2005 Norco VPS A-Line

[MerimacHamwich]

Got my bike last week, and I absolutely love it. I feel the need to show it to everyone, so here it is.
:)
Sideshot (http://members.shaw.ca/MerimacHamwich/Pictures 001.jpg)
Outside angle (http://members.shaw.ca/MerimacHamwich/Pictures 005.jpg)
Stem and Handlebars (http://members.shaw.ca/MerimacHamwich/Pictures 009.jpg)
Top shock (http://members.shaw.ca/MerimacHamwich/Pictures 010.jpg)
Fork angle (http://members.shaw.ca/MerimacHamwich/Pictures 012.jpg)
Desktop Collage (http://members.shaw.ca/MerimacHamwich/desktop copy.jpg)


The pictures are all really high resolution, so be sure to enlarge. :)
:thepimp:

[Adam West]

still got th em reflectors on the pedals? lol
nice bike!

[Nelson]

Nice ride...

Even better avatar :P

[MerimacHamwich]

Haha, yeah, good ol' reflectors. I'm not sure if I will take them off or not. Maybe I will leave em on and geek up COP a bit. ;)

-edit-
I should mention that the lizard skin and Dangerboy bashplate are both aftermarket. Didn't come stock.
:)

[corey@nsmb.com]

Nice bike. Basically the 2004 Team Race frame with a different build. Sweet deal. :thepimp:

[MerimacHamwich]

Glad you like the avatar Nelson.

Corey, I know eh? I was looking at getting an Atomik or Stinky back in July of '04. Then I heard rumour of the 2005 A-Line having hte same frame as the '04 Team DH. I loved the Team DH but never thought I'd be able to afford it. So I just had to wait to see if the rumours were true.

When I found out they were true, there was no way I was getting any other bike than the 05 Aline. Now it's mine, and I love it. Best choice Norco ever made. :D

What do you guys think of Mallet headsets? I've personally never heard of em, or at least never noticed them before.

[cdnredneck]

get rid of those refectors. when i got my new bike, i went to cop to try it out. after a few hours, all my reflectors had busted off.

[MerimacHamwich]

Even the reflectors in your pedals? If so, intense.

[big ben]

sickly bike. enjoy when riding season comes along!
P.S.- I love the 888!

[MerimacHamwich]

Thanks ben! Whenever I even think about the bike, I can't stop beaming a huge smile. It's above zero this week in Calgary, so I'm hoping the small hill near me will melt. Hah. Then I can RIDE!

[Mountain Dewd]

Take those reflectors off asap.

SICK bike, one of the best values for a complete big bike for sure. ohh and resize those pics.

[drezy]

Nice bike. Like Mountain Dewd said, great value. I've got the DH from last year and I love it. I have to say though, I like the black better than the silver.:)

[axx]

That bike feels awsome. I was riding one around the shop a couple days and yeally liked it. Its cool that it has an adjustable bb height too. Should be a great bike.

[MerimacHamwich]

Haha, i took the reflectors off. :) Looks more aggressive now.

[Solar_mtb]

Damn, sick 888's. all black! *drool* :drool:

i love black bikes.

[Trini-dad72]

Merimac, that is a sweet sweeet sweeeeetbadass bike!!

Man... I have bike envy now. Just need some flat crowns for the 888 I guess, and you'll be set for some serious trail aggression!!!

[MerimacHamwich]

Haha, glad you guys are liking the pics. I had been looking at picture for months, so ecstatic I finally got it. Can't wait to put that Fox DHX to work!
:D :thepimp:

What's the benefit of flat crowns?

[Trini-dad72]

Originally posted by MerimacHamwich


What's the benefit of flat crowns?


It lowers your front end by around an inch. It makes it a little less tall, and steepens the head angle by around one degree. If you like it that way it is... then Rock and Roll!!!:cool:

[IFO]

that is the nicest Norco EVER....

shame about the color thou...still its a incredible value...

enjoy, u got one serious pimp ride there....:thepimp:

[Coop]

that is blacker than a black acura.

i like it.
the shop i work at has one coming in... im pretty stoked to see how it feels compared to my 03 a-line.

[g1mpy]

that frame looks impossible to jump with no offence... Im happy with my 04 a-line... sorta jelous on the new bike though....

[Jaysin]

Amazingly beautiful ride man!!! I have the 2004 A Line with 888R, and it feels unreal.....I would love to take that out for a little "test ride":P

[corey@nsmb.com]

Originally posted by g1mpy
that frame looks impossible to jump


It's pretty much the 04 DH Race with a different spec.

I've seen lots of them on the hills and at races, and none of the guys riding them seem to have a problem getting her off the ground! :)

[GRIZZ]

Originally posted by corey@nsmb.com
It's pretty much the 04 DH Race with a different spec.

I've seen lots of them on the hills and at races, and none of the guys riding them seem to have a problem getting her off the ground! :)

ill admit they dont look like a jumping bike but like you said they have no problem leaving the ground:thepimp:

[corey@nsmb.com]

...defintately not a "dirt jumper"...it's a downhill bike. :thepimp:

[MerimacHamwich]

Yeah, I'm not really intending to do alot of Dirt Jumping with it. Just free-ride and DH. Oh yeah.

I can't wait 'till VPS fest.

[MerimacHamwich]

So, I've rode the bike twice now, and I love it. I haven't done any real free ride, just riding around town. Mostly urban type stuff, wherever there isn't snow.

I must say I'm probably biased, but the bike is amazing. I did a nice little 5 set, and it was smooth as heck. I guess that is to be expected with a Fox DHX and 9" in the rear though eh?

But yeah, wow, best purchase ever. I can't wait until summer, really put it through it's paces. :)

[kthomas]

thats a really :thepimp: ride you got there!

[King Xcaliber]

I’m gonna be checkin one out today man. Pictures do it no justice. It is a thing that must be witnessed in person to be fully appreciated.:rocker:

[MerimacHamwich]

Originally posted by King Xcaliber
I’m gonna be checkin one out today man. Pictures do it no justice. It is a thing that must be witnessed in person to be fully appreciated.:rocker:

Haha, word life. :P I totally agree though.

Thanks kthomas. :)

[Keefer]

Lucky guy, that bike is amazing.

[chameleon]

I can't wait 'till VPS fest. [/B][/QUOTE]

What, when and where is this?

Wow, what an awesome bike - love the colour too :drool:

[MerimacHamwich]

VPS Fest is an event Norco puts on throughout several Canadian venues, usually late in the summer, mid july-ish. If I remember correctly. One of the venues happens to be COP, which is in my hometown.

Basically, it's an event where a whole ton of VPS owners show up, get discounted lift tickets and ride. I think there are also perks like prizes and stuff.

[Gidget@nsmb.com]

I'm so glad other people are stoked for VPSfest besides me....no confirmed dates or locations yet, but they're definetly happening again this summer. :thepimp:

[chameleon]

Originally posted by MerimacHamwich
VPS Fest is an event Norco puts on throughout several Canadian venues, usually late in the summer, mid july-ish. If I remember correctly. One of the venues happens to be COP, which is in my hometown.

Basically, it's an event where a whole ton of VPS owners show up, get discounted lift tickets and ride. I think there are also perks like prizes and stuff.

Sounds like something not to be missed. Thanks for the info.

[roasterthetoaster]

If you don't mind me asking what is the retail for the bike? I have been wanting another bike other than my hardtail for quite a while....

[UFO]

retail should be roughly 3400 at most shops

[drezy]

$2999 here

[hard_core_biker]

vps fest is at: Whistler, Mt. Washington, C.O.P., Blue, and a few others.

all mountains are free lift tickets if you ride a norco, whistler is only 1/2 off though. you get free stickers, a poster, and a key chain, among other things, it is a fun time:thepimp:

[MerimacHamwich]

Indeed hardcore. :)

Mine ended up being $3100.00 after tax. Just build up a bit of a reputation withe your local shop, if they have it for actual retail of 3400, and I'm sure they will give you a discount of some sort.

[UFO]

actual retail from norco is 3369, so most shops will probably be a couple hundred cheaper than that. once again, extraordinary value. makes you wonder what kind of profit norco turns in on current year team dh bikes, if they can offer a full a-line on same frame for such a cheap price the year after.

[corey@nsmb.com]

Originally posted by UFO
makes you wonder what kind of profit norco turns in on current year team dh bikes, if they can offer a full a-line on same frame for such a cheap price the year after.


If you put them side by side, there is a significant difference in build kit...and that's where the extra money comes into play.

If you compared frame only prices, I bet they are darn near identical.

Look at the hubs for example... look at the A-Line hubs vs. the Team race bike Hadleys, HUGE difference in price. Then there is drivetrain, rims, bb, head set, cranks, etc. It all ads up and it ads up fast!

[Loopie]

I'm SERIOUSLY considering the '05 A-line aswell. I just can't seem to ignore the nagging thought of "why should I spend so much more on something else that does the exact same god-damn thing?"
Norco finally figured out some proper geometry specs to run in the past yr or so....and well, I think I can even live with the fact that everyone and their dog plus all their relatives have a Norco......cuz I just don't give a shit anymore. It's my earned cash and I wanna save it. Thx.