I spend a lot of time looking at used bike listings - for various reasons. I'm always on the lookout for vintage stuff of course, and it's my part-time side hustle. As such, I think I can say I'm an authority on what used bikes are worth, so when something comes up that's maybe out of line with the market, it tends to stick out.
This week, a Norco VPS Atomik came up for $1100, and my immediate reaction was "that's too much man!"
But, the more I thought about it, the more I think that's a pretty good price.
This week, a Norco VPS Atomik came up for $1100, and my immediate reaction was "that's too much man!"
But, the more I thought about it, the more I think that's a pretty good price.
Quick bit of history; Norco's VPS line grew out of a need for a bike that wouldn't have the headtube ripped off by the big forks getting installed on the bikes. It was the early '00s, and everybody was 'huckin'!
Ok, maybe not everybody. But certainly enough riders were that these bikes were a hit. For the huge drops on the North Shore and the newly discovered concept of the 'bike park' at ski hills everywhere. The bikes look a little comical to modern eyes though - look at how short the wheelbase is on the green VPS-1 there. That looks terrifying! Even a basic hardtail from today looks like it would be a lot easier to deal with going downhill.
Now, about this Atomik here. $1100 seems like way too much for a 20 year old full suspension bike. But, I always consider what you could get new for what the seller is asking. You can get a pretty decent bike for $100 these days.
But you cannot get something new that can handle big drops and extreme conditions as well as this bike can for $1100. It may be a little expensive, but as a comparison, I think it's worth more than my Giant NRS. It's just got better parts on it. And it certainly looks very clean.
Ok, maybe not everybody. But certainly enough riders were that these bikes were a hit. For the huge drops on the North Shore and the newly discovered concept of the 'bike park' at ski hills everywhere. The bikes look a little comical to modern eyes though - look at how short the wheelbase is on the green VPS-1 there. That looks terrifying! Even a basic hardtail from today looks like it would be a lot easier to deal with going downhill.
Now, about this Atomik here. $1100 seems like way too much for a 20 year old full suspension bike. But, I always consider what you could get new for what the seller is asking. You can get a pretty decent bike for $100 these days.
But you cannot get something new that can handle big drops and extreme conditions as well as this bike can for $1100. It may be a little expensive, but as a comparison, I think it's worth more than my Giant NRS. It's just got better parts on it. And it certainly looks very clean.
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