Intense has a long tradition of building high-end aluminum frames that stretches from back in the early ‘90s to the current World Cup downhill and enduro teams. That makes it exciting to see the California brand applying its experience to the Tazer MX Alloy, a mixed-wheel, eMTB version of its Tracer enduro bike. It’s the first alloy eMTB frame to appear from the U.S. brand.
Intense Tazer MX Pro Alloy
Like its 100 per cent human-powered analog, the Tracer, the Tazer MX is designed around Intense’s enduro link suspension design. Add in some burly alloy tubing and a combo of Shimano’s Steps EP801 motor and a removable 630 Wh battery, and you have an eMTB capable of self-shuttling or just big days of trail riding. Intense also drops the rear travel to 155mm and uses a mixed wheel (27.5″ rear, 29″ front) combo to keep the Tazer MX nimble on the trail. The frame comes with downtube protection built in as well as chainstay protection that also aims to minimize any chain slap noise.
Like Intense’s racing program, the Tazer MX leans heavily on parts from TRP. That includes the powerful DH-R EVO brakes, with a 220-mm front rotor and 203-mm rear rotor, that are well suited to the power and momentum of this alloy eMTB. It also includes TRP’s new EVO 12-speed drivetrain, though Intense does mix in Shimano’s proven Deore 12-speed (10-51 tooth) cassette to try maximize performance.
Suspension is handled by the Swedish high-end brand, Öhlins. That includes a 170-mm RXF38 M2 fork and the iconic yellow of the brand’s TTX22M coil shock out back. A Renthall Fatbar adds another high-end element that will be familiar to both mountain bikers and riders with a moto background. All of this rolls on e*thirteen e-spec wheels with beefy Pirelli Scorpion e-mtb S tires (27.5×2.8″ rear, 29×2.6″ front).
Alloy frame advantages (and challenges)
Just looking at the burly welds on the Tazer MX is enough to tell you this is no lightweight eMTB. Trying to lift this electric beast out of a tailgate or off a bike rack quickly confirms that suspicion. But, through a combination of smart parts selection and clever suspension design, the Tazer MX Alloy proves that performance is more complicated than absolute weight.
Shimano EP 801
Shimano’s EP 801 does its job handily, propelling the Intense MX uphill at whatever pace you like for as long as the 630Wh battery lasts. The suspension is just active enough that the tires can hold traction up technical trails,…
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