Interbike 2015: Norco Search – Carbon & Aluminum

Norco Bicycles is a brand that many of our USA readers may not be familiar with – unless you reside close to the border of the Great White North – or have visited some of the 25 countries where the Norco brand is sold.

Norco got its start in the Canadian province of British Columbia in 1964 – out of a converted chicken coop! – under the name Northern Cycle Industries. The name was abbreviated in 1968 to Norco, as jamming the name Northern Cycle Industries didn’t work so well for a downtube decal or headtube badge.

In 2000, the brand came to prominence when it sponsored the Canadian based continental road squad – Symmetrics Pro Cycling Team.

In 2015 / 2016, Norco joined the growing ranks of bicycle companies complimenting their existing range of bikes with Gravel / Adventure bikes.

From Norco’s website, “The Search is more than a road bike: it is an all road bike. It is for those who search out challenging topography and an escape from the familiar – riders driven by an insatiable desire to discover that which lies around the next bend or over the crest of the next hill… and the next one after that. The route to the elusive ‘end of the road’ is often unpaved, which is why the Search features a long, stable wheelbase, comfort-enhancing ARC design and plenty of clearance for up to a 40mm tire. Wherever your path leads – and whatever it is made of – Search it out and ride it.”

The first two sentences sound just like what we do around here at Gravel Cyclist

Norco’s Search Adventure range is available in two models for 2016 – the Search Carbon and the Search Aluminum – or Aluminium, if you’re like JOM.

The Search Carbon features:

• Sub 1000 gram frame with size-scaled tubing. Vertical compliance for long distance comfort and a long wheel base for stability and confidence on a variety of surfaces.
• Features that are considered standard nowadays such as oversize head tube junction and downtube, pressfit BB86 bottom bracket, thru axles front and rear (142mm x 12mm on the rear, 15mm on the front) and disc brakes.
• Seat stays, seat tube, seat post and fork are laid up to absorb and deflect vibrations before reaching the rider.
• Internal cable routing system known as “Gizmo” – a proprietary system that keeps the bike quiet by preventing cable rattle at entry/exit points and within the frame. Water and debris are kept out of the frame.

The bike is available in seven sizes, ranging from top tubes beginning at 49.75cm, all the way to 59.5cm.

Norco Search Carbon is available in two builds:

• Search Ultegra – Shimano Ultegra mechanical 11-speed gruppo with R685 hydraulic brake levers and brakes, DT Swiss R23 Spline Tubeless Ready wheelset and Clement X’Plor USH 700c x 35mm folding tires (tyres) – for $US 3,450.00.

• Search C.105 – Shimano 105 mechanical 11-speed gruppo with Shimano’s latest RS505 hydraulic brake levers – and RS785 hydraulic brakes. Alex ATD470 disc brake wheelset with Clement X’Plor USH 700c x 35mm folding tires complete the package – for $US 2,550.00 – a very nice deal.

The Search Carbon is also available in a frameset, retailing for $US 1,650.00.

The Search Aluminum features:

• X6 Double-butted aluminum endurance road frame with flip dropout.
• Features that are considered standard nowadays such as oversize head tube junction and downtube, thru axle on the full carbon fork and disc brakes.
• Seat stays, seat tube, seat post and fork are engineered to absorb and deflect vibrations before reaching the rider.
• Internal cable routing system known as “Gizmo” – a proprietary system that keeps the bike quiet by preventing cable rattle at entry/exit points and within the frame. Water and debris are kept out of the frame.

The bike is available in seven sizes, ranging from top tubes beginning at 49.75cm, all the way to 59.5cm.

Unfortunately, we either missed the Search Aluminum completely at Interbike, or it simply wasn’t there… more likely the former. So, enjoy Norco’s website images of the Search Aluminum range.

Norco Search Aluminum is available in two builds:

• Search A.105 – Shimano 105 mechanical 11-speed gruppo with TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes, disc brake wheelset with Schwalbe Tyrago 700c x 35mm tires – for $US 1,295.00.

• Search A.Tiagra – Shimano Tiagra 10-speed gruppo with TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes, disc brake wheelset with Schwalbe Tyrago 700c x 35mm tires – for $US 1,150.00.

Both of these budget oriented bikes seem to represent very good value.

Norco Bicycles Website