Which shall I buy, 575 or Intense Tracer

fwb2006
fwb2006 Posts: 212
edited December 2008 in MTB buying advice
Right guys, tested out both a 575 and Tracer and am stuck which one to order. Neither are cheap and both ride really well. Opinions??

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Cheapest lol
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  • Stoo61
    Stoo61 Posts: 1,394
    Just had a wee look there, I like the look of the Yeti more.

    However, if you think hard havent you already sorta decided? I always think that people are already angling to one thing over another....perhaps not. :D
    THE Boardman
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  • grantway
    grantway Posts: 1,430
    Best thing is to take them back out again
    Also try them out in different places to see how they better each
    other.
    You have not said what sort of riding your into
    and may develope, as the Yeti you can put on a 160 fork
    and dont know the Tracer VP
  • BlackSpur
    BlackSpur Posts: 4,228
    The Tracer can take a 160mm fork. mbr has an article on the Tracer this month, might be worth a look.
    "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling." ~James E. Starrs
  • fwb2006
    fwb2006 Posts: 212
    Well I had decided on the 575 with nice finishing kit which would weigh in about 28lbs. I've got a stumpy which has always been 'ok' but not quite what I was after. As for forks I'm going to stick on the 150 QR15 Fox TALAS, don't need the extra weight of the 36's and these come close enough with the QR15 and only 10mm less travel. This is essentially to be my dream build so it will be specced accordingly. For want of a better phrase its to be an 'all mountain machine' which I can use on single track, fire road trips with my misses and able to hold its own on red/black runs in trail centres. This is why I'd come up with the 575. However, after trying my mates whyte 46 some time ago I'd always liked the idea of adjustable geometry and (other than Marins) not found until the bloody Tracer came out. It truely is amazing too so this is where I am at the moment. And before you say, I've demo'd about 15 bikes this year and like these as the come in XL and are lightweight all purpose machines.

    It almost feels like I'm back to square one again....
  • marika
    marika Posts: 392
    get the yeti 575 frame on ebay and then you will be quids in :lol:

    yes it might be me selling it
    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Yeti-575-frame-08 ... 240%3A1318

    i'd say a large yeti is more like an xl everything else
    My puppy Local Loop
  • gbrnole
    gbrnole Posts: 395
    Have you considered the blur lt2 or ibis mojo? The tracer is a tasty looking bike, I heard it is not overly forgiving. I was looking for a similar bike and was torn between the mojo and blt2, went with the mojo in the end with the qr15 floats, the dw link suspension is awesome.

    I rode a 575 but havent ridden a tracer so cant comment but if i was in your shoes id take the intense.
    Ibis Mojo SL-r
  • fwb2006
    fwb2006 Posts: 212
    Tried the large Marika, and its a bit too small for my leg length (35") so why I'm heading for an XL with a 70mm stem on it.

    Alex, I did try out a LT2, it did feel nice and slick/smooth but prefered the feel of the 575 as it 'sits in its travel' so bumps etc just get eaten up.

    Another big factor for me is weight, the frame must be of a resonable weight so I can build it up <= 28lbs.

    Boys, looking at building it up with full XTR etc.. is it worth holding out for sales at Merlin, CRC etc??
  • Chaka Ping
    Chaka Ping Posts: 1,451
    It's got to be up to you mate.

    I've got an old 575 and I'd want to try both these bikes out if I was replacing it.

    The Intense seems to be very much the bike of the moment, getting rave reviews in ST and WMB. The 575 has largely positive reviews too but has been out long enough for some riders to find faults with it.

    FWIW, I think 150mm forks would be more use on a 575 than 160mm - and I have 160mm 36s on mine.
  • stevebrock
    stevebrock Posts: 239
    fwb2006 wrote:
    Right guys, tested out both a 575 and Tracer and am stuck which one to order. Neither are cheap and both ride really well. Opinions??

    I would try a a 09 Nomad first!
    Santa Cruz Heckler
  • fwb2006
    fwb2006 Posts: 212
    The 'issues' I've heard of with the 575 were mud clearance, and some people having some trouble with the full carbon rear. For me if its that muddy I won't be out, and was going to get the alloy rear end.

    You heard any other issues??

    As for the Nomad, they are too much for what I want and way to heavy.
  • grantway
    grantway Posts: 1,430
    Take both bikes to Cwn Carn and go from there
    I have an AM bike and not found its limits and with an
    adjustable 160 fork uprfont well flick the lever and fly
  • Splasher
    Splasher Posts: 1,528
    I know you've narrowed it down to two, but just in case you didn't consider it, a Heckler with an RP23 shock is a helluva bike. (and £600 cheaper than the Intense). Also comes with lifetime warranty on the suspension bearings.

    heckler5.jpg
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  • fwb2006
    fwb2006 Posts: 212
    Well got another demo booked on the Tracer in January and don't really need to check the 575 again because I know that its 9.5/10 so its just to see if the Tracer has the missing .5

    Don't ask me why but I'm not keen on Santa Cruz for some weird reason.

    Whichever I get defo gonna stick on the 150 QR15 TALAS and have been reading the threads here about the wheelsets, interesting.. Tune hubs............

    Wonder if somewhere will have a good sale on for the components..
  • Padi R
    Padi R Posts: 59
    I'd go for the Tracer myself, or to put a spanner in the works, Mythic Rune gets a good review and comes in around £2000

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