Norco Search C GRX Review: The Gravel Bike for Mountain Bikers?

Gravel bikes are expected to do a lot these days. They need to be comfortable enough for long rides, tough enough for rough fire roads and trails, and still efficient when the ride turns into an all-day road mission. The Norco Search C GRX sits firmly in that all-rounder category, leaning toward adventure and versatility rather than pure race performance – but that doesn’t mean it’s not up to the challenge of racing, the strength required for bikepacking, or that it lacks fun factor on the trails.

Featuring a lightweight carbon frame, integrated downtube storage for tools and essentials, and the ever-reliable Shimano GRX 12-speed drivetrain, the Search provides a wide gear range for tackling varied terrain – whether you’re cruising on the flatlands of rail trails or tackling the savage mountains of D’Aguilar National Park.

With powerful Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, versatile Schwalbe G-One tyres, and a vibration-damping frame design, the Search certainly isn’t just another road bike with wider tyres, it’s designed to be a confident and capable companion whenever your ride leaves the bitumen.

Tested across a mix of gravel, trail, and road riding, including D’Aguilar National Park, Gap Creek, Bunyaville, and fast road group rides, the Search was properly put through its paces. Creek crossings, rough fire roads, and long days in the saddle were all part of the brief.

Initial impressions on the Norco Search

First impressions last, and it was immediately clear to me that the Search looks the part. The carbon frame is clean and understated with road-adjacent simplicity, and the integrated downtube storage is neatly done without being too bulky. Anyone who rides gravel will appreciate being able to store all their ride spares inside their bike, without the need for a backpack, saddle bag, or stretched-out jersey pockets.

At 9.5kg, the Search is fairly light for a build aimed at comfort over racing, making it feel reasonably feathery when terrain points skyward. The Shimano 12-speed GRX drivetrain and brakes are also known for their reliability and strong stopping power – giving the impression that this isn’t just a bike that’s about pinning a number on, but one that can handle more rough-and-ready adventures.

The geometry stands out in how progressive it is. With a reach of 415mm and a stack of 587mm, with a reasonably deep head tube length of 135mm on the medium size I tested, it sits on the slightly longer end of the spectrum, helping it feel more stable on the descents. This is also aided by the 69.5º head tube angle, a little slacker than many purebred gravel race bikes.

Together, this results in a bike that looks to be relaxed and confidence-inspiring on a variety of different trails, but the proof is in the pudding – how does it ride?

On the trail

Once rolling, the relaxed geometry quickly proves its worth. On gravel roads and fire trails, the Search feels planted and predictable. On rougher fire roads, the Search never felt too sketchy, instead feeling more like a hardtail than a gravel bike – likely due to the compliant 45mm tyres.

The Search surprised me by handling a range of different singletrack better than expected. While it’s clearly not a mountain bike, it dealt confidently with all of Gap Creek’s trails without feeling out of its depth. The lack of suspension favours more flowy singletrack, but it has no issues descending rough, rooty, and rocky trails, provided you have good line choice, the requisite skills, and appropriate speed.

A gravel bike lacks versatility if it doesn’t perform on bike paths and road, in my opinion anyway. Throughout testing, the Search handled several fast group rides averaging over 30km/h, similar to the way an ‘endurance’-specced road bike would. The only real let down was being under-geared for faster sections of the ride – this won’t be a deal breaker for many, but something to note, and a required gearing compromise in order for the Search to be able to tackle steep off-road terrain.

If planning to use the Search as a road and gravel do-everything bike, having a second wheelset set up with slicks and tighter gearing would be advised. Amazingly enough, despite the Search’s long, slack, relaxed adventure geometry, it still felt efficient and willing on sealed roads.

The Shimano GRX 12-speed drivetrain and hydraulic brakes were a standout throughout testing. Shifting stayed crisp and dependable across wet and dry conditions, and we absolutely can’t fault the Shimano hydraulic braking system.

The WTB wheels are my only real gripe with the Search. Although they are a functional wheelset and wouldn’t hinder me from purchasing this bike, I do feel they’re a little too narrow for the kind of riding this bike is suited to – we would prefer a wider rim capable of taking a larger tyre to make the Search the ultimate all-day ride. 

Additionally, the tyres would be another upgrade worth considering for extra grip and puncture protection. The Schwalbe G-One All Round tyres were sufficient, but the bike really came to life when we upgraded the tyres to the Pirelli Cinturatos we also had on test.

Our take

The Norco Search C is a gravel bike that prioritises comfort, confidence, and all-day riding in a package that’s speedy enough to race on the weekend. It’s lightweight, durable, and well suited to riders who want to explore beyond smooth gravel without feeling under-biked.

For the mountain biker looking for a capable gravel rig, the storage, geometry, and capability of the Search is fabulous, and upgrading to a short-travel dropper and some more compliant rubber would make it an even more versatile ride.

While the Norco Search may not suit riders chasing an all-out, pure gravel race machine, for the mountain biker seeking long days of general adventure riding, an all-day rig or bikepacking setup, a commuter, and a weekend racer, it makes a lot of sense. With a comfortable geometry, reliable GRX build, and a frame that encourages you to keep riding when conditions get rough, the Search is a solid option for the gravel curious and the gravel committed.

Norco Search Specs

Frame: Search Carbon, Downtube Storage
Fork: Search Carbon
Rear Shifter: Shimano GRX ST610 12sp
Rear Derailleur: Shimano GRX RD-RX822, 10-45t
Front Shifter: Shimano GRX ST610
Crankset: Shimano GRX FC-RX610 40t
Bottom Bracket: Shimano BSA 68mm
Cassette: Shimano CS-M7100, 10-45T
Chain: KMC X12
Brake Caliper: Shimano BR-RX400
Brake Rotor: Shimano SM-RT64, 160mm
Brake Levers: Shimano GRX ST61
Handlebar: Norco Super Flare Aluminum Compact
Stem: Norco SL Alloy 70mm 
Seatpost: Norco Alloy, 27.2mm
Headset: FSA Integrated Sealed Bearings
Saddle: Selle Royale SRX Gravel 148mm
Bar tape: Griptacular Shockproof 
Seatpost Clamp: Norco Aluminum 31.8mm
Hubs: Shimano HB-TC500 
Rims: WTB ST i25 2.0, 28h, 25mm
Tyres: Schwalbe G-One All Round 700x45c
Spokes/Nipples: Double Butted Alloy
Weight: 9.5 kg