Have you ever considered an e-bike? If you’ve been following our blogs for a while, you’ll know that we’re all about e-moto and the cool things associated with hard riding and having an awesome time. So why would I write about e-bikes? Aren’t they the uber-drivers’ go-to for commuting around busy cities?
Here’s the thing. E-bikes come in many different shapes and sizes. They’re not all for meandering the streets with wicker baskets on the handlebars. The e-bike in question today is a weapon. As one reviewer wrote, it climbs rugged hills with the ‘vigor of a frightened cat!’ Coming from a well-renowned bicycle company Intense – let’s just say, they’re one of the best. And this one is made for epic trails tailored specifically for dirt bike riders.
So today, let’s look at these rather “intense” e-bikes from the usual GritShift perspective of e-motos and high-powered e-motos like Surrons and Talarias. There is more overlap than you might think!
Intense Cycles. What’s That?
Intense CEO Jeff Steber found he needed a better downhill mountain bike back in the early 1990s. So, using his knowledge of dirt bikes, mixed with his amazing craftsmanship, he designed a race-winning frame. That was the M1 – a legendary bicycle that rapidly gained attention. Many top racers even used the M1 with their own sponsors’ logos on them. This included John Tomac, who rode the Intense M1, winning second place in the World Championship. For all you die-hard motocross fans, yes that’s Eli Tomac’s dad.
The amount of times an Intense cycle has won, or got a podium on the world stage is countless. This brand knows what they’re doing. Fast forward to 2018, when the first Tazer e-bike was released. Continuous improvements have been made since that time, and the e-bike range has grown to include different spec bicycles for different riders.
E-Bike, Not E-Moto
Before we dive into the Intense MX Recon, and why this e-bike is awesome, I think I need to explain a few things. If you’re a long-time reader who loves e-moto, you’re probably still thinking, why do I need a bike that’s pedal-assisted? Why not just go for a standard bicycle, or a full powered e-moto?
I love dirtbikes and e-moto, but if I can’t get to the tracks I head to my local downhill park with my DH mountain bike. A few years ago, my husband brought home an e-bike. However, I couldn’t work out why I would want to ride one. My brain couldn’t comprehend where this thing fitted in the world of motorcycles or bicycles. You gotta still pedal, it just gives you ‘assistance’, but then the assistance cuts out at a predetermined speed. Why?
Well, curiosity got the better of me and I took it to the local DH park. My skepticism vanished almost immediately when I found myself at the top of the track, looking down the run. I powered effortlessly to the top, I didn’t need a break before heading back downhill. That arvo, I did 20 plus runs, compared to my usual 3 or 4 when under ‘only’ leg power.
Instantly, I knew why I needed this DH e-bike. The fun is in the run, not the climb to the top! You can explore for miles, and while you can still get your heart rate up, the difference is the distance you travel.
Should you buy an Intense e-bike?
If you’re looking at getting a top-notch e-mountain bike, an Intense should seriously be in your sights. All Intense e-bikes are of excellent build quality, the biggest difference between models is the specs on parts such as the forks, shocks, brakes, etc… and for the epic build of the Recon, the main difference is the adventure aspect. This comes with saddle bags – panniers for those from the motorcycle world.
The Intense Tazer MX Recon Adventure e-bike was designed for dirt bike riders. It is only available in dirt bike shops. It comes with 27.5” wheels, both rear and front which creates slightly more maneuverability for adventure touring than the other Intense models which feature a 27.5” rear and 29” front. Let’s look at the specs in more detail.
Intense Tazer MX Recon Adventure Specs
This 11-speed e-bike has all the Intense qualities you would expect. Built on the Intense Frame, The Tazer Recon MX Alloy adventure features a Shimano display and switch, a Shimano ED-M5100 Deore 11-speed derailleur matched with a Shimano Deore shifter and FC-M5100 crank. Now if all those letters and numbers don’t mean a thing to you, simply put this Shimano system allows a more natural feel that is smooth and predictable. It’s all name-brand and it all works together harmoniously.
The Shimano E7000 Motor has 3 power assist modes and a walk mode. The walk mode is useful for those extreme hills, or for assistance when pushing your e-bike on the flat.
The Intense Tazer Recon MX Alloy comes in two sizes – S/M and L/XL. The best way to determine what size you’ll need is based on your height.
- S/M – Your height is between 5’3” and 5’10”
- L/XL – Your height is between 5’10” and 6’4”
Where do you ride your Intense Tazer MX Recon?
Up and down hills! However, this Tazer MX Recon has something else, it’s built for adventure. With a custom rack with bags, the Intense Tazer MX Recon is designed for a full day out or an overnight camping trip. The 36V battery gives you plenty of oomph for all day adventuring, but it is easily swappable if you need to carry a spare.
Our editor, Justin, lives off the Katy Trail in Missouri, a 240-mile rails-to-trails gravel path touring some of Missouri’s most pastoral scenery. The regular go-to for finishing a trail like this is something like a Salsa Marrakesh or Justin’s old Koga Miyata Traveller, but lugging all that weight along at a constant cadence for hours on end – tent, camp stove, bedroll, tools, and more – is more tiring than you might think. Touring with an e-bike like the Intense Recon means more distance, more vistas, and more chances to fit that 240-mile ride into your busy summer schedule.
Can you mod it?
Short answer: of course, you can mod it! We wouldn’t be able to not mod anything here at GritShift!
Long answer: It’s a pretty awesome bike right from the start. The Intense Tazer MX Recon could be considered Intense’s entry-level e-bike, so technically there is room for improvement on individual parts. But if you’re going to look at doing some serious upgrades, I would be suggesting to check out the Intense Expert build, which is a very similar frame with higher-spec parts.
Like e-motos, I would be looking at simple things like changing the tires to something that is perfect for the terrain that you frequent, and adding cleated pedals if you prefer to wear cleats instead of some sturdy shoes.
Also, something that I would consider doing if you’re going to stick to the flats rather than adventure up and down the hills is to change the main sprocket to something slightly larger. This will give you a higher top speed, at the expense of acceleration. However, don’t forget to change it back before your first hill climb, even with pedal assist power!
Intense Tazer Recon MX
If you’re in the market for an awesome e-mountain bike, the Intense Tazer Recon MX Adventure e-bike is one you need to check out. Fit in many more downhill runs to your day than on a standard DH mountain bike, or carry luggage with ease on those longer tours. This can’t be compared to a standard mountain bike, because while it rides very similarly, you’ll get to the top quicker. It also can’t be compared to an e-moto, it is considered a class 1 e-bike in most states of the USA, so you can ride it almost anywhere with no license required.
E-mountain bikes are in a category of their own, and they’re a heap of fun! If you’re looking for some good adventuring on the weekend, check out the Intense range for top-quality, well-built e-bikes. You’ll find there’s always room in your garage for one more toy!
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