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2009 Norco product launch.
Created: 2008-07-18 15:35:29 | Location: Whistler, BC
Norco 2009 product launch.
Last week I was invited to the 2009 Norco product launch in my lovely town of Whistler. Now, product launches are an interesting time. We get to be up close and personal with the new bikes and we get to talk to the product managers & engineers about what they have come up with for the new year.
Also getting to ride with the team members is a bit of a side benefit for the day. Some of them hadn't ridden some of the sections in Garbonzo so it was fun to rip around hearing them hooting and hollering as they rode down unfamilar terrain. Somehow I got to lead them down a couple runs, i guess being a local gets you the privilege, but I think that i might hve been holding them up a bit as I could hear them right on my heals all the way down.
Norco has some pretty cool stuff coming out for 2009. The upper models all received a make over and some got new tube shapes. But a picture is worth 1000 words, so why don’t I show some and talk less?
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The Team DH gets new tubing shapesfor 2009, a 1.5" head tube and a lowered centre of gravity. Matching colours all the way around, Marz. World Cup Air shock and a Boxxer World Cup (203)mm up front, Maxle compatible dropouts on the rear. Retail: $6675.
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The A-Line gets a new frame for '09, three sizes instead of two, and replaceable rear dropouts. Spec is basically the same as last year. Retail: $3350.
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The Shore 1 got a serious graphic reworking. They all feature sublimated graphics that wrap around the welds and gussets, the graphics are also matched to the bars & stem. Technically the down tube got a reworked shape, the chainstay clevis was redesigned & the seat stays & chain stays are stronger. Retail: $3050-$4750.
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One of the new bikes for '09 is the Empire 5. This came from input from Ben Boyko and is a completely new design that is based on the Six but features a low seat height, shorter rear centre, single ring gearing up front, Maxle rear skewer (135x12mm). Retail: $3450.
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Not to be left out the Six series had some tweaks done for '09, mainly a new forged 1/8" head tube, new chainstay clevis and a stronger, stiffer & lighter downtube. Retail: $1975-$4185.
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Norco sat down with Darcy Turrenne and some other ladies and they got a clean slate to build a womens specific DH bike. The Vixa was what came out of those meetings. it is loosely based on the 6 chasis, but lighter, steeper seat tube angle, smaller sizing including an XS. Also there are three hard tails within the womens line. (Ari, Fae & Koshka.) Retail: $2825.
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And last but not least, the FluidLT got a couple changes including a forged link arm & clevis, chainstay clevis and a new anodized finish. There is now 5 sizes available in the Fluiid line (XS - XL). Retail: $1699 - $6375.
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Norco had a bike with the HammerSchmidt on it, but i had to sign a non disclosure agreement. So unfortunately this is as close as I can get for you. Just wait 3 more weeks then we will be able to let the cat out of the bag.
Click here for the full gallery:
What do you think of the new Norcos? Talk back here:
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