The all-new Norco Threshold Carbon is race-ready right out of the boxThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
Norco spared no expense spec’ing the Easton EC70 carbon barThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
With a flat seating area and a cutout, WTB Volt saddles are a favorite for off-road ridingThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
The rear end gets a 142x12mm thru-axle, flatmount brakes and a solid rear derailleur hanger mountThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
Once again, no expense spared on the Easton EC90SL CINCH carbon crankThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
Fantastic acceleration comes from the massive chainstaysThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
Nothing says ‘cross like a nice pair of Clement tiresThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
The front brake cable is tucked cleanly to the side, leaving plenty of room up front for muddy 33mm tires (up to 40mm)Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
The rear has no problems clearing mud-stacked 33mm tires and there’s no ‘shelf’ for collecting mud behind the BBThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
Norco leverages identical internal routing frame mounts throughout the bikeThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
The Threshold has room for up to four cables routed through the frameThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
The fork is 100x12mm thru axle, flatmount and can accommodate fendersThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
The chainstays have eyelets for fenders, with other frame mounting points throughout the rear of the bikeThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
Norco spec a two-bolt carbon post, with a frame clamp that has a few tricks up its sleeveThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
Are Canadians too humble to tell you how great their bikes are?Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
Norco is best known for its many associations with the big-mountain scene around its home in British Columbia, but the Canadian brand also produces some great 700c bikes, too. Case in point: the 2018 Threshold Carbon Force 1 with high-end Easton parts.
Norco leverages identical internal routing frame mounts throughout the bikeThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
Canadian sneak-attack
Norco sent me the new bike as a frame and a parts kit, requiring a complete build. The ability to scour every inch of the bike presented the opportunity to evaluate the bike on more than just ride quality and spec, and it’s obvious it’s going to be a fierce competitor in the upcoming Best Cyclocross Bikes feature on BikeRadar.
The bearing interfaces were all precise, internal cable routing was easy, caliper mounts were faced cleanly, internal frame assembly was very tidy – the details of quality control were met.
The Threshold has room for up to four cables routed through the frameThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
Despite the brand’s humble “mid-modulus” marketing callout on the frame (which I think is awesome), the Threshold appears
The complete package?
Not many of Norco’s competitors are putting carbon bars and top-shelf carbon cranks on their comparable Force 1-equipped bikes. At $4,199 (UK pricing not yet available), the Threshold isn’t cheap, but the value is relatively high.
The hour of power that is cyclocross is essentially two things: repetitious accelerations, and navigation of challenging terrain. Based on tube shapes and industrial design of the Threshold, Noroc clearly put emphasis on acceleration and handling.
Fantastic acceleration comes from the massive chainstaysThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
The rear end of the bike has massive chainstays and curved seatstays. The former adds to incredible acceleration, while the latter makes for vertical compliance without a loss in rear-end stiffness for leaning into turns or holding off-camber.
Designers were also mindful of the new demands of tire clearance, as the bike will have no problems clearing a set of muddy 33mm tires. And for the sake of versatility, they clear 40mm tires no problem.
Norco also went to the effort of making the bike fender compatible, which is a nice touch. There’s also a front derailleur braze-on mount, and even an injection-molded chain catcher, which I’ve yet to install.
Are Canadians too humble to tell you how great their bikes are?Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
Norco literally printed “Mid-Modulus” carbon on its new Threshold frame and I admire the authenticity. In an age where everything has to be bigger and better — and carbon high and ultra-high modulus — the 50-year old Canadian company calls it what it is…a nice bike.
Pricing and availability
The 2018 Norco Threshold Carbon Force 1, and other cyclocross models, are currently available from Norco retailers worldwide.
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US pricing is $4,199 and UK pricing has not been announced.
Norco spared no expense spec’ing the Easton EC70 carbon barThomas McDaniel / Immediate Media