The Search XR is simultaneously non-conformist yet familiar, pushing the limits of what you’d expect from a drop bar bike. With generous tire clearance, rack, fender and bottle mounts, and the choice of a carbon or steel frame, the Search XR is an all-new breed of adventurer that takes you off the beaten path and allows you to ride every road and trail your heart desires. Explore singletrack, bomb down fire roads, tackle a gravel grinder or load up for a bikepacking trip – better yet, check “all of the above”. We designed the Search XR for all the adventures you can imagine, and for those you have yet to dream up.
One of our design mandates for the new Search XR was to have ample tire clearance. Achieving our goals for tire clearance and chainring clearance took some creative thinking. In the end, we decided to drop our chainstays like we did on our Torrent mid-fat bike. This gets us enough clearance to run for everything from 700x28c, up to 700x45c tires. There’s even enough room to run 27.5x2.1” mountain tires if you want to really push the limits of what a road bike can do off-road. Highly versatile, the Search XR blurs the line between on and off-road and allows riders to chase after adventures on all surfaces.
Size scaled wheels mean that all riders, regardless of height, can enjoy the same ride experience on the Search XR. We didn’t want to compromise on the geometry of the smaller sizes, but we also didn’t want smaller riders to have toe overlap issues. By scaling down the wheel sizes for the 45.5 and 48 to a 650b from a 700c, (and 26” when a 650b wheel comes OE spec on the larger sizes), we can achieve the same angles we do on our larger frames, and our desired ride quality. It also means that the smaller sizes have lighter and faster accelerating wheels that are more in proportion to the rider size.
We rigorously tested the Search XR frame to ensure that it can handle up to a 20kg load on a pannier rack. Racks can be mounted using the threaded holes on the outward faces of the dropouts and the hole in the seat collar. The hole in the seat collar can also be used to mount a light or other accessories.
To make the Search XR more comfortable on long rides, we removed the seat-stay bridge. This helps increase vertical compliance and the bike’s overall ability to absorb road chatter. Without a seat stay bridge however, we needed to find a new way to mount fenders on our most versatile road bike. So we created the SASSY – a custom plastic bridge that fits into place to provide a fender mounting point when needed.
NINJA threaded inserts add another level of functionality to the frame, allowing full fender capability, while remaining inconspicuous when unused.
An adventure is by definition a “hazardous and exciting activity, especially the exploration of unknown territory” and so sometimes you end up wading through a river, speeding through thick mud, and getting caught out late at night. To help protect your bike from the elements, we created Das Boot. This is a seat clamp cover that prevents water and mud from entering the frame.
Carbon Tech
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The technology of the Search XR is the result of a decade of experience working in high-end carbon manufacturing, and represents the pinnacle of adventure bike frame technology.
Size-Scaled Tubing is used to maintain the same stiffness and ride quality across frame sizes, meaning a heavier rider on a larger frame will experience the same performance and comfort as a lighter rider on a smaller frame.
Smoothcore technology keeping complex areas like the BB and Headtube wrinkle free, and all the inner surfaces are smooth. This enables us to make light weight frames that are also incredibly strong and stiff.
ArmorLite resin enhances the strength and impact resistance of the carbon frame.
Power Chassis
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The Search XR employs Norco’s Power Chassis technology, developed for use in our high-end road race bikes. The Power Chassis employs an oversized headtube and downtube, and reinforced stays to provide a more rigid pedalling platform, improving power transfer. The Search XR is so efficient enough at getting you from point A to B that you’ll want to use it in your next gravel race
ARC Endurance
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We want you to be comfortable ten hours deep into a ride, which is why we’ve used our ARC Endurance system on the new Search XR. ARC Endurance bridgeless seat stays and curved, ovalized chainstays increase vertical compliance and help temper road vibrations, making the frame comfortable on rough terrain.
GIZMO
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We used GIZMO internal routing system on the new Search XR, with adaptable port covers that keep cables tight and secure, and prevent water from entering the frame. The top-spec Search XR Force is even equipped with an internally routed dropper post which is actuated using the left side SRAM shifter lever. This creates a familiar and easy to use touch-point, ensuring that riders get the most out of dropper post technology, and opening up even more trails to Search XR riders.
Bottle Mounts
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Stops between watering holes can be few and far between when you’re on a long ride, so to help you stay hydrated, we included mounts for three water bottles on the Search XR. The downtube mount has three bolts so that the water bottle cage can be lowered to help accommodate partial frame bags. An additional two water bottle mounts can be found on the fork so that you can add more water bottles or Anything cages.
Thru Axles
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Front and rear 12mm thru axles deliver lateral stiffness for maximum power transfer as well as control through rough terrain.
The technology of the Search XR is the result of a decade of experience working in high-end carbon manufacturing, and represents the pinnacle of adventure bike frame technology.
Size-Scaled Tubing is used to maintain the same stiffness and ride quality across frame sizes, meaning a heavier rider on a larger frame will experience the same performance and comfort as a lighter rider on a smaller frame.
Smoothcore technology keeping complex areas like the BB and Headtube wrinkle free, and all the inner surfaces are smooth. This enables us to make light weight frames that are also incredibly strong and stiff.
ArmorLite resin enhances the strength and impact resistance of the carbon frame.
The Search XR employs Norco’s Power Chassis technology, developed for use in our high-end road race bikes. The Power Chassis employs an oversized headtube and downtube, and reinforced stays to provide a more rigid pedalling platform, improving power transfer. The Search XR is so efficient enough at getting you from point A to B that you’ll want to use it in your next gravel race
We want you to be comfortable ten hours deep into a ride, which is why we’ve used our ARC Endurance system on the new Search XR. ARC Endurance bridgeless seat stays and curved, ovalized chainstays increase vertical compliance and help temper road vibrations, making the frame comfortable on rough terrain.
We used GIZMO internal routing system on the new Search XR, with adaptable port covers that keep cables tight and secure, and prevent water from entering the frame. The top-spec Search XR Force is even equipped with an internally routed dropper post which is actuated using the left side SRAM shifter lever. This creates a familiar and easy to use touch-point, ensuring that riders get the most out of dropper post technology, and opening up even more trails to Search XR riders.
Stops between watering holes can be few and far between when you’re on a long ride, so to help you stay hydrated, we included mounts for three water bottles on the Search XR. The downtube mount has three bolts so that the water bottle cage can be lowered to help accommodate partial frame bags. An additional two water bottle mounts can be found on the fork so that you can add more water bottles or Anything cages.
Front and rear 12mm thru axles deliver lateral stiffness for maximum power transfer as well as control through rough terrain.
