Both are similar bikes available in shops in my area, with (to me eye) similar-grade components, but the Search looks strangely expensive to me. What am I missing about the difference in quality between the two, and would that difference matter to someone like me who’s ideally sticking to the Nicasio 2’s price range and isn’t overly concerned about weight?
Component | [2023 Marin Nicasio 2](https://www.marinbikes.com/ca/bikes/2023-nicasio-2#specifications) | [2023 Norco Search S2](https://www.norco.com/bikes/road/gravel/search-xr-steel/2023-search-xr-s2/) | Remarks
:–|:–|:–|:–
Frame | 4130 steel, thru-axle | Reynolds 725 steel, thru-axle | 725 is stronger, so this ought to mean the Search is modestly lighter?
Fork | Carbon, thru-axle | “Mid-modulus” carbon, thru-axle | Is “mid-modulus” a mark of a higher grade carbon, or are these equivalent?
Drivetrain | Tiagra | GRX RX400 | My understanding is these are roughly equivalent on the Shimano quality scale? The Nicasio 2 has an FSA-branded crankset and BB, compared to the all-Shimano Search
Brakes | Tiagra hydraulic | GRX hydraulic |
Hubs | Unbranded | Shimano RS470 |
Rims | Marin branded | WTB ST Light i32 TCS 2.0 |
Tires | Vee Tire Co. Zilent | WTB Resolute TCS
Overall the biggest quality-related differences I can see are Tiagra vs GRX-400, 4130 steel vs 725 Reynolds, and the Search having all branded components vs the Nicasio 2 having some no-name minor components.
by Polendri
4 Comments
Every little thing adds up, higher quality steel, higher quality fork, more expensive groupset, more expensive tires.
If you have access to shops that sell both for test rides it’s worth trying them both out to see if you can tell a difference.
Around ~$2k was always the sweet spot for me. I’ve had more expensive (MSRP) bikes, but I could never justify paying that myself. Everyone’s different.
Everything Is better on the Norco. Litterally everything. Are at least TLC those rims on the Marin?