Questions about 2004 Norco Team DH

[Crom]

Confused about a few things (not the first time :) ) and wanted to hear from others with the same bike OR from those in the know:

1. According to Norco's Tech Manual, my bike should have 7.4 - 9.0 inches of travel BUT, my bike shows clear printing indicating 8.6 - 9.0 inches.

2. Suspension linkage has two holes that control amount of travel (see above) BUT, the Tech Manual says the one further from the bottom bracket is for LESS travel, and the one closer to the bb is for MORE travel, yet mine is totally opposite?!?

3. My frame is a small but the stock spring seems pretty heavy (I used to run a 650 on my old Big Hit - seems heavier than that given near same leverage ratio) even though I've heard it was supposed to come with a 350 spring. There is no writing on the coil so impossible to tell what weight it is but looking at photo on Norco website, the coils on mine seem waayyyy tighter bound?!? What's on your bike?

I haven't called Norco yet to ask but will do soon. Just wanted to know if anyone has noticed/experienced the same as me and to hear what gives?

Thanks in advance.

[Crom]

c'mon, somebody's gotta have the same bike... :(

I'll be calling Norco hopefully sometime today - should be interesting.

[corey@nsmb.com]

1) The on-line manual for the bikes does say "specs may change without notice". You will note the bike is red in the manual and the website, when it is really silver.

2) Sounds like an editing mishap. It happens.

3) You spring is maybe too heavy. Your shop is supposed to get you dialed in when you buy a bike...sounds like they didn't make sure it was set up for you when you left. That isn't Norco's job, it is your dealers.

4) If your spring is tighter looking, it is probably a steel spring. The one in the pic is likely Ti, on the pre-production frame in the catalogue. Ti springs generally have fewer coils when put beside a steel equivalent.


Don't get too excited thinking your call will be interesting...there are pretty simple answers to your questions. :)

[biggles604]

Norco is IIRC recalling the link plates because the print of the long travel and shorter travel markings are back to front.
The hole closer to the frame is 9.0" the hole closer to the stay is the shorter travel.
Seems like a daft mistake to make. The bike should have come with a sheet of paper that outlined this error.

[matt shaw]

i dont know anything about your problem, but big props for the bike its a beauty

[Crom]

Thanks for the responses guys. I talked to Scott at Norco and he told me that there was a misprint on the linkages and I should be able to get a new one free of charge from my lbs. Basically, the hole further from the frame is 7.5", closer is 9" of travel. Also, the stock spring on my bike (and all small's I presume) is 550 lbs. In any case, I don't really mind that much that I've got a linkage with the wrong print, but I might as well pick up a new one if I'm entitled to it.

Thanks again guys.

[bighitter]

550 seems really high for a progressive shock on a small frame. you can't really compare the fox to the 5th for spring weights....they can be vastly different.check your 5th manual for set-up and go from there.

as a side note: norco supplies 600 and 700 lbs springs on small and x-small suspension frames............why?

[bighitter]

manual(02) http://www.tftunedshox.com/progressive/pdfs/5th%20Element%20Guide%20-%20English.pdf

5th Element Coil Set-up ... made simple
http://www.tftunedshox.com/progressive/setupcoil.html