Aurum: DH ($3399 - $7350 US - $2600 Frame Only)
Intended Use -
A purpose-built World Cup downhill bike, the AURUM is designed for riders that want to go downhill fast. If you’re obsessed with chair lift and shuttle access, the first thing you will notice when you ride the AURUM is the speed at which it covers ground, the ease with which it flows through corners and the confidence with which it eats up rough terrain. From World Cup races to parks and shuttle runs, the AURUM is mind- blowingly quick, stunningly nimble and astonishingly precise. Designed to capture the gold it was named after, this is the bike you want if you describe your riding style as ‘fast.’
The world of downhill racing is what you would call ‘unique,’ both in its participants and its demands. Riders barrel down steep, uneven mountainsides at tremendous speeds, and winners are often separated by only hundredths of a second. Downhill bikes need to be light, strong and responsive, and because each racecourse is so different, they also need to be adaptable. One minute you might find yourself flying through the air at 60 km/hr and the next pedaling along a fire road with your lungs about to burst. These conditions present challenges when designing a DH bike, but these conditions are exactly what the AURUM has been built to excel in.
When the engineers set out to design the AURUM, their goal was audaciously simple: to create the world’s fastest downhill bike. Starting out as a few revisions to the current platform, the new DH bike evolved into a complete redesign from the ground up. Featuring new technologies and innovations as well as a clear focus on the aesthetic nature and clean lines of the frame tubing, it is the fastest, best-looking downhill bike to ever wear the Norco shield. Its name means gold in Latin and that is exactly what it has been designed to capture.
Engineered and spec’d to win DH races, the AURUM has been meticulously designed to be faster, smoother and more agile than the competi- tion. Taking advantage of Norco’s new A.R.T. suspension, the FSR linkage has been optimized to provide the perfect suspension character- istics for downhill racing. With more active braking, better square-edge bump compliance and more efficient pedaling, the AURUM has the temperament needed to dominate any downhill circuit, resort or shuttle run. Steep, technical and fast terrain is met with smooth, confident and precise ride qualities. Add the new Gravity TUNE geometry, designed to provide equal ride characteristics for all three sizes, and the AURUM is impossible to beat. Here are some of the points that make this bike such a clear podium contender.
The Aurum Story-
Aurum Tech and Design• Engineering: Our engineering team has put in some serious time to develop this new frame while integrating innovative technologies already found in bikes like the Range, Shinobi and Truax.
• Gravity TUNE: optimizes suspension kinematics and frame sizing for average rider height and weight in each frame size. By varying chainstay length, keeping it proportional to the front center length, we are able to ensure consistent rider weight distribution over the wheels in each frame size. Chain growth and anti-squat levels are tuned to ensure suspension performance is also optimal for riders of different weights. With Gravity TUNE, no matter what size bike you ride, you will get the best performance possible.
• A.R.T. suspension: makes the bike fast, smooth and precise. The suspension kinematics are customized to provide the perfect balance of square-edge bump compliance, pedaling efficiency, active braking and tuneability with bottomless suspension feel.
• Rider-developed: With the feedback and insight of Ben Reid and Dan Stanbridge from the Dirt Norco Race Team, as well as our Norco Factory Team, staff riders and the Norco R&D test team, we developed this bike to be one of the fastest in the world.
• Travel: The AURUM delivers 200mm of plush, predictable and progressive A.R.T suspension. We believe that suspension performance should be judged on quality, not quantity. One ride on an AURUM and you will see just how good our suspension is!
• Tapered head tube: This is a huge step forward in bicycle design that allows for two major benefits, making the bike more exciting true through any terrain. It also prevents bending forces from affecting the rear shock, reducing stiction and increasing shock life.
• Integrated rear dropout: Combining post-mounted brakes, built-in gussets, the Syntace X12 x 157mm axle system and clevis-less pivot points, we’ve made a lightweight, stiff rear triangle for the AURUM.
• 83 mm BB shell with integrated ISCG 05 chainguide mount: al lows the design of a stronger, stiffer BB and main pivot structure and provides the required single ring chainline for the 157mm rear wheel spacing.
• Syntace integrated derailleur hanger: proven to be substantially stiffer and less prone to breakage than conventional derailleur hangers, the X-12 system ensures incredibly crisp and precise shifting.
• Integrated seatpost clamp: not only looks great but also allows the seat tube to be fully supported.
• Integrated fork bumpers: Built right into the frame, these bumpers are always in the right place while allowing for a tighter turning radius than traditional fork mounted bumpers.
• Custom hydroformed tubeset: Each tube has been meticulously engineered to be strong, stiff and light, providing a responsive and lively ride that goes exactly where it is pointed. Hydroforming also allowed us to shape the tubes to create an aesthetically stunning frame.
• Handling: We set our focus on creating a frame with a low centre of gravity and reduced unsprung mass; the result is a very agile bike with incredibly active suspension.
• Holloform link arm: This hyper-rigid, one-piece link arm provides two significant benefits. Providing lateral support to the seatstays, it stiffens the rear triangle, keeping the bike tracking straight and INCREASED SQUARE-EDGE BUMP COMPLIANCE
Suspension (A.R.T.) Square-edge bumps will slow most suspension designs down in a hurry. A.R.T., however, improves the wheel’s ability to travel rearward as it travels up, allowing the wheel to move out of the way of obstacles, a trait that is particularly important for a World Cup downhill bike. For 2012, the axle path of the AURUM provides 250% more rearward travel that extends 14% deeper into the travel range than the 2011 platform. Our engineers also decreased the forward axle path motion (at full travel) by a huge 330%. When put in practice, this provides a smoother, faster ride over rough and varied terrain, perfect for a bike that is designed to be as fast as possible.
IMPROVED LEVERAGE RATIO CURVE
A.R.T. suspension uses a progressive leverage ratio curve that is designed to yield a predictable suspension action with the perfect combi- nation of traction and big hit capability. The leverage at the beginning of the shock stroke is relatively high, resulting in excellent small bump compliance (traction). As the bike moves through its travel, the leverage ratio falls at a consistent rate which gives a very progressive feel with no mid stroke ‘wallowing’ or dead spots. The leverage is progressive right until the end of the stroke, giving the AURUM that bottomless feel we all desire for hard landings and big hits.
IMPROVED BRAKING PERFORMANCE
A.R.T. employs a combination of the rearward axle path and careful control of the rear brake caliper attitude to allow the suspension to remain unaffected by braking forces throughout its travel. The result is smooth, powerful braking with fully active suspension and a whole lot of traction. INCREASED PEDALING EFFICIENCY To combat the mortal enemy of suspension known as bob (the bouncing that occurs when pedaling), A.R.T. was designed to provide increased chain growth. This creates anti-squat forces, effectively counteracting the forces that produce suspension bob. The result is incredibly efficient power transfer, which allows the AURUM to accelerate like a much shorter travel bike.
Spec Philosophy A bicycle is really the sum of its parts; the frame, the fork, the wheels and the brakes are useless by themselves. But when you put it all together, that is when the magic happens. We have taken our time and carefully selected the ideal combination of parts to complement the frame and ultimately the rider’s needs. It is our philosophy that bicycles need to be versatile, enabling riders to explore their idea of adventure wherever the trail or road may take them. Our component specs reflect this ideology and provide the perfect blend of true performance and versatility. The AURUM spec was selected to realize the intent of the AURUM: to win World Cup races. The parts are lightweight, strong and precise; here are some of the highlights:
• Wide 760 mm low rise bars with direct-mount, low-rise stem for all models
• 2 x 10mm, 1 x 5mm and 2 x 3 mm headset spacers and a low stack headset top cone offer multiple bar height options
• Coil spring Boxxer forks with light spring on small, mid spring on medium, and firm spring on large frames to match rider weights
• 157 x 12 rear hub improves wheel strength and stiffness
• DH crank with 83 mm BB shell • Colour ties on components, including saddle graphics, rim graphics, bar, stem and seatpost
• Short cage rear derailleur and compact 11-28T cassette sprocket
• 26 x 2.50 DH tires with soft compound or dual tread compound and DH sidewall casing
Truax: 180mm FR ($3399 - $6785 US - $2100 Frame Only)
The TRUAX is designed for those riders who are just as likely to pedal up to the trailhead as they are to take a shuttle or chairlift to the top of the mountain before they dive in and revel in their descent. Seven inches of travel and a slack headtube angle make this bike right at home on the way down. Ride it everywhere, every day: jumps, ladders, berms, steep descents, park, shore ... wherever you need a fast, versatile and incredibly fun bicycle.
The TRUAX is an evolution of the iconic Shore bicycles that Norco pioneered. The original Shores were built for and named after the fabled North Shore mountains near Vancouver, BC. This fairytale dreamland is filled with ladder bridges and skinny beams suspended peril- ously high above the forest floor. To add to these harrowing stunts were drops, jumps and steep rock faces; the Shore is a place of great experimentation and pioneering which spawned new bicycles and riding styles.
As this style of riding has evolved and diversified, so too have the demands and needs of Shore-style riders on their equipment. The Shore style has grown to include long and fast descents, flowing trails, and drops, gaps and jumps with smooth transitions; most now term this riding in general as “freeride.” And this is where the new TRUAX steps in.
The TRUAX rides the line between a traditional Shore bicycle, a freeride bike and a downhill bike, pulling the best from each world and essentially creating a new style of bicycle design and intended use. Just as at home on Vancouver’s renowned North Shore as it is leading a pack of friends through the downhill park, the TRUAX makes short work of the climb up for those who chase self-access thrills as well. Lightweight, fast, nimble and adaptable, it is the one-for-all bike for those who tread on the side of steep, technical, good times over spandex-clad climbs.
Integrated Dropouts • Syntace X12 142mm x 12mm axle: stiffer, more precise than other axle design
• Integrated derailleur hanger is stronger and much stiffer than conventional designs.
• Post mount brake: Get rid of half the hardware from a normal brake and while you’re at it toughen things up a bit and improve braking- done. Better braking, lighter system = more fun to ride. Tapered full-contact integrated gussets: Strong, light and nice to look at, these stiffen the rear end, improving riding performance.
• Custom tapered tubing: strong and great to look at. Allows us to create lightweight tubing that is designed for specific applications while improving aesthetic appeal (like high-performance plastic surgery).
• Clevis-less pivot system (Clever Pivot Design): Having fewer welds allows us to make a stronger and lighter connection point for pivots.
Custom Hydroformed Tubing Our tubing wasn’t made in an Easy-Bake Oven - a great deal of time and technology goes into making every tube. This extra effort pro- vides two major advantages: The first is that by using custom tubing, we can reduce weight while improving the strength of the bicycle, creating light, lively and exhila- rating ride properties. The second is clean, inspired lines that lend to eye-catching aesthetics; a bicycle should look as good as it rides.
Integrated ISCG Tabs As a part of the bottom bracket, the integrated ISCG tabs create a super strong connection point for chainguides. To allow the front derailleur to follow a more natural path as the suspension compresses, we have integrated the front derailleur mount onto the chainstay.
Tapered Head Tube This is a huge step forward in bicycle design that allows for three major benefits, all making the bike more exciting to ride. The first is the design allows for larger tubing at the front end, making it stiffer and more resistant to side loading, ensuring precise steer- ing and bicycle control. The second is it allows fork manufacturers to make a stronger crown (the piece that connects the legs of the fork to the steer tube) with no weight penalty. That means it can be stronger and more precise with no downsides – have your cake and eat it too. The third is the bearings in the lower headset cup are oversized, allowing them to be stronger and last longer.
Custom Stainless Hardware It has been said that it is the little things that count. Our custom stainless steel hardware is designed to be both precise and easy on the eyes.
Asymmetrical Chainstays The right chainstay is dropped to improve front derailleur clearance and to reduce chain slap while riding.
One-Piece Forged Link Arm Holloform one-piece forged link arm: The link arm is an integral connection point for full suspension bicycles. Traditional two-piece link arms tend to twist under pressure from side loading which is a problem. To remedy this perplexing kink in design the Holloform link is forged as two pieces, then CNC’d and finally welded together to create one very rigid and hearty link arm which also adds to the aesthetic attraction of the bicycle design. Super stiff and super strong = super responsive bicycle.
Integrated Seat Tube Pivot Built right into the seat tube, it allows for fewer welds with added strength (like Popeye on a diet).
Clevis-less Pivot System If you were to look at a normal pivot point you would notice that the end point is connected by a piece material welded to the tube, also known as a clevis. As we take strides forward in bicycle design we found a way to do away with the traditional clevis system by producing clevis-less pivots. With fewer welds and custom tapered tubing these pivots are stiffer, stronger and lighter, giving you a better ride.
Increased Pedaling Efficiency To combat the mortal enemy of suspension known as bob (the bouncing that occurs when pedaling), A.R.T. was designed to provide a 20% increase in chain growth. This improvement creates anti-squat forces, which effectively counter the forces that produce suspension bob. The result is an incredibly efficient power transfer that provides excellent climbing abilities for our bikes.
Improved Leverage Ratio Curve Ever notice how sometimes you can fiddle with a shock for what seems like hours, yet your suspension feels exactly the same? To rem- edy this, A.R.T. provides a lower and more progressive leverage ratio curve. In plain English it means that a bike with A.R.T. is easier to tune and has a bottomless feel to its suspension travel.
Increased Square-Edge Bump Compliance Square-edge bumps will slow most suspension designs down in a hurry. A.R.T., however, improves the wheel’s ability to travel rearward as it travels up, allowing the wheel to move out of the way of obstacles. When put in practice it provides a smoother, faster ride over rough and varied terrain, perfect for mountain bikes.
Versatility A combination of excellent climbing ability with astounding prowess in the descents provides a thrilling experience for riders. With the new A.R.T. suspension the TRUAX is a much better climber than its predecessors. Combined with an uninterrupted seat tube and a lighter overall bike weight, self-access riding is now more accessible. On the descent, though, is where the TRUAX really excels: fast, nimble and light, it is at home anywhere it is pointing down. Ride it up and then point it down and repeat as necessary.
Strength The Shore style of riding is never kind to a bicycle, but our engineers have managed to make it lighter and stronger at the same time. The TRUAX is built to handle the abuse of the Shore, downhill parks or any other self- or lift-accessed descents you can find.
Precision Custom tubing, integrated dropouts, a one-piece link arm and a tapered head tube make this bike incredibly stiff especially when side- loaded, like when you go through a corner. All you have to do is think about where you want the bike to go and it will go there. The TRUAX is responsive, nimble and playful, not to mention wickedly quick. This bike is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Spec Features • Wide 760 mm low rise bars with short stem
• 180 mm travel freeride forks with 20 mm axle and tapered steer tube
• Coil spring rear shocks on all TRUAX models
• 142 x 12 X-12 Syntace rear axle and through-hole hub
• Dual front chainring on TRUAX 1 and 2 with a dual ring chainguide system
• 200 mm front brake rotor and 180 mm rear brake rotor
• Colour ties on components, including saddle graphics, rim graphics, bar, stem and seatpost
• Crank with 2 x 10 and 2 x 9 gearing (with bash guard), with an 11-36T cassette and mid cage rear derailleur. Optimized gearing for freeride trails.
• Double wall 29 mm wide rims with 26 x 2.35 dual tread tires
• Direct mount “E”-type chainstay mount front derailleur
Range - 160mm All Mountain ($3800 - 9000 US - $2300 Frame Only)
In 2011 we introduced the RANGE series of mountain bikes and rewrote the definition of all-mountain. With amazing climbing and descend- ing abilities thanks to six inches (160mm) of A.R.T. suspension, there are few places the RANGE doesn’t feel at home. It is a one-bike arsenal designed to tackle endurance, all-mountain, backcountry and light freeride trails with ease. Try a RANGE and see what all-mountain really means.
• all-mountain, backcountry singletrack, light freeride and enduro
Spec Features • All-mountain 2 x 10 gearing for all RANGE models. Includes an outer bash guard, 11-36T cassette and a mid-cage rear derailleur.
• Shorter stem and wider low-rise bars for an excellent all-mountain feel
• 160 mm travel forks with 20mm dropouts, tapered steer tube and travel adjust feature (Talas, two-position or U-turn feature) for all RANGE models. Stiffer and offers the optimal climbing setting in the short travel position.
• 142 x 12 Syntace rear axle with through-hole hubs offer a stiff rear end (not available on Range 3)
• High volume rear air shocks on all RANGE models for a more plush and linear feel
• 180 mm front and rear brake rotors
• Colour ties on components, including saddle graphics, rim graphics, bar, stem and seatpost
• 26 x 2.35 and 26 x 2.40 tires for all models. Larger volume and more aggressive tread tires excel on a variety of terrain.
Frame Features• 160mm of A.R.T. (Advanced Ride Technology) rear suspension travel. Suspension kinematics optimized for all-mountain applications.
• Holloform® link arm. Forged and welded, tubular one-piece link arm structure for lateral rear wheel stiffness.
• Integrated dropout design: forged dropouts with axle and pivot points, integral caliper post mount and seatstay support gussets. Advantages: eliminates brake harmonics, improves rear end stiffness.
• Tapered head tube technology. Frame structure and fork crown are both stiffer and stronger without being heavier.
Sight: 140mm all-mountain/trail bike ($2795 - 9540 US - $2100 Frame Only)
What is in a name? Can a name really define its holder? If you change a name do you change the person? The name Sight can mean many things to many people. Vision, foresight, perception, focus: as every individual sees the world through different eyes, the SIGHT was created to help you realize your own visions of riding. No two people see a trail exactly the same way; each rider is unique with their own strengths and riding style. The new SIGHT has the ability to take you anywhere you can imagine. With incredible versatility this is the perfect tool for those looking for an adventure with no bounds. It has the climbing aptitude and descending talent to take you places you have only dreamed of. From endurance cross-country races to weekend adventures with friends, you bring the vision and the SIGHT will show you how to get there. Open your eyes to a new riding experience — the SIGHT will change the way you see the trail.
A great deal of time and technology goes into making every tube. This extra effort provides two major advantages. The first is that by using custom tubing, we can reduce weight while improving the strength of the bicycle, creating light, lively and exhilarating ride properties. The second is clean, inspired lines that lend to eye-catching aesthetics; a bicycle should look as good as it rides. Handling We set our focus on creating a low centre of gravity and reducing unsprung mass; the result is a bicycle that is lighter, quicker and more agile.
For some people 140mm (5.5”) of travel provides the necessary versatility to be called an all mountain bicycle, while others might call it a trail or marathon bike likening it to its cross-country brethren. We like to call it the SIGHT: Not too big, not too small, the SIGHT is just right. Light and nimble enough to climb meets strong and responsive enough to descend, this is a bicycle that fills the desires of riders looking for adventure and versatility everywhere they ride.The SIGHT will give you new eyes for adventure; you’ll never look at a trail the same way again. Impossible will look possible and second guesses will turn the corner to afterthought. One hour or seven, when you are in the saddle of the SIGHT a ride is no longer just a ride — it is an adventure ripe with possibility, an odyssey with limitless outcomes which will all put a smile on your face.The SIGHT isn’t the only bike in this category, but it is one of the best. A combination of industry-leading technologies, carefully selected spec and a refined geometry create what some might view as the perfect bike. More than the sum of its parts with features like custom hydroformed tubing, A.R.T. optimized suspension and a tapered headtube, once you go SIGHT, you’ll never go back.
“We like to call it the Sight: Not too big, not too small, the Sight is just right. Light and nimble enough to climb meets strong and responsive enough to descend. This is a bicycle that fills the desires of riders looking for adventure and versatility everywhere they ride."
The Sight Story • A.R.T. suspension: results in a smoother, faster ride uphill and down.
TAPERED HEAD TUBE
This design allows for larger tubing at the front end where the headtube meets the down tube making it stiffer and more resistant to side
loading, ensuring precise steering and bicycle control.
• It allows fork manufacturers to make a stronger crown (the piece that connects the legs of the fork to the steer tube) with no weight penalty.
• Increased strength means less flex and more precision with no down sides – have your cake and eat it too.
• The bearings in the lower headset cup are oversized, allowing them to be stronger, smoother and longer-lasting.
INTEGRATED DROPOUTS
• Syntace X12 142mm x 12mm axle: stiffer, and stronger than other axle designs.
• Integrated derailleur hanger is stronger and much stiffer than conventional designs.
• Direct mount brake: Get rid of half the hardware from a normal brake and while you’re at it, toughen things up a bit and improve braking performance. Better braking, lighter system = more fun to ride.
• Clevis-less pivots: If you were to look at a normal pivot point, you would notice that the end point is connected by a piece of material welded to the tube, also known as a clevis. As we take strides forward in bicycle design, we found a way to do away with the traditional clevis system by producing clevis-less pivots. With fewer welds and custom tapered tubing, these pivots are stiffer, stronger and lighter, giving you a better ride.
CUSTOM HYDROFORMED TUBING
A great deal of time and technology goes into making every tube. This extra effort provides two major advantages. The first is that by using custom tubing, we can reduce weight while improving the strength of the bicycle, creating light, lively and exhilarating ride properties. The second is clean, inspired lines that lend to eye-catching aesthetics; a bicycle should look as good as it rides.
HANDLING
We set our focus on creating a low centre of gravity and reducing unsprung mass; the result is a bicycle that is lighter, quicker and more agile.
ONE-PIECE HOLLOFORM LINK ARM
This hyper-rigid link arm provides uncompromisingly stiff rear end that keeps the bike tracking straight and true through any terrain.
INTEGRATED DERAILLEUR HANGER
Proven to be substantially stiffer and less prone to breakage than conventional hangers.
CUSTOM STAINLESS STEEL HARDWARE
It has been said that it is the little things that count. Our custom stainless steel hardware is designed to be both precise and easy on the eyes.
FRONT DERAILLEUR
To allow the front derailleur to follow a more natural path as the suspension compresses, we have integrated the front derailleur mount onto the chainstay.
FLUID CONCEPT DESIGN
A.R.T, an optimization of the FSR suspension platform, is not a static design that is transferred from bicycle to bicycle in cookie-cutter fashion. Rather, it is a fluid design concept that is adjusted and refined to match the riding style, preferences and demands of each platform that we apply it to. Our engineers modify the characteristics and benefits of the A.R.T suspension to provide the optimal ride performance for each bicycle
INCREASED PEDALING EFFICIENCY
To combat the mortal enemy of suspension known as bob (the bouncing that occurs when pedaling), A.R.T. was designed to provide a 20% increase in chain growth.This improvement creates anti-squat forces, which effectively counter the forces that produce suspension bob. The result is an incredibly efficient power transfer that provides excellent climbing abilities for our bikes.
IMPROVED LEVERAGE RATIO CURVE
Ever notice how sometimes you can fiddle with a shock for what seems like hours, yet your suspension feels exactly the same? To remedy this, A.R.T. provides a lower and more progressive leverage ratio curve. In plain English it means that a bike with A.R.T. is easier to tune and has a bottomless feel to its suspension travel.
SQUARE-EDGE BUMP COMPLIANCE
Square-edge bumps will slow most suspension designs down in a hurry. A.R.T., however, improves the wheel’s ability to travel rearward as it travels up, allowing the wheel to move out of the way of obstacles. When put in practice it provides a smoother, faster ride over rough and varied terrain, perfect for mountain bikes.
IMPROVED BRAKING PERFORMANCE
You may have heard of brake-jack before, and perhaps you’ve seen the interesting contraptions bolted to the rear of bicycles to mitigate brak- ing forces. With A.R.T. the rearward axle path allows the suspension to remain incredibly active under braking. The result is smooth, powerful braking with fully active suspension and a whole lot of traction when you need to slow down immediately. It’s like magic, but really, it’s just good engineering.
Revolver - 29'er Marathon ($5150 - 5375 US - $2100 Frame Only)
Overview-
Maybe you are ahead of the curve, someone who can see the benefits and advantages of new technologies long before others catch on. You’re a rider who wants to lead the pack rather than follow, and a rider who doesn’t let their equipment hold them back. This 29er is de- signed for you.
The new REVOLVER from Norco brings a unique blend of technologies, spec philosophy and industrial design to 29-inch wheels. A competitive bike for the masses, the REVOLVER is a lightweight trail weapon with poised confidence on the way down and explosive speed on the way up. A bike for epic rides, endurance races and new adventures, it is agile, stiff and responsive. This is the all-trail, singletrack killer that will leave you with no regrets and an upward curve at the ends of your mouth. Once you try this 29er you’ll never be able to look at small wheels the same way again.
For fast, flowing California-style singletrack, 24-hour endurance races or just a local trail with good friends, this is the bike you need. The REVOLVER was designed to be lightweight and competitive while maintaining a healthy amount of versatility. With a carefully selected spec and a meticulously engineered and sculpted frame, this is the un-race bike that can be raced. Light enough to be competitive and stiff enough to be fun, it’s a 29er for the people ... the faster people.
The Revolver Story: Shoot First, Ask Questions Later If you already ride a 29er, then you know. You know they are quicker, smoother and more fun than their small-wheeled counterparts. You know that with the right 29er you are faster than the competition and your friends too. And you know that a 29er can be versatile and competitive. If you don’t ride a 29er, try the REVOLVER. Then you’ll be in the know too.
Quickly gaining traction as the definitive choice for riders that want unmatched speed and a smooth ride, 29ers are moving into the main- stream. To date, though, many 29ers lacked the versatility that riders hunger for. We took note and engineered the REVOLVER from the ground up to be a bike that will turn heads and convert 26” diehards. Nimble yet stable, versatile yet lightweight, this unique combination was made possible by combining an excellent component spec with a carefully designed frame.
Built on the new A.R.T. suspension platform, the REVOLVER combines technologies like a tapered head tube, integrated dropouts and custom hydroformed tubing. The end result is a bicycle that is incredibly stiff and efficient while remaining lightweight. Surprising to many riders is the balance that the REVOLVER finds between both climbing and descending abilities, while being capable of winning endurance races.
FRAME TECHNOLOGY
Every aspect of the design, suspension and spec was carefully scrutinized, engineered and tuned to ensure that the final product is as close to perfection as possible. With 100 mm of trail optimized a.R.T. Travel creating a rigid, active and efficient platform, the revolver provides an ideal riding experience. The suspension kinematics were carefully refined to create the perfect balance of pedaling efficiency and bump compliance. The frame is lightweight yet laterally rigid for precise and nimble handling characteristics. The end result is a beautifully balanced and efficient bicycle that is above all fast!
• 100 Mm of a.R.T. (Advanced ride technology) rear suspension travel. Pivot placement has been optimized for xc/trail performance to take advantage of four main benefits: increased pedaling efficiency, improved braking performance, increased square-edge bump compliance and easier-to-tune, bottomless-feeling suspension.
• Custom hydroformed tubeset: each tube has been meticulously engineered to be lightweight and stiff, providing a responsive and lively bike that goes exactly where it is pointed. Using hydroforming also allowed us to shape the tubes to create an aesthetically stunning frame. Some key frame features are:
• seat tube with integrated link arm pivot asymmetrical seatstay tubing curved top tube for low stand-over height
• Holloform® link arm: forged and then welded to create a one-piece linkarm that resists torsional forces and provides a solid, predictable ride
• Wrap-around seatstay yoke: by wrapping the seatstay yoke around the front of the seat tube, the rear wheel can come closer to the seat tube at full travel. This allows for a shorter chainstay length which improves the handling characteristics.
• Integrated dropout design: forged dropouts with integrated axle and pivot points, integral brake caliper post-mount and seat stay support gussets. This unique structure works with the holloform link arm to provide an incredibly stiff rear triangle that resists the lat- eral forces of the rear wheel. The bike tracks straight and is very stable and predictable. The integrated dropout design of the revolver includes:
+ Syntace x-12 142 mm x 12 mm axle: stiffer and stronger than other axle designs.
+ Integrated derailleur hanger is stronger and much stiffer than conventional designs for crisp, precise shifting in any
condition.
+ Post-mount brake mount: reduces the mounting hardware to half of a normal brake mount, provides a stiffer interface
for the brake and reduces brake noise. The net effect is improved braking performance.
+ Integrated gussets: strong, light and nice to look at, these stiffen the rear end, improving riding performance.
• al welded to the tube, also known as a clevis. A stride forward in bicycle design, we found a way to eliminate the clevis by mounting the pivot hardware directly into the tapered tube design. With fewer welds these pivots are stiffer, stronger and lighter, giving you a better ride.
• Tapered head tube: a huge step forward in bicycle design providing three major benefits, all making the bike more responsive, stiffer and exciting to ride. + Larger tubing at the front end – where the head tube meets the top and down tubes – making it stiffer and more resistant to side loading, ensuring precise steering and bicycle control. + It allows fork manufacturers to make a stronger crown (the piece that connects the legs of the fork to the steer tube) with no weight penalty. Increased strength means less flex and more precision with no downsides.
+ The bearings in the lower headset cup are oversized, allowing them to be stronger, smoother and longer lasting.
• One-piece, asymmetric chainstay yoke: optimized strength, stiffness and weight. Also reduces chain slap by lowering the drive side chainstay.
Clevis-less pivots: if you were to look at a normal pivot point, you would notice that the end point is connected by a piece of material
• • • mounted the front derailleur to the chainstay yoke, to improve shifting performance.
Forged lower shock mounts: designed to better disperse shock forces by creating an improved structure near the bb area. Proprietary aluminum and stainless steel pivot/shock hardware: simple and stays tight. Chainstay mounted front derailleur: to allow the front derailleur to follow the suspension as it moves through its travel, we have MULTI-PLATFORM DESIGN
More than a single suspension system, A.R.T. is optimized for each frame platform. Our engineers strategically refine the pivot locations to tune suspension characteristics for each application so that every frame excels in its intended environment.
INCREASED PEDALING EFFICIENCY
To combat the mortal enemy of suspension known as bob (the bouncing that occurs when pedaling), A.R.T. was designed to provide increased chain growth. This creates anti-squat forces, effectively counteracting the forces that produce suspension bob. The result is incredibly efficient power transfer and excellent climbing ability for our bikes.
INCREASED SQUARE-EDGE BUMP COMPLIANCE
Square-edge bumps will slow most suspension designs down in a hurry. A.R.T., however, improves the wheel’s ability to travel rearward as it travels up, allowing the wheel to move out of the way of obstacles. When put in practice, this provides a smoother, faster ride over rough and varied terrain, perfect for mountain bikes.
IMPROVED BRAKING PERFORMANCE
You may have heard of brake-jack before, and perhaps you’ve seen the interesting contraptions bolted to the rear of bicycles to mitigate braking forces. With A.R.T. the rearward axle path allows the suspension to remain incredibly active under braking. The result is smooth, powerful braking with fully active suspension and a whole lot of traction when you need to slow down immediately.
IMPROVED LEVERAGE RATIO CURVE
To make the suspension easier to tune and give it the bottomless feel riders are looking for, A.R.T. suspension uses a progressive lever- age ratio curve. At the beginning of the stroke, the shock is very responsive to improve traction and small bump absorption. As the shock goes through its stroke, it becomes progressively stiffer to absorb larger bumps, drops or hits. We also lowered the overall leverage ratio to reduce forces in the shock and increase tuneability and shock life.
SPEC PHILOSOPHY
A bicycle is really the sum of its parts; the frame, the fork, the wheels and the brakes are useless by themselves. But when you put it all together, that is when the magic happens.
We have taken our time and carefully selected the ideal combination of parts to complement the frame and ultimately the rider’s needs. It is our philosophy that bicycles need to be versatile, enabling riders to explore their idea of adventure wherever the trail or road may take them. Our component specs reflect this ideology and provide the perfect blend of true performance and versatility. The REVOLVER spec was selected to provide cross-country performance with all-mountain prowess, so it’s both lightweight and adaptable. These are some of the highlights of the spec:
• 3 x 10 drivetrains (44/33/22 front with 11-36 rear): provide a real granny-gear for improved performance when climb ing. We’ve found that some 2 x 10 combinations are punishing while climbing steep terrain on a 29er, unless you have legs and lungs of steel, so we opted for the extra ring to ensure that the perfect gear ratio is only a click away.
• Wider 680 mm low-rise (15 mm) bars and shorter stems than traditional XC bikes. More leverage and control while enabling an aggressive body position improves performance on a variety of trails.
• 100 mm travel forks with 20 mm and 15 mm dropouts, tapered steer tube and remote lockout lever for all Revolver models. Stiffer axle and steer tube as well as offering a quick lockout climbing setting.
• 29” tubeless-compatible rims for Revolver 1 and 2. Gives you the option to run a tubeless for weight savings, lower tire pressure and fewer pinch flats.
• Lockout or ProPedal rear air shocks improve climbing efficiency.
• 160mm front and rear brake rotors: lightweight with all of the stopping power you need, and some to spare.
• Colour ties on components, including saddle graphics, rim graphics, bar, stem and seatpost: the aesthetic is an impor tant part of a bicycle and we’ve gone over and refined every detail to ensure the perfect ride and look.
• Low-stack headsets: We have specifically used a low-stack 1.6 mm or 5.3 mm top cone to allow for lower stem height adjustment. Bikes will come with spacers for adjustment.
• Larger volume 29 x 2.2 tires with trail (mid-knob design tread), work well with the larger 29” wheels.
Dirt / Street (150, 250, RYDE, HAVOC, MAGNUM)
A balanced mix of BMX and mountain biking, Dirt/Street takes BMX style and fuses it with big-wheel speed. It’s one bike for trails, skate parks and dirt jumps. Norco pioneered this style of bicycle and as riders continue to advance the sport, making larger jumps, learning new tricks and pushing the boundaries of what is possible on a bicycle, our bikes have evolved too. A unique culture has developed within the sport, bridging the gap between BMX and mountain bikes, and we’ve been there since the start.
• dirt jump, street riding, park riding. Entry-level to pro-level bikes.
• Low stand-over dirt jump and park frames in a short and long top tube frame with short 389 mm chainstay – responsive, easy to manual and do spin tricks
• Mid BMX BB and integrated Campy-style head tube on all dirt/street frames – proven BMX standards for strength, durability and ease of assembly
• New single-sided integrated seat clamp in the top tube on Two50, Ryde and One 25 – clean design and light weight
• Chromoly top tube and down tube on Havoc 26 and Havoc 24 (was high tensile steel in 2011) – lighter weight and stronger
• New curved seatstay bridge on Two50, Ryde and One25 – cleaner design, stronger
• New taper lock dropouts on Two50– patented dropout lock washer that replaces external chain tensioners (lighter and cleaner designed dropout)
• New butted hydroformed top tube on Two50 along with chainstays and downtube – stronger and lighter weight with added style
• Removable cable guides on Two50 - cleaner frame if riding brakeless
• New matte raw finish on Two50 with smooth welding – cleaner looking and lighter weight
• New geared 6061 alloy frame (Magnum). Geometry based off 2011 Rampage frame. Two sizes, Short = 565 mm top tube, Long = 578 mm top tube. Semi-integrated head tube, ISCG mounts, 68.5 HA.
BMX - 20 inches of fun!
BMX bikes to fit each rider needs correctly. New size specific bars determined by the length of the top tube of the bike. Unique graphic pack- ages for each bike to express individuality of the bike and rider. Flat, matte, and raw finishes mixed in with Chrome and anodized parts for a little bit of flash.
BMX can be for anyone between the ages of 10 to 50. From the kids riding to school, the pro level rider to the 40 something rider that want to hit the bowls again like they did when they were a kid. BMX spans a lot of riders and consumers and is still growing in popularity.
• Dirt Jump, Street Riding, Park Riding. Entry level to Pro level freestyle BMX bikes.
• New 18” wheel BMX bike, Diesel 18. Designed for smaller riders that want a higher performance spec.
• New “Brakeless” compatible bike, Siege. Frame and for have no brake mounts or bosses. Bike will come equipped with two caliper mounted brakes.
• 2.35” max tire clearance front and rear. More stability in the rear, larger tire in the front better for stalls and manuals.
• Clean graphics, flat paints, raw and polish finishes. Removable decals..
• Size specific handlebars for top tube sizes. 21” = 8.5” rise x 29” width. 20.5” = 8” rise x 28” width. 20” = 7.5” rise x 27” width.
• New thick padded Kevlar cover 1 pc seat and alloy post combo. Embossed Norco BMX logo. Light weight and great for grip when doing barspins and no handers.
• Compact 25/9 Gear ratio, tapered forks, Mid BB, and micro drop outs for all models. Lighter and stronger. • Top tube sizing options: 21” & 20.5” on Rev, Deviant, Siege, Nail, and Volt. 20.5” and 20” on Ares. 18” top tube on Diesel 18. • One piece full chromoly steer tube fork with 2/8” Cast Sropouts on Rev. Lighter and stronger. • Size specific seat tube lengths determined by the top tube length. 21” = 235mm / 20.5” = 225mm.
Learn more about all things Norco on their site at
www.norco.com.
Im not saying it isnt a great bike with a spec list to die for, just that, in competition with the other companies, and in competition with people who build up a bike to what they want for cheaper than stock, they cant have a 9500 USD price tag and expect it to sell like other popular bikes
This IS obviously the highest quality they have to put out, but other bikes of this quality are much cheaper to buy
Can someone please explain why this bike would have a single ring and guide if this statement is true?
www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2007/bikes/07EnduroSLProCarbon_Blu2_l.jpg
I haven't read anywhere that says, "Gee, that bikes suspension rocker and pivot design and seat post clamp and rear axel are exactly the same"
Way to lose it at people thinking it 'looks' like a Session
I'd just buy the frame and spec the shit out of it. I could probably put my most wanted parts on that bad boy for around $8000....
BEFORE YOU SAY IT:
What if the consumer WANTS EXACTLY THAT PARTS SPEC, so this bike is his "custom" rig, so there...
Get over it, folks. Go look at Scott and Specialized, my two loyal brands; both have had bikes over that limit before this model year.
If you wan't the best parts you can buy on your norco its available, but those models will be limited and will be vastly outnumbered by the more reasonable priced/spec'd models.
You also keep on emphasizing on the $9400 price tags of a couple of these bikes... Norco specced the LE models to be just that "Limited Edition" as in they aren't going to be bringing in huge numbers, those bikes will be for the customer that wants and can afford the best... i.e.: Specialized S-Works models. Last I checked, the new Giant Glory 00 was specced with damn near the same parts as the Aurum 1, yet the glory is almost $300 more...
2012 will be a huge year for Norco, and what you seen here is only the beginning. Giver with the Neg props.
Cheers
The Range on the other hand... That one costs 9000USD. Far too much for an aluminum stock bike, even for a "LE".
I emphasize the price tags on some of these bikes, yes. I also emphasize the price tags on other brands' top notch bikes. For that money, you can build better yourself and completely to your likings.
Funny how you compare the Aurum to the Glory... "Near the same" and "almost $300 more"
As far as the Range and Sight LE, the main problem is frame materiel?? So if it was made out of Carbon, 9k would be more respectable?? What if the Aluminum version does not have a significant difference in weight and is even more reliable then carbon fiber. Go into the price books at your local bike shop and look up retail prices part for part and youll see prices will add up quick, im not talking pricing through CRC.
I spoke great lengths with one of the head engineers(he actually rides a bike) over at Norco last week, and I asked him why didnt they try carbon fiber... He believes Aluminum when it is properly build, like it is with 2012 Norco Bikes, you dont need carbon fiber. Maybe they'll try it in the near future.. That I cant say 100%, what I do know(after having RIDDEN both bikes) the Norco Sight 1 with full XT at $5400 effin shreds both the uphills and downhills, and the Aurum 1 takes square edge hits like a champ.
@Bmxmerch, Use goggle and look up the names @FamilyMan gave you. Meet up with either of them, if you can beat either of them down a hill, Ill buy you a great job sticker.
I said " I don't see MANY WC Racers from Norco "
Comprehension, learn it.
My concern was about the high prices, yes. Carbon fiber has a major negative aspect: one good crash and the frame could crack easily. Aluminum would dent and scratch in that case.
When I bought my frame, I carefully did some research about the Nomad frame, and the Nomad carbon frame. I've barely seen a broken aluminum Nomad frame. Aluminum is enough I thought. So why did they make a carbon frame? Santa Cruz claims their Nomad carbon frame to be stronger and lighter than the aluminum version. So in my opinion, and confirmed by many tests so far, when carbon is used properly, and a frame is designed and built properly, carbon fiber will be leader over aluminum.
This said, I agree with you when you say you don't need carbon fiber. BUT, why would you pay the same price for a aluminum bike when you can get a better carbon one built to your exact likings? I would not. Certainly not a Norco. Not that I dislike the brand, other options are more appealing to me. That might be personal taste, but I'm pretty convinced that when people are willing to spend that much on a bike, they might aswell build one from scratch.
My 2007 Specialized Enduro Comp with XT crankset and x9 was one of the first sub 13kg (28.5lbs) 150mm enduro bikes and it costed less than 4000USD. That bike went uphill and downhill like no other bike I had ever ridden. And I am talking about a "oh so overpriced" Specialized.
IMHO, Aluminum has done me so far so good. I do understand your point of Carbon made bikes now being competitively prices against their metallic counterparts. I especially know that Santa Cruz engineer quite a protection layer onto their Carbon bikes, especially the new V10C. I just feel at my weight and my style, I don't trust carbon as much as I do Aluminum.
As far as the ride the new Aurum offers, I love it. According to a little bird, the frame is supposed to come with a CCDB and Angleset in either the LE White or Dirt Team colors... All for around $2600CAD.
It's a fact that these look almost exactly the same as the Session.
And if I'm paying 7350 for this " top of the line " bike, I'll take my money to Trek, who's bikes are cheaper, and as far as I'm concerned, a hell of alot better.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hfYJsQAhl0&feature=related
The trek session uses a full floater system: venturesportimports.com/images/trek-session-88-2011-mountain-bike-frame.jpg whereas the Aurum uses a 4-link suspension design where the shock is mounted on the frame: fiinschliff.ch/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/aurum-1.jpg
If you look closely at this image: www.pinkbike.com/photo/6882164 you can see the Aurum compared to a Session. With a different suspension design, a shorter shock link and the shock in a different angle, a downtube half as thick, a non-symetrical lower link and a intergrated seatclamp; no, the Aurum does not look like a Trek Session.
You should see that by now, you had time enough to look at the bike closely.
Looks and functionality are two COMPLETELY different things. You're talking about how the suspension is different.
That's cool and all, and I know this now,
BUT, at a distance people will say " Oh look, another trendwhore bike " and not even bother.
If people can get Trek, Transition, Commencal, and Nukeproof for cheaper, they will over some Session copycat.
Bravo Norco, bravo.
I wish BOS could grow into a bigger company, they could easily blow all other suspension companies out of the water
new Tracer frame is 2000$, new fox36 is 1000$, mavic or i9 high level wheels lets say 1000, this is 4k$ total - where is another 5k$ for trail bike from NORCO? maybe they are using golden hoses or smth else...?
Plus an upcharge for all the extra Kokanee they're swilling this week... LOL
You could say the top end models of the norcos this year may be a little too high spec'd for their usual market share but instead you made a comment that was just wrong. PS mavic and I9 wheels are both well over 1000$ retail and you left out breaks, drivetrain (cranks are a big ticket item), cockpit and tires which add up to well over 1000$
There is nothing stupid about the pricing, next time ask a friend who can use a calculator before shooting your mouth off.
And I am even will not tell that retail price and oem price for the manufacturers "a bit" different. And even if this will not enough for you then look at the any normal online store, take the calculator and then go to Norco and kiss their ass for their "reasonable" prices.
I can get a never ridden 2010 Yamaha yz250f for 7000
Just look at the frame prices which are all very reasonable. They will have lots of cheaper builds out there. These are just the ones to make you drool over them.
Norco made a shit choice in carbon everything, thus pricing the bike way to high for someone to afford.
I'm going to buy TWO Tr450's for that price. f*ck Norco.
I don't know why it's so hard to understand that Norco will have a range of builds. I bet they'll have one that's a better value than the tr 450. Check out the updated price range, $3400 for the entry level DH! Does that make you think the 450 is a rip off now? (Not bagging on the 450, it'll probably be my next DH bike.)
Now remember all this was said before they updated all the prices. I still think it was rather ass-ish of them to put the highest spec'd bikes and parts on pinkbike first.... Stupid mistake.
I might hash out 4000... Just remember mark-up on the stores behalf too... That's going to be a wallet raper.
I pulled the estimate out of the " Holyshitbileshopsaregonnahavemark-uptoo!! " part of my ass and I was refferig to the going to be 8000+ top spec bike...
Remember with store mark-ups, the shop I like sells Tr450's for the price listed on the Transition site. My other Norco and Spesh dealerized local stores usually end up putting anywhere from 350-500+ Just because they're douchey.
I personally prefer the spec of the Tr450 because parts are easily and inexpensively replaced because ALL the shops here have them. Rather than having to wait and spend my money on Carbon crap that I really don't need.
IMO - Transition 1, Norco 0. But that's just me. Add in the fact that it looks so similar to a Trek Session and we can all get the highest spec 88 for nearl 2000 less than a Aurum LE would be...
I understand these are the top of the line models, but I just don't see the difference in price between the frame, and complete builds. On the DH Aurum Bike, the parts the parts are costing $4750 above the frame cost of $2600.? For an X0 groupo and some Easton Havoc wheels, and cockpit.? I could spec this bike build from JensonUSA.com for around $3200.
The industry needs to pull it's head out of it's ass. I understand technology is getting better so bikes can be 0.2 seconds faster which is great for guys racing on the WC circuit but what about the masses of riders who aren't WC racers? Is 5K for an entry level DH bike perfectly acceptable? Try telling that to someone who wants to switch from BMX racing and has the choice between DH or moto.
The industry (not just norco) needs to figure out ways to drive the prices of these bikes down so that the masses can afford them...otherwise it is going to kill the sport. I mean I paid 7500 for my NEW '07 GSXR 750 2 years ago and there is waaaaaay more engineering that goes into that. The prices of these bikes need to be at least 2G below the cost of a 4 stroke 250cc dirt bike.
Carbon wheels on a mountain bike? Bwahahaaha again. good luck with that. To save what, a couple ounces? LOL
Sorry, I'll stick to my trashed 06 Norco six and still smoke 90% of the guys on the shore.
This is just getting f*&#ing ridiculous.
it's a slight difference but it's a difference that makes the rear wheel track better.
Oh wait nobody does, they looked like crap. Way to finally make a decent looking bike Norco... but the prices. really?
Im thinking that at 9500 USD, it better be low...
im putting my bet for 28 lbs
I understand that this is of the highest end model, and the pricing reflects that as does the parts spec, I also think we can mostly agree that even with that spec, it is too high... maybe norco will realize this when they dont sell thousands of these bikes
And to all thos complaining about the high prices. Keep in mind that only the top of the line bike of each model is displayed here. Every model is available with more economical options. Norco offering extremely hight end bikes with high end builds and yes like anything they come at price. But they still offer a full range of builds to suit any budget.
And to all thos complaining about the high prices. Keep in mind that only the top of the line bike of each model is displayed here. Every model is available with more economical options. Norco offering extremely hight end bikes with high end builds and yes like anything they come at price. They are LE models (Limited Edition). But they still offer a full range of builds to suit any budget.
Saint is not a good choice for dh, heavy and outdated
Secondly, this is my bike, it's custom, carbon, xtr trail, haven carbon's, reverb... And it didn't cost as much: www.pinkbike.com/photo/6854869
I don't see people spending 9K on a bike, not on a Norco. It's gonna go down the same road as the 2011 Giant top notch RR and TT bikes. Nobody spends 13k on a stock road bike; result is: they don't sell.
This is far from a bullseye for Norco...
$9200 for the Sight, common guys, stop smoking weed!
Have something original to say and I will read 10 pages of it.
As for being an orphan sorry to hear it, there are people/children who are worse off than you.I have 5 children of my own and even tried adopting a child from Haiti recently only too find out it would take almost 5 years of paperwork bullshit and the purchase of a bigger home to get to the next stage.
Nothing is free in life except other peoples opinions whether you want them or not.
Still a jackass? that's your opinion whether I like it or not.
Want creativity? Ride this... www.pinkbike.com/photo/6847330
Buy a Nomad and keep a bunch of money in the bank.
Everyone has to get paid here and shops need to make money, the retails posted are suggested so that shops can keep their margins up to help offset all the lost sales to (CRC) online purchases.This is the reality we are faced with.
There is not as much mark up in the moto world. The retails are controlled by the big companies (Yamaha/Honda and so on), moto shops cannot give you the bro deal on moto's but can be flexible with soft goods and accessories. Moto vs MTB are 2 completely different animals!
If a person wants a better price on their next bike purchase, become a regular, helpful, and pleasant customer at the local bike shop. Before they know it the shop will be knocking off 15%-20% off of the sticker price for that truly good customer. Keep telling them they are over priced and it can be had cheaper at CRC and the deals will never show up.
I understand as a consumer you want the lowest price possible, and that is fine, but there will be some sacrifices people will make in the long run.
"If a person wants a better price on their next bike purchase, become a regular, helpful, and pleasant customer at the local bike shop."
So you expect a customer to basically suck your cock for you to give him a deal? I take it you don't own the shop.
Companies in the bicycle industry are different sizes and have different costs as a result, but they all have to be competitive on a price/spec level or their product won't sell. Therefore, margins on bikes at the manufacturing level can be different from one supplier to the next. Oh, I guess the weak economy isn't helping either.
Unfortunately it works the other way around, if a shop wants a loyal customer base it needs to give a little. This is why CRC and other online retailers are so popular. Customers don't owe bike shops anything.
Online stores do so well because they do not have the overhead that a brick and mortar store do so they can under sell. Do they give you any sort of personal attention? Do they go, oh I know this guy he comes in a lot and always has something good to say or makes us laugh, so we are going to give him an extra 15% off on his purchase? No they don't they set their price and have sales from time to time. There is little to no personal interaction.
I think there may be some sort of communication error going on here. Even though we speak English there are cultural differences between our countries. I don't see how you are getting "owe" from me saying be a good customer
A good customer is one that is a pleasure to deal with. While I was working in the industry I would rather deal with 1000 people that only bought a tube and were pleasant and a joy to serve, than 1 person that bought a $5000 bike, but was grinding me for a deal, or in a bad mood.
I just don't understand why you expect someone to put up with the inflated prices of a bike shop for a while in the hope that they'll get a deal. If they'd bought from online retailers all along then they might not need the deal as they'd have been saving all along. Also, how often do people go to bike shops a year to actually buy stuff? In the 5 years I've had my bike, that I've continuously been upgrading, I reckon I've visited a shop 5 times, only to buy the things I need right now (brake fluid, cable, chain).
Go take some economics courses or small business courses and I think you will have your eyes opened real quickly to the cost of running a business. I am no longer in the bike industry, I am a custom knife maker now. Its small time but my cost would blow your mind, and I am the only employee
But there are also bad shops out there. If you're buying a bike that costs anything over 2k and you pay full price you need for find a new shop or be a better person. I've been in a different country and managed to get good deals just by shooting the shit with the employees for a couple of minutes. They are there because they love bikes too.
to Badburke, there is no way for a shop to simply increase the quantity of there sales, at least the kind of shop i'm from, the cheap bikes pay the bills and the nice ones are your profit. The only way to really expand your customer base to sell more bikes is to open new locations, which doesn't always work out, or really increase total profit unless you are in a greatly under serviced area. Sorry I'm a little to tired to put together a completely coherent post at the moment.
dont hate me cause i see the future........