Norco's new Sight trail bike boasts 140mm of travel at either end.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The main pivot bearings on the new Norco Sight are pressed directly into the one-piece forged bottom bracket assembly. Note the storage point for the spare derailleur hanger bolt, too.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Norco introduces a carbon 'cross platform called Threshold for 2012.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The new Norco Threshold uses a tapered front end.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Tiny eyelets are integrated into the fork tips on Norco's new Threshold for mounting a fender.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
A rivnut is installed on the backside of the seat stay wishbone on the new Norco Threshold for mounting fenders. Note the zip-tie attachment for the rear derailleur housing, which runs uninterrupted from the top tube to the derailleur.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Despite the racing intentions, Norco still includes cleverly hidden fender mounts on its new Threshold 'cross bike.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Norco's new Threshold carbon 'cross bike can be set up with geared or singlespeed drivetrains - including belt drives.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The massive fork crown is drilled through for either a fender or brake housing stop.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The down tube cable stops on the new Norco Threshold are removable when using singlespeed drivetrains.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Norco fits its new Threshold with a BB30 bottom bracket shell and a big stainless steel plate to guard against chainsuck.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
The heavily sculpted seat tube starts out round up top and ends up rectangular down below. The upper link pivot is built in, too.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Optional mounts for a telescoping seatposts are fitted to the top tube.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Norco uses a true four-bar rear suspension design on the new Sight.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Up front on the new Norco Sight is a tapered head tube. (Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Norco uses a direct-mount front derailleur so the seat tube can be more elaborately shaped.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Hydroformed aluminum tubing is used throughout the new Norco Sight.(Image credit: Jonny Irick)
Hydroforming is used heavily throughout, particular in the elaborated shaped seat tube with its round-to-rectangular profile and integrated upper link pivot. The asymmetrical chain stays and S-bend seat stays have svelte built-in pivot ends free of separated welded-on clevises to save weight and since there's no round section on the lower part of the seat tube, Norco attaches the front derailleur directly to the swingarm.
Helping to keep the ends of the bike in check are a tapered head tube and Syntace's X-12 142x12mm thru-axle rear end, complete with its stout derailleur hanger design and well thought-out breakaway alloy bolt. Norco even sees fit to include a threaded storage spot for a spare bolt in the down tube in case of emergency and the rear brake mounts directly to post mount tabs.
Suspension duties are handled by a true four-bar rear end with cartridge bearing pivots and a Fox Racing Shox RP23 rear shock with a high-volume air can for a more linear stroke. The upper link is particularly noteworthy, too, for its clean one-pieced forged design.
Sight will be available starting in January.
Threshold
Norco's new Threshold 'cross frame. Photo: James Huang
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Norco also showed off its first carbon fiber 'cross racer called Threshold. Once again, stiffness is a key priority here with monstrously oversized tube proportions - especially in the roughly 50mm-tall chain stays - a tapered head tube, and a matching tapered all-carbon fork with a giant crown for sharp handling and shudder-free braking.
Additional features include a proper BB30 bottom bracket, internal rear brake routing, and a big stainless steel plate on the driveside chain stay to protect against chain suck.
Norco has also cleverly set up the Threshold for either geared or singlespeed drivetrains. In addition to fully swappable vertical or horizontal rear dropouts, designers have also made the down tube housing stops and front derailleur braze-on tab removable for a cleaner appearance.
Lest you think the Threshold is for racers only, there are even subtly hidden fender mounts front and rear with tiny eyelets incorporated into the fork tips, a drilled-through crown (which can also be used for a front brake hanger if desired), and rivnuts pressed into the back of the chain stay yoke and backside of the seat stay wishbone.
If you're so inclined, you can even run a belt drive, too.
Threshold will be available starting in August - just in time to get dirty for this year's cyclo-cross season.
