Strengths: very strong frame, alot of adjustibility out of the fox rc, very plush in the 7 & 8 in setting, the 6in setting has verturally no bob, which is great for the ocassional trail ride paint resists chipping well the frame it self is relativly light, it is a full 7lbs lighter than my giant dh, it has not proved to a weakness so far
Weaknesses: small bb shell thats about it
Bottom Line:
great frame very strong has proved its place on the race course, sucks up big hits very well great for dh/freeride
Bike Setup: super t, hayes hydros, xtr dh cranks...
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
SP SP
a Racer
from burnaby, bc, canada
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2003
Strengths: Damn strong, super plush suspention, looks pretty cool, seems invincible, very nimble considering the weight and size
Weaknesses: heavy, loud (or so ive heard, minez not to bad except for the chain guide)
Bottom Line:
pretty damn sweet bike. seems to take all the abuse i can dish. had to replace rear tire on first day but thats the tire, not the bike. kinda heavy, but that just means its strong and if i wanted a light bike i wudn't have bought a dh bike. hydros kick ass. definately worth the $$$$$. BUY ONE NOW!!!!!!! hahahahahaha. seriously, if ur lookin for a mans bike, dont go newhere else but norco team dh baby... show up all those pussies on nethin else wen u pull a table-top off a 30 footer and laugh it off...norco all the way. BIYACH!!
Strengths: The frame is unbelievably bombproof. It has a nice high bb that allows you to go over anything. The 24" rear wheel allows for great descents and quick bursts of speed. The adjustable suspension is key for those that ride xc and downhill. Norco has great customer support and warranties near anything.
Weaknesses: Paint chips easily. The chain stays are definately not beefy enough to handle what the rest of the frame can take. I have broken 1 chainstay on this bike and one on a 2001. I now have a 2003 chainstay so hopefully they have improved the durability. Also it is a little noisy but who cares.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike and it actually handles quite nimbley. It will suck up just about anything you throw at it and then some. That is if your chain stays can handle it. The cock pit on the bike is very compact so pedaling uphill is tedious, bbut this also allows your center of gravity to stay far back so you can get out of the saddle and still get grip. Also the bike handles drops, and flat take offs really well. But it is not the best for dirt jumps. The bike tends to be quite top heavy so it likes to nose dive sometime. Overall i am very satisfied with the bike, minus the down time when i cracked the stays. Also like someone else had mentioned, when you sit on the bike it feel like you are not sitting on it but sitting in it. It gives you that comfortable of a feel. And as for comments as to it not handling in slow technical sections, this is completely false. I think the bike handles better because of the comfort factor allowing you to hop and manipulate the front end in the slowest and tightest of maneuvers. So if you want a bike that is good for dh, great for freeriding, and good for xc, then this is it. Can't wait to see the 2004 lineup, I am hearing something about norco putting a newly designed fox progressive shock on the back. That will greatly improve the xc factor of the bike.
Similar Products Used: 2001 Norco team dh, bullit, intense slx
Bike Setup: 03 super-t, all xtr, hayes, race face, thomson, chris king wheels and headset
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Russ
a Downhiller
from Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2003
Strengths: Solid feel. Predictable jumps. Handles good, not twitchy. P-L-U-S-H rear-end. Climbs not so bad either.
Weaknesses: Hmmm, none so far. Busted the chain guide dropping off of a picnic table when I hit a stump, 5 minutes later I was rollin again!! Its a little loud but who cares?
Bottom Line:
Where do I start? Manuals like a dream, takes big hits with ease, slinks thru singletrack, jumps like a SOB...cant wait to race it!!!! Makes me feel invincible. Ive done 20+ foot doubles on this bike, came up a little short & barely even got bumped off the pegs!!! Been dominating my buddies with their Yeti DH9 slugs.
This is a great bike for big freeriders (Im 6'2", 235lbs) & downhillers. I needed a taller bar & then I was ready to rock. If you want a bombproof bighit then this is it!!!!
Similar Products Used: Specialized FSR w/6" travel kit.
Bike Setup: All stock except: 7" Boxxer (Ive had great luck with the Boxxer on my old bike so I got a '02 Boxxer for this bike right off the bat....NICE.) Scandium DH bar, 2.5" rise
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ollie Nietzel
a Weekend Warrior
from Poco
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2002
Strengths: Everything about it !! All I hear is how bad it is at slow technical riding. Even Norco says it's only for high speed downhills. Bullpoop my fist time up to the woodlot I concored more obstcles than I could ever imagine. I corners great, and feels very sturdy at slow speeds.I can't wait to get back there again. Everyone says it's such a terrible freeriding bike, if that's the case I can't wait to ride the bike you build me. Hell I'll be pro in no time. If the Shore is so great for North Shore terain why isn't the Team DH it's only 1cm longer. Don't beleive me look it up.
Weaknesses: Haven't found any Yet!!
Bottom Line:
Don't beleive everything you hear, go out and try one for yourself. If you don't like it find something you like. Bottom line is Have Fun.
Submitted by
Mark
a Downhiller
from Maple Ridge. BC
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2002
Strengths: Bomb proof frame, You would have to case a hugh kicker to mess up this frame. pretty solid spec for this monster.
Weaknesses: Rear chainstay could be a little tougher/thicker. Other then that .. no other weaknesses.
Bottom Line:
This bike is worth it. She's a heavy set bike and there aint nothing wrong with that, it can handle anything you huck at it, or off with it. I would say this bike is for the extreme rider, the one who likes going big everytime. I love this bike .. and I can't wait for the 2003 Team to come out, I love the new look it has and I will definitly be purchasing one.
Strengths: everything especially the rear triangle and the shiver
Weaknesses: the forks have some flex and it also has a little too much head angle. i accidentally drive over crosscountry rider and my mom yells at me.
Bottom Line:
it can handle anything you put it up to and it is the best thing for running over crosscountryers
Similar Products Used: my friends norco team dh other than that the only thing i had was a wall mart special mongoose so there is no comparison
Bike Setup: all stock except for the purple hayes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kidder
a Weekend Warrior
from Port Moody
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2002
Strengths: It is super plush - for the time limited time I have had it, I have found that it will eat up just about anything (see bottom line for caveat).
Weaknesses: Heavy (None) - I knew this when I bought it.
Bottom Line:
Well, the bike is the sweetest ride I have had to date BUT and that is one big BUT my experience has been somewhat negative.
On the fourth ride I did a really easy ride with my wife. I came off of log that was about 3-4 high - blew three spokes in the back rim (not a big deal) BUT, at the same time, I ended up bending the ENTIRE back rear triangle. The bike is currently in the shop and it will cost about $500 to replace the chainstay, the rear triangle and the spring swing arm. When I bought the bike I was told it would be bomb proof - no such luck. The biggest kicker of all is that the shop says that it won't be covered by warranty!
I had a bunch of people with me at the time and they can't believe how the backend crumpled like a tin can. I think I will contact Norco directly to voice my opinion!
Sooo - I have to give an overall rating as 3 Chilis. I am quite dissapointed. Once I have it back on the trail I will update.
Bike Setup: 2002 VPS Team DH, 2002 Shivers - Stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
will (wiwo) koenig
a Downhiller
from Vermont, Victoria, Australia
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2002
Strengths: FRAME, SHOCK, HADLEY BOLT THROUGH HUB, REAL STIFF REAR END AND PRETTY SWEET ANGELS
Weaknesses: SHE IS A TINY BIT NOISY, a little short in the cocky pit
Bottom Line:
FAIRLY cheap for what it is, i bought frame shock and hub and since then i have been smiling, this bike is awesome. It handles really well, good in the air...it glides the fox shock is crazy and has a lot of adjustment, the cock pit is a little short but it is good for you can throw the bike around more. the linkage is as stiff as a corps in a freezer and works in harmony with the front end of the frame, head angles, bb height and length all feel right, i have improved my riding speed and skill heaps since owning this bike. some people dont like them but i reckon they are great, if you are looking for a bike that will handle dhing, some jumping , free riding etc... U HAVE FOUND IT. if u are in the market for a new dh bike frame or comp bike, give the norco a once over before paying 1000's for an intense that does the same thing but has a name about it.
Strengths: Strong, Plush, Pedal's well, No flex at all, Thru-axle hub.
Weaknesses: Heavy, short top tube, Loud!!!
Bottom Line:
Wicked ass bike, my skills on DH improved two fold since buying this bike. I have more confidence on it than any other bike I've ever had, drops are easier, jumps are easier, going faster is easier. Best bike out there for the money and possibly the best DH bike out there period.
Bike Setup: 2002 VPS Team DH, 2001 Shiver, Doublewides, RaceFace, ODI, Hayes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
tyler D.
a Downhiller
from W. bountiful
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2002
Strengths: Everything Its a beast the suspension eats anything you run into I dont know how many times I thought I dead and the travel ate it up handles drops like there not there.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
This is the best possible bike for the money everything speced on it is perfect and then some.........Run over cross countiers
Submitted by
Johnny Casino
a Downhiller
from Kelowna
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002
Strengths: Big, bad, and burly.
Weaknesses: Some of the stock components.Piant chips off rear swing arm easily.
Bottom Line:
This is a big bike. With my set up it comes in close to 50 lbs but should be pretty much indestructible. The bike handles speed very well and is very stable in the air. The suspension is always active and ramps up for the big stuff. If it does not break this season I will be very happy!
