In 2009 Norco has completely revamped its DH line. Using the same hydroformed frame with adjustable 8-9inch of rear travel as the A-line Park edition and DH Frame the lower spec’d Aline makes up this worthy trio. Coming in three sizes for 2009 I was on the small frame which was a good fit for me for downhill riding. Continue reading →
Submitted by
pinkmtb
a Weekend Warrior
from Southbury,ct USA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2011
Strengths: Very cushy, and strong. The weight works in its favor
Weaknesses: Cheap products used on the base model, Im going to upgrade to Shimano stuff.
Bottom Line:
I love the bike ! Its very fast and can take anything you throw at it. Up table tops, down steep terrain, big rocks and roots, it just isnt stopping this bike. Very sturdy solid feel.
Submitted by
Twowheels87
a Downhiller
from Trenton, Ontario. Canada
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2011
Strengths: Amazing bike, Great price, 5 year frame warranty. I've taken this bike off 8 foot drops. hit huge square edge bumps at high speeds, I can ride up a set of stairs no problem. Suspension will just allow you to roll up a stair case. My bike has been to Camp fortune ottawa, Blue mountain collingwood, Killington vermont, whiteface lake placid. The bike ripped up the trail "cliffs of insanity" at whiteface. Will soon be taking it to Whistler BC in July 2011. as well as silver star BC.
Weaknesses: Seat post and seat mount. Although I think the store i bought it from swapped the seat out for a cheaper quality one. So thats why it wasnt good.
Bottom Line:
Best Bike I've ever ridden. Its a Tank. Heavy? yes but your going DH so who cares?
Strengths: really good value bike stronge enought to throw about on the dh tracks riding of cliffs or even on the odd dirt jump
Weaknesses: rims are very week and the spokes dont last very long on the more brutal tracks
the frame is very wide and the paint rubs off just bellow the seat post around the shock and the frame is very heavy
Bottom Line:
although their are better bikes out there you will strugle to find one that is as good a value for money
Bike Setup: 2006 norco aline
2009 888 ATA WC(white)
MTX rims(White)
avid code 203mm brakes (White)
scram X9 drivetrain
onlything stock is the rear shock but has be rebuilt
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
P Jay
a Weekend Warrior
from Cardiff, Wales
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2008
Strengths: Strong as a Ox. Robust parts (aside from below). About the cheapest full DH bike you can buy (in the UK anyway). A perfect L-plate 8"'er
Weaknesses: Standard grips died in hours which isn't a major drama. Standard chainset kept coming loose, which was. Standard brakes aren't really up to DH. Sub frame hits the frame at full travel. The frame is very wide where it attaches to the seat post. Rubbed all the paint from there very early on.
Bottom Line:
I really liked my A-line but it's very heavy and has minimal adjustment. Actually jumps better than my Cove Shocker but doesn't handle as well.
A really good first 8"'er that can easily take the knocks that come with learning to ride a big travel bike over tough terrain.
Most of my spec issues have be resolved by the new park edition.
Bike Setup: Marzocchi 888 RCV, FOX DHX.3, Sun rims S-type, Avid Code 5's, Sram X.7
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brad Wheeler
a Downhiller
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2007
Strengths: super strong weight works pretty good stock lots of travel good warrnety looks cool(i use mine to pick up chicks) is made in Canada :D
Weaknesses: rims are garbage and should be replaced RIGHT AWAY(i spent alot of time not riding because of them) the derailluers okay i guess its not very strong though and will probably need to be replaced soon enough
Bottom Line:
the bike is amazing and its great for any level of riding and i think you should go out and get one right now or atleast before you wanna go serious riding becuase it will help you sooooo much and then you can show her off to all your buddies
Similar Products Used: Rocky Mountain Switch, Cove Playmate
Bike Setup: Stock only with eight tracks and a x9 derailleur
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Angus Murray
a Downhiller
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2007
Strengths: nice and plush. takes on anything. good adjustability of 888s and dhx3.0. very good value for money!
Weaknesses: Small bolt on chainstay lost its threading - easily replaced. Seat post may hit seat stay under compression if it is too low. after riding a hardtail, the weight is like riding two bikes at once. but who rides up hills anyway...
Bottom Line:
defo a good bike to get into dh racing on. excellent value for money. all parts are great.
to sum it up: passers by give u thumbs up/high fives...
Strengths: plush and ready to go really fast, can take some big hits and your feets won't jump off the pedals
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
this bike his really cool to ride and can handle about anything for me. The stock tires Kenda Nevagal are really nice they stick like a bubblegum on asphalt in about any condition iv'e tried (dirt, roots, wet wood, rocks and even in a snowy ski slope here and they control great) !! :)
Strengths: built like a tank! ride into anything and it will take it. 9" in the rear is really more than you will need, but so nice to have.
Weaknesses: some stock parts, but nothing that should cause somebody to not buy the bike. brakes work only when warmed up, and the rear tire comes up into the seat when using most of the travel (24" rear tire fixed that)
Bottom Line:
if you are looking for a bike to go UP a hill, look elsewhere. if you are looking for a bike to rip down anything, anytime, anywhere, you are looking at the right bike.
Similar Products Used: specialized big hits, other dh bikes of similar style)
Bike Setup: 2006. well, front 26" and rear 24" sun mag 30's, sram x9, answer pro tapers, harder front and rear springs.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Will
a Downhiller
from Cheltenham, gloucestershire, UK
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2007
Strengths: Fantastic DH and freeride bike, i've been able to set the suspension up exactly how i want it and i cant really think of much to fault it for!
Weaknesses: on the first ride out, the spokes on the rear wheel started snapping on any kind of landing to a jump no matter how smooth it was...it turned out to be a faulty set of spokes though, so they were replaced for free and it has been fine since!
Bottom Line:
Brilliant bike. Have been saving my (english!!) pennys for three years for one of these and its been worth every one of them and the long wait. its improved my riding and enjoyment of biking no end!
Strengths: this is my frist true DH bike and i love it. this is a very good bike i had no probs so far with it. beside the chain breaking but that was my fault lol forgot ggreace the lil ****er.
Weaknesses: none so far..... beside the chain. no prob it was cheap to fix.
Pardon the pun.
I really liked the MT70 shoes from Shimano. Snug fit, great heel cup, tight enough around the top to keep the dirt out, stiff, and Gore-Tex. So, I of course wore Read More »
I'm doing a build on a 2009 norco aline. I just have a couple of questions about the rear suspension and spring choice. First, is the four bar or horst link suspension on the norco Read More »
ive got a pal with a '09 a-line on the way and i cant seem to find any specs on the bolt on items for it anywhere. i need all the standard stuff as i will help him spec it and buil Read More »
im building a a-line for a new dh'er but hes in need of some 12.7mm 8x42 and 12.7mm 8x56 reducers for a romic twin tube rear shock. romic lost its machine shop vendor and wont have Read More »
