|   Norco bikes? | The Weasel
Nov 5, 2003 12:40 PM | | being from the states and east coast I have never seen one of these bikes. But this one caught my interest. Can anyone name the model (I am blocked here at work - dem bastids)? What are other equivalent quality brands to Norco? Are they a small operation or the equivalent of Canada's CCM? Please excuse my ignorance. I was thinking of picking up a cheaper freeride/light DH bike. Thank you. |
| Itza Norco Six | JimC.
Nov 5, 2003 12:54 PM | | Norco is sort of the Wet Coast Equivalent of Procyle CCM or whatever they are called. While both sell tons of lower end bikes, they also both have great high end stuff. CCM has the like of Balfa and Rocky Mtn; Norco's line of 'shore bikes is sold around the world and recognized as a design leader.
Hope that helps, Jim |
| Clarification | Spacemoose
Nov 6, 2003 8:32 AM | | CCM is a big, old company ("Canadian Cycle and Motor") that makes everything from cheap hardware-store bikes to hockey skates, based in the centre of the Universe, Toronto. A few years ago, they purchased Rocky Mountain Bicycles, which is a maker of medium-to-high-end bikes in Vancouver. Rocky continues to exist, produce exclusively high-quality bikes, and operate out of Vancouver. CCM takes the profits, but otherwise, the relationship is zip.
Norco, on the other hand, are a 30+ year-old vancouver-based company that started out importing Japanese bikes during the "10-speed" craze, selling brands like Sekine, Nishiki, and their own "house" brand. They are also Canada's largest importer and distributer of parts and accessories, selling everything from Bell Helmets to Crank Brothers pedals. Although Norco made their mark selling relatively low-quality bikes to general sporting goods stores, they saw a good thing in Mountain bikes, and quietly started investing more money into developing higher quality bikes. A little more than 10 years ago, they started making some seriously high-quality bikes, and they were on the cutting edge of big-travel free-ride bikes on the real "North Shore".
Comparisons to Rocky Mountain are obvious, both being Vancouver-based companys (don't bring up Kona now!), but their histories are very different. In my very unhumble opinion, Rocky is a true innovator, with serious cyclists building bikes for the same. Norco is more of a follower than a leader (notice that 4-bar linkage borrowed from Specialized, or Norco's maple leaf paint jobs that came out 1 year after Rocky's?), but they make high quality bikes for very reasonable prices. |
| so would you say they're value oriented | The Weasel
Nov 6, 2003 9:15 AM | | if that makes sense? I guess something along the lines of Ironhorse or Giant? or better? Just curious. Thanks for the history, it was pretty interesting. Still like that bike. Tastey! |
| sort of but not really | JimC.
Nov 6, 2003 10:41 AM | | Spacemoose outlined it very well. I'd say though that Norco seems to have carved a nice niche market based on riding the North Shore for their higher end bikes for FS/FR. The SIX sort of sits middle of line roughly, but you can get bigger travel, more costly ones.
I can't say it's a value line as much as it is a line of FR bikes designed to take huge punishment. As such, you won't see the usual "high end" stuff like XTR and carbon bars on them, weight and XTR isn't the goal, survivability is. Burly, large rotors, ability to hold the bigest tires and maybe a 24" rear rim, etc etc etc.
Hope that helps, Jim |
| Good value if you want it to survive the NS & Whistler | AlanB
Nov 6, 2003 12:57 PM | | Solid design and construction is a theme running throughout the Norco FR/DH series. These puppies are designed to thrash down the worst conditions the Wet Coast can throw at them, not sprint to the top of the hill.
They use proven designs like the 4-bar linkage that don't need no stinkin' floating brake doohickey.
I'm still riding my '99 VPS-2. While it's definitely dated and past time for a replacement, I'm amazed at how well it's stood up to all the abuse and lack of maintenance I've put it through. The Norco Shore & Team Shore are at the top of my list for a new bike. The 2004 bikes are online at http://www.norco.com/bikes/2004bikes/
Alan |
| There are 4 bar DH bikes with floating brakes... | CraigH
Nov 6, 2003 4:18 PM | | for the same reason people put them on single pivot bikes, to remove the braking forces from the rear suspension. |
| re: Norco bikes? | Crank-a-Roo
Nov 5, 2003 12:54 PM | | Norco makes some of the best free ride bikes in the market. Definately not a small shop. |
| re: Norco bikes? | Rhesus#17
Nov 5, 2003 3:50 PM | | That is a great looking bike. Norco seems to be very in-tune with what people want. |
| |
