Bike Check: Sam Blenkinsop's Norco Aurum HSP 29er - Lošinj DH World Cup 2018
Sam Blenkinsop needs no introduction. Having been on the World Cup DH rotation for well over a decade, the Kiwi is one of the more well known characters at the track. For 2018 he's aboard the new Norco Aurum HSP, running 29" wheels, and apparently has no plans of sizing back down.
Although we saw prototypes of the new Aurum well over a year ago, Sam first rode the finished 29" Aurum HSP a few weeks before Rotorua this past winter. Having favored riding his Range 29" trail bike over the 27.5" ever since getting on it, he's had similar feelings with the 29" Aurum. Initially, the set up was very similar to his 27.5" bike but since, there's been a more 29" specific tune developed which Sam is said to be loving. Set up of the bike is far different than what most people would run, as to be expected. Suspension is run fairly stiff. The rear shock has a 450 lb. coil along with a custom internal tune. The Boxxer WC's air pressure is at 137 lb. with two tokens. Sam runs the rebound fast on all of his bikes to keep things snappy and the higher pressures help keep rebound and compression settings open as possible.
Although we saw prototypes of the new Aurum well over a year ago, Sam first rode the finished 29" Aurum HSP a few weeks before Rotorua this past winter. Having favored riding his Range 29" trail bike over the 27.5" ever since getting on it, he's had similar feelings with the 29" Aurum. Initially, the set up was very similar to his 27.5" bike but since, there's been a more 29" specific tune developed which Sam is said to be loving. Set up of the bike is far different than what most people would run, as to be expected. Suspension is run fairly stiff. The rear shock has a 450 lb. coil along with a custom internal tune. The Boxxer WC's air pressure is at 137 lb. with two tokens. Sam runs the rebound fast on all of his bikes to keep things snappy and the higher pressures help keep rebound and compression settings open as possible.
Photo: Norco
Rider Name Sam Blenkinsop // Norco Factory Racing
Age: 29
Hometown: Christchurch, New Zealand
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 190 lb.
Instagram: @samblenkinsop
Age: 29
Hometown: Christchurch, New Zealand
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 190 lb.
Instagram: @samblenkinsop
Deity handlebars and stem.
The Aurum HSP's high-single pivot suspension design gives the bike a rearward axle path and helps the bike maintain speed when the suspension is engaged in rough terrain.
Aurum HSP 29" Details
Frame: Norco Aurum HSP 29"
Shock: Rockshox Super Deluxe coil, 200mm travel, 450lb spring.
Fork: Rockshox Boxxer WC
Wheels: Novatec Demon XL
Tires: Schwalbe Magic Mary with Pro-Core
Drivetrain: SRAM X01 DH
Brakes: SRAM Code
Cockpit: Deity Bar and Stem
Size: XL
More info: Norco Aurum HSP
Frame: Norco Aurum HSP 29"
Shock: Rockshox Super Deluxe coil, 200mm travel, 450lb spring.
Fork: Rockshox Boxxer WC
Wheels: Novatec Demon XL
Tires: Schwalbe Magic Mary with Pro-Core
Drivetrain: SRAM X01 DH
Brakes: SRAM Code
Cockpit: Deity Bar and Stem
Size: XL
More info: Norco Aurum HSP
Sam's 25mm rise bars measure 815mm wide with grips. The Aurum's front-center can be adjusted with the bike's offset headset cup. His is set 4mm forward from neutral.
Norco kept silent about the bike that we've seen for over a year but now the details are out in the open. Will the Aurum HSP's high single pivot design and 29" wheels paired with Sam Blenkinsop's abilities land a spot on the podium this weekend in Croatia?
Novatec's Demon XL wheelset sports 30mm wide rims. For tires, Sam is on Schwalbe's Magic Mary with their Procore set up. He's running 50psi in the Procore's and 26psi in the rear tire with 23psi up front. Although the track this weekend is very rocky, the team is quite happy with the performance they've had in testing and confident in their set up.
SRAM X01 DH drivetrain and HT pedals will handle putting down the power this weekend.
MENTIONS: @norcobicycles / @samblenkinsop
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Point of interest - Chain Reaction's new Horizon wheelsets have the same 84T version, just rebranded at the heart of the wheel. Seems people get on with them okay. I think the issue even with the lower end ones have been sorted.
And they come with 2 year warranty.
They are good stuff. But I would recommend going with the more robust 120 Poe factor version.
forums.mtbr.com/santa-cruz/hightower-novatec-hubs-defective-warning-1064376.html
Also didnt help that no info about hubs on novatec website - had to look at old 2017 catalog on 3rd party website to try get proper info.
The 642 has 6 pawls but lower tooth ring. 84 Poe total.
The 601 and 602 are the ticket.
I don't know about the UK, but it's pretty easy to get support for them in North America. They have representation in California and Georgia.
And 2x hope?! Here, they are cheaper than Hope, with nearly 3x the engagement of a Pro 4.
And Factor hubs do, and always have, come with a 20x110 axle option.
You were clearly dealing with a seller who wasn't great!
F#$@ ya'll haters. This bike is badass.
With that much linkage though, i'd prefer to have something with more suspension/brake isolation. I had some high pivot bikes back in the day, like a 7" bullit. Brake jack (actually brake squat) was so bad that it turned into a hardtail the moment rear brake was applied. I ended up installing an after market floating brake from brake therapy. Handling was spectacular after that.
Pop plenty gun shots(blanks of coarse)!