1998 Norco Team Issue 853 Build Thread

90's Ninja · Oct 13, 2023

I know there isn't a lot of love for Norco's but this is a bit of a unicorn. I've been looking for a 1998 Team Issue for about 4 years ( and I live in the land of Norco's with the headquarters 5 min from me ). Early Rocky's, Brodies, DeKerf's and Kona's tend to pop-up here and there with some frequency but 90's Norco Team Issue's not so much. Special thanks to @cmay for responding to my 'Wanted' post and sorting me out

This is in "rider's condition" and will be just that, a singletrack and gravel rider. I'm going retro-mod and nowhere close to catalogue spec. 1X10 drivetrain and mostly XT instead of XTR. 2000 Marzocchi Z2 Atom 80, Mavic X517 rims w/XT hubs, Race Face bits, Thomson Elite seatpost, Flite saddle, Real Design brake levers and the love/hate Panaracer Fire XC Pro color stripe tires

coomber · Oct 14, 2023

Looks stunning

90's Ninja · Oct 15, 2023

For the weight weenies... here's the frame on the scale. 17" frame and just over 4lbs. Not the lightest racing frame out there but not too shabby either

Imlach · Oct 17, 2023

90's Ninja said:
For the weight weenies... here's the frame on the scale. 17" frame and just over 4lbs. Not the lightest racing frame out there but not too shabby either

That is pretty darn light, but keep in mind I'm also allergic to ultralight frames as they're harsh for my stocky disposition

Very nice frame, looking forward to seeing it materialise and seeing the obligatory beauty shot in a PNW forest

Also think it's brilliant that you're going 1x with a wide range cassette.

90's Ninja · Oct 18, 2023

The Bomber Z2 fork crown and arch polished up nice

moonlite · Oct 18, 2023

This is a brand I wasn't aware of in the first flush of my MTB obsession back in the late 90s and early 2000s, but since arriving in Australia I've seen quite a few advertised second hand. Maybe there's more Norco love in Aus?

But it's 853, so IMHO what's not to love?

Suprachrgd82 · Oct 18, 2023

Dude. That’s sick.

Mid-size stem, riser bars, 1x10, small frame, billet goods, V’s, cushy fork….it’s gonna ride soooooo nice!

90's Ninja · Oct 18, 2023

moonlite said:
This is a brand I wasn't aware of in the first flush of my MTB obsession back in the late 90s and early 2000s, but since arriving in Australia I've seen quite a few advertised second hand. Maybe there's more Norco love in Aus?

But it's 853, so IMHO what's not to love?

Keep an eye out for the 90's Norco's. You don't need a Reynolds 853 to get a great frame. Here is a side by side with my 1998 17" Team Issue and 17" 1996 Sasquatch (w/ Tange Double Butted Chromo) on the scale. Very comparable in weight and the Sasquatch will likely have the more compliant ride qualities with its more narrow rear triangle tubes.

With the mid 90's STEEL Norco competition series/ racing series, here is the model name hierarchy from top of the line to bottom. Note: early years were Ritchey Logic/ Tange - Ultralight/ Ultimate Ultra-strong/ Double Butted, True Temper OX-2 and later years Reynolds 853/ 631/525:

-Team Issue (multi year. Early years w/ Ritchey Logic, later years with Reynolds 853. Some rare titanium frames out there)
-Torrent (1996 only year in steel and built w/Ritchey Logic Prestige tubing. Good luck finding one)
-T.N.T (multi year)
-Rampage (multi year steel, one year titanium I believe)
- Nitro (multi year)
- Sasquatch (multi year)