Introducing the Norco Ithaqua: Carbon Fat Bike
Whether you're racing on groomers or trailblazing through untouched powder, the Ithaqua delivers the full fat experience without the weight.
Brand new for 2017, the Norco Ithaqua combines fat bike versatility with race bike performance. The lightweight carbon frame features the same responsive Power Chassis as our XC race bikes, but with clearance for tires up to 5” wide. This allows it to float through snowdrifts and over sand dunes alike.
The Ithaqua features Gravity Tune, our unique geometry philosophy that adjusts the rear center length in proportion with the front center, giving riders of all sizes equal weight distribution over the bike. Stay length starts at 440mm stays on the size small frame and moves up to 447.5mm on an extra-large frame. The Ithaqua uses a 197x12 thru axle rear end with asymmetrical stays to accommodate the combination of wide tires and a short rear end.
Ithaqua details:
• Frame: Mid-modulus carbon with an ultra-stiff Power Chassis, Gravity Tune geometry, and Size-Scaled Tubing.
• Clearance for up to 5" tires: compatible with 26x5.0” or 27.5 x 4.0” tires for incredible traction and flotation through snow, sand, and other terrain.
• 700-gram carbon fork: Light and stiff with suspension-corrected geometry and clearance for a 5” tire.
• Thru-axles: increased stiffness for enhanced responsiveness and maximum pedaling efficiency.
• One-by gearing: 1X11 and 1X10 low gearing for riding through snow or sand; while helping to counteract increased rolling resistance of larger tires.
• Three models: the 6.1 - $4299, the 6.2 - $3199, and the 6.3 - $2699 USD
Ithaqua details:
• Frame: Mid-modulus carbon with an ultra-stiff Power Chassis, Gravity Tune geometry, and Size-Scaled Tubing.
• Clearance for up to 5" tires: compatible with 26x5.0” or 27.5 x 4.0” tires for incredible traction and flotation through snow, sand, and other terrain.
• 700-gram carbon fork: Light and stiff with suspension-corrected geometry and clearance for a 5” tire.
• Thru-axles: increased stiffness for enhanced responsiveness and maximum pedaling efficiency.
• One-by gearing: 1X11 and 1X10 low gearing for riding through snow or sand; while helping to counteract increased rolling resistance of larger tires.
• Three models: the 6.1 - $4299, the 6.2 - $3199, and the 6.3 - $2699 USD
The Ithaqua is available in sizes small through extra-large, and in three builds. The Ithaqua 6.1 retails for $6099 CAD, the 7.2 is $4499 CAD, and the 7.3 is $3599 CAD. There is also a frame kit option (including carbon fork) which you can purchase for $2799 CAD.
The Ithaqua uses mid-modulus carbon fiber construction with a medium frame weighing in at a scant 1350 grams. It features all of our premier carbon technologies including a stiff, oversized Power Chassis as found on our Revolver XC race hardtail, for explosive acceleration and efficient power transfer, ArmorLite resin which increases the frame’s strength and impact resistance, and an updated Gizmo cable management system with ports on the head tube for the rear derailleur, brake, and if added, a stealth dropper post.
The Ithaqua has a slightly steeper head angle than the Bigfoot and Sasquatch, putting riders in a more efficient, performance-oriented riding position, while ensuring stable, confident handling.
Low-slung top tubes improve maneuverability and offer plenty of clearance when stepping off the pedals into deep snow or sand.
Massive tires provide outstanding floatation and traction, while carefully dialed geometry delivers the same handling and ride quality you'd expect from a Norco mountain bike.
New for 2017 is a featherlight, 690g Norco carbon fat fork with 150x15mm thru-axle, suspension corrected geometry, and 5" tire clearance. The frame is compatible with a 26x5" or 27.5x4" tires.
For more information, visit norco.com. / @norcobicycles
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Live too far from any dunes
I've had many great snow rides with 2.4 inch tires I think the 3 inch will be more fun; can always put the skinnys back on in the summer.
I agree that a bigger tire is better. A fat bike will never replace a regular MTB but makes for a fun second bike.
The space between the conditions in which they're advantageous & conditions where they're useless is so small that they'll never be more than a novelty or a fad. Like oval rings, or bar ends. :/
Anyways. Fat bikes are great. Just.... Don't have one as your only bike. ????
Gotta fit a Lou, though! Won't buy a bike that can't fit LOU! Would love to have only 2 bikes! Pretty sure I'm not doing 50 miles of pavement on the fatty!
Baddass huh!
where do I pledge?
Now E-Fat bikes... They make sense. The motor allows them to get through the kind of snow that a normal bike tyre cant, but a fat bike can just about 'float' over.. I say float because in the end, they sink like the titanic on soft snow. Think of a ski, it's around 4" wide but nearly 1.5m long.. That floats. A 4inch tyre with a relatively tiny surface area won't..
No really, great idea, I have never thought about that! Fat-E-Bike, the third best mean of transport in the snow after a snow mobile and fogs
www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/fat-bike/bigfoot-e
I was surprised myself, went on the website to see details about the Ithaqua