Norco unveils 2013 bikes to media

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (BRAIN) Wednesday August 15 2012—Norco Bicycles’ new Tactic performance road bike line and first off-road models designed around 650b wheels highlighted the Canadian supplier’s International Media Launch Day for its 2013 line this week in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Replacing Norco’s CRR road line, the carbon fiber Tactic, which Norco first showed at the Sea Otter Classic in April, was designed for racing and developed in conjunction with Team H&R Block. The frame tips the scales at less than 900 grams, the lightest frame Norco has ever produced, and has a tapered headtube, oversized downtube, BB shell and chainstays, and press-fit BB30 bottom bracket. The Tactic comes in six models.

The much-buzzed-about 650b wheel size—27.5 inches, smack between 26- and 29-inch—surfaces on the 160-millimeter-travel Range and 140-millimeter Sight. With the 2013 model year, Norco phases out the 26-inch version of the Range while retaining the Insight in 26-inch alongside the model’s new 650b offerings. The Range 650B and Sight 650B each come in three spec levels.

Reflecting the popularity of 29ers, the 26-inch Phaser XC/trail line has been wound down and the Fluid trail/all-mountain 26-inch line has been overhauled as a “marathon” bike with three 100-millimeter-travel models in 29er in addition to three 120-millimeter models with 26-inch wheels.

Also gone to the wayside is the CCX aluminum cyclocross line, replaced by new additions to the Threshold ’crossers, which now number six models including three alloy bikes with disc brakes. The top-of-the-line Threshold 1 carbon fiber bike also ships stock with discs, and all Threshold frames feature disc tabs.

—Toby Hill