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Norco Aurum A 7.1 on test

Chris Schleker

 · 01.12.2016

Norco Aurum A 7.1 on testPhoto: Wolfgang Watzke
Norco Aurum A 7.1 on test
The Norco Aurum 7.1 has the bottom bracket height of an all-mountain bike and the stack value of a 29-inch bike. Apart from the extreme values, the Canadian is not an extraordinary eye-catcher.
Norco Aurum A 7.1Photo: Wolfgang Watzke Norco Aurum A 7.1

A few years ago, the classic four-bar linkage with upright shock absorber was the hottest frame design, but today it looks almost old-school next to the Motolink bikes. Suboptimal: the combination of high-end gearing and the simplest suspension elements. Conversely, it makes much more sense in this segment. The spring rates increase with the frame size - our Large came with a 450 spring at the rear and a hard spring at the front. This was a little too firm for us, especially at the rear. The rider literally takes a seat "in" the Norco and immediately feels secure. The bike is very reminiscent of the Trek Session: very direct and with good pop, it's fun in tight bends and when accelerating out of corners. On the rocky track in Bolzano, however, it was nowhere near as composed as the competition. The progression at the rear is successful, but the overall set-up puts too much weight on the front and thus increases the weakness of the Boxxer RC compression damping. An 80-kilo rider is better served with a 400 mm spring.


ConclusionThe Norco has a pleasant geo that conveys a lot of security. The suspension isn't quite as fluffy as the Lapierre and you reach for the brakes earlier. Good handling for fun in the park.


Marcus Klausmann (38): "With the Norco, I liked the nice progression at the rear - you can ride aggressively with it. You also stand well on the bike. But the suspension was too unbalanced for me. Too firm at the rear and too much pressure on the front wheel."


Manufacturer information
Distribution LTP Sports Group Inc.
www.norco.com
Material/sizes Alu/S,M,L, XL
Price/weight without pedale 3649 Euro/17.7 kg


Measurement data
Front/rear suspension travel 200 mm/200 mm
Rear suspension system Four-bar linkage
Reach 440 mm
Stack 617 mm
BB-Drop -20 mm

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Equipment
Fork/damper RockShox Boxxer RC/Kage RC
Cranks/gears Ethirteen LG1 R/SRAM XO1 DH
Brake system SRAM Guide R
Impellers Sun Ringlé Inferno system wheelset,
Tyres Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5/ Minion DHR II 2.4

Norco Aurum A 7.1: Noble part: We wouldn't have expected a SRAM X01 DH in this price range. We would have preferred a simpler drivetrain but a higher quality Boxxer.Photo: Wolfgang Watzke Norco Aurum A 7.1: Noble part: We wouldn't have expected a SRAM X01 DH in this price range. We would have preferred a simpler drivetrain but a higher quality Boxxer. Norco Aurum A 7.1: Tough terrain: The 450 mm suspension was too firm even for our 80-kilo pro Marcus. It put too much pressure on the front wheel on steep sections.Photo: FREERIDE Magazin Norco Aurum A 7.1: Tough terrain: The 450 mm suspension was too firm even for our 80-kilo pro Marcus. It put too much pressure on the front wheel on steep sections. Norco Aurum A 7.1Photo: FREERIDE Magazin Norco Aurum A 7.1 Norco Aurum A 7.1Photo: FREERIDE Magazin Norco Aurum A 7.1 Norco Aurum A 7.1Photo: FREERIDE Magazin Norco Aurum A 7.1


FREERIDE RANKING: The number (maximum 10 points) reflects the overall impression and is not an addition of fun and race points.

You can find this article in FREERIDE 2/2016 - you can order the magazine here > FREERIDE IOS App (iPad) FREERIDE Android AppPhoto: Martin Söderström You can find this article in FREERIDE 2/2016 - you can order the magazine here > FREERIDE IOS App (iPad) FREERIDE Android App
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