Norco 2009 Launch - The Big Bikes

Words by Stuart Kernaghan. Photos by Stuart Kernaghan.
Date: 2008-07-31

Norco is a familiar name to many mountain bikers, especially here on the Shore. Years of hard work have transformed the brand from a price point bike maker to a purveyor of high-quality, performance rides for discerning riders. The kids at Norco recently unveiled the 2009 bike line-up in Whistler for their international dealers and worldwide media. Here's what they had to show and tell.

An Evolving Philosophy
Some companies use new product launches as an opportunity to go back to the drawing board, but Norco chose to refine its line of bikes in '09 rather than starting from scratch. All full suspension bikes still use the FSR / Horst Link design that is licensed from Specialized, and while there are a few new bikes, most of the categories in the line see some streamlining along with a more clear definition of the intended user group.

As you'd expect, the design focus for bikes was on weight, performance, comfort and fit. Various aspects of that philosophy are more apparent in some bikes than others. Bike cosmetics play a big part in this year's line, with extensive hydraforming on tubesets for both functional and aesthetic reasons. CNC parts are all over the place as well. There's also a big push for graphic and colour integration - forks are custom-coloured and often have custom decals, cockpit parts are colour-coordinated with the frame and each other, and secondary parts like the linkage arm, pedals, rims and cable housings are matched.

One thing that came up during the information briefing from Norco was the issue of pricing. Bikes are going to be more expensive this year, because of increases in the cost of raw materials, higher labour costs, a tax bump in Asia and increased shipping costs. 2009 bikes will cost 15 to 25% more than a similarly spec'd 2008 bike, depending on the price point and nature of the materials used in construction. Norco has recommended that its dealers use a quarterly pricing list, rather than setting prices for the year, to ensure that retail pricing keeps pace with inflation.

Consumers are going to have to absorb those costs, but Norco has also worked to take as much of the sting out of the situation as possible. That includes down-spec'ing some bikes to maintain the price points while maintaining the spec on other bikes and allowing the price points to appreciate. The situation isn't unique to Norco - other bike makers are facing the same increased costs as well. And as is the case with the ever-escalating cost of gas, you've got two choices: suck it up and keep driving or find a less expensive option. Buy the bike you want and pay the price, or drop down one component level to stay within your budget. That's the reality these days.

Enough doom and gloom, though. On to the bikes...

Big Bike Design
Each of the bikes in the 2009 DH / Park series - the Team DH, the Atomik, the Aline Park and the Aline - share a number of similar design features. They include things like 8" to 9" of rear travel, very low standover, adjustable bottom bracket and head tube angles thanks to two different forward shock mounting positions, a forged OnePointFive head tube fitted with an internal 1 1/8" headset, 150mm x 12mm thru axle rear dropouts, and new forged rear linkage arms. From there, each of the bikes gets special touches.

Arguably the most important development for Norco's double-crown bikes is the inclusion of a size Large frame. The small/medium and medium/large options from last year have been replaced with proper small, medium and large frame sizes, with the top tube on the large measuring out at 615mm - a full 20mm longer than the M/L size. Tall guys and riders who like a roomier ride will definitely appreciate this.

The Team DH
The Team DH has been a bit hit for Norco for a number of years. This year, the bike gets a makeover geared at dropping pounds and improving performance. The biggest changes are the switch from a Marzocchi to RockShox fork, and a coil shock to an air one. Combined with a move to 2.35" tires, lighter stays and a lighter dropout help cut the weight for the new bike to the 37lb. from 40lbs. in '08.


The '09 Team DH in all its swoopy blueness - rims, fork, decals, pedals, bashguard and shock linkage.

Although several of the drivetrain parts are still SRAM, revisions for '09 include Shimano Saint cranks and SRAM Elixir brakes instead of Truvativ Holzfeller cranks and Avid Juicy 7s. Also new is the e.13 LG-1 chainguide with a transparent blue taco guard.


A close-up of the seat mast assembly and two-position shock mount that allows riders to change BB and HT angles.

Hydraforming plays a bigger role than ever in next year's bikes for Norco. It's noticeable in the main frame tubes, as well as in the seat mast assembly. I'm a big fan of the swoopy shapes, which some people have compared to the Kona Stab circa 2000, but I think the execution is much cleaner on these bikes.


The chainstay and pivot on the DH are built with light weight and speed in mind, not big hucks.

It's hard to overlook the fact that Norco went hard on the colour-coordination theme with the Norco DH in particular, and the whole bike line-up in general. Whether that's a good thing or bad will depend on your individual taste. It does, however, fit with the bike's graphic history of standing out in a crowd.

Geometry on the DH is a little different from the previous iteration. Head angle is now 64/64.8° compared to 63.6/64.5° in '08, while the seat angle is now 71.3° instead of 70°. Standover height and wheelbase are naturally different with the addition of a bigger frame. '08 numbers were 768/786mm and 1144/1176mm, respectively. Standover in '09 is 758/770mm for small, 755/767mm for medium and 756/768mm for the large. Wheelbase is 1155mm, 1170mm and 1195mm for the three sizes.

MSRP for the Team DH is $7,100, while its downspec'd brother, the Atomik comes in at $3,100.

The Aline Park Edition and Aline
Like last year, there are two Aline bikes. They share a frame, Marzocchi 888 RVC fork and Fox DHX-3 rear shock, but the Park Edition is a major jump up in spec from the standard Aline fare.


The Aline Park Edition, ready for battle in any bike park or Shore-inspired trail.

The Park Edition gets a heavy dose of the new Shimano Saint components, including cranks, hubs, shifters, bottom bracket and brakes. The red frame is complimented with a transparent red e.13 bashguard and SRS chainguide.


Elegantly shaped tubes meet up with the beefy, forged OnePointFive head tube.

Although Norco carried over the forged head tube from '08, the pierced portion immediately behind the head tube is gone. Weight savings isn't a major concern on the Aline bikes, which weigh in at around the mid-40lb. range.


Both the drive and non-drive sides of the Aline's rear end get this heavy-duty forged dropout. It's connected to the seatstay assembly with three bolts.

As you'd expect from a bike named for the most famous bike park trail in the world, durability is a key component of the Aline's design. That's readily apparent when you look at the seat and chainstays, and the dropout used to connect the two.

Three bolts on each of the specially forged dropouts, in conjunction with the 150 x 12mm thru axle, beef up the assembly and should make it virtually bombprooof. The tire choice on these bikes is also interesting.


The standard-edition Aline. Just as capable, but with a more cost-conscious spec. And in green.

Rather than being spec'd with the Kenda Nevegals that are found all over the Norco bike line, the Alines receive WTB Dissent 2.5" tires with a soft rubber compound and DH casings. Both bikes also get WTB Laser Disc freeride wheels.

Geometry for the '08 Alines was the same as the Team DH bike, and the '09s share the same numbers as the new Team DH.

MSRP on the Aline Park Edition is $4,750 and the standard Aline is $3,700.

The Shore
The next step down in the big bike line from Norco is the Shore, which has been a popular bike for the company for several years. Many riders are seeing the benefits of running a long-travel single crown fork, and are going just as big on the 7-and-7 Shore as they would on something like the Aline.

Like 2008, there are three Shores to choose from. Each of these bikes sport a OnePointFive head tube, a 150mm x 12mm Maxle rear axle, a revamped dropout with an added gusset, a revised derailleur hanger design, a modified downtube shape and 7" of rear wheel travel. They also get 7" single crown forks, coil rear shocks, 2.5" tires and 8" rotors. As you'd expect, the real difference comes in spec.


The Shore 1 is a very striking bike that looks like it's ready for serious abuse on the trail.

The Shore 1 receives the top-shelf bits and pieces, including a RockShox Totem IS fork with a OnePointFive steerer, a Fox DHX-5 rear shock, the new Truvativ Hammerschmidt internal-drive crankset, Avid Elixir brakes and Sun hubs and rims. I'll be attending the SRAM Hammerschmidt launch at Crankworx, so stay tuned for the full scoop then.


A whole lot for you to look at while you're waiting for the lift...

Graphic integration was the keyword at Norco this year, and it definitely shows on the Shore 1. The bars match the graphics on the black-and-white photo montage on the frame. I think it's overkill and would have rather seen a black bar, but Norco deserves props for trying something different.


The chainstay clevis, at the left end of the stay, is now a hollow box that the seatstay slides into. The dropout has also been beefed up, and is now bolted on from the inside of the frame in two places.

Norco wanted to make sure the Shore was able to take the abuse that freeriders dish out, so the chainstays and seatstays were both redesigned for '09. The bends that characterized the stays in '08 are gone, as is the rather minimalist chainstay clevis that held the pivot. It's been replaced with a forged piece that is welded onto a much burlier stay.


The Shore 2 has some kind of Muppet colour scheme going - purple pedals, linkage and rims to go with the green frame. You also get the matching frame / bar graphic package.

The Shore didn't see any new frame sizes or angles this year. You still have the usual small, medium and large options. Head angle is 66°, seat angle is 71.3°, standovder is 750mm / 755mm / 765mm and wheelbase is 1124mm / 1147mm / 1172mm.

MSRP for the Shores has been set at $5,200 for the Shore 1, $3,600 for the Shore 2 and $2,950 for the Shore 3.

So there you have it - the 2009 long-travel bikes from Norco. Stay tuned for the new 5" and 6" bikes, plus the all-new women's freeride bike. They'll be on the site tomorrow.

- Stuart Kernaghan

Have something to say about the new big hit Norcos? Love the blue on the Team DH? Think the Shores look like the ultimate bike park weapon? Take it to the boards...