a-d-s profile

Posted by: Znarf

Glad to hear that! And cool that you already took it to all kinds of great riding areas!

Off this weekend for Osoyoos, Naramata, Revelstoke then Silver Star. Hopefully lots of riding and all the bikes and family hold up!

Just a quick snap:

Bike park with oldest and youngest

Just an update, it's been a month. I've ridden the bike in all conditions: Squamish tech, Whistler Lost lake blues, Bike park a couple days, Fromme most trails. I can say the size issues are not even a thought anymore, it feels like it fits perfect. When I jump on my old bike (which is now my son's) it can't believe I rode it!

I can also confidently say the climbing thing is the real deal with the new geometry. It's not that I can get up more techy bits of climbing trails, it's that I can do them with less effort, so I am not nearly as winded, and this is with a 37 lb bike! I could always do any one-off section, then have a rest, but now I can link stuff up and keep going. Descending, the 29" tires make short work of trails like Expresso. Jumping and drops have taken a little adjustment, but getting there. So all in all, very happy with the Sight XL!

Thanks guys. I managed to find a shop that had a L and XL on the floor (props to North Shore Bike Shop) and they let me parking lot test them back to back. The Xl felt totally fine, it's big for sure, but when standing and going down a slope it felt totally fine. Unfortunately that XL was an A2, out of my price range, so I'll wait for the A3 from Norco North Shore next week.

Thanks all, I put a deposit (refundable) on the XL sight A3. It's really the only way to secure the bike to even be able to parking lot test it. They really don't even hit the shop floor, they are spoken for already. So it should be built up next week for a test ride. I've got a Squamish and Whistler trip planned for End of June so fingers crossed!

Yeah, size is another can of worms. I am 6'2" (squarely in XL recommended territory), but it's all in my legs. I probably have the legs of someone 6'4" and the torso of someone 6' (usually wear 36" leg jeans). So my current Large Range (435mm reach, 425mm EFTT) feels good in general. When I sat on an XL sight (515mm reach, 649mm EFTT) it felt big! My arms felt stretched out. But that is in the showroom, no pedals on the bike and the dropper wasnt working and was at full extension. I really need to at least parking lot test it back to back with a large.

I'm in the market, and I am pretty convinced I want to go new this time around. I've always taken advantage of a good used market in Vancouver, but the pandemic has messed with everything. So looking new, the pandemic has messed with that market too!

Anyway, heres my profile: long time North Shore rider, currently riding a 2013 Norco Range (L), it was pretty well upgraded when I bought it used 4 yrs ago (1x GX drivetrain, wheels, XT brakes etc), it's been a blast and I don't think the bike holds me back. I ride mostly Fromme (7th, expresso, LOC, Pipeline), some Squamish (Rupert, Half Nelson etc), some Whistler and a couple days a year of Bike Park (think Angry Pirate. Blue Velvet, Crank-it up, not A-line). I like old school tech in general and can get my way down most blacks. For drops and air, the big Bobsled drop is comfortable to me, but not much bigger. I am pretty much lost on dirt jumps if there is a gap!

Without being able to demo bikes these days, let along parking lot test anything, I think a Norco Sight A3 29er is within my budget, and the right bike. As much as a bigger bike is drool worthy, I really don't think I am going to see the limitation of the Sight over something like a Rocky Slayer, or a Commencal Meta. I am 6'2" and I think I'm ready for a full 29er, makes sense to leave the small wheels behind. The good news is that Sights in XL seem to be popping up in stores so I might actually be able to buy one.

The other questions is on the parts spec. The A3 (https://www.norco.com/bikes/2021/mountain/all-mountain/sight/sight-a3/) at $4199 is about my limits budget wise. I've done the research on the Yari RC (seems good enough for me, I am a set it and forget it guy) and the drivetrain (Deore 12 spd gets surprisingly good reviews, just a smidge heavier than the SLX etc). I am concerned about the brakes, being 200lb and liking to do some bike park and higher speed stuff, it's a concern. I know that I can upgrade later if it's a problem. Cockpit, wheels, dropper all seem reasonable enough quality.

So no specific questions, just looking for some input from the experts! Thanks!!

Posted by: flattire2

^ thanks man.  I flip flop back and forth between this and the 170mm enduro bike, it makes you appreciate what either excel in.    Its kinda fun to be on a hardtail again, climbs so well.  You realize what a slug the enduro bike is on the ups.

Well, when we ride, take the Enduro! I'm a slooooow climber.

Posted by: flattire2

Ragley Big AL, size XL. 480 reach, 650 stack. 150mm fork, HA measures 64*. I'm 5'11" and the fit is great. I will never own a short reach bike again.

Riding it to 7-11 with my kids it does feel like a lumbering beast but as soon as it hits dirt, it all makes sense. Much more capable than the hardtails of yesteryear. Stable, forgiving, fast, and just fine to throw around. Not in tight radius berms tho.

The 74 SA is almost a deal breaker but with saddle all the way forward is just enough. 76 probably the sweet spot. Alu frame, 29.5 lb build with good rubber. Frame was $450 from CRC to my door :)

Sexy ride...is the FS bike getting any love!?

Thanks, just went with full day tickets with my son. Great day today, park is in good shape. Lift line is slow though, due to the covid rules.