This article is part of the Mtbr's Enduro Compare-O. See all the stories in this special section here--https://reviews.mtbr.com/category/enduro-compare-o-2014

Born in 2011 as a 26-inch, all-mountain sled, and inspired by the steep and technical trails of Vancouver, BC's North Shore, the Norco Range has progressed to reflect the design necessities of the day-namely 27.5-inch wheels and a slack, forgiving geometry. Along the way, the Range also got some carbon fiber siblings, but we'll be taking a ride on the current version of the aluminum original, the $3,150 Range Alloy 7.1.

After our First Look overview of the Range 7.1 a couple weeks, interest in this value-minded all-mountain sled has spiked. It's burly attitude, eye-catching orange paint and low-cost seems to have struck a chord, and-as our test rides revealed-with good reason.



ART is the Heart

Norco uses what they call Advance Ride Technology (ART) to optimize the placement points of the Range's rear suspension design by moving the rear pivot lower and slightly forward of the traditional four-bar Horst-link location. According to Norco this does four things-it increases square edge bump compliance, improves braking performance, enhances pedaling efficiency, and promotes a more progressive suspension.

We can attest to the square edge bump compliance and improved braking which is handled by a Fox 34 Float Evolution fork up front and a Fox Evolution Float CTD LV high-volume shock in the rear. Over square edge hits and stutter bumps, the Range absorbs impacts in a smooth, controlled manner that encouraged deeper and deeper corner braking. The active suspension design stayed supple without packing up.

The Range soaked up all we could throw at it, remaining compliant for small- to mid-sized hits, and never bottoming-out on jumps and drops. The suspension action compensated for our lack of finesse even on flatter-than -preferred landings. This speaks to one of the strengths of the Range-it's point-and-shoot-ability. This isn't to say that the Range won't follow the flow with the best of them, because it will. It just has the capability to rip, as one of our test riders attested.

"The Range instills such confidence," he said. "I'd love to thrash it for a weekend up at Northstar (Bike Park)."

Though ART provides an efficient pedaling platform-better than past iterations of the 26-inch-wheeled Range-the suspension remains active when climbing. Compared to other bikes in our test, however, the Range was not as efficient as some of the other suspension designs. That's not to say that it's a bad climber-and some riders may prefer an active rear end on climbs-but for prolonged climbs you'll want to flip the suspension into Climb mode.



Photo by Tyler Frasca.

Another attribute that holds back the Range's climbing ability is its weight. At just under 32 pounds, the Norco is one of the heavier bikes in our comparison. But the news isn't all bad.

"For its weight, the Range pedaled lighter than expected," said one test rider. "During out-of-the-saddle efforts, the rear wheel stayed planted surprisingly well."

Continue to Page 2 for more on the Norco Range 7.1 and full photo gallery »

Slack, but Nimble in the Corners

Contributing to the bike's nimble but capable handling are the slack 66-degree head angle and 73.9-degree effective seat tube angle. The bottom bracket height is a somewhat standard 13.5-inches but the real magic lies in the short 16.8-inch chainstays which really help the Range rail.

Our medium size test bike offered plenty of stand over room, and Norco also spec'd some generous tire clearance for your big meats-something that comes in handy for places like the Shore.



Photo by Tyler Frasca.

Helping matters all-around is the Range's tight lateral personality. Norco's one-piece HolloForm Link Arms provides "hyper-rigid"stability, as Norco calls it. True-to-form, rear end flex was non-existent during our testing.

The pivots and shock mounts on the Range use bearings with expanded collets that apply even pressure against the bearings-a nice touch even if you can't see it. We did have one of the pivots work itself loose during our test, but a tiny dab of LocTite took care of the issue.

Hi-Vis Orange Won't be Mistaken for Carbon

The Norco Range Alloy 7.1 comes in only one color-bright orange. Its glossy, painted finish really stood out from the black livery of most of our Compare-O test bikes. The few graphic highlights are subtle, angular graphics that follow the clean lines of the bikes natural shape.

The Range Alloy doesn't have the slick internal cable routing of other bikes, but the external cable routing is clean and tidy, and makes for easy maintenance. Though the Range 7.1 ships sans dropper post, Norco accommodated adding one aftermarket with cable routing and a slick, integrated seat collar guide.



Who's This Bike For?

If you're an enduro/all-mountain rider on a budget that likes to go big and take chances, you should take a close look at the Norco Range Alloy 7.1.

The Last Word

At $3150, the Norco Range Alloy 7.1 is the least expensive bike in our test by a big margin-it's actually less that the frame-only price of some of the bikes here. True, there are certain concessions the price point demands-heavier wheels, no dropper post, no 1x11-but for what it is, the Range is a great value, and not just because it's cheap.

Key to the Range's value proposition is a well thought-out parts spec. With 1x11 drivetrains prohibitively expensive even in its cheapest form, 2x10 systems-particularly with a smart SRAM, RaceFace and Shimano mix as seen on our Range-deliver great value. And our wheels-a Sun Inferno rims/Shimano Deore hub mashup-aren't the lightest, but they work, and in combination with Schwalbe's excellent and sticky Hans Dampf tires, they deliver real performance.

The Norco Range Alloy 7.1 is a true blue North Shore all-mountain sled, offering outstanding performance and value. It's a rugged ride that takes serious abuse and asks for more. What it doesn't ask for is a big chunk of change.

Video: Norco's promo video featuring the Range. The video was titled before the model's official name for 2014 was set in stone. You might never take your Range on a sea plane to ride, but you could. Video courtesy of Norco Bicycles.

Pros

  • Value: the Norco Range Alloy offers a lot of bike for $3150
  • Proven four bar suspension design made better with Norco's A.R.T. optimization
  • Nimble handler, confidence inspiring, begs to go big
  • Fox 34 Float Evolution fork, Shimano Deore brakes, Schwalbe Hans Dampf tires

Cons

  • Weight (both the bike and the wheels are not light)
  • No dropper post, but easily upgradable and dropper post ready
  • No 1x11 option

Price and Other Versions

Range Alloy 7.1 as tested: $3150
Range Alloy 7.2: $2409
Range Carbon LE: $7345
Range Carbon 7.1: $5676
Range Carbon 7.2: $3630



2014 Norco Range Alloy 7.1 Key Specs

  • MSRP: $3150
  • Weight: 31.76 pounds (size medium)
  • Wheel size: 27.5 inches
  • Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
  • Color: orange
  • Frame Material: hydroformed alloy
  • Fork: Fox 34 Float Evolution 27.5
  • Rear Travel: 160mm
  • Rear Shock: Fox Evolution Float CTD Shock
  • Headset: FSA #57 E (semi integrated ) 1.5- to 1-1/8-inches
  • Handlebar: RaceFace Evolve 750mm bar
  • Stem: RaceFace Ride stem
  • Grips: Norco design lock on grips
  • Seatpost: Norco Lite 2014 alloy double bold seatpost 30.9mm
  • Brakes: Shimano Deore Hydraulic Disc, 180mm front, 160mm rear
  • Brake Levers: Shimano Deore
  • Shifters: Shimano SLX
  • Front Derailleur: SRAM X-5 10 speed front derailleur
  • Rear Derailleur: Shimano SLX Shadow Plus Direct mount type
  • Cassette: Shimano HG-62 10 speed cassette
  • Crankset: RaceFace Evolve crank 2x10 22/36
  • Rims: Sun Inferno 27.5 Trail/AM rims
  • Hubs: Shimano Deore center lock hubs 15mm front/142x12 rear
  • Spokes: Black stainless steel 2.0
  • Tires: Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2.35
  • Chainguide: no
  • Head Tube Angle: 66.5 degrees
  • Seat Tube Angle: 69.0 degrees (actual), 73.2 degrees (effective)
  • Chainstay Length: 427mm
  • Bottom Bracket Height: 344mm
For more information visit www.norco.com .

This story is part of Mtbr's 2014 Enduro Compare-O. Check out our intro story here for all the ground rules and goings ons.