Review of the Norco Threshold A 105 Aluminum

[@SM-wt8gd]

If 105 is crunchy, you have it set up wrong. The difference in performance between 105 and Ultegra is hardly noticeable, especially over such a short period of time.

[@MarkThistle]

+Marawan Shehata On the 105 crunchiness, you are probably correct. It was a test ride from a shop so if they did not have it tuned well then that is unfortunate for their customers.

[@steve4100]

You rode a 48 Inch and 53 inch bike. You must be a giant :)

[@michaelsouthall8523]

Hi, I'm looking to buy an adventure bike. Would you recommend the awol? Tbh I'm a bit turned off by its very heavy weight so I'm looking at norco search s1, pinnacle arkose 3 , giant revolt 1 and genesis croix de fur 20, gt grade . Have you got any views on them? Thanks a lot!

[@MarkThistle]

+Michael Southall my video "A Ride of Gravel and Ice" has an AWOL in it. I would love an AWOL due to a couple very cool features. The built in dynamo front hub with built in USB ports at the top of the stem. The liberal mount points and the wheel size options you can run. I have not looked at the other bikes listed.I have not looked much at gravel/adventure bikes. I did like the look of the Trek 920. It also comes with racks integrated. I think for weight you'll need to do a comparison on what you are getting. I think the AWOL comes with racks, the built in lights, the dynamo, and all the hardware related to that. That is going to add weight. So if you are looking at another bike without any of those things remember you are just going to add it on later to them. On weight. My riding partners from that video all went on a bikepacking trip the week after. There was a Sequoia, AWOL, and a Carbon Fuse 6Fattie (all Specialized). In the end they all weighed about the same weight even with the different starting weights. So, without doing a long distance test against two equal gear sets with different bike I can't say if the weight difference is going to be a big deal. My friends indicated it was all a wash given that the bike are just going to be heavier when loaded than you are used to.

[@michaelsouthall8523]

+Mark Thistle thanks for your swift reply. I'm currently looking at two second hand bikes. One is the Norco search s1 2015 105 (for £550) and the other is the Norco search carbon frame 105 (costs £1000) . Is there significant difference between carbon and alu frame to justify twice the money? Thanks again

[@MartinBlass]

Would the 58 frame size be ok for me being 6'0"-6'1"? Norco's page suggets so, but I am just curious... It seems a bit too large...

[@MarkThistle]

+Martin Blass From speaking with friends, if you are on the low end of their recommendation or just under then go smaller if you try the frame and find it too big. But really, the best way to get the right fit for you is to find a bike shop that will do a bike fit. They will put you on a fitting rig where they will work with you to get your various body/bike measurements. With that information you can look at all those bike dimensions and start to know if the bike is a good fit. Things like top tube length, reach of the handlebars etc. If that is too expensive or not available then test ride the bikes. Go with the one that feels comfortable and responsive the way you like. Back to antidotal evidence. My friends that have gone one size larger when on the edge have regretted it. I have gone one size smaller when at the edge and enjoy the nimbleness of my bikes. If you are going to race the Norco in Cyclocross then I would go with the low side (if it feels good).

[@MartinBlass]

Mark Thistle Thank you for your answer. I will go check out a bike shop that has the 58 in stock.

[@chrisrech3567]

Will it perform well for cx?

[@MarkThistle]

+chris rech It is designed for CX so I can not see why not. There is a slight difference in feel between different bikes and between aluminum and carbon. I race a carbon CX bike but I race an aluminum MTB. I would give it a try and if you like the feel go for it.