2018 Norco Search

35 replies · 7,341 views

geofharries
27 posts
#21Nov 28, 2020, 8:54 AM
@Jim_H Thanks for the details. I really appreciate it.
0
Pipeliner
129 posts
#22Nov 28, 2020, 9:18 PM
radouf wrote:
Cheers guys. Just to keep tabs, I got my Search XR in october, been refining the build ever since. The ride is amazing, very happy with this purchase too!

In doubt I’ve opted for 45mm Pirellis (which stretch out to actual 46mm on 25mm ID rims), lovely setup. But there’s only 3.5mm of clearance left on the drive side chainstay where the clearance is the tightest. I’ve asked my local shop if they’ll let me *try* a 48mm René Herse on, see if / how it clears.To be continued.

That's a beauty. How do you feel about the dropper? Worth the weight penalty?

I suppose you have a harsher ride than a flexing seatpost as well...
0
radouf
50 posts
#23Nov 28, 2020, 11:41 PMedited
@Pipeliner Thanks! I was frankly skeptical about the dropper when I first got the bike. I’m convinced now. Essential? No way. But I do appreciate the confidence boost it gives me in technical singletrack, especially downhill, as well as on super fast road descents.

As far as weight goes, the Manic is fairly lightweight, the actual weight penalty compared to a regular carbon post would be about 225g. I believe it’s worth it for me, as I ride a lot of singletrack. My build is geared towards this. With 45mm tubeless tires cush anyways, I notice no ‘harshness of the ride’, even if i’m looking for it. It was my main concern with the dropper actually, but the overall ride is still very smooth if you ask me, so...

And hey, a couple days ago I made a little photo-shoot for myself, to celebrate the build that’s now finalized! Here it is in the wild:
0
Pipeliner
129 posts
#24Nov 29, 2020, 6:16 PM
That's a great looking bike. Love that color fade.
0
radouf
50 posts
#25Dec 2, 2020, 11:32 AM
Cheers. Love it too.

Have to ask tho, have you figured out how to put the rear wheel back in without stabbing at the fat ass chainstay with the rotor lol? I ended up tying an old piece of tube onto the stay there because the cassette/chain/derailleur/dropout orientation/chainstay combo would just suck the rotor straight into the stay everytime.
0
Pipeliner
129 posts
#26Dec 10, 2020, 8:24 PM
I've got a 160mm rear rotor on mine, would help to go to a 140. I've got a few paint chips in that chainstay from it for sure. If it drop the front to the small sprocket it helps quite a bit (cassette to the small too). I've found the best way though is to turn the bike upside down. Makes it much easier.
1
radouf
50 posts
#27Jan 20, 2021, 9:21 PM
Well my luck! Today i got gifted a pair of preciousssss René Herse knobbies... 48mm Oracle Ridge! Anybody got intel on if its gonna clear at the chainstays?? On i25mm rims, so they should pretty much be true to size.
0
Pipeliner
129 posts
#28Jan 21, 2021, 4:27 PM
radouf wrote:Well my luck! Today i got gifted a pair of preciousssss René Herse knobbies... 48mm Oracle Ridge! Anybody got intel on if its gonna clear at the chainstays?? On i25mm rims, so they should pretty much be true to size.
I’m betting they will but it will be tight. Let us know.
1
Jim_H
64 posts
#29Jan 21, 2021, 4:37 PM
radouf wrote:Well my luck! Today i got gifted a pair of preciousssss René Herse knobbies... 48mm Oracle Ridge! Anybody got intel on if its gonna clear at the chainstays?? On i25mm rims, so they should pretty much be true to size.

I would agree with Radouf. It's going to be tight to get 700x48 between the stays. There are of course variables with rim width, tire pressure, etc... but if they are knobby, I'd be a nice cheese sandwitch it's going to be too tight.

I do/did run 650bx47mm WTB ByWays on my Search XR without issues, but the chainstay is has a wider bulge where the 650b tire fits there.

I've moved away from 650b towards 700c and almost never anything above 42mm (Rene Herse or Gravel King slicks). For my money, if I'm on terrain that needs that much tire volume, I'm probably going to prefer an XC MTB.
1
radouf
50 posts
#30Mar 2, 2021, 3:40 PM
Hey all, just got around to mounting & testing the RH 700x48mm knobby (Oracle Ridge Endurance) at the rear. On Easton EA70AX 24mm inner width rims, at 40psi, the tire measures at a true 48mm. According to my measurements, this leaves a mere 2mm clearance. So the knobs themselves do not make contact with the frame. However, the little soft rubber, use-indicator nipples do brush the frame!

I’m somewhat conflicted about this. I can live with so little clearance. If they are to stretch the slightest, though, we risk damage. Ditto if the wheel flexes under use. I’m likely to run a little less pressure than this however. And of I was to mount them on my best wheelset (i25), which was the plan, they’d likely gain a little more width, so that’s a bummer. This being said, they look RAD as HELL.
See attached pics.
0
chas
1,305 posts
#31Mar 3, 2021, 7:51 AMedited
@radouf your clearance is too tight if those soft little rubber hairs are rubbing the frame.

Here is my experience:
- with that tight of a clearance, I have had frame rub issues. Its fine if I stay under 250 watts, but if I really crank in acceleration or going up the hill, it rubs the frame. Not enough that I notice it, but it wears away the metal in the chainstay. this is bad! I suppose if I never get out of the saddle to accelerate I could get away with it, but I don't know that it is worth the effort. Of course, spokes break sometimes (especially when the wheel is a few years old), so I'd really need to carry a spare spoke on long rides where bailing out is not an option.

And, 24mm is a wide rim. For something like this I find that going from 24 to 22mm makes a significant difference (I know, easier said than done)

And on the front, it makes less difference, because I don't have to worry about the torque. I have a tire (thunder burt) that I use on the front with a 22mm rim, but that rubs with a 24mm rim.

Oh, and by the way. In your post from March 02, there is a tire term that is also synonymous with a woman's body part*. those posts get blocked, go figure.

* rhymes with tipple. 🤣
0
stu
646 posts
#32Mar 3, 2021, 1:14 PM
chas wrote:@radouf your clearance is too tight if those soft little rubber hairs are rubbing the frame.

Here is my experience:
- with that tight of a clearance, I have had frame rub issues. Its fine if I stay under 250 watts, but if I really crank in acceleration or going up the hill, it rubs the frame.
I'm currently using 48-622 tires on a Lynskey Backroad. Clearance between the tires and chainstays is about 2 mm but they never rub. I think that's partly due to the stiff frame and wheels (Arc Offset 30 mm rims with 32 Alpine III spokes). The other part is even though I'm out of the saddle a lot for climbing and a little for sprinting I'm old and not that strong. 🙁
2
radouf
50 posts
#33Mar 4, 2021, 4:39 PMedited
Thanks for the input guys. Sorry for using the word that ryhmes with tipple 😋

Risking damaging the frame might not be worth it, especially since a) I like the freedom to take my gravelbike to the mud, and b) I like to think of myself as someone who hammers down on the pedals a lot, which should induce flex.

Then I’m just going to curse René Herse for not making 45mm tires like basically every other brand out there.

And finish on a bonus question: what do you guys think of running a wider tire up front? That would be, René Herse Oracle Ridge 48mm in the front (actual 48), Hurricane Ridge 42mm in the back (probably actual 44 with my wider i25 ARC25 rims).
0
NoCoGreg
512 posts
#34Mar 13, 2021, 7:42 PM
radouf wrote:And finish on a bonus question: what do you guys think of running a wider tire up front? That would be, René Herse Oracle Ridge 48mm in the front (actual 48), Hurricane Ridge 42mm in the back (probably actual 44 with my wider i25 ARC25 rims).

I have done this on both mountain and gravel bikes where I had more clearance in front. My current gravel bikes are setup with:
Dean CX: 40mm in front and 37mm in rear.
Raleigh Roker: 43mm in front, 40mm in rear
BTW, those are the measured widths.

The additional width gives more float and confidence... Just my opinion.
0
radouf
50 posts
#35Apr 7, 2021, 10:22 AM
Hey all! Now that spring has settled in in Canada, I've happily taken my Search XR back to the (still muddy& icy-crusty) trails. My shred-all-the-gnar fall/spring tires -- 45mm Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M tires -- have been excellent, so for a summer/dry season set I'm just going to downsize to 42mm René Herse knobbies. I might opt for the extralight version to get me an extra mm of width.
FYI I found a local rider who has such a setup of mixing RH 48mm front and 42mm back. Let's just say that the difference is MASSIVE. One glance convinced me to keep things balanced. Cheers.

NoCoGreg wrote:

I have done this on both mountain and gravel bikes where I had more clearance in front. My current gravel bikes are setup with:
Dean CX: 40mm in front and 37mm in rear.
Raleigh Roker: 43mm in front, 40mm in rear
BTW, those are the measured widths.

The additional width gives more float and confidence... Just my opinion.
1
Pipeliner
129 posts
#36Apr 16, 2021, 11:54 AM
Here in the far western end of Nebraska we often deal with dry and soft road conditions as well as deep, loose gravel. For that reason, I put 700x45 Ramblers on my Search when I built it (pictured). I love the ride and stability in loose conditions but a couple of negatives...
The wind blows like crazy here and the profile of those large tires with 30mm deep rims causes some awful wind steer.
Also, there is no denying the drag and rolling resistance of these bigger tires. I put a set of Conti Terra-speeds 40s on for a couple races (they actually measure 38mm) and the difference in speed vs watts was easily recognizable.
My bike wears the 45s nearly all of the time because I don't compete often and they ride so nice but they get swapped for races.
0

Related threads

2018 Trek Crockett vs 2018 Norco Search XR SteelBikes · 9 replies · Feb 25, 2018
Norco Search XR A1 2020 REVIEWS?????Bikes · 25 replies · May 17, 2020
Frames like open up but more affordable?Bikes · 26 replies · Feb 19, 2019
MTB rider looking for Gravel bike recommendationsBikes · 24 replies · Feb 5, 2021
Norco XR steel vs Kona Rove NRB???Bikes · 13 replies · Sep 6, 2018