Norco Valence A3

paul.skibum

Mainly a mtb guy, this is my first road bike in 22 years since my old Raleigh got stolen from outside my house.

Starting to build the miles - cant ride mtb at present with a broken thumb so sticking to the road. Breaking so many Velomanati rules currently - saddle bag, riding flats (spd on order), pump on the frame and I ride in my mountain bike lid and baggy shorts!

Wheelspinner

Sure that chain doesn't need an extra link? Looks a bit tight on the RD?

Don't see too many Norco road bikes at all but that looks tidy.

fleshtuxedo

Saddle needs tilting up a bit, looks like someone to heavy sat on your bike and squashed it down the middle

paul.skibum

Saddle is level - just the camera angle I think. Photo looks better on my PC than uploaded version from light and so on - might try for a better shot outdoors.

Chain length was as out of the shop and I hadn`t thought of it - not sure why its big to big there, I must have been hanging coming up the drive! Doesn`t seem to be stressing the mech unduly under load though.

Its not the lightest but rides very nicely for me - took some getting used to being on narrow bars after years on 740mm risers. Still spending a lot of time on the hoods partly due to some back/hip issues when I get down low (historical rather than bike positioning) but put on 80km in the last 3 days and enjoying it more than expected.

Full Spec from the Norco site:

FRAMESET
Frame Valence X6 Double Butted Alloy
Fork Carbon Blades w/Alloy Steer
WHEELS
Rims Freedom Racine Elite - Black
Tires Continental Ultra Sport II - 25c
Tubes
Front Hub Norco Sport Road 28h - Black
Rear Hub Norco Sport Road 28h - Black
Spokes/Nipples 1.8mm stainless - Black
DRIVETRAIN
Shifter Front Shimano Sora ST-3500
Shifter Rear Shimano Sora ST-3500
Shifter Casing Shift cable casing - Dark Grey
Front Derailleur Shimano Sora FD-3500 - Black
Rear Derailleur Shimano Sora RD-3500 SS - Black
Cassette Shimano CS-HG200 9speed 11-32T
Crankset Shimano Sora FC-3550 50/34T 9spd - Black
Bottom Bracket Shimano HollowTech II
Pedals N/A
Chain Shimano CN-HG53 9speed
Chain Tensioner N/A
COMPONENTS
Seat Post Norco Alloy 27.2mm - Black w/White
Seat Post Clamp Alloy - Dark Grey
Saddle Norco Sport - White
Headset FSA Orbit CE - ACB Integrated headset
Headset Spacer 2x10mm - Black & 1x5mm - Dark Grey
Top Cap Alloy w/Norco Logo - Dark Grey
Stem Norco - Black w/White
Handlebar Norco Compact - Black w/White
Grips Norco UltraComfort - White
Front Brake Tektro R317 - Black
Rear Brake Tektro R317 - Black
Brake Levers Shimano Sora ST-3500
Brake Cable Casing Brake casing - Dark Grey

paul.skibum

Bit of a better shot: