Jill Kitner And Bryan Atkinson Join The 2012 Norco World Team

Vancouver, BC – January 4, 2012 – Norco Bicycles Welcomes Jill Kintner and Bryn Atkinson to Norco World Team

Norco Bicycles has partnered with Jill Kintner and Bryn Atkinson, as title sponsor, to re-launch the Norco World Team. For 2012 the team will racing the downhill race scene aboard the newly designed AURUM downhill bike. Bryn and Jill are dedicated to reaching podium positions at every race they attend and representing Norco on the world stage.

Jill Kintner is one of the most successful female cyclists to compete on two wheels. With a collection of titles in BMX, 4x, slalom and downhill that spans from an Olympic medal, to world titles in 4x, and multiple national championships in all 4 disciplines she is a dominant figure on the race circuit. She finished 9th place overall for 2011 in her first year of World Cup downhill, and for 2012 is looking to come back with vengeance and best this result. 

“With a new trainer and new bikes, we are now running a program with a fantastic list of sponsors; it feels like everything is clicking into place! The new Norco bikes have an incredible feel; I especially notice with the shorter rear end a difference in my balance point and turning ability thanks to the Aurum’s GRAVITY TUNE. These bikes are really well designed, and I am honored to be a part of the Norco family.” – Jill

Bryn Atkinson has an inspiring presence on a downhill bike. With a highlight reel that includes numerous top 10 World Cup results, 2 US Open championships, a Pro GRT series championship, and many feature video segments, he has the speed, style, and ability to get the job done.

After a great start to 2011 with an 11th place finish at the first round of the World Cup, Bryn broke his femur and elbow, and was forced to sit out the remainder of the season. This injury fueled his motivation to get better on the bike, and come back stronger in 2012.

Healed up and “ready to rip”, Bryn is back in top form for 2012 – “I’m super excited to start fresh with a company like Norco. Their 2012 line of bikes ride smooth and are really capable, I can’t wait to get em’ world cup dirty!”

The team will be hitting premier events such as: all UCI World Cups, Sea Otter Classic, Kokanee Crankworx, select USGP events, etc. Jill and Bryn will also compete in their respective National Championships.

“Norco Bicycles is excited to have both Jill and Bryn join the Norco family. Their experience and expertise will be a great asset to the continued development of the bikes and the engineered technology platforms we are so proud of. Everyone at Norco would like to wish Jill and Bryn the best of luck in the coming season and welcome them to their new home here at Norco.” – Pete Stace-Smith, Norco PR Marketing Manager

Partners of the Norco World Team:

• Norco Bicycles- Frames – Aurum, Sight, Rampage, Custom Slalom
• Crank Brothers- Wheels, pedals, Seat Posts
• Fox Racing Shox- Suspension
• Shimano- Drive train
• Renthal- Bars, Stems, Grips
• Maxxis- Tires and tubes
• Lezyne- Pumps, Tools, Mini tools, Inflation systems, Bottle cages, saddle bags, Led Lights
• 5.10- Footwear
• e*13- Chain guides
• Dakine- Riding apparel
• Oakley- Eyewear
• Fi:z’ik- Seats
• Cane Creek- Head sets
• Alpinestars- protection
• Tld- Helmets.

2012 FMB Tentative Schedule

With the Red Bull Rampage and the Red Bull District Ride, the past two FMB World Tours had two truly spectacular final events. Of course, we would like to continue that run and from the way it looks right now, we just might. Our goal is to have another grand finale but before anything can be confirmed, there are still several details that need to be worked out. We'll keep you in the loop! Beside that, all other Gold and Diamond events of 2011 have already confirmed their dates for 2012 and it remains to be seen what shape the World Tour will take coming season.Below you'll find the preliminary schedule for 2012 but keep in mind that we are still talking to several other events so the number of stops is bound to increase. Among other venues, a number of FMB World Tour athletes are taking up the challenge to follow in Darren Berrecloth's footsteps and are planning to hold their own events. Grant Fielder, for example, is putting together a new event in the UK, which would put Great Britain back on the FMB World Tour map after they were missing from it this year. If those new events manage to meet the criteria of an FMB World Tour event, this will definitely make for an interesting addition to the 2012 FMB World Tour.

2012 FMB Schedule

Mikey Haderer Photoshoot On Zerode G-1

I got a call from Mikey a few weeks back. He was interested in checking out the Zerode. So we made the drive up and I told him I could snap images of him. One thing about the trails is that they are made from hero dirt for sure. Traction by the gobs, just not many rocks.

 

2011 Zerode G-1 Impressions

So we have had the Zerode G-1 built up now for about 4 months. I have had ample time on the bike so far and a few new people have had some saddle time on the bike also. Overall the bike had some very strong points and a few quirks.

Building the bike was very easy. It has a 12mm by 150mm rear wheel. A 1.5" headtube we went with the Chris King variety there. Then we ran a Thomson 30.9mm seatpost. It takes 2 chains but actually uses one complete and about 1/3 of the other chain. The build quality of the bike is excellent and should be since it is being made at SAPA in Oregon.

The bike is the best bump eating bike we have tested to date. Those include some of the best DH specific sleds on the market. It flattens rocky terrain and the faster you go the more stable it feels. I am a fairly aggressive rider that is not smooth at all. I run over things in the way and am pretty strong. The rear of the bike is the stiffest I can remember riding. The Zerode has no flex that I could detect. It will go exactly where you aim it. Initially we did not have the Gearbox set up correctly so it hesitated to shift while under power. It turns out we needed to do some more fine tuning to it and now it is good. The bike is almost as nimble as the Transition TR 450 we tested awhile back. It is very easy to move around and change lines with.

It is a little heavier than the other bikes we have tested. Complete it weighs 41 lbs so it basically has about an extra pound or two on it. This is due partially to the Alfine Gearbox but also the tubing as these were the first batch Zerode went extra thick with the tubing and it is sitting at about .20mm wall thickness where some DH race sleds out there now are at .12mm! So the frame has a lot of extra metal to shave off and save weight. 

"The rearward path that the wheel travels is just amazing for the rocky trails in this area. It just eats up anything in its way. It is definitely the best bike I've ridden in regards to "square edge" hits. It sails over the rocks on that trail like they aren't even there. Compared to my V10 this bike is like a Cadillac, the ride is amazing."

Alex

One rider has decided he wants one for next season and he just had a go at 5 very impressive DH sleds over the last 3 months so that is saying something for sure. If you see us out there with be sure to stop us and check it out. Check out more at ZERODEUSA.

Suspension Adjustments Broken Down By Showa Engineer That Races Pro MX

In today’s world of DH biking there are many things riders and racers alike tend to worry about. From tire pressure, angle adjustments, tire selection and now suspension systems are coming into play in a very complex way. How so you might ask? Well adjustments have gone from rebound, compression, and preload to the now overwhelming: Rebound, Preload, Low Speed Compression, High Speed Compression, and air chambers.

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