Norco 2012 Preview

cam@nsmb.com · 07-21-2011, 08:48 AM

Todd Hellinga has been riding the 2012 Norcos - and thus far he's impressed.

Here's a brief look at what he thinks so far...

DarylMac · 07-21-2011, 08:48 PM

I know this is going to sound cynical - but I'm not meaning it to be...

Is Norco still paying patent fees to Specialized, or is the new DH bike modeled after a Trek?

I can't speak to ride quality but as far as looks go the new DH is a stunner - easily their best looking production DH bike to date. Not crazy about the paint scheme - but I thought the spy shots of the raw one that were floating around awhile back were really nice.

FlipFantasia · 07-21-2011, 08:52 PM

Norco still licenses the FSR, but it is optimized using their own ART system. the trek uses a split pivot

boomforeal · 07-21-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarylMac

Is Norco still paying patent fees to Specialized, or is the new DH bike modeled after a Trek?

ART is a variation of FSR, and i believe norco is still paying for the patent (which runs out next year, iirc)

the new dh bike is a stunner, but it's also a dead ringer for the trek session. as someone from rocky noted last year though, there seems to be a convergence in basic bike layout/design going on across the industry. although this obviously makes different bikes less unique looking (and therefor less satisfying to consumers who tie their identity to superficial features of what they buy) it's probably a good thing in terms of optimizing function: if engineers and designers across the mtb industry are agreeing on something, likely its for good reason - it works!

edit: beat me to it todd

PUNKY · 07-22-2011, 04:53 AM

Instead of releasing 2012 bikes maybe they can get 2011 replacement parts out to their dealers!

Mic · 07-22-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarylMac

I can't speak to ride quality but as far as looks go the new DH is a stunner - easily their best looking production DH bike to date. Not crazy about the paint scheme - but I thought the spy shots of the raw one that were floating around awhile back were really nice.

I absolutely agree with you Dave. I remember when I first saw them in Dirt Magazine and I was blow away, they look really nice.

Timmigrant · 07-26-2011, 12:37 AM

Completely agree Todd. After doing some back to back testing on an Aurum against my Session 88 last Christmas I begged Norco for the prototype back. Since then I've put in a ton of vertical on the proto, tested 9 different shocks on it, and loved every minute.

Bryan · 07-26-2011, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmigrant

Since then I've put in a ton of vertical on the proto, tested 9 different shocks on it, and loved every minute.

ohh so you'll try 9 different shock on the Norco, but only one on that "other" test bike......lol.

(j/k)

Timmigrant · 07-26-2011, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan

ohh so you'll try 9 different shock on the Norco, but only one on that "other" test bike......lol.

(j/k)

LOL ... jerk. The "other" test bike is only available with one shock silly.

Those there new Norco's however come with three different shocks across the price range and Norco wanted to make sure the shocks were appropriately tuned on all models.

MikeO · 07-26-2011, 07:31 AM

Any word yet on the pricing for the Aurum 1? Must have.

Kevin_m31 · 07-26-2011, 07:41 AM

Have to say I've seen all of the show bikes come through every year and this year the Norco lineup from top to bottom on the mountain side looks pretty nice.

Aurum, Truax, Range, and Sight are all pretty nice bikes and are fairly competitive in their categories.

boomforeal · 07-27-2011, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeO

Any word yet on the pricing for the Aurum 1? Must have.

tops out at just over 7k US. frame mounted spare breakaway drl bolt, slotted suspension hardware, different bb shells for different frame sizes to change chainstay length without requiring different chainstays... looks like a reeeelly well thought out frame

FlipFantasia · 07-27-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomforeal

tops out at just over 7k US. frame mounted spare breakaway drl bolt, slotted suspension hardware, different bb shells for different frame sizes to change chainstay length without requiring different chainstays... looks like a reeeelly well thought out frame

Aurum 1 is actually $5150-5350 range Cdn...Aurum LE is $7150-7450CDN

PUNKY · 07-27-2011, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlipFantasia

Aurum 1 is actually $5150-5350 range Cdn...Aurum LE is $7150-7450CDN

Oh mtn biking!

ReductiMat · 07-27-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomforeal

frame mounted spare breakaway drl bolt

Quest que c'est?

07-21-2011, 08:48 AM	#1
cam@nsmb.com administurbator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The North Shore Posts: 8,427 Rep Power: 666	Norco 2012 Preview Todd Hellinga has been riding the 2012 Norcos - and thus far he's impressed. Here's a brief look at what he thinks so far...

07-26-2011, 12:37 AM	#7
Timmigrant Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Burnaby Posts: 2,396 Rep Power: 178443	Completely agree Todd. After doing some back to back testing on an Aurum against my Session 88 last Christmas I begged Norco for the prototype back. Since then I've put in a ton of vertical on the proto, tested 9 different shocks on it, and loved every minute. __________________ Biking: As addictive as cocaine, twice as expensive! My Super Interesting Website -

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07-21-2011, 08:48 PM	#2
DarylMac Born again Grom Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Burnaby Posts: 900 Rep Power: 807812	I know this is going to sound cynical - but I'm not meaning it to be... Is Norco still paying patent fees to Specialized, or is the new DH bike modeled after a Trek? I can't speak to ride quality but as far as looks go the new DH is a stunner - easily their best looking production DH bike to date. Not crazy about the paint scheme - but I thought the spy shots of the raw one that were floating around awhile back were really nice.

07-21-2011, 08:52 PM	#3
FlipFantasia sure, whatever Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Nelson Posts: 6,257 Rep Power: 6760827	Norco still licenses the FSR, but it is optimized using their own ART system. the trek uses a split pivot

07-26-2011, 07:31 AM	#10
MikeO Blue Run BEAST Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: North Vancouver Posts: 281 Rep Power: 287758	Any word yet on the pricing for the Aurum 1? Must have.

07-26-2011, 07:41 AM	#11
Kevin_m31 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: coquitlam Posts: 1,679 Rep Power: 4945998	Have to say I've seen all of the show bikes come through every year and this year the Norco lineup from top to bottom on the mountain side looks pretty nice. Aurum, Truax, Range, and Sight are all pretty nice bikes and are fairly competitive in their categories.