I’m looking to pick up my first gravel bike and found a like new used 2022 Norco search XR flatbar that I can get for an even trade on a Norco fluid at2 hardtail mountain bike. Gravel is new to me and mountain biking is my only knowledge when it comes to bikes. Right now I’ve got an emtb that I use for around town, gravel, and trails. I’ve really considered getting a dedicated gravel bike I could ride around town and on the back roads. I’ve googled until I’m numb, and I know the purists say a flatbar isn’t a gravel bike…but would a beginner be happy with this bike? Would the gearing be sufficient to keep up with gravel rides comfortably? Or is this just a mountain bike with no suspension and keep looking? The goal is to be able to do 25-50 mile gravel rides comfortably and be able to maintain a 12-15mph average depending on the group I’m with.
https://www.norco.com/bike-archives/2022/2022-search-xr-flat-bar/
by JustAGuyCalledChris
3 Comments
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Great bike, I don’t recognise the brand but it looks like it would be a good flatbar gravel bike, I did my first 80km ride on a folding flatbar gravel bike. If you do longer rides you may want to switch the flatbars for drop bars or add some bar ends, which can easily be done later (I am currently switching out my bikes flatbar to dropbars).
I personally think Norco is one of the brands that get their bikes right.
Usually thoughtful component selection including changing crank arm lengths based on sizes, often changing chain stay length based on sizes as well. And one of the last brands to still have steel gravel bikes as an option among their carbon and aluminum lineup.
Most brands don’t do that.
I think this bike would be a good one if it fits you and you like the ride.
Just know that a conversion to drop bar may be a bit difficult or not worth the money if you choose to go with a drop bar setup in the future. Unless you want a friction shifter setup, you’d have to figure out a ratio converter for the rear derailleur and hydraulic road shifters, which are usually very expensive, especially for a retro fit.