Strengths: Frame is BULLETPROOF. Parts spec is awesome for the money. Wheelset is also Bulletproof (Sun DoubleWide). It will go where bigger bikes with more travel won't.
Easton RAD tubing frame is very stiff and amazingly light, If it was built with light components it would be a very fun trail bike.
Hayes 6" hydros are great too.
Weaknesses: Fork- Z5 I had to put stiffer springs in. Not really a weakness, more of a bike setup issue.
Heavy, although weight isn't an issue for the purpose of this bike.
NONE
Bottom Line:
Hands down best version of the 250. This bike will do it all. Urban, trails, jumps, dirtpark, downhill. A liitle heavy for climbing, which it wasn't designed for.
Best bang for your buck for an indestructable versatile bike.
Not made for XC riding, but awesome for everything else.
Bike Setup: All Stock. BMX cranks, Funn cockpit, XT r/d, DMR chainguide, Sun DbleWide rims, 24" Nokian Gazz Jr 2.6 rear, 26" WTB 2.4 front, Easton RAD frame, Hayes 6" hydros, Marzochhi Z5 fork.
Strengths: beefy frame, and capable of huge tires. Straight and strong. I custom built mine so not too much applies to original bike.
Weaknesses: not able to use a 26" rear wheel with rim brakes
Bottom Line:
Sweet bike, best 250 frame built so far, they seem to be getting worse. But good for any kind of "fun" riding, if it comes to hill get off, this beast weighs alot.
Bike Setup: mine is anything but stock. f.u.n.n bars, stem, brake levers, Julie hydro on front, 24" Alex Mt28 front and 24" DX32 in rear. Tires 3.0 front, 2.6 rear. 9spd road cassestte. 2002 Dirt Jumper 2.
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Submitted by
Jebediah Lavers
a Downhiller
from Yarralumla, ACT, Aus
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2002
Strengths: Solid Frame, ok componants
Weaknesses: Forks
Bottom Line:
A great all round package, It's a shame I've sold it now. It may be heavier than most, but it's not gonna break as easily.
Strengths: This bike feels, EXTREMELY nice, the frame is phat and it can take a beating.
Weaknesses: The tires had to be switched to gazzies 3.0 and 2.6 rear, brakes to HOPE Pro's and fork to a 2000 JRT QR20. This bike is pimped
Bottom Line:
THe bottom line is this bike is extremely nice, mine might have a bit to high of a cockpit because of the JRT and the 24" rear. It weighs about a ton but ure not gonna buy this bike if weight is an issue.
Bike Setup: 2000 JRT QR20, Hope Pros, FUNN stem and bars, XT, Gazzies,,
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Submitted by
Mr. Man MAN!
a Weekend Warrior
from A place
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2002
Strengths: Very, Very sweet bike. So inexpensive for what your getting! Great looks, STRONG, fun, conquers anything. Makes previous obstacles alot easier!
Weaknesses: The Z5 is the only downside. Mine seems to loosen up while I ride and then tighten again an hour later. Very Strange...
Bottom Line:
Very sweet bike, highly recommend it. Too Bad I got like one of the last 10 a few months ago... If you are a hard core freerider who likes urban and doesn't mind the wait this is a great bike!
Similar Products Used: used to ride a Huge crappy gary fisher somewhat set up for freeride
Bike Setup: Z5 4 inches, 2.6 front doublewide with WTB 2.4 tire, 2.4 rear doublewide with 2.6 gazzalodi tire, XT rear derailler, DMR chainguide, BMX chromo cranks, funn cockpit components, Hayes 6" hydro's.
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Submitted by
PHAT PEOPLE
a
from Windsor Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2001
Strengths: Phat Bike, It holds up to anything I throw at it, I've done 8.5 and 9 foot drops on to flat with it and it just soaks it up like nothin'. All the parts are unbelievable and hold up awesome. Stiff as hell NO flex whatsoever. It rides like no other.
Weaknesses: None!
Bottom Line:
PHATTEST BIKE EVER CREATED!!!!! If you want a strong tank of a bike with no flex at all in the frame and dope part spec and a great warranty buy this Bike, Best for all Urban, Dirt Jump, Freeride, Even Downhill!
Bike Setup: I have a Marzocchi Monster T hooked up to it, Nokian Gazzaloddi 24 inch 2.4 rear, 26 inch 2.6 front, Hayes Hydraulic 6", Sun DoubleWide 26 front 24 Rear these rule!, Funn cockpit everything from stem to handlebar, Formula Hubs laced with DT spokes, XT rear derailleur, DMR Chainguide, Brooklyn Machine Works Shin Burger pedals slapped onto 3 Piece Chronoly Cranks, Axiom Seatpost,BGF saddle.
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Submitted by
Joe Middlemiss
a Weekend Warrior
from St Catharines
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2001
Strengths: the bike rocks, except for the z5, with i promptly swaped out for the 02 DIRT JUMP 1, now this is a serious bike! it rides sweet , components are great, price is right, quality is amazing, EVERYONE SHOULD RIDE NORCO!
Weaknesses: NONE, except for maybe the doublewide rims, they are soft in this day and age
Similar Products Used: p3, trek bruser (sucks) planet x, 24 le toy 3
Bike Setup: stock components w/ 02 DIRT JUMP 1 FORK instead of the wimpy Z5, Nokian 24 - 2.6 rear, and Nokian 26 - 2.6 front,
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Submitted by
G
a Weekend Warrior
from Prince George B.C. CANADA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2001
Strengths: Great value,nothing needs to be changed.Minor adjustments only.3 piece chro mo cranks,24" rear wheel,doublewide rims & hydr. discs.
Weaknesses: Front tire could be wider
Bottom Line:
This bike is all that and then some,I jump it with the local punks,ride with xc guys and do moderate downhilling all with one bike.The weight is there but if you`re into not worrying about breakage this bike is the one.
Strengths: all the components are really strong, the bike is fast, very comfortable position that fits every riding style Life time warrantee on the frame... 3 piece cranks are awsome, Hayes 6'...
Weaknesses: double wides are not the best rims... after 3 weeks of use mine already hops, although it's my own fault the seat is a killer to ride long distances (too hard) grips are good for first 2 weeks, but it's best to change them Pins fall out from the vp pedals
Bottom Line:
The best bike i've ever ridden, took some time to get used to the position and the bars, but after that it's impossible to go back to any other bike. This bike can take lots of beating. Z5 seems to be working perfectly this is a great bike, i definitelly recomend it
Submitted by
Alex Barovich
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2001
Strengths: Strong frame, wicked components, strong parts,everything is stocked, wicked for north shore and woodlot freeriding, and esspecially urban, the price is sweet for the stuff you get.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
It does everything, can fit big tires, stong, price.
Bike Setup: 250cc with full hayes, double wides, fat tires, xt, race face components.
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Submitted by
Fergus Anderson
a Weekend Warrior
from Geelong, Victoria, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2001
Strengths: STRONG!! nice and small with huge tubes, great forks(Z5 qr20+) good stuff on it, and did i mention STRONG!!
Weaknesses: hard to fit any cranks other that profiles(need an adapter put in for mtb cranks) not much tyre clearence on the back with a 26" wheel.
Bottom Line:
made for slalom, but its good for anything. Who cares if it heavy and if they do then they are looking for an excuse for being crap because i've raced in state level XC and DH and i came in the top 5 in both. by the way, its strong. its great for freeriding like big drops and stuff also good for muckin' round on. if you are tough on frames get one of these just be sure not to get freakin rhyno lites!
Similar Products Used: 2001 Kona Chute, Planet X rad, norco torrent
Bike Setup: Bomber Z5 QR20+ bam brace 130mm, funn stem and saddle, rhyno lite rims (crap!) funn hubs, azonic bars and seatpost, full LX gears, truvative hussafelt cranks (need an adapter) kujo tyres, LX brakes and levers. thats about it.
Strengths: great in the air,good forks for the bike not to big not to small,brakes,20mm axle,bars & stem. PRICE it's cheaper than everyhting else
Weaknesses: it's weight 17.1kg although no-one at norco will tell you that, they just say they think it's about 14. it's tires are just to big! they make the 24 inch rear wheel basicaly 26 inches and changing them is a must unless on a downhill track.dmr chain guide plays up alot. cranks get loose doing big drops. not good for any riding up hill
Bottom Line:
great bike if you set it up to your needs, i use mine for gaps and street and have it set up for that, it's great for downhill and slalom i use it for racing and it rocks. i give it 5 out of 5
