Submitted by
Sid Slotegraaf
a Cross Country Rider
from Listowel, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: November 29, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Anything
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$480.00
Purchased At:
Wingham (Statons)
Strengths:
Strong. Light (23.5 lbs.) Drivetrain works excellent for me if I keep it tuned.
Weaknesses:
Fork bottoms too easily. Needed new pedals, brakes weak, rims not so strong.
Similar Products Used:
Norco Reactor, (what a joke)
Bike Setup:
stock, except axiom doble jump bmx pedals, getting a MX Comp ETA with 120Mm. Getting front disk brake, and XT rear v brake. Thinking of upgrading drivetrain
Bottom Line:
This bike handles drops and dirt jumps. I am 14 and 110 pounds and nothing except the rims are complaining. Only thing that broke on my bike after a nine foot drop was the water bottle holder. Needs Bombers! But this bike if your light, designed for lighter rider.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dsa
a Weekend Warrior
from dsa Date Reviewed: June 1, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Bottom Line:
It's great
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Julien Cormier
a Cross Country Rider
from Caraquet, New-Brunswick, Canada Date Reviewed: October 2, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Bathurst
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
T.F. Sport Impact / Exellence Sport
Strengths:
Frame
Weaknesses:
The fork really suck and the saddle is hard as a rock and the rims are light but they not tough as they look.
Similar Products Used:
I tried Giant, trek, Gary Fisher and norco
Bike Setup:
I change everything except the seat post Fork: Bomber Z4 Front brake: Formula B4 hydraulic RR Brake: XT Crank: LX shifters: XT Tires: michelin Headset: FSA orbit UF BB: Shimano UN-72 cassette: Sram esp 9.0 saddle: selle italia cable and housing: jag wire with kevlar Rims: mavic x 517 Hubs: XT stem: easton handlebar: axiom Pedals: time
Bottom Line:
This bike can be really good only if you ugrade it.. At the begenning I wasn't that rich to pay me all that stuff I change but it was really good a the begenning. I only change my components because I want to be on a team and I had the money that it. and the colour gold really beautiful with green michelin tires!!!now my bike worth $2300 and its for sale for $1800 neg.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jay kwon
a Cross Country Rider
from vancouver Date Reviewed: October 9, 2001
Favorite Trail:
my hometown's construstion zone
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
somewhere??????
Strengths:
Strong frames(says aluminum, but seems like TITANIUM) nice gears and stuff.
Weaknesses:
The fork!!!! it barely absorves and hurts ALOT.. ! Grips were also crappy. I'll rather have leather on it instead.
Similar Products Used:
Not that I can think of.....
Bike Setup:
Racing series. Not gold color. Black and Red (Better)
Bottom Line:
Get at least $2000 and buy the RACING SERIES (the best of 'em) or the 2001 and 2002 ones. Buy one for under 1000 bux and buy Psylo or sid or good bombers, and put it on it and take the Crappy manitou. It will be a good bike that you'll ever buy for 2000 bux. Mine really worth the money.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Montréal, Québec, Canada Date Reviewed: April 30, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Bromont
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$600.00
Strengths:
price, fork, frame, etc.. except what's next
Weaknesses:
sadle, brake pad ( a lot of noise agains the rims), pedals, grip shift and of course the color gold ( it's a 2000 bike, the 2001 is white)
Similar Products Used:
VéloSport( we have to beging with someting), Norco Charger 2000 ( girl friend ), specialzed Stumpjumper FSR 1996, Stumpjumper 1996 ( hardtail), Rockhopper (no suspension),And in a few weeks my new Norco VPS-DROP.... ;-)
Bike Setup:
brake pad ( koolstop), sadle (Radical), pedals( shimano ), grip ( yeti), mybe a Z1 (a spare one), stx-rc shifter
Bottom Line:
Very nice Bike for the price, but with some modification, perfect, it's my second bike( soft xcountry and urban)...but the 2001 comes with rapid fire, and white ...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
j K
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto.ont.,Can. Date Reviewed: March 10, 2001
Favorite Trail:
The one behind my house
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$600.00
Strengths:
I thought that Its a really nice bike with a pretty good frame.
Weaknesses:
I hate the pedals,the saddle,and the paint
Bike Setup:
same old
Bottom Line:
I think that you should buy this bike because it's alot better than the one that you have now!!! the one that you have now is the biggest peice of crap that I'v ever seen in my life (unless you have this bike already)so right now go out and purchas this amazing bike for a low price of $600. I'm donne now
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Jackson
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ont. Canada Date Reviewed: February 6, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Various
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
Foxworthy Off Road Bike Centre
Strengths:
Frame is strong, that's about it.
Weaknesses:
Where do I start, I bought this in february 2000. Within the first week, I took the bike off a 2 foot drop and one of the cranks broke clean off. I'm not a fat guy, I only weigh 180 pounds. The components are garbage, and don't live up to the frame. I really hurt my knee going up a hill, the crappy derailleur decided to drop a grade halfway through my crankturn, and my knee just smacked the headset, it hurt like an S.O.B. I've gone through 3 sets of cranks, a bottom bracket, one riser, 2 pedals, etc. Bomber Z4's came on the bike, but they're just crap. They're super stiff, and they don't travel for nothin. I'm gonna get some Sid 100's or maybe dropoffs.
Similar Products Used:
I've used kona's, GT's, giants, brodies, rocky mountains, and a few cannondales.
Bike Setup:
Stiff bomber Z4's, crap components before hundreds of dollars of upgrades.
Bottom Line:
DONT buy this bike, please. The paint looks like some guy mixed a block of silver with 4 pounds of dog crap in a big cauldron. The components are absolute crap, and the seat feels like a rock is being shoved up my loaf hole. Maybe norco should take a hint that all their frames are crappy and heavy, and start using better aluminum. If easton's exclusive to rocky mountain, get something like it. My buddy has a 2000 Rocky mountain stratos and it's the best frame I've ever seen in a hardtail. The components are also a lot better 'cept the rims but he replaced them early on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonton, AB, CA Date Reviewed: November 27, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Valley of the five (lakes)
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Millwoods Sport and Cycle
Strengths:
Very (very) tough bike, nice fork, rims, tires and framset; weight reasonable (for the price)
Weaknesses:
Acera and Deore components, plastic pedals, brake levers (sorta) and the AWFUL GOLD PAINT JOB (gotta strip it off this winter)
Similar Products Used:
Giant Iguana (HA!) GT Avalanche
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi z5 flylight air (100mm), shimano clipless, riser bars, gripshift
Bottom Line:
Very versatile bike, good for freeriding and a smattering of DH (yes, thanx to the riser bars), nice fork setup, especially with the 20 mm extension, and again, tough as a rock (but not as heavy). Worth it if you're just getting into some serious riding, but you may want to ungrade the components soon, and the rims to sunrim rhynos. Otherwise, a good all around bike, great for doing almost anything!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Loose
a Weekend Warrior
from Windsor, On Date Reviewed: August 4, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
frame(7005 alum)is racer oriented in design, very light and compact panracer fireXC pro tires on sunrim ZJ18 doublewalled rims marzocchi bomber z5 shocks
Weaknesses:
plastic pedals were kief, they had to go seat was hard as a rock, sram centura 24spd gripshifters are adequite but should be upgraded riser bar (not my preference)
Similar Products Used:
trek 4500
Bike Setup:
stock marzocchi bomber z5 shocks(phat) 7005 alum frame(nice deisgn and profile) shimano alivio/deore derailures(reliable) sram centura 24spd gripshifters(should upgrade) shimano deore brake(reliable) diatech 9 brake levers(not broken) sunrim ZJ18 rims(still true) panracer fireXC pro( i got treads) shimano deore hubs of course norco seat oh yeah-replace plastic pedals with some wellego . and added toes clips
Bottom Line:
Don't be fool when somone says it's an entry level bike. It may very well be intended for that purpose, just perfect for the weekend warrior, but a slight diappointment for all those techno weenies out there. The Charger doesn't have all high end components, in fact it doesn't have any. What it does offer is a complete competent(tried tested and true)entry level package to get anyone started in biking, whether you commute, cross country, downhill or want to uphill(?) This bike is built for climbing, scaling a hill or just cruising up a highway overpass. Urban riding is a breeze. The responsiveness of the bike makes for quick movements in and out of traffic, but not skittish or sluggish. The tires hug the pavement well, even in wet corners(thx god for panracers) and the rims hold out well against bad jumps or untimed curbs. You get a lot of double takes riding around town. But this bike is not a pansy ass upward touring comfort bike. With a longer stem and a flat bar, you can really aggressively lean forward for more power and speed and yet stay technically inclined for the trails. I'm not a gutter bunny( ride too aggressively and fallen way too many times). But I do commute with my Charger. I've also hit many a things with my Charger. And also bailed from my Charger before hitting many a things. All in all, nothing was broken and I wasn't broken. I think that's a plus. Family jewels are still there(thx god for a 15" frame). I just pick up the Charger and keep on pedalling, like a Timex it keeps on clicking. 5 flaming cowpatties? definitely!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Larissa
a Weekend Warrior
from Mississauga, Ontario Date Reviewed: July 27, 2000
Favorite Trail:
still looking
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Frame, Marzocchi fork, most components
Weaknesses:
seat, pedals
Similar Products Used:
Specialized, Marin
Bike Setup:
stock, but got rid of the seat for a Serfas Curva
Bottom Line:
This is a sweet little bike for the weekend warrior! Better than most in this price range and sturdy enough to last years of beating. Climbs like a dream. Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires eat up the trail. Very happy with the overall setup. Thought the "glitter gold" was ugly at first, but it's a rockin' little bike! After just two weeks I'm racing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Leigh Courtney
a Downhiller
from Ottawa Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: July 5, 2000
Favorite Trail:
anything going down
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Nice feel responsive quick better than most hardtails great as urban bike
Weaknesses:
brakes are a little weak tires had to go saddle sucks ass (literally)
Similar Products Used:
trek, Kona chute, specialized
Bike Setup:
swapped the tires for a set of kujo DH tires, serfas grips Azonic H-bar, kooka kranks, about to put a z-1 drop off on it
Bottom Line:
this is a great little bike for doing urban riding on. I prefer to go downhill in a big way, but this bike rips it up on the trails, bottom line get friendly with a bike shop and spend a couple of bucks upgrading this sweet little bike. The frames are sized a little on the small side, i got mine a little small for doing urban riding.all this bike needs is a lot of balls behind the h-bar
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lloyd Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia Date Reviewed: January 22, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Anywhere
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
I noticed most other reveiws stated Manitou shocks and average components. My bike came stock with Marzzochi Z-5 shocks and Deore and Alivio components which were perfect.
Weaknesses:
The only thing wrong was the saddle and the pedals which were pretty average.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 6000, giant ATX850.
Bike Setup:
Stock, as mentioned above.
Bottom Line:
I'd buy another one tomorrow!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Alberta Date Reviewed: November 7, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Fast, climbs very well, down hill is a blast.
Similar Products Used:
Kona's bikes
Bike Setup:
Manitou spyder
Bottom Line:
One word says it all FUN
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gromit
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria Date Reviewed: September 14, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Burnt Bridge
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Frame, tires, overall toughness, looks, price and believe it or not - the seat!!
Weaknesses:
Brakes could be stronger (next upgrade), grips. Pedals okay, but not great quality.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Caldera, Schwinn Mesa GSX, Cannondale F700
Bike Setup:
All stock except for the firm ride kit (see below)
Bottom Line:
If you find the shock too soft (like me - 195lbs.), don't invest in a new fork. Just order the Manitou Firm Ride kit (about CD$30.00). Easy to install and a huge difference! The fork still may not be as plush as a Marzocchi but for the money it performs extremely well and is easy to maintain (buy some Manitou Prep-M)...
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Boxer_21
a Cross-Country Rider
from Sudbury, Ontario, Can, Date Reviewed: August 1, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Frame, tires, pedals, handle bars
Weaknesses:
the shocks suck hard. They are way to soft. Upgrade to some stiffer shocks if you weight over 65Kg. Derailler is pretty cheap also, and the grips!!
Bike Setup:
New Marrzochi bombers Z3 shocks, new grips.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a pretty good alround bike for the price. The frame is very strong, and the components on the bike are resonable. The shocks are pretty useless unless if you are a light person. They should put better shocks on the bike. 4 chillies for this bike.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Boxer_21
a Cross-Country Rider
from Sudbury,Ontario Date Reviewed: June 5, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
The frame is very strong, the tires kick ass, the pedals are very good entry level
Weaknesses:
Shocks are too soft. The handle grips suck ass.
Bike Setup:
New grips and new STX derailler
Bottom Line:
This bike is very good. i am very hard on it and i have not broken aything yet. Keep the shocks well lubricated or you will feel the difference very fast. Change the handle grips they are very hard on teh hands after a long hard ride. THe bike climbs hills very well and fast. The bike decends easily also. This bike is well worth the money though
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan Szabo
a Weekend Warrior
from Nelson, BC Date Reviewed: May 30, 1999
Favorite Trail:
my own backyard
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
price! components alum frame panaracer tires
Weaknesses:
saddle
Bottom Line:
This bike is a steal. For the money I don't think you can find a better bike. Easy to power up even steep hills.. downhill in the rocks the Manitou forks eat up the loose granite.. shifters are good.. and in the city I arrive in comfort and class! :-) The saddle however.. works best when you're not sitting on it! No matter though.. that can be changed without huge expense. This is one sweet bike.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gromit
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria, BC Date Reviewed: May 11, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Anywhere
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Aluminum frame, tires, value for money, durability
Weaknesses:
Shocks a little soft, brake levers
Similar Products Used:
Looked at many. Best value for it's price.
Bike Setup:
All stock
Bottom Line:
Wow. After coming off a steel framed Specialized the Norco is amazing. It climbs well and is very agile, but maybe a little skittish at speed (the soft fork doesn't help). It also seems tough, and just shrugs off my clumsy technique. The seat and tires are excellent, the STX/RC and Alivio components are adequate (it shifts up, it shifts down - what more do you need?)and it looks COOL (my friends say garish, but what do they know!)Excellent for the money, and the frame will be around for quite a few upgrades as I break components. Five chili rating for its laughs per buck.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a cross-country rider
from Date Reviewed: March 3, 1999
Bottom Line:
This is one of the best bikes I have ever had. I upgraded the Shimano to Derore Lx and now it kicks butt. The Manitou Spyders work like a dream. 5 big chillis for this one
$ 599.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
