Norco has been producing bicycles since 1964, and while they never rung a bell with me back in the BMX years I quickly became a fan of the brand when I started riding mountain bikes. Norco manages to stay up to date and produce aesthetically pleasing designs, yet always offer high-value models that normal people can afford (plus some very high-end options too).
In addition to showing the new aluminum framed 2016 Aurum downhill rig at Crankworx Whistler, Norco revealed next year’s Range and Sight all-mountain bikes that get beefier up front, and they also had a full-suspension 20” Fluid that junior-sized riders will pee their pants over. Read on for all the details….
The 2016 carbon and aluminum Aurum DH bikes were out on display at Crankworx Whistler. The brand new aluminum frame features 27.5” wheels, a tapered head tube, 142x12mm rear spacing, and a threaded BB shell (where the carbon models use press fit BB’s). Its top link pivot rotates on bearings, and for easy maintenance Norco stuck with external cable routing atop the down tube on both the carbon and alloy frames.
The Aurum features an optimized chainline for 7-speed DH drivetrains, so of course all models come stock with 7 speed cassettes. The rear dropouts have changed a bit, and now feature a pinch bolt on the non-drive side and a sturdier, redesigned derailleur hanger that bolts in behind the dropout.
Geometry wise the Aurum hasn’t changed since last year’s carbon 650B model, with a 63° head tube angle, 200mm of rear travel and top tube lengths of 539/571/603mm. All geometry is now the same between the aluminum and carbon models, but the aluminum bikes will be available in an XL size whereas the carbon frames will not.
One nice new touch is the bike’s integrated down tube fender. The slim plastic fender is held in place by the frame’s cable guide/bump stop and would be easy to remove or replace. The aluminum Aurums will be available this fall, with the higher end 7.1 model selling for $3,813 USD and the lower-spec 7.2 for $2,936 (all prices converted from CDN).
For 2016, Norco’s all-mountain machines the Sight and the Range are both getting a bit long in the tooth…while rear travel remains the same, the 140mm Sights will be equipped with 150mm Rockshox Pike forks and the 160mm Range with 170mm Fox 36’s. Norco decided to make both bikes just a little more fun, and didn’t deny the suggestion of pointing the Range towards ‘enduro’ style riders…
The frame geometry hasn’t changed on either bike for 2016, and although many builds include 1x drivetrains all models of both the aluminum and carbon frames still offer a front derailleur mount. Over and above the aluminum models the carbon bikes get internal cable routing, stealth dropper post routing and down tube protectors.
Norco has six different models of both the Range and Sight, in aluminum and carbon frames with prices ranging from $2,470 to $6,785. The bikes will be available for fall, so keep an eye on Norco’s website for full build specs and geometry.
Life continues to get better for young rippers, as more and more capable kid-sized bikes are coming out. After a successful run with their 24” Fluid, Norco was showing off a new full-suspension 20” Fluid 2.2 that probably made for a few child breakdowns in the village.
The aluminum framed bike boasts 80mm of travel and a solid component spec including a Rockshox Monarch RT3 rear shock, a 60mm RST First 20” Fork with compression and rebound adjustments, a 1×10 Shimano Deore drivetrain, Deore hydraulic disc brakes, and Alex DP17 rims mounted with Schwalbe Mow Joe tires.
There’s just one model of the 20” fluid, and it sells for about $1,450. Price includes your child’s eternal love.
