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Norco Range C 7.2 on test

Dimitri Lehner

 · 09.11.2016

Norco Range C 7.2 on testPhoto: Wolfgang Watzke
Norco Range C 7.2 on test
Norco knows what freeriders want. A point of honour for a bike manufacturer from Vancouver in British Columbia, the birthplace of our sport.
Norco Range C 7.2: The carbon version of the Range is available in four models from 3800 to 6000 euros. If that's too much for you, the aluminium Range is available from 2600 euros. Photo: Wolfgang Watzke Norco Range C 7.2: The carbon version of the Range is available in four models from 3800 to 6000 euros. If that's too much for you, the aluminium Range is available from 2600 euros.

For 2016, Norco upgraded its 160 enduro range and gave the carbon racer the new 170 lyric. The perfect match: CaneCreek's thick Double Barrel Air for a plush rear end. This comfort suspension transforms the bike into a freerider. The geometry also supports the freeride feeling: short top tube, moderate reach (416 millimetres), small wheelbase, even the aluminium chainstays (425 millimetres) are among the shortest in the test field. This creates a compact, upright riding position - without feeling cramped. Sit on it and feel good is the motto. The Norco manages the mix of smoothness and manoeuvrability. It positions the rider nicely in the centre, sails well-balanced through the air on off-road jumps and dirt hills, exudes a lot of confidence and encourages stunts that are outside the comfort zone - the Range always has your back! It doesn't steer quite as directly as Trek or Propain in fast cornering, but they have the edge downhill. When rushing downhill, the Norco is one of the best riders, only Alutech and Radon react more confidently to the geological nastiness of the trail. The rear suspension of the Norco is surprisingly neutral and hardly bobs at all, despite the massive double-barrel shock - which makes climbing easier. However, the CS platform lever only has a subtle effect. The Norco is easy to pedal with a slight feeling of pedalling from behind. Weak detail: The chain whipped the aluminium of the chainstay - there is no effective protection here.


ConclusionFull suspension, agile feel-good geometry - the Norco is playful and yet you'll want to let it off the leash on the downhill hunt. An enduro bike with plenty of freeride genes!


STRENGTHS Suspension, feel-good geo, freeride
WEAKNESSES No protection on the chain stay


Manufacturer information
Distribution LTP Sports Group, www.norco.com
Material/sizes Hybrid/S, M, L, XL
Price/weight without pedals 5799 Euro/13.8 kg


Measurement data
Front/rear suspension travel 170 mm/160 mm
Rear suspension system Four-bar linkage


Equipment
Fork/damper RockShox Lyrik RC Solo Air/CaneCreek Double Barrel Air
Cranks/gears SRAM XX1/SRAM X1
Brake system SRAM Guide RS
Impellers DT Swiss 350, Formula hubs/ Alex Volair rim
Tyres Schwalbe Magic Mary Evo Trailstar 2.35

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Performance
Uphill 4 out of 6 points
Downhill 5 out of 6 points


FREERIDE judgement 9.5 out of 10 points

As exemplary as the online advice is, the set-up is difficult in practice. The double barrel on the Norco is difficult to adjust. The DH performance of the massive shock makes up for this.Photo: Wolfgang Watzke As exemplary as the online advice is, the set-up is difficult in practice. The double barrel on the Norco is difficult to adjust. The DH performance of the massive shock makes up for this. To elicit the full potential of the new, fatter 170 lyric, you need patience and a willingness to experiment. Only then can you experience an aha moment.Photo: Wolfgang Watzke To elicit the full potential of the new, fatter 170 lyric, you need patience and a willingness to experiment. Only then can you experience an aha moment. Norco Range C 7.2Photo: FREERIDE Magazin Norco Range C 7.2


FREERIDE RANKING: The number (maximum 10 points) reflects the overall impression of the testers and is not an addition of downhill and uphill points. 10 = Test winner, it couldn't be better. 9 = Very good. Recommended purchase. 8 = Solid performance. 7 = Below average. The product has weaknesses. 1 to 6 = We can only warn against this!

You can find this article in FREERIDE 1/2016 - you can order the magazine here > FREERIDE IOS App (iPad) FREERIDE Android AppPhoto: Stéphane Candé You can find this article in FREERIDE 1/2016 - you can order the magazine here > FREERIDE IOS App (iPad) FREERIDE Android App
Dimitri Lehner

Dimitri Lehner is a qualified sports scientist. He studied at the German Sport University Cologne. He is fascinated by almost every discipline of fun sports - besides biking, his favourites are windsurfing, skiing and skydiving. His latest passion: the gravel bike. He recently rode it from Munich to the Baltic Sea - and found it marvellous. And exhausting. Wonderfully exhausting!

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