2008 Norco Team DH Review
Big bikes are dead - at least that's what some people would have you believe.
The Norco Team DH is definitely a "big bike" 9" inches of rear suspension, 8" up front, a 64 degree head angle and one chainring.
Now that we have bikes like Specialize Demo 7s, Norco Shores what is the purpose of a dedicated DH sled? Those bikes will handle most of what we see on a regular basis - so why lay out the cash ($5500 + tax) for something that makes riding to the shops hard? That was a question i was asking myself as I rode uphill to the trail head this morning - what had I got myself into?
I have ridden big bikes - I have run through a pair of Specialized Demo 8s, a Specialized Big Hit 3 and a Brodie Devo - so it's not like I didn't know what to expect. However the Team DH is perhaps the ultimate incarnation of the uber-plus DH bike. Maybe it was getting up at 6:20am to make the ride that was accentuating all the downsides to the DH bike.
Once we reached the trailhead and dropped in I was instantly reminded why I was on the Team DH - I had set myself the goal of having a World Cup level downhill bike for this season - and this years Team DH is definitely "all that". With a parts spec that challenges you to try and find somewhere to improve - even for a seasoned bike shop "parts whore" the only parts that I could switch out were those based purely on preference, not performance. Even the small details have been sweated - a Chris King headset, the new SRAM PG 970 downhill specific cassette (solid cassette sprockets so no more bending teeth), even the pedals are the awesome DMR V12 Magnesium. That's right, $100 pedals! Every part is from the brand leader in that area, every single piece is fully thought through.
My first ride on the bike, and I promise a further review after more time in the saddle, I was riding a trail that I had never ridden before, which is always a challenge even on a bike that you know like the back of your hand. I was able to check out the Team DHs abilities on almost every aspect of the riding that it will encounter - steep gnarly rock chutes, gaps to chunder landings, off camber sections; oh and plenty of corners.
Through all of the above I was in control and confident. The bike was stable when it needed to be, but it's light weight (41.75lbs with pedals in a Medium size) means that it is very maneuverable when the speed that it encourages you to carry gets you deeper than you want to be.
I was in tune with the bike almost from the beginning - but just like my awesome Border Collie "Sprocket" it begs to go faster. Getting to open the bike up to high speed is really a treat - and where the bikes slack angles and long wheel base become the key to success. Drifting through loose corners knowing that everything is hooked up is a joy, launching into rock sections, slamming through berms and roosting your way out of them is so sweet that I was literally hooting and hollering.
Man I cannot wait for Garbanzo to open.
Until then, you will see me getting my fix at least once a week all winter long, whether it's lit up with an HID or making the early morning ride happen.
"Boss - I will do my best not to be any later than necessary, but sometimes it may just need to happen. The bike made me do it."
Memorize this line, You will need it.
Long live "big bikes" and long live the Norco Team DH.
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Live to ride.
Duncan Mortimer
