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.

NorcoSearchCarbon2015-2
Norco Search Carbon Ultegra.

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 :mrgreen:

NorcoSearchCarbon2015-1Norco’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.

NorcoSearchCarbon2015-6The 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.

NorcoSearchCarbon2015-3Norco 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.

NorcoSearchCarbon2015 FrameNorcoSearchCarbon2015-5NorcoSearchCarbon2015-4


NorcoSearchAluminum2015-1The 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.

NorcoSearchAluminum2015-2Norco 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

8 Comments

  1. Avatar Perotnik

    I think the aluminium model is hiding behind the carbon one in quite a few of the photos. 😉

    With apparently even larger tyre clearance than last year’s model, this looks like a really sweet bike. Too bad it’s rather exotic and the company doesn’t appear to be too keen on internet sales (yes, I tried ordering it some time ago).

    • JOM JOM

      Yes, I noticed that as I was uploading the photos… d’oh!! I was a bit frantic at Interbike, hoping to catch every gravel bike… but…

  2. Avatar Zach

    It was on my radar for the Search 105 Aluminum version until the Jamis Renegade Steel series popped up. Going to pick my Expat (New Tiagra) Friday.

    • Avatar john strauch

      hey zach, why do you think the renegade better than the search? have you gotten to ride the expat yet? What do you think?

  3. Avatar Sailandcycle

    I’ve been riding my Norco Search 2015 since March. Including the 2015 Belgian Waffle Ride. I made several changes including the wheel set to Reynolds ATR and some other changes to drop the weight. That said, I really like this bike for a mix of road, gravel, single track etc. It really is proving to be a great allrounder. #norcosearch.

    • Hi sailandcycle – just living up my Norco search carbon 105 – keen to upgrade for weight savings – could you expand in what parts you upgraded, and to what new parts. Thanks

  4. Avatar Jonathan Schwarz

    Any reviews on the aluminum framed Search XR? How does the ride quality compare to the carbon version?
    Wanting to get the carbon Ultegra but at $2400 more for the carbon Ultegra vs aluminum 105 ($4800 vs $2400), I’m very tempted by the aluminum frame

    • JOM JOM

      Sorry, I haven’t reviewed any of Norco’s bikes.

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