After a couple days at the 2010 Norco Product launch in Vancouver BC, we had an opportunity to take an up close and personal look at the new bikes. The first bike of course was the Team DH, and second up to bat is the 2010 Norco Empire 5 SE.
Read on for more info on the newly revised slopestyle bike from Norco...
Taking a more visually pleasing approach to their bike line, Norco has designed the Empire 5 SE around a Grey and Orange color scheme, with subtle anodized parts to match. The headset spacers, rocker link, seat post clamp and seat, along with the derailleur hanger, and some other minor parts have all been anodized orange. The decals on the Empire 5 SE also match the Orange color scheme, along with the fork decals, and the head tube badge. Not to much changed on the build kit, however, Norco is providing you with a better bang for your buck in 2010. The rear suspension has stayed the same, however, the front fork has changed to a Marzocchi TST 2 Coil fork, losing the active travel adjust feature from the year prior. As well, Norco opted out of the SRAM x-7 rear mech from 2009, and stepped it up to a SRAM x-9 rear mech. Stronger Avid Elixir 5 brakes, slightly wider rim width, and a refined geometry mark a step in the correct direction for Norco's Empire 5 SE. The Empire 5 will still provide 5 inches of travel via the 1 piece rocker link, and will still utilize the FSR suspension platform.
Suspension Setup
| Frame | Empire Team frame (131 mm travel) |
| Rear Shock | Marzocchi TST Air with piggyback |
| Fork | Marzocchi 55 TST 2 COIL 160mm |
| Headset | FSA Threadless alloy |
| Crankarms | FSA Gravity Lite |
| Chainguide | E Thirteen LG1 |
| Bottom Bracket | FSA Gravity Lite |
| Pedals | DMR V 8 pedal ( alloy ) |
| Chain | KMC Z-9000 9 speed chain |
| Cassette | SRAM PG 950 11-28T |
| Rear Derailleur | Sram X-9 rear derailleur |
| Shifter Pod | Sram X5 shifter ( 9 speed trigger) |
| Handlebar | FSA Gravity Lite 25 mm rise |
| Stem | FSA Gravity Lite |
| Grips | Sunline Lock on grips |
| Brakes | Avid Elixir 5 7" rotor |
| Front Wheel | Jumping Flea front 20 mm
Sun Equilizer 29 |
| Rear Wheel | Jumping Flea front 135 x 12
Sun Equilizer 29 |
| Tires | Maxxis Ardent 26x2.4 |
| Saddle | Norco Pivotal DJ saddle |
| Seatpost | Pivotal (27.2 ) post |
For 2010, the Empire 5 SE has a more dialed geometry. The stand over height has been reduced slightly, and the wheelbase slightly decreased. The slightly lower stand over height ensures you can get over the bike when need be, and the slightly tighter wheelbase means better turning, and overall feel of the bike. The bottom bracket height has been slightly decreased as well, lowering the center of gravity on the Empire 5 SE even more, making it corner better, and eat up bumps when need be.
The Empire 5 SE is for sale in short and medium lengths for 2010, and will include ISCG 05 tabs, ensuring you can run whatever chain device you may want.
The Empire 5 SE should weigh in around
33 to 35 pounds for 2010, and still uses the 135 x 12mm maxle axle system.
MSRP for the Empire SE is approx.
$4000 CDN, while the standard Empire 5 will be retailing in the $2700 range.
Empire 5 Special Edition
That sums up the changes and alterations on the Empire 5 SE for 2010. Stay tuned at Pinkbike.com, for more information on the all new 2010 Norco Bike's Lineup. Keep it rubber side down!
View all photos from the 2010 Launch
www.norco.com 
