Submitted by
Freerider
a Weekend Warrior
from BC Date Reviewed: June 17, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Strengths:
great bike very plush and sturdy. Proven VPS linkage Lots of tire clearance Stable bike but lack nimbleness, probably due to long wheel base. 66VF has lots of tire clearance and low height but internal ajustment is inconvenient and not so effective - for a $3000+ (CDN) bike I would have expected at least external rebound ajustment.
Weaknesses:
Looong wheelbase makes tight low speed manoeuvre hard work. Weight - somewhat heavy for an alround freeride bike. Narrow rims for the intended purpose, wide rims keep low pressure tire more stable. Low riser bar (almost flat) needed to be changed rightaway. The SRAM X7 drive train shifts well but the rear derailleur is weak and the linkage will bend making some of the smallest gears unavailable until filing of the derailleur outside link.
Similar Products Used:
other VPS norco (A-line, fluid, six), Specialized big hit, Kona stinky
Bike Setup:
Stock except for Supra D rims and Holzfeller riser bar.
Bottom Line:
With the granny gear, telescopic post and efficient VPS likages the bike climbs well for a 45 pounds bike and descent very well particularely when the speed gets up. Nimbleness is not its strenght but it handles everything else. I bought the bike relying on my experience on other norcos and expected the good folks working their to do their homework and in general looking at the bike I think thay did a good job, the bike look awsome the components are pretty good for the money except rims and bar but the bike feels abit slow on tight stuff and I'm a bit desapointed there. Hard to figureout who they are targetting with the bike - it looks like a great freeride bike (single crown fork, granny gear) but the wheelbase is longer that their DH frame?!
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Overall Rating:
