It's easy to mob the Norco Shore. Because it's as heavy as a downhiller. And as sluggish as a lead ball in a sandpit. But when gravity gets out of hand, then the Shore is a blast. In order to understand the concept of the Shore, you need to know where this aluminium bike with its massive high-pivot kinematics comes from. It comes from British Columbia, Canada. Built on the Northshore, for the Northshore, called: Northshore. And that says it all, because that's where it gets down to business with stunts, drops and big jumps on steep terrain.
For us, on the other hand, the Norco Shore feels a bit like the Hummer truck in Munich-Schwabing, a bit out of place. In other words, to feel the strengths of the Norco Freerider, you need the right terrain - just like the Hummer. On winding bike park trails, the bike quickly gets bogged down and requires constant physical effort. Without speed, the Shore becomes sluggish, jumps too short, sticks to the ground and needs to be pushed like a lazy teenager. But when the terrain gets angry and steep, the weight disadvantage is reversed. Then the Norco lies firmly and stably on the trail, supported by its plush suspension. The rider is showered with self-confidence and encouraged to hold on to whatever may appear in front of the front wheel.
We have already tested the Norco Shore in medium, now in large. Although the trend is towards longer bikes, in this case we recommend the medium frame with a 460 mm reach for riders around 1.80 metres tall.
Conclusion on the Norco Shore A1 from Team FREERIDE:
Potent, robust, heavy. This creates a top range of use. But if you do exactly what the Norco Shore can do, you will find a reliable action buddy in this indestructible bike.
Comment from Julian Mothes, tester:
The Shore has fallen out of time. A freerider like it used to be. Robust, but incredibly heavy. Just right for Canada. Too specialised for more universal freeride missions. Better to go for the Shore Park model.
Technical data and notes on the Norco Shore A1
Manufacturer information
- Material / Sizes: Aluminium / S, M, L (tested size), XL
- Price / weight without pedals: 6499 euros / 17.6 kg
Measurement data
- Front / rear suspension travel: 180 mm / 180 mm
- Rear suspension system: four-link
- Reach: 484 mm
- Stack: 623 mm
- BB drop: -10 mm
Equipment
- Fork / shock: Fox 38 Float Factory / Fox DH X2 Factory Coil (500 lbs)
- Cranks / gears: Sram GX Eagle / Sram GX Eagle
- Brake system: Sram Code RSC (200 / 200 mm)
- Wheels: DT Swiss 350 hub; eThirteen LG1 DH rim
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip TR DD 2.5
Park ranking
- Radon
- Santa Cruz
- Norco
DH ranking
- Norco
- Pole
- Giant
FREERIDE ranking
The number (maximum 10 points) reflects the overall impression of the testers and is not an addition of the performance points.
- 10 - Test winner, it couldn't be better
- 9 - Very good. Buy recommendation
- 8 - Good. Solid performance
- 7 - Below average. The product has weaknesses.
- 6 - and less: We can only warn against this!
