Submitted by
derek
a Weekend Warrior
from high places in new england Date Reviewed: April 3, 2002
Favorite Trail:
anything in lynn woods
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
ebay - new in box
Strengths:
plush, strong, fast, big, loud. this is a very good bike.
Weaknesses:
a little tall ay the bb, but you get used to it.
Similar Products Used:
rm6, bullit
Bike Setup:
mine is actually a 2000 (7") with a 2001 jr.t (6"), gremeca disc brakes, intense tires on tioga dh rims, truvativ crank, protapers, xt drivetrain, king headset
Bottom Line:
a lot of people are knocking this bike but either i got the only good one that they made or norco got it right for 2000. this bike has the bearings at the main pivots where earlier models used bushings. i'm a little over 200 lbs. and with an 850 lb. spring and the suspension in the 7" setting this bike can handle anything i can dish out. the suspension is ballanced with the jr.t and it has a geometry that works for the type of riding that we have in new england. it makes a great freeride bike as well as a very very fast and stable downhill bike. mine dresses out at about 42 lbs. and i ride everything with no front derailleur, although i've talked to the guys at john henry's and it is possible to fit a front derailleur to it. i was really interested in this bike ever since i read the review for the vps2 in mba and for me it was worth the wait - definately a satisfied customer! this rig gets 5 steamers accross the board from me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Monna laculotte
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal Date Reviewed: November 18, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Adrenaline
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$380.00
Purchased At:
frame only, used
Strengths:
the colors on this bike are so nice, you feel confident riding this monster, the price is well worth it, nice geometry, but make sure to take a good size for your height, the frame itself is not that heavy compare to some like the super 8 or the brodie 8 ball
Weaknesses:
i had to replace the bushings, no original rear disc mount, the head tube is too long, could be a bit more travel in the back, 750 pds spring is too stiff(i weight 160), so i can't fell the whole 6.5 inches of travel.
Similar Products Used:
aeon joker, 8 ball, super 8, rm7
Bike Setup:
mavic 321, stratos superstar 8, purple hayes 8", kugo's and a little deore derailleur..!
Bottom Line:
the thing is i bought this bike from a guy , because he sold it cheao, 575 canadian with seat post, the only thing a had to do was replace the bushings, cost me about 20 bucks, my frame is a medium and i wish i had a small, i'm 5"10. that and a new lighter sring coil. for 1999 frame you can't ask for anything better. i just hope this bike is going to stay in one piece till the end of next season. it's a good buy if you get it cheap, don't make this your first choice.
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Submitted by
nicolas
a Downhiller
from CHILE !!!!!!!!!!!! Date Reviewed: March 28, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Lots of travel, reliable, plush, looks.
Weaknesses:
steep head angle, bb height, rear end flexes
Similar Products Used:
Kona Stab Deeluxe, super 8, M1
Bike Setup:
hayes, mavic521, kujo/tioga, FRANKENBRINK SHlT (used to, now boxxers, hope i get my new WB dh3 soon)
Bottom Line:
Great frame, a bad thing no one notices is that if you ever want to replace the Monster T, it´ll be difficult for you to get an appropiate fork, My LT8 had to be settled down to 7 inches of travel, and the boxxers fitted only with the XXXXXL upper triple clamp.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fred Dubois
a Downhiller
from Le gardeur,Qc,Canada Date Reviewed: January 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Bing bang,bromont,Qc
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Used from a friend
Strengths:
It is really reliable,strong,really plush,goes anywhere,has a good paint job(doesn't come off),a bit of a flexy rear end(What I mean by that is that it won't snap 'swingarm'like I see a lot of Intense does or really rigid bikes.)
Weaknesses:
A tad heavy,bottom bracket is too high,Intense tire(Drop them),ghanges to be made when you buy it,slow steering side.
Similar Products Used:
Khs dh,Kona stab delux,wheeler,Balfa bobonum,Balfa BB7,Tomac204 and a bunch of others.
Bike Setup:
Hayes f/r,Michelin tires (service course),Mr dirt stem,MRP roller guide,DX pedals everything else is stock.
Bottom Line:
Fast bike,you got to keep you're momentum so maybe that's why it is so fast.You really have to take care of those pivots but you have to do this on any other bike anyway.For the money nothing comes close,well maybe this year there will be the GT but all in all you can't go wrong with this one.I hear a lot of complaints about norco bikes ,maybe it's because the old bikes catalog but I'm telling you try it before you judge.A lot of review about this bike are made from a single ride ,and I dont think it's fair or honest about you guys to judge a product with so little input (this product or any other one.).By the way you will learn about the meaning of PLUSH when you get a leg over that bike.I used to own a Stab delux ,and tought it was plush ,but man was I wrong.Overall the bike will keep up if you're up to it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kyle Kusznieryk
a Downhiller
from Qualicum Beach Date Reviewed: December 18, 2000
Favorite Trail:
anything steep
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Plush, nice ride (not stock, needs tuning), fairly light frame, rear end is strong.
Weaknesses:
Falling rate on 99 frames, a longer shocks and a 2000 compression strut fixed it for me. I wouldn't call the frame weak, but i managed to snap the support bar, and buckle the monocoque. No hard feelings really it held up well, but im a little mad norco wouldnt even sell me a new front triangle, they said i would have to buy a whole new frame.
Similar Products Used:
LOBO'sSAnta cruz's, losta DH bikes.
Bottom Line:
This is a bit of an update, I have a review here a few posts down. just wanted to let you know (because i thought it) the frame is NOT indestructible, as norco claims. although it took a 15ft to flat drop to break it, it can be done. The component spec and price is great for a DH bike. The 99 needed full disc brakes. Great bike for a racer, but it cant take everything. if you want a super huck bike, get a Balfa or some other overbuilt frame.
Gotta love the monster T!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Johnson
a Downhiller
from Mission B.C. ,Canada Date Reviewed: November 5, 2000
Favorite Trail:
silverstar dh
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
looks,design,its huge,monster t freeride or dh course ready
Weaknesses:
ummmmmmmm nothing
Similar Products Used:
gt lobo,super 8,rm6,and im gettin a new gt dhi race
Bike Setup:
i tested this bike out in the parking lot where i ride and she worked bautifully
Bottom Line:
ok the morron down near the bottom says that norco copied intense. Really i think intense did some copying of their own if you look closely on intense adds in magazines you will see that they proudly are usin speciallized's design im not sure but i think norco is doing the same so there isnt any stealing of the design before you write make sure you have your information straight. This bike is good but its not as good as the gt dhi race i am getting so if you see someone cruising down the hill with a gt jersey and chrome helmet on a dhi race GET OUT OF MY WAY,thanks
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bryden
a Downhiller
from Port Alberni, B.C., Canada Date Reviewed: August 31, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Top Secret/911/The Hucker
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
The Bike Shop
Strengths:
price,durability, easy to maintain,not to heavy,chicks dig it.
Weaknesses:
pivot bushings, rear end flex, high bottom bracket height,steep head angle, not enough travel in stock configuration.
Similar Products Used:
khs dominatrix, mountain cycle san andreas, santa cruz bullit,kona stab dee-lux,brodie 8-ball,rocky mountain rm6,
Bike Setup:
manitou x-vert carbon forx, stratos helix expert shock, easton monkey light bars, raceface crankset, hayes hydraulic disc brakes, hayes hugi hubs with mavic 321 hoops.
Bottom Line:
In stock form the bike has room for improvement, but it is a fairly good platform to build from. It is a good strong and reliable ride that can take a beating and keep on dishing it out. My bike is actually a '98 that has been seriously upgraded, but it is still strong to go. Wanna buy it?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mike s
a Weekend Warrior
from b.c canada Date Reviewed: August 8, 2000
Favorite Trail:
any thing that has big wheelie drops
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
this bike take a beating ive taken this thing off 15 foot wheelie drops a lot and it keeps coming back for more
Weaknesses:
its loud but thats good because this bike is fast , and the good thing is all you slow a$$es can get out of my way
Similar Products Used:
there is nothing that compairs with my vps2 well ... only the vps1 at least for shore riding
Bike Setup:
it stock and it still kicks a$$ but im getting boxxers
Bottom Line:
the bottom line is if you ride hard and most free riders do ! you need something that can take more than you can and the vps 2 provides you that comfort i mean this bike will take it . to all those people who say that the bearings suck in the rear end of these bikes it because you dont take care of it and thats the bottom line if you still think this bike sucks get sept 2000 mtb action maybee they will change your mind about canadian bikes ,made by the king of b.c mtbs norco and that the bottom line im out
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Tsawwassen Date Reviewed: June 26, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Defenbaker
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
everything especially the noise I hate noise
Similar Products Used:
RM6
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
this bike is a horrible buy for the money it costs don't buy this boke unless you hate riding
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Simon Carbonneau
a Downhiller
from LaSalle,Québec,Canada Date Reviewed: March 21, 2000
Favorite Trail:
adrénaline (Bromont)
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
can handole anything,parts,PRICE,
Weaknesses:
too plush,bushing,rear shock,look,rear brake (magura),rims
Similar Products Used:
every good dh bike
Bike Setup:
stock took the xtr derailleur and hud by xt and mammuth rims
Bottom Line:
the vps-1 it's a good dh bike for the price and hif you are thinking to do serious dh make sure to change the rims frist,a rear disc brake would be a good investement.Be ready too change every bushings one it, especialy if you buy the bike used
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
becky s
a Weekend Warrior
from lantzville,b.c.,canada Date Reviewed: March 14, 2000
Favorite Trail:
hammerfest DH
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
big,beefy,heavy a downhill machine NORCO(im talking about a 2000 vps 3)
Weaknesses:
gripshift cheap pedals
Similar Products Used:
pipeline, all fs previous bike cro mo hard tail(norco)
Bike Setup:
stock,vanilla R, z1 qr 20's
Bottom Line:
its the best bike for my riding conditions (i think!) its tough and can handle anything why would you expect a downhill bike to climb well?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel
a Downhiller
from Vancouver, B.C., Canada Date Reviewed: February 10, 2000
Favorite Trail:
pink starfish/ladies only and urban
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
it's CANADIAN.
Weaknesses:
canadian bikes don't have weaknesses.
Bottom Line:
to the guy a few reviews below me it's not a rip off of the M1. try riding them they're completely different bikes. i'd rather have the VPS for a few grand less. and to the guy 7 reviews below me, i've seen guys take this bike off 18.5 footers more than a few times, and it didn't break.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kyle Kusznieryk
a Downhiller
from Vancouver Island BC Date Reviewed: February 1, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Hammerfest DH
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Looks Cool (I got a custom metalflake paintjob and the rear end chrome plated) That FORK RULES! Best buy for a downhill rig.
Weaknesses:
Piviots wear. But so will any other 4 barlinkage. The nylon roller on the chainguid is noisy, replace it with a MRP roller instead.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Super 8
Bike Setup:
Monster t's Full hayes discs WB Ti bars Race face crank, swiss hubs/spokes.
Bottom Line:
This Bike RULES (for the price) for 6 grand (I paid 3) you get a bike that can compete with the big boys. Not many bikes have a monster t for 7500 let alone 6! The fork isn't that heavy, well it is, but it's not noticible. Buy a '99 used for even better value. The privateer should on a budget should buy this bike. A weight wuss not.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
eugene
a Downhiller
from perth wa Date Reviewed: January 22, 2000
Submitted by
nathan rennie
a Downhiller
from nsw Date Reviewed: December 17, 1999
Favorite Trail:
crakenback,thredbo,aus/ it's fucking gnarly
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
plush as four bar linkage,gnarly hayes setup what more can i say
Weaknesses:
little bit of overkill on the rear end,stick with a lobo if you ask me[if you can afford twice the price+++,otherwise flawlessly designed
Similar Products Used:
m-1 etc.etc....
Bike Setup:
vps-1,took off the monster t,s, plush but heavy, a pair of boxxer pro's should do it
Bottom Line:
with a couple of changes the vps-1 will keep you going but if your into light-wait s*#!,grap a vps-2,make your own or get your local bike store to engineer you a 7 inch. rear linkage plate,change the 5 inch. marzochies for a pair of boxxers or boxxer pro's,change the front disc size and your have practically the same bike only lighter,cheaper and one number different[ie:vps1/vps2]so take my advice or just work it out for yourself ,VPS-1 & 2 are both pretty sweet! keep hitting the trails !
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
granty
a Downhiller
from corner brook, Nf Date Reviewed: October 22, 1999
Favorite Trail:
yogi&booboo
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
heavy, makes you become a man.
Weaknesses:
keep an eye on those pivots
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale S-V's,Rm Pipeline, Kona manomano, etc.
Bike Setup:
zoke z1 dropoff, fox vannila r, spynergy fr.,spox rr.,Lx brakes, raceface turbine, etc.
Bottom Line:
the best thing about this bike is that i can hear my pal when he's close 'cause that's how loud this thing is. he makes it dance, though.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Derek
a Racer
from Kelowna Date Reviewed: September 24, 1999
Used to race DH on a 5&5 bike and is not good! Bought this bike and kicked some A$$. Travel is great, and can go over just about anything. A really good buy for the amount of cash you need to dish out. On a side note, a friend borrowed the bike for a few rides and has now ordered one for next year.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
A.S.
a Cross-Country Rider
from Manlius, NY Date Reviewed: August 27, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Song #10
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Surprisingly light lots of travel with non-stock linkage norco ripped off a good design...the intense
Weaknesses:
fugly pivots rusted and creak LOUD crappy shock
Similar Products Used:
GT STS1000 DBR Vlink 1.0 Intense M1
Bike Setup:
Girvin chubby, hs 11 plastics, esp
Bottom Line:
I like this bike...it's pretty sweet for the price. problem is, the review below isn't true at all...he's never been to mammoth, he's had it less than a month, and he still has the coupe deluxe....anyways, wanted to shed a little light on it for anyone interested in a great bike for little money. just watch out for the low quality shock and ugly frame....cable routing sucks too...but otherwise a sweet ride
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben
a Downhiller
from syracuse ny Date Reviewed: August 16, 1999
Favorite Trail:
anything steep
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
good geometry, 4 bar style linkage, very good bike for the money
Weaknesses:
pivots unsealed, stock rear shock leaves a bit to be desired
Similar Products Used:
sts dh
Bike Setup:
xtr, SRAM gripshift, Z-6, raceface
Bottom Line:
I'm revieving this bike to hopefully shed a little light on a great bike from a not so well known company in the field of downhill. One of the above reviews of the VPS bothers me a bit, that being the one with only a one pepper rating, so i'd like to clear a few things up. It's true that the rear shock leaves a lot to be desired, but with the low cost of this bike, anyone serious enough to get into racing won't be too terribly disappointed because they have to go out and buy a Fox of Stratos shock, you're still saving hundreds over any other bike in this class. If you're breaking the rear linkage on any bike in so short a time, there's definately something wrong with the rider as well as the ride. I've been riding my norco quite a bit since i've gotten it, and going to places like Mammoth, I certainly haven't been babying it, and i've had no problems to speak of thus far with anything besides the shock, which i replaced right off the bat. Anyone who can break the linkage on this bike should really take some time to learn to ride the bike rather than just going out and beating on it without taking the time to learn a bit of control and finesse, you don't see a professional racer breaking a bike every month. I'm sure if you took this thing off a 20 foot drop, it would break, but come on, how many of those do you see in a race? None on this planet. All in all, I'd recommend this bike to anyone serious about getting into downhill with a limited budget, you get a lot for the money.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tyler Sawicki
a Downhiller
from Surrey, Canada Date Reviewed: August 7, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Any Thing Scary
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Every thing, it looks cool it has a sweet groupo great bike..
Weaknesses:
havn't found one
Similar Products Used:
baracooda
Bottom Line:
i loved you
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Downhiller
from Ontario Date Reviewed: August 2, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Anything big
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Looks coll ok part groupo
Weaknesses:
Rear linkage broke after three months I dont know what all those other 50 poeple at the races are doing but learn to ride a bike this thing is flexy and the travel is not all that great in the rear I would never buy another norco again in my life it look cool and i bought it and ive never lived it down at least i had a few parts to put on my new bike
Similar Products Used:
Every dh bike knowen to man
Bike Setup:
Foes mono {hasnt broke yet} Vps 1 parts expet mrp mammoth rims hayes rear brake azonic stem and bar
Bottom Line:
What was norco thinking Ive seen a couple guys at race riding these things I saw one guy riding the bomber from last year and it had a blown rear shox now that shows the kind of quality componets they chose to spec on bikes well no offence to norce good try i guess but you better make it alot stronger
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a Downhiller
from Montreal, Qc. Ca Date Reviewed: April 24, 1999
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
It's price.
Weaknesses:
Don't know yet.
Similar Products Used:
Pro-Flex......
Bike Setup:
XTR, Monster-T, Hayes disc and Magura Tomac(rear)
Bottom Line:
It's simply the best bike for it's price and it's got plenny of travel (7 in front and 6.5 rear). Nothign to envy to other bikes exept a sticker with Santa Cruz on it... but I still have some money left to do other things. The frame is actually made by Mountain cycle...
Overall Rating:
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