2018 Norco Search

35 replies · 7,341 views

GSPChilliwack
91 posts
#1Sep 29, 2017, 6:29 PM
I'm really liking the look of these bikes. Good tire clearance and will take 700 x 45's or 27.5 x 2.1 mtn tires (option for 650b or 26 inch on the small sizes) and some other nifty features.
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Animal494
41 posts
#2Sep 29, 2017, 11:11 PM
I agree. Only issue I see is the stack/reach. Lots of adventure bike features on a bike with less stack than an endurance road bike. If you are in to that kind of geo, it looks like a great buy. If you prefer a taller stack, it's tempting but likely uncomfortable.
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Smale Rider
84 posts
#3Sep 30, 2017, 9:11 AM
2 smallest sizes are useless. Can't use high volume 700c tires, cross tires, or regular road tires. Can't use the 47 to 2.1 650b tires. All you can end up using really is tires that usually end up on the slate, and random 26ers if they can even be found anymore. It wasn't even worth the time or cost to engineer such junk.
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bridgestone60
2 posts
#4Sep 30, 2017, 9:54 AM
I've been interested in this bike since they first introduced it, but on the Norco website it says the 2018 has clearance for 700 x 35 tires. I'd seriously consider getting one if it did have clearance for wider than 40 mm tires.
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GSPChilliwack
91 posts
#5Sep 30, 2017, 10:05 AM
bridgestone60 wrote:I've been interested in this bike since they first introduced it, but on the Norco website it says the 2018 has clearance for 700 x 35 tires. I'd seriously consider getting one if it did have clearance for wider than 40 mm tires.

On this page they say clearance for up to 45mm tires:

http://www.norco.com/searchxr/

I believe the previous model was limited to 35, so I wonder if they've done some sloppy work on the website.
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bridgestone60
2 posts
#6Sep 30, 2017, 10:27 AM
Oh, now I see that the Search XR is different than the regular Search. Thanks for pointing it out!
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ridemagnetic
169 posts
#7Sep 30, 2017, 11:33 AM
Good friend of mine is lead mechanic at one of the biggest Norco dealers stateside and often complains about poor QC, especially in the BB shells and head tubes. I have also tested the previous Search (which I almost bought), Threshold, and Tactic SL disc. While they all were really handsome machines to look at the ride quality was pretty lackadaisical, and heavy for top tier carbon. All had the universal feeling of a cheaper bike. Too bad because they sure do look the part. If I was in the market for a carbon bike I'd look elsewhere.. Just my 2¢
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owly
328 posts
#8Sep 30, 2017, 5:43 PM
ridemagnetic wrote:Good friend of mine is lead mechanic at one of the biggest Norco dealers stateside and often complains about poor QC, especially in the BB shells and head tubes. I have also tested the previous Search (which I almost bought), Threshold, and Tactic SL disc. While they all were really handsome machines to look at the ride quality was pretty lackadaisical, and heavy for top tier carbon. All had the universal feeling of a cheaper bike. Too bad because they sure do look the part. If I was in the market for a carbon bike I'd look elsewhere.. Just my 2¢

I kind of agree on the generic ride quality having owned a Valence for five years. A lightweight set of wheels made it much better.

Anyway, the geo was always a bit long for me. I see its pretty much the same figures here.

I did try to turn my Valence into a gravel bike, but it only barely fit 32s.
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Jim_H
64 posts
#9Jan 7, 2018, 10:37 PMedited
I have owned a Norco Carbon Search with Ultegra di2 since late 2015. I have probablyy 4000 miles on it in the forest roads of the Pacific Northwest. I dearly love it. I have no real complaints at all except that it's limited to 38mm tires on 700c wheels. These are great for about 90% of the riding I do. However, being a big guy (6' 5" 215lbs), I found that I needed more tire a few times last year.

This led me on a "Search" for a new bike this off season. I wanted something that would give me the 650b option with lots of clearance for 700c as well. I compared a lot of bikes.

I dwelled on drive train (1x vs 2x), and many other things. My final list came down to 3 bikes.
- Salsa Warbird
- Lynskey GR250
- Norco Search XR
I really wanted the Salsa Warbird to work for me. Something about the look of that bike speaks to me. Unfortunately, it just won't support the tires I want to run on 650b wheels (due to a bulge in the chain stay in the wrong place).

I also gave serious consideration to the Lynskey GR250 (I have a Ti road bike and love it) but i was concerned about the long chain stays, and without being able to test ride one, I decided I didn't want to risk it.

I ultimately came back to the Norco Search XR after looking closely at the specs. The fact that I live near a large North American Norco dealer and could demo/test ride and get warranty support if needed helped.

I considered a frameset that I would build up with Ultegra Di2 (50/34 & 11-34), but I decided I wanted to give SRAM Force1 a try, and that build came with s set of decent WTB 650b wheels. Most of the components were more than acceptable (I've only changed the seat and tires so far). The Easton bars were a nice surprise, with just the right amount of flare.

I ordered the 60.5cm Force 1 build in Gray/Silver Fade with orange accents. The bike fits me great. I've only had a few rides because of the crappy weather, but so far I'm very happy with it. The dropper seat post controlled by the left shifter is a nice touch, but not something I will likely ever use. And because it has no setback, I'll probably need to swap it out for a standard post with 20mm setback so I can dial my fit in the way I like it. .

If anyone has any questions about the bike, let me know. I'll do my best to answer.

Here is a quick picture I snapped on the shakedown ride. I'll get some more as soon as I can get it out on a proper gravel ride.

Edit to add: Those are 650b/47mm WTB ByWay tires. There is still plenty of clearance.
Soihtu
5 posts
#10Jan 13, 2018, 3:38 PMedited
My frame order is in estimated shipping next week. I got the 60.5 size. 188cm and think i'll use 90mm stem. Going to swap parts from my current specialized crux. Lets see if you can install postmount brakes with adapter, TRP Hy/rd.

I also have chinamade carbon 29er wheels. only problem is that it's 10speed mtb hub with road casette, so it's 143mmx12. Does anyone know if you can convert 15x100 thru axle to 12x100?
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chas
1,305 posts
#11Jan 16, 2018, 4:33 PM
Here is a nice review: http://www.bikepacking.com/bikes/norco-search-xr-carbon-review/

I am curious as to why people want a 650B option. Seems to me that you either want 650b or 700c. Do people really one one of each? It seems as if people would just pick one or the other and leave it that way.

Also, it seems most reviews I have of this type of 650b/700c bike tend to review it with the 650b option. Maybe with the 700c wheels there is not much to distinguish them from other 700c bikes???

I'm thinking if the road is rough enough and slow enough to need fatter tires, I would just take a mountain bike rather than a drop bar bike.
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Soihtu
5 posts
#12Jan 17, 2018, 12:06 AM
I have 700c atm. I'm thinking on getting a 650b wheels for the winter. Atm we have something like 70cm of snow and 700c tires are not floating over the packed snow as good as 2.1 tires. But in the summer i really want 700c for road/gravel training. \nI have ridig fat bike for trail in winter, because the suspension etc can't handle below freezing that well.
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Jim_H
64 posts
#13Jan 17, 2018, 10:11 AM
Soihtu wrote:I have 700c atm. I'm thinking on getting a 650b wheels for the winter. Atm we have something like 70cm of snow and 700c tires are not floating over the packed snow as good as 2.1 tires. But in the summer i really want 700c for road/gravel training. I have ridig fat bike for trail in winter, because the suspension etc can't handle below freezing that well.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm coming from the 700C version of the 2015 Norco Search.

This bike maxes out tire size at about 38mm, and that's a little tight for muddy conditions (find in dry).

For the riding I do, I need a bike that performs well at multiple disciplines in a single ride. I frequently do 100+ mile gravel rides that are on a mix of tarmac, clean gravel/hardpack, and some more technical (steep/rutty/washboard, or single track with occasional rocks and roots). I could take a hardtail 29er, but I would lose so much efficiency on the long tarmac sections just to be more comfortable on a sketchy decent for 5-10 miles.

With the 650b drop bar bike, I have the road bike feel and handling, and the more aerodynamic and efficient hoods and drops position, but the luxury of having tires that roll (surprisingly well) on tarmac, but can still be comfortable bombing down a washboard 10% grade decent, or navigate a little technical single track as needed.

And with this bike/frame setup, I have the option to put a narrower set of 700c wheels and narrower/higher pressure (faster) tires for rides where I know I'm not going to encounter any significant terrain.

I've only managed a few short rides on mostly tarmac with the 650b's. My initial impression is that they roll much better than I expected on tarmac (with the ByWays at about 33psi) than I expected. And running a 47mm tires tubeless, I have a nearly zero percent chance of a pinch flat with them. Being 6'5" and 220lbs, this is a pretty nice feeling.
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Soihtu
5 posts
#14Feb 2, 2018, 1:07 AM
Just got my norco search xr frame. I don't have all the components to build it. It will fit dt swiss mtb hub with road freewheel. \nSome weights: 60.5 frame with cage bolts, without cable guides, seatclamp and axle. 1208g \nFork 410g without axle, uncut \nAxles 78g (together) \nSeatclamp 26g. \n \nI'm taking 105 groupset from my previous bike. I ordered quarq alu cranks with 46/34 chainrings and 11-32casette. Lets se if short cage 105 derailleur can handle that combination.
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Murdog
4 posts
#15Jun 14, 2018, 12:35 AM
bridgestone60 wrote:Oh, now I see that the Search XR is different than the regular Search. Thanks for pointing it out!
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radouf
50 posts
#16Sep 7, 2020, 3:24 PMedited
You guys got any long-term feedback regarding the XR? I'm that close to pulling the trigger on one. Two specific points are still on my mind: sizing and tire clearance.

With the type of riding I do, fingers crossed it would allow for 700c wheels (25mm inner rim diameter) with René Herse 48mm tires. That would be my dream setup right there. Any input regarding that?

Sizing: I took a size 55cm demo out last week, and it felt big -- long, especially. So I'm taking a size 53 out for a spin in the next couple days. There, the stack height is 18mm lower than my current setup on a Kona Private Jake (54). Makes me raise an eyebrow.

I dread that I my optimal fit might fall right in between those two sizes.

Soihtu wrote:Just got my norco search xr frame. I don't have all the components to build it. It will fit dt swiss mtb hub with road freewheel.
Some weights: 60.5 frame with cage bolts, without cable guides, seatclamp and axle. 1208g
Fork 410g without axle, uncut
Axles 78g (together)
Seatclamp 26g.

I'm taking 105 groupset from my previous bike. I ordered quarq alu cranks with 46/34 chainrings and 11-32casette. Lets se if short cage 105 derailleur can handle that combination.
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geofharries
27 posts
#17Nov 12, 2020, 11:46 AM
Jim_H wrote:
I've only managed a few short rides on mostly tarmac with the 650b's. My initial impression is that they roll much better than I expected on tarmac (with the ByWays at about 33psi) than I expected. And running a 47mm tires tubeless, I have a nearly zero percent chance of a pinch flat with them. Being 6'5" and 220lbs, this is a pretty nice feeling.

How do you find the stack height and seat tube length at your height?

I'm 6'3" but have a 37" inseam, typical of someone 6'6". I ride a 61 cm road bike.

Based on the Search XR S1's geometry, it seems the 60.5 model's seat tube will fit nicely but I'm concerned about the short stack height.

I figure I'll need 30mm of spacers to get it to a reasonable height, or 650mm. Sounds like you're pretty comfortable on yours and in this photo it looks like you do the same with extra spacers. Does it feel okay?
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Pipeliner
129 posts
#18Nov 13, 2020, 11:12 AM
I've got over 1k miles on this bike since I put it together in March. It's a 2019 58cm. Has some spacers under the stem, as you can see.
Coming off a Trek Boone, this rig is a much more stable and comfortable bike. Longer wheelbase, chainstays, slacker HTA make for a confident ride in the dirt. It's all GRX 810 except a 600 crankset, all carbon kit except a Selle Anatomica saddle, weighs right at 19lbs with 45mm tires and sealant, xt pedals.
I have 45mm Ramblers on 22mm iw rims and there's plenty of clearance. 48s on wider rims should be fine.
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Jim_H
64 posts
#19Nov 13, 2020, 12:40 PMedited
geofharries wrote:

How do you find the stack height and seat tube length at your height?

I'm 6'3" but have a 37" inseam, typical of someone 6'6". I ride a 61 cm road bike.

Based on the Search XR S1's geometry, it seems the 60.5 model's seat tube will fit nicely but I'm concerned about the short stack height.

I figure I'll need 30mm of spacers to get it to a reasonable height, or 650mm. Sounds like you're pretty comfortable on yours and in this photo it looks like you do the same with extra spacers. Does it feel okay?

I find the fit to be perfect for me, but everyone's physical geometry is different. I'm 6'5" with relatively short legs, long torso and long'ish arms. I'm also pretty flexible in my hips and back (for an old fat guy), so I tend to run quite a bit of bar drop, especially for a gravel bike (my road bikes are even lower).

The Search XR is still my favorite bike purchase, which is saying something considering the other rides in my stable. I didn't get to ride it much this year due to personal reasons, and winter has set in hard here where I live. Hopefully I'll be able to reacquaint myself with it in Spring 2021.

Edit to add: I should note that most of the riding I've done has been on 700c wheels with 38-42mm tires and tubes. I haven't had the opportunity to get out on the gnarlier trails lately and the 700cx38-42 is ideal for the tame fire roads, rail trails and occasional tarmac I've been riding it on.

1
radouf
50 posts
#20Nov 13, 2020, 1:36 PM
Cheers guys. Just to keep tabs, I got my Search XR in october, been refining the build ever since. The ride is amazing, very happy with this purchase too!

In doubt I’ve opted for 45mm Pirellis (which stretch out to actual 46mm on 25mm ID rims), lovely setup. But there’s only 3.5mm of clearance left on the drive side chainstay where the clearance is the tightest. I’ve asked my local shop if they’ll let me *try* a 48mm René Herse on, see if / how it clears.To be continued.
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