Intense TAZER ALLOY PRO Review
The Intense Tazer Alloy Pro is the first aluminum bike from the legendary Intense team in 6 long years and it exhibits all the surly looks of the bad boy of the eBike world. This beast is as tough as nails and can conquer the wildest trails out there. With its Fox Performance Elite suspension, Shimano’s EP801 motor holding a 630Wh battery, prepare for an electrifying ride on this high-performance eBike.
The Intense brand is lovingly known for its mastery of engineering when it comes to aluminum frames and shall we say, weld porn. Yes, we said it. The Tazer Alloy exhibits some of the nicest welds we’ve seen in a long time, they may just bring a tear to your eye, if that’s your thing. The Tazer Alloy is a mouth-watering aluminum beauty and is what Intense does best. Matter of fact, this is well overdue, 6 years in fact, but we think it was worth the wait.
A welder’s wet dream?
Intense Tazer Alloy Pro – Features
The Tazer Alloy Pro is the first alloy eBike frame for the INTENSE brand. Powered by the Shimano EP801 motor and a 630Wh battery, the Tazer has been designed to offer plenty of power where it needs it and can handle as much rough stuff you can throw at it with its top-of-the-line Fox Performance Elite suspension platform.
The Fox Performance Elite suspension platform offers a 160mm upfront with 155mm of rear travel. Featuring a Fox38 GRIP 2 Damper fork, combined with a FOX Float X2 Performance Elite shock. The suspension platform uses a JS TUNED LINK system which provides excellent small bump sensitivity, better pedaling efficiency, greater control at the top of the suspension, and reduced bottom-out.
Powering the Tazer is the trusty lightweight Shimano STEPS EP801 motor combined with a 630Wh battery which is integrated into the downtube for easy access and charagable whilst still in the frame. The Tazer Alloy Pro is fitted with a wired Shimano SC-EM800 display for a clean and intuitive readout for accurate battery and motor data.
All the e-based controls were intuitive and easy to read. We especially liked the huge power button on the top tube begging you to turn it on.
The Tazer Alloy weighs a little over 26kgs (tubeless, no pedals) in size large, so when it comes time to pull on the anchors you’ll be glad that it comes equipped with a set of class-leading TRP DH-R EVO brakes with 203mm rotors front and rear to provide excellent stopping power and modulation.
e-thirteen components are splashed all over the Tazer from the Vario Dropper (rise options 150/180/210), 35mm stem, 165mm e-spec Plus Cranks and 34 tooth chainring, 800mm wide 35mm rise Base Alloy bars, e*spec Plus Chain Guide and a robust e*thirteen e*spec Wheelset 30mm 29″ front / 35mm 27.5″ rear. Cables for brakes, gear shifting, and dropper are all internally routed.
e-thirteen Vario Dropper post matched with an e-thirteen lever. (dropper rise options 150/180/210), ergonomic Intense grips and a comfortable SDG Bel-Air V3 saddle.
The drivetrain is a hybrid of brands comprising of an e-thirteen e-spec Plus cranks at 165mm length matched with a 34-tooth chainring, and a TRP EVO 12 Speed derailleur and shifter combined with a Shimano Deore 12 Speed cassette. The TRP derailleur promises to offer a much more silent ride with its integrated hall lock lever effectively stabilizing the derailleur on the mounting bolt, mitigating drivetrain noise, and ensuring a quiet and smooth shifting experience.
Intense promise to reduce trail chatter with its integrated FLAK GUARDS and an overhauled TRP derailleur with an upgraded clutch that reduces chain slap and creates a whisper-quiet shifting system. There’s also an integrated mini front and rear mudguard to keep things running grit-free. Tyre choice out of the box is a set of tubeless Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C EXO+ tyres.
The Tazer Alloy Pro comes with tubeless Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C EXO+ tyres wrapped around a set of e*thirteen e*spec rims, ready to be thrown at the rough stuff.
The TRP EVO derailier with its upgraded instant silent clutch enhances performance by taming chain slap and creating a whisper-quiet shifting system. Plus, the newly added cage release simplifies tyre changes, allowing for easy removal and installation. The Tazer Alloy has also been upgraded to the Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) and SRAM T-Type compatibility.
Intense has also thrown in a pretty neat toolkit.
Intense Tazer Alloy Pro – Geometry
The JS Tuned LINK system. The setup uses two short, counter-rotating links that offer the ability to fine-tune shock rates and wheel path in perfect harmony to create a balanced, active suspension system that climbs and accelerates as well as the system descends.
Build & Geometry Spec
| SIZE | SM | MD | LG | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHEELBASE | 1197 MM / 47.1″ | 1228 MM / 48.4″ | 1258 MM / 49.5″ | 1288 MM / 50.7″ |
| TOPTUBE LENGTH | 579 MM / 22.8″ | 608 MM / 23.9″ | 636 MM / 25″ | 666.3 MM / 26.2″ |
| CHAINSTAY LENGTH | 450 MM / 17.7″ | 450 MM / 17.7″ | 450 MM / 17.7″ | 450 MM / 17.7″ |
| HEADTUBE LENGTH | 100 MM / 4″ | 115 MM / 4.5″ | 125 MM / 4.9″ | 125 MM / 4.9″ |
| HEADTUBE ANGLE | 64.6˚ | 64.6˚ | 64.6˚ | 64.6˚ |
| REACH | 415 MM / 16.4″ | 440 MM / 17.3″ | 465 MM / 18.3″ | 496 MM / 19.5″ |
| STACK | 616 MM / 24.3″ | 630 MM / 24.8″ | 639 MM / 25.2″ | 640 MM / 25.2″ |
| BB HEIGHT | 355 MM / 14″ | 355 MM / 14″ | 355 MM / 14″ | 355 MM / 14″ |
| BB DROP | 16.5 MM / 0.65″ | 16.5 MM / 0.65″ | 16.5 MM / 0.65″ | 16.5 MM / 0.65″ |
| SEAT TUBE ANGLE (ACTUAL) | 75˚ | 75˚ | 75˚ | 75˚ |
| SEAT TUBE LENGTH | 72.6˚ | 72.6˚ | 72.6˚ | 72.6˚ |
| SEAT TUBE LENGTH | 395 MM / 15.5″ | 420 MM / 16.5″ | 445 MM / 17.5″ | 470 MM / 18.5″ |
| STANDOVER HEIGHT | 814 MM / 32″ | 819 MM / 32.3″ | 826 MM / 32.5″ | 831 MM / 32.7″ |
| FORK AXLE TO CROWN | 577.7 MM / 22.7″ | 577.7 MM / 22.7″ | 577.7 MM / 22.7″ | 577.7 MM / 22.7″ |
| LOWER HEADSET STACK HEIGHT | 4 MM / 0.16″ | 4 MM / 0.16″ | 4 MM / 0.16″ | 4 MM / 0.16″ |
| FORK OFFSET | 44 MM / 1.7″ | 44 MM / 1.7″ | 44 MM / 1.7″ | 44 MM / 1.7″ |
| FORK TRAIL | 129 MM / 5.1″ | 129 MM / 5.1″ | 129 MM / 5.1″ | 129 MM / 5.1″ |
| FORK TRAVEL | 160 MM / 6.3″ | 160 MM / 6.3″ | 160 MM / 6.3″ | 160 MM / 6.3″ |
| REAR TRAVEL | 155 MM / 6.1″ | 155 MM / 6.1″ | 155 MM / 6.1″ | 155 MM / 6.1″ |
| REAR SHOCK SIZE | 185 x 55 | 185 x 55 | 185 x 55 | 185 x 55 |
| FRONT CENTER | 748 MM / 29.4″ | 778 MM / 31″ | 808 MM / 32.8″ | 838 MM / 33″ |
| BB HEIGHT BASED ON FRONT TIRE OD | 750 MM / 29.5″ | 750 MM / 29.5″ | 750 MM / 29.5″ | 750 MM / 29.5″ |
| BB HEIGHT BASED ON REAR PLUS TIRE OD | 730 MM / 28.7″ | 730 MM / 28.7″ | 730 MM / 28.7″ | 730 MM / 28.7″ |
| WEIGHT | 58lbs 2oz (SM), 58 lbs 3oz (MD), 58lbs 5oz (LG), 59lbs 12oz (XL) – Tubeless, no pedals) |
| FRAME | Tazer Performance Alloy Frame. Alloy top link, internal shift, dropper, post, brake, display unit routing, E*Spec Chainguide mount pattern, flak guard armor, integrated mud guard, 160mm front travel, 155mm rear travel |
| MOTOR | Shimano EP800 STEPS Motor |
| BATTERY | BT-E8036, for STEPS, 630Wh Battery lock w/ 2 keys |
| DISPLAY UNIT | Shimano SC-EM800 |
| SWITCH | Shimano SW-EM800-L |
| FORK | FOX Performance Elite Float 38, 29″ 160mm, GRIP 2 Damper, 51mm offset |
| SHOCK | FOX Float X2 Performance Elite 185×55 2-position |
| WHEELSET | e*thirteen e*spec 30mm, 110x15mm, 29″ front / e*thirteen e*spec 35mm, 148x12mm, 27.5″ rear |
| HUBS | INTENSE E-MTN Alloy Hubs |
| TYRES | MAXXIS Minion DHR II, 3C, Exo+, Tubeless-ready 29″ x 2.60″ front / 27.5″ x 2.80″ rear |
| SHIFTER | TRP SL-M9050-12R EVO 12-speed |
| DERAILLEUR | TRP RD-M9050-L EVO 12-speed |
| CRANK | e*thirteen e*spec Plus, 34 tooth chainring, 165mm length |
| CASSETTE | Shimano Deore CS-M6100 12-speed, 10-51T |
| CHAIN | KMC E12 Turbo 12-speed |
| CHAIN GUIDE | e*thirteen e*spec Plus |
| BRAKESET | TRP DH-R EVO, HD-M846 / 203mm rotors |
| SEATPOST | e*thirteen Vario Dropper 31.6mm / 150mm (SM) / 180mm (MD, LG) / 210mm (XL) |
| SADDLE | SDG Bel-Air V3 |
| HANDLEBAR | e*thirteen Base Alloy 35 / 800mm |
| HEADSET | INTENSE ZS49/ZS56 |
| STEM | e*thirteen Base Alloy 35 / 40mm |
| GRIPS | Intense Ergonomic Lock-On |
On The Trails
The mullet setup for the Tazer Alloy Pro in our opinion was a clever move by Intense. The ride characteristics balance out the weight of the bike making it feel incredibly maneuverable, agile in the corners, and easy to throw around in the air.
Tipping into the corners, the mullet setup is instantly noticeable with the smaller rear end and the 35mm e-spec rim combined with the monstrous 2.8-width tyre. Although the geo has all the numbers for an aggressive point-and-shoot Enduro bike, and you can certainly do that, the suspension platform and mullet setup naturally encourages you to become a more playful rider.
The TRP DH-R EVO brakes with their moto-style levers and excellent modulation felt fantastic on the trails but there were times we thought perhaps a larger 223mm rotor up front would be a better choice, but we never felt out of control and the bike reacted as we wanted to in regards to braking. Taking into consideration the weight of the bike and the playful way the bike makes you ride, having that extra stopping power comes in handy. We feel most e-bikes should come with 223mm rotors up front as standard these days.
As well as being nimble in the corners, climbing was another positive factor experienced with the smaller rear end. We found it to be as equal if not better, at times, than a 29’er due to its smaller diameter it tended to track consistently well, plus we found the wide rear rim and tyre combination added excellent traction and grip when getting up and over rocky ledges as well as loose trail conditions.
If you’ve ever got your leg over an e-bike, there’s a big chance it featured the Shimao EP8 STEPS motor. They are ubiquitous in the e-bike landscape but e-bikes all have different motors with different strengths and weaknesses. In isolation, the Shimano feels great and for most single-track riding, it is more than adequate. It is only when compared back to back with some other motors that it can feel a little underwhelming. Compared to the Bosch drive unit, for example, it felt weaker and required more cadence to get into the strong assistance. This made it harder on slower technical climbs, where the Bosch would just get up and go.
We played around with the Shimano app and used two different settings. In one setting we kept it vanilla, as it came, and in the other, we ramped everything up which made a big difference. In addition to this, we were able to fine-tune and find the ideal balance of assist torque and pedaling input torque to match our preference. These apps are pretty standard with motors these days and we highly recommend you download and have a play to dial in your preferred assist and power levels.
Battery levels were impressive and we toyed with all levels from eco to turbo. There’s plenty of juice in the battery for multiple laps at the bike park with fire road turbo sprints as well as extended epic trails. We can’t complain or say anything negative about the battery levels on this bike. You do need to be somewhat conservative on epic trails but with the Shimano SC-EM800 display unit, it’s always clear to see what’s left in the tank. We would liked to have seen a wireless Bluetooth option for the motor controls as there was a fair amount of cables snaking around the cockpit and the age of wireless components is upon us.
We did have some pre-conceptions on how the bike would handle. This might have been due to its agricultural aesthetic with the burly aluminum frame and aggressive mullet configuration but we were surprised at how nimble and poppy the bike was, especially at high speed.
When it came to jumps, we found ourselves overshooting a lot of the time because we were expecting a more sluggish response and pushed harder into the launch but the Tazer reacted in quite the opposite way. Even when we got a bit squiggly in the air, it was easy to correct the bike and land safely. Something to be said for the relatively short wheelbase and the smaller rear wheel. We think this played a part in how the bike rides overall. I don’t think we’ve had so much fun on an e-bike to date.
The suspension choice and JS Tuned LINK system is an excellent setup for the Tazer Alloy Pro and we feel it compliments the characteristics and purpose of the bike perfectly. The mullet setup in our mind is an excellent choice by Intense as it gives the bike a very responsive and playful characteristic allowing you to have a lot of fun.
The FOX Performance Elite 160mm up front with 155mm rear provided a plush, sensitive, and supportive riding platform. Dialing in the right feel was super quick. We stuck to the factory-recommended settings and simply adjusted 1 or 2 clicks depending on the trails we were riding, and we rode a lot of varied trails but never touched the dials again. This speaks volumes to how well the JS Tuned LINK suspension works for this bike. It meant more riding for us, and less faffing around, and who doesn’t like that?
The small bump sensitivity felt supple and active when flying down rough single-track trails dealing with breaking bumps, roots, smaller rocky sections, and drops, and smoothed out the general trail chatter excellently. When taking it up a notch and hitting rougher and more challenging trails, the mid-stroke felt very supportive and controlled through rock gardens, taking off, and landing medium-larger-sized jumps.
When entering corners at high speed, landing larger drops, ploughing through larger rock gardens, bigger jumps, and landings, or G-outs, the suspension platform soaked everything up with ease with its plush settings and the bike always felt poised and in control. We never experienced any bottoming out or felt the bike was getting bogged down. Although the platform is plush, it also has a poppy feel to it whilst in the air, allowing you to have some fun.
Conclusions
The Intense Tazer Alloy Pro is the first alloy bike to come out of the Intense brand in 6 years, but it was worth the wait. It’s a head turner of a bike with its stunning alloy frame and top-end component bling that offer an excellent price and performance package.
The mullet setup provides a nimble and aggressive characteristic especially when cornering and hammering through the more spicy trails, allowing you to stay composed and on line. The JS TUNED LINK suspension platform works its magic offering a plush ride allowing you to plough through the rough stuff or pop off the top and still be in control when precision is needed. The Shimano motor and battery offer a dependable and powerful package with plenty of juice for ride time and enough grunt to deliver a very capable climber on turbo mode fire road bashes or technical climbs.
On paper, the Tazer Alloy Pro has similar specs and components to many other e-bikes on the market and you may ask yourself, why? We think Intense has created something special with this bike. It’s a bike that will appeal to first-timer e-bike riders as well as seasoned ones. It’s a bike that will appeal to the aggressive and very active rider who loves to look for every little bump and lip on the trail to pop off. With its excellent suspension platform, you can safely enter the gnar and feel confident you’ll make it out the other side.
In summary, if you’re searching for a high-performance eBike that can handle extreme trails and provide an exhilarating experience, the Intense Tazer Alloy Pro with its rugged construction, top-tier components, and enhanced compatibility, is ready to go straight out of the box. Just be ready to have more fun than a cat chasing a laser pointer.
The Intense Tazer Alloy Pro. Be prepared to have a LOT of fun!
Price/Where to Buy
- Intense Tazer Alloy Pro: $10,999.00 AUD
- You can purchase directly from the Intense website or check out the dealer locations.
