$4475
24.7 pounds
4.6 inches of rear wheel travel
Norco, (604) 552-2930
Full test: October 2007 (Click here to order this issue)

Highlights: As listed on the chainstay, Norco licensed the four-bar linkage suspension from Specialized. On this true four-bar linkage, the dropouts swing off a chainstay pivot. When the rear tire locks against the ground under braking or acceleration, the pivot keeps the chainstay uncoupled from the wheel and allows the suspension to keep moving and absorbing.

Best quote: "At 24.9 pounds, the Faze One has a weight that Norco can brag about. (They're honest too; they claim 25 pounds even for our medium test unit.) The wheels are built up with DT Swiss Revolution butted spokes, and the complete wheelset weighs a nice 4 pounds 3 ounces."

Bottom line: Aboard the Faze One, you find the perfect balance between traction and directional control. On descents the rider stays centered in the chassis, more in control over the bumps, and has better than even odds of steering his way out of trouble when pushing the envelope. On the Faze you stay seated and churning away at the pedals while slicing through the busiest, bumpiest stretches of singletrack. It's one of those bikes that puts you in charge because it turns you into a singletrack boss.