Gear Shots #47
Treats for under the tree
Date: 2008-12-15
2009 Norco Vixa
Words by Aimee Dunn, photos by Layne Marett
Fall / winter weather is here and we have all been forced to calm down a bit from the high-speed bike park frenzy. For me, this is a time to settle back and enjoy the Shore soul rides that I adore – the ones that include a grinding climb followed by a techy descent amongst the fog and mist.
This fall, I have the opportunity to head out on my soul rides on a brand-new, female-specific freeride bike from Norco called the Vixa. The rapid rise of female riders in the sport has created a demand for a bike that is maneuverable and agile for smaller riders, as well as one that acknowledges and accommodates our gender differences.
The 152mm / 6” travel Vixa was designed by Norco team rider Darcy Turenne as a light freeride bike or heavier all-mountain bike specifically for women. That means lighter tubing, smaller frame sizing with a shorter top tube, and women’s colours, component selection and detail.
The 2009 Norco Vixa, in all of its glory. Sweet parts and a whole lot of bling for the ladies.
As a self-described generalist when it comes to mountain riding, I’m interested to see how the Norco Vixa suits my niche (or lack thereof). I’m hoping that it will be a chance for me to learn a thing or two about my riding style and enjoy the company’s first big hit ride just for ladies.
The Look
My first impression of the Vixa stems from how different it is from the bikes that I currently own (which are both basic black). The Vixa has a softer and more feminine base colour but has a bit of edginess with splashes of bling, including a gold chain, gold spokes, gold pedals and a sassy cat print to spice up the pastel green frame.
I wasn’t too sure about the gold bling as I tend to be more of a silver kind of gal, but time will tell if this colour scheme grows on me. If I like the way the bike rides, the aesthetics will probably just be a cherry on top.
The Design
The swooping top tube design provides a lower standover height, which makes sense for most female riders, who tend to be shorter than the guys. A shorter top tube also helps with a smaller fit, rather than stretching you out over the bike. Norco claims a 67° head angle, which is not too steep or too slack.
Travel adjust to bring the front end down on climbs, and a lockout option for those times you don't want any squish.
The Parts
The Vixa is equipped with a Marazocchi 55 ATA (Air Travel Assist) dual air spring fork that offers 120-160mm of adjustable travel The fork has TST2 (Terrain Selection Technology), allowing you to lock out your suspension or make small adjustments to the compression. Rear suspension duties are handled by a FOX DHX Air 3.0, which offers adjustable air spring pressure plus external rebound adjustment.
The dual chain rings will hopefully reacquaint me with spinning as opposed to the climbing style I have adapted to: standing up and mashing a 36T chain ring. Something my knees could eventually seek revenge on…
When you look at all of the specs, Norco is striving to find a balance of weight and durability. The bike weighs in around 36 -37 lbs, which in theory should be light enough to pedal and strong enough to endure whatever you can throw at it.
The Fox DHX Air keeps the weight down and the ride smooth.
As far as the rest of the spec details go, here’s the skinny:
- SRAM X-7 9 speed rear derailleur, Shimano Deore fr. derailleur and SRAM X-5 shifters.
- Truvativ Hussefelt Cranks (with a bash guard) that features two chain rings (22 and 32)
- Truvativ Hussefelt Bars
- Truvativ XR stem and seat post
- WTB Speed She seat
- Juicy 3 brakes w/ 7” rotors
- Kenda 2.35 tires
- Sun Ringle equalizer27 rims with KT sealed bearing hubs
For a complete lowdown on the specs of the Vixa, go to the Norco web site. (And don’t worry if the jargon flies over your head…I will make sure my review is low-tech friendly…just like me!).
Now, more importantly, I am going to see how this bike rides for the all-around generalist I claim to be. That’s going to involve plenty of climbing, gnarly descents and good flow where I can find it. Now, I just need the snow to hold off a little longer….
The Norco Visa retails for CDN$3070 and is a part of their 2009 Womens Mountain Bike line-up.
Aimee and the Vixa killing it on the woodwork.
Specialized Command Post
Words and photos by Cam McRae
I've gone from naysayer to convert on the subject of remotely adjustable seatposts. Now, if given the option, I would have one on every bike I ride off road. I guess it's a stretch on your dh bike - unless you are like many here on the North Shore who pedal up on 8" travel rigs - but for a light freeride , all mountain or XC bike - these posts are the ticket my friend.
The Command Post fresh out of the box. The production quality and finish of this post are second to none.
There's a short loop near home that I sometimes do as a lunch ride. It begins with a steep, slippery descent and then you start to climb. I used to have to stop and put my saddle down for the entrance but now I pedal right in, push the saddle down with my body weight and start givin' 'er. At the bottom there's an obstacle right away that I used to ride around. Now I keep my saddle down so I can hump up onto the feature and once I'm past that my saddle goes to pedalling height. Then I make my way to the top - without even slowing down. These devices are here to stay and I'm glad there's now more competition.
I've been riding the Gravity Dropper (GD) for a few months and I must say I'm a fan. It's robust, easily adjustable and it has never failed me once. I've been trying out the Command Post from Specialized more recently and it is very nicely engineered and it too seems to do the job extremely well. The post weighs 590 grams with all hardward, cable and remote so there is a weight penalty over virtually any stock post.
A cutaway showing the collet mechanism. When the lever is actuated the collect contracts allowing the post to move freely.
Like the GD it is mechanically actuated and it has three positions; full up, 35 mm down ("Cruiser" position) and 100mm down ("Descender") which is the full drop. Rather than a pin like the GD, the Command Post uses a Collet mechanism to control the post. The inside of the post is machined with notches the mechanism expands into to hold the post in place - or to release it when the bar mounted lever (available for right or left) is depressed. A nice bonus with this system is that you don't have to search for a position. Once you are in motion you can release the lever and the Collet will find the next position on its own.
Air charged you say? Grab your shock pump and put some pressure into the bottom of the post to give it some extension power. You can run between 20 and 30 psi depending on how fast you want your saddle to extend. Other adjustable posts I've used move at one speed and one speed only.
From left to right you have climbing height, 'Cruiser' position which is 35mm down and 'Descender' which drops 100mm or just shy of 4".
Thus far the Command Post has been very sweet. It seems to lose some air pressure between rides but I just tightened the shraeder valve to see if that helps.
Once I get more time on this and the Gravity Dropper I'll compare them head to head - and Pete will likely chime in with his verdict on the Crankbrothers Joplin.
Here in Canada a Command Post will set you back $329.99 while south of the border it's an even $300.
Fox Teknik Jacket
Words and photos by Pete Roggeman
There's something about getting a ride in on a crappy day that makes me feel like I stole one. Maybe it's because I, like most, have had my fairweather phases, but while Fall has been truly epic for riding conditions, we've also had our share of water-filled skies. Puddles. Mud. Slick wet roots. And, lately, snow. When the gnar meter goes to 11, a quality riding jacket is as essential as spiking the punch at your office Festivus bash.
Getting a feel for the Teknik in the show - and in the mood for Festivus with a snow ride on Fromme.
I've had a good chance to test the Fox Teknik's mettle these past few months and I can say it has definitely stacked up so far: pedaling, shuttling, rain, mud, snow - even all the mr. grouchy pantses who don't say hi back on the trail (you know who you are) - nothing gets through the mighty Teknik.
Tek it out. Magnetic snap closures, MP3/visible contents pocket, reinforced elbows and shoulders, stretch outer shell - all the bells and whistles without the kitchen sink.
Some of the Teknik's specs:
- 8000mm waterproof rating with 8000gm breathability rating
- Stretch outer shell allows freedom of movement while pedaling
- Front flap uses magnet-snap system to stay shut, allowing for ease of closing and protection from the elements
- Front hand pockets conceal waistband cinch pulls and hood pulls
- Form fitted hood allows rider to cinch and wear underneath a Fox Flux helmet
- Reinforced shoulder and elbow panels and front flap feature Nexus print sublimation
- Slight drop tail for rear coverage in muddy conditions
- ‘Audio Interface’ with a custom pocket and internal cord routing for MP3 players
The stretch fabric is great. You don't feel any constriction while pedaling or moving about on the bike, but the jacket is not bulky either - it's a fine balance. I'm just over 6' and weigh 175 (+/- 5 lbs - depending on how many turkey dinners I've been to lately). Originally I had a Large but felt that although it was the right size for wearing on the street with a hoodie underneath, I wanted something that fit a bit smaller to use while riding. M is perfect for riding, although getting a helmet into the hood stretches the length of the torso of the jacket to the limit. Then again, I was out in it in a downpour and didn't like the hood on anyway, but having it there before and after the ride was nice.
Seams are all taped and they hold. In fact, other than the fit, the other thing I love about this jacket is the waterproof/breathability balance. You CAN go too far either way and it's all a trade-off but for our riding conditions, I think Fox nailed it. I haven't overheated or had too much sweat gather on the inside despite some physical technical climbs (and I sweat a fair bit), so it breathes well, but it also hasn't let in all the liquid sunshine that's been pelting Cam and I on every single Friday ride we've been on since October.
You can see that from the back, an M fits my torso and arms peffectly. With a helmet inside the hood, it's a bit short. Note the cinch cord on the hood - nice touch, and the reinforced shoulders and elbows. The Teknik will be with you for many rides before showing signs of wear.
The magnetic snap closures that seal in the front zipper are a standout addition - once you have it zipped up, they just snap into place. Slick. Zipper pulls and other touches are similarly finished. This jacket has plenty of features but it's not heavy or cumbersome. The clear pocket on the front is a bit of a mystery. At Interbike we were told it was for your pass but let's face it, bike parks are not the place to be when it's raining (especially not Whistler - Sun Peaks is not as bad). Now it's being touted as an MP3 pocket but it barely fits an iPod Nano - although there is a pass through port and small tab to run your headphones up towards your ear on the inside of the jacket. They'll get that right on round 2, I think. I've been using that pocket for my phone and it'll fit a point and shoot camera - just. Not a huge snafu though.
The MP3 pocket has a headphone pass-through slit to the inside, but it needs to be just a bit bigger and have a slightly longer zipper - or morph into something else. There are no interior pockets, in keeping with the idea of keeping bulk down. I thought I'd miss having one - I didn't.
Pit zips - essential for a true riding jacket - are included. They go low but don't start quite high enough in my opinion. I also prefer two zippers so you can control where the opening is and how big it is, making it easier to work around pack straps and bulk from layers under the jacket.
Swank front zipper pull and low profile magnetic closures - typical Fox-worthy finishing touches.
The Fox Teknik comes in one colour - the Charcoal you see here, which will work for you on the trails or ducking in and out of shops while grabbing shiny things for your honey(s).
MSRP is $220, while in the US it'll cost you $179.95.
Have you been naughty or nice? What do you want under your tree? Tell Santa all about it right here
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- Gear Shots #55 - Rocky Mountain Flatline Unlimited, Dakine Apex hydration pack and Whistler Mountain Biking guide book
- Gear Shots #53 - 2009 Norco Fluid LT2, Geax Booze Light tires and size XXL Dakine gloves
- Gear Shots #52 - We check out the Specialized Big Hit III, Manitou Dorado first rides, and the SKS Airchecker digital tire gauge
- Gear Shots #51 - 2009 Manitou Dorado fork, Fox 32 TALAS RLC 150 fork and the WTB LaserDisc Trail 15mm wheel / wheelset
- Gear Shots #50! - Some stuff to dream about while we wait for the snow to melt around here...
- Gear Shots #49 - Sugoi Majik shell jacket, Chromag Fubar OSX handlebar and Ranger stem, Point One Racing spacers and integrated stem
- Gear Shots #48 - Fox, RockShox, Chromag - 2009 Fox TALAS RC2 fork, RockShox Vivid 5.1 rear shock, Chromag Bikes saddle / seatpost / collar
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