Mr. Mabuse, I can appreciate the fact that you're "trying" to help my friend out here with his bike. You should really look around before posting your senseless "help". Calling him mcburtondouche honestly does not help in any way. So like you probably didn't know, this bike in this picture is a work in progress. The stem is changed, the bars are changed, the fork is actually stiff, as for the comment on the Norco frame. Can I bring Ryan Leech into this discussion, who happens to ride a Norco with suspension and gears and what not. Basically what I'm getting at, is if you have something to say, make it useful.