Once upon a time – A look Back at the Norco Shore Superbike

March 5, 2012

MBUK Superbike Feature

One of the original North Shore Machines
Words by Doddy/MBUK

Norco Bikes are a born-and-bred Vancouver company, dating back to 1964. They have very strong roots within the local riding scene, and the North Shore that it revolves around. The Shore boasts the wildest, most technical and punishing mountain bike trails on earth so bikes built to ride it need to be up to the challenge.
Early on, Norco supported the Horst Link design, rolling out their first Horst-equipped model – the FTS-1 – in 1995. This helped them gain notoriety on the North Shore, but it was the VPS 1 in 1998 that really put them on the map. This 100 to 140mm (3.9 to 5.5in) adjustable travel, box framed beast paved way for the VPS Shore, which was released in 2000, and is what you see here – a bike designed to take on the toughest trails on the planet. Based around the Specialized FSR licensed rear end, it was an efficient at pedaling as it was at taking drops.
The formidable riding around North Vancouver means long climbs to get to the top of the runs, so a speed-sapping design wasn’t an option. The FSR linkage rear end is incredibly plus, doesn’t react to braking forces and is resistant to pedal-induced bobbing.
Norco have used the design from the start and, aside from refinements to the pivot position and bearing types, they still use it today.

Built to drop
The Shore had Norco’s own VPS system at the rear end, which allowed for adjustable travel by altering the shock position without affecting ride quality. Huge drops and increased leverage from the development of twin crown forks saw riders constantly ripping head tubes off their bikes; with their rear end sorted, Norco set out to make the front end bombproof.
A huge box-section 6061 aluminium front triangle with a reinforcing boom down tub provided extra strength for hard landings. The seat mast allowed the seat to be will positioned for climbing, combined with a double-drop extendable seatpost so riders could get full saddle height without fouling the frame by lowering a full-length post.
The front end certainly had a ‘love-or-hate’ look but it won over all those who climbed aboard, and impressed anyone who dared to take it to the limits.

Versatile Steed
The North Shore movement quickly developed with companies like Norco at the forefront, but riders from other countries often didn’t get it.
In particular, many downhill riders would look at bikes like the BPS Shore and see the high bottom brackets, fairly steep head angles and short wheelbase, and dismiss them as poor downhill bikes. They were missing the point. Riding on the North Shore then was all about tackling ultra-technical trails on really steep terrain. Trail builders were building ladders over gullies and were incorporating fallen trees into trail features. The steeper head angle and shorter wheelbase of the VPS Shore allowed riders to tackle these features slowly and surely, even on seriously difficult obstacles – these machines stayed stable even when the riders weren’t.
The tight geometry kept the bike feeling nimble too, despite its fairly hefty weight. The VPS Shore could move with surprising agility, get airborne off drops that would make most riders shrink, and survive the landing again and again. Norco are still making incredibly good bikes today, and they’re not a million miles away from the VPS Shore – but then great design lasts…

To read more great articles like this head over to bikeradar.com or check out your local newsstand to get your own copy of the issue.

Winter Riding Inspiration on the Truax

March 4, 2011

Norco Truax

The Norco Truax was launched last month as a 2011.5 freeride bike. The new frame design is the replacement for the iconic Shore model that has evolved the Norco freeride bike platform into what it is today. While the Truax is designed to take on every situation that the Shore excelled, it also takes a card from its little brother the Range in its versatility and functionality. It isn’t that we need all that much convincing to get out for a mountain bike ride but the Truax seemed like the perfect excuse to get out and ride. Despite the rain and snow riding in the Vancouver area really is a year round sport.

Being located at the doorstep of the birth of freeride, Vancouver’s North Shore, this is a natural place to test out the Truax. Mt Fromme is one of the classic riding areas made famous through the North Shore Extreme videos running back to the early 1990′s. Trails like Ladies Only, Flying Circus and Pink Starfish are world renowned with mountain bike fanatics everywhere. A decade ago, riding Mt. Frome involved pushing 50lb DH rigs up the mountain, today though, we are riding a 36lb, 180mm travel freeride machine. The arduous task of ascending Mt Fromme is a distant memory.

The climb up may be a lot easier than in the past, but the primary function of this bike is still pointing down. The Truax is designed to take hits, roll over anything and feel as comfortable off a 10 ft drop as it is off a roadside curb. Through the incorporation of a Syntace rear end, A.R.T Suspension and numerous other technological advancements this is the strongest, lightest and most advanced freeride bike Norco has ever made.

The biggest noticable change besides looks between the Shore and the Truax is the addition of A.R.T. Suspension. The addition of this optimised FSR system improves the pedaling efficiency, square-edge bump compliance, leverage ratio and braking performance over non-A.R.T predecessors. This makes for a quicker trip to the top and a smoother, faster ride on the way down. Riding this bike on the shore, it was amazing how light and nimble the bike felt while still inspiring confidence in less-than-optimal riding conditions. While this article may have a bias towards the bike, you have to take my word for it that it really is spectacular. Looking at the other options in the 2011 lineup, there is no bike I would have rather had for this Winter ride. The Truax pedaled like a Range, dropped like a shore and accelerated like a Team DH.

With Vancouver forest floor still blanketed in white, it can seem a motivational impossibility to get out and go for a ride. While the Truax is my excuse to get out and enjoy the trails, there is no reason for you not to as well. With a little bit of preparation and a sense of caution on the slippery bits, it is as good of day as any to head out for a ride. Spring is just about here and it seems wrong to leave a bike couped up inside. With an extra jacket, a toque, thick gloves and some riding pants, it is a great day to ride anywhere!

The 2011 Launch, Day 2

July 13, 2010

Today was day two for the 2011 Norco Product Launch. Starting off this morning, the crew assembled for an early start and an overview of the 2011 line. With more than 150 bikes, this takes a little while but with highlights such as the Range, Shinobi, Vixa and Phaser, it is worth the wait. Check out pinkbike.com for studio photos of the lineup.

The real story for the day is the launch of Norco’s Advanced Ride Technology (A.R.T.) suspension system。 Through the modification and optimization of proven FSR suspension Norco bikes will climb smoother and descend faster than ever before. A.R.T. delivers a ride which is more efficient while pedaling while offering improved square edge bump compliance to smooth and quicken rough riding conditions. Both of these features have been achieved by changing the location of the pivot points to achieve additional chain growth and a more rearward axle path. The increased chain growth results in higher anti-squat characteristics which reduces suspension bob and makes the bike pedal more efficiently. The improved rearward axle path lets the rear wheel move back at the same time as it moves up to get out of the way of large, square edge bumps more effectively, allowing the bike to roll smoother and faster over rough terrain.

That is a mouthfull… the real lowdown is that the new Norco Range, Shinobi, Vixa and Phaser will climb better and descend faster than ever before. Whether you are racing XC, looking for an All-Mountain machine or hitting up a Super-D, these bikes fit the part!

2011 Norco Range SE

Once all the bikes had been discussed, the photos had been taken and everyone had heared enough, it was time to ride. Heading over to ride the shore was only a short drive away so we headed over and had a blast. Following that up with a Trials demo from Ryan Leech… Sounds like a pretty good day to me! For more photos check out flickr.com/norcobikes

2010 Norco Launch – Great riding in our own backyard.

July 23, 2009

The 2010 Norco product launch took place this year in our own backyard, Vancouver BC. This stellar location boasted some of the best riding in the world but also showcased Vancouver, the 2010 Olympic City!

The Launch started off at the Sheraton Wall Center where retailers, distributors and media from around the world assembled to see the new lineup for 2010. The evening kicked off with a Ryan Leech Demo. Ryan never dissapoints and with a little bit of improv-trials he even used some of the local art in the show. That was not planned . . . .

Day two of the launch involved bike presentations and a ride on Vancouver’s North Shore. Riding some of the classic trails was a real eye opener as there are not many places around the world where the riding is this good.

The third day of the launch was busy on bikes. Starting off with an Urban ride around Downtown Vancouver lead by Ryan Leech and Dylan Korba kicked it off. The bikes on the ride ranged from hybrid commuters to fixies, electric bikes to trials bikes. There was a taste of everything along the ride. Riding through the false creek area, Ryan and Dylan were on entertainment duty while the rest of us enjoyed the scenery and experienced the Cycling lanes on the Burrard St. Bridge. Way to go Vancouver on opening this up to cyclists!.

After the Urban ride and a quick lunch we headed off to Burnaby Mountain, home of Simon Fraser University for a taste of All Mountain terrain. Burnaby is a great area to ride offering a little bit of everything. It was a beautiful day, great trails, and a BBQ waiting at the end. The perfect end to a great launch.