After more than five years of development and World Cup testing, Norco’s Team DH downhill bike has officially moved beyond the prototype stage. The Canadian bicycle manufacturer’s production model reflects years of feedback from elite racers, including Canadian downhill standout Gracey Hemstreet.
Hemstreet’s Whistler-edition Team DH offered an especially detailed look at how Norco’s factory race platform differs from the standard production bike, combining the newly released frame with personalized graphics and race-focused components.
Norco Team DH Emerges After Years of Racing Development
Norco spent more than five years developing the Team DH, with factory riders competing aboard different versions of the downhill platform throughout the process.
The production release means riders can now access a version of the bike that has been refined through extensive racing and testing at the highest level of downhill mountain biking.
Despite making the Team DH available to the public, Norco prepared special versions for members of its Norco adidas Race Division for the World Cup stop in Whistler, British Columbia.
The event carried particular significance for the Canadian brand, with World Cup downhill racing taking place roughly an hour from Norco’s headquarters. It also provided an opportunity to showcase the production Team DH on one of Canada’s best-known mountain biking stages.
Gracey Hemstreet Races Custom Whistler-Edition Team DH
Hemstreet’s custom bike attracted attention following her impressive second-place result at the Whistler World Cup.
Her mechanic, Brett “Turtle” Ward, brought the bike out of the team pits for a closer examination, revealing a number of details that distinguish the race machine from a standard production build.
Each Norco adidas Race Division rider received a personalized version of the Team DH while maintaining one of two variations on the squad’s overall visual theme.
The frames carried more than the individual rider’s name. They also featured the names of teammates and Norco adidas Race Division staff, highlighting the broader team behind each World Cup performance.
Gold-leaf detailing around the bottom bracket area added another distinctive element to Hemstreet’s Whistler bike.
Race Bikes Feature Two-Tone Design
While Hemstreet’s Team DH used one version of the custom colour arrangement, teammates Danny Hart and Bodhi Kuhn received bikes with the theme reversed.
Their machines featured purple toward the front of the frame and a lighter-coloured rear triangle, giving the bikes a related appearance while maintaining individual visual differences.
Despite the custom finishes and high-level racing equipment, the team machines retain external cable routing, a practical feature also associated with the production platform.
Shimano, Crankbrothers and Fox Components Complete the Build
Hemstreet’s Team DH was equipped with Shimano Saint components, a long-standing choice for gravity-focused mountain bike racing.
Crankbrothers pedals were fitted to the bike, while suspension duties at the rear were handled by a large Fox Float X2 air shock.
The component selection reflects the demands of World Cup downhill competition, where suspension performance, braking and durability are critical over rough and technically demanding courses.
For Norco, the Whistler-edition Team DH represented both a celebration of racing close to home in British Columbia and the culmination of a lengthy development program. Hemstreet’s podium performance also gave the newly released downhill platform a prominent showcase as it made the transition from prototype race bike to production model.
Nolan Fraser is a contributor at Angperyodiko.ca, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on delivering clear, accurate, and accessible reporting that helps readers stay informed about current events and developments that matter. With an emphasis on useful information and balanced storytelling, Nolan aims to provide timely coverage and relevant insights for audiences across Canada and beyond.