How Many is Too Many?
September 03, 2009
This past weekend a few friends and I embarked on a road trip up to Silverstar Resort. We were up there for 2 days of gravity derived fun. The riders I went up with all had Mountain Bikes, but they were on 5” travel all-mountain bikes. These are great bikes that we normally need and use for pedaling up and riding back down. These were not burly park bikes and my friends were finding that although they were having a ball, they were getting a little worked on the small, twitchy multi-chainring bikes. As it turned out, many of the group rented bigger DH-Park bikes for the second day in the park. The slacker angles, increased travel, fatter tires, bigger disk brakes all play into a better ride for the environment. Big grins all around…
On the way home we started chatting about bikes (surprise surprise right?) and the strengths of different designs. The consensus was—one bike is not enough! Not only do you have to decide on mountain biking or road riding, but even once you have chosen to go for example to dirt… there is no perfect do-all bike. You really DO NEED a few bikes in the quiver to really enjoy our sport to the max… and the best part is, my wife who was along on this trip was one of the people expressing this statement!
So, then it starts… Comments were bouncing around the truck like “you know, even for the few weekends a year we get to Whistler, Silverstar, Sun Peaks or Mt Washington, it would sure be nice to have a big bike in the quiver”. Hey, I know exactly what they were talking about!! I was on my new 6, and although I had a blast, all weekend I felt under-gunned for the larger drops, gaps and steeper terrain! I was kicking myself for not stepping over a DH bike for the weekend.
At this point we need to think, how many bikes is enough? Well, everybody needs bike for scooting to the video store or taking your mutt for a ride. In my case, this bike is a hardtail with fenders and lights It is simple and functional. The only thing I ever do to this bike is oil the chain… My primary mountain bike is an LT which takes me pretty much everywhere. I also have a bigger, burlier bike for the faster, steeper, gravity oriented terrain such as the Shore, Moab and Whistler. So, that is three mountain bikes… but what about road?
When thinking about pavement, a good high performance road bike is like no other. I can’t believe how fast these bikes are, and how cool the technology trickle-down is. I spoke of this last month, but my 105 10-speed full carbon bike (for less than $2500) rides like a $6000 race bike of a few years back. This bike is a powerhouse all summer long. But, is one road bike enough? I’m never going to ride my full carbon bike out in the rain during the winter months, so how about a Cyclocross bike or a VFR. These bikes fit lights and fenders making for a great winter commuter.
So, there we are with a small fleet of five bikes. . . but at this point why not fill up that last little bit in the garage with a beach cruiser and a BMX. Bottom line?? Bikes are good. Bikes are fun. I love my bikes!! One is not enough, fill the quiver and then go use them!
Check out norco.com as the all new site has just been launched and the bikes look wicked. Betcha you won't be able to pick just one!
Have fun out there, Seeya on the road or trails on one of many bikes,
Steak Sauce
Crankworx 2009, A Whirlwind of Activity
September 03, 2009
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 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 Norco and the Brit locals 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! That is impressive!
Another year in the books and already looking forward to next year!
What's New for Norco in 2010?
September 01, 2009
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 reduced pricing in conjunction with CNN's financial apocalypse coverage. Looking through the 2010 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 of products such as the Hammerschmidt, 2010 Boxxer and even the Gates Belt Drive. Here are a few highlights from the new lineup:
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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.
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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 Elixir 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 Peregrine 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
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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 today!
