A 12mm thru-axle anchors the front endRussell Eich / Immediate Media
A Zipp Service Course SL stem holds Zipp barsRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Integrated cables keep the looks clean and unclutteredRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Not a ton of fork clearance around the stock 25c Clement rubberRussell Eich / Immediate Media
The seat tube features subtle aerodynamic shapingRussell Eich / Immediate Media
The rear end boasts stout chainstays, lithe seatstays and a 12mm thru-axleRussell Eich / Immediate Media
A little maple leaf lets everyone behind you know where this bike comes fromRussell Eich / Immediate Media
We’ll put some miles on this rig and report backRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Norco has been around since 1964, and while the image of mountain bikes typically come to mind, likely because of their rugged British Columbia home, they’ve been crafting road bikes since 1975. Norco’s first road team sponsorship was in 2000 and they’ve sponsored numerous road racers and continental teams since, and the Norco Tactic models are the Canadian brand’s take on the high-end, high-performance road machine.
We’ll put some miles on this rig and report backRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Norco makes a range of Tactics, from the fully-loaded SLR model with its 800g frame to the SL disc model that we have on test with a 910g frame, and the less expensive 1,050g frame made from mid-modulus carbon.
The carbon tubes are large but do feature aero shaping to slice the wind, which Norco claims results in 10% less drag. The DT Swiss R32 wheels have a bit of dish to also cut through the wind, and are spun to life through an 11-speed Ultegra mechanical drivetrain.
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The rear end boasts stout chainstays, lithe seatstays and a 12mm thru-axleRussell Eich / Immediate Media
Norco Tactic SL Disc Ultegra spec overview
910g disc-compatible, thru-axle frame
Full carbon fork w/12mm thru-axle
ARC race seatstays
Size-scaled tubing for consistent ride throughout size range
Gizmo cable routing compatible with mechanical and electric drivetrains
Shimano Ultegra SL 6800 11spd
DT Swiss R32 Spline wheels
Shimano BR-RS805 hydraulic discs
Zipp bars, stem, post
A little maple leaf lets everyone behind you know where this bike comes fromRussell Eich / Immediate Media
We’ll be putting this 2017 Tactic through its paces to see how the Canadian brand compares to the top road bike players. Stay tuned for more.