This is the third edition of the Norco Fluid that I've reviewed. I loved the 2006 version, I gushed about the 2007 version and (big surprise), I'm just as stoked about the 2008 version.

This year Norco has entered the long-travel all-mountain fray with the Norco Fluid LT (Long Travel). I was given the Fluid LT One to test - which I will occasionally refer to as the Gucci or Pimp edition bike - for reasons that will become clear as we discuss the component specifications.

What more can I say about the Fluid line of bikes? I really like Norcos. Indeed, the gentle reader can be well-justified in questioning my objectivity. Having said that, it's hard to argue with a bike and part spec that continues to deliver top-quality bang for the buck year after year after year.

Check out the FULL REVIEW on NSMB.com

As Slopestyle contests go, Crankworx 2007 won’t go down as one of the best in memory.

Marred by crashes and injuries, most riders never got their groove on the course. Many said it lacked flow and riders would traverse – often detouring for trannies and stunts – in a desperate attempt to find a line they liked. After the first round of the finals there was very little suspense – Ben Boyko made sure of that.

One of the biggest critics of the course, Boyko went out and put together a solid run anyway. It appeared his lead would be insurmountable as rider after rider fell or under-performed in round two, and indeed his victory was sealed before he arrived at the drop in for his second run. I figured Ben would just style it out and treat his descent as a victory lap but apparently that’s not his style.

Run two was just as burly and had fewer flaws in the eyes of the judges putting more distance between himself and the rest of the competitors. The crowd went ape when he again spun three off the huge final drop to end the contest and further cement his victory. Finally a Canadian had won the Crankworx Slopestyle.

In the off season Ben was kind enough to answer some of my questions about life as a pro rider. Check out what he had to say below as well as epic photos and sequences by Harookz.

Read the FULL INTERVIEW on NSMB.com

VPS-Fest is Norco's one-of-a-kind Rider Appreciation Day. In 2003 we created our first VPS-Fest event as a fun way to give back to the riding community and a great excuse to get Norco riders together for a great time.

Since our first event, VPS-Fest has grown and expanded into a much anticipated event on many Norco riders' calendars. This event gives us the opportunity to say, 'Thanks!' to our riders by providing FREE (or half price) lift-accessed riding, FREE tech support by World Cup mechanics, FREE flat and wheel repair, the chance to win thousands of dollars in prizes, and much more.

To learn more about Norco's Rider Appreciation Day, VPS-Fest: Check out vps-fest.com

If you are wanting to attend the event: Don’t miss out, register for VPS-Fest now!

Norco has been around for over 40 years, and anyone who has been riding as long as I have has seen Norco bikes change from fully rigid no-nonsense bikes to sophisticated high performance machines. Since the introduction of the first VPS bikes in the late '90s, Norco has been a force in the world of big mountain bikes. With the launch of the newly redesigned Shore chassis, Norco's commitment to the continued improvement and evolution of their long travel full suspension bikes is clear.

Read more of the Gear Shots #40 article at nsmb.com

Source: nsmb.com