12-mm slotted dropouts with cartridge bearings and 150-mm wheel spacing
new seat mast accommodates a longer stroke piggyback FOX racing shock
new three hole link arms provide more tuning options for ride height and head angles, and the 2.5 inch stroke FOX RC shock provides 6-7.5 inches of low leverage ratio super plush travel
new chain stay with 24/26 inch wheel compatibility and a new pivot assembly with oversized cartridge bearings.
Marzocchi Shiver has 8" travel
Dual 8" Hayes
Hadley bolt on rear disk hub built with a Sun Single Wide rim
Race Face North Shore DH cranks with a new splined b/b
Submitted by
John Anderson
a Downhiller
from Sydney (STH), NSW, Australia Date Reviewed: April 9, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Bulli Pass
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2915.00
Purchased At:
Bike Addiction
Strengths:
Shiver forks, Fox Vanilla RC, Hadley hubs and more. The SRAM 8 speed grip shift is perfect (I wasn't sure to begin with). This machine is built for strength, which is good for a 100kg (220#) rider.
Weaknesses:
Chain guard, Head set, Frame holes and rear suspension bearings. The chain guard gets caught up on logs, I’ve changed guards to a Blackspire. The headset seems strong but bearings are useless, the sealed unit doesn’t seal properly (Once again I've change to Blackspire). The drain/breather hole in frame tends to allow water in but not out. The Rear Suspension bearings are inadequately lubricated for the job, they're designed for high speed motors and only packed very lightly with general purpose grease. I've replaced all the bearing after 3months because they seized. I’ve packed the new bearings with a Molybdenum GA10 grease designed to repel water, reduce corrosion (See how it goes).
Similar Products Used:
Trek, Fisher, Marin and all sorts of other lycra waring cross country s@#t.
Bike Setup:
Norco 2001 VPS DH PRO with Blackspire chain guard and Dice Rims TWO-SIX(fr) and TWO-FOUR(Rr). Blackspire DH Headset. 2.75" stroke Fox Vanilla RC.
Bottom Line:
This is an awesome ride that installs confidence in all riding. With this machine I’m jumping higher, going faster and braking later. It’s the type of Bike that all your mates want to borrow. I would aim this bike at any DH that likes big drops and speed but doesn't mind weight.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott Dickinson
a Downhiller
from Spokane, Wa, USA. Date Reviewed: February 18, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Beacon: "Zipper"
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Gerick Cycle & Sports in Nelson B.C.
Strengths:
Head tube angle, welds, gussetts, light-weight, bolt on rear Hadley hub, Intense mag 30 rims, Northshore cranks, Shiver, Fox RC rear shock...to much to list...
Weaknesses:
Funn pedals have zero grip when they are muddy. Rear rotor neads to be a 6" for clearance purposes. I'm trying my clipless out next trip and ordering some Azonics.
Similar Products Used:
00' Kona Stab Primo, 00' Santa Cruz Super 8.
Bike Setup:
Medium; Stock presently, except for the Roach chain guard.
Bottom Line:
Norco pulled together an awesome 2002 TEAM DH bike, loaded with top notch parts and all for an outstanding price. Gerick Cycle & Sports in Nelson B.C. is the place to buy it. Everyone recieves outstanding service, they have a large variety of riding equipment and all at an affordable price. Since getting the bike, I've been hucking huge and keeping my friends at bay, because they all want to ride it.
See you on the WIM, NORBA, JOMTB, Canadian and World Cup Downhill cources in 2002. HANG LOOSE!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Downhiller
from CT., USA Date Reviewed: September 25, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
John Henry bike shop of Van. BC
Strengths:
frame strenght, responsivness of rear shock (Fox Vanilla RC).
Weaknesses:
weight. it isn't the lightest DH bike out there. but who buys a bike like this for full time XC. I weigh 215 lbs and at 6' 4", this bike doesn't throw me around, I throw it around. I can't comment on the components, because I bought it as a frame only and built it up part by part. Check on your spring weight on the shock before you buy it, becasue the wrong spring will severly reduce the plushness you feel or can get out of the bike.
Similar Products Used:
'00 VPS 2
Bike Setup:
'01 Monster T, Sun Ringle Single wide rims, Azonic bars, axiom stem, TruVativ cranks, Race Face DH stainless steel headset, Sram 9.0 SL drivetrain, 2.6 Gazz's, hayes brakes and a Axiom chain guide for the Dh stuff and a Blackspire chain guide for the "regular" riding.
Bottom Line:
I bought this as a frame only and built it up from scratch. This bike is the bomb! I ride this on everything from the street with the kids, to urban, to downhill, to XC (10+ miles). but where is really shines is on the downhills and the drop offs. the bike is nimble, yet stiff enough to minimize the flex in the rear end, due to the larger sized pivots in the rearend. There is a noticeable difference when you change the rear travel from 6" to 7.5". At 7.5 the head angle is steep and at 6", it is slack. I feel it should be the other way around, but if this is the only thing I can find "wrong" with it, then I guess I picked a winner!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Antihero
a
from Canada Date Reviewed: July 30, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3775.00
Strengths:
Stock components require very few upgrades Frame geometry is perfect for any drops or descents
Weaknesses:
Grip Shift Race Face Prodigy bottom bracket, broke it in less than a week and it can't be upgraded because of the chainguide used
Similar Products Used:
Kona Stab Kona Stinky Kona Stinky Dee-Lux Specialized Big Hit Comp Specialized Big Hit Pro
Bike Setup:
Stock with the exception of pedals, changed to 1664 Bear Traps
Bottom Line:
It's made in Canada, buy it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jon Green
a Downhiller
from Westbank Date Reviewed: July 29, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Outbound RIDE
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4100.00
Purchased At:
private
Strengths:
-8 inch hayes -four bar link -adjustability -overall brute strength -fox rc -BOXXER! -components(i got lx/xt groupo) -it's norco, that would cover everything i just listed!
Weaknesses:
None. People may think it weighs too much, but it is transferred into strength.
Similar Products Used:
Norco Shore,Norco Launch, brodie 8-ball, dh i-drive, Kona Stab, Kona stab Primo and other various freeride/Dh bikes.
Bike Setup:
Boxxer, XT/LX drivetrain, raceface prodigy cranks, answer pro taper bar(I think?), nokian gazzi 2.6(f), MAXXIS 2.5(r), fox RC, hugi hubs, hayes 8inch(f)6inch(r), giro atlas DH saddle, blackspire DS chainguide.
Bottom Line:
I have turned this bike more into a freeride bike and it is still great for racing! It takes all I can give it and insires more confidence in me (and others too). It helps me recover from any spills I would have taken on my old FSR. Norco has made a great bike, it can easily be suited for freeride,Dh, or both. One word - AWESOME. 5.0
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Summerland, BC Canada Date Reviewed: May 13, 2001
Favorite Trail:
the local Trails
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4600.00
Purchased At:
Kelowna Cycle
Strengths:
The whole bike is the strength. The 8 inch hayes really complete the whole bike, as well as the shiver. The Race Face crank.
Weaknesses:
The is no weaknesses. Its too tough.
Similar Products Used:
The DHi, the RMsl, and the 8 ball
Bike Setup:
stock,but without the clipless and a set of gazzolodi 2.6 tires
Bottom Line:
this is the best bike for your buck, like i paid only 4600 cdn. It has all the best components (Race Face, Easton, XTR, Sram, and the Shiver).I love this bike already and I will post again at the end of the summer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Downhiller
from Listowel Date Reviewed: May 7, 2001
Favorite Trail:
my trail
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$5700.00
Purchased At:
Brauns
Strengths:
Dude, its a Norco thats for starters. The whole parts spec. THE PRICE!!! $5700 for the sweetest stuff, Shiver, XTR Race Face. Try to find another deal like this.
Weaknesses:
huh
Similar Products Used:
everything under the sun
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
This is by far the best deal for this bike. Where else are you going to get a amazing frame, Hayes D-brakes, a Marzo Shiver, Race Face, XTR, and tons of other great stuff for $5700? Oh yah, and its North Shore prooven, need I say more?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Downhiller
from Delta Date Reviewed: March 18, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
1812 Cycles
Strengths:
-strong -plush -looks cool -color -SHIVER
Weaknesses:
?
Similar Products Used:
Elsworth Dare with Monsters and Boxxers, 99 Kona Stab Delux with monsters, RM 9 with monsters, 99 & 00, VPS-1s and a few others
Bike Setup:
Shivers, Black Spire Chain Tensioner, Profile Cranks, XTR Rear changer, Double wides, and a few other changes
Bottom Line:
This is a sweet bike. On my second ride however something went screwy with the FOX RC rear shock. That is not the bikes problem though. All in all it is good for the price and it is so much more fun than any hardtail. TEAM DHs are sweet!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jaydub
a Downhiller
from North Vancouver Date Reviewed: March 5, 2001
Favorite Trail:
anything that is DH
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Gericks Cycle (Kelowna)
Strengths:
beefy, components are top notch, plush, climbs good for over 40 lbs (4 bar linkage)., warranty, CDN made. Quiet for monocoque. Best bang for the buck. 8" discs all around.
With my setup, this bike is the ultimate freeriding. Eats everything up and wants more. What a bargain, you could buy 2 of these for the price of a M1 and is way more beefier.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JC
a
from Lake Louise, Alberta Date Reviewed: February 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
all of them
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Bow cycle
Strengths:
What a bike!!!
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
SC Bullit, Giant XCX1, NORCO Launch and many more
Bike Setup:
Stock, replace gripshift by XT shifter + XT front derailleur. 26t-36t + Blackspire bashguard. Replace 636 pedals with LP flat.
Bottom Line:
I set up the bike for freeriding and it get the job done. Smooth front and rear travel. Only one word to describe smooth travel...Shiver. Feel lighter than it actually is. FSR design is the way to go, the beefiest bike I ever seen. I have only been riding the bike for 1 week but so far I only have good comment. The DH team is made from the top components (RaceFace NSXS, Easton, Marzocchi, FOX RC, Shimano, etc)just ditch the grip shift and it become better. I will post in a few months to see if everything is still good. Norco make the best freeriding bike out there, what do you expect they are a CANADIAN company that have been concentrating on the freeride market for years.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rory B
a Weekend Warrior
from BC Date Reviewed: January 28, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3100.00
Strengths:
Everything on this bike is strong
Weaknesses:
nothing
Similar Products Used:
2000 VPS 1
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
You want a serious hard core downhill bike this is the one for you. The Shiver is unbelievable. This bike is the best downhill I have ridden.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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