Hi:

I'm not just talking about bikes (although Norco can't hold a candle to either brands you mention) but the accessories that cyclists mount to their touring bikes. Norco stocks ONE brand: Axiom...and it's junk. Read the whole thread. Others say the same thing.

I routinely order products over the internet because I know my LBS is just a robotic unresponsive slave to Norco's easy ordering system. If you want a plane Jane vanilla bike Norco is fine. If you want anything in the touring realm...look elsewhere.

Cheers.