NORCO Search XR Steel (Supple Stock Steel Gravel Bike?)
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- čas přidán 20. 05. 2019
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Review of the Norco Search Steel XR. It has great custom bike looks but does it have the custom bike feel?
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So glad to see Norco on here. Love their gravel bike line up.
Sweet bike. Love the look. Great review (as always).
I've had this bike in size 58 for about two months and it's been great. I've primarily been using it for commuting, but i'm about to take it on a long weekend bikepacking trip. I have some observations for anyone interested:
- I agree that the stem it too long. I swapped the 110mm 3T stem out for a Fizik 90mm stem with +7deg rise, which has been more comfortable without being too twitchy.
- The fork bottle cage mounts are too high and angled too far rearwards. A 750mm bottle will hit the downtube at a relatively shallow steering angle. I rectified this by using 3-position Wolf Tooth B-Rad mounts on each side, which allow me to either mount the bottle cages lower on the fork or use 3-pack mounts. I secured them with a cable tie in the lower position. I still wouldn't load the two bolts with more than ~1.5kg though. I'm currently carrying a 1L bottle on each side.
- The frame handles loaded panniers in the rear really well with minimal flex. I initially commuted with a single Ortlieb pannier fully loaded, and the weight offset didn't induce any noticeable tail wag.
- An Apidura Expedition frame pack in size large fits the frame really well. I currently use this as my daily setup combined with a Revelate Designs Terrapin seat pack, and the bike handles really well. I've added a Revelate Designs Harness with a 13L Ortlieb dry bag for bikepacking, which fits easily between the drops when full and has plenty of tyre clearance.
- Fenders will be really difficult to fit in the rear with 42c tyres, as there isn't much clearance from the "brake bridge". I was initially going to mount some SKS Bluemels 53mm, but decided against it. Smaller tyres might be ok.
- Be careful about water bottle cage size under the down tube. I have about 5mm of clearance from the chainring with a Lezyne Power Cage, and about 15mm of front tyre clearance with a 750mL bottle in that position. A chunkier bottle cage might have clearance issues, and don't even bother with larger cargo mounts.
- The stock WTB Resolutes roll well but have poor puncture resistance. I can't run tubeless in the rear any more due to too many large slashes from glass and sharp rocks. I wasn't able to repair the slashes on the inside using tyre glue patches.
How tall are you and what is your inseam length to go 58cm?
@@CDNFF82 I'm 185cm and from memory my inseam is about 84cm
@@basstrom88 Those are my exact specs also, you like the 58 over a 55.5. Norcos sizing chart also recommends a 58 for us.
@@CDNFF82 yeah the standover clearance and reach are fine with the 58, but the latter is on the aggressive side of things due to the stock stem. Adding a shorter stem made my position a bit more upright for commuting.
@@basstrom88 Yeah I read your first post, thank you very much! I think I'm going to go with the 58cm also and do the same if I feel the reach is too far. These new 2020 Search XR A1 and S2 look amazing! They are easily the best spec'd bikes I've found for the money here in Canada. How do you find the 2x10 gearing? I noticed the new 2020 steel has 2x10 while the aluminum Search XR A1 has 2x11.
Smooth Reynolds steel in this color way?! SIGN ME UP!
Steel ASMR Thing, my new favorite Supple Life term! 😃👍
You know.... I like the review on the bike. Thinking about looking into getting a Norco steel frame bike.. Thanks Pal ;-)
Thanks for this and your other good reviews.
Have you done tire size evaluations for gravel riding? 700C vs 650B (and perhaps vs other), and narrower vs wider? What is the sweet spot or range for you?
Great review thank you!
I bought a Search XR-Steel frameset a few weeks ago and I love it so far. Still getting the fit dialed in, but I've chosen this bike over any others since I got it.
I'm planning to put Blackburn cargo cages on the fork to carry tents and such when bikepacking, but I do wish it had three-pack mounts there instead of on the downtube. Oh well, at least I get to continue looking for the "perfect bike"
Just clocked up ~4000 km on mine after purchasing it in Dec 2018. Most of the km has been my work commute on roads & bike paths but have taken it on weekend trips. First time, I had it set up with my bikepacking framebags. Second time with low volume panniers. Both setups work a treat. Tend to agree with review that it doesn't have the gearing for steep inclines & heavy gear. Moosetrek framebag fits the Norco near-perfectly (search Amazon - Moosetreks Touring/Road Bike Full Frame Bag (Large))
I use the Blackburn cages on the fork and they work great.
Great review. I’m new to your channel but am really liking your twist on things. We own two of these Norco Search Steel bikes which we use for bike touring. I too swapped out the stem for a much shorter one and got rid of the Torx bolts. We have tubus rear panniers, Ortlieb handlebar bags etc which fit well for the handlebar width. We will be taking a year off to do a big bike tour and will be swapping the carbon forks out for steel forks with bearing adaptors to take front pannier bags. Overall we absolutely LOVE this bike. Comfortable and compliant on long multi day rides in the saddle. Not too twitchy and the ride of the steel frame is fantastic.
Do you still love the search? I bought one the S1 and find it harsh and overly stiff (not as fun) compared to my cross check.
Love the way this bike looks 🤙
i have that exact bike. I am 180 CM and went with a 55.5 CM bike. I do find that the front tire rubs against my feet when taking tight turns. It did this with the 58CM model as well. 2 things i dislike about this bike are the brake mount holes, horrible location and impossible to remove the calpier unless you flip the bike upside down. also the calpier mount holes give you like 1mm adjustment either way and i can never ever get the pads to stop rubbing and the caliper has no adjustment at all.
Secondly the grips do not like high heat and humidity. mine started to unravel on a day where it was about 35 Celsius here in Vancouver BC.
Even with these 2 issues i still love the bike and colour!
Great review. Also fun to see the Ruth Works bag so solid and stable on those descents. (PS - nice new sign in the background ;)
I'm riding the Search carbon, Ultegra, with tubeless for a week now. Love it!
Me too...been doing a long gravel ride on the carbon each week this summer...every time I finish I think to myself, "I love this bike!"
@@ericdanielson4177 I just did a race 120 km last weekend. Much better now running 42C tires than previously with the 38s.
Nice to see a Canadian bike on the show, own two Norco one Bigfoot’s and they have been bomb proof. Love the look and colour of the Search, stems not available in different lengths?
Looks like the Praxis cranks use a 1X SRAM spline interface, so lots of options for a smaller front chainring. Am thinking to keep the 40t for commuting and then swapping out for a 36t (oval) for bike packing trips (or permanently if 10x36 is good enough for commutes). Anyone done this already?
Hey Russ! Another Canadian company that just came out (2020) with a steel framed gravel bike with a carbon fork is Brodie's Romax steel. It has Columbus Thron tubing which i've ridden on a Marin Four Corners when it had the lovely Rasta paint scheme. The Brodie Romax lineup has the three pack mount on the carbon fork and includes a bento box mount. Speced with Shimano GRX and Ultegra. Try reaching out to Brodie. It is the model that I am lusting after right now. BTW Great review! Keep pedalling! Don
I reached out to Brodie (they're terrible at Facebook correspondence, btw) and they don't have a US distributor so you've got to source directly from them and pay to import. At least that's the case if you want to be a US-based customer.
Love your new wall art, Russ
Came here to say this
I’ve had many Norco’s over the years and my current CX bike is a Norco....great vid.
I have the Apex model of this bike with cable disks. After some tuning it is very satisfying to ride. Swapped out the norco bars 42cm (too narrow) replaced with Salsa cowbell carbon in 46cm. Got rid of the Jagwire cables and casings on both brakes and shifters. They are absolute crap. The shifting and braking with shimano optislick is so superior to any other i have tried. Cable disk brakes get a bad rep because lower spec bikes seem to always have Jagwire casings and cables. The friction in these is the cause of low power. The TRP spyre brakes are now able to lock up with little effort with Shimano cables.
Thanks for reviewing a Norco Steel. Just discovered a local shop that sells them. Will steel become the next carbon fiber??
I got the Norvo Search XR steel S1 2020 and it comes with the grx groupset. It's awsome. I'm just not sure if I change the wheel. I feel it a bit slogish while climbing
Do you still like the search? I bought one the S1 and find it harsh and overly stiff (not as fun) compared to my cross check.
Ive been waiting on this review since you mentioned it in a comment a while back. Thank you so much! There is also a Apex version that is more affordable..... I think you have cemented my decision to get one. Norco should be giving you a commission :)
I have a 2018 model with 105 2x group set, really like it. It's my Rando bike atm, fenders, racks...
Very nice video. Really enjoyed it!
Nice look with the green paint, gumwall tires and brown tape and saddle.
I would love to see a review of the Soma Wolverine!
Cheers!
Just picked up the Norco Search XR S2. It has the 2x GRX groupset. The bike is incredible so far.
This is the bike I want. Sick of aluminium frames, wanna try something different.
I’m glad you’re happy with it - living in Australia, along with the current supply issues - we have FA available - I went from an Alum bike (had to cancelled order as nobody knows when it will arrive) to a carbon bike (due in a month) to stumbling on this in a shop - SOLD! Very happy and no regrets buying a steel bike - yet. Are you still happy with it a year or so later?
@@mmmbass6068 I love the bike. I get compliments on it all the time. I did put a shorter stem on it. The shorter stem makes the bike way more snappy and fun to ride. Not to mention it fits me a little better.
@@trevorruffner2538 thanks for the response, and I’m glad you still love it. I also got a shorter and raised stem on mine - fits like a glove now and pretty snappy like you said. Cheers 👍
Thanks for the practical info!
Good review as always. At present I have two bikes, a Soma Stanyan '18 and Black Mountain Monster Cross, I use the Soma Stanyan mainly for road and light trail (handles up to 700x32 tires) and the BMC monster cross for more challenging terrain or just for the fun of it ( handles tires up to 700x50). I've been wanting to build up a semi light do all frame with disc brakes for a change and this Norco looks like one to consider. Thanks BTW if you google images under " bobswire bikes" you can get an idea on how much I love cycling and building up frames.
Don’t know how I missed this video, but I’m thinking about buying this frame. How did the 53 feel, I’m a little taller but similar inseam, and by looking at the geometry and going off of other bikes , thinking maybe a 55.5? Cheers
To me it was a little long. I usually ride 52-54 TT bikes.
Hi looking at either this bike or new all-city space horse. Interested in your thoughts on which bike you liked better
I liked the ride of the Norco better.
beautiful bike, love the colour
Russ, what do you think of the 105 version of this bike? Regular prices is 2500 CAD and I can get it for 1600 CAD. I have never had a steel bike, usually carbon and aluminum... thoughts?
That's a great price on the bike! It's a slightly better steel than most produced bike. I think you'll find it more forgiving a ride than carbon and AL.
Hi! It's been a while, but does anyone know about the bottle cage mounts on the front: what is their carry capacity? I'm thinking of using those Blackburn cargo cages that need only two bosses each, but I have a hard time trusting mounts on a carbon fork... I figure using front, low-rider type racks is out of the question, even if they can be mounted cleanly?
I asked Norco and they said 2Kg per side. I have the Blackburn cargo cages and they work well with the fork.
What do you think about foam inserts for gravel bike tires? They are a new thing in the gravel market. Mountain bikers have been using them. Some gravel bikes can only run the smaller end of mountain bike tires. It may be less important for a 47mm 650b tire due to the greater tire volume, but I'd like to see your thoughts comparing say a 40-45mm 700c tire with an insert vs a 47mm 650b tire without an insert. I think smaller tires may benefit the most from a foam insert but I may very well be wrong.
Interested but haven’t tried. Sort of scared of the installation process.
@@PathLessPedaledTV Sounds like the installation could be a collaboration with a local bike shop/builder/mechanic. You could represent yourself and maybe the average viewer who isn't there and be there to ask the questions and be walked through the process from someone who may have experience with tubeless mountain bike tires and foam inserts.
I wish you would re review the cosmic stallion. I think it gets under reported as a sluggish brut. Even though it has a stable back end it climbs and moves really well. Maybe with the shimano spec now it would feel even more lively. I myself have gone back and forth with mine since I race it on gravel events. but with a wide range cassette ive added in the back with a pair of I9 GRCX TR wheels its a way dif bike. however a shorter chain stay would make it probably perfect in my book
Yeah. Would like to revisit. My impressions were that it wasn’t that much of an upgrade compared to my Gen 1 Canti Spacehorse. Which was a great bike. But the hype with the tubing I think set some unrealistic expectations for me.
I was looking at the footage on camera vs the footage of the bike against the tree, looks like a different stem?
Yeah. Like I said in the video I swapped out the stem because it was too long.
Oh, I must have jumped around and missed that part
Just received 2021 model SEARCH XR S1. Nice bike but arrived with 2 paint chips one on headtube another really deep one on top tube. Bought from Evanscycles in UK. They don't have another one in same size so will see what they will offer..
Super disapointed with quality control. £1850 smth. (
I have the apex version (with mech disc brakes) of this bike and it rocks! Solid work horse, handles fast descents and can climb all day.
All I need is a dropper post and possibly lighter wheels. Definitely stoked with the purchase 6 months in, I fully recommend it to others.
Do you think that the upgrade to the rival version is worth it?
@@mathewcumming4637 Never used Rival so I can't comment, APEX shifts well for me. Plus I love the titanium look on the APEX version way more than the green.
#panyer Sweet bike and great review! I like your comparison to Jeep and Land Rover. Two of my favorite vehicle brands!
Just wanted to add that some people's opposition or seeming opposition to gravel bikes probably comes from resisting, rejecting, or not wanting to take on board the idea that they need to buy (yet another) new bike. Some people have more than enough, and are wanting to ride what they have. Not saying that they are right or wrong, just that I know people like this, and what seems like anger or hostility (and may even be anger or hostility) can sometimes be traced to this cause.
Personally, I enjoy seeing the new generations of bikes, and the different features and ride qualities. I have no opposition to gravel bikes or gravel riding, and in fact find it the most compatible and enjoyable form of cycling, along with riding deserted or nearly deserted and forgotten scenic backroads.
Agree on the handlebars, I need to change them out, the flare and drop don't really match up. But that is a an easy fix, I do love the stem though, works fo me being taller.
any chance of Bombtrack bikes being reviewed?
Love this design👍
Interestingly I might actually like that long stem for my personal geometry. I tend to be right at the line between ~58 and ~60 frames, I'm about 6'2.
No mention of pressfit BB?
It’s got a pressfit BB.
Can you purchase this bike in the USA? I can't find any dealers.
Yes.
Great review. Length of matching stem choice would be nice.
It looks to me like the lower boss on the fork would allow mounting of a Tubus Tara low-rider rack. The only caveat would be how tricky it'd be to bolt the lower mounting point to the fork's fender boss. The Tara used to come with spacers to allow for exactly that (mounting via the fender boss), but last time I bought one it came with no such spacers. I think it shows a huge disconnect from the market that Norco chose not to use three-pack mounts on the fork. Reminds me of Surly's Long Haul Trucker which has bosses for a third bidon under the downtube, but one cannot use a standard bidon down there because the geniuses placed them too high (I've written to Surly about this, but they didn't bother to reply in the last 6 years). I imagine Norco will be just like Surly with those bosses on the fork.
Hey mister reviewer mister,
kindly say all the measurements also in metric (centis and kilos). Not a problem if you say all the imperial first.
Cheers,
Europe
Here's the link to the Norco site. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the geometry chart.
www.norco.com/bikes/dirt-dropbar/gravel/search-xr-steel/search-xr-steel-rival-1/
I was going to suggest the same. I'm European, Google does the conversion easily enough. The NORCO website covers all the geometry really well.
@@ks-pg5sh No weight listed there though. Think 22 lbs is just on 10 kg.
I see they spec larger frame sizes with 700C wheels, and smaller sizes with 650B. I'm 183cm, so would want a 58cm frame. Do you think 58cm frame would work well with 650B wheels?
I have the 2018 version of this bike (2x/105) in the 58cm size, and just swapped in 650b wheels x47 tubeless tires. Works great.
Kindly make a review on Jamis Renegade Expat 2019. Thanks
The expat is waaaay more cheaper than that :)
would it make a difference in your review if this was on 650b 2.1" setup ? how much more supple was the Ritchey outback ?
Tires would make a little more difference. The Ritchey frame was just another league of springy, esp the front. Almost felt like having a suspension stem in the front.
@@PathLessPedaledTV man ! i wish the ritchey comes in 650b and rack mounts :(
Luckystudio13 exactly! Would be rad.
@@PathLessPedaledTV start saving the pennies NOW ! Its going to be a beautiful Ritchey Christmas !
Please read this if you are considering buying a Norco Search and you live in Australia. Once you buy this bike you are on your own, forget any after sale service, if you have a problem, Norco will not help you.
I bought a Norco Search XR a few months ago. After about 500 km there was a grinding noise in the bottom bracket, investigations revealed that the non-driveside dust cover was put in the wrong way around resulting in water, dirt and aluminium dust in the bearing. Norco was notified and refused to replace the bearing. The local bike shop that sold the bike replaced the Praxis BB bearings with Sram GXP bearings at their own cost.
A few weeks later the back wheel starts making terrible noises, I take the bike back to the LBS and they find the spokes in the rear wheel are the culprit, they again talk to Norco about it and again Norco refuse to do anything about it. The LBS tries tightening the spokes to get rid of the noise, this does not work and a few days later I'm out on a 130 km ride and a spoke breaks.
There are so many other bike manufacturers out there that care about their customers, why would you give a company like this your hard earned money?
I got mine 2 months ago and love it, but am suspecting the same with BB grinding noise. It comes and goes though. How has your ride been since?
@@sc87sk The bike is now about 12 months old and it's on its 3rd set of BB bearings. I believe the new model now runs Shimano GRX which will be trouble free. But owners of the previous models are now stuck with our crappy Praxis/SRAM BB's. Don't expect any help from Norco. They have got your money and they don't care.
@@g.wilkinson2384 Hi Thanks for that heads up ,as I am planning to buy jamis regenade s1 2020 instead.But it has not been here in oz yet.Whts your thoughts in regards to buying an overseas brand with unknown customer support?Can you name few brand would treat you better as a customer. EDITH Thanks
Excited to see that bearclaw May be sending you a tester! Looking forward to this!
Anyone who has the bike: There is some discrepancies on tyre clearance. Can you fit 700x45 tyres w/out fenders?
Easily. I think I can pit 55mm easily but I put a steel fork on it.
thanks for the review. It's one of the bikes I looked at but didn't end up getting as I was going to have to wait too long for my frame size to come in stock. No matter, I ended up with a Salsa Vaya and love it. And the fit is perfect.
The bike has a press fit bottom bracket which usually a deal killer for me, especially in a steel bike. Because of dissimilar metals that BB will certainly creak after time which is very annoying. You’ll have to take to a shop to fix this or buy very expensive tools to remove and lubricate or replace the bottom bracket! They could have easily used a threaded bottom bracket making it much easier to service! Maybe some day bike manufacturers will wake up and correct this very annoying problem!
Yes - so disappointing it's not threaded.
What dissimilar metals? The frame is steel, the bottom bracket parts in contact are plastic.
These days more and more gravel bikes with a 1-by drivetrain are using the left SRAM shifter to activate a dropper post. I'm a bit surprised that set up was missing from this Norco. I really think it should have been there.
Marin 4 Corners. small, 650b....love to see a review
@@ImSpartacus811 yeah I'd also like to see the nicasio reviewed. Preferably the 2 but either one! And the gestalt, and four corners. Lol. Poor Russ.
I do not believe i have ever been on a reynolds 725 steel bike. As a steel fanboy, this makes me sad
I feel you, I have ridden Columbus Zona, Columbus SLX, Reynolds 520 and true temper super therm. One day I will ride them all!
What do you mean ? I rode Patagonia with exact same gearing and had no problems
Great for you!
Review the Kona Libre lol
What do you mean? I rode up Mt. Everest with the same gearing! Sorry had to do it Russ hehehe.
Crust Bikes? Yes, please! Steel...
You'd rip that sizing sticker straight off.... ugly.... Once again really nice review. Thank you
Ha. Yeah. Not mine to keep so kept it on.
PAN-YER
Definitely go steel instead of carbon. My Search XR C had
great bike, great review, but i can't buy it because i live in shit country Belarus😭
Looks like a goldilocks bike indeed :D
Their geometry charts are sadly all over the place, but from what I gather the stem is just a bogstandard length and for my sizing it would fit really well as a sporty fit. So I understand why you thought it was too long for an adventure bike.
Completely different opinion on the Easton bars though, I use them on my Tripster AT and as of now I haven't had any bars that are even close to being as good as the EA70 AX.
I tried more flare, but that made roadriding and the hoods position weird for me, less flare is too unstable on singletrack. The only thing I would want are flattened tops, but those are a small sacrifice I'm willing to make.
easton bars look really good. cowchipper has more flare but the bend in between the stem and the hoods needs to be sharper. easton did it better, easier to rest your hands there, judging from the pictures.. i ordered ritchey venturemax, cant wait to try that.
Great review! 👍
You lost me at $2800 USD over $4000 in AUS.... then had me back at 22lbs/10kg.
I paid AUD2600 for mine, great value bike
I got the Apex version for 1900 AUD
wow norco bikes cost lots down there hey?? that sucks! i got the 2019 search rival XR here in vancouver canada for 2700 CAD (on sale) but the regular price is 3500 CAD.
I’m in Aus and just got the XR S2 for $2800
@@mmmbass6068 where from? Everywhere I can get it it's $3200
Sorry for complaining, but could you at least mention sizes in metric units in your reviews? As European, this makes me sad :(
This might help...
www.norco.com/bikes/dirt-dropbar/gravel/search-xr-steel/search-xr-steel-rival-1/
It's 2000 fucking dollars
Is that good or bad?
@@PathLessPedaledTV It's absolutely absurd! I mean in comparison to other "gravel bikes" I guess it's really reasonable. How much better in practice is it than say a Giant Roam?
Well it depends on your priorities and what you mean by "better". If you're just trying to get across town then its the same. If you're trying to race or get somewhere fast it's probably considerably lighter and puts you in a better position for longer rides especially in a headwind.
Hey, Russ, what's this gearing fuss all about? I rode to the top of the 48,000 ft. Liar La La Pass in Tibet on a 53-11 and never needed anything lower. You gravel bikers are just a bunch of pansies.