For 2015, Norco has quietly launched several new bikes. While they’re most well known for their mountain bikes, they’re also well respected on the road front, and have been making inroads in the fat bike market. We stopped by their booth at Crankworx to get a closer look at the new product line.
Up first is their Endurance road bike, the Valance. Designed to be a comfortable for all day efforts and the occasional race, it has several neat features.
The cable routing is all internal, but different port covers provide compatability with a number of different technologies.
A small integrated chain catcher is useful for adventuring off the beaten path, yet you won’t find disc brakes on this model. Norco’s stance is that not every road bike needs discs, and they will only produce them for certain applications where it makes sense, until the UCI makes discs legal for racing.
Speaking of racing, the Tactic is Norco’s go fast model, and receives this fresh new paint scheme for 2015.
On the XC front, this top of the line Revolver now comes equipped with a Rockshox RS1 fork.
Norco releases the 140mm travel Sigh a few years ago, but the bike has received subtle updates for this year. The old frame utilized a super intensive process to produce the subtly swooping curves and high performance ride characteristics.
After revisiting the manufacturing design, Norco realized they could move away from hydra forming to mechanical forming to reduce cost and weight, without any difference in stiffness or performance.
These price savings has been transferred to the consumer in the form of better components. Complete models stay at roughly the same level as previous years, but they’ve moved from Revolution forks to the acclaimed Pike.
These frames have been been amongst my favorite 650B models since they were introduced, and the killer graphics don’t hurt.
Prices for the Sight begin at$2,140 for basic completes and go upto $6,600 for a top of the line build.
The Alloy version of the 160mm travel Range has also been updated. The frame is now half a degree slacker than the previous model, so now both the carbon and aluminum frames share the same geoemetry.
The Fluid line has always been Norco’s entry level full suspension bike, but the family has grown to include a children’s model.
The new 24″ bike utilizes quality parts and custom 152 mm crank arms. Retail for the little ripper is $1,720.
The company has also introduced an XS of their regular 120mm travel Fluid, which will come equipped with 26″ wheels, and is targeted towards smaller riders.
Building on the success of the Big Foot, Norco will be selling these fat bikes at three different price points, from $945 to $1,785 – plus a Bionics electric version.
If you prefer your fatties with a little suspension, the new Sasquatch is designed around the new Rockshox Bluto Fat Bike Fork.
The bike comes equipped with 4.5″ tires front and rear, but was designed to fit 4.7″ tires comfortably. Retail is $2,475, with expected availability this September.
Learn more at Norco
