Submitted by
RobCee
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand to NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2011
Strengths: For me it is a very versatile all-purpose bike. It isn't the best at anything, but it does everything. I have hurled myself through downhill trails and taken it on 50km (31mi) cross country races with decent performance all around.
The Hammerschmidt crank is really nice for on demand shift up without needing an extra larger ring. It keeps the profile low for rolling and bouncing over everything while still giving you more gearing options.
Elixir R 180mm brakes have given me absolutely no problems and have some serious stopping power.
Bomber 55 fork has a good bit of ride adjustment and is very progressive. It soaks up all of the little bumps and keeps the front wheel on the ground and never feels like it bottoms out on the really big, nasty hits.
The frame geometry fits me very well (6'2" 185lbs) and I feel quite comfortable at speed on it. You can get the seat up to a good pedaling height for climbing and then way down to be out of the way for descents.
The stock front hub feel really nice and has sealed cartridge bearings while being a no-name Norco badge. They spin forever with no play and little drag.
Weaknesses: Not Norco's fault but the bearings in the Hammerschmidt bottom bracket suck. They became quite loose after a year of riding. Truvativ went with some really odd sized bearings to fit the tight space so you can't buy good aftermarket replacements. I talked with 4 different bearing suppliers and they all thought I was crazy when I gave them the measurements. Instead you have to get the whole bottom bracket kit (spindle, bearings in cups, etc) to replace just the worn bearings.
The Hammerschmidt is also highly susceptible to chain suck in thick mud due to the small 22 tooth main ring. Because the chain is pretty well enclosed it cannot shed mud easily and I have ended up walking out of some trails that probably shouldn't be ridden on anyway.
The stock pedals have a lot of grip, but are just no-name Wellgo knock-offs with open bearings and non-replaceable pins. After a few months of use one pedal is loose and the other is crunchy feeling when spun.
The rear hub is open cage bearings that you need to play around with the cones to keep things tight and spinning smooth.
Bottom Line:
I really like this bike but it probably isn't for everyone. I got it because I could only have one bike where I was and I wanted to do everything on it. It did exactly that.
I gave it 4 chilis because it is on the expensive side (for some people's taste) for a heavy hardtail but it must be noted that there are a lot of really good components on there that made it worth the price.
5 chilis for overall because I really like how it performs and I feel that I have gotten the most enjoyment out of this bike than anything else I have ever owned.
Bike Setup: Stock components, nothing has gone yet besides the bottom bracket bearings which I will just have to deal with to keep the Hammerschmidt which I have grown really fond of.
Weaknesses: heavy,
front end is really steep even with the large fork so it handles bad at speed.
bars are hevier than thoes on the trials motorbike
seat broke
forks broke
has a 150mm rear hub which is unnecessary
so called strong rear hub fell to bits and is unserviceable
geometry of a 15 year old downhill bike
riding possition is awkward to pedal
pedals broke
no chain device
grips crap
little or no confidence in the front end as it washes out easily.
bottom bracket bearings wore out
the thing is so dam stiff that you feel every bump
Bottom Line:
I don't understand who thinks this is a good bike? it fits into no category
street-fork too big
trail-too heavy crap pedaling position
dh- steerer angle too steep, fork to big so it squats at the front and gets even steeper in a compression.
2008 norco Rampage. Tough as nails. Have thrown this bike down some trails with a mate of mine. He's on an 07 Santa Cruz and can barely keep up. No damage yet, but not through lack of trying. This bike is awesome!!!
Submitted by
Cor-Mon
a Downhiller
from Bend, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2008
Strengths: Frame is super burley! Who needs a Dualie with hardtails this bad ass.
Weaknesses: Like most production bikes, stock components tend to suck...
Bottom Line:
My Rampage is an '04 and I'm going into my 4th season riding this beast. I'm not sure this frame will ever need retirement, just too damn burly! Even with huge wrecks, no dings or dents, just warpaint wounds on the paint job. Since then I have ridden alot of newer bikes and at the end of the day, nothing beats my Rampage! I find to ride a FS bike in the same category as the Rampage, you give up alot of performance to have that extra cush over the rough stuff and drops. I'd rather suck up the hits, keep my performance and have a lower maintance bike. I believe since the '04 model Norco has changed some angles and frame materials on the new Rampages, but hands down, this bike kicks ass! I've done alot of upgrades and somehow made it heavier! Mines weighing at 42 pounds right now. My biggest dilema is, to put a 888 on the front or not. Hmmmmmm
Similar Products Used: Morphine, Sasquatch, Shore series
Bike Setup: Lots of upgrades...
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bobby Campbell
a Weekend Warrior
from Courtice
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2007
Strengths: Is constantly being ridden by Bobby Campbell
Weaknesses: It is the Colour of Poo, Its owned by matt leblanc
Bottom Line:
Matt WHY DID YOU PUT HOLY ROLLERS ON A RAMPAGE YOUR MY BEST FRIEND IN ALL BUT YOU SPED YOU SHOULD HAVE KEPT THE KENDA NEVAGALS I I BOUGHT OFF OF YOU FOR 37 DOLLARS FOR BOTH THEN I WENT AND SOLD THEM FOR 50 DOLAARS!!!!!
Similar Products Used: Specialized hard rock comp.
Bike Setup: Bobby the hardrock is not a bad bike and thanks alot for SELLING MY TIRES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Shane Kwong
a Weekend Warrior
from Mississauga, Ontario
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2007
Strengths: Everything so far, i just bought it last night(2006 rampage). I love the frame and fork(Marchozzi dropoff2).
Weaknesses: Just the seat as of now, uncomfortable, but i guess it's not meant to be sat on for along time anyways.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike! I got this bike on sale for $1400.00(before tax), normally $1700.00(CAD). Looks great, feels strong and gives confidence. Definately worth the money. 5 flamin chiles because you get a lot for your money and the bike itself is awsome.
Submitted by
Caleb Reich
a
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2007
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is simple. This is an awesome, strong bike. Mines a 2005, I have all custom parts, however, the frame is amazing also. Very strong, great bike to go out and have fun.
Submitted by
Josh Wolfe
a Downhiller
from Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2007
Strengths: Bombproof frame, fork is amazing and very tunable, awesome performance.
Weaknesses: I would have liked to have a little more travel, singletrack rims aren't strong, it's heavy but you get used to that. Also my alivio front derailleur is messed and has to be adjusted before every ride.
Bottom Line:
This is the 2005 model so you can get an amazing deal on it- it's a great bike for the money. Just upgrade the rims and the front derailleur and it's the best downhill freeride hardtail out there. Amazing performance, tracks well, easy to handle once you're used to the wieght. It very stable in the air and it looks great too. I highly reccomend you get this bike ifyou ride hardtail downhill and freeride, as well as dirt jumping .The only thing better is probably a morphine- but with better rims and derailleur, the rampage is WAY CHEAPER. Definatley nothing better in looks. performance and especially value.
Bike Setup: stock with MTX rims and am upgrading derailleur soon.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jack
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia Q.L.D
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2006
Strengths: frame, forks, everything!
Weaknesses: nothing so far but would like to upgrade to maxxis tyres
Bottom Line:
I would recomend this bike to anyone who wants to get into downhilling or freeriding. It is a beast, it feels unbreakable it is fairly cheap can take big jumps with ease and gives you heaps more confidence to go bigger.
Similar Products Used: norco sasquach and manic and few other hardtails
Bike Setup: stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Evan Tozer
a Weekend Warrior
from Mississauga ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2006
Strengths: Nice components, super strong frame, brown is a sick colour.
Weaknesses: yeah it's heavy I guess, but it's perfectly suited for what its meant for, a good downhill/freeride hardtail, good luck braking it. Not a huge fan of the fork, but for the price not bad
Bottom Line:
I love my bicycle, if you're super conscious about weight get something else, if you wanna have fun and go big without worrying too much about damage (to the bike anyways) here's a good option
Submitted by
Gallant Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from North Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2005
Strengths: Reviewing 2005 model. Z1 FR2's are damn nice...solid! 150x12mm rear is solid and tracks well. SEXY looking bike!!!
Weaknesses: Singletrack rims are absolute rubbish if you want to do anything more than aggressive trails riding, rear rim blew out on 4 footers. Truvativ husselfelt cranks are pretty weak, and thread strip easily. After the first 25hours of riding, I pulled apart my forks and found metal fillings left in the damper leg (right)... The front kenda tyre doesn't tack very well on corners.
Bottom Line:
I paid about US$1300 for the bike initially, and then spent another US$600 upgrading/fixing it... but it's turned out to be an absolute bomb proof bike!
Out of the box it's a fantastic bike. But with a few upgrades here and there, and a few personal touches :thumbsup:
However, if you have the money get the Torrent. I would have saved a fair bit of money if I had done that... but now my bike's better than a torrent, bar the forks.
i've read from reliable sources that the SC compound is the shiznit for wet terrain, yet it's not available for the 29er version of the rampage. pity. so i figure i'll send a fri Read More »
I'm currently using 29" Panaracer Rampage 2.35 tires @ 30psi on flow rims. They are great in almost every condition, except when climing on slick rocks and roots at slow speeds. Read More »
I am looking to upgrade the stock tires on my x-cal.
I ride western PA. It's generally has a combination of roots, rocks, hills, and some mud. Mostly all single track.
I like t Read More »
I could have sworn that MTBR posted this up but I didnt see it on the main page. Anyways this is a sick video with Big Bikes, Guns, sword fighting and a slick edit from Travis Fan Read More »
