[Lighty_]

Does anyone own a Norco Six? I test rode one a while ago, and it seems to be a pretty good deal for the money. The geometry seems relatively trail friendly except for the handlebars. Can someone tell me how much it weighs? The LBS guy said 37-38lbs, but I read 40lbs on the reviews here. Then one person said 36lbs.

Also, how well does it climb? Where I can't shuttle the bike up the mountain. Anywhere I want to go I have to pedal. How does it stack up against Santa Cruz Heckler, Kona Coiler and the like?

 

[the_sock]

The Six is a perfect all around bike. It can climb (slowly, unless you have legs the size of your torso), downhill, freeride, shore, urban and huck. It just can't dirt jump. I haven't measured the exact weight, but I was told at 39 pounds. Regardless, it's not as heavy as the Demo 9 or the Team DH/NS because it's only a single crown and has lighter wheelsets.

Anyhoo, the geometry is made like a trail bike, your body position is forward slightly but still like a XC bike. It's not like most downhill/freeride bikes where your body position is more back. I rode a Fluid before this bike, and it's the same frame as the Six and I rode up and down mountains on it. Currently I do shore stunts, urban riding and hucking off of stuff I can find. It's strong and I love the componets.

Compared to the Coiler, it's a superior bike. The Six is a freeride bike, the Coiler is an all mountain bike (like the Fluid). Stronger components and better fork. The Heckler is the same kinda bike, the all around freeride bike. They are both comparable but the geometry of the frame are completely different, so if you are choosing between the two, go with the one that feels more comfortable.

 

[Lighty_]

Thanks. I had given up expecting anyone to reply after all this time.

 

[Ernesto]

Compared to the Coiler, it's a superior bike. The Six is a freeride bike, the Coiler is an all mountain bike (like the Fluid). Stronger components and better fork.

I've riden them both and the above statment as with the statment to come, is one man opinion. sure the six comes with saint/Z150, but Norco's do not go up hill well. the Coiler is quite a bit beefier then the Fluid, which I've ridden as well, and climbs about the same. each has there place, one is not better then the other. for my style I wouldn't ride a Norco FS is you gave it to me. but that just me. in their place they are good bikes, it's just that for me their place is too close to the truck, lift line, or the 7-11.

 

[Lighty_]

Well, I guess any bike can be ridden uphill if you are strong enough and/or in a low enough gear. It's not something I expect an either/or answer.

Just like the "all-mountain" and "freeride" distinction is not perfectly clear. The Coiler has gone to 6" of travel and the middle version has a Marz 66 fork, FSA pig, DH wheels, Fox DHX and other components you would find on a freeride bike.

But all this helps. Especially since I don't think Norco is doing any trail demos anywhere near where I live.

 

[Ernesto]

True true, any bike will go up hill, just that some bikes do it better then others.

no big surprise that the Coiler went up an inch. heard a rummer that 04's, the one I have BTW, was build using a bunch of old 2K1 stinky rear ends they had kicking around. looked at and old Stinky yesterday and I'd say thats what they did. this years look nice though I haven't seen one in the metal.

the big thing for me, (out side what I have already said) and I've owned/own three Norcos, is that they only come in three sizes. hard to make an all mountain (neu skool XC if you want my thinking on it) fit right for the all day in the saddle rides. I made my personal choice between the two. every one want some thing a little different in a bike. these days it's almost like there are no bad bikes, just bad choices.

 

[gratefulbiker]

I was in the same situation at the beginning of this season, Coiler, Six, or Switch. I needed to be able to use my Romic and these three all use the same size shock. Ended up with the Coiler Deelux frame which is similar to the '01 and '02 Stinkys. The rear end on the Coiler is a bit longer than the Stinkys as is the top tube. The only change that I can see on the '05 is a longer rocker arm. They still use the same size shock as the '04 but increase the leverage ratio to get the extra inch of travel. Having ridden all three bikes, I would say they are equally strong, with the Coiler being a bit more versatile. One of the best things about it though is the uninterupted seat tube. If you have to climb, having the ability to move the seat all the way up and down is a must. I really liked the other bikes but they felt more biased toward the big drop side of things.

 

[Lighty_]

One of the best things about it though is the uninterupted seat tube. If you have to climb, having the ability to move the seat all the way up and down is a must. I really liked the other bikes but they felt more biased toward the big drop side of things.

Hmm...that's a good point. I haven't though about that.