After much research, it seems IMO that the Norco Search may be one heck of a deal. The Search 2 offers 4130 Chromo with a 105 drive train across the board. Retail is $1215 via website. For $300 more one can get the Search 1 version with 530 Chromo, 105 drivetrain, and a carbon fork. These price points seem very favorable to some of my leading contenders--Tamland, Vaya--when one takes componentry into consideration. Thoughts?
Yeah, it really depends on what your "must haves" are in your bike. Then, once you got those, consider your "wants". So for starters, what are you NEEDS. Frame material? Brake type? Etc.
