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Submitted by
Duffman
a Downhiller
from Pitt Meadows BC Canada
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Dirt Merchant | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$950.00 | | Purchased At: | Private Sale | | Strengths: | These reviews are all subjective to the abuse given out by the rider. So I would say the strengths are not very many. The frame is well balanced and multi link suspension is better than the single pivot. | | Weaknesses: | The frame is weak. Rear Chain stay already cracked and replaced. The Chain beats the crap out of the lower chain stay literally pulverizes it. The frame has a huge amount of torsional stress and feels weak. Cockpit is cramped. DHX air is aweful too wooden at high psi and too weak at lower. The forks "All mountain 4" were pathetic and should never be on any mountain. Pointless for anything. | | Similar Products Used: | Older Norco 6, Norco Aline, Specialized Big Hit | | Bike Setup: | fork 55 tst, wheels Mavic 729, Kenda blue grooves. | | Bottom Line: | The bike is on the cheap side of coin. You get what you pay for. Unfortunately Norco have tried to lighten this bike up far too much and it has paid for it in ridgity and accessories. The bike needs to be able to handle a 2.5 tire on the rear and should have at the least a set of 55 on the front throw away the forks before you get started. Going to the air suspension was also a mistake the spring is far better for this frame. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DH rider
a Downhiller
from Canada
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | superbirm at golden bc. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | I bought it used. | | Strengths: | It is heavy but wen you ride it feels like 25 pounds. it has pretty good travel in the front and back. | | Weaknesses: | It is a little hard in the technical stuff. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Gromhit. | | Bike Setup: | Supra N rims, Fox Vanilla, Marzocchi Bomber 150 Drop Off, Hayes nine brakes.
| | Bottom Line: | it is a great bike for almost all stuff. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ManBearPig
a Downhiller
from British Columbia
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | some rich kid who ro | | Strengths: | - Norco Six Special Edition came with top drawer spec
- Cdn retail $5800, paid $3000 from rich kid who rode it
twice in the city
- Anodized frame
- couple pounds lighter than rest of Six series | | Weaknesses: | - Inconsistent performance from DHX Air, swapped out for Elka
Stage 5 | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Bullit, Santa Cruz Nomad, Norco Torrent | | Bike Setup: | Fox 36 TALAS RC2, Elka Stage 5 with Renton Ti spring, King headset, DMR Headlock 50mm stem, Deity Dirty Thirty bar (cut to 28"), XO shifters and rear derailleur, XTR front derailleur, Avid Juicy Carbons, RaceFace Atlas FR cranks, DMR Mag 12 pedals, Mavic Crossmax SX wheelset,
Kenda Nevegals or Maxxis Highrollers depending on location, terrain, etc | | Bottom Line: | The bike that does everything well. Light enough for XC and extended climbing, rips downhills, very stable descender with good technical manners. I was never happy with the DHX Air, one ride it would feel pretty good and the next one it would suck. Went back to a coil with a Ti spring to mitigate the weight penalty, huge improvement.
Buy this bike if you need an all rounder that will climb well and rip on the way down.
5 Chili's with a coil shock, 3.5 with the DHX Air. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jsrumm
a Downhiller
from Canberra, ACT
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Stromlo DH | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | built up custom | | Strengths: | A good, solid frame, fair amount of travel. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing really. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Team DH, Norco Atomik | | Bike Setup: | Boxxers, DHX 3, Holzfeller, MTX's, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I've set this bike up for downhill, and it makes a quick, nimble ride. Because it only has 6.5 inches of travel, it's easier to chuck around. It also isn't too heavy. The boxxers work really well on it, though the travel is slightly unbalanced. All up though, it's a great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bikerdude
a Downhiller
from victoria
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | skull | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | guys house | | Strengths: | evrything | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | i dont now | | Bottom Line: | good | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Lescak
a Cross Country Rider
from Stirling, Scotland
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Too many to choose | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Alpine Bikes Stirlin | | Strengths: | Relatively good peddler, good all rounder, comfortable | | Weaknesses: | Bit on heavy side, frame design for carrying | | Similar Products Used: | Cove G-spot, Kona Stinky, Santa Cruz Bullit | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi AM3 forks, Fox Vanilla R shock, sram sx5 rear mech, Kenda Nevegal tyres,XT brakes | | Bottom Line: | I bought the six one which is the cheapest of the six bikes, and was hoping for a bit of an everything bike. I tried it up and down some of the hilly roads around the shop before buying it as I was concerned about climbing on it, but it was actually not bad at climbing. It is a heavy bike (for everyday riding), mine weighs in around 36 lbs, but it definetely pedals like it's a few pounds lighter, and you do get used to it's weight. I've had this downhilling at Innerleithen and was more than happy with the bike (biggest drops I've done with it are around 5 foot and it never even flinched), but not the brakes it came with (Hayes Soles) so I upgraded to XT which has made a huge difference. I do take the bike out on local trails, and it's surprised me at how well it climbs at times. Mine is the 2006 version, I believe the 2007 has actually dropped a few pounds which makes it an even better bike I reckon, especially for the price. This is a pretty fun bike to ride, either downhill or on local trails, but it isn't great on all day epics unless you're really fit. It's heavy for really long rides, and if you have to carry it this can be difficult because of the frame shape (which can also be a pain with bike racks), good bike for anyone who wants to blast around local trails, ride skinnies, hit drops, or tackle a full on downhill course every once in a while. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
R Fish
a Downhiller
from Australia
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | too many, mostly SE QLD | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | bike store | | Strengths: | bullet proof, well balanced | | Weaknesses: | heavvvy, not a freeride bike at all its far more suited to downhill | | Similar Products Used: | Intense Uzzi, Giant Faith 3 | | Bike Setup: | sram x-9, marz drop offs, fox dhx | | Bottom Line: | I was dissapointed in it as a "freeride" but it more then holds its own on downhill and is a bloody strong bike for its frame weight (lighter then a proper dh but still definatly not light). Fills the void between freeride and DH very nicely and more versitile then a pure DH with plenty of ability. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Jones
a Downhiller
from canada
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | C.O.P. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | klondike cycle | | Strengths: | the bike handles nice, i think its light. i dont mind having limited travel cause u dont need 9 inches... ur just starting to get too excessive and more costly. its a nice bike on a budget if u gotta low one. i like how its not a single pivit, i kinda with the headtube was a 1.5 though, i cant get annything that big in the front (thats where i would rather have the travel sitting)i changed almost all the parts on mine though cause i am a hard rider, and it had tru vativ on it so it was sad. on my bike i put a 66, codes, dhx 5.0, alexrims supra bh, saint cranks, e.thirteen chainguide, right now i have a broken shifter (its the stock one) and i am getting maxxis minions and some race face handle bars. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | ironhorse chimpira, norco rival | | Bike Setup: | look in product strengths | | Bottom Line: | i love my bike, i wouldent trade it for much else. i dont need a huge bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Richardson
a Downhiller
from calgary, AB, can
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | canada olimpic park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | used on pinkbike.com | | Strengths: | to many to list | | Weaknesses: | heavey | | Similar Products Used: | none first fully | | Bike Setup: | stock exept marz 66 R 150MM | | Bottom Line: | i love this ride so plush takes a 16 foot drop like a dream | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will
a Weekend Warrior
from Grass Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | favorite? now thats a tough one | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Mt. Tam Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Tough frame yet still pretty light. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpy Hardtail, Giant Trance 3 | | Bike Setup: | shocks - Z.1 front, 5.0 DHX rear, tires 2.7 maxis front 2.5 wtb rear, hayes nine hydros w/ 7" rotors, sram x9 everything, syncros rims: next upgrade-gravity dropper seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | Love the bike! Decided to buy after going through two sets of bearings on Trance and having housings round out. Costly repair to say the least. This bike does it all. I can still climb anything I could with the trance and can bomb downhill when the trail descends. Have never bottomed the suspension out and have taken 10' drop to flat. I bought this as a used demo bike and have had to replace drivetrain parts but thats it. 2006 Norco Six One = highly recommended | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lorn scanlon
a Downhiller
from bowmanville
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | scorpion thunder blue mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | impala | | Strengths: | this is for the 05 model
-big burly frame
-super plush fork(66r upgraid)
-nice geometry
-nice in the air | | Weaknesses: | -rims arent the best i upgraded to MTX's though and there pimp
-need to get 650lbs spring and crank the compression and it will work frin just the stock 550lbs spring feels to soft personal preference. | | Similar Products Used: | first freeride bike | | Bike Setup: | stock accept for: avid juicy 7 brakes,sun MTX rims,maxxix mobster tires dirty chain guide(they suck bad upgraide),hussefelt dh cranks,marzocchi 66r and azonic recoil hub. | | Bottom Line: | this bike is pimp it soaks up the bumps the same as the aline i tryed but u dont loos senseation of the ground i know other people say that this bike dosnt have anough travel and i know what they mean but it doesnt make a differnce as fart as what you can ride over and it doesnt slow u down so i really like 6" of travel because they dont make this bike any more (the new six's are not the same) i would recomend buying the shore 1 witch is very simular but it already has the good rims and brakes ect. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cody McCuaig
a Weekend Warrior
from Dunmore, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Freeriding | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Gravity Sports | | Strengths: | Amazing bike. I just got it and so far it has taken everything ive thrown at it. It is super light for a good freeride full suspension. Love the DHX 3 | | Weaknesses: | The pedals are brutal. Fork bottoms out easily no matter how much air you put into it | | Similar Products Used: | 2006 shore 3, atomic, cannondale gemini 900 | | Bike Setup: | 2006, shore 2. All stock. Hope to upgrade the frop of IV to a Z1 freeride fork | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike that will do it all. From freeride to downhill(not for hardcore downhill racers), to ceoss country, amd she climbs like a beuty. Make sure if you like freerideing that you cut the seatpost down a bit so it dont hit the rear shock. I love this bike it is a great deal and it is super light. I LOVE IT BUY A SIX 2 NOW!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter J
a Downhiller
from Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Autobahn, Blue Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | Fosters Sports | | Strengths: | Good all around frame, can do anything pretty well. Comes with a very good parts spec. A perfect bike for one who is progressing their skills. Good price. | | Weaknesses: | It's not a downhill bike, and it's not an all mountain bike. The 2004 and 2005 Sixes try to do to much. Once your skills advance, the limited amount of rear-end travel becomes a problem. I'm 6'1 and 170, and find myself bottoming the rear-end more and more often on larger drops. I've replaced the shock with a DHX 3.0 with a 650 pound spring. | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing similar, Norco Sasquatch, KHS DH, | | Bike Setup: | Stock with mentioned DHX 3.0 shock, as well as New Race Face bars, and signature series BB, Ringle rear hub and Mavic 321 rim, Ringle flat pedals, had chainstay replaced due to tire rub from a crash. | | Bottom Line: | Great starter bike for someone looking to get into Downhill and Freeride. Can still be pedaled through your favorite XC trails( to a certain extent). Get full on DH bike of thats what you plan to use it for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick klisiewiz
a Downhiller
from Sale, Victoria, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Churchill downhill track | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Strengths: | Very light weight, really strong frame, extremely plush travel in rear. | | Weaknesses: | This bike could have had at least an extra inch of travel in the back, appart from that no weaknesses. | | Similar Products Used: | Always had a hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | BBB head stem and bars, everything else standard. | | Bottom Line: | This is a extremely nice bike for the price i paid,if your looking for a bike that you can do downhill and freeride on this is the bike for you, this bike would also b suitable for extreme xc. worth every penny. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Weekend Warrior
from Auckland, NZ
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Strengths: | Perfect geometry for freeride
Good rear suspension setup
Light and strong
Awesome value | | Weaknesses: | Can't fit fat tyres on the rear end
| | Similar Products Used: | Giant DH Team, Raceline Enduro, other cheap pieces of crap | | Bike Setup: | Stock Six 2 setup except I changed the crappy pedals for Haro flats. | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike for an awesome price. Super nimble on structures and singletrack, rips up DH lines and bumps and feels really stable on landings. Can do it all except get to the top first, but if that bothers you then you should be looking at something else!
I'll probably upgrade to a 66 fork one day and try and get some fatter rims/tyres on there. But rides sweet as it is, so there is no rush.
Recommended for anyone who likes to do DH and freeride, but has to pedal to the top. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
G Long
a Racer
from Vancouver BC CDN
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Any Shore trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | John Henry the Bicycle Man | | Strengths: | The 2006 model is a vast improvement over last years model. My large frame weighs 37 pounds and most of the weight came off the rear end. The bike will pedal well all day for XC style rides which was a big surprise being a 4 bar linkage design, but after 3 to 4 hours you do notice the weight. The front end headtube was dropped about an inch over last year’s model so you can climb on the bike, with a bit of work. The gearing and Sram 9.0 shifters are precise and spot on for the bikes usage. When pointed downhill the bike shines and can hold its own with bigger bikes. The angles are correct for descending steep sections and the 20mm through axle front hub keeps the bike on your line. The front fork is a Marzocchi Z1 light which can soak up large drops but is supple enough for cross country riding. I have cased a double jump hard and the front fork took it with no complaints where other smaller diameter leg forks would have spit you over the front end. The recommended manufacturer’s air settings are way too high. Set the fork up softer. I weigh 180 pounds and have 10 pounds positive air and 7 pounds preload. The syncros rims have held up on the North Shore and at local club races even after coming up short on some doubles. For the money the component group is awesome. | | Weaknesses: | The SDG FRD I-Beam got tossed right away as it felt like sitting on a brick. The DMR V8 pedals have poor seals which came loose after a few weeks. Other than that the component spec and frame are great. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Speed, Rocky Mountain DH Race, Kangaroo Prodigy, Norco Fluid, Banshee Scream, Balfa BB7 | | Bike Setup: | Fork Marzocchi Z1 Light QR-20, Shock Fox DHX-3, Wheelset
Front Hub Syncros 20mm, Rear Hub Syncros 135/10mm, Rims Syncros DP-25, Spokes DT Stainless Black, Tires Kenda Nevegal 2.3, Stem Truvativ XR 31.8, Bar Truvativ XR, Post Titec Scoper Telescopic I-Beam, Headset Ritchey Scuzzy Logic Pro Alloy, Front Brake Hayes HFX-9 7", Rear Brake Hayes HFX-9 7", Crankset Truvativ Stylo GXP, Pedals DMR V8,
Chain Sram PC-970, Freewheel Sram PG-950, FrontChanger Shimano Deore, Rear Changer Sram X-9, Front Shifter
Rear Shifter Sram X-9 9spd | | Bottom Line: | The is a great all mountain designed bike. It does lean more towards the freeride side of things due to the weight and angles of the frame. Living on the Shore I do not see this as a big disadvantage with the terrain we have. The bike is comfortable enough to do local club downhill races on but you can still have fun riding it all day up and down. The bike is easy to set up and a blast to ride. This is quickly becoming my favorite bike of all time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AS
a Racer
from NY
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Dirty Ones | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bay Ridge Bikes | | Strengths: | *4-Bar WITH Horst link
*Burly as hell
*Great component spec
*Relatively cheap / great value
*Adjustable travel | | Weaknesses: | ...the only one
*Heavy for a 6" travel bike
| | Similar Products Used: | Intense Uzzi SL
Jamis Dakar XLT | | Bike Setup: | Major upgrades... | | Bottom Line: | I have spent 16 months on the Six. This bike is built for all sorts of abuse. Stunts, drops, jumps... this bike can do it all. The suspension action is fantastic which helps on the trails but you can't hide the 40+ lbs when climbing. The frame is almost too overbuilt. There are 7" travel freeride bikes out now that weigh 5lbs less. I spent $1500 upgrading and getting the weight down because I know the frame is going to last a lifetime.
If you don't give a sheet about the weight, your money will be well spent. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a Downhiller
from Ottawa
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Skyline at Fortune | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | mtbkanata.com | | Strengths: | burly as hell!! handles any drop under 10 feet to flat with ease. Even with the Junior T on it it still climbs like a squirrel with my dog on its ass! Looks completely amazing, girls call it sexy (then me, lol) when i ride by!! Buy this bike! | | Weaknesses: | weight, but who cares about that? | | Similar Products Used: | specialized bighit comp,
norco 4by
iron horse sgs expert and sport | | Bike Setup: | 05 frame with an 04 junior t, truvativ oversized bar and stem,hayes hfx 9s,maxxis minion 2.7", deore f&r deraillers,
gettin sun mtx rims in grey camo, and raceface evolve cranx before summer
| | Bottom Line: | i got the frame from mtbkanata.com, and i traded my 04 specialized hardrock pro frame, and 600 bux. I DONT REGRET IT FOR A MINUTE!!! best deal i ever made! i ride evry type of riding, and im not a weight weenie so it doesnt bug me on the all-mountain and xc trails, but if you are weight and pedal performance cautious, dont buy this bike, buy the fluid cuz its just like the 6 but pussied down for trails and xc. o, and dont race DH on it, 6" isnt enough.
Best bike out there for freeriding tho! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cole harrison
a Downhiller
from kelowna
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | anything like A-LIne or very steep sections | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | sweet friend' | | Strengths: | everything possible , have had no problems and is soooooooo nice and i waould recommend it to any freerider or downhiller , can also use for a bit of dirt jumping , sweet bike | | Weaknesses: | nothing at all!!!!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | team DH | | Bike Setup: | 66,saint brakes, hadley hubs, fox rear shock,DMR, x9,double track ............... | | Bottom Line: | sweet bike i recommend it and it is a VERY NIce bike !!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Austin O
a Downhiller
from langley BC
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Paper Route | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Cypress Bike Park (ex-rental) | | Strengths: | Not heavy but still strong
Low standover
Versatile
Nicely spec'd
X.9 is chatter free
"It's got a Horst link! Sweet!" | | Weaknesses: | Comes with cheap pedals and horrible seat
Rear hub takes a while to engage...not really bad but noticeable after riding other hubs.
Rear suspension is too soft for me (165 pounds+gear), even with 200 psi in the Boost Valve. I'm working on getting a 650 pound spring, that should do it.
Lower shock bolt bends when you bottom it out | | Similar Products Used: | Tried the following: 04 Norco Six, 05 Leader 626F, 03/05 Specialized Bighit SPEC, 04 Kona Stinky, 04 Norco A-Line, 05 Norco A-Line | | Bike Setup: | 05 Six small, stock except for 2.5 Kenda rubber, dual bashguards+dual chainrings, custom fork decals, 25" handlebars, sawed down seatposts, Hyper BMX seat, Wellgo B-66 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I have taken this bike out about three times. Once to the skatepark, once to Mount Fromme, and once to Ledgeview.
Skatepark: In the 6.1 setting, it really sucks up alot of your pop off of the lips. Next time I will try 5.3".
Ledgeview: Rear end bottoms out with any amount of airtime, unless there's a really good tranny.
Fromme: Fairly tough to get up the road but I made it! If I keep it up, I will get some major climbing power by the end of the summer...on the downhill, the bike was awesome. The rear end is supple and tracks very predictably...smooths everything out but doesn't lock up under braking.
The only thing I can really complain about is the back end being too soft, but that's not even a problem, that's just improper setup. Oh, and the no-name hubs might be a downside, but so far they haven't caused me any grief. Hopefully this bike serves me well for a long time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lorn scanlon
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontario
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | shot glass (blue mountain) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | impala bikes | | Strengths: | IT HAS ENUF TRAVEL TO SOAK UP THE BIG BUMPS AND HANDEL ALL BUT THE SIKEST DROPS HAS PRETTY GOOD BALANCE (NOT SO BIG LIKE THE ALINE I RENTED) AND IT DUSNT HAVE TO MUCH TRAVEL SO IT IS STILL TRAIL AND DIRTJUMP WORTHY. | | Weaknesses: | IT BOTOMED OUT FREQUENTLY WEN DOING THE BIGER STUFF BUT THAT CAN PROBLY BE FIXD IT CINDA LEANS BACK IN THE AIR | | Similar Products Used: | NORCO ALINE GIANT HARDTAIL | | Bike Setup: | MARZOCCHI, 66 AVEC JUICY 7'S BRAKES AND MAXXIS TIRES | | Bottom Line: | ITS THE BEST BIKE I HAVE EVER RIDEN AND ITS THE BEST BIKE FOR YOUR MONEY I THINK IT SHOULD PROBLY HAVE A TRIPLE CROWN FORK TO WEGH DOWN THE FRONT A BIT MORE AND SO IF U FALL U DONT TEAR A BRAKE LINE BUT IT HASNT HAPEND YET SO IM GOOD I THINK IF YOU WANT A GOOD DH BIKE BUT NOT GIVE UP TRAIL WORTHENES AND GO BIG THIS IS THE BIKE FOR U | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Weekend Warrior
from Langley, B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Newton Rocky Cycle | | Strengths: | bars-thick and wide, derailer(old one)-was good until the incident, brakes, tires, cheap(price), easy to upgrade if you know who to talk to, many uses | | Weaknesses: | back shock-some issues, front fork-z1 isnt meant for it, paint chips easy, hard to clean | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 888vf(didn't want the z1 and 888 was cheaper than 66), x7 derailer(bike fell off rack and the bike shop says the derailler is broken but looks ok still) | | Bottom Line: | Good bike especially if you don't have a lot of money but don't want a hardtail. Good alternative to a big burly DH bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ace
a Weekend Warrior
from ontario
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Blue mountain end of year clearance | | Strengths: | Brakes, rear deralier, strong frame and fork, telescopic seat post | | Weaknesses: | 2.35 tires | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Coiler | | Bike Setup: | 2.6 tires | | Bottom Line: | Best freeride bike around if wanting to do trail freeride downhill or any thing. i did a 10 foot drop and held up fine. i also tested a norco a line but it was horrible for everyday riding because it abzorbed all of your efort when your pedling, but the Six makes it very easy for long distance riding | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pete
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Strengths: | Extreemly stable, Good seatpost adjustability, Solid Frame. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, Paint chips so easy! Only rode it for like 2 days and chain slap has left many chips! Got a lizard skin today so should fix. (plus not a real problem) | | Similar Products Used: | Giant VT2 and AC Kona Stinky and Coiler, Specialized Enduro, also considered the Giant Faith | | Bike Setup: | 05 with Kenda blue groove front and nevegal rear. Oh and medium frame | | Bottom Line: | Was looking for ages for a bike that could take the big hits, drops, and down hill runs yet also enable me to get to the tracks, and parks. I also wanted to be able to be able to dable in a little XC.
With this in mind bikes like the faith and stinky offered a bit too much travel to remain effective on the climbs. I decided on about 6". The problem i then found was that many of the bikes i looked at seemed...well brakeable for example bikes like the coiler, VT2, and the Enduro.
Let me just say that a test run out side a shop is really not an adequate measure of determining a bikes on trial performance so the above mentioned bike may be great! (excluding VT2.... was squishy, spungy choss)
The Ride... Headed to a local spot w some drops and trails and had the worst time getting there, moderate hills showed the weight and my lack of fitness. Once there attacked some drops and rooted trails. Bike performed so well smooth and tracked really well. Small bump compliance on the FR2 fork not the best but still good. Tried an loose dirt uphill and without rebound dialed in was immposible. Once adjusted climbed pretty well but have to stay way forward to keep the front down, yet then lost a bit of traction in the rear. So need to find best position.
as far as drops and jumps go, super stoked, the bike rocks, feels super plush yet still need to find best sus settings!
Great bike seems to suite what im after more that anything i could find!
4 chillis only because of climbing- Yet for freeride bike spot on, | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik Solymar
a Downhiller
from Carp, Ontario
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | brian's trail at fortune | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | mtbkanata.com (buy/sell) | | Strengths: | very,very burly, handles n e thing under 20 ft with eas. Gr8 look for 05 and botomless fox dhx in the back. Fits a wide range of components. | | Weaknesses: | heavy as crap but that doesnt bother me. doesnt fit on my bike rack. Mild out-of-saddle pedal efficiency (the sweet DHX shock soaks everything up, even pedaling) however this isnt a problem because i dont ride on the road, so im never standing for more than a few minutes. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized bighit comp (2003)
Norco 4hun
iron horse SGS expert
(so pretty much 5-7' travel 4-bar designs along these lines) | | Bike Setup: | 05 frame currently set on 5.1" of travel with a fox DHX 3.0 in back, marzocchi MZ Comp fork (4")im upgrading the fork asap; specialized mobius stem, kore freeride bar, titec scoper seatpost, Blackspire Ring God bash with a dual ring, shimano deore f and r deraillers, Sun Ditch/Witch rims laced with Dt Swiss spokes, Specialized Roller pro 2.5" front tire, enduro pro 2.2" rear, Shimano Deore 6" mech discs and truvativ fiveD cranks. (if u couldnt tell, i bought the frame and some extra parts and threw the rest of the parts on from my 04 Specialized Hardrock Pro; hope to upgrade soon) | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. period. Stairsets, gaps, drops; eats everything without bottoming, and the landing is smooth. Also, the bike doesnt move around under u on technical descents unless u let it, so handling gets 5 stars, balance on skinny's is at an all time high. I think that anybody with the money in the market for a good, reliable multi-purpose dual suspension needs this bike. 5 flamers
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Hunsley
a Downhiller
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Red Bike | | Strengths: | strong frame wont break | | Weaknesses: | rear wheel heavy | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale gemini 900
rocky mountain switch s1 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | its a great bike it pedals well i think a dual crown fork would be great on that bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a
from Boston
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1825.00 | | Purchased At: | Feed the Habit | | Bottom Line: | This is just a followup review of the bike. I've had it for about 3 months now and have been using it constantly, mostly on DH runs. The thing is still amazing, bombproof, and every component except for maybe the front derailler is working perfectly. For some reason the chain was rubbing the front even though I never hit anything and it looked perfectly straight. Instead of taking it apart I just sanded down the area that's giving me trouble and now it's running fine. I just had to give it a second review because I'm so impressed with the bike. With the 2.5 Kenda's on now I feel completely confident over any kind of terrain, doing any type of riding. Even on trails, with the bike tipping 45 lbs it still doesn't take too much energy out of you. If you can still buy one, do it and you won't be let down. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Downhiller
from Whistler
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Good component spec, adjustable rear travel, a big hit kinda feelin bike, sweet manual spot | | Weaknesses: | rear shock bolt to adjust rear travel bent (could have been my fault), zoke 66 leaked oil at first (built wrong).. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized big hit, Rockey Mountain Switch | | Bike Setup: | Zoke 66, Stock set up, Time-Z pedals | | Bottom Line: | I was impressed with this ride in and out the park. The 66 has saved me many times already! head tube is slack, but rides smooth. I put the bike to the 5" setting and it stiffened right up for xc (I like the odd epic)...
After pricing bikes in this category, I found this was the best deal, and I like the cockpit room. This is truely a do it all bike, just point and shoot! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
josh pete
a Downhiller
from canada
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | any shore trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2299.00 | | Purchased At: | bike shop | | Strengths: | everythink on this boike is very strong
this bike is bomb proof
crash it ride it and put it away dirty and it will come back for more | | Weaknesses: | me
I broke before the bike did | | Similar Products Used: | vps a-line
vps shore | | Bike Setup: | stock except grips | | Bottom Line: | this bike is sick, i ride in bc and all my friends have 170mm to 200mm and this bike only has 150mm and I can do anything they do on there big hit bikes.
this bike is very good on skinnys and drops
ride hard and ride free | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brody mc donald
a Weekend Warrior
from u.s.
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | get this bike shop | | Strengths: | everything | | Weaknesses: | my warenty is useless because this bike never brakes | | Similar Products Used: | none this good everything else breaks | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | this bike is built like a rock
I rode parts of the 03 rampage on this bike and stomped everything I tried
ride hard and ride free
this bike is one pimped out ride
this bike is sick | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jake the rake
a
from canada
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Strengths: | everything
huck it,
urban it,
dirtjump it, and it will come back for more | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | vps 4x4 | | Bike Setup: | stock, nothing needs to be changed | | Bottom Line: | this bike is amizingly versitile, you can do anything on it, ride it hard and put it away dirty and it will be ready for another day of riding
it does everthing, any type of riding it can handel it
buy this bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Curtis Rogers
a Downhiller
from Nakusp B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | none | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | John Henrys west van | | Strengths: | smooth tough frame fair componets | | Weaknesses: | rims,seat,tires, | | Similar Products Used: | giant warp | | Bike Setup: | 04 norco six 05 66rc double track rims kenda/maxxis rubber road gap pedals fsa bb kona seat 24'rear wheel | | Bottom Line: | sweet bike havent had and problems with the frame but it should have more room so you can run fater tires and it would be sweeter if it had more travel but its taken every thing i gave it so overall its a real good bike.it should come stock with 2.5 tires and doubletrack rims! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1825.00 | | Purchased At: | Feed the Habit | | Strengths: | Indesructible, light front, feels like you're floating over rocks | | Weaknesses: | unadjustable fork, lack of chainguide, 2.3 inch tires | | Bike Setup: | 2005 model, Kenda Blue Groove 2.5 inch tires up front, 2.5 Nevegals in back. Upgraded to the 66VF fork | | Bottom Line: | Right after getting the bike, I switched the tires from the stock 2.3's they had on for some strange reason, to 2.5 Kenda's. The fork was upgraded to a 66VF (not my choice but it's what I would have done if I bought it new) which is really plush, but not adjustable at all. That's my only gripe with the fork, and it's not even that big of a problem. I'm into mostly DH, and the way the bike is set up it's best for hardpack and small rocks with the occasional big drop, not rock gardens because they toss the bike around so much. The VF is pre-adjusted to take big hits well, but not react too much to medium sized rocks. Going downhill on that stuff made the front end really wander, so I'll just have to jump over those and stick to the big stuff. The lack of adjustability is not Norco's fault though. They give the option of the adjustable FR II fork or the VF upgrade so you can choose what's right for the types of trails you'll be going on.
I love the light front end and how easy it is to just jump over anything, which is amazing considering the bike weighs around 43 lbs. Some people are complaining about he weight, but it's a FR/DH bike and weight shouldn't be that much of an issue. If you want to do trails, get a trailbike.
I wish the bike came with a chainguide, but it's no big deal cause I'll be buying one soon. Even with small jumps, the chain moves all over the place which can really be a problem if your DH trails have parts where you need to pedal.
Overall, this is definately a 5 star bike. It's super reinforced, easy to jump with, and very responsive. Definately upgrade to the 2.5 tires, and possibly get a chainguide. If your trails are hardpack with big dropoffs scattered around get the VF66 option, but stick with the stock fork and sacrifice an inch if you want adjustibility, or your trails consist mostly of medium sized rocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Kidd
a Downhiller
from fredericton NB canada
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | dh1 at o'dell | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | savages | | Strengths: | super plush, responsive, norco, looks amazing, no flex, cant go wrong with this frame | | Weaknesses: | none really, wish it had more travel but i did buy it to try to get smoother | | Similar Products Used: | most of the vps series from every year, special ed bighits, trek deisel, devinice ollie/8-flat-8, balfa bb7, m1 etc ive been on them all | | Bike Setup: | Norco Six with stock bb,head set and seatpost. other stuff: Sherman Slider, Atomlab G.I. rear hub laced to atom lab DHR, specialized stout 20mm front with a double track, irc kujo's, tioga dh seat, X.9 drivetrain, MRP WC2, specialized big arm dh cranks, | | Bottom Line: | this bike is a do-it-all bike. it handels harsh trails like a dream and can take any hits i dish out. i always wanted the top of the line super bigbike, and after i had my bighit i hated it, got this frame for trade and try to ride it every day, best frame i have ever had. get one if you can, the 2005 frame looks even better. o yaa mines full build up for DH and it tips in at 44.5 pounds, even some heaver parts!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Graeham Douglas
a Weekend Warrior
from Invermere, BC
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Rob's Bicycle Works (2005) | | Strengths: | Strong, can go up or down pretty much anything, awesome parts spec for the price, +6 inches of travel that you can pedal. Seat telescopes further than you would ever expect or need in both directions. A true take anywhere bike. | | Weaknesses: | Weight (42lbs) can be tough to haul up hills, but it can still climb. the front end likes to wander on steep climbs though. | | Similar Products Used: | Norco Team DH (2002), Giant Team DH (2003), several hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Stock, with the 66VF fork option | | Bottom Line: | Feels like riding a soft cloud- of metal. It can climb anything my old hardtail used to and it feels as strong as my friends' Team DH race bikes. You can haul it up almost any ride-able hill and it goes down great. It makes pitches feel about 15 degrees less steep and feels very stable at speed. I am planning on taking it to the ski hill for shuttling and using it to climb mountians this summer. Bike of the year in Mountain Bike MAgazine.
If you don't have it and are thinking about it, snap it up quick because it sounds like they are gonna sell out fast if they havent already. Go anywhere on it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joel
a Weekend Warrior
from springwood
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | blackmans | | Strengths: | frame, forks, wheels, brakes | | Weaknesses: | front and rear derailuers, pedals | | Similar Products Used: | 04 stinky, 04 gemini DH, 04 fuse | | Bike Setup: | stock apart from pedals and front shifter | | Bottom Line: | this bike is amazing. drops, dj, downhill, all mountain, you name it, it will do it. this really is a "do it all" bike.
The parts spec is 2nd to none for the price you pay. ($3300 aud. the frame build is top notch and the rear suspension takes anything. the z150's are a nice compliment to the fox vanilla and are real easy to setup. the brakes bed in nice and quick and are so powerful they could give you a brain hemmorage. although i found the rear brake tends to fade a bit during long heavy braking periods.
one problem i have found with the parts are the lx and deore derailuers. they work well once setup, but dont last long. after one ride they need adjusting again and again and can get quite anoying after a while. but for the price you pay...
the rest of the drive train works a dream: cranks are solid as and the shifters work nice, they only need good derailuers to go with them.
the wheel set ins'nt that bad, but could be better. the shimano rear hub needs re-packin quite often and doesnt look the srtogest out there. the (novatec???) front hub takes care of itself with sealed bearing. so far it has held up nicely. rims are bullet proof and stay true even on the roughest trails.
finally the contact points. pedals are ok, i swapped them for v8's, much better. the el norte bar is as strong as they come, seat is nice and comfy, grips were ok but didnt last long.
this bike is one strong ride, it will build you up if your a bit on the skinny side, trust me, it weighs 42 pounds. the frame is a quality build that will take anythn you can, and more. the parts spec is great for the price and will get you through your first stages and possibly more if you take care of them. finally it will give you the confidence you need to progress as a rider from beginner to pro.
buy it, you wont be dissapointed.
5 and 5 for price and the strength of such budget parts
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from OH
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | No Joke | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | secret spot | | Strengths: | umm...everything except the pedals and tires | | Weaknesses: | Pedals
Tires due to size (2.3 | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 Norco six, 2004 A-line, 2004 Transition DB, 2005 Giant DH, 2004 Giant VT, 2003 AC1, 2003 IH expert, 2002 AC2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except spring rates were changed, & bigger tires | | Bottom Line: | This is a review for the 2005 Norco Six.
Well after last years Norco six I got for a friend and my experience with all of the bikes above(got to test all those for a month or so then sell and get the next one :) )
I'm totally stoked on this bike. I haven't had a chance to ride it but it's basically last years bike with a fresh look, the new Hayes 9's with perch bolts for easier removal, smaller tires which I'm not stoked on, and I'm not fond of the pedals. It does have a whole new rear end triangle to run a thru axle bolt which is pimp and it's beefier. I really dig the color scheme, and the 2" riser bar vs last years 1 inch. The new stem is sick, not the no namer that came on last years six. Lets see here, I'm staring at it as I nit pick ;) The new wavy rotors are tight, interested to see how they handle. New lock on grips are pimp, and of course the new dhx shock is dope.
I can't wait to ride it, just waiting for new 2.5 tires and spring kits to arrive, then it's off to the trail. I'm stoked, and I'm glad to see Norco is keeping their prices somewhat down compared to the rest of the companies out there. It's a bit heavy 41.5lbs but it's built strong, so I'm willing to deal with that. I'll post a ride review later, maybe around June-ish, but I'm pretty sure it's going to ride as good, if not better than last years Six and I was amped on that!
Get one, you won't be dissapointed! I'm giving it a 5 for value and a 4 for overall because the 2.3 tires are for xc riding and the pedals are lame. Other than that, she's ready to rip outa the box. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AS
a Downhiller
from NYC
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bay Ridge Bikes | | Strengths: | -built like a tank
-great parts spec
-killer value
| | Weaknesses: | -only one color
-weighs over 40lbs
-rear tire clearance only allows for 2.35 tires
-Z150 fork is limited in adjustability | | Similar Products Used: | -Intense Uzzi SLX | | Bike Setup: | My Six is stock except for a lighter Easton bar and stem. | | Bottom Line: | The Norco Six holds it's own on regular trails but you'll be pushing the granny gear on climbs. Where it really shines is on DH/Freeride trails.
PERFORMANCE REVIEWS...
Plattakill DH Mountain - The bike rocked and took every line that my buddies on full-blown DH bikes rode. The chain never fell off, the brakes never faded and the wheels stayed true. *4 STARS*
Ringwood State Park (xc) - The Fox shock offer some anti-bob performance but it only works when you are seated and pedaling smoothly. On some of the bigger climbs I was sucking air and moving VERY slowly. The lockdown on the fork helped a little but I would forget to unlock it most of the times and find myself blazing downhill with only an inch of travel. The Titec telescoping seatpost was much appreciated. *3 STARS*
Santa Cruz Freeride Trails (secret) - Skinnies and ladder bridges were so easy to ride on this bike. 5 foot drops to flat were no problem. I landed a 15 foot transition drop (my biggest so far) with such ease, I couldn't believe it. I have to say the Marzocchi fork is solid and saved my ass on a few sketchy landings. *4 STARS*
Local Jump Spot (secret) - For tighter dirt jumps switch the rear travel to 5 inches, lock down the fork, drop the seat and start jumping. As long as you're a decent jumper and the trails are smooth, this setup works great. On jumps designed for bigger bikes, you can keep the fork open and catch serious air. The single crown fork lets you do x-ups and other tricks you can't do on a DH bike. The rims stayed true even after a few wipouts. *4 STARS*
This is a 5 star freeride machine! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a
from Banff, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Pipeline | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | Red Bike | | Strengths: | tough bike, Great geometry...with this bike manuals, wheelies and step-ups are simple. Z-150s are smooth | | Weaknesses: | weight...a little heavy, chain continually falls off(had to buy dewlie chain guide)nokian gazzas stink | | Similar Products Used: | Trek VRX, Kona Stinky deluxe, Norco Fuse | | Bike Setup: | 2.5 Maxxis Minion up front, high roller rear. raceface diablous stem 50mm, Blackspire dewlie chainguide | | Bottom Line: | I am not sure why anyone would put a 2.2's on this bike??? I upped my tires to Maxxis 2.5's and there is still as much room as there was with the stock nokian 2.35's. That said this bike is a sweet freeride bike. It climbs with little effort (thanx to the titec scoper seat post) and it is super fun on the downhill. Stiff forks and frame make this bike ride so solid. As I live in an area that doesn't have a lift nearby....the six is perfect. I love watching my buddies pushing their downhill bikes up the hill....then kicking their ass down. I strongly suggest either a Blackspire or e-thirteen dual chain guide. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alister
a Weekend Warrior
from tasmania, Australia
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | trevalyn | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | second hand $AUS | | Strengths: | Like a frikin panzer (tank), this is positively bullit proof. Brakes will give you a nose bleed. Beat it with a stick and it'll come back for more. mildly Pedalable, but will make you a tough as knuckles rider.low gear rocks. | | Weaknesses: | heavy, but i'm not a weight weenie. Bearings ceased, but i don't know what the previous owner did. Paint will chip. | | Similar Products Used: | A P3 and cheap XC stuff | | Bike Setup: | Boxxer forks, minion tyres, husselfelt bar and stem. | | Bottom Line: | I jumped on my mates P3 after riding the 6 for a month and was able to throw it around like a bmx, and they weigh a tonne, well i thought they did! Descends with conviction and absorbs drops like a gutter, it can almost climb too.
pedalable freeride is here... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cunning Stunts | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2650.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclepath | | Strengths: | Frame and suspension design, parts spec, PRICE. | | Weaknesses: | Almost none. Some people say weight, but this was never intended to be anything but a freeride bike. My only complaint is about the rim strips, which gave me flats on my first ride. Swap them out for something better. | | Similar Products Used: | SC Bullit, SC Heckler | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for 2004 Jr.T, SRAM XO rear derailleur and Axiom Roadgap pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Norco has got it dialed on this bike. It climbs surprisingly well for a 40lb bike, it's manoeverable on the technical stuff and stunts, it's solid on the fast descents, and it's solidly built to give confidence on the drops. The rear suspension is plush in all conditions and the ProPedal works well. I like it better than the 5th Element on my old Heckler. The parts spec is great: SRAM, Titec, Truvativ, Alex, Gazzalodi. No weak spots here, except maybe the Shimano rear hub.
The Norco Six will handle anything that most people will throw at it. It's a fully capable freeride bike that you can also pedal up a long climb without busting a lung. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chanie
a Downhiller
from Ottawa, Ontario
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Fortune Q-Cup | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2400.00 | | Purchased At: | Rebec & Kroes | | Strengths: | Geometry, Fork, Specs, Overall Ride is Great | | Weaknesses: | Pedals, Paint, Rear Der, Seatpost | | Similar Products Used: | 01 RM Reaper; 02 RM Slayer | | Bike Setup: | Stock except pedals | | Bottom Line: | Overall a great ride. In a word, this bike is BALANCED.
Six inches front and rear - more than enough for your average downhill/freerider. A superb single crown long travel fork (love it) with rebound lockout, and highly adjustable from hard to soft in the rear. Great for downhill and freeriding, but it's versatile enough for urban and xc as well.
The bike seems to just flow under you.
Geometry is perfect. Low standover and short (but not too short) cockpit make the six a truly universal bike. i.e., not just for the guys.
Good parts spec for the price, however the pedals are garbage. The finish has no grip, and even the pins themselves have some slick slippery coating over them, which completely negates their being there at all.
The telescopic seatpost is a nice idea, but the execution is lacking. I had to remove the spacer from the top QR just to get it tightened down enough to hold the seat still.
The SRAM rear derailleur has some major structural flaws too - a shimano XT instead (at least) would have been a far better choice.
One final complaint is the poor quality paint job. I've been riding my RM hardtail for three years on technical downhill trails and after three months, the Six has ten times the paint damage that my hardtail has. Cosmetic, I know, but still important.
That said, I still don't think I could have made a better choice. Especially for the price. It needs some improvement but is still a fantastic bike, and I would buy it again in a heartbeat. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Curtis Rogers
a
from Nakusp B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | my back yard | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | John Henrys North van | | Strengths: | frame, wicked frame designe the z150 are nice two i rarly bottom them out.good components. | | Weaknesses: | rims, first month i did like a 2 foot drop and screwed up my rim. i'v now upgraded to a mavic and its good. | | Similar Products Used: | giant Ds2 | | Bike Setup: | stock except rear rim | | Bottom Line: | wicked ride i went from a x-country bike to this and the weight is not to bad. i ride uphill about 5km a day and i dosent bother me. it handels north shores like nothin and the dirt jumps and drops nice to. i had neve rode one or even seen a six ecept for pictures so when i bought it i took a bit of a chance. but as soon as i got it i new i had made the right choice. sweet bike next year put on better rims and seat, the seat is not comfortable! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nico
a Weekend Warrior
from BC
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Vedder Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Strong, burley, easy to control. | | Weaknesses: | Seat and pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Norco Fluid, Rocky Slayer | | Bike Setup: | Stock except seat and pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike! Not quite as heavy as some, but still bullet proof...defenitely in the 'Freeride' category. The seat and pedals are such personal items, everyone is going to have their own opinion. I quite like the SRAM shifters...very logical. The fork is very stiff, but active...I really like the lockout feature. If you take this bike for a North Shore or Whistler run, you will buy it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Karlstrand
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I rode today | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | ABS | | Strengths: | stiff frame, parts spec, climbs well for a tank | | Weaknesses: | rear tire clearance, or should I say lack there of!!!
Different parts spec in US and Canada
no compression damping in the fork and INTERNAL rebound damping adjuster | | Similar Products Used: | none, no bike I've ridden is like the SIX | | Bike Setup: | Stock except seat, pedals, bars and 2.2 rear tire | | Bottom Line: | This bike has made a new man out of me. I've ridden cross country bikes for 16 years. Now that I have half a foot of travel front and rear it's a different world. Just today I did the biggest drop I've ever attempted (9'+) and the bike made it seem like noth'n at all. For the money you can't do any better for an extremely strong trail/freeride bike. The weight is a little rediculous (42lbs)but I bet it won't break. The last word I have about the bike is to NORCO. Next year build the chain stays with more tire clearance 2.2 is a little small for this much bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Ashton
a Downhiller
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2399.00 | | Strengths: | Everything | | Weaknesses: | What??? Paint, if anything. Cable under the BB? | | Similar Products Used: | Brodie Devo, Rocky Mountain Switch, Evil Imperial | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for the stem | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic ride. Handles urban like nothing and the runs like butter. I like a stiff responsive ride and this is it. does everything from street to jumping to freeride to gnarly technical downhill.
I don't like the paint job but that's aesthetics only. Very subjective I'm sure other people love it. Just not my bag. Though a sacrifice I'm willing to make for the quality of this bike.
Suggestion would be to have OPTIONS for colours in the future. How else to improve? Beats me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AS AS
a Downhiller
from NYC
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bay Ridge Bikes | | Strengths: | -Burly construction.
-Great value.
-Awesome parts spec.
| | Weaknesses: | -Rear tire clearance.
-Cable routing under the BB. | | Similar Products Used: | -Intense Uzzi SLX
-Santa Cruz Bullit | | Bike Setup: | Stock except the bars (Easton EA50) and stem (Azonic 90mm). | | Bottom Line: | Norco frames are seriously overbuilt. These guys are not kidding when it comes to building a strong bike. If you have ever seen an Uzzi SLX, you will appreciate how much beefier the Norco looks in comparison to the Intense.
The Six can be ridden as a trail bike by a strong rider but the weight and geometry are definitely freeride oriented. The parts are all name brand and burly. The 31.8 stem and Titec bars are huge AND heavy. I swaped them out for the setup on my downhill bike and saved 1/2lb. I was going to switch the Z150 for a Sherman but, after riding the bike, I am in love with the Marzocchi.
I wanted to get a freeride bike that I could take on 2-3 hour trail rides once in a while. Although the Norco Six is heavier than I originally wanted (36lbs), I have no regrets on my purchase - especially after hitting a few 8 foot drop and 10 foot gaps!
My bike came with Kenda Blue Groove 2.5 front and 2.35 rear tires. The rear tire just barely clears the frame. Swap out for a 2.2 rear if you decide to buy this bike.
Dollar for dollar... the best deal in the Untited States! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nik
a Downhiller
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Strengths: | Everything. Parts spec is exceptional considering the sticker price. Stiff, responsive and fantastic feel. | | Weaknesses: | We'll see how the paint holds up - Norcos tend to chip and rub off a bit too easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mtn Slayer; Norco Shore; Norco Rampage | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line: this bike is outstanding.
The Marz Z150 dropoff suits the ride quite well with its generous travel, super stiff feel and precision steering. Handles the skinnies like you wouldn't believe.
The parts spec'd on the ride are classic Norco value for your dollar - Hussefelt, El Norte, X9, 8" Hayes and Gazza. The Aricle stem (which I'd never heard of before) seems to be a solid chunk of componentry that should hold up very well to NS riding.
The geometry and suspension are dialed-in for wheelies, jumps, easy lifts and cruising downhill at speed, while also being versatile enough to drag you up the hill without too much trouble. The bike handles stairs, gaps and technical descents with aplomb.
I say well done Norco - this ride is the perfect freeride machine. Quick and spry enough for FR-XC, and definitely Burly enough for DH. I don't think I could have made a better choice this season. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jimmy rollins
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | whistler | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Strengths: | Norco frame, Burly and beefy | | Weaknesses: | They discontinued this line for 2003 (was dubbed as the Trail Fluid 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 was geared towards cross country riding) | | Similar Products Used: | Norco Fluid 2002. | | Bottom Line: | What can I say. They brought it back! The Six is essentially the Norco 2002 Fluid VPS. A freeride bike that was discontinued for 2003 and the name was given to the 2003 Trail Fluid which had a lighter tubing extruded material on the frame and spec'd with xc parts. 2003 was a lighter bike but no means a freeride stallion. All the letters and emails sent to Norco prompted the return of the SIX (ie. 2002 Fluid). Now this baby has an extra inch more travel than its father and a meaner paint job. If you want a complete review of how this bike handles just check out the 2002 Fluids. Good move Norco, you actually listened to your cusomers! Nuff said! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Elliott
a
from St. George, ON, CAN
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Waterdown | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1885.00 | | Purchased At: | Spokes'n Slopes | | Strengths: | Killer spec! 6" with a single crown! ODI Lock-ons! Sticky Gazza Jr's. This bike looks Sick!!! | | Weaknesses: | No ISGS mount for a chainguide. Rear derailleur cable needs to be shortened by about 4" | | Similar Products Used: | Giant AC, RM Switch, RM Element | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Shimano DX platform pedals and an e-Thirteen DRS Chainguide | | Bottom Line: | This bike inspires confidence! Manuals and wheelies are effortless on this rig. It has a HUGE sweetspot. Can't wait to get it up on Mont St. Anne this summer. I've always ran gripshift so the new X-9 triggers will take some getting used to, but I like'm already. Fit and finish are what you would expect from Norco. The cammo green colour Rocks! At 45 pounds it's hardly light but goes un-noticed except for climbing the steepest steeps. This is a great bike for anyone that wants an all-round rig to run urban, shore stunts, monster drops and DJ. And you can even ride it to the top if you want because the Fox Vanilla RC rear shock with Propedal valving all but eliminates any pedal bob. Almost the same spec as the RM Switch for nearly $1000 less! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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