Norco EXC 2.0 or Fireball

[Mattydv]

I'm looking into buying either a 2007 EXC 2.0 or a 2007 fireball. Does anyone have an experience with either of these bikes? I know the EXC is lighter and has better forks, however the spec list on the fireball seems a better and for $500 less than the EXC, it seems like the choice. Does anyone know how much lighter exactly the EXC is than the fireball, or does anyone even have a better suggestion for a XC race bike, for a rider about 70kg's and with a budget about $3000 give or take?

[Sleeman]

Just looking at their website, it seems that the EXC has a better frame and maybe a slightly better fork, but falls behind the fireball with brakes, drivetrain, and wheels. Personally I find that the Mavic tubeless system works much better than any other I have tried and tested.

Although, in buying the Fireball, the money saved will help if you want to upgrade the fork to something better, most shops should allow you to do this, or a brand new fork should sell fairly well in the For Sale forums.

it's a tough call, both bikes would be a good investment, perhaps just pick your favourite colour and go from there...

[Mattydv]

just pick your favourite colour and go from there...

A $500 difference on a colour :p I think that's what I'll end up doing though - or something of the sort. Does no-one have ANY experience with any of these bikes? Or even last years models?

[sammydog]

Haven't seen the 07 EXC in the flesh, but the Fireball looked to be very nice.

I don't think your going to go wrong with either of these bikes, but final decision on whats better, too hard for me to call. I'd be happy with either.

[Grover]

Your key words here are - XC race bike - and that's what you say you're after. If that's really what you're after then from those two it has to be the EXC. It has a very standard XC race geometry while the Fireball has a fairly slack headtube angle, not really what you're after. It could probably be remedied by cranking the forks down to 80mm but that's another point. What XC race bike has forks that are adjustable out to 130mm? The fireball is more of a recreational, 'going riding', bike.

Now onto the spec, EXC wheels are a very reliable wheelset that you'll never have problems with. Not light but you know you'll always finish and won't have to spend money on them. Eventually you buy a really nice race wheelset and keep using the stock wheels for everything but racing.

Brakes, Juicy 5's and Juicy 7's are identical in function except for the little red adjustor nob on the 7's. It's debatable how much this actually does and it is not often missed. I'd say this is a much of a muchness as to which you get, both work very well. On the plus side the 5's are those few grams lighter.

Drivetrain, the only real shortfall. X9 is a fair bit better than X7. X7 still works though. If you're finding it's holding you back or if something wears out/breaks then buying some X9 shifters and a rear derailleur isn't that expensive.

If you want other options then you can't really look past Giant.
2006 Giant XTC0, retails $3400, should be able to find one under $3000 now. Better in all respects.SPECS (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?year=2006&model=10035)
2007 Giant XTC1, retails around $2600. Very similar except uses Shimano LX/XT drivetrain which I believe is better than SRAM X7. SPECS (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?model=10149)
Duallies really are the way to go now I believe and the Anthem is one of the best, especially at their price. Similar Specs to 07 XTC1 but with dual squish.
2006 Giant Anthem 2, retails 3000, may be able to find one cheaper. SPECS (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?year=2006&model=10048)
2007 Giant Anthem 1, retails 2995. SPECS (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?model=10145)

[slow_xc_racer]

Duallies really are the way to go now I believe and the Anthem is one of the best, especially at their price. Similar Specs to 07 XTC1 but with dual squish.
2006 Giant Anthem 2, retails 3000, may be able to find one cheaper. SPECS (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?year=2006&model=10048)
2007 Giant Anthem 1, retails 2995. SPECS (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?model=10145)
I got my 2007 Anthem 1 a couple of days ago and it is awesome. great value for money as well. Cant complain about anything in terms of performance. Good geometry (for me at least) and wicked specs. Flick the pro pedal on and climb like a mountain goat. You can turn it off for downhill's but i found the rear shock still gives more than enough travel to stay in control. Its def a much quicker bike than any Scott MC or GT Dually ive ridden. i cant wait to take it for a spin at Castlmaine this weekend.

[Mattydv]

Your key words here are - XC race bike - and that's what you say you're after. If that's really what you're after then from those two it has to be the EXC. It has a very standard XC race geometry while the Fireball has a fairly slack headtube angle, not really what you're after. It could probably be remedied by cranking the forks down to 80mm but that's another point. What XC race bike has forks that are adjustable out to 130mm? The fireball is more of a recreational, 'going riding', bike.

I haven't actually seen a Fireball in the flesh, whereas I have quickly ridden an EXC so I think It's going to be just more of what's comfortable. I will probably go for the EXC, however was recommended to check out the fireball. Although since the fireball is cheaper, with the $500 odd that you save, except for the headtube angle, I could sell the forks from the fireball and with the money saved buy some decent XC race forks...


Now onto the spec, EXC wheels are a very reliable wheelset that you'll never have problems with. Not light but you know you'll always finish and won't have to spend money on them. Eventually you buy a really nice race wheelset and keep using the stock wheels for everything but racing.

Do you know what the Mavic Crossride's are like? Compared to that of the EXC's?

Brakes, Juicy 5's and Juicy 7's are identical in function except for the little red adjustor nob on the 7's. It's debatable how much this actually does and it is not often missed. I'd say this is a much of a muchness as to which you get, both work very well. On the plus side the 5's are those few grams lighter.

Likewise, from what i've heard the knob does jack all for the extra $$$ that you pay for it.

Drivetrain, the only real shortfall. X9 is a fair bit better than X7. X7 still works though. If you're finding it's holding you back or if something wears out/breaks then buying some X9 shifters and a rear derailleur isn't that expensive.

Anything will be better than the LX im using at the moment. It's so unreliable - something wrong with it every two races.

Duallies really are the way to go now I believe and the Anthem is one of the best, especially at their price.

I'm really wanting to stick with a HT.

[Grover]

I haven't actually seen a Fireball in the flesh, whereas I have quickly ridden an EXC so I think It's going to be just more of what's comfortable. I will probably go for the EXC, however was recommended to check out the fireball. Although since the fireball is cheaper, with the $500 odd that you save, except for the headtube angle, I could sell the forks from the fireball and with the money saved buy some decent XC race forks...

Sounds feasable if you find out what fork travel the headtube angle is based around. If it's based on the 130mm then an 80mm fork would likely bring you to a pretty standard XC geometry. If the 68deg is already based on a 100 or even 80mm fork (which would be stupid) then you've still got the problem. In the end it's still a heavier frame that is the base for your bike.


Do you know what the Mavic Crossride's are like? Compared to that of the EXC's?

Personally I'd prefer the EXC wheels, but I'm not a Mavic Wheelset fan in general. The EXC wheels use all standard parts that 99% of shops will have in stock if anything goes wrong - spokes, hub parts etc. The Crossrides use a bladed straight pull spoke that won't be stocked by 99% of shops and Mavic hubs tend not to be their strongpoint. Also take into account the spoke count of the EXC being 32 and the Mavic being 24, the EXC wheels will be easier to true and most likely a stiffer/stronger wheel.

Likewise, from what i've heard the knob does jack all for the extra $$$ that you pay for it.

Indeed, it's certainly not a big factor in deciding between the two bikes.

Anything will be better than the LX im using at the moment. It's so unreliable - something wrong with it every two races.

How old is it? Clean the shifter out, put some new cables through it and, wear dependant, a new chain and cassette and it'd be good as gold I'd say. Unless your rear derailleur has gone 'sloppy'. My feelings is that well adjusted/maintained LX is better than X7, while X9 is on par with XTR.

I'm really wanting to stick with a HT.

fair enough, sometimes only a hardtail will do, if that's what you want then stick with it. I've just spend all my bike ownership time on light XC hardtails and every time I ride a duallie I swear I'm going to get one. Maybe that's because I'm leaning more toward the enduro stuff.
..........

[Mattydv]

Personally I'd prefer the EXC wheels, but I'm not a Mavic Wheelset fan in general. The EXC wheels use all standard parts that 99% of shops will have in stock if anything goes wrong - spokes, hub parts etc. The Crossrides use a bladed straight pull spoke that won't be stocked by 99% of shops and Mavic hubs tend not to be their strongpoint. Also take into account the spoke count of the EXC being 32 and the Mavic being 24, the EXC wheels will be easier to true and most likely a stiffer/stronger wheel.

One of the main reasons i'm leaning toward the EXC is availability for bike parts. So often my bikes seem to develop a big mechanical only a few days (or a few hours in the N-ZO 12 hour case) before a race.

How old is it? Clean the shifter out, put some new cables through it and, wear dependant, a new chain and cassette and it'd be good as gold I'd say. Unless your rear derailleur has gone 'sloppy'. My feelings is that well adjusted/maintained LX is better than X7, while X9 is on par with XTR.

Its roughly 5 years old :confused: It just been given new cables, new cassette, new chain so i'm keen to take it out sometime soon and see how it goes.

fair enough, sometimes only a hardtail will do, if that's what you want then stick with it. I've just spend all my bike ownership time on light XC hardtails and every time I ride a duallie I swear I'm going to get one. Maybe that's because I'm leaning more toward the enduro stuff.

Only problem with getting a hardtail is that like you i'm also getting into Enduro stuff, I guess it'll keep me smooth though :p

[k3n!f]

When I buy a new bike it'll probably be a Giant. If your on a budget its really hard to beat them in terms of bang for your buck.

[J-ack]

By Fireball, do you mean a Mongoose Fireball, or am I just making myself look like an idiot here?

[Mattydv]

Ha no the Norco Fireball. Same name, I was confused at first too :p