Should I make my classic Intense Tracer into an eBike?

[eSurfer]

I have one of the early Intense Tracers, 1998 or 1999 I think, that I have ridden as a traditional mountain bike for many years. Was heavily into trail riding and hill climbs, but I'm not really into MTB anymore, mostly because of fears of hurting myself as I am getting old.

Does anyone know about the value of those original Tracers?

1. Are they worth anything, or is the tech so old that the value would be low?
2. Would I be a fool to convert it to a mid-drive eBike?
3. If it is valuable, would I be better off to sell it and buy something else to tinker with?

Opinions please. Thanks.

 

[E-geezer]

As a used mtb, it's not worth much unfortunately since it's got 26" wheels and a shorter amount of travel compared to what is out now. I have a friend who had one though and it's a very solid bike with a good suspension design, I think it'd make a great do it all ebike. Got to love that it was made in the US too.

 

[Drunkskunk]

It has little value as a collector bike, since it wasn't revolutionary or rare, it was just very good. 4"/100mm of travel is still very good for an XC bike, but a 17 to 18 year old shock isn't. you might want to update at least the rear shock.
26" tires on an XC will get you laughed at by Hipsters. That one of the main reasons I want 26" wheels.

Bottom line, it's a very good bike if you update a few things. It should make a good ebike.

 

[eSurfer]

Thanks drunkskunk and egeezer. That was the info I was looking for; it is a very good mountain bike, but it's not some rare and valuable relic that I should not monkey with.

 

[Toorbough ULL-Zeveigh]

.

 

[k-harvey]

If you want performance for money yes , My still best e bike is my first Mountain bike even welded on a nut to take the more modern derail er.
Its 500w int controller type cyclone . But we know about these int controllers this one hasn't stuffed it yet. Would be about 12 or more years old.
Put more money into another same whole bike if anything goes wrong easy for testing etc. Mine are welded to a step through for the old bloke that I am
but just advising another mate keep his clapped out bike & add to it.& If you live long enough LIFePo4 batteries are way cheapest.
Great thing about ba-Fang is if controller packs up it looks like easy to replace .
I even got a 1200 w with nuvinci hub Al frame but still my favourites are the old ones & even in town I still prefer derailer but i'm a good tinkerer
on bikes as had lots of years playing with them.