Norco CCX?

[DroogBC]

I've been tossing around the idea of picking up a CX bike as of late and I've noticed that the Norco CCX has a Shimano 105 10 Speed drivetrain, yet is priced a few hundred cheaper than the Specialized Tricross Comp. That got my attention, but is seems that no one is discussing the Norco CCX on any of the forums I've frequented thus far. I'm no componentry expert, so I thought I'd inquire as to what I might be missing here.

Granted the cost of these models is almost double than that of the Bianchi Volpe and Surly X-Check... but the Bianchi is basically unavailable in Canada, I keep hearing the Surly referred to as being as heavy as a tank, and I'm still in the idea tossing phase anyway so exploring all the options out there just makes sense.

So what say the masses about the CCX?

[chinook]

I live in Edmonton and see quite a few Bianchi's in my LBS, so I wouldn't give up hope completely.

Norco is a budget make, nothing wrong with it, usually a good value, but there is some oddness with this bke.

-it comes with Cantilever brakes but the frame and hubs (at least the rear hub) appear to be ready to be fitted with disks, nice if you want to upgrade to disks later, but annoying if you don't

-The cranks have a 130mm bolt circle, so you won't get a very low low gear without going to a bigger cog. I'd opt for a compact crankset especially if I lived in hills

[phillybill]

Have never seen them here in the states.....just on the Web. Their specifically a Canadian brand, correct?

[DroogBC]

I haven't given up on Bianchi completely but from what I've gathered in Canada we get our Bianchi's from Bianchi Italy, not Bianchi USA, and the Volpe is suposedly a USA only model. That's not to say we don't have any Bianchi USA bikes here, but apparently they're not the easiest things to find... or perhaps I've been completely mislead. Who knows. ;)

In regard to the Norco, I don't plan to do any actual CX racing and since most of my time on the bike will be in the Vancouver area (unless/until I decide to do some touring) the potential for upgrade to disc brakes is actually something I view as being a positive thing. Not sure if I ever would, but it's nice to have options.

Thanks for bringing up the crank issue.. guess I'll need to do some research in that respect as I really don't understand what makes a compact crank a compact crank, nevermind what benefits having one may or may not have.

Phillybill, from what I understansd Norco is a Canadian owned company and the bikes are made in Canada but are available in the USA as well. (Here's a link to Norco's USA Retailers (http://www.norco.com/ts/pass/findaretailer/find_a_retailer.php?lang=en&loc=usa))

[chinook]

You should look at the Cannondale Cyclocross Disk, it makes more sense to buy it with a disk brake in the first place. Buying a bike piece by piece doubles the cost.

A compact crank compact because it has a smaller bolt circle and can accept smaller chainrings. If you get a regular road crank you will be limited to 39t as the smallest ring (compact goes to 34).

[DroogBC]

I'm getting a bit closer to having the finances available to make a purchase and may drop the hammer within the next week or so. The Cannondale is a bit out of my price range and since I don't really *need* disc brakes at this point I'm really leaning toward the Norco. Of course before I actually make a purchase I'm planning to test ride them both, and may check out the Kona Jake and Surly as well just for kicks.

Out of curiosity, assuming I opt for a compact crank with a 34t small chainring, how does that effect how large of a cog I can run as a large chainring before there are shifting problems or unacceptable gaps in overall gearing? It seems as there are just as many hills as there are flats around here, so basically I'm looking for a happy median between flatland speed, hill climbing ability, and smooth problem free shifting.

[chinook]

I like the Kona's Jake and Jake the Snake both are worth considering if you get a good deal at a shop you like, both of them are more recreational bikes, but I think the fat 35c tires are more fun even if they slow you down a bit on the pavement. Both the Jakes should retail for quite a bit less than the Norco.

My current bike has a 50/34t rings paired to a 13-29t cog. I've never bothered working out the gearing inches, I know there are some dupes and I have a small ring/small cog chainline issue. Who cares? I like the overall range. I never run out of gears on hills; I'd loose traction or fall backward way before then.

[clomas]

Just following up on this thread. Competitive pricing on the Norcos has caught my attention and I am looking at the CCX for my first foray onto a cyclocross bike. The 2007 offerings include a CCX One and CCX Two

The two Norco CCXes have the same frame but the One has better components (e.g. 105) and the list price is ~ 35% higher. Unfortunately the LBS have to special order the One; the Two is in stock and can be test ridden.

I am also looking at Kona JTS (:)) and Rocky Mountain but the price differential may get me onto a Norco. There doesn't seem to be much support or disdain for the Norco CCX bikes - and even the few comments on here tend to be practical rather than passionate.

Does anyone have thoughts on the new(?) CCXs and the practice of trying out one bike and then ordering the next one up i.e. the same frame with completely different components?

[isotopesope]

just as a slight tangent, my friend is considering of of those steel jamis cross bikes. the nova i think. looks sweet: 653 steel frame, carbon fork, 10 speed 105, compact fsa cranks. if you're in the market for a new complete cross bike, they might interest you.

[clomas]

It looks pretty good. I also started looking at the Lemond for that steel experience.