Page 82 - AMB Freelist

BRAND Norco
MODEL Range C2
RRP $8999
WEIGHT 17.35kg
AVAILABLE SIZES S, M, L (tested), XL
FRAME MATERIAL Carbon fiber FORK RockShox ZEB Ultimate
RC2, 170mm, 44mm offset
SHOCK Fox DHX2 Factory Coil, custom tune, 500lb spring (L)
SHIFTER SRAM GX Eagle 12sp DERAILLEUR SRAM GX Eagle
12sp
CRANK SRAM GX Eagle, DUB, 170mm, 32t
BOTTOM BRACKET SRAM DUB PF92
CHAIN SRAM Eagle 12sp CASSETTE SRAM Eagle
XG-1275, 10-52t
HUBS DT Swiss 350, 6 bolt, Boost, 32h
SPOKES DT Swiss Competition RIMS e*13 LG1 EN, 32h, 29”
TYRES F: Maxxis Assegai 2.5” DD, 3C, TR MaxxGrip
R: Maxxis Dissector 2.4’ WT DD, 3C, TR MaxxGrip
BRAKES SRAM Code R 4-piston, 200mm/200mm
STEM CNC Alloy, 40mm, 35mm clamp
HANDLEBARS Deity Ridgeline 800mm, 25mm rise, 35mm clamp
SEATPOST Tranz-X YSP-105 adjustable, 34.9mm, 200mm drop (L, XL)
SADDLE Ergon SM10 Enduro norco.com
and fast, then release and charge the corner or section of trail, drag the brake slightly to regain traction or composure and repeat. Getting the most out of the lengthening wheelbase is harder than it sounds, you need to let the brakes off and let the bike go, have a good range of motion and work the bike. For example, when you hit a turn hard and compress, the bike is now longer, has more grip than you thought it would and thus wants to straighten up - so what do you do? Shooting out the top of a corner or running wide is not fun, so line selection and tipping it in and committing to the turn with body and bike separation are key to getting the most out of the Range.
While both these are quite different to “a normal bike”, once you get these right the Norco Range is an absolute monster leaving you feeling like you could have gone faster. If the Range is pointing down, there is nothing that most of us will encounter where you need to be concerned about the bike’s abilities. From tight tech, to high speed rock gardens and jumps alike the Norco Range is capable and eager. The bike can handle it.
So what holds it back? If you’re not Bryn Atkinson or Lew Buchanan, for most of us it will be the rider. Personally, I would have loved to see 220mm rotors on at least the front of this big freight train of speed, but the spec and price point are exceptional already, although a set of SRAM Code RSCs and big rotors would at least ease my mind on the steeps. It feels like you are constantly trying to wash off speed on the Range; it doesn’t get hooked up on much and finds speed just about anywhere that has a downward trend.
The stock wheels are adequate. I mean no disrespect to the ever popular DT Swiss 350 hubs and the E-Thirteen LG1 alloy rims they are laced to, but they just cant keep up to the demands of a long travel and highly capable 29er. I experienced quite a few dings to both front and rear rims (mainly the rear, not surprisingly) despite the Maxxis DD tyres and higher than normal pressures. The Range does not complain about anything on the trail, but after a run you look down and see dents on your rims. Something along the lines of a We Are One Strife or similar carbon DH specific rim would highlight the Range’s disregard for rough trails and allow racers to go as fast as they can.
OUR TAKE
If you are looking for a bike to go fast, let the brakes run and want to ride the steepest, roughest trails then here it is, the Norco Range is perfect. If you want to cruise at the bike park, a caged Range may be a bit of a handful at times.
As much as I love the new Norco Range, dare I say its too much bike for me and unless I lived somewhere with steeper trails; its just too capable if that’s even a thing. Even the gnarliest steeps around Canberra and beyond didn’t unsettle the Range, proving Norco have built something unique and exceptional to ride. Given Norco aimed to build a bike for the Enduro World Series riders, and a bike to tame the wild lines in the Canadian backcountry – they have succeeded. But it is up to you to judge whether that’s the capability that
you need.
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