Submitted by
Steve
a Downhiller
from Toronto ON Canada
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2003
Strengths: Strong frame, awesome component spec for the $$, unreal braking power, Monster triple, big and ugly, $3300 canadian!
Weaknesses: My bike came with an improperly dished rear wheel, so it now rubs on the drive side chainstay but I think my shop will take care of this for me. I've heard some bad things about the Alex rims but I'll give them a chance and see for myself. The rear tire clearance truly sucks but I knew this and its not news to anybody. Will make you fell invincible and you will beat and batter yor body into pulp.
Bottom Line:
This is the best and most fun bike I have ever owned. She is big, strong and burly. This bike will take just about anything you through at it and ask for more. I'm 5'11", 200 lbs and I've done five footers to flat concrete with no problems and 8-9 foot drops to transition easy. There is no reason to complain about the weight of the monster as it balances out the bike nicely and inspires supreme confidence to go big. I have only had the bike for a couple of weeks and can honestly say it has made me a way better rider. It is so stable at low speeds it make you feel like you can do anything. Rides skinnies so sweetly and will eat anything in its path (including homeless people who lay across the sidewalk in filthy sleeping bags at 2:00 P. M.). Awesome bike, awesome value. Unfortunately my rear wheel was improperly dished from the start so it now rubs a little on the back but I believe the shop guys will take care of it for me.
Similar Products Used: Big Hit, Norco Team DH, Gemmini, Bullit
Bike Setup: Small stock 2002 Shore w/ 2002 monster
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Justin Smith
a Downhiller
from Santa Cruz, CA
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2003
Strengths: Burly all-around, tracks great, takes drops with ease, little petal bob, plush suspension.
Weaknesses: Rear tire clearance a little weak.
Bottom Line:
Great all around. Durable and capable or anything you can throw at it. Shiver is a perfect match for the plush 6 inches in the rear and allows for a great ride.
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Shiver dc, Kenda 2.6 f/r, axiom post, primo petals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Marc Fortier
a Cross Country Rider
from Squamish, B.C Canada
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2002
Strengths: Quick handling and nimble for a big bike Super-stable and tracks like it's on rails Efficient 4-bar linkage
Weaknesses: Limited rear tire clearance Noisy frame Telescopic seat post
Bottom Line:
This bike is a blast! I didn't want such a big freeride beast, but the price was right so I went for it. A little cumbersome for an all-round hardcore trail bike, but once you've got gravity working with you, this bike eats it up. I can't believe how nimble it is on tight steep technical trails. A good amount of work to get it uphill, but the efficient rear linkage means you don't lose any power. The one place I've found it sucks is when trying to go fast on level trails that have lots of bumps and roots - the suspension just doesn't seem to work with the terrain. But uphill technical climbing is great.
Bike Setup: Stock, except longer stem and narrower bars
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ky
a Downhiller
from Ladysmith, B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2002
Strengths: This Bike is Pretty damn good. The suspension feels nice, and after a long history of breaking off my derailler, this bike is like a little slice of heaven. With my 145 lbs this bike takes the drop offs and hard riding nicely.
Weaknesses: Not much, cept the back tires clearance is a little blah!
Bottom Line:
Nice bike thats a good ride and plenty of fun with few, minor drawbacks. Buy this if your looking for qa good ride that can take some punishment on some crazy trails
Bike Setup: Good default setup but i switched the stem... i was bored. Put on some new bush bars wich kicked a$$ gotta love those Hydraulic disc brakes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Travis Jackman
a Downhiller
from Langley, British Columbia, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 18, 2002
Strengths: -Strong Frame -Monster T goes perfectly with the bike -Awesome specs
Weaknesses: -2.5 Mobster is way too wide for the rear -Cranks creak like mad -DX32 rims come out of true and flatspot very easily
Bottom Line:
Awesome freeriding and DH machine. Some parts could be changed to make the bike even sweeter than it already is. All round awesome bike. Best investment I have ever made.
Bike Setup: 2002 Norco VPS Shore, 2002 Marzocchi Monster T, RaceFace NorthShore cranks, 24" rear Sun double track, 24" 2.7 Mobster, front Vuelta Excaliber rim 26" with 2.5 Mobster, Funn bars and stem, 8" hayes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
kris
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton,Alberta,Canada
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2002
Strengths: I need some help i am trying to get into dh and i don't have a good enuff bike to talk the punishment of the big drops. But my family don't see the point of it and cant see why i would need it, can anyone give me some "reasons" that i could use to get them on my side? like i have said that it will take the punishment, cause my present bike breaks all the time and it is now off warrenty.
Bottom Line:
I need some help i am trying to get into dh and i don't have a good enuff bike to talk the punishment of the big drops. But my family don't see the point of it and cant see why i would need it, can anyone give me some "reasons" that i could use to get them on my side? like i have said that it will take the punishment, cause my present bike breaks all the time and it is now off warrenty
Submitted by
Stuch
a Downhiller
from Adelaide SA Australia
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2002
Strengths: everything that was in my old review plus i cant believe how good this bike is ive had some big stacks on it nothing bad happened ive done 7-8 foot drops and haven't bottomed out the back (6" is good enough)looks sick and brakes are awesome i cant believe how good these rims are ive put them through some hard stuff and nothing wrong at all
Weaknesses: nothing for those of you who think its heavy its not heavy you're just not strong enough
Bottom Line:
still an awesome bike nothing compares with this bike its such good value and its so strong and sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet
Purchased At: trak cycles marion (price above is aus)
Bike Setup: stock just put thicker oil in forks cause they bottomed out a bit now they're good
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
David Esau
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey, B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2002
Strengths: Great bike for heavy riders, I weight 230 lbs and I only need a 700lbs spring to work great. Front fork was a bit flexy for my weight so I upgraded to a Shiver and am loving it regardless of the bad reviews about flex.(I will review the fork separetely).
Weaknesses: Rear chainstay is to short. Norco admitts this is a factory mistake and new lower arms are being made at no cost to bike owner. Rear tire barely fits (2.5x 26) but is perfect for a 24" wheel. This is not to bad cause will be fixed free,only other weahness is that it climbs like a lead pig but I didn't buy it climb.
Bottom Line:
great frame and even better parts for the money, 4299.00Can with the Shiver. I looked around a lot to find a bike I could urban, freeride, and downhill with while confident that it could handle my weight 230lbs. 3 Bikes came forward Specialized Big Hit, Brodie Devo, and VPS Shore. the others are great bikes but could not compare in value in Norco. The VPS wheelies and manuals like a dream which is great for hucking drops but was still stable on the downhill. For a heavy bike it rides light and hops amazingly well for the urban stuff, just don't point it uphill (shuttle).Great for a heavy rider who wants a bike that has been proved by time and still goes strong and its Canadian -eh.
Bike Setup: stock except for Shiver with extra heavy springs, 700lbs spring in rear and a 2.6 Gazz Jr. on front.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2002
Strengths: Awsome all around bike!! I was riding a 2001 Buzz VPS for the past year and a bit. It was set up with Hydro's and 6 inch Jr T's, so it was not at all stock. I am sooooooo pleased with my new ride that I have been on it almost ever since I got it!! I can land the stuff I was wary of before, it has given me a whole new level of confidence! The rear suspension is so plush and the RC shock is the bomb!
Weaknesses: Hmmmmmm, er, ahhhh, none yet!
Bottom Line:
Sick Bike!!
This is one of the nicest bikes I have ever owned! I bought it as a frameset and built it with the parts from my other VPS. I am more than pleased with it's jumping and landing performance, it is soooooo plush and sweet, I cant wait to pop a set of Boxxers or whatever on the front!! Buy this bike and you will never be disapointed (unless weight is a factor). Cheers'
Similar Products Used: RM Pipeline, VPS Buzz, VPS Team DH, AC-1, RM7, Stinky.
Bike Setup: 2001 6" Jr T, Shimano XT Hydro DIsks, Fr=Mavic d521 36 hole on XT with Gazz Jr,Rear= 24" Tioga DH wheel on Axiom Hub with Maxis High Roller2.7", Black Spire NS-1 Chainguide, FSA V Drive Extreme ISIS Cranks with Envey Bash guard, XT Rear Derauler, RooX Torque bar with ODI lock-on's, Titec Berserker Saddle.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
ANDY HATTON
a Downhiller
from THORNTON
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2002
Strengths: ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT BIKE. STICKS WERE ITS SUPPOSED TO STICK LOVES THE DROPS AND THE JUMPS. MY CONFIDENCE AND ABILITY SINCE PURCHASING THIS BIKE HAS SOARED.........LOVE IT
Weaknesses: REAR TYRE IS TO LARGE FOR THE REAR SWING ARM. I HAD TO CUT THE KNOBS DOWN A BIT OFF THE SIDES. BUT THAT WOULD BE ALL.
Bottom Line:
LOVE IT, COULDNT BE HAPPIER WITH A BIKE WITHIN THIS PRICE RANGE. DONT HESITATE.
Bike Setup: ALL STANDARD OTHER THAN THE BIKE CAME WITH AXION SINGLE RING CHAIN GUIDE
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Stuch
a Downhiller
from Adelaide SA Australia
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2002
Strengths: - price ($4200 Australian, its normally around 5500 which is a good price already) - frame, Norco don't miss a thing - suspension, super t's and fox RC (sooooooo smooth and they haven't even broken in properly) - top quality parts, R/F NS DH cranks, xt components, maxis tires (gotta love'm) - it has the mother of all handle bars and stem (funn parts whoop up) - seatpost inside the seatpost (a must for this frame) - the guys at Trak Cycles Marion are the best they helped me fine tune this beast and worked overtime for an extra hour just so it was working at its best - wheelies and tricky stuff on this bike is a piece of cake - geometry is perfect - anything else I havn't mentioned
Weaknesses: - didn't come with a doctor for when you break yourself - apart from that absolutely jack sh*t
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE KICKS ASS Any bad stuff that other people have said about this bike is not true, the pedals are grippy as, and the seat is hell nice nothing is crap on this bike. I love this thing and although I haven't properly been downhilling on it yet I've been to dirt jumps and did some urban stuff this thing gives you sooooo much confidence, you point out something to your friends they say its impossible not on the shore its not. 5 flamin' Chillis for this cause there aint nothing better in the world at this price.
Favorite Trail: anything with chutes, jumps and drops
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4200.00
Purchased At: trak cycles marion (they rock)
Similar Products Used: Norco Atomik, Kona Stinky
Bike Setup: completely stock except here in Australia we get a axiom DH chain guide
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Pat Hunter
a Downhiller
from Renton, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2002
Strengths: Rad parts spec, super tough, reliable, predictable handling and not too heavy. Fun to ride anywhere as well. The adjustability is nice.
Weaknesses: Crappy rear tire clearance, soft springs some factory. IT could use another inch in the rear to make the fork feel more balanced.
Bottom Line:
Rad bike. It's a ton of fun no matter what you're riding. I've ridden the Shore and Ive gone DHing at the local places, plus Ive ridden tons of street and it's handled everything superbly. Rad value, as well.
Similar Products Used: Bullit, VPS Launch, RM7, Balfa 2step, Specialized Big Hit, etc
Bike Setup: '02 Shore with Monster, stock wheels, 2.7 Intense front, Bonty Crowbar w/ MacNeil stem, NS-1 guide with 32t ring, 8" Hayes, RF NSXS cranks, etc
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kris Mcphee
a Downhiller
from Blue River, B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2002
Strengths: Indesrtuctable frame, good stock spec's, 8" rotors
Weaknesses: Grip shift, weight, pedals
Bottom Line:
This is a good bike. It shines going down. Not very impressive riding around on the street; seems heavy, hard to pedal really fast, feels big. As soon as you get dropped off at the top, ('cause if you're like me you don't really want to pedal your ass to the top) you realise why you dropped the fat coin to get what must surely be one of the ultimate freeride bikes of all time. The weight disappears as soon as you commit. The brakes are impressively stong with good modulation. Drops are effortless at speed. I have yet to get used to slow-speed wheelie drops on account of the sweet but heavy Super T's, but with practise it shouldn't be a problem. Aren't these bikes made for Shore-Style slow-speed huckin' anyway? The suspension feels just fine for my weight, 145 lb, heavier riders might want to consider a stiffer spring as I've be able to bottom out in the softer setting. For such a high end bike it would be nice to have some better pedals (cheap BMX er's), and some matching XT rapidfire for the front derailleur. The shore also looks really cool.
Bike Setup: Stock: Fox Vanilla RC w/6.1" travel, Marzocchi Super T's, Race Face DH cranks, Hayes 8", good rims, tires, bars, stem and seat. Cheap front deraillure, shifter, pedals and hubs (I guess they had to save money somewhere).
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dustin
a Downhiller
from St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2002
Strengths: frame, fork, wait... everything
Weaknesses: a little skimpy on tire clearance in the rear, but that's it
Bottom Line:
if you want a killer bike that will handle anything you throw at it (and isn't too bad if you miss your pedals after a no-footer) this is the bike. Great value for the money, beats the hell out of a rocky rm7 for value... and bike goodness! the only person i could see not wanting this bike, is an xc racer.
this bike is sooo sweeet... this bike has power of its own. it weighs alittle more than your average grandmother, but it doesnt reflect it when you ride it. its amazingly nimble! the monster T is so smooth. you can bomb it off shiat, and it doesnt make a sound. bottom line, norco makes kick-ass high end bikes. the bearings are cartridge and you can replace them at your local skate shop even. im 100% happy with this bike. be warned, once you go VPS, you dont go back! if i could give it 6 chilis, i would.
