Norco is launching several new bikes at their 2011 Product Launch. One of the most highly anticipated models is the Shinobi 29er. This bike was shown in prototype form at Sea Otter and is shown here in final production form.
In this video, chief Norco engineer PJ Hunton shows us the highlights of the Shinobi:
Highlights:
-120mm rear travel, 140mm front travel
-A.R.T. optimization of the FSR design
-one piece forged link arm
-Syntace X-12 axle system
-tapered headtube
The Shinobi will retail for $2850 and will be available in December.
The Norco website will be updated soon, with all the new 2011 information: www.norco.com
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This may very well be my first 29er! I’m loving the details in this frame.
One thing though….what’s with the cable routing on these new Norco’s? I’m not a fan of downtube routed cables.
Geometry? Anyone?
Fully jacketed cables under the downtube are great. Mudproof. Bomber as can be. Specialized and a bunch of British makers have been doing it for years.
Pretty disappointed that the rear suspension is only 120mm I thought for sure from the pre leaks around Sea Otter that this was going to be a 140mm rig! How can they call in All Mountain at only 120mm?? I was going to buy one without question but now I’ll wait till next year when they actually decide to make it 140mm rear travel to match the fork (or more….) oh well could have been THE AM 29er…. too bad
AM is about geo as well as travel and this bike fits that bill. I would say engineers are concerned about lateral rigidity and frame integrity while keeping things somewhat light with a 29″ bike, hence, few 29ers > 120mm rear travel. I know with my Stumpy FSR 29 at 5″ rear travel, it is noodly as all hell. Add spoke deflection and the rear is moving a lot laterally, sometimes making it difficult to keep a line when traveling fast.
The reason it’s 120 and not 140 is because you dont need the extra travel in the rear because of the larger tire. Believe the reviews, it works!
This looks a lot like my 2008 stumpy 29er which is a great bike. I like the new style tapered headtube and 142mm rear end. 29ers need this extra beef to keep from feeling noodly.