Interbike 2008 - 2009 Norco Team DH 37.5 lbs out of the box!
by Mike Levy
Oct 13, 2008
Norco has rocked the boat with this one! Their completely new 2009 Team DH has been overhauled, redone, retooled, and put on a diet. With a flashy look all its own and a class leading weight, the new Norco race bike deserves a little more attention.
Watch the HD video and learn more about the new go-fast bike from Norco!
Watch the HD video and learn more about the new go-fast bike from Norco!
It has been neat to watch Norco develop their DH bike over the years, especially since I was the proud owner of an early model version. Each and every year changes were made, sometimes small and sometimes big, until they ended up with the very competent and fast '08 version. The boys at Norco apparently were not sitting around feeling smug about making a ripping bike though as this new 2009 version is a new beast all together.
The Specs!
| Frame info | Hydraformed AL, Adjustable travel 200mm-227mm, 1.5" headtube, Adjustable head angle and BB height. Small, Medium, Large sizes |
| Rear Shock | Marzocchi World Cup w/ carbon air can, 9.5" x 3" |
| Fork | RockShox World Cup |
| Headset | Sunline 1.5" Reducer integrated |
| Crankarms | Shimano Saint 68 mm |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano Saint |
| Pedals | Wellgo CNC Sealed |
| Chain | KMC Super light |
| Cassette | SRAM DH PG-970 11-26 |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM X0, Short cage |
| Shifter Cable/Housing | Stock |
| Shifter Pod | SRAM X0 |
| Handlebar | Sunline V1 Low rise |
| Stem | Sunline Direct mount 50mm |
| Brakes | Avid Elixer CR 8" rotors |
| Wheelset | Alex Supra D welded, laced to DT 440 hubs |
| Tires | Kenda Nevegal 2.5, Stick-E |
| Saddle | WTB Silverado cutom, titanium rails |
| Seatpost | Truvativ Team post, double bolt, 27.2 mm |
Looking past the Team DH's unique look you'll find a tough and well thought out parts spec. The bike's ROCO air shock out back is still out of the norm for a DH rig and it will be interesting to see how the bike rails being completely air sprung. The geometry is dialed this year also, with a DH standard 64 degree head angle and low stance designed for speed, not plunking along. There is a short list of bikes this year that I'm interested in testing and this tops it for sure. Hopefully we'll be able to get our mitts on one for a proper going over in the future!
Look interesting? Check out Norco.com for more bikes, more photos, and more info!
-Mike "Kakah" Levy
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238 Comments
- - 88
griffiti
(Oct 9, 2008 at 19:53)
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gangsta
yeah i totally agree, the forks are shit looking, at least in these pics. hopefully is just cause they are waiting for the '09 boxxers or something like that. Wonder hoe the curved tubes hold up as compared to straight ones, obviously they must do alright since they haven't had to beef them up, the weight spec shows that.
Jesus Christ... These curves are getting rediculous... Seriously its getting worse for norco if you ask me. And wtf is that crap paint on the fork?
Dont give me negetive feed back i used to have a norco, but my god do they ever deserve an award for uggliest bike ever made
holly ugly. that sux. i used to love norco bikes. not that aesthetics are everything but they still count. huckoveraduck is right, it looks like it got run over or something. they should go back to the team race/ 03 vps just with a stronger rear end. that would be sweet.
If ever downhill bike had a spec like that (air shock) I cant see why they cant be that light either.
I like the look of the frame, never used to though.
the blue highlights would look good, but they have put every blue highlight in a different shade of blue
the blue highlights would look good, but they have put every blue highlight in a different shade of blue
Everyone thats bitching about it..
Take a ride on it and then voice your opinion..
You'll see a major change.
Take a ride on it and then voice your opinion..
You'll see a major change.
its stupid look at the top tube its curved all it supports is the seat post either move it further down one the frame or use a straight tube its shorter witch means less wheight
and do you notice how the downtube takes the whole wheight of the bike = stupid
and do you notice how the downtube takes the whole wheight of the bike = stupid
no one in their right mind would pay over 7 thousand dollars for a Norco.. Seriously. And plus no one races with a rear air shock. What the hell is wrong with norco. Wow it's light... ok cool great that's it though. Air shocks are bad for DH racing and spending 7+ g's on a Norco complete is even worse...
holy shit you sont know what your tlaking about.air shocks are way more senistive and the only thign bad about a air shock on dh is after a long long long day that you probaly couldnt even get in theres air firction in the shock so like your last run the shock mite not run perfect. and evryones tryign to pull of this overprice crap i already comented about that.times are chainging,evryhting is more expensive now,gas,food shetler bikes!!!!!please keep in mind a v10 or m6 FRAME with a manitou dorado tops the price of this laoded bike.
and it has elixers
thats stupid there good and all but the code is still way better for dh
hi i work at norco im the guy who pops lsd while i design bikes
the point of those curves is to make love man not war war is bad in war we kill things here at norco where we test our bikes in fields of marshmellows we make love and i get to draw on fancy graph paper with crayons
thats stupid there good and all but the code is still way better for dh
hi i work at norco im the guy who pops lsd while i design bikes
the point of those curves is to make love man not war war is bad in war we kill things here at norco where we test our bikes in fields of marshmellows we make love and i get to draw on fancy graph paper with crayons
to konad, you just proved how wrong you are, if your a real DH racer, every run counts and everything has to be running perfect to get that top spot. And yes V-10 M6 build does cost around that much but you are getting a V-10 or a M6 not a shitty norco.
And elixers are very good brakes, they provide a lot more modulation than the codes yet they are more powerful than the Juicys which many racers run and they are fairly light, thats a plus too.
And elixers are very good brakes, they provide a lot more modulation than the codes yet they are more powerful than the Juicys which many racers run and they are fairly light, thats a plus too.
if you dont liek the bike and your not gettign the bike then DONT bother psoting coments,no one is looking at the facts.Norco is now at a point where its as good as any. its just gona take all the haters time to relaize that i guess.
i think its an awesome looking bikes, ive always like norco bikes. why is every one knocking it, the norco engineers and designers know what their doing. its been proved it can do well in races so why is every one against it. you may not like the colours but that dont matter, if you really care get someone to paint it. may get bad props for all of this but before you can knock the frame, shock or the price you should ride it you may be suprised or you might be completly right.
k i'm just putting out my opinion. i have an 08' shore 3, with the hydraformed tubing, and it's sweet. however, this bike is too curvy, and looks like some 12 year old kid went on a shopping spree and got all the sickest parts he could find. however, all of it put together, with the SHIT color scheme, makes the bike look like ass. also, why the hell would you put an air shock on a DH bike? are they f*cking stupid? i like norco and all, but this is bullshit.
ya the fork paint is gay but i guess u could just buy a new boxxer fork or sumtin
but still air rear shoks.. wtf just cuz its lighter doesnt make it better. oh well... the bike is ok i guess
but still air rear shoks.. wtf just cuz its lighter doesnt make it better. oh well... the bike is ok i guess
i guess, but then you'd be spending more money. unless you sell mad coke, theres no way you could afford that at my age. if you're going to spend 7 f*cking thousand dollars on a bike, it'd better be better than this.
lol this convesation seems starngely familiar for some reason lol but seriously, 27.5 lbs! other bikes weight in at the high 40's
ya i agree about the curves thing... all it does is add material.... LOOK WHAT SANTA CRUZ HAS DONE TO THIS WORLD!!!
but santa cruz curves actually are way better designed than norcos and they look sexy and every one would rather have frames that are built in north america compared to assembled in canada
technically if u buy it in canada its assembled by your lbs
technically if u buy it in canada its assembled by your lbs
7 Grand for a Norco? with sprayed forks and a 68mm BB shell? meehh you can get a better bike with this money
actualy,its prety funny norco for years has been at a rediculously reaosnable price,now thgere prices are actauly levle with there quality of bikes,get used to it a v10 frame with lets say a manitou dorado easily tops the price of this loaded team dh so allenrotstein dont be so sure 7 grand is getting you what you think brand new,and remember the reason they say 37 out of the box is cuz it can still be built even lighter it has saint companets etc that are defabtly nice parts but there not the lightest you could knock a couple pounds of this bike easily!thats rediculous for a bike with 9 inches of rear wheel travle,looks ugly but its probaly amazing.
no "konad", with 7 grand you CAN get a top V10 with top components... Must do your research and buy online.. Be smart and save money. the Trek Session 88 DH sells for 7 grand, a top of line Intense M6 sells for $6500.. Do your research.
buddie you didnt get my point one bit,if your getting a m6 for 6500 its gona spend time in the shop,the frame is like 3 grand and a decent fork is 2 thats 5 already,its either gona be realy heavy if its 6500 or your gona wtach your parts go one by one,my point was a new dorado is actuayl 3-4 grand,a frame better then this is gona cost u another 3 grand so instead of bashing norco,witch has been serving its customers for years with realy reasonable prices,get with the program. if you dont like its look thats fine but thats as far as im gona listen to people go i dont like the look either but its ovious they sacrifsed looks for quality.
actually a m6 frame is around 2200 and a dorado at a shop probably sells like 2100 at a shop
the prices on the internet are usually wrong because shops realize that they will lose business if they charge 5x cost
at my lbs they order to many fox 40's and they had to get rid of them and they sold them for under a grand each and still made money
the prices on the internet are usually wrong because shops realize that they will lose business if they charge 5x cost
at my lbs they order to many fox 40's and they had to get rid of them and they sold them for under a grand each and still made money
thats wats the major retail sale price or sumthin or other price its a recomendation to the bikes shops bike shops but with competition it ends up being cheaper
i think the mrsp on boxxer world cups are like 2300
and at most shops around me i can get them for as low as 1600
i think the mrsp on boxxer world cups are like 2300
and at most shops around me i can get them for as low as 1600
FYI boxxer wc are 2100 retail.
they arent sprayed dumb ass
1600 for an 08 or earlier with the shitty lowers maybe but not a chance for the newer 09's
New dorados MSRP is 3500
M6 frame is 2600 from Intense
they dont charge 5x, they charge 50% minimum and up to 125%
TBH norco is a good company putting out quality products for people not looking to spend 10g on a good race rig, This is the only expensive bike they have and they dont produce as many,
Plus how many companys do you see putting out a stock bike at 37.5 pounds that can still be upgraded to be sub 35?
Not many if any. They have amazing geos for racing. Their linkage is simple, feels nice, rides nice Not a whole lot can go wrong. easily maintained bike. Not to bad IMHO.
they arent sprayed dumb ass
1600 for an 08 or earlier with the shitty lowers maybe but not a chance for the newer 09's
New dorados MSRP is 3500
M6 frame is 2600 from Intense
they dont charge 5x, they charge 50% minimum and up to 125%
TBH norco is a good company putting out quality products for people not looking to spend 10g on a good race rig, This is the only expensive bike they have and they dont produce as many,
Plus how many companys do you see putting out a stock bike at 37.5 pounds that can still be upgraded to be sub 35?
Not many if any. They have amazing geos for racing. Their linkage is simple, feels nice, rides nice Not a whole lot can go wrong. easily maintained bike. Not to bad IMHO.
easily 35 it has supra d's and siant switch that to gravity and it would be 35 guarentee!its gone be a sick bike as far as riding goes and if the new dorados msrp is 3500 its probaly going to be around 3 grand when it first hits the shops.
oh yea they already felt as good as any fork and now the dorado replaces all the problems the travis had like weight and they are so adjsutable.no dought the best dh fork rite now.
might be lacking some color scheming, but all in all it looks sweet and i like the fact the went away from the norm and took pieces and parts that make the bike (ie cranks from shimano, and derailleur from SRAM) instead of sticking to one main components group.
well, i think its pretty sweet. whether it turns out to be a bad bike, its still a cool idea
well, i think its pretty sweet. whether it turns out to be a bad bike, its still a cool idea
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if you're claiming that's a race downhill bike, put a real race downhill shock on it. that thing will get beaten up on a true downhill run. it would have its moments on smoother courses but that is few and far between.
Yeah I totally agree, air cans on dh rigs ain't right, it needs a coil shock, if weights an issue fit a ti spring! I'm personaly not a fan of air forks on dh bikes either I'd much sooner have it with a set of 40s or 888 RC3 WCs. It looks sweet tho, apart from the home sprayed forks.
the bike looks like a f*cking noddle i hate this bike it ugly norco is f*cking up on the design here. the other bikes are nicer but the price is stupid. and the forks fugly as shit its self i know im gonna get neg props but its my opinion
I think that you will find that some pretty good riders have had some significant input into the development of this bike. DH race bike - ie 5 minute runs with a pretty good rider (ie smooth) at the controls. Note that they do not say - long ride, big huck, kook at the controls, Shore bike. A specific tool for a specific purpose. Even at Whistler you are sitting on the chair for 10 minutes between runs (not including queue time) and longer if one is heading to the top. Plenty of time for things to cool down between runs. There is nothing wrong with air shocks as long as the volume is large enough for the purpose the main problem is that people cannot be bothered to take the time to set them up properly (same problem with coil shocks actually).
The geometry looks all wrong. Norco seem to insist on a steep head angle so it jumps well despite it being purely for DH - what's the point? You can also get a much better coil sprung bike down to 37lbs these days so why have they sacrificed the suspension with an air shock?
The HA aint steep at all at 64 degrees.
And all you people saying it looks crap, remember that looks won't win you a race!(not saying this bike or any other bike will)
And all you people saying it looks crap, remember that looks won't win you a race!(not saying this bike or any other bike will)
yea who cares what it looks like. and if you do... then you don't deserve to ride a good bike anyway because plumslingers right... looks dont get you down the hill faster!
even the smoothest rider in the world cant smooth out the harsh conditions of Mont Saint Anne at race speed.
why do you think sam hill always win he realizes that girls like the tight suit so he wins
and i might have something to do with areodynamics but only euro races and core downhillers wear those
and i might have something to do with areodynamics but only euro races and core downhillers wear those
The colour is a nice idea, but they've done it so badly, The blue bits are all a different blue. Why bother...?
The rims are metallic blue, the forks are flat blue, the pedals are different again, the linkage is a greeny blue, and the graphics are pale blue. Looks half-assed.
Can't comment on the ride, obviously, but the H/A looks steep, Air Cans on a DH bike is just plain wrong, and the tubes look weak with those curves.
The polar opposite of the Session88 for example which just looks so powerful and fast, and EVERY detail has been thought out and considered properly with graphics, parts, colours etc.
I know how the bikes RIDE is most important, but when your paying his much for a bike, you want (And deserve) the WHOLE package, and this bike looks cheap and not thought out. Shame.
The rims are metallic blue, the forks are flat blue, the pedals are different again, the linkage is a greeny blue, and the graphics are pale blue. Looks half-assed.
Can't comment on the ride, obviously, but the H/A looks steep, Air Cans on a DH bike is just plain wrong, and the tubes look weak with those curves.
The polar opposite of the Session88 for example which just looks so powerful and fast, and EVERY detail has been thought out and considered properly with graphics, parts, colours etc.
I know how the bikes RIDE is most important, but when your paying his much for a bike, you want (And deserve) the WHOLE package, and this bike looks cheap and not thought out. Shame.
good point well made man! these days it's not hard to have fashion and function in one package , look at nearly every single other bike out there , maybe some ppl do find it visually appealing but from the comments i have seen maybe only 1/4 of ppl think this way
honestly they could have just put straight tubes on there, norco's used to look ace but they really have just gone over the top with those tubes, subtlty is the key with hydroforming, the less the better. Dear Norco, Stop Bending perfectly nice tubing, put down the hydroformer, step away from the CAD packages. Maybe practice a bit more then we'll let you have them back. No-one is gonna buy your bikes this year unless they're blind.
and also if the used straight tube surely they could of saved weight there inatead of fitting a baked bean can for a rear shock?
Wow thats so hot, guys if you don't like the LOOK of it don't get all fussed over it, its how it RIDES that really counts.....with the look and angles of this frame i think they're really onto something here!
37 lbs - very impressive
colour scheme - not so impressive
check out how much efford trek have gone into the session 88's graphics and colour scheme compaired to this.
i ride norco and love em, but this looks like theyve just stuck some stickers on and given the forks a lick of paint the night before the press release...
colour scheme - not so impressive
check out how much efford trek have gone into the session 88's graphics and colour scheme compaired to this.
i ride norco and love em, but this looks like theyve just stuck some stickers on and given the forks a lick of paint the night before the press release...
Looks aside, the weight isn't that impressive considering the spec. Take any other frame, slap these parts on it and it will weigh the same...
i have one word for norco
TREK
2009 trek session 88 dh is .4lb haveier $2000 less and a similar spec list but with a fox 40 (in my opinion better) more travel in the back but still runing a saint crank x-o and all that ggood stuff
so norco might think they got something good but there are much cheaper bikes with much ,uch more tecnolagy in their frames
TREK
2009 trek session 88 dh is .4lb haveier $2000 less and a similar spec list but with a fox 40 (in my opinion better) more travel in the back but still runing a saint crank x-o and all that ggood stuff
so norco might think they got something good but there are much cheaper bikes with much ,uch more tecnolagy in their frames
the 88 dh is not $2000 less it is about $200 less. i will say it again, ALL BIKE PRICES ARE GOING UP NOT JUST NORCO
ALL BIKE PRICES WILL BE GOING DOWN Since the shitty market crash i doubt people will be able to afford these, so prices will go down to keep people buying them, same with every product being manufactured
Weight is of course an issue!...Next time your halfway through a race run and your legs are burning up, your lungs are doing the same then tell me you wouldn't want a lighter machine...it's less bike to pull up, move around and control etc...
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Its a sick bike, but the only reason its light is the air suspension and Kevlar tires, Any decent race bike can be made this light by spending $500 on a air rear shock and light tires.
I think they spent to much on the frilly stuff like the sun-line cockpit and other things, so you have a choice between a 38 lbs bike for 7 grand or a 46 lbs bike for 4.5 grand, there is no in between. I think its a dumb move by Norco
I think they spent to much on the frilly stuff like the sun-line cockpit and other things, so you have a choice between a 38 lbs bike for 7 grand or a 46 lbs bike for 4.5 grand, there is no in between. I think its a dumb move by Norco
that is bad, way over priced, looks like people will be riding glory dh,s this summer $1000 less twice the bike, come on norco you can do better. norco i have never owned one never will. im sure there great
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I have to agree with the general comments - too expensive, and the weight claim doesn't really hold up against other rigs with coil shocks. Trek have done well with their session 88, kinda set the standard with an out-of-the-box package....one thing though....Norco's 2009 line has a few gems in it, the shore frame's curves kinda work ( the DH should keep it's old shape ) and the graphic detail on the shore is ace-just a shame that the dude who's picking colors at Norco is blind!
man you see what it has a the design is sick it is oviouly a real good good good good... and fast bike
speaking as an overall norco fan, this bike looks like shit. i think im going to be riding a devinvi wilson next year..............
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too light, don't feel solid on pumpy trails! And I saw them snaped into 2 pieces twice this summer at Blue Mtn. Ontario.
I nearly severed my 08 DH in half this year too! Not impressed with the head tube junction idea they adopted. Needs more gusseting.
Adjustable travel is so 2001.
BTW the new 2009 Glory DH is 5400.00 this year and have you seen the spec, WOW! So save yourself over 1500.00 to use for travel and your race kit and buy a 2009 Glory DH....Also a proven World Cup platform.
BTW the new 2009 Glory DH is 5400.00 this year and have you seen the spec, WOW! So save yourself over 1500.00 to use for travel and your race kit and buy a 2009 Glory DH....Also a proven World Cup platform.
I think it looks sick, probably had to wait on the forks (which i assume are custom painted blue). though it looks like the shore or six frames. then again, Norco definitly knows a thing or two after being in the bike business for 45 years, so I trust that the frame is plenty strong. and its nice to see someone cutting down on the massive tubes.
Not even the boys who are on team Norco will want this to arrive in the mail as there bike for the upcoming season. The days of waiting for the UPS truck to come are over for the team!!!!
I agree with other comments, the color scheme sucks. The blue accents are all different shades of blue and the fork looks like it was spray painted. Then you have a red accented rear shock and brakes which totally clashes with all the blue accents. It looks like one of those bikes you see for sale on pink bike that say they have been custom painted and you can tell the owner just took a bunch of random pieces off the bike and spray painted them. This is by far the ugliest downhill bike I have ever seen. If I was going to spend 7 grand on a bike, I would at least get a V-10. My brothers have 2009 V-10's which weigh in at 37.5 lb with a coil rear shock.
at least they are trying something new. i have never been a fan of norcos but i really like the look of this one. i do agree the forks look a little cheap but its whats on the inside that counts!
Norco uses cheap components and there bikes dont hold up. This is the cheapest looking bike norco has ever put out in the freeride/dh categorie and it is way over priced. NNOrco makes money by putting on shitty components and selling them priced as if they have the best components.
I really don't get this? They only unbranded product on the bike are the pedals? The rims are alex- but you do realize that they make just about everyones rims? As does wellgo for pedals? I'm yet to see the pedals, but I'm sure they will be just fine, they are a nice low profile with sealed bearings and heaps of pins- what more do you need. The rims are actually pretty bloody good and a reasonable weight. Very hard to flat spot or dent- I'd put them in the same class as Mavic 721's- yes I have run and owned both. They are much better than last years WTB.
Appart from those two things every part on this bike is what most riders are buying and running. Saint, XO, Avid, DT, sunline, boxxer wc. This is not cheap gear, infact its not far from being as good as it gets.
Appart from those two things every part on this bike is what most riders are buying and running. Saint, XO, Avid, DT, sunline, boxxer wc. This is not cheap gear, infact its not far from being as good as it gets.
if you don't like the dh at least look at the a-line and the aline park those bikes are definetly good looking this year and the empire 5 is still going to be one of the best slopestyle bikes out there.
You could buy a GT Fury DH bike, all carbon and weights the same for less money... sounds like Norco is hosing their customers at that price
Pitty every Gt dhi ALLOY bike had cracked swingarm issues which GT took forever to resolve. My mates quite liked their bikes, but this was a big issue. Imagine what they will do to carbon! Worse yet is the pivot design, it takes constant work to keep smooth.
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ugly, i think that norco in 2009 have gon rank. 2006 dh team well nice. 2007 n 2008 r ok. ma m8z 06 team well nice
Whilst I do not care about the bike or the massive reactions to it either way - to spend $7000 on an 'off the shelf' bike with a relatively average spec is a bit silly. There are lots of permutations of frames, forks, shock and components that can add up to a 36-36.5 lb DH bike that equate to a far better build for the same money.
looks savage, but stop slagging off roco airs, i saw alot of them being run out in the alps with year, and have tried one out and god, it was niiice. im comparing that to DHX 5.0's and Roco coils by the way.
I love this bike, i think it looks awesome. I dont care if i get negative props for that, i'm just stating my opinion!
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I think it will ride nice but what the hell is going on with the looks of that bike?! they used to be nice but now they're just disgusting.
dont care if its ugly does it ride good thats the point norco is trying new things and thats ok ,hope it does good
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But so not worth 7200 CAD
Did Norco get their shit together and actully figure out how to make their suspension work. All 2008 Shores and Sixs (aka any bike using the "new" frame design which is now every Norco for 2009) claim to be FSR, but if you remove the shock and run the suspension the pivot on the chainstay doesnt even move. Whats the point of paying for a patent and then not even checking to see if the technology works?
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i think that norco pulled the suspension idea out of their ass for 08, it seems like they were gonna release it in 09 and work out the shit but they decided to wing it. the new dh is disappointing but if they wernt retarded they would change the colour to something simple yet nice and lower the price
good point, i would buy an atomic over the new dh, with all the $$$ i save i could pimp the blood out of it
Wow, Norco missed it big time again. Overpriced, overcurved and overblued (all different colours of blue). You can pick up a DHR frameset and load it with the best parts for the same price and probably make it a bit lighter. There's absolutely no reason to have those tubes bent like that except to make it look super goofy and to add weight. With all of the sweet, fast looking, great handling DH bikes out there these days this was a really bad time for Norco to miss the target.
Not sure how the prices are over there..
But the team dh is 6.5k here.
A turner frame is 4k, a boxxer wc is 2k.
Makes the bike pretty attractive in Australia.
But the team dh is 6.5k here.
A turner frame is 4k, a boxxer wc is 2k.
Makes the bike pretty attractive in Australia.
Norco has always had heavy, ugly bikes. Perhaps they should focus on the cheaper entry level bikes that everyone has known them for. I certainly wouldn't spend $7000 on a Norco! You could buy a pretty sweet Santa Cruz or Intense for that money... and it would last more than a season or two
I like intense bikes but I have broken every part on my M3 except the upper link... at least they are pretty cool about their warranty. (everything breaks eventually)
A pair of local racers near us are still rocking 02 norco teams. They still rip pretty well. Sure they are heavy as hell, but thats the trade off. If you want a solid bike, choose the aline or aline park.
even with a 7g bike if ur a shit rider, ur a shit rider. any pro could rock any old bike, thats what made them pro.
that bike is ugly, looks weak. garuntee there is some flaw, they will break somewhere often. try again norco
This is a lame comment. But I guess that's why you have negative props. Sure there is always some risk in buying the first generation of a product, but in my experience Norco has always been great in getting problems FIXED and FIXED properly. For example the issue with the 08 six and shore derailleur hangers, just ask the question and you will have a new seatstay and hanger with an IMPROVED design, they don't just keep sending the same old shit until you get sick of asking. That is mad PROPS.
put a motor on that bike and it will look like those moppets bikes I see everywhere here in beijing china hehe. But I give props to norco, they completely redesigned the damn thing, thats a pretty risky move!
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this new Norco bike makes Norco look retarded. they went from a bike all to its own to now a whole line of Norco shores
im sorry but the session 88 is just under £1000 cheaper has the saint cranks, x-0 and in my opinion for a DH bike i prefer a coil shock, this is 37.5 out the box the trek is around 38 and the trek doesnt look like its been in a blender.
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gotta agree with skinnyDH .... TREK session 88 over this ANY day.. its sweeter, better built, and WILL last longer.
By my weight calculations according to the spec, the TREK frame is much lighter. The 09 team dh with roco air is under 10lbs. For the trek to be the same claimed weight with the fox 40 and coil shock (1.5lb+ heavier), the frame must use much thinner tubing (think socom thin)- which is a little scary if you're hard on the gear. The trek system also only isolates brake forces from the suspension, Fsr does this and isolates pedal forces.
i have ridden a norco my whole life there my favourtie bike next to blkmrkt. but i have to say that i hate that bike. tormented frame
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why is everyone hateing on it if u dont like the colour u can paint it i personally dont my bike just dont buy a bike cuz its pretty... the slopeing tube designe its not gunna affect the way u ride ppl concered with it are jsut afriad of change bike i personaly think looks sick and its gunna be a crazy f*ckin bike to race with
i know that fisher have taken over uk norco distribution .. bet they are kickin themselves . look at how many people in this forum alone hate it .. not just dislike ... hate . norco are goin to have to wear masks when they ask for 7000 , dont think this is just a rant , i have owned 3 norco,s and bought my first free ride rig "07 atomik" because of its looks . 09 norcos just arent what we are looking for , it may indeed kick ass on a dh track but if it dont look good it wont sell . think the sesh 88 is as far as we should take bendy tubig , hydroforming is an asset to frame building not a right to create a monster..
You bought a bike based solely on its looks? And I happen to really like this bike if I was a racer I wouldn't think twice about buying it.
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Well, cant wait to see the 2010, cause the 2009 is not a fav, and it looks like no one likes no one!!!
I'm guessing here, but I'm the only one on here who has actually ridden this bike. Lame jump, but its proof all the same- http://www.dirtclowns.com/pics/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=156378&g2_serialNumber=1
I have owned 04, 06 and 07 team dh Norco bikes and this is a huge leap forward in the ride quality. The low front end and standover makes a huge difference and I am impressed.
The looks are different- thats for sure. The curves are there for a reason (lower cog) and do not look as severe in real life. Its something that starts to grow on you- like the humpback on the SC Jeckal. At first it just looks whack, but eventually other bikes look weird.
As for the apparent issues with the suspension? What the? The roco air is an amazing shock. If I was to blind fold riders, anyone would be hard pressed to pick that its and air shock. It feels that good. The rear end tracks just as good as the old bikes and feels just as stiff.
The weight is solid and verified. My medium was 37.75lb with heavy pedals. With a few mods it now sits at 33.26lb. Yes you read that right. Thats with real tyres too.
At the end of the day no one is forcing you to buy this bike, or even like it. But please get out there and ride one with a clear and open mind and see where it takes you. Everyone who has jumped aboard my bike and pointed it down has loved it. The proof is in the pudding.
I have owned 04, 06 and 07 team dh Norco bikes and this is a huge leap forward in the ride quality. The low front end and standover makes a huge difference and I am impressed.
The looks are different- thats for sure. The curves are there for a reason (lower cog) and do not look as severe in real life. Its something that starts to grow on you- like the humpback on the SC Jeckal. At first it just looks whack, but eventually other bikes look weird.
As for the apparent issues with the suspension? What the? The roco air is an amazing shock. If I was to blind fold riders, anyone would be hard pressed to pick that its and air shock. It feels that good. The rear end tracks just as good as the old bikes and feels just as stiff.
The weight is solid and verified. My medium was 37.75lb with heavy pedals. With a few mods it now sits at 33.26lb. Yes you read that right. Thats with real tyres too.
At the end of the day no one is forcing you to buy this bike, or even like it. But please get out there and ride one with a clear and open mind and see where it takes you. Everyone who has jumped aboard my bike and pointed it down has loved it. The proof is in the pudding.
I strongly agree. Props man! I have riden the 2005. 2006 and 2007....the 07 was the shit, the 08 even better, this 09 has everything a race bike should have!!
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heh..the last chrome plated bike I rode..was a Jeep bike..god I hated it...chrome looks awful on a bike...makes the bike look cheap. looks like something you'd find at a Wal-Mart..I'd never ride it..I wouldn't even give it to my worst enemy..
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"Function before fashion"....personally I like to ride something with curves to it, like a fine woman...if you don't like it so what...go ride something you'd expect outta straight tubing. This Norco frame styling is the what we are all going to be expecting in the years to come..low, curvy and fast...like a Porsche...
The frame geo reminds me of a specialized demo, except the demo would kick this things ass. I am very disappointed with the whole line of 2009 norco bikes. They should be doing much better for such a big company. In terms of looks this os one of the ugliest bikes ive ever seen(the paint, etc.).
Look this thread show's what has gone wrong with mountain biking, all these people obsessed with how they look...are these people really into riding trails and blazing descents or are they just into being seen to be doing so, I am starting to think it's a lot of the latter,...
Sure looks are somewhat relevant, but all that glitters is not gold, start listening to J5ives and others who have ridden this bike- it's apparently an incredible rig...fair play to them for trying something different..
Sure looks are somewhat relevant, but all that glitters is not gold, start listening to J5ives and others who have ridden this bike- it's apparently an incredible rig...fair play to them for trying something different..
Indeed. Huge props. Please don't turn this sport into the tight jean brigade which every extra inch of seatpost means you're not as cool as the rest of the crew.
Unfortunately its norco that are the 'fashion concious' ones. stepping on the most popular manufacturing trend - hydroforming. "Look at our bikes, they're so bendy and wavy, we're so alternative"
There is no way those bends are there in a purely functional role.
There is no way those bends are there in a purely functional role.
It is the easiest way to get an FSR design to have such a low standover and cog. This bike has so much room, you even find yourself chucking your knees across the top tube. In any case, hydroforming has been around for YEARS and is hardly new.
Th weight may be trail bike, but it sure doesn't ride like one. Its a dh race bike and 2 seconds on the bike will confirm this.
Such a waste of money IMO. Norco has issues with snapping frames so they make their tubing thinner and lighter? The 2009 Glory DH is over $1500 cheaper, has better parts, doesn't rely on a carbon canned air shock, and it's has a lifetime warranty unlike this featherweight junk. I'll take two pounds of quality over something that flex's and cracks any day. If Norco wanted to do a better job appealing to the masses, they should begin with making their frames durable!
The only issue I know of is the shock mount on the 07 frames? This was fixed for 08 and any rider with an issue got a nice new frame or front end with a beefed up mount? Thats good service. Its also a sign of how quick they can fix a problem!
Ohhh, and the shock only has a carbon sticker. No bigger- just lame marketing from Marz. Taking the sticker off will actually save weight!
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i still like the 2008 frame "look" - but i bet the 2009 rides awesome. I was never norco fan until i recently accquired the 2008 team dh. I can tell you my opinions have changed! It rides well, and it's a fun overall bike. Rather slam and critize the 2009 model.. test ride it and then post your comments.
this kind of reminds me when the Glory first came out..
this kind of reminds me when the Glory first came out..
Yeah I thought the same thing re: the Glory. I believe the designers even looked at a glory type design, the weight of cutting a hole in the middle of the main tube and ten trying to beef it up enought was just not what they were looking for. The curve was the lightest and most simple way to do things.
i like the chrome and the colour scheme but the bikes design is ugly wut a disapointment from norco, is looks like a bike you would buy at zellers.
I have been a long time Norco rider and after this I will be looking for a new company. That is straight up ugly.
I think that the bike must be a great ride since it resembles and it has a great system from specialized. BUT..in my opinion youo have to like the looks of what you ride. i have had Norcos and I would NOT by any chance buy the long travel line for 2008/2009. The hardtails yes..very nice bikes.
bendy tubes are a fad.
any bike bought now will be dated to 2008/09 cos of the curvey tubes.
3 years from now everyone will be back on straight tubes and bendy frames will be lame.
so sayeth the fashion.
any bike bought now will be dated to 2008/09 cos of the curvey tubes.
3 years from now everyone will be back on straight tubes and bendy frames will be lame.
so sayeth the fashion.
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Woow that bike is gonna rip!!! the design is simple (perfect for downhill) but that bike is realllly ugly !!
$7200!!!! I KNOW THAT ALL BIKE PRICES ARE GOING UP 30-40% BUT THATS REDICILIOUS!!! YOU MIGHT AS WELL SAY THAT ONLY A CERTAIN FEW WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD BIKES IN THE FUTURE. PRICES LIKE THESE WILL EVENTUALLY KILL THE SPORT FOR THE MAJORTY. ONLY THE PEOPLE WITH $$$$$$ WILL BUY THEIR TEENAGED KID ONE OF THESE.
Why would a parent buy their kid this bike? It's not geared towards young hack riders, it's geared towards riders that are serious about racing. When you grow up maybe you'll be able to afford a gem ride like this, and if you don't, then you don't need it.
No, no, no, no, no! Norco, what are you doing? Ok, so it might ride ok, and weight nothing, but it looks dreadful!
Frame looks tight but the colours. Oh boy. Looks like a kindergarten student too out his finger paints.
I dunno if anyone as said this cause I didn't feel like readying everthing. But is anyone a fan of the air shocks? I think it just takes so much away from the bike. They're something that should stay on XC bikes. It makes the bike so pussy lookin. And ya, the colours suck. I liked the 07 team DH alot but now it seems to be going downhill from there.
to be honest, it dusnt really matter what the bike looks like, and everyone will have different opinions on what looks good or bad. DH racing isnt a beauty contest, its about getting down the hill as fast as possible, and if the new norco does that well then its a good bike. but i dont think people can say that its going 2 be crap without testing it out themselves.
well said, one of the few posts on pinkbike not riddle with blind ignorance! logical arguement from a logical perspective... ride it, then say somethin'!
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sqrleprle s right, but somthing is good: scott voltage yz0
i have one. today i will buy kona bass or stinky. hey can you hel me out abut bass or stinky? i realy need to diside!!!
i have one. today i will buy kona bass or stinky. hey can you hel me out abut bass or stinky? i realy need to diside!!!
Whats with the frame design???
and the air shock???
hi i work at norco im the guy who pops lsd while i design bikes
the point of those curves is to make love man not war war is bad in war we kill things here at norco where we test our bikes in fields of marshmellows we make love and i get to draw on fancy graph paper with crayons
and the air shock???
hi i work at norco im the guy who pops lsd while i design bikes
the point of those curves is to make love man not war war is bad in war we kill things here at norco where we test our bikes in fields of marshmellows we make love and i get to draw on fancy graph paper with crayons
I think that frame is way too rounded, norco should've just stuck to their 07 - 08 frame designs, they where the best models.
save 2 grand and get a flatline pro with the same build basically...and for 2 grand less you will get w wayy better riding bike
not even close to the same build. and flatlines are heavy as hell. but they do ride very nice. out of the box, this is the best spec'd bike you can buy
the 09 flatline pro is 42 pounds bud...they both have saint, flatline has 729 which are better...it has suspention that is just as good or better. the bikes have basically the same build and for 2500 bucks u could upgrade the shit out of it and have an even better bike that the stock pro which is better than this bike
is there any benifit to curved tubes? it seems like its a recent trend and i really just dont get it, but if it makes a stiffer, lighter bike then i guess were going to have to deal with them for now. Oh and about the air shock.. i guess its just a matter that for a sponsored rider these parts are disposable. bold moves, norco
For everyone that was curious in knowing about our boxxer paint job, this
was a demo bike for show, we used it for the Montreal for a trade show.
To reasure you all i can confidently say that the fork as well as the bike looks amazing in front of you in real life. Just tough i would pass that info on..cheers.
was a demo bike for show, we used it for the Montreal for a trade show.
To reasure you all i can confidently say that the fork as well as the bike looks amazing in front of you in real life. Just tough i would pass that info on..cheers.
Those are welgo peddles but i m not sure what we will be putting on them
for in season...either way the welgo peddles are wicked i come from a bmx background and find these very similar to the thin premium peddles.
very grippy and very thin .therefor lite and sticky,...
for in season...either way the welgo peddles are wicked i come from a bmx background and find these very similar to the thin premium peddles.
very grippy and very thin .therefor lite and sticky,...
Jesus - this is the most rank looking bike ive ever seen - why would people ever buy this over last years (good looking) model??
sweet bike is right!
we have to remember this is not a freeride bike people!
you say you dont like the look....this iss a race bike. this is what racers want. the team dh looks fast!
style comes with more of a freeride bike
personaly i think the bike looks sweet!
we have to remember this is not a freeride bike people!
you say you dont like the look....this iss a race bike. this is what racers want. the team dh looks fast!
style comes with more of a freeride bike
personaly i think the bike looks sweet!
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