As a B.C. based brand, it’s no surprise to see Norco exhibiting at Crankworx Whistler each year. This time around the Canadian company had a bunch of new models on display, most notably updated aluminum Range & Sight bikes. They’ve also expanded their women’s offerings, adding several women-specific models that feature customized component specs and new color options.
The redesigned Threshold CX bike also got brought out for the first time, not to mention some 2018 carbon Ranges Norco brought to tease us. Read on for more photos & key specs on Norco’s latest and greatest…
Aluminum Range & Sight
The big news about the new aluminum Range & Sight is that their frame geometry has been updated to match the current carbon versions of each model.
Aside from that, the only other significant updates to note are the use of metric rear shocks and the fact that the aluminum bikes will now be available down to XS frame sizes.
You may notice the grey Range and yellow Sight pictured here are both 29ers. Norco didn’t have any of the new 27.5” bikes on display. But fear not 650B fans, those models are still in the lineup.
The new 29ers come with 10mm shorter stems than the 27.5” bikes, and the frames have slightly steeper head tube angles. Pricing for the aluminum Sights is $2799(A3), $3399 (A2) and $3899 USD (A1). The aluminum Ranges will sell for $2799 (A3), $3599 (A2), and $4099 (A1).
Women’s Line
For 2018, all of Norco’s mainline models will be offered in their own women’s version. This includes the Optic, Sight, Fluid FS full suspension and HT hardtail, Valence road bike, plus several city bikes.
The women’s models offer different component/cockpit specs and color options than the men’s. The frames are the same as the men’s models, since Norco says they’re quite happy with their geometry and how it fits a wide range of riders. The brand has made a big effort to accommodate different riders, but based on a wider sizing range rather than gender.
Norco’s size-specific tubing and Gravity Tune means as frames get smaller, they become lighter and each has a rear end that’s tweaked specifically for its size. That ensures all of their frames offer consistent ride characteristics. Norco also designs their frames with very low standover heights, which should help accommodate more smaller riders, whether male or female.
Where the women’s models truly differ is in the touch points. Looking across the line you’ll find narrow grips, narrower bars (on road bikes, some MTB models still come with 800mm’s and others are only slightly narrower), and of course women-specific saddles.
The stems aren’t shorter on the women’s MTB’s as you might expect. Norco factors in the stem length while sizing their top tubes already, and again they didn’t want to mess with the geometry and feel of their bikes. Norco’s women’s models offer a bunch of new color options, all priced the same as the men’s versions.
Norco’s race-level and niche bikes will not be offered in women’s models, as they feel high performance riders generally have their own preferences and modify bikes to their liking anyways. However, many models that don’t come with women’s specs are still offered in the same XS frame sizes.
Threshold/2018 Carbon ranges
We took a peek at the 2018 Threshold cyclocross racer earlier this month, but the bike appeared in the flesh at the Norco tent. Two of next year’s carbon Ranges were also brought out to show off.
In terms of changes, there’s not much big news here besides what we’ve already covered. The frames aren’t changing, but we will see different build specs and color options for 2018.
