The other day I gave you an introduction to the Norco Empire 5 and you all seemed pretty stoked on it, so today I bring you the entire DH / Park Series of bikes. Yep the Team DH, the Aline Park Edition, the Aline and the Atomik. These bikes are built for gravity's play ground! Be it shuttle runs in the back of the truck or loading up the chair lift at your local bike park to winning WC DH events, this is your series of machines to take on that task.
Check them out!No cross country going on here, these bikes are pure bred to go down and to do it fast! The Team DH, the Aline Park Edition and the Aline have all received a full once over that has resulted in a completely new frame, while the Atomik is utilizing last year's Team DH frame set.
For 2009 you'll also find these models available in three sizes with a true large offering in the mix. Great for all you guys over 6'1" that used to have to make due. The new frames are lighter, with a really low center of gravity that should aid you in keep it fast in the corners and in the rough.
-rider focus: Pro level and grass roots racers to the shuttle and bike park crowd
-8"-9" of travel
-150x12mm rear drop out spacing
-1.5" head tubes
-adjustable BB height and Head tube angles
-dual crown forks
Team DH - $7100
-lighter rear stays and drop outs than the Alines
-sub 40lbs stock build
Aline Park Edition - $4750
-durable parts spec
-MAXLE compatible
Aline - $3700
-heavy duty stays and replaceable drop outs
-DH Casing tires
-hydro-formed tubes
Atomik -$3100
-uses the 2008 Team DH frame
-1.5" head set
-Boxxer race
-lighter race spec parts
Check back for more details on the Shore series, the SIX series and Dirt/Street series bikes in the days to follow.
Past 2009 Stories:
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/norco-empire-5-2008.html www.westinwhistler.com www.whistlerbike.com www.norco.com -Tyler "Brule" Maine
I didn't like the team dh, but the aline looked better
Good job on the report though
maybe you like a pink bike; I don`t! still respect your choice. 7100$ will be the rice to be next year. your nice cover or Snata cruz will be be more expensive next year be ready for that. I read an acticle on the price of rubber, raw material and shipping cost going up for next year. they were talking about 10% to 25% increase for next year. so Start saving your dollar now; if you want yopu santa cruz. on top of that the guy talking about not improving in the last 10 years; what are you riding a Kona? I guess!
my 2 cents!!!
Isn't the shortest distance between 2 points a STRAIGHT LINE ??
Now, having said that wouldn't having all those bends and Annealed tubes require more metal to form the tube and Keep it's strength?? as it's not a straight line it is adding to the weight overall of the bike,, And also Very ugly ( which has been said )
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Ignorant comments don't make them right.
what in the hell is with all the Rounded, bendy frames that are coming out for 09 ???
these are disgusting looking bikes that I couldnt see performing much better.
It would simply seem to be a justification in the big price tag by adopting a newer 'different' style to the other brands. Form over function to the extreme. It's called marketing, nothing to do with progression or you the rider.
Buy last years model. It will ride the same, cost less and look a shit load better.
the swoopy tube complex that has hit our sport is actually functional to a degree.
As bike travel goes up, stand-over heights also go up... how do you fix it? -Change the form of your toptube.
Long travel single crowns require a kinked downtube at the head tube to clear the fork crown, then the downtube has to drop low enough to accomidate shocks and linkages and a new, lower toptube. See what I am getting at?
Now in Norco's case, looks as if they met the function of the formed tobes and kept on going and going and going, now they are in a dark and ugly place, how long will their fire last? Will it start raining?
As for all the Kona Stab comments, has anyone actually looked at a 99 Stab lately???? Here is a link
www.ridemonkey.com/mountain-bike-photos/data/502/17236my_1999_kona_stab.JPG
I think not. . .. yes it has a curved downtube. . . but take a look at the headtube angle, linkage position or anything else and they have ZERO resemblance. I am stoked and can't wait to try one out. Less than 40lbs stock. You would spend a couple grand getting any other stock bike to that. . . .
I love that frame design I have last years six and and last years DH. The six still puts a smile on my face every time I ride it. I have had the oppurtunity to ride Norco's dh bikes for the last 7 years now and in those years the geometry has been tweaked into a full wc race machine that weighs in @ 37.5 for 2009 out of the box with no mods. Last year Norco was praised for this new frame platform for the Six and Shore series bikes and now all of a sudden everyone hates it? Truth be told you are all entitled to your own opinions as am I but you really shouldn't critically judge someting you have never ridden. The DH spec is second to none and the cost of new molds for things like forged link arms and a new clevis at the rear pivot are not cheap to re-engineer every year added to the cost of raw materials going up as earlier noted leading to the high price and this will not only affect Norco's so whatever brand you plan on buying this year will cost you more so suck it up.
I rode the 2009 A-line Park in Whistler last week during the product launch and I honestly had a really hard time giving it back to the fine staff @ Norco who let me shred on 1. The new shock position puts the weight right where it needs to be in the frame and brought the center of gravity right into the sweet spot along with the low stand over provided by the curved hydroformed tubes the bike sailed from freight train to the glc drop effortlessly.
My 2 cents, quit bitching about what you don't like or know about and go to your local bike shop, have them set 1 up for you and roll it in the parking lot at least before you beak off.
$7100 for that?
that has to be the simplest sus. design i've ever seen.
and with that ugly swoop in the frame looks terrible.
i mean, strait as a scribble...
If i'd like this this design i'd go for a RM = lower CG etc.
I guess the only thing i'd do with one is give it to a girl (they like things like that)
Cheers on the new stuff from Norco, i hope someone finds their dream-bike in that form.
fantastic components, can't lie, but 7k is a heavy price tag for a norco...
I would need to try one to know. But still it's a ugly bike! But hopefully
it performence better then it looks:P
its like a squashed version of the shore?
does anyone know how this actually rides though?
my norcos weighty but it rides like a tank going through woodland,smashes watevrs in its path..either that or the riders a fat hefter?dunno
A-Line = Nice
Blue Boxer = Nice
Google is your friend!
Such a rip off of specialized too.
I'm disappointed
i USED to like norce. why are so many bike co. going with the bent top bar, it looks wimpy. i agree with djivotno, and give it to a girl, they like things like that.