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Submitted by
Brian
a Downhiller
from Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Schleyer | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$4300.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Solutions | | Strengths: | I bought this bike at the 2003 Toronto Bike Show in March. There has been no problems at all with the bike since i bought it. I rode up in whistler with the bike and it was perfects. took everything i threw at it. I find it one of the smoothest and quietest bikes out there. | | Weaknesses: | i have had this bike for 8 months, and so far i havnt had any trouuble with the bike. | | Similar Products Used: | RM7, RM Edge, Super * | | Bike Setup: | I threw on a 2003 Monster T when i bought the bike, but everthing else is stock. | | Bottom Line: | This is the best bike i have ever owned. ive hucked it off of 15-20 foot drops with ease. Some people complain about the weight of the bike. Mine weighs about 53lbs with the monster, and i can throw the bike over anything. i recomend this bike to anyone who likes going big. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike M
a Downhiller
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | CBC | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | private sale | | Strengths: | Quiet frame, great standover height, 150mm spacing, perfect geometry for freeriding, adjustable travel, good value for the dollar, excellent cable routing, excellent leverage ratio. | | Weaknesses: | No ISCG mount | | Similar Products Used: | Bullit, RM7, Stinky | | Bike Setup: | 03 SuperT, TRuvativ DH 113x68bb, 22-34-bashguard Hussefelts, FSA SkyPilot headset, Axiom telescope post w/Titec El Norte saddle, Diabolis 50mm stem, XT/LX drivetrain, Hayes 8"/6" Mag brakes w/Bonz levers, Maxxis 2.5 Mobsters, AlexDX32 & 321 rims. | | Bottom Line: | Well thought-out freeride bike. Slack enough for the steeps and highspeed, but can still climb w/o falling off back of saddle. Plush on the big drops. A decent pedaller for a 7" bike. Likes speed and is a little harder to handle on the slow tech stuff. Lots of pop from rear end on the tables and for bunny-hops. Not excessively long or heavy for a 7" frame.
If you like to ride up, then hit the 10footer on the way down and ride the steeps and blaze over the stutter bump, this is a great bike. Not as low and slack as a racer bike, but inspires way more confidence than a twitchy trail bike. Very well balanced when mated with 03 SuperT.
150 mm rear hub is great for minimizing the wheel dish, giving a stronger rear wheel (150mm rear hubs are available from Formula, Hadley, DT, Sun-Ringle). Bolt-on 12mm axel is super stiff for cornering in berms. Get a telescoper post and you're good to climb. Much quieter frame than older VPS bikes and has great standover compared to the Kona or Rocky.
Great freerider! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Abe Simpson
a Downhiller
from Springfield
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | 3250 | | Strengths: | Stong, well built. Parts list. Geometry is perfect for what it does. | | Weaknesses: | Some parts heavier than they need to be I think. The suspension rate isn't perfect, but the Fox seems to work well with it. | | Similar Products Used: | Intense and Santa Cruz frames. Tested Kona Stinky. | | Bike Setup: | Black. Mostly stock, replaced gripshift with trigger, replaced handlebar and grips...thats about it. | | Bottom Line: | This is definitely the best $3200 you can spend for a freeride/semi-DH bike. I beat on this thing all summer and it keeps asking for more. The hubs give me a little trouble from time to time being kind of cheap, but a little grease and they keep running.
The 32T front ring is small for high-speed downhill, but you have trade-offs for a bike you can really pedal uphill. If you do strictly DH, you may want an E-13 or MRP. Dewlie works great though.
Bottom line, I have found no "little iritations" with this bike. I have several bikes from other brands, but I always find something I don't like or want to upgrade. I really love my Norco. Well, except for the gripshift...but thats an easy fix.
Whats with the idiot reviews below?
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Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Plymouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Hub Cycle | | Strengths: | 8mm headtube, Solid large dropouts with 150mm spacing.Perfect cable routing.10lb frame is perfectly balanced.Every ounce of this frame is in the right place , handmade frame says it all. | | Weaknesses: | Pretty brunettes,cold beer. | | Similar Products Used: | Not even close. | | Bike Setup: | 180mm travel(rear) with Marzocchi Z150 (150mm single crown).8" Hayes hyd.XT shiftr, derailr, casett,BB. RaceFace stem,headst,Rings 24/32/44(triple).Sq taper turbine LP cranks . Easton Carbon bar,ODI grips, Titec Beserkr Saddle ,Time pedals, Formula hubs, Sunn Rims | | Bottom Line: | This bike instills confidence.it rides everything you think it can , it also rides everything you think you can't.You want to talk about raising the bar this bike has the answers to questions nobody has asked yet.You become one with the bike, the force is strong within.If your ready to take an agressive line this bike won't fail you.I climb everthing on this bike,everything. Point it down and you can sense it accelerating.Predicable balance shines on freeride stunts.You want it all here it is! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Weekend Warrior
from ontario
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | silent sports | | Strengths: | everything. well balanced, very plush and can take anything you throw at it | | Weaknesses: | nothing and there never will be | | Similar Products Used: | RM7, big hit, bullit | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | this bike kicks a$$. it can take anything you throw at it. it makes 12 foot drops efortless. this bike is bomb proof, it will take you to new limits. it is an amazing bike for the price and norco is an awsome company. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leigh
a Downhiller
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | upper oil can | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Norco | | Strengths: | Frame strength, Quality construction, components, balanced ride | | Weaknesses: | I didn't get it in UPS Brown, Small QC problem at Norco | | Similar Products Used: | K2 Beast, Specialized BigHit, Giant AC1 | | Bike Setup: | stock except for h-bar, stem, grips, rear der, and cassette | | Bottom Line: | Bike has proved really balanced so far, I have taken it on a couple of North Shore rides (upper oil can, ladies, etc.), it felt really sweet. I changed the bar to a raceface, and am now using the Marzo itegrated stem (man were the stock ones heavy as all hell). It is a much better riding position, and tks over 1 pound off the front of the bike! I am still concerned about the ris, an hubs. I don't know who manufactures the Axiom hubs (formula I expect) but getting parts might prove difficult. The only solution for a rear hub (150mm spacing, with 12mm through axle) is a Hadley ($400.00) to replace it!! I certinally hope that this rear hub holds up! I am hoping to change to Mavic 321's or giving the new tubliss DEEMAX rims a try.
I am now overseas (South Korea) and will have to rely on internet bike shops for parts, like I said the rear hub is a small concern. I will let you allknow how it goes.
Cheers, Leigh | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
paulo
a Weekend Warrior
from venezuala
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | fast singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | campino les campana | | Strengths: | soft in the bottom. Hard in the top. | | Weaknesses: | If you work at the mcdonalds, you need to start selling your special sauce, even to pay for it!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Chute. Well, that my only other biek. And tsi a broken. I have ride a 2 bieks. this is a kona chute, and 2times lenzprot. You could say the lenzprot costs the larges. And the other bieks are around. Bieking is a fun. | | Bike Setup: | new seatpole for seat. and a larger uptier. | | Bottom Line: | so now it coems to it huh? so, for to me say that bieking is a fun time, is yes, very much. Quiet you to think that not is that bieking si a fun time. Kona bieks is nice to me. But, That Norco is a good to me and. So, to make a new saying, to be high up, for time makes a good me. to buying a new a norco. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mentor55
a Weekend Warrior
from north van
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | rr4site29compB in rosehill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | norco | | Strengths: | Incredibly well balanced bike. Right out of the box, this thing has a great spec, with the money thrown at the right spots. Standover height is great, and construction is beefy. FOR THE MONEY (possibly any money, depending on what you ride) - THERE IS NOTHING BETTER | | Weaknesses: | 1 complaint - high seat-tube. | | Similar Products Used: | Bullit, Big hit, stab primo, eliminator, some hardy's. | | Bike Setup: | bmx saddle, powder coated calipers, stem, locking hardware, and boltheads. Heavier springs, custom long-foot pedals. Some glow lights I stole off of a gay sunfire. (the one with the cardboard looking whale tale - mehe :) | | Bottom Line: | Balance. Balance. Balance. Compare to NORCO a-line to get full effect. Component spec, design, weight, esthetics, flow. I'll talk about just one. When you stand on this bike, and bounce around, then take a hit, or push through a burm, your body weight is centered perfectly. The combination of factors that make this bike feel so good are hard to objectify - beyond "it just feels damn good". This bike doesn't need to say anything to you. The communication is precise, and efficient - translating the rhythm of the ride through what feels like an extension of your own body. Other bikes make aqward advances, failing to look you in the eye as they shake your hand. Those bikes have no equilibrium. They punish your body, and convince you that you need to ride forward on your fork, or behind on your tire. They don't know how it feels to give something back to the rider. You can be so far off on this bike, and it will still welcome you home, put the good ring on your finger, and offer you it's virgin daughter as a bride. If you want to get lazy, buy this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
frank
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | this bike is absolutely amazing. the frame is superb, and you can see that the specs are top notch, and should for this money | | Weaknesses: | my frame is a bit too big for me but thats not the bikes fault | | Bottom Line: | Mike Simpson (below me) is an idiot, the frames are made with pride in canada. norco knows a thing or two about building great bikes.
this bike is a little $$$ but you get what you pay for. it can take anything you can dish out with ease. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Weekend Warrior
from north van, bc
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything that points down | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4200.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | component spec, new 150/12mm bolt-on, new thicker chain/seat stays, fatter heat tube, more tire clearance, more travel... more everything! looks bad a$$ in all black | | Weaknesses: | *that dumb a$$ a couple reviews below* "i'm a mechanic... blah blah blah" BS!! or maybe it's just because he was putting them together! | | Similar Products Used: | ventana el matador, sweet ride you've probably never heard of (my old bike); kona stinkies; norco launch, team ns and dh; santa cruz bullit; rm7; cove g-spot; banshee scream; .... | | Bike Setup: | evil drs, xt shifters front and rear, bigger rings (38/24), standard ring size raceface ns crank, new axiom pedals, odi oury lock-ons, ultegra cassette and 105 rear derailleur, thompson seatpost, hope m4's... oh yeah! | | Bottom Line: | if you huck, drop, and/or dh a little (or are just a really big guy) you should defintely consider this bike... it's better than just about everything out there! get it and feel invincible; it will make you a better rider or at least your ballz bigger.
quit reading and start riding | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a rider
a Downhiller
from who
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | norco | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Strengths: | I just want to counter act the low reveiw of some idiot the bike is great it will take anything you throw at it or throug it off. | | Weaknesses: | It drives you to go big and you may go to big actually you cant do that but it may push you to far for your skills | | Similar Products Used: | big hit, heckler | | Bike Setup: | stock no need to change a thing | | Bottom Line: | WOOOOOOW can you say more | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Simpson
a Downhiller
from Canada
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | parts | | Weaknesses: | frame | | Similar Products Used: | anything vps | | Bottom Line: | bottom line is the frame in a Made in China creaky watse of money. All bering points creak, linkages bend due to them not being cnc machined and they wiegh a ton, if you have one you wasted your money, and i have been a mech for 5 years and I am speeking from experience when i say this. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Dickson
a Downhiller
from Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | A-line | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$4400.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Solutions | | Strengths: | I find everything amazing about the bike. Ive put it though a ton of abuse just to see how the bike would hold up and its awesome. Never riden a bike better than this one. | | Weaknesses: | so far i havent found any product weaknesses. The weight of the bike doesnt bother me at all. not even with the 2003 Monster T | | Similar Products Used: | RM Edge, Santa Cruz Super 8, Rm7 | | Bike Setup: | All stock parts except i put a 2003 monster T on the front | | Bottom Line: | this is the best bike i have ever owned. one of the smoothest bikes to ride. if you heavy freerider/downhiller buy the Norco Shore. probably the best bike you'll ever ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
R C
a Racer
from Regina,SK,Canada
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Great new frame design. 7 inches front and rear are just about perfect for freeride and downhill. Parts selection is just right. Efficient rear triangle design. | | Weaknesses: | Its a little heavy but is made up for by the added strength. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized's,Santa Cruz | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Norco Shore [stock] | | Bottom Line: | This is a great setup for freeride and downhill. It is strond and durable. It sucks up the hits and keeps on going. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a strong freeride bike. It's retail price is competitive to anything on the market and is a good value compared to the parts selection. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Johnny Walker
a Downhiller
from USA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 3300 | | Strengths: | Parts spec for the price is the best you can find. The frame is the strongest and stiffest I've ever ridden, and one of the best looking in my opinion. Not the best welding ever, but still very good, on par with a Santa Cruz I would say. Horst link suspension is a plus. | | Weaknesses: | Small stuff: Axiom telescopic seatpost is a good idea, but too cheap and weak. Derailleur hangar flexes a bit, and why a long cage derailleur?
The weight is a bit on the heavy side, but that isn't really a weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky Primo, Bighit. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, but not for long. | | Bottom Line: | Incredible bike for the money. From the RF cranks to the Super T to the jagwire cables to Hayes 8" discs, 99% of the parts are perfect. There are only a handfull of parts I plan to upgrade, mostly the "F.U.N.N." parts like the stem and handlebar, because there are stronger/lighter parts out there. The telescopic seatpost is VERY thin and weak, I don't think it will last long.
As for the frame, you will probably crush every bone in your body before this frame will bend. It is super burly, weighing in at around 10lbs alone. It can still pedal up a hill though if you want to, it just takes a little time and good technique. A 5th element or Romic upgrade would help out there as well. And the super t...its the best in its class, period.
If you are looking for a DH race bike, this probably isn't it. If you want an aggressive trailbike, the shore probably isn't the best choice either. If you want a bike you can pedal up and then take some huge drops and stunts down, thats where the Shore has it dialed. Canadians know how its done, and the Shore won't let you down when go to huck something big.
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Submitted by
bill bacjos
a Downhiller
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | COP | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | bowcycle | | Strengths: | this bike is the best allround bike anybody can get.The specs are awsome and the geometry is set up real nice. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | super t's, fox vanilla rc, 2.6 tires,etc | | Bottom Line: | people say that norco copied specialized. Are they crazy! The only reason y people buy specialized is because they have their company name on every place up their bikes ass'. and the only reason y people buy their bighits is because their overpriced therefore making the buyers "special". The shore is 1000000000000 times better then the bighits and thatts that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leigh
a Downhiller
from Ottawa, Ont, CANADA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Fresh Air Experience | | Strengths: | Tough frame, Great fork and rear shock, Good componenr selection | | Weaknesses: | released a little to early, oversight at Norco QC | | Similar Products Used: | Giant AC1, K2 Beast, Various hardtails, Specialized bighit | | Bike Setup: | stock for now, but hopefully MonsterT or Shiver
| | Bottom Line: | Bike seems really well built (welding, alingment, machining). The component selection is great for a bike desinged to do what this one is (freeride, DH, drops) A little on the heavy side of 46lbs stock. hopefully the wheelset will prove to be a good choice. 150mm hub with 12mm axle is a great idea, but not readily available.
Overall I am really excited to have this bike, the weight will take some getting used to, but it all seems to be in the right areas. I will write more when the snow finally melts and I can ride the beast!
Cheers, Leigh | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin W
a Downhiller
from Bayan Lepas , Penang, Malaysia
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Strong Frame, 5 bar linkage, I can do anything without fail. Good riding up and down hill, even on the road. | | Weaknesses: | Fox Vanilla RC is Good, But For DH 5th Element is better and safer. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Warp DS-1, Giant AC1, Santacruz Bullit, Ellsworth Dare. | | Bike Setup: | 03 Marzocchi Super T 170mm, Hayes 8", Race Face Crank | | Bottom Line: | The brand new 6061 front monocoque section has been totally revised this year for a sleeker, more impressive look with less weight without sacrificing rigidity. A split seat dome that can accommodate the Fox Vanilla RC shock gives you more standover clearance and the 8mm thick head tube virtually eliminates ovalization. Also, new is the 150mm wide rear hub with a 12 mm axle that creates a good chain line, adds stiffness to the rear end and strengthens the rear wheel. Add 6 or 7 inches of adjustable travel and two separate shock mounts to regulate the progression and you get a belligerent little beast that’s read for just about everything.
It was an awesome DH & Freeride Bike, Strong 6061 monocoque frame, I was tested 10 feet drop-off with good landing without any fail on the bike.
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