
problems on fast DH runs. The weight distribution
feels just about right for control and stability.I was
able to corner as fast in this position as the slack
position.It wasn't as confidence inspiring as in the
slack position, but it might be the higher position
of body weight.(more on that to follow).This position
requires that you correctly set up your front Der.in
the slack linkage position first. When you switch
to the steep setting, there is some rubbing of the chain
on the bottom part of the Der. but is only when in the
work stand.As soon as you sit on the bike, and it settles
into sag,this rubbing is eliminated.The only thing
that some people might not like is the increase in
BB height in this position. It is about 13.9 in.
in this position(no rider). This makes for a higher
feel of the bike. I haven't had any problems in steep
descents. On fast DH runs, I didn't feel as confident
as far as leaning the bike over in the turns(probably
the higher center of gravity). It does add more clearance
for rocks and logs(pedal hits).The added climbing performance
more than compensates for this.But, some people dislike
that feel. I'm used to it already.This position, with
the 105mm fork, feels to be about 71 degrees(what I like).
Seat angle is 70 and 73, depending on link position(Some
one couldn't find out what it was in a recent post) as
stated in the brochure.
So that's my impression so far. I am going to keep it in
the steep head angle and short wheelbase setting. I'm
going to try a coil over rear shock next and discs
to follow.No problems with any quality issues and
in this setup,works outstanding for my needs!
One more thing: Intense could probably eliminate the long
wheelbase setting.I recommend the short setting(IMHO). |
| Adjusting my Tracer too..... | thedog
Nov 24, 2002 4:55 PM | | Just yesterday I finally tried the short wheelbase setting with the slack 4" setting - I agree, the bike handles quicker and is easier to lean into corners giving little effort. I will leave it in this setting for the meantime, and will probably not ever go back to the longer wheelbase. Looking at the bike, the shorter wheelbase setting doesn't appear to be much different - but when you ride you can really tell. Exceptionally better feel/responsiveness riding singletrack.
I have not yet tried the steep 4" setting but plan to in the near future.
I highly recommend trying a Fox Vanilla rear shock. I blew out the original Fox Float RL, and picked up a Vanilla R from Cambria for $150 while waiting for Fox to rebuild the Float. The coil ride is more plush and better matches the ride of my Psylo up front. I will use the Float as a back-up. I weigh 155 fully geared and am riding a 600# spring with 2 full turns of preload (the max preload suggested by Fox). I wouldn't go any less spring weight. Fox recommends 170# for my weight but I have heard from others at my weight that it is too stiff. Maybe a 650# is a good choice. Depends on your riding style. I notice no more bob than with the Float RL.
I am continually impressed by the ride of the Tracer - especially how the suspension responds under hard braking through the hairy stuff. I would really like to know from the experts how this bike compares in the brake jack area. I just can't imagine a better ride. |
| Large rider and short wheelbase | derby
Nov 25, 2002 4:58 PM | | Good to hear you're checking out the adjustments, Quattro. Every Intense bike rider should do that.
I'm 200 lbs and ride a size Large, now with Vanilla-R and coils in a x-fly 100. I like the shorter wheelbase for all around XC trail riding. Although maybe because I'm taller at 6'1 and pretty heavy I don't like the steeper link setting (although it does climb in that setting much easier than anything else I've ever ridden). But in the steep link w/long wheelbase setting I found it too twitchy handling for my liking.
I like the longer wheelbase (with slack upper link setting) for Moab and desert riding where the slacker fork angle feels much less endo prone and smoother hitting or dropping through rock steps. And it doesn't hook turn in the sand as easily. But the long wheelbase (with slack upper link setting) was too slack for my regular singletrack and longer climbing home rides.
Looks like I'm wearing out my first linkage bearing (other than the Fox shock bushings every 3 thousand miles or so). Now after a year and quarter and about 5 - 6 thousand miles, the right side chainstay bearing (nearest the cranks) is showing a bit of slop when pushing the frame sideways. It could go a while longer probably without notice while riding, but I'm going to replace those two before the increasing slop wears out other bearings or tweaks something. I spray off my bike after nearly every ride and ride in wet and muddy conditions a lot in the winter (I don't know, seems a little early, my old Superlight never loosened up in two years - but it was much more flexy, so maybe there's just more side pressure on the Tracer bearings there near the BB).
I just got the new improved rear der hanger, and it is much stiffer than the old one. Shifting is even more positive now.
There no other bike I'd rather ride.
Super-go just discounted their stock of Tracer frames w/ Float RL to $1299 ($350 under the normal price everywhere). See if your favorite dealer will match that.
- ray |
| Large rider and short wheelbase | Wayne
Nov 26, 2002 12:51 AM | | Pedal Power Cyclery will ship a 02 Tracer to your door for $1300. 815-693-8681 and ask for Laura. |
| Large rider and short wheelbase | Jrm
Nov 26, 2002 7:40 AM | | i found that i like the slack angle long wheelbase set up the most. The steep setting was to tall, twitchy. Im running a vanilla rl rear anda vanilla Rl fork set @ 115mm of travel. |
| What spring size? | Quattro
Nov 27, 2002 4:42 AM | | Which spring weight do you use? You probably told me before
but I've forgotten.I was going to give Intense a call today
and see what they suggest. I do want to get the most travel
out of the frame. I did notice the steep position setting
seems to only get 1 in. stroke on the shock. This is slightly
less than in the slack position(1.25 in.)I've got to try
some big jumps to see if it is true.
Don |
| What spring size? | derby
Nov 27, 2002 11:57 AM | | Hey Don,
I'm 200 lbs. and using a 700# spring. I bottom it sometimes when I'm riding sloppy and stay seated when I shouldn't. And I don't do major drops to flat landings, maybe 3 ft maximum. But I like fast and full travel when I'm standing.
The steeper frame adjustments will position the rider more forward with less weight on the rear suspension. And you can use a lighter rear spring, and perhaps more sag if you want to fine tune the handling to not be so much quicker as the steep angles will produce.
- ray |
| Thanks!(nm) | Quattro
Nov 28, 2002 5:20 AM | | nm |
| re: Tracer: 6 months update(adjustability&personalites) | Mountainpeddler
Nov 26, 2002 10:30 AM | | This past weekend I decided to "play" with the frame options. Although I do like the steeper setting I'll continue to move the linkage around just to get a better feel of the other settings. I haven't played with the shorter wheelbase setting...that's next!
Anyway, I need everyone's expertise on a shock. I'll soon be purchasing a FOX Vanilla RL for my Tracer. I fluctuate between 155-160 pounds fully geared. What spring rate should I get for aggressive trailriding and jumps of no higher than 4 feet? Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!
Mp |
| Here's a pic of my Tracer with a Fox Vanilla RL rear shock | shredder
Dec 1, 2002 9:05 PM | | Here's a pic of my '01 Tracer with a Fox Vanilla RL rear shock. I use it with a 600lb spring for my 150lbs (fully-geared). I've found that the 4" slack/long-wheelbase settings work best for me. I've just installed a '02 Marzocchi Atom Race fork reduced to 90mm (thanks to Larry, aka Ventanarama) and the bike feels very plush. The only bad thing about my Tracer was that the original decals looked like they belonged on a Huffy. Luckily they wilted and peeled off in the TX heat after 3 months. :) |
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