Not the news anyone wanted to hear, but word on the street is the Range got pushed back again. What was supposed to be a March release date is now looking like May/June. Suspension seems to be the big hold up.
From what I understand and gather, it mainly is Fox/Shimano holding not only these bikes up, but many other brands. Both brands aren't willing to compromise on quality and can't keep up with OEM and aftermarket demand, plus they seem to put the smaller brands (Norco included) on the back burner, while the bigger brands (specialized, Santa Cruz, trek, etc...) get first dibs on available stock and future spec. My guess is we'll see a burst of bikes from the mentioned bigger brands by spring, followed by a lump of bikes from the smaller brands early summer.
From what I understand and gather, it mainly is Fox/Shimano holding not only these bikes up, but many other brands. Both brands aren't willing to compromise on quality and can't keep up with OEM and aftermarket demand, plus they seem to put the smaller brands (Norco included) on the back burner, while the bigger brands (specialized, Santa Cruz, trek, etc...) get first dibs on available stock and future spec. My guess is we'll see a burst of bikes from the mentioned bigger brands by spring, followed by a lump of bikes from the smaller brands early summer.
Thanks for the note. I fear you may be right. I have heard there are going to be delays but had not heard of the cause. What you laid out makes sense. Looks like it will affect all of the smaller brands. Guess I’ll just keep riding my current bike...
Norco Factory Team posted a video of Sam Blenkinsop at Coronet Peak to their IG account yesterday riding what definitely looked to be a HSP range with a dual crown fork! Might well be the new Range!
It definitely is.
Yeah some of the Norco factory DH riders have been prototyping a new DH bike, since the North American summer (give or take). I'm stoked to see it when it's production ready!
There's also this ad for the new Maxxis Shorty which looks a fair bit like the 'prototype' bike he'd previously been spotted on (but only in still photos)
That bike is exactly a regular Aurum HSP and not this bike lol
Thats what i thought at first too but theres still a bunch of semi-confirmed rumors in this thread saying the Range is going to be HSP and DC
The new Range is indeed a high-pivot, but configured a little different than what’s been seen before. Don’t expect an Aurum style layout. It’s also speced with a 38/ZEB depending on the build. Not a dual crown...
Ok but look at that linkage - it's exactly the old bike. Look at the norco prototype with a linkage from the summer series - very different layout
Ah yeah, gotcha.. i had to re-watch the vid for a better look.. paused at 1:41 and confirmed what you've mentioned. Definitely an Aurum HSP in that clip..
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