Norco Search

The Norco Search takes the "gravel bike" label and quietly pushes it into wilder territory than most drop-bar bikes dare to go. The geometry is longer and slacker than most gravel bikes, taking cues from Norco's mountain bike lineup to keep things stable when the road turns rough and chunky. Carbon models add built-in downtube storage and an integrated front fender, while the aluminum builds lean into versatility with rack mounts and adventure-ready fork mounts that make it equally suited to long weekends in the dirt or daily riding. Pick your frame material, pick your terrain, and go hit the road less travelled.

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BIKING TYPE

Gravel

WHEEL SIZE

700cc

TRAVEL

Rigid

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Pregressive Geometry

Search features new-school gravel geo fit for a fast, lively, confident ride on any terrain. With a taller headtube, slacker head angle, and longer reach, it’s more stable on rough terrain and ready to tackle steeper grades with ease.

Wide Tire Clearance

With a huge tire clearance, Search is spec’d with 45c tires and accommodates up to 700 x 50c to handle mud and gravel on even the gnarliest roads. A custom integrated, low-profile front fender keeps you clean and clear.

Adventure-Ready Mounts

Search has integrated mounts for full-coverage fenders and adventure-ready accessories. When the world gets wet commuting or training, throw on full-coverage fenders with your fave 45c’s. Additional mounts on aluminum models provide maximum flexibility for long haul journeys.

Search Gen 3 Build Kits

Build	A Cues	A GRX	A1	C GRX	C Apex XPLR	C Rival XPLR	C Force XPLR	C Red XPLR
Frame	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum	Carbon	Carbon	Carbon	Carbon	Carbon
Fork	Carbon	Carbon	Carbon	Carbon	Carbon	Carbon	Carbon	Carbon
Drivetrain	Shimano CUES	Shimano GRX	SRAM Apex XPLR	Shimano GRX	SRAM Apex XPLR AXS	SRAM Rival XPLR AXS	SRAM Force XPLR AXS	SRAM Red XPLR AXS
Brakes	Shimano CUES	Shimano BR-RX400	SRAM Apex	Shimano BR-RX400	SRAM Apex AXS	SRAM Rival AXS	SRAM Force AXS	SRAM Red AXS
Rims	WTB ST i25 2.0	WTB ST i25 2.0	WTB ST i25 2.0	WTB ST i25 2.0	WTB Proterra Light i25 TCS 2.0	WTB Proterra Light i25 TCS 2.0	WTB Proterra Light i25 TCS 2.0	Easton EC70 AX
Cost	$	$$	$$$	$$$$	$$$$$	$$$$$$	$$$$$$$	$$$$$$$
	Shop	Shop	Call to Special Order	Shop	Call to Special Order	Call to Special Order	Call to Special Order	Call to Special Order

Search Gen 3 FAQs

Who is the Norco Search for?

The Norco Search is for riders who want a fast, capable gravel bike that doesn't back down when the road turns to singletrack.

Norco built this generation around a taller head tube, a slacker head angle, and a longer reach than a typical gravel bike, which means it feels planted and confident on chunky doubletrack, loose descents, and rough backroads, not just smooth gravel. Tire clearance up to 700 x 50c gives you room to run real off-road rubber when the terrain calls for it.

It comes in both carbon and aluminum, so whether you're chasing a race-ready build or a durable do-it-all rig for bikepacking and long days out, there's a version that fits. If your rides mix pavement, gravel, and the occasional trail you probably shouldn't be on with drop bars, this bike can handle it.

What's new with the Norco Search Gen 3?

The Search Gen 3 is a full redesign, and Norco dropped the "XR" name entirely to mark the change from the more adventure-touring focused bike it replaces.

Geometry is the biggest shift. The new frame runs a taller head tube, slacker head angle, and longer reach than the Search XR, with a constant head angle and variable seat tube angle across sizes so the ride feels consistent whether you're on the smallest frame or the largest. The fork is also longer and suspension corrected, meaning it's ready to accept a gravel suspension fork without throwing off the handling.

Tire clearance grew significantly too, and the carbon frame now includes an internal downtube storage compartment, something the Search XR never had. Sizing also moved from traditional cm measurements to a simpler five-size system (S1 through S5).

What's the difference between the Norco Search and the Santa Cruz Stigmata?

Both bikes bring mountain bike DNA to a drop bar frame, but the Search is arguably the more versatile, more accessible option of the two.

The Stigmata is carbon-only and leans racey, with geometry tuned for speed across mixed terrain. It's a bike built primarily for riders who want a quick, race-capable machine that can still handle a rowdy singletrack detour.

The Search offers that same mtb-influenced confidence but offers both carbon and an aluminum frame options, making it more approachable for riders who want off-road capability without committing to a higher price point. Its downtube storage hatch is also larger, geared more toward all-day adventures and bikepacking than pure racing. If you want race pedigree, lean Stigmata. If you want an adventure-ready do-it-all bike with more entry points, the Search might be a better fit.

What's new about the Norco Search's downtube storage? How does it affect the ride?

The carbon Search's downtube storage lets you carry tools, snacks, and layers inside the frame instead of stuffing them into a saddle bag or frame bag.

Inside the down tube, Norco includes a two-piece, water-resistant Ocean-X bag set that slides in and out through one of the largest storage hatches available on a gravel bike, with a CNC-machined aluminum handle built for repeated use. Cable routing runs externally into the downtube around the storage area, which keeps the internals clean and serviceable.

In practice, this means less clutter strapped to your bike and a cleaner silhouette, plus weight that stays low and centered rather than bouncing around in a saddle bag. For long days out or bikepacking trips, it's genuinely useful cargo space you'd otherwise have to bolt on separately.

What are the key differences between the Norco Search Gen 3 build kits?

All Search Gen 3 builds within a given frame material share the same geometry and storage features. The key differences as you move up the lineup are drivetrain type, wireless versus mechanical shifting, and wheel quality.

On the aluminum Search, the entry CUES build uses Shimano's simple, reliable 1x drivetrain aimed at riders who want dependable performance without extra cost. Stepping up to the GRX build brings Shimano's gravel-specific ergonomics and wider gearing range, better suited to mixed terrain and longer days.

On the carbon Search, the GRX build mirrors that same mechanical Shimano setup in a lighter frame. From there, the SRAM Apex XPLR build introduces wide-range 1x gearing built for gravel, the Rival AXS XPLR build upgrades to wireless shifting and a carbon wheelset for a noticeable jump in ride quality, and the Force AXS XPLR build sits at the top with SRAM's more refined wireless drivetrain and the lightest overall build in the lineup.