Submitted by
ron m.
a Weekend Warrior
from Alameda CA
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2011
Strengths: This is for a 2009 Norco Atomik.
1) affordable price (considered an entry level bike, $3K, http://www.bikepedia.com/QUICKBIKE/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2009&Brand=Norco&Model=Atomik&Type=bike)
2) burly
3) decent component spec for entry level bike
Weaknesses: 1) heavy at 4.27 lbs, small frame
2) some cheap bits... chainguide for example
3) interrupted seat tube dictates how low you can drop the seatpost
4) DHX-3.0 rear coil with limited adjustment... no real compression dampening
Bottom Line:
Practically a steal based on the bike I got for the price I paid for. Way too much bike for my skill set too... although as a beginner, it's saved my ass from newbie mistakes. Very stable at speed, soaks up bumps and isn't twitchy especially when thigs get steep. Not a bad bike to do jumps on (small ones for me anyway).
Submitted by
bungholious
a Weekend Warrior
from northern ireland
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2011
Strengths: soft even suspension, rides like a beast free and untamed, hard to break urslf and im not a great rider. ultra forgiving soaks up everthing u can through at it. good balance high clearance awsome stopping power the list goes on.
Weaknesses: me. the bike does everthing u try- u just need the nads to do more than me.a little hard to cycle on the flat, but im fat so me rather than the bike.
Bottom Line:
love it love it love it. awsome bike all round, couldnt fault it. just hold on and enjoy the rush.
Bike Setup: straight from shop i never changed a thing didnt need to.
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Submitted by
hisham
a Downhiller
from safi, Morocco
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2010
Strengths: the frame is amazingly strong, and the suspention is precise, great geometry, the bike doesn't care about big rocks even with speed...
Weaknesses: the high axel of the rear suspention, with time u feel some little movement when u lift the bike from the ground, and not eazy to control for beginners especialy in the air not eazy to do tricks with it...
Bottom Line:
i was ridin at night at 45 km/h whene i was stopped sudenly by a chain that was on the entry of a parking the crash was so strong that the chain was ripped off... this isn't a bike it's a truck...http://www.mtbr.com/CaneCreekContestcrx.aspx
Bike Setup: marzocchi super t, supra bh pro wheels, fox dhx air shok, kenda front tire, maxxis rear, hayes 9 bracks, shimano saint krank, black spire chain guide, shimano xtr rear mesh & shifter,
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Submitted by
moneyshot2555
a Downhiller
from windsor on canada
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2009
Strengths: GOOD PLUSH FRAME TRAVEL, AWESOME FRONT TRAVEL SINCE I MODIFIED FROM SUPER T'S TO BOXXER WC'S. HANDLES WELL DOWN THE MOUNTAIN WITH LOTS OF CUSHION, SO I GUESS THATS WHAT ITS 90% ABOUT.
Weaknesses: WEIGHT, BUT I'M STRONG SO I DOESN'T BOTHER ME. LOW END SPECS, SO I CHANGED THEM.
Bottom Line:
IT'S A SICK BIKE NOW THAT I'VE UPGRADED THE SPECS TO AN ALINE PARK EDITION. THATS WHAT I ALWAYS DO WITH THESE BIKES, BY THE CHEAPEST SPECED BIKE AND UPGRADE WHEN I NEED TOO, OR WHEN I CAN GET A GOOD PRICE ON SOMETHING HERE A THERE, SO I BUY AN ATOMIK AND TWO YEARS LATER ITS A TEAM DH
Bike Setup: 2006 FRAME W/DHX 3.0 COIL, 2009 BOXXER WC, HAYES 9, X7 X5 DER SHFTR, SRAM PG-970 CASS, TITEC HELLBENT SADDLE, E THIRTEEN BASH GUARD OVER HUSSELFELT. STOCK WHEELSET.
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Submitted by
shoei4460
a Weekend Warrior
from vic, australia
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2009
Strengths: i rode my mates 08 atomik and it basically is the most user friendly dh bike ive ever ridden. its a bit sluggish to start with but once you get it going theres no stopping it.
Weaknesses: easily the rear shock. i rode it when it had the original dhx 3.0 and it was like riding a kmart bike.
Bottom Line:
definately a great bike to learn on as it wont punish you too much for any mistakes. this said its also a very competitive bike so its not just for the beginners but also the more experienced riders
Similar Products Used: norco a-line, kona stab gabranzo
Bike Setup: atomik with dhx 5.0, rock shox boxxer teams
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Submitted by
luc0005
a Downhiller
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2009
Strengths: The bike first of all looks mean, it is the most forgiving bike i have ever riden, it will get you out of any bad situation. the bike looks absolutely terrific. i have riden my 07 atomik for over 2 years without any problems it really is a terrific bike to ride. best downhill bike in my oppinion.
Weaknesses: none really can't say weight because well it's a downhill bike weight isn't really an issue if your going downhill. i really don't think there is anything wrong with this bike even after 2.5years of harsh riding it is still the best bike ever, this however only applies to people that make sure to maintain there bikes like i have, ie a wash after every ride and the recommended servicings.
Bottom Line:
this is the best downhill bike i have ever had, riden and looked at. if your are looking for a good solid downhill bike that is forgiving, looks awesome and will last you then i recommend the 2007 model norco atomik.
Similar Products Used: Norco Aline 07, Specialized Demo8 07, Kona Stinky 07, Norco Shore 07
Bike Setup: i did modify my atomik though, i put a E.Thirteen Supercharger bashring on it which disagreed with the box guide and thus i took off half the box guide and rebuilt from hand a beautiful alluminum boxguide that was just a bit thinner than the original. i also changed the pedals to Da Bomb Napalms.
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Submitted by
Skullhammer
a Downhiller
from Prince George, B.C.
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2008
Strengths: tough frame, good running gear(mine is mostly upgraded), bike carries a smooth ride and options for parts to be changed in and out. flipped my bike awhile ago and it hit a tree at 20kph and had nothing wrong with it
Weaknesses: chain on my bike tends to fall off and lodge into the front derailer(not always awesome when flying down a hill) other then that nothing i've noticed
Bottom Line:
the bike is awesome, the weight that it carries allows for a rider to not have to put much of an effort in when riding alot of trail obstacles, the landing is very smooth and the bike makes no strange rattles or anything on the landing impact. overall i've love this bike from the moment i sat on it, even though it almost killed me a few days ago haha
Similar Products Used: none, i used to skateboard and ride bmx for a few years. first time on a bike since 2005.
Bike Setup: norco atomik frame, marzocchi bomber 888 vf from suspension, fox dhx 3.0 air pump to coil spring rear shock, husselfelt 3 piece crank with sealed internal bearings....other things, but the bike is currently getting maintained so i can't give much more info
Strengths: +it's bombproof +it looks good +it's really smooth to ride +it's good value for the money paid for it (by comparrison to the kona stinky) +has tonnes of travel +big frame +really hard to fall off it (but that might just be me) +parts on it are awesome +tires are super gripy +it's a norco
Weaknesses: -pedals, just get some DMR v8's. -grips, get odi ruffians but when are grips and pedals ever good when they come standard on a bike.
Bottom Line:
This bike is the most awesome bike ever. i wish to be burried with mine when i die. moving to this from a kona stinky was the best choice of my life, this is much much better and cost less. pretty much this is an awesome bike that will let you do just about everything. i have taken it off huge stuff and it didn't even show a sign of stress.
Submitted by
Torquemada
a
from Adelaide, South Australia
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2007
Strengths: *This review is for the 08 Atomik* Bombproof frame, plush suspension, VALUE FOR MONEY! Also note that the Atomiks that just shipped have a much beefier top rear shock mount than indicated on Norco's pics and the bar that the bottom of the rear shock connects to is now the same as what is on the A-Line, A-Line Park and Team DH. Seriously, you could ride this bike over the f*%king alps and not feel a thing. If Jesus came back, he'd huck it in a Norco. Discussion over.
Weaknesses: Paintjob (but if you turned down a ride like this because it's silver and green, you're not a rider; you're a showpony). Needs some protection for the granny-ring (like the Blackspire on the A-Line). The major weakness with this bike is that you don't get a naked supermodel with it.
Bottom Line:
I haven't been riding for 9 months so my riding sucks. This bike forgives my technical failings and holds my hand while I get my mental game sorted out. The 08 Atomik is a cost-effective unit that will give the new riders a chance to progress faster and experienced riders a reliable ride that will do everything they want and more. The only thing you won't get when you buy this bike, is post-purchase regrets.
Strengths: Bike has tons of travel which is fully adjustable, good solid frame which rides really well, bike is really well built a think it would take a lot to break one
Bottom Line:
Bike can handle anything you throught at it freeride/downhill/cruising. For this price you cant go wrong!
Strengths: The frame is designed by Specialized FSR, and the pedaling force is independent from the suspension. It also has some open oil bath triple clamp forks with air assist so it is super smooth and can take almost what ever you can through at it. The medium frame is about the size of a large frame in Scott terms, so it is good for Aussies because we are rather big people. The whole thing is one hell of a tough bike and should meet any challenge with ease.
Weaknesses: it weighs about 21kg, because of the box guide and the oil forks and some of the other heavier stronger components, and the rebound adjust knob on the Foxshock on the rear suspension is small in comparison to the Scott Ransom’s knob which can easily be adjusted.
Bottom Line:
A great bike with top shelf parts and able to take anything you should be able to throw at it, I myself have taken it off 3m drops with ease. Really soft suspension all around too.
