The heavily revised Range no longer has much in common with its predecessor, except that it was developed for racing use. 170 millimetres of suspension travel at the front and rear, 17 kilos in weight, steel suspension strut and high-pivot steering sound like a real big bike. And it is. As soon as you sit on it, you realize: this is no normal enduro bike, this is a weapon for the downhill.

The Range was designed with Norco's "Ride Aligned" system. The steering angles are size-specific and are slightly steeper on the smaller frames. This should make it easier for smaller riders to put enough pressure on the front wheel. The model is available in four sizes and three equipment variants as well as a frameset.

What makes the new Range different?

The main distinguishing feature is definitely the "High Virtual Pivot", which allows incredible precision and lightness in the most difficult passages. As usual with Norco, the size-specific geometry also helps here. It is designed purely as a race bike and is not made for long tours.

Statement from: Mats Pfister, Indian Summer (Norco importer Switzerland)

Special features

• High pivot system
• Size-dependent geometry
• Strut and impact protection
• Dropouts and brake mount
• Steel spring shock absorber, semi-integrated in the frame
• Extensive deflection of the suspension system
• Down tube protection for transportation with a pick-up vehicle

On the flat

The somewhat squat riding position and the soft rear end immediately give you the feeling of sitting on a downhill bike. It takes strength to get the somewhat heavy moped moving, but thanks to good momentum, you can also make good progress on flat trails. The playful character lets you choose the shortest route to the next descent, because that's where the Range belongs.

Up the mountain

But before you go down, you usually have to go up. The best option here is a shuttle or a cable car. That's not to say that this bike is a bad climber. The rear end goes over obstacles with plenty of traction, but the high weight and soft suspension don't tempt you to waste energy on the uphill that you'd rather use on the downhill.

Downhill

There are bikes that you have to get used to. This is different with the Range, where you immediately feel comfortable and quickly realize that there are almost no limits to this bike, even though it has a very long wheelbase, it rides incredibly playful and almost nervous. It is not as precise as others, but it masters quick direction changes and tight corners like a master of its class. The Range is perfectly balanced and, thanks to the high front end, provides a lot of safety on very steep terrain. To get the most out of this machine, you have to confront your own fears. Terrain that was previously unrideable suddenly becomes feasible and encourages you even more to go to extremes. Once your inner resistance has been overcome and you have full confidence in the bike, you will be showered with endorphins and high fives from friends. With this Norco, you'll dare to tackle technically demanding terrain as well as top-speed sections and jumps that were previously impossible.

Conclusion

You can tell that Norco develops its bikes in regions such as Whistler and Squamish. There's no such thing as impossible - as long as you don't overdo it, you can master trails of the highest difficulty level with this bullet. Thanks to the high-pivot system, the rear end only swerves backwards when it encounters obstacles, which means that it carries noticeably more momentum and offers enormous traction. The fact that there is less pedal kickback is hardly noticeable.

Recommendation

The Norco Range is a true big bike - or a freerider, as this segment used to be called. It is designed for demanding trails and bike parks. If you are looking for an efficient enduro bike, this is the wrong bike for you; as a mini DH bike, it makes a better trap. If you struggle with big jumps or very steep descents, you should try the Range. Who knows, you might soon be able to achieve the unexpected.

Specifications

Geometry

All data here: Link

Manufacturer

www.norco.com

Test report published in issue 79 of Ride magazine.