Norco Range C1 Review - Enduro Bike Shootout
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- Are you looking for a big and burly enduro mountain bike that can handle downhill bike terrain? Then check out this review of the Norco Range high pivot enduro bike. It's not for everyone though, see why here.
With a bold new redesign that caused quite the stir in the industry, Norco’s newest Range is one of those bikes everybody has questions about. Now featuring a virtual high pivot with an idler, some of the most extreme geometry on test, and one of the most elaborate chassis designs we’ve seen, it’s certainly polarizing. As one of the hottest topics of 2022, we had to include the Range in our 2022 Enduro Bike Shootout. Some of our testers came away grinning, others with some complaints, but what’s the consensus?
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One critique you hear thrown at the Range pretty often is how it climbs. Dario is one to temper that a little bit, and say that while it’s not a great climber, it does the job just fine. He’s been riding this bike for the past month; with every ride he’s taken it on falling somewhere in the 3000’-6000’ climbing range. Part of the beauty of having a pedal-friendly DH bike is that you get to take it down the biggest descents around, so it’s worth getting it up to the top, and you may end up less fatigued at the bottom of them. Most of these rides are part of his regular testing circuit, so he has a pretty good gauge of the effort required to complete the laps. The Range does take more effort to ascend than something like the Enduro or Rallon, but it’s not a whole lot worse than any durably built enduro sled these days. The upside to the super active suspension is that it climbs bony tech very well, as you can just crawl over anything in your way. Don’t go racing XC on it, but also don’t worry about getting to the top of your favorite descents.
The Wolf’s Last Word
As a whole, the Range is decidedly a downhill-focused machine, with an emphasis on speed and composure over the roughest tracks out there. We have been regularly impressed with how much it can smooth out sections of trail, and just how much speed you can carry through tough sections of trail. That comes at the cost of agility and slow-speed handling, but that’s to be expected. If your ride style is to push through everything and truck over terrain, or if you’re running laps on some truly burly tracks, then this bike could be the one. A focused weapon, but oh so good at its intended use case.
Price: $9,699
Weight: 37.8 lbs
Website: Norco.com
#loamwolf #mountainbiking #enduromtb #specializedenduro #bikepark #bike
I really appreciate these honest and relevant reviews. I don't get the sense that these reviewers are scared they will get blacklisted by manufacturers for negative critique. I don't know anyone who got to test a range before they sold out and no way am I buying a 9k bike without some input. Also, I second Josh's comment that we need to know what personal bikes you are comparing these bikes with.
Thank you very much. We appreciate that and that brands are willing to work with us! We don’t take reviews lightly as we know lots of passionate people out their hearts into designing them, but also that people have to work their assess off to save thousands of dollars to buy one!
I can't bunny hop a milk crate, but I watch and agree with your synopsis.
Loving your guys’ reviews together you both have that kinda matter of fact no sugar coat style I feel like we learn a lot about these bikes!
Thank you! That’s our goal.
I Got to say ! Dario is a very very impressive MTB Co-Host / Rider. He Hits on Alot of Detail on the Product at hand , as well as the human Body and how the bike Affects it. I know you already did I think 2 Videos on my 2021-22 Santa Cruz Nomad CC XO1 Coil V5 With the Fox Factory Suspension platform . Would love to watch a video with Dario’s Thoughts on it,You Guys are Awesome and the video picture quality on my 4k tv is super !!
Thank you very much!
Thanks John! Lots more coming down the line.
@@dariodigiulio3758 Hey Dario, Do you have Private messenger where We can chat ? Wanted your opinion on some tire combo etc.
@@dariodigiulio3758 what’s the best performing Rear suspension design technology in your opinion as far as Square Hits?
I think a big thing to be mentioned is the mental aspect of climbing a bike like this. I owned a norco range for about 10 months before selling it and getting a rocky mountain altitude. The range was AWESOME in most scenarios but it was not as versatile as I believed it would be when i bought it. The mental aspect, for me, riding a bike like the range just made me feel awful on the climbs and too good on the descents. I'm a good rider overall and am comfortable jumping and going fast BUT my mind works faster than my body can at times and I found that having a bike that inspires as much "go fast, don't care" attitude as the range does was bad for me because I kept putting myself in situations I knew I could handle but they were unnecessarily risky. being on the altitude, I'm still able to ride fast and jump well(arguably better actually) but I feel more of a "limit" when i'm REALLY pushing because the bike is less stable and has more reserved geo. It's just like driving a trophy truck that can plow through the rocky desert at 100+mph like it's a flat road vs being in a rally car that is intended to go fast but needs maybe a bit more finesse to stay alive
Great insight. I have been tempted to buy a range but like the idea of a more balanced enduro bike as I don't shuttle or lift often. Where were you riding the Range?
@@cben86 Just wait, Norco sight 2024 apparently will be high pivot and hopefully less of a slug on the climbs
@@gnar_tar I have heard the same rumors! 🤞
@@cben86 also if you're looking for a balanced enduro look into the Pivot Firebird. Bought one this summer, climbs like a trail bike and descend like an enduro. Best of both world!!
@@cben86 Thanks! I ride in the PNW mainly. I had about 10 days at whistler in the summer, plenty of shuttle laps at some gnarlier trails in my area etc so I was somewhat able to justify owning a range but about 50% of the time i'm not riding the gnarliest trail on earth(which is pretty much what the range was built for) so i'd always find myself falling behind my friends who were riding more versatile bikes such as an sb150 or altitude etc. if you're in great shape and like the grind of climbing, get a range and youll probably be happy. I, for one, hate climbing but i do it because it's part of the sport.
Good review! I agree 100% on every point! For this reason I sold the Range after 6 months again...The rear end is incredibly good, but there are other also fast but more versatile enduro bikes
Thanks for sharing and always great to hear other people/owner's feedback.
Thank you for the honest and detailed review. That made me actually order the bike 😅
Hope you enjoy it!
very well reviewed!
Fezzari La Sal Peak for me as well as the Jekyll among the high pivots and for the most versatile bikes in the shootout
I'm working on a short travel version of the high pivot design for a gravel bike, I think it's much better suited to high speed gravel than technical woods
You guys are doing a great job. Thank you for your honesty.
Our pleasure!
Strange you guys are running into so many shifting issues. I've been beating on my bike for 7-8 months with zero shifting issues. I'm currently running a SLX Shimano drivetrain but have been thinking about swapping the drivetrain over to SRAM because I really like the GX AXS on my trail bike.
I've been waiting for the SLX to fail or wear out first though. Feel like it will be a long time before that happens though.
I have the C3 version of this bike with a bunch of upgrades.
Onyx hubs with Nobl Carbon wheels, Fox 38 with Grip 2 damper Deity carbon bars etc.
I have a couple different bikes in my quiver but find I'm grabbing this one most often when going for a ride.
Enjoying the reviews !! Thanks for the hard work guys !!
Thank you!!
Great review. Depends if you ride more Darrington or Galby choose wisely….
Darrington bike for sure
Love the reviews!!!
Good enough for Lewis Buchanan and Hardline good enough for me. Living in Reno I absolutely LOVE my Range!
Right on! If you can ride trails like Hardline and as well as Lewis Buchanan then congrats on being a total bad ass! We wish were half as good as him. But, we figured that chances are, more than 98% of riders out there are not Lewis Buchanan, or riding Hardline level tracks...
Have you guys done a review of the latest Megatower? Would like to hear your critique on it.
love the reviews, did i miss the intro vid? where are u testing? Bend?
We did not do an intro video for this series. But the video was filmed in Bend. Testing took place from Thousand Oaks, CA to Bellingham WA and in-between.
I'd like to see thoughts/reviews of your personal bikes for us to see what you're comparing against.
these dudes probably get free bikes so objectivity most likely wouldn't be possible.
Or the bikes were ask for to keep as our personal bikes could speak volumes…? But, we put objectivity very high on our reviews because we realize they’re not cheap and people have to drop big coin…although we also realize just because we like a a bike for our terrain and style, it won’t be for everyone.
@@TheLoamWolf fair point. just to be clear, I wasn't dissing the objectivity in your reviews at all. you guys put out great content. just making a statement about brand/shop relationships and the influence those can have on gear choice.
Totally understand and no offense taken Nate. And you are right to be skeptical, there is a LOT of pay to play out there and the waters are muddy. But, luckily we're in a place where our crew gets the choice to hit up a brand and request a bike/frame (doesn't always happen but usually) to keep for the season to use as a test bed/platform for basis...This gives me a good idea for a video, maybe we create an "Editor's Bikes" video and showcase what our personal rigs are for the year?
@@TheLoamWolf I’d love to see something like that.
I was thinking of this bike, mostly for park bike riding.
Yeah, it'll rip!
@@TheLoamWolf Yeah, the GT bike is the same category. Like you said in the last of series, 80/20 90/10 split between park and 'open country' riding. nice series btw
Are you reviewing the Scott Ransom??
I may have missed this earlier, but where are y'all filming these videos? Is this Bachelor? I've ridden Bend a handful of times but this doesn't look familiar. Looks fun!
Correctomundo. We filmed/shot everything at Bachelor a couple weeks before closing.
Hi, some feedback, at times the two speakers are speaking at the same time and over each other and it's difficult to hear what either is saying sometimes, thanks
Noted
@@TheLoamWolf Right on, great reviews as always btw!
Range for Windrock? Y/N
Would be a bad ass bike for Windrock.
9:10 Damn these Ohio jokes are coming to the MTB world
Just curious why you didnt consider using an air shock to compare to the other enduro bikes. The x2 on my range runs great
Thanks
Carl stop it
Like well, you just talked me out of buying one of these.
Forbidden Dreadnaught is a way better deal.
Wow, not a fan huh?
It's not that we're not a fan... We love the bike in certain scenarios, but based on where we live and what we ride, it's just not the best bike for us. Not to say it wouldn't be the best bike for others because it does have good qualities.
As previously mentioned I just don’t get why you would show ride/review footage of a bike like this on largely groomed trails. It undermines the otherwise good job you are doing.