Rocky vs. Norco

[white ri0t]

Hi, I am looking at buying a new bike.

Rocky Switch or Norco 6.

Please help me make the descision.

[seand]

thread moved to correct forum (from shore => gear)

[knowles]

Rocky...their frames are sooo beautiful.

[white ri0t]

thread moved to correct forum (from shore => gear)
you have no frame of reference here, man.

[peachy-B]

i think the $$$ aren't equal but if that doesn't matter i would personally go RM for sure w/o a blink.

[sAFETY]

Neither, get a Mac.

[seand]

you have no frame of reference here, man.


... how so? why would a thread about which bike to get belong in the shore forum when there is a gear forum?

[Heatmizer]

I'm not even a Norco fan, but I voted for them because I think their new stuff just looks beautiful.

[Trini-dad72]

Derek, get the Switch. It's an awesome bike for sure. Switch Stealth man, you know you want it.
http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2006/zoom/z-06-se-switch-stealth.jpg

[IFO]

the Rocky for sure..

the new one is drop dead goregous...

i dotn think your comparing equal frames thou as the Rocky is quite a bit more $...

if that doesnt factor in then teh Rocky is certainly were i'd be spendign my money out of those 2...

[Skidmark]

They're both interrupted seatpost, Horst link frames. Which will give you the bigger bang for your buck, component wise?

[DaveM]

They're both interrupted seatpost, Horst link frames. Which will give you the bigger bang for your buck, component wise?

Isn't the Switch single pivot?

[SysCo.]

Isn't the Switch single pivot?


haha. no.
i dont think it ever has been.
the switch has three pivot points two for the plate. on for the chainstay.

[davel]

The Switch is not a Horst link. Look at where the link is on the
seatstay.

[Ninja]

The Switch is not a Horst link. Look at where the link is on the
seatstay.
Dave is correct, it is not a horst link design. It is a multi link design that acts like a single pivot, kinda.

[Bukkake]

Get the Norco, it's cheaper and they'll warantee it faster than Rocky will......



















^.....is the answer I would give if I you weren't a broke ass mangina muff diving for meth.

[Timmigrant]

That there Rocky is a single pivot, with some added metal to actuate the shock. For the money I'd get the Six.

[white ri0t]

http://bikes.com/bikes/2006/slayer/slayer-70.aspx#

What about this bike? looks about right, I'm not a huge hucker, stick around 6-7 feet but I do like my bridges. Oh, and pedalling. Put some manly pedals, seat, bar, stem, lose the big/granny ring and I could be in business.

Who the fuck sells Rocky these days, other than dizzy?

[Timmigrant]

67 feet ... wow ... you send er large! :agree:

[DaveM]

haha. no.
i dont think it ever has been.
the switch has three pivot points two for the plate. on for the chainstay.

Single pivot is defined by the amount of pivot points before the axle. Anything after the axle is just shock linkage and doesn't affect the wheel path.

[white ri0t]

$4400 for the slayer 70. what a fucking joke!

[Bukkake]

http://bikes.com/bikes/2006/slayer/slayer-70.aspx#

What about this bike? looks about right, I'm not a huge hucker, stick around 6-7 feet but I do like my bridges. Oh, and pedalling. Put some manly pedals, seat, bar, stem, lose the big/granny ring and I could be in business.

Who the fuck sells Rocky these days, other than dizzy?


West point

[Bukkake]

$4400 for the slayer 70. what a fucking joke!


Considering the spec and the fact that the frame is manufactured locally it makes sense to me. If you want a cheaper bike buy the Norco that is made cheaper by the magic of outsourcing to China.

[Coastal]

Rocky for sure. MADE IN B.C. so you know that some poor little kid is not welding your frame together.

[Trini-dad72]

The Slayer, is definately one of my fav bikes from RMB. There was one up at Whistler last year with a 66 up front. I don't know what trails the guy was riding, maybe someone else saw him. It was Acid Green with bare Aluminium, and a black 66. Anyway, it looked the dogs nutts, and it looks like it is an awesome bike for almost all purposes!!!!!!!!
http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2006/zoom/z-06-se-slayer-cult.jpg

[SysCo.]

Single pivot is defined by the amount of pivot points before the axle. Anything after the axle is just shock linkage and doesn't affect the wheel path.

thanks didnt know.

[Bridges!!!]

problem with the rocky: too expensive, single pivot.
problem with norco: it's a norco.

If you're going to spend the money, why not get a Specialized or Giant?

[leverfingers]

Where are Rockies made? I really have no idea, but I wouldn't say that they are made here unless you are sure. Maybe some are made here? In any case, Norco has it hands down. Better bikes and less money. And yes, there are no Horst links at Rocky. And yes, I have ridden and mechanicked on both. Norco has always listened to the local riders more than Rocky. If something sucked on a VPS one year, and someone said something about it, then it was changed for next year, hey presto. If something sucked on a Rocky, it just continues to suck year in and year out. Same shitty mistakes year after year. Even when we screamed for it. Even when we sent them boxes of broken RM thrust links. RM bikes are more expensive for the bike shops, so they make less markup on them. Even though you pay more for them, the shop makes less. If a bearing goes on a norco, you get a new one for a few bucks. If a bearing goes on a RM, then you buy the whole kit for a hundred or so bucks, even though you don't need all the other stuff. Even on the 05 RM's it was the same story, but the bearings and everything were even more pricey. Super Uber expensive double row ball bearings just puking out of the bike all the time. This is just the opinion of an industry lifer, manufacturer, and long time bike mechanic, who knows both products.

In order not to totally write off RM, I will say that it looks a little different for 2006. Firstly, they hired a couple of cool people, secondly, they finally have a couple of really new designs, and I don't mean the switch or RMX. So we shall see.

[SkunkworkS]

In any case, Norco has it hands down. Better bikes and less money. And yes, there are no Horst links at Rocky. And yes, I have ridden and mechanicked on both. Norco has always listened to the local riders more than Rocky. If something sucked on a VPS one year, and someone said something about it, then it was changed for next year, hey presto. If something sucked on a Rocky, it just continues to suck year in and year out. Same shitty mistakes year after year. Even when we screamed for it. Even when we sent them boxes of broken RM thrust links.

Yup, I can personally attest to that.

I cracked my headtube on the 03 Sasquatch. On the 2004, headtube area right where I cracked it was reinforced.

[Tom]

Where are Rockies made? I really have no idea, but I wouldn't say that they are made here unless you are sure.

Delta, BC.

[leverfingers]

OK Delta it is. I just wasn't sure. I know that very few Norcos are made locally. I can't say for sure, but I don't think that any Norco PRODUCTION bikes are made here.

[jonny.zee]

If a bearing goes on a RM, then you buy the whole kit for a hundred or so bucks, even though you don't need all the other stuff.

???

When the bearings went on my RM7, I bought some replacement bearings from BC Bearing and then Dizzy cycles ordered me the specialty parts (the needle bearing and axl) from Rocky one at a time. I wasn't forced to buy a kit at all.

IMO, replacing the bearings on an RM7 wasn't really any more difficult or costly than replacing bearings on any bike with mutiple bearings. (i.e. Specialized or Santa Cruz.)

[MIKAS]

Well i had a norco last year , i can tell you that , the feel of a norco is far but far from being as good as a rocky , first drop on a norco = 4 feets , the landing was ok but i still fell a hole lot of rebound and hit ect , first drop on a rocky , soooooooooooooo smooth , like riding a big couch ,

Rocky are just far superior in enginering and the rear shock is custom valved to fit the bike , designed and build here , not like norco who take an american design patented by specialized and build a bike around it !

No one will convince me to buy a norco , even if they give it to me for free i will just resell it for cheap with a warning , ...... dont ride to hard it wont last buddy :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree:

[Trini-dad72]

I believe that all of Rocky's high end bikes are made here. In the Annacis Island facility, and that the lower end stuff is from overseas.

[NOM4D]

i'd go for the one that supports gay marriage

[cervo]

rocky for sure... i done few trips in anacis island factory and i can tell you , guys are working in there ;) ... and Darcy the new designer is a magician ( rmx, switch, slayer, ets-x...) every thing he's touching is amazing and tons of fun to ride...

[smoochy]

no one has yet mentioned that the rocky hardtails are trying hard to sit the fence and be everyone's friend as a "freerider" dirtjumper/urbaner with shitty parts spec. lame.

norco has the decency to make their freeride hardtails actual freeride hardtails and their jumpers actual jumpers. i think that's a sign of respect for people who take their hardtails seriously, instead of as a side line curio.

of course, RMB makes steel XC bikes, which says the same thing in this category.

how about this - ride both bikes and which ever one feels better FOR YOU, you get that one!

[basicbigshot]

I test rode both back to back and it was no contest for me. The norco felt way better and so I bought it but that is a personal preference. Ignore all these people telling you to buy a bike cause it is pretty.

[Painting_of_Rebelion]

Switch is Garbage....might as well get a Kona with that rear suspension... the Six on the otherhand is Horst Linked and dead sexy... I can't belive how many people still stand behind those frames(the switch), I agre they look great, but seriously, Horst versus non horst is an easy decision: GET THE HORST LINKED BIKE :D Who cares where they're made if they don't perform well.

[Painting_of_Rebelion]

Well i had a norco last year , i can tell you that , the feel of a norco is far but far from being as good as a rocky , first drop on a norco = 4 feets , the landing was ok but i still fell a hole lot of rebound and hit ect , first drop on a rocky , soooooooooooooo smooth , like riding a big couch ,

Rocky are just far superior in enginering and the rear shock is custom valved to fit the bike , designed and build here , not like norco who take an american design patented by specialized and build a bike around it !

No one will convince me to buy a norco , even if they give it to me for free i will just resell it for cheap with a warning , ...... dont ride to hard it wont last buddy :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree:
WTF are you talking about... Set-up both shocks perfectly and then tell me that again :rolleyes: And how exactly do you custom valve a shock to a bike and not a rider??? Let's see superior engineering... like makin a multi-pivot bike into an effective single pivot :???: oh wait that's the Rocky... PLease disconnect your keyboard...

[cervo]

all my ROCKYs worked perfectly... never had problems...specially with the rear suspension, switch or now rmx...

[Farmer]

I prefer the 05 norco's over the 06 ones, so if they are both 06, go for the RM, but I love my 05 six

[Loopie]

Neither.
Get a VPP from SantaCruz. They pedal so good it should be against the law.
Giant Reign should be looked at too.
Specialized Bighit is a 26" rear wheel now.
The Switch is a beauty...but a low single pivot like that...meh

[*GiMpY_jR*]

i loved my switch no problems with it at all...

[bullit_kid]

hahahahahahahahahhahahahaha

[DrewM]

I guess I'm just a goof? But I actually prefere the ride of a "faux" bar over most the Horst link bikes I've tried (which may have been set up?). It's less noticable with the new shock technology but the bit of brake jack from bikes like the Stinky and the Switch isn't a big deal and I like how those bikes don't "squat" (???) when I'm pedalling on Skinnies.

One of the sweetest rides I've tried so far is a Bullit with a floating brake arm. Doesn't squat, doesn't brake jack and you don't get those tiny little bearings like on my multi pivot designs (not that Santa Cruz bearings are the best, but if they used a high quality needle bearing like Devincis DH bike that would be sweet).

[MIKAS]

WTF are you talking about... Set-up both shocks perfectly and then tell me that again :rolleyes: And how exactly do you custom valve a shock to a bike and not a rider??? Let's see superior engineering... like makin a multi-pivot bike into an effective single pivot :???: oh wait that's the Rocky... PLease disconnect your keyboard...

wHATS UP SUCKER !

nORCO = GOOD PRICE ,MEDIUM QUALITY ,NOT SO GOOD FEEL

ROCKY MOUNTAIN = awesome quality , ok expensive , give you somuch confidence you can hit anything chek this http://www.nsmb.com/gear/rocky_12_05.php

:orly: :orly: :orly:

[Timmigrant]

wHATS UP SUCKER !

nORCO = GOOD PRICE ,MEDIUM QUALITY ,NOT SO GOOD FEEL

ROCKY MOUNTAIN = awesome quality , ok expensive , give you somuch confidence you can hit anything chek this http://www.nsmb.com/gear/rocky_12_05.php

:orly: :orly: :orly:

How can an entire bike company be summed up as either "good price, medium quality, not so good feel" or "awesome quality, ok expensive, give you so much confidence you can hit anything" ??? Please explain.

The Switch and the Six are both great bikes. If I were you I'd go and ride both and make an educated decision. I personally think you'll have a hard time shelling out the extra $$$ for the Switch though.

[DaveM]

Well i had a norco last year , i can tell you that , the feel of a norco is far but far from being as good as a rocky , first drop on a norco = 4 feets , the landing was ok but i still fell a hole lot of rebound and hit ect , first drop on a rocky , soooooooooooooo smooth , like riding a big couch ,

Rocky are just far superior in enginering and the rear shock is custom valved to fit the bike , designed and build here , not like norco who take an american design patented by specialized and build a bike around it !

No one will convince me to buy a norco , even if they give it to me for free i will just resell it for cheap with a warning , ...... dont ride to hard it wont last buddy :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree:

You need to go back to Pinkbike.

I could pick apart your post, but the time I've already wasted is too much.

[Painting_of_Rebelion]

I guess I'm just a goof? But I actually prefere the ride of a "faux" bar over most the Horst link bikes I've tried (which may have been set up?). It's less noticable with the new shock technology but the bit of brake jack from bikes like the Stinky and the Switch isn't a big deal and I like how those bikes don't "squat" (???) when I'm pedalling on Skinnies.

One of the sweetest rides I've tried so far is a Bullit with a floating brake arm. Doesn't squat, doesn't brake jack and you don't get those tiny little bearings like on my multi pivot designs (not that Santa Cruz bearings are the best, but if they used a high quality needle bearing like Devincis DH bike that would be sweet).I'm not a stable platform fan, I like active feeling shocks personaly... That said, I loved the Bullit I tried out, but then it was a single pivot with 1pivot... the Rocky is expensive, and overly complicated compared to the Bullit so I htink it's a bad value. The Switch LOOKS killer (espescialy with 1.5) and I'm sure it's made really well, but like I said, I don't think it's worth it when the 6 is equaly as sexymaybe even more IMO, and has a gerat spec and costs less. Not to mention that it's a 4 bar and they ride great. There's a reason Norco liscenced the tech form Specialized and why SPecialized makes some of the most amazing mass produced bikes around... The suspension works and it works well.

Cheers

Dave

[MIKAS]

You want a sweet deal on a 2006 rocky switch , hit me i can hook you up ,
youl get it cheaper than a six and it will kill anything around for sure just have a look at mine
http://photos.nsmb.com/showimage.php?i=5245&c=9

mikas@telus.net

Im not kiding its waiting for you !

[cervo]

i never really tried a norco, just saw them in action... and i still like rocky's, rode lots of them and never been disapointed... true it's expenssive, but is luxury car not expenssive??? a rocky is pretty much the same it may work like an other ride or just a bit better or less, but if you care about style or pleasure to have a special bike ( i almost hate to see somebody with the same bike of mine... and NORCO for that is the worst almost like LAPIERRE or COMMENCALE in France... you can see these bikes every where...) you can take one for sure, in this case you'll be proud to ride on a great bike at all...

[MIKAS]

nuff sed get a rocky !

you want a bmw not a mazda !

[drezy]

i loved my switch no problems with it at all...It didn't handle that last big drop too well though, did it? :grinno:

[Timmigrant]

... will kill anything around for sure just have a look at mine ...

Pretty bold statement to make, if anything the Six has a better suspension system than the Switch. The Switch is merely a complicated single pivot. And you're bike is an RMX ... albeit a beautiful bike, that paint is just stunning, but not exactly the most elegant of designs at 13 pounds of 8" single pivot ... :S

I didn't realize this but lets face facts Six One Vs. Switch 2:

Suspension
Six - Four Bar, 6.5" travel
Switch - Single Pivot, 6" travel

Weight
Six - 36 lbs
Switch - ??? but definately heavier w/ 10lb frame and 66 fork

Price
Six - $3279
Switch - $3499

Build
Similar

[peachy-B]

that's it? 3279 against 3499? ok at that price i would say they are very close. i never liked Norco... my money would go to RM, assumming the guy who started this post likes either one.

[corey@nsmb.com]

Pretty bold statement to make, if anything the Six has a better suspension system than the Switch. The Switch is merely a complicated single pivot. And you're bike is an RMX ... albeit a beautiful bike, that paint is just stunning, but not exactly the most elegant of designs at 13 pounds of 8" single pivot ... :S

I didn't realize this but lets face facts Six One Vs. Switch 2:

Suspension
Six - Four Bar, 6.5" travel
Switch - Single Pivot, 6" travel

Weight
Six - 36 lbs
Switch - ??? but definately heavier w/ 10lb frame and 66 fork

Price
Six - $3279
Switch - $3499

Build
Similar


The 06 Switch that I reviewed is heavier than 36 pounds. I will weigh it, but I am going to guess that it sits at about 41 pounds, and I bet I'm accurate within a pound.. Its heavy.

[MIKAS]

deppend on the build , and ahhh yeahhhh i showed my bike for the component only , i know its not a switch DOH ! i weighted one switch at about 37/38 but it was not the stock from rocky at all.........