4) 1999 Norco Rampage

SPECS

Status:  Sold
Made in Canada
​Size: 18.5"/47cm
Frame: Reynolds 631
Fork:  Marzocchi Z3 Light Bomber
Groupset:  Shimano Deore XT derailleurs with Deore LX V brakes & levers
Wheelset:  Rear-Mavic XC717 rims with Deore XT hub, Front-Sun Rims SubIV with Deore LX hubs and Vee Rubber Topaz 2.1 tires with blue sidewall stripe

BEFORE

When I saw this on Facebook Marketplace, I thought it was sad that a Norco Rampage had been relegated to a sit-up, bike-path kinda bike.  In 1991, Norco introduced the Rampage, North America’s first front suspension-specific mountain bike. This bike was a classic and I felt like I had to restore it to its former glory.  Somewhere out there was a person who knew the legend of the Rampage and would want it in his stable.

The Facebook Ad

The Facebook Ad

AFTER

Boy did I have fun with this restoration! The pearl-white paint was in remarkably good shape and restored amazingly well.  I wanted to put new Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires with the blue sidewalls like the bike had when it was new but I couldn't find any.  So, when I saw the Vee Rubber Topaz 2.1 tires with blue sidewall stripe on Ebay I went for it.  They probably cost too much but the look was so cool it had to happen!  I had to replace the stem, the seat, seatpost and grips.  The fork had just been tuned by the previous owner, so it was working well and just needed a makeover.  I was super happy with the result and tempted to keep it but knew that it would be appreciated more and ridden more by someone else.