Better of the 2 bikes for So. Cal. terrain? Help sway me!

[socalMX]

First off, I am a 40 year old looking for opinions on a frame that I will keep for several years, not some teen starting another VS. thread! :lol:I posted my two options in a unrelated thread that got lost... Inching closer to the release date of these two bikes, my decision is getting tougher and tougher! I want to know other peoples opinions on the two. Cost wise for me will be really close due to some proposed deals I have worked out! Most important, modified FSR (Norco) or Knolly 4x4 for most of the So. Cal trails? I do the occasional road trip and will be riding Summit about 5x a year but its mostly AM local stuff. Also, which do you think is a better looking bike (colors shown aside), which would YOU rather have sitting in your garage? I will be pre ordering my new frame within the next few weeks...Knolly Warden 27.5 150mm or Norco Range carbon 27.5 160mm??? Thanks in advance!

 

[Kriller134]

I don't have any experience with either brand, but I like the knolly. I personally think it looks better and from what herzalot says they're great bikes.

 

[duke777]

Norco Carbon frame all day long. The frame weight saving of almost 2lbs is very noticeable for both up and down hill.

 

[zman]

Norco Carbon frame all day long. The frame weight saving of almost 2lbs is very noticeable for both up and down hill.

This plus Juan !!

 

[b.martin]

I like Knolly. I almost built up an Endorphin this year but the deal breaker for me was the fact that I couldn't fit a bottle cage in a medium frame. My guess is that there isn't more room in a medium Warden. That never used to be a factor for me but in the last couple years I go on 90% of my rides without a pack and only bring one if I'm headed out for more than 2.5 hours. Not sure what size you're looking at but you'd probably need a large Warden to be able to fit a large water bottle. It doesn't look like the Norco would have any trouble even in a smaller size. The bikes you picked would be on my short list but I'd add the Rocky Mountain Altitude as well.

 

[socalMX]

Thanks guys, keep the comments coming. As for the RM, I just cant get past the funky shock mount/link, im sure its a nice ride though. The bottle cage is something I ALWAYS hated on mountain bikes but after riding without a pack, im all in...As for weight between the two, the Warden is a claimed 6.75lbs, not too bad for a Knolly! Norco will not release a weight but the build from Interbike on Youtube is said to be 27.5lbs in the vid. My guess is about a pound lighter for the Range. Rider note, im 6-2 at about 215 geared, not sure if I would notice one pound.

 

[duke777]

My guess is about a pound lighter for the Range. Rider note, im 6-2 at about 215 geared, not sure if I would notice one pound.

I'm about same size and weight and yes I do notice that 1lb on the frame. Even with 1lb less in weight the carbon frames are usually 30% stiffer, something also very noticeable at our weight.

I've gone carbon and can't go back! (Ti hardtails are the only exceptions)

 

[me and my bike]

went from carbon to aluminum and honestly im not dying to go back. Carbons still pretty fragile and alumnium has been pretty nice for my bushacking chunky adventures. Go Knolly! you wont regret it!

 

[proraptor]

Go Carbon

 

[me and my bike]

Go Carbon

OMGGGG he livessss!!!!

 

[socalMX]

I went from a alloy Nomad to the carbon version a few years back and it was nice, not a deal breaker but nice & quiet. The Knolly is a stiff frame so stiffness is probably a wash between the two!? I have carbon wheels and that is where I notice the biggest difference in the carbon vs alloy war.

 

[riiz]

Go Carbon

Dont listen to this guy, he doesnt ride a bike anymore.


But I do like that Norco, more so because of the RS Pike and Sram xx1.

 

[socalMX]

Dont listen to this guy, he doesnt ride a bike anymore.


But I do like that Norco, more so because of the RS Pike and Sram xx1.

I will be getting the frame only option and running my own build. Have carbon wheels, RF Next SL featherweight cranks and 2014 Pushed 36 RC2 fork. I did not care for the fish fork I had personally.

 

[trailninja]

Norco Range Killer B please. I always have a preference for the stealth look. Who rides Alux bikes these days anyways when there's Carbon goodness all around.

 

[leondelmonte]

either way you get a nice bike, if money is not an issue, knowing that the carbon frame will crack at some point, go with it, if you want a bike that will stay with you for years get the aluminum, my 2 cnts
carbon bikes are nice, but they are more of a dispossible material than the alloys are, which is perfect for the industry, cause there are less sales of used bikes around, which means people got to buy new

 

[dcrfx]

Wait for them to come out and then ride both on a demo. If you can't wait for a demo, I guess try out the 26" version and see how you like the rear susp. 10mm travel is not going to make any difference. Doubt anyone else has much experience on these bikes if they are not released yet? YOU gotta decide what rides the best for you and your style, carbon vs. Al is YOUR choice, beauty is in the eye of the beholder as far as looks. Don't rely on a bunch of typists on an internet board to tell you what bike to get.

 

[socalMX]

Wait for them to come out and then ride both on a demo. If you can't wait for a demo, I guess try out the 26" version and see how you like the rear susp. 10mm travel is not going to make any difference. Doubt anyone else has much experience on these bikes if they are not released yet? YOU gotta decide what rides the best for you and your style, carbon vs. Al is YOUR choice, beauty is in the eye of the beholder as far as looks. Don't rely on a bunch of typists on an internet board to tell you what bike to get.

No doubt, I always ultimately get what I decide on. I simply like others opinions especially on the modded FSR vs 4x4 for our terrain.

 

[dcrfx]

No doubt, I always ultimately get what I decide on. I simply like others opinions especially on the modded FSR vs 4x4 for our terrain.

Sorry if that came out snarky socalMX, just saw the Al v. Carbon debate rearing it's ugly head again (sure glad they have the same wheel size) and the way it looks is solely your opinion.
Can you find either of these to demo? I know people on mFSR and 4X and they mostly like them so thinking it's gonna come down to how they feel to you. :beer:

 

[herzalot]

I've never ridden the Norco, but I can say my 2013 Knolly Endorphin is the most fun trailbike I've ever ridden. Knolly knows their sh** when it comes to geometry, strength-to-weight and small details like seat tube placement, bearing quality, head tube length, etc. The bikes are very stiff laterally and uber compliant vertically. Something about the ride makes them better than the sum of their parts/weight. So much so, that I bought a Podium too....yummy!

That said, the Norco looks great, and the reviews have been stellar. Does that help?

:?:

 

[von]

Flip a coin. Then let your gut decide.

The coin flip is irrelevant.