Archive for August, 2009

Back on August 24th, a motorhome of dedicated individuals started off on the epic journey across Canada on a mission to raise money and awareness for juvenile diabetes. This is the Accu-Chek Cyclebetes Tour. Starting off in Halifax Nova Scotia and heading west the team is taking turns riding a Norco tandem bike across the country. The team is sharing the journey with those that have been affected by this terrible disease along the way.

After the bike touched the Atlantic Ocean it headed east towards the Pacific. With countless hours of preparation behind and countless hours of riding ahead the team was off.

The Cyclebetes team is now in Sudbury Ontario and making their way back home. You can follow their journey though by tracking their GPS Progress, watching their Facebook page, following them on Twitter, or reading their blog.

This is an incredible journey for a wonderful cause. Congratulations on the journey so far and good luck on the road ahead!

It seems that every year I purchase a new bike, that bike is faster, lighter and better looking a mere 12 months later. For 2009 I rode a Norco Fluid 1 which was probably the best All Mountain Bike I have ever owned. The bike is fast, light, versatile and can really take me down whatever I throw in its way. My fluid has seen everything from XC racing to epic enduros and even a Super D. But… Now that I have seen the 2010 models, I am like a child on Christmas Eve awaiting the arrival of the 2010 Faze SL. That will be my personal bike for 2010 as soon as it is available.

The 2010 bikes are showing clean, sleek graphics and sporting lower pricing in conjunction with CNN’s financial apocalypse coverage. Looking through the 2009 lineup you will notice a few highlights such as the integration of Carbon into the XC lineup, larger diameter seatposts for use of a Joplin and the specing products such as the Hammerschmidt, 2010 Boxxer and even the Gates Belt Drive. Here are a few highlights from the new lineup:

The 2010 Norco Team DH Features a new front triangle Sram Drivetrain, Saint Cranks and the 2010 Rockshox Boxxer Team fork. This bike is faster than ever and priced at $5780 CAN or $4750 US the bike is much more affordable than  2009. The Team DH also has a younger brother the DH coming in White and retailing at a modest $3699 CAN or $2630 US.

The Empire for 2010 comes in two different price points as well. The Empire SE is spec’d with A Marzocchi 55 TST 2, FSA Gravity Lite Bar, Stem and Crankset and Avid Elixer brakes. When it comes to a full-on slopestyle rig, the Empire is it. The SE retails for $4075 CAN or $3399 US while the Empire 5 comes in a$t 2675 CAN or $2295 US.

The Faze SE is the Pereguin Falcon of marathon bikes. 120mm of travel with a Fox 32 FRLC fork, XTR drivetrain, Raceface cranks and DT wheelset will keep you rolling for hours. Built for speed, distance and any hurdle along the way the Faze is versatile, light and most importantly fast. $5695 CAN $4825 US

The Team Carbon is a brand new carbon mold for 2010. Using HTR and EPS Technology in conjunction with  Thermoplastic Mesh have come together to create Norco’s lightest mountain bike ever. Tipping the scale at 19lbs, the team carbon is outfitted with a full Sram XX groupo and Eason XC-1 wheels. The lightest and fastest Norco cross country race bike ever. If you want to know the price then you probably don’t want the bike. . .

The CRR SL brings the same Carbon technology from the Team Carbon into road world. Utilizing BB30, an integrated seat-mast and a tapered steertube, the CRR-SL is a race ready rig straight out of the box. A Sram Red drivetrain with Mavic wheels and a Ritchey cockpit keep the bike light, fast and ahead of the pack. $5695 CAN $4795 US

There are some big changes for 2010; new technology, improved parts and a few dollars saved. Prices are down and Bikes are up, check out the full lineup on the 2010 Norco website which launches Sept. 1!

Whistler’s Crankworx festival is 10 days of activity that leaves the spectators in awe with world renound riders pushing the boundaries of cycling beyond what anyone would have believe possible a mere 5 years ago. Crankworx is more than just 10 days of incredible mountain biking though, it is also home of Canada’s largest consumer expo, trials demos, product launches, video premiers and more.

One of many highlights of the crankworx festival were the world famous Ryan Leech Trials Demos. Ryan was set up in the village next to the norco tents where approximately 25 2010 bikes were on display. Ryan conducted a total of 12 demos through the week. Each show attracted hundreds of spectators. Those who watched the show also were able to stick around for autographed posters and DVDs afterward. A lucky few from each show walked away in style with some brand new Ryders Eyewear.

On the trials front as well Crankworx hosted Trialsworx a trials competition taking place in the scenic Whistler Village. Norco’s one and only Dylan Korba took time away from the Boneyard to compete in the competition. As usual we were all left wondering, what can’t this guy do?

Norco World Team rider Fionn Griffiths is no stranger to ascending the podium but crankworx must have been wearing her out as she was up there all week. With a 2nd in the Dual Slalom, 1st in the Air DH and a 1st in the Canadian Open Enduro Fionn was representing the Brits at the top. Norco Factory Team Up and comer Nick Geddes also climbed to the top in the Enduro beating out all the other junior men by nearly a minute.

The biggest event of the Crankworx festival in undoubtedly the slopestyle competition. With all the big names showing up such as Semenuk, McCaul, Watts, Lacondeguy and more we all knew we were in for a show. In front of all 10,000+ fans lining the course, Watts pulled off the victory while Lacondeguy took best trick pulling out of his moto-bag a 360 Flat Spin Superman! All I can say is that I am impressed…

Another year in the books and already looking forward to next year!

Dustan

This past week marked the 2009 Kokanee Crankworx in Whistler BC. Norco had several factory team riders present but two stood tall through one event in particular. New for 2009 at Crankworx was the Canadian Open Enduro, a combination of white-knuckled downhill and gut busting climbing, this event saw everything from XC bikes to DH rigs speckled down the course.

Norco had two riders compete in this event, World Cup racer Fionn Griffiths and Junior Expert up-and-comer Nick Geddies. First off, I should comment on the respective bike choices. Fionn chose to ride her Team DH. She felt that there was more to gain on the descents than there was to lose on the climbs. Nick on the other hand chose a Fluid LT 6.1 all-mountain bike. The bikes were very different but the outcomes quite similar. Fionn was crowned Pro-Women Champion with more than a 10 second lead and Nick took the U-19 Men with an astounding 42 second lead.

Way to go Nick and Fionn on a spectacular effort and bringing home the hardware.

To see full results from Crankworx have a look at http://www.crankworx.com/whistler09/live-blog/results

Crankworx Whistler is now well under way with the Air DH, Garbanzo DH, Dual and several other events already complete. Saturday is the main event with the slopestyle competition. Down in the village, the largest consumer show is also taking place and that is where you can find the Norco Crew.

At the Norco tents, you can come out and see some of the new 2010 bikes and collect a few autographed posters while you are at it. Norco Factory Team members Darcy Turenne, Ben Boyko, Jay Hoots, Dylan Korba, Nick Geddies, Fionn Griffiths and Ryan Leech are out for the week manning the tent and taking part in the festivities. Ryan is also doing trials demonstrations through the day for all the lucky spectators.

Check back soon for a recap of the week of Crankworx.

Dustan