2010 Norco Mountain Bikes – Part 1

Maybe the Canadians didn’t get the memo that 26″ hardtails are done…and it’s a good thing, because Norco has launched an all-new for 2010 full high-modulus carbon Team edition of their race hardtail, complete with an integrated seatmast (ISM), BB30 bottom bracket and full SRAM XX drivetrain, SID XX fork (100mm), Avid XX brakes/levers and some ever-so-grippy Conti Speed King (spec’d, not shown) tires.  The cockpit is fitted with Ritchey WCS bits, and the bike rolls on an Easton XC-1 wheelset.

The Team frame uses an EPS (Ethyl PolyStyrene) mandrel system during fabrication to eliminate internal wrinkles (which can cause weak points in a frame) and a ThermoPlastic Mesh to strengthen against fractures and stop the progression of cracks if they do occur.  To top that all off, they use a “High Toughness Resin” that is said to improve impact resistance by 20% over standard carbon resin.  Externally, the BB30 bottom bracket, ISM and oversized tubes and stays improve stiffness and reduce weight.  It has internal (gear) cable routing and a stainless steel chain protector to keep it pretty.  MSRP is $6,265 US.

Don’t worry, though, Norco has refined the big, bouncy bikes that they’re know for, too, and introduced a women’s All Mountain bike.  Here’s a peak, then you have to hit ‘more’ to see the full line…

The 2010 Norco XC Hardtail Torrent is one step down from the Team model, and gets the HM Carbon Frame but loses the ISM, BB30 and XX spec.  It’s no schlub, though.  It gets Ritchey Pro cockpit parts, a WTB Silverado Team saddle, Rockshox SID fork (100mm), RaceFace Deus cranks/bb, Shimano SLX shifters and front changer with XT rear derailleur, Avid Elixir 5 brakes/levers and an FSA headset.  It rolls on wheels wheels built with KT Q-Lite hubs laces to DT XR430 rims.  The Torrent and the Team are available in 15.5″, 17.0″, 18.5″ and 20″ sizes. MSRP is 2,925 US.

DOWNHILL / FREERIDE / ALL MOUNTAIN

The 2010 Norco DH Team is their top of the line gravity rig.  It, along with all of their DH and “Park” series bikes (which refers to Freeride parks that tend to be lift-served), which includes this bike, the DH, A-Line and Atomik, all share the following features:

• Oversized hydroformed downtubes
• FSR linkage design – Isolates braking and pedaling forces for a fully active suspension
• Improved hardware over previous models (stronger, easier to maintain)
• Two graphic styles, Park and Race, so you can tell who does what
• Redesigned 2010 A-line / Atomik frames use a thicker gauge mainframe and seatstay tubing, made stronger for extra big hucking!
• 3 frame sizes: S, M, L
• 150 x 12 thru-hole axle dropouts – saves weight
• Integrated 1.125-to-1.5″ headset with step down cup – stiffer, stronger and lower stack height

The Team DH comes with a Rockshox Boxxer Team fork and Vivid coil shock, FSA Orbit DL headset (integrated), Sunline V1 bar (711 or 737mm wide) and direct-mount stem, WTB saddle, Avid Elixir CR brakes/levers with 8″ rotors, SRAM X-7 shifter and XO rear derailleur, E-13 LG chainguide, SRAM DH cassette (11-26) and Shimano Saint cranks (170mm).  It rolls on Alex Supra D double wall rims laced to Sun-Ringle Jumping Flea hubs (20mm front axle, 150×12 rear) with Kenda Nevagal 2.35 tires.  MSRP is $4,750 ($2,700 frame only). Approximate weight: 40lbs.

The 2010 Norco DH steps down to a Boxxer Race fork with Marzocchi Roco Coil w/ piggy back shock, FSA Orbit E headset, Funn Fat Boy bar and RSX stem (direct mount), Norco seatpost, Avid Elixir 5 brakes/levers w/ 8″ rotors, SRAM X-7 rear derailleur and an FSA Gravity Moto X-Mega 36T crankset.  KT hubs on Sun Equalizer rims with Maxxis Ardent 2.4 tires.  41lbs estimated.  MSRP is $3,050 US.

The 2010 Norco A-Line is for Freeride parks, and for 2010 they’ve made the frame stronger to take more abuse…astute Norco fans will notice the less-swoopy design than the prior model.  The other change is they did away with their adjustable BB/Headtube angles to simplify and lighten the design…the bike’s geometry is now fixed in the “low BB / slack HT” position.

The A-Line is spec’d with a Marzocchi 888 RCV triple clamp fork and Fox DHX 4.0 coil shock, an FSA Orbit DL headset, Sunline lockon grip, Syncros FR20 (710mm) bar, an option of Marzocchi’s clamp-on stem or a shorter Syncros FR stem, Syncros seatpost, Avid Code 5 brakes/levers (8″ rotors), WTB saddle, SRAM X-7 shifter and rear derailleur, KMC chain, RaceFace Respond DH crankset and Sun wheels (Jumping Flea hubs w/ Sun MTX rims) on Kenda Nevagal 2.5 tires.  If looks are important to you, it has an anodized black finish.  MSRP is $3,569 US ($2,700 frame only…seriously?  for $870 you get a complete build?)

The 2010 Norco Atomik shares the same frame geometry as the Team DH bike (different tubes and alloy, though).  It has a lower shock position than in 2009, and benefits from the lighter headset design of the DH frame.

It’s spec’d with a Marzocchi 888 RV fork and Fox Vanilla R coil shock.  Truvativ Hussefelt supplies the bar, stem and crankset with their Howitzer XR BB, Avid Juicy 3 brakes/levers (Yep, 8″ rotors), SRAM X-5 shifter / X-7 rear derailleur, KMC chain, Wellgo pedals and Kenda Nevagal 2.5 tires around KT / Alex wheels.  MSRP is $2,630 US.

XC FULL SUSPENSION

The Faze line is Norco’s 120mm travel XC full suspension lineup, designed for general singletrack riding, adventure racing and what we used to just call “mountain biking.”  New for 2010, they’ve increased the seat tube’s outer diameter to 34.9mm, which gives riders the option of using the wider, adjustable height posts.  The frame is M6 triple-butted aluminum tubing, including the stays, and the SL and “1” use a new one-piece carbon rocker arm (forged alloy one-piece on the “2” and “3”) to reduce weight.  The shock mount has also dropped some grams, and the curved top tube offers better standover clearance.  They’re available in XS, S, M, L and XL sizes.

The 2010 Norco Faze SL is their premium XC FS bike.  It’s spec’d with Fox 32 FRLC FIT fork and Float RP23 shock, FSA Orbit X alloy headet, Ritchey WCS riser bar, stem and seatpost, WTB saddle, Avid Elixir CR Carbon brakes/levers with 6″ rotors, Shimano XTR shifters/derailleurs, RaceFace Deuce XC crankset and DT Swiss wheels on Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.1 tires. MSRP is $4,945 US ($1,465 frame kit).

The 2010 Norco Faze 1 steps down to a Rockshox Reba Race and Monarch 2.1 suspension set up, Ritchey Pro level components, Shimano SLX / XT shifters and derailleurs, Avid Elixir R brakes/levers and slightly less high-end DT Swiss wheels.  Tires and cranks are the same. MSRP is $3,099 US.

The Faze 2 (and 3) uses their alloy rocker arm, which gives you two shock mount positions, changing the travel from 100mm to 120mm on the rear.  The “2” gets a Rockshox Recon 327 120mm air fork and Monarch 2.1 shock, Ritchey Comp and OE bits, WTB Silverado Race SL saddle, Avid Elixir 5 brakes/levers, Shimano Deore/SLX cranks, shifters and derailleurs, and Shimano M475 hubs mated to Mavic XM-117 rims with Schwalbe Racing Ralph rubber. MSRP is $2,089 US.

Faze 3 steps down to a Rockshox Tora XC coil fork (120mm) and Bar 2.1 air shock, Norco bar, stem, post and saddle, Avid Juicy 3 brakes/levers and Shimano Deore drivetrain.  It gets Alex rims on Shimano hubs with Kenda Small Block 8 tires. MSRP is $1,675 US.

ALL MOUNTAIN FULL SUSPENSION

Moving up a notch in travel and durability, the 2010 Norco Fluid line gets several updates for next year to improve the overall ownership experience.  First, they get the larger 34.9 OD seat tubes like the Faze line, allowing 30.9 adjustable height posts, and the lightweight butted M6 hydroformed mainframes with butted stays designed for lighter tubing while being stiffer and stronger at the ends of the tubes.  The rocker arms are forged with a cross brace to improve stiffness.  The bikes get new, more stylish hardware with deeper cut allen key bolt heads to reduce stripping, and the curved top tube and 5-size range (XS to XL) provide a wide range of fits for all size riders.  Rear travel has two settings (116mm or 143mm) on all models.

The top-of-the-range Fluid SE (Special Edition?) gets top-shelf parts like Fox 32 FRLC FIT 150mm fork and Float RP23 shock, Ritchey WCS bar, stem and post, WTB Silverado with NiCro rails, Avid Elixir R carbon levers/brakes (7″ fr / 6″ rr), Shimano XT/XTR shifters and derailleurs and RaceFace Deuce XC cranks.  It also comes with Crank Bros Candy C pedals (bonus!) and Shimano XT hubs (15mm thru-axle front) with DT 430 rims, all wrapped up with Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires.  Bike weight is 27.2 lbs.  MSRP is $3,830 US ($1,250 frame kit).

The 2010 Fluid 1 bounces on a Fox Float 32R 150mm travel fork w/ 15mm axle and RP2 air shock.  It’s spec’d down to Shimano SLX / XT blend (including hubs) with an LX cassette, KMC chain, RaceFace Deuce XC cranks, Crank Bros Smarty pedals and Mavic rims with Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.10 tires. MSRP is $2,925 US.

The Fluid 3 has a Rockshox 351 Recon Solo Air fork with 9mm axle (140mm travel) and Monarch 2.1 shock, Ritchey bar and stem with Norco post and WTB Rocket Comp seat, Shimano Deore cassette, shifters and front derailleur with XT rear, M-475 hubs on Mavic XM-117 rims and the same tires as the “2”. MSRP is $2,089 US.

There’s also a “3” model with Rockshox Tora U-Turn 130mm fork / Ario 2.1 shock, Deore/SLX drivetrain, Wellgo pedals, Alex rims and Kenda Nevagal tires. MSRP $1,630 US.

LONG TRAVEL ENDURO ALL MOUNTAIN

Norco’s 2010 LT6 series combines the travel and durability of backcountry all mountain skills with the cross country lungs for riders looking to do it all with one bike, even some light freeriding.

To toughen them up, they’ve given the LT6’s a tapered (1-1/8″ to 1.5″) headtube, ISCG 05 mount on the BB shell and a new forged seat stay yoke, which also increases tire clearance and reduces weight.  The rear travel is adjustable from 5.5″ to 6.1″ (137 to 158mm).  They also get the 34.9 OD seat tube.

The LT 6.1 tops the series with an included Crank Bros Joplin adjustable height seatpost, Rockshox Lyric 2step air fork w/ tapered steerer tube and Monarch 4.2 air shock, and alloy FSA #57 internal headset, Truvativ Stylo Team bar, Syncros AM V2 stem, WTB Silverado Team saddle w/ NiCro rails, Avid Elixir CR brakes (7″ rotors), SRAM X9 shifters and rear derailleur with a HammerSchmidt crankset.  It rolls on Mavic XM-317 rims laced with DT Champion spokes to Sun Jumping Flea 20mm axle (front) / Dirty Flea 135×10 (rear) hubs and Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25 tires. MSRP is $4,450 US ($1,395 frame kit).

The LT 6.2 drops down to a Rockshox Solo Air (tapered steerer) and Monarch 3.1 shock, Truvativ Style SL bar and Race seatpost, Avid Elixir 5 brakes/levers, SRAM X7 shifters w/ X9 rear derailleur and Shimano XT front der and rear hub, KT 20mm axle front hub, Mavic XM-317 rims and Maxxix Ardent 2.25 tires. MSRP is $2,925 US.

The LT 6.3 has Rockshox Revelation 150mm fork w/ Maxle Lite 20mm axle and Monarch 2.1 shock, Norco bar, stem, post and grips, Avid Juicy 3 brakes / levers, WTB Rocket V Comp saddle, SRAM X5 shifters and X7 rear der with Shimano Deore front, Truvativ FireX GXP crankset, alloy BMX-style flat pedals, Alex rims and Kenda Nevagal 2.35 tires. MSRP is $2,340 US.

Part 2 of Norco 2010 Mountain Bikes coming soon…