First Look: Limited DVO Edition 2015 Intense Tracer Carbon 6

bturman

3/31/2015 3:16am

When great companies with innovative products collaborate, really cool things happen. This time Intense Cycles has teamed up with DVO Suspension to create a limited edition Tracer T275 Carbon that's designed to stand out, on and off the trail. Just 250 of these beauties will be made.

With a special design customized to highlight the new DVO Trail suspension system - a Diamond Fork with 160mm of travel and the Jade coil rear shock - this bike gives riders a completely different feel than the standard specified air shock.

DVO Edition T275C Highlights

Full carbon frame
DVO Jade Coil shock
DVO Diamond fork with 160mm (6.3-inches) travel
VPP2 suspension
160 or 145mm (6.3 or 5.8-inches) of rear wheel travel
27.5-inch wheels
Tapered headtube
Press fit bottom bracket shell with ISCG05 mounts
Integrated 142x12mm dropouts
Internal cable routing system with guides
Color: Naked Green
Weight: 30.5-pounds (13.8kg)
MSRP: $6,899

Why A Coil?

Like the DVO Edition 951 EVO, the Tracer DVO is not just a simple spec change but a bike designed around this special suspension system.

Riders experience a more supple ride, increased traction and superior big hit performance because with the Jade coil rear shock, the first 50mm of travel - or “sag” - is much more active than air. The rear coil shock also allows for a more active suspension that keeps the rear tire in contact with the ground to increase traction. When compared with an air shock, a coil shock provides a more linear feel though the travel. Big hits feel controlled as the bike cycles through its travel. The unique DVO system allows the rider to dial in the suspension feel while on the go for that perfect race tune tailored to each ride.

Suspension duties on the T275C are taken care of using a dual link VPP (Virtual Pivot Point) design. Changing the rear wheel travel between the 145 and 160mm modes doesn't affect the geometry of the bike, but does alter the suspension rate slightly with a slightly firmer feel in the shorter travel option.

The new DVO edition looks to further improve an already dialed bike with even better suspension performance. As we wrote when we reviewed the Tracer T275 Carbon Pro, "Don’t let the smooth lines and gorgeous finish fool you. This bike is meant to be ridden hard and fast, and it’ll keep up over any type of terrain. It’s the next evolution of an already successful ride that brings it up to the highest level of standards. From a spec sheet that mimics our dream build to the incredibly well-balanced VPP suspension and impressive carbon construction, they’ve nailed all the major details and the minor ones, too."

Build Specifications

This bike is another example of Intense's commitment to making high-performance bikes with a stunning finish. They used the SRAM X0/X1 drivetrain combination with green highlights on the cranksets and derailleurs, Stan's Flow wheels with matching green color hits, and a stunning black and green Tracer carbon frame using high-gloss green paint to match the DVO components. A Renthal cockpit, Maxxis High Roller II tires, Rock Shox Reverb adjustable post and Shimano XT brakes round out the package.

Geometry

In Action

Watch Intense Southern California Technical Rep Chappy Fiene put the bike through its paces in this awesome video. It's incredible to see what this bike is capable of under a talented rider.