Canfield isn’t the first name you think of when it comes to 29ers or cross country bikes. Bikes for chucking off red cliffs, maybe - but 29ers? They’ve been talking about it for a while and those who had heard the rumors have been waiting. But this will be a surprise to most mountain bikers. Well, the bike was in my studio today and I’ve got proof. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce the Canfield Brothers Nimble 9 29er.

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Norco 2010 Products

We just spent the last couple of days up in Vancouver B.C. riding, photographing, and getting time on the 2010 Norco products.

On the whole it appears that over the past year Norco has sat down, put their heads together, pulled in new team mates, engineers, and has busted out with a very strong bike line up for 2010.  Even the smallest details have been paid attention to, slight changes have been made to fit rider’s needs, another new and ‘real’ bike for women has emerged, colors and art design have matured, frames have lost weight, price points have come down to match the economy, and technology has advanced with custom carbon bikes, belt drives and new frame engineering. And more than that, the bikes are great to ride. This coming from me, with a lukewarm opinion of four-bar designed bikes.

Use the report list below to quickly jump to a section.  If you want specifics on a certain model along with price and photos, please just ask in the comments.

Bike Reports:
Team DH and Dh
Team Carbon XC
Judan 29er Belt Drive
Phena (woman’s all mtn)
Shore One
Empire 5 SE and Empire 5
Random Bikes Photos

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I am up at Snowbird Ski and Summer resort for the 2010 Specialized Global Press Launch mountain bike presentation. Yesterday I saw the new Stumpjumper, the new Epic 29er, the new Safire and era women’s bikes, and the new 27 pound S-Works Enduro. I also got to ride the carbon S-Works Stumpjumper and the Epic 29er. I’m hoping to ride the Enduro today. I’m not going to be able to give you all the details on the new bikes right now because I have another presentation to run off to. But I will leave you with some photos of new bikes and the event here at Snowbird.

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“I understand that bicycling, motorcycle riding, other motorized vehicle operation and competitive sports and activities, whether on or off road, involves danger and the RISK of INJURY to any and all parts of my body including possible DEATH.”

These words were used in the general liability release I read while sipping coffee with my fellow riders at the Fox Racing Shox 2009 product launch breakfast at Zaca Station. It was mandated that we sign our life away in order to participate in any and all activities planned for us! There was little known about the day, other than the fact that bicycles and several different types of motorized vehicles would be enjoyed by all who wanted to participate.

As I glanced around the table, people either had a look of trepidation or total excitement, no one really knew what to expect! I for one was totally excited!!!! I personally had never ridden or driven most of the vehicles that were going to be on site!

As far as the bicycle product testing was concerned, I heard that most of it was going to take place on the 2007 Santa Ynez Norba National DH and XC courses. This was great because we could actually test the boundaries of the product on a real DH course. I quickly came to find out that the course was really mellow for DH race course but perfect for testing the 32mm forks and RP23 rear shocks that we would be putting on our bikes.

Post breakfast we headed out to the Zaca Station MX Park in Los Olivios California where Mario Galasso gave a detailed talk about the new Bicycle offerings from Fox.

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