Bike Setup: New race cranks quick release shifters 2.6 front tire and rim and 2.35 back new 8"inch triple clamp dh forks 4-5" of travel on the back. took of the thrid sproket on the front and put a rock ring. custom 2.5 handle bars custom built front forks just a great bike
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Submitted by
someone
a Downhiller
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002
Strengths: Good frame, comes with good parts (even though i changed mine), nice feel
Weaknesses: Color, breaks kind of easily, must have alot of work done to have good parts put on.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, i highely recommend this bike to anyone who wants to do a little bit of everything with a good, cheap bike.
Bike Setup: 2002 Marzocchi Jr T Pro, Fox vanilla RC with a new swingarm, Mag 30 rim's w/ intense tires, raceface North Shore Cranks, Hayes Purple DH Disc Brakes/ 8 inch rotors
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Submitted by
Aaron
a Downhiller
from ontario canada
Bike Setup: 2001 z-3 series 5", fox vanilla rear shock 4-5", maxxis downhill tires, sun single tracks, hayes hydro front brake and hayes mechanical rear brake
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Submitted by
mike schulman
a Downhiller
from orange, ct, usa
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2001
Strengths: really nice frame and shox. great value. good for jumbing on down hill. if you are gonna race though, change the fork. killer bike!
Weaknesses: shifter, color.
Bottom Line:
great bike. great value. canadian made. what more can i say.
Strengths: Strong Design, Nice travel, Price, Reliability. Components are good enough, Great Value
Weaknesses: The half pipe shifters that come on the bike are horrible, I switched them for free before I left the shop. Change the tires from the Kenda's right away. Also Change the seat to a nice ballsaver one. Possibly change the headset as it tends to come loose after a hard ride.
Bottom Line:
This is a awesome bike, buy it for its value, reasonably good components, reliability and awesome riding!
I would like to thank Jon, Curtis, Dave, Peter, Rob and Hugh for all the help and the damn good price
Bike Setup: Shimano Deore Rapid Fire Shifters, Oury Lock on Grips, Rokko 2.4 tires, DH Seat.
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Submitted by
Greg (Gman)
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2001
Strengths: -It's a Norco. -Solid and well built (heck, overbuilt). -Specialized patented 4 bar linkage. -Awsome warranty, -beefy assed gussets and monocoque.
Weaknesses: -It's yellow, -pedals like a 250cc Yamaha,(well up at least).
Bottom Line:
Sweetest bike going downhill, rides a bit like a brick going up (only 1 ring though, no FR Derauler). I love how plush the rear suspension is, soaks up every hit nicely! By the way, all you Buzz, Drop and Launch owners out there....upgrade to the Vanilla R ASAP! It will ride like a whole new bike! I guess I love this bike, Norco is a CDN brand and I love to support the local guys and gals. Anyone out there looking for a kick butt freerider should look at these bikes (North Shore Series Norcos) as they Kick butt and are nearly indestructable. Anyone looking for an XC type Dually should not get these.... buy a Heckler Superlight or a FSR XC ride.(for the record mine weighs in at over 40 LBS). As many flamin chillies as I can give........ only 4 for the overall as it should come stock with a Fox Vanilla R, STD Vanilla's are crappy.
Similar Products Used: -Specialized Big Hit 2000 -Santa Cruz Bullit, -Kona Stinky -RM Pipeline
Bike Setup: 2001 Jr T', Shimano XT Hydraulics, 8 speed DT, Black Spire NR1 Chainguide w 34 tooth BS Ring on XT Cranks, Fox Vanilla R shock, Mavic D521's with a Gazzalodi 2.6/F, and a Rokko DH 2.4 rear, THE DH fender (hey, be nice, it rains a lot here), Titec Stem, Race Face Riser bars and headset, Berzerker DH Saddle on anAxiom post.
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Submitted by
Mitch
a Downhiller
from NSW AUSTRALIA
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2001
Strengths: AS below, yes the cushy suspension, frame design and the Hayes stop. Price is aus dollars too!!! oh and the cranks are nice
Weaknesses: Sram Attack...i took AMB's option and cut em in half and whacked on some Ourys
Bottom Line:
Yep its a mad entry to mid level Downhiller, light and sic design. No matter what the loser down below said. Also if ur unhappy with unwanted shifting cut the shift grips in half....it fixes it.....
Strengths: sweet ride with cushy suspension and a b!tchin component group. i love the 130mm Z.5 and the 5" rear travel. also, i got mine in a really cool grey color instead of yellow, so it kinda looks like a Shore.
Weaknesses: 2 things (well, maybe three) first: i hated the 1/2 pipe shifters cuz they shifted at bad times. second and third: both the front and rear springs in/on the shock(s) weren't stiff enough, but putting a 900 lb. spring on fixed that good!
Bottom Line:
This biike rules. if you want a great value, long travel suspension bike, get this NOW!!! NOW NOW NOW!!! just swap those darn (stupid profanity-checker) springs. Dont buy it if ya want a lite bike.
Similar Products Used: the whole vps line, rocky mountain edge, kona stinky
Bike Setup: ummmmmmmm.... how it came.... new springs & shifters
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Submitted by
kyle mckinns
a
from calgary , alberta , canada
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2001
Strengths: I find that the buzz kicks ass the frame is beefy and strong nice disc brakes just about everything on this bike is good !!!
Weaknesses: the sram grip shift
Bottom Line:
I suggest that anyone even crossing the thought of buying the bike u must this bike is worth it for the price i got it at ($1600 can) overall it is a very nice bike
Similar Products Used: all norco vps : Launch , Drop , etc...
Bike Setup: !!! sram grip shift , hayes mechanical disc brakes , sun hill rod rims , a THE fender , kendra tires, rock ring, bomber Z 5's , vanilla foz rear shock etc..... it all kicks ass hell ya
Hey ya this is a cool bike, but you retards below must be crosscountry guys that just bought one of these. Seriosly, this in NOT a DH bike by no means. Many be the frame resembles a dh bike, but the whole bikes setup is'nt. I give this bike a 3. I give you retards a -5
Submitted by
jason watson
a Downhiller
from Radium hot springs
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2001
Strengths: very stable andcushy suspension, good weight for downhill. Only downhill riders should buy this bike. Too heavy for cross country.
Weaknesses: I hate the half pipe shifters for DH. I am forced to change gears when I do not want to especially on the steep stuff. Also the back derailer constanly hits the frame of the bike resulting in a very aggravating banging noise (need lizard skin). I also blew out the rear suspension due to insufficient greasing of the linkage. Note: grease linkage regularly.
Bottom Line:
So far I feel that the bike is very good except for the minor problems mentioned above. You cant beat the price. However, the guy in calgary seemed to find a much better deal than I did (maybe US $).
