It’s been some time since Norco offered a full suspension cross country ride, but that hiatus ends with the introduction of the Canadian brand's 2016 Revolver FS. It’s a bike we first saw in testing at Sea Otter, where we speculated heavily on the new model, and now, the details are official.
Bringing rear suspension to the existing Revolver hardtail line-up, the Revolver FS features a full-carbon frame with 100mm travel for cross country and marathon usage. Based on a claimed 50/50 split in demand, Norco will offer the Revolver FS range in both 27.5 (Revolver 7 FS) and 29in wheels (Revolver 9 FS), with bikes featuring equivalent component spec levels to the name-sharing hardtails.
- Highs: Versatile ride with speed-ready performance, stiff rear end
- Lows: No front derailleur mount, high price due to carbon only option
- Buy if: You’re chasing a cross-country racer, with trail-riding flair
Where it’s rather common to see brands commit to either 27.5 or 29in wheels, or perhaps offer a size split, Norco's offer of the Revolver FS in both wheel sizes, across all frame sizes (excluding an extra-small 29er) is something rarer.
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“The demand was there in Canada, and we started development on the full suspension model straight when we first released the Revolver hardtail," Norco’s mountain bike product manager, Jim ‘JJ’ Jamieson, told BikeRadar.
"A year into our testing, we had to scrap a model using pivot bushings as the durability and frame stiffness just wasn’t where we wanted it. That pushed the project back and required all new moulds. But it allowed us to lengthen the top tubes a bit, refine the geometry and add stiffness to the rear end while lightening up the front.â€
In the name of dropping weight, the front triangle, swing link, chainstays and seatstays are all carbon. We’re told a painted, 27.5in wheeled, medium frame weighs just 1,800g – we assume this excludes a rear shock.
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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