Intense Cycles is often associated with the creation of the modern downhill bike. Their M1 was everything that downhill has become: in your face, performance-oriented, and fast. The Intense Primer is a perfect embodiment of this ethos, a lightweight trail bike that handles it all with pace, flair, and a helping of value to boot. Better yet, the new for 2020 Intense Primer 275 Expert adds in a helping of of value at just $3799.

The magic sauce of each Intense mountain bike comes from their JS Tuned suspension. For years Intense used a licensed version of the VPP suspension that is synonymous with Santa Cruz. And while VPP suspension has a lot of benefits, JS Tuned suspension seeks to improve it. Primer uses their Enduro linkage design, geared to be more supple off the top (read: more active on small bumps) while still keeping the pedaling platform VPP is known for. This is paired to a high modulus carbon fiber frame and rear triangle, a carbon top link, and titanium hardware, all an ode to their racing heritage. With 27.5” wheels, the Primer 27.5” manages bigger hits with ease but is much easier to throw around and weave through tight spaces and technical terrain.

Intense also looks to make sure the Primer stays “True to the Trail”. This means it bucks (slightly) the longer, lower, slacker trend by pairing a slack 64.6-degree head angle with an average for the segment reach measurement. The fit might be a bit snugger than what people are accustomed to these days, but shorter reach helps keep weight over the front wheel through berms while making bikes maneuverable through technical terrain. A monster truck bike this is not.

Value is the name of the game with the Intense Tracer. Each bike comes well spec’d the aforementioned titanium hardware, carbon top link, and hi-mod carbon frame. Other features include a molded bottom bracket cover, fully internal cable routing, ISCG05 mounts, and a chainstay guard to quiet chainslap. All Primers 275s share the same frame and rear swingarm and use a threaded BSA bottom bracket.

The Primer 275 Expert features a carbon frame and fork, and pairs it to a Fox 34 Performance fork with 44 mm offset and 150 mm travel, and a Fox Performance Float DPX2 shock with 140 mm travel. A SRAM NX Eagle 12 speed drivetrain, Shimano MT520 four-piston brakes (MT500 two-piston in the back), an E13 LG1 wheelset, and Intense touchpoints complete the build. Primer is available in four sizes (S-XL), and weighs in at a light 30.3 lbs.

Have any questions about the 2020 Intense Primer 275 Expert mountain bike? Send us an email any time to info@contenderbicycles.com, or give us a call during business hours.