Submitted by
stephan
a Downhiller
from windsor ontario canada
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2011
Strengths: strong welds on frame overall tuff bike not too light but its cuz of the front forks i like the way it handles downhill picks up mad speed
Weaknesses: yes everyone says the shock is dudbuds but its allright i still think it has plenty flex
Bottom Line:
this bike is a 8 out of ten its still strong the swing arm is stronger then a kona tube frames like a mokomoko and i like how it picks up speed when riding downhill i say this is a good bike overall holds its value and is a good bike to trail ride
Strengths: Norco ' 4X4 (first generation) Great travel, good angles,burly and strong frame.Awesome single track riding,dirt jump and downhill riding.
Weaknesses: weight (compare to today's slopestyle frame)
Bottom Line:
I did change the original rear vanilla R shock for the 08 fox float rear shock. Amazing difference. Dirt jump like any new slopestyle bike outthere for a fraction of the cost.
This bike is a damn good all around bike. It will take anything that you throw at it.
Weaknesses: the chain intends to fal off lots and the small travel shock
Bottom Line:
bottom line this bike is awsome i would recomend it to every one it is verry simmiler to the older fluid 3 and that bike was amazing but not the geomatry but the geomatry on the 4by is much better lands much better ect... Awsome bike verry strong!!!!!!
Bike handles great, comfertable, fast, light weight, strong and can take pretty much anything you throw at it and loves to jump aslo pretty good on drops.
Similar Products Used: specialized p.2 cromo, norco atomicnorco bigfoot.
Bike Setup: all coustom.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a
from Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2007
Strengths: Purchased as a frame only... I am simply amazed at the value. Very strong and solid, allows me to execute with confidence. Also the frame is DEAD SEXY! The travel is perfect too... I would also suggest running an 8 speed drivetrain, less issues.
Weaknesses: The stock Vanilla R is pretty bunk, I have upgraded to a Vanilla RC which has solved many issues. Finding a good replacement shock is very hard. It's a little heavy but it helps with stability... I am hearing about chainstays busting, so I am a little worried about that.
Bottom Line:
Great bang for the buck, certainly worth the $400 spent on it. I would suggest going out and finding a better shock though.
Similar Products Used: Nothing... This frame is in a league all of it's own!
Bike Setup: Z150 SL, RF Diabolus cranks, Alex 4X rims, Vanilla RC, Deore 8" frnt/rr w/Danger Boy levers, FUNN h-set and bars, Holzfeller stem
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a
from Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2007
Strengths: This frame handles all that I toss at it. It's as stable as a mountain goat and solid like a rock! The 4" of travel is perfect, the design is flawless. I ride the second version, better shock mount position and better chainstays.
Weaknesses: A little heavy, but it ends up being a good thing when it comes to hucking.
Bottom Line:
I bought this frame from a local shop for cost. This thing was a huge bang for the buck! As soon as I find anything wrong with it, I will post it. My suggestion would be to buy the second version...
Bike Setup: drop off fork, ditch witch rims with high roller tires, hayes mags with 8" rotors
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Kella
a Downhiller
from Toronto Ontario
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2006
Strengths: super strong frame, good wheels hubs rubber gearing brakes are average hayes and looks cool, short travel frame that is extremely under rated...kids all think they need 9 million inches travel to jump off their 15 foot drops and this frame will do it just fine without bottoming out and im 170 pounds. its super manuverable too
Weaknesses: the chain guide clamped on with the bb frequently comes loose... an easy fix tho, the fork is heavy, not plush at all but will take hits, stock spring weight cant be upgraded without upgrading the coil ring to a stronger alloy which was about 100 bucks.
Bottom Line:
gorgeous bike for any type of rider but kids mite have trouble whipping around such a heavy frame, the 2004 is dated but still a solid ride
Similar Products Used: santa cruz heckler, specialized big hit spec, Giant reign, azonic eliminator (not really comparable to a 4 by) the list goes on...and on and on
Bike Setup: z1 freeride 2 forks, race face x-type cranks and bb, hayes nine brakes 05 version, fox AVA rear shock with lock out, lock on grips, the total bill for the bike was 1650 including new fork after selling the old one, new rear shock, etc
Weaknesses: heavy,cheap materials,flimsy,poor design,horable components,made in taiwan not canada!!!
Bottom Line:
who ever wrote a good reveiw is a norco rep. or a complete dingbat.dont buy one like this dingbat has done and especially not from adeneline cyles unless you enjoy being jacked.I would rate it 0 if I could or -60 to make up for the lies from the other reviewers.
Submitted by
Big Stu
a Downhiller
from Abbotsford, B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2006
Strengths: The frame was excellent in all of it's disciplines, pushing me to go faster and go bigger until....
Weaknesses: SNAP I was riding at silver star with a buddy and I hit a 3 foot drop into roots. On impact, I heard a loud crunch and felt my bike go all jumpy. I looked down and both of my chainstays had snapped in half, not even on te weld! I had bottomed out on my chain.
Bottom Line:
I never thought I was going to say this, but I'm not buying another norco. Sure, I put my bike through hell and back with my downhill adventures, but theres no reason for a chainstay to just snap like that. If it had happened off of a large drop, I'd have been completely screwed. Perhaps a bigger travel bike is in order. Either way, now I'm out a frame.
Submitted by
Big Stu
a Weekend Warrior
from Abbotsford, B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2006
Strengths: The frame feels super solid and the suspension (with rc) its absloutely amazing for street and dh. Its perfect for me as a hartailer moving towards fullies.
Weaknesses: The frame lacks international standard chainguide mounts....you'd think norco would've addressed this issue by now, as most people use this bike for aggressive riding.
Bottom Line:
This is basically a review on the 2004 norco 4by4 frame, not the whole bike. Its an amazingly versatile frame with the big hit ability of a full on freerider and the nimbleness of hardtail. I love it.
Similar Products Used: norco fuse, norco team dh(all 04)
Bike Setup: norco 4x4 with super t, block 8 cranks, envy chainguide, hayes/magura, 26/24 wheels.....freeride spec
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Sam
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary,Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2005
Strengths: Kick A** frame Bars and stem wheel sets pretty darmn good
Weaknesses: cheap A** dirt jumper 3's and crapy Hays HFX, just day no haye's kids
Bottom Line:
Well i'm not gunna lie this bike has a ton of potential but those damn hayes brakes are killin me here, i've blown 'em out 2 times already, and have had to get my marzocchi rebuilt, i know that sounds really bad, but other than that its a GREAT bike, It has potential to be a fantastic all around bike little park, little north shore, little dj. Its a bike thaty has really progressed my riding alot and is great for building confidnece, i plan on up gradeing though, new brakes and mabeys a pike up front a DHX air in the back, this thing will be ready to rock and roll. I had trouble on single track at the start, because it takes a while to get used to the way this steed steers, I would say some one whose un sure about the rideing they want to do should buy this bike, It can go up hills just remeber, theres sooo much pride in pushing as long as you rip down, props to the boys at bow cycle once again, 4 flamin chillies on value for the cap dj 3's and hays but over all great bike
Similar Products Used: Sasquatch, Flow, Coiler, SIx
Bike Setup: Well kinda stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
athee_rob
a Weekend Warrior
from stlambert quebec canada
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2005
Strengths: frame is very solid, well though of, parts are extremeley solid, and pimp (the wheels :P) works well for downhill and is light enough for dirtjumps. looks sweet.
Weaknesses: the float r! it bottoms out VERY often on drops, even at 200 psi. but on downhills it works like a charm. and is a plus for dirtjumping cuz its very light. and there's a 9 speed cassette in the rear :( woulda been less troublesome with an 8, but its ok. the least little cable stretch or loosening screws it up, but you just pull on it and its ok again.
Bottom Line:
Nearly perfect, if it wasn't for the shock. And the tires. They are great urban/dirjump tires (DMR moto) but don't even go near a mountain with those unless you're suicidal. common sense...
its worth 2800 CDN, but i paid 2300. compared to another bike with sensibly the same components
Similar Products Used: davinci banzai, specialized bighit.. lots of hardtails, but those dont really count.
Bike Setup: all stock except for the tires (michelin) and the shock that im changing for a romic soon
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
jake robie
a Weekend Warrior
from canada B.C.
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2005
Strengths: almost everything
Weaknesses: none the pedals arn't the best
Bottom Line:
this bike is rock solid, it can take any size drop, it can be dirtjumped, hucked, urbanized, shore trailed, freerided, and even a little bit of xc. there is a little bit of petal bob when you are pedaling out of the seat but there is almost none when riding sitting down. most of my friends have five to six bikes an xc bike, freeride bike, road bike, a dirtjumper, an all mountain bike, and a downhill bike. But i only have three bikes an xc bike, a road bike and a 4x4!!! so get out there and buy a 4x4 and ride hard and ride free. also don't forget that if your not crashing your not riding hard enough!!!
