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Let's just put it this way (I've already said this before): looking at Norco's site you have 2021 models of the Aurum, both HSP (carbon) and the old, standard aluminium, 2021 models of the Shore, the Sight and the Optic. The Range is still a 2020 model and we're quite far into the new year already, the bike is old, it's supposedly an Enduro race bike, etc. etc.
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck... Surely it's not a goose?
(It's not, looks like the release got delayed due to the widespread stock/production issues, just as with the Giga, if the development is actually finished.)
Are Norco saying that the current Aurum is so bad that they would prefer their team use a shorter travel enduro bike prototype - for Crankworx, the Psychosis DH, all of the NZ nationals and national champs no less - while at the same time saying that the new/proto 'enduro' bike isn't as good as the old Sight? I'm https://www.confused.com.
Seems to me that it's ether a really weird way to test/market a new enduro bike, or its a DH bike with some bottle cage mounts that you can stick a SC fork on if you want to, that's being tested/marketed the way we would expect. At this point I could be more easily convinced that there's going to be both a new Range and a new Aurum with the same suspension layout, and we're just assuming that it's all the same bike.
I guess they could also be doing a Trek and releasing a 180/190mm DH bike for WC racing. I like the idea of a Session 29 with a 190mm Zeb on the front for trail riding
We've covered this before and seen that the lowest priced Zeb is still fairly well specced, so there's definitely a place for a lower priced Zeb, even more so on e-bikes. As for a cheaper dual crown... Well park/DH bikes are more or less on the way out, but there are some ideas of e-bikes going either the ultralight way or the heavyweight way with dual crown forks. A cheaper DC fork could work for that case.
I bet this new design doesn't have this kind of a problem.
For what it's worth, all the claims I'm making (where I don't specifically say that it's just what I'm thinking) is based on the stuff I have seen. Said stuff is quite old at this moment and there could easily have been some changes, as said stuff for example did not include any geometry numbers. I'm hesitant to spill the beans completely, as my thinking is spilling the beans means getting cut off from the beans, but I'm a bit more willing to talk about these things since it's been so long since I've seen the information that it's either a 'cmon, release it already' kinda deal or the information is old and there have been some changes made to the intentions.
And yes, you are right, the bike was and is used almost exclusively as a DH bike and the Sight was modified to get some more travel for the enduro races. Though Graves did that to Stumpjumper and Camber bikes too, even though Specialized had a full stack of modern bikes at the ready?
The racing season begins soon (if it does begin at all...) so I maaaaaybe we might get some more info on these bikes?
Imagine if it was a link or shock stroke change away from 170mm to 200mm (or 190) and a flip chip to adapt the geo for the fork.
If this was the case, I'd be EXTREMELY interested. Can't justify a DH bike anymore, but those 2-3 times a year I do go to the lift accessed parks I sure do miss them.
The geo's are no longer worlds apart, only the travel number.
the future is now old man
Plus the reach in the same (S4) size is 2 cm longer on the enduro, which supposedly equates to a one size larger bike.
Given Jesse referred to it as their new DH bike and we know that it's also being run single crown and that the range is overdue to be replaced...
I echo the above comments. It's probably the same mainframe. Maybe just different links. And probably a longer stroke shock for the DH model.
Probably 180/170 Enduro mode, then 200/190 for DH mode. Very similar geo. Just a bump in travel with longer stroke shock and likely a new linkage to correct the BB height, kinematics, etc.
As has been pointed out previously. Modern enduro bikes are basically the same geo as the DH bikes. Also, seatmasts have gotten so low you can have a low "DH" seat or put a dropper post in and have an Enduro bike.
This all makes sense as the DH bike market is tiny and carbon frame molds are expensive. Having a dual purpose enduro/DH mainframe would make a ton of sense.
Screenshot from Leo Kokkonen's IG.
Seems to be the new Pole e-bike with elevated chain stays.
Linkage might deviate from the Machine and Stamina models but still dual link?
I also seriously wonder if the hsp fits blenki’s style. I always wondered if this got devoloped so quickly because he asked for it.