Frameset
Frame
Search butted aluminum w/ smooth welds
Fork
Search carbon, 51mm offset, 12x100mm thru-axle
Search Aluminum A CUES Gen 3
The third-generation Norco Search Aluminum marks a substantial reset of the brand’s gravel platform rather than a light update of the previous bike. For 2025, Norco moved the Search toward a more modern, stability-focused interpretation of gravel geometry, with a 69.5° head angle, longer reach, and a taller front end intended to make the bike calmer and more confident on rough surfaces. That puts the alloy Search squarely in the growing segment of gravel bikes that prioritize control and versatility over sharp, road-derived handling, while still aiming to remain efficient enough for long mixed-surface rides and climbing.
Just as important as the geometry shift is the frame’s broader practical brief. The aluminum Search adopts current standards and service-friendly details including UDH compatibility, a threaded BSA bottom bracket, updated internal tube-in-tube routing, and clearance for up to 700x50c tires. It is also designed around a longer fork and compatibility with gravel suspension forks, signaling that Norco expects this bike to be used well beyond smooth dirt roads. Full-coverage fender mounts and adventure-focused cargo provisions further position the Search Aluminum as a do-everything gravel and light bikepacking platform, with alloy models especially emphasizing carrying capacity at the fork.
$1,599Gen Gen 3
Build
Size
| Stack | 564mm |
| Reach | 400mm |
| Top tube | 559mm |
| Headtube length | 110mm |
| Standover height | 715mm |
| Seat tube length | 475mm |
Fit and geometry
The geometry clearly reflects Norco’s move toward a more planted, off-road-oriented gravel bike. Across the size range, the 69.5° head tube angle is notably slack for this category, and combined with 80 mm of trail it points to slower, more stable steering rather than quick, twitchy responses. Reach figures run from 385 mm to 445 mm, while stack spans 554 mm to 634 mm, giving the bike a relatively roomy fit with a taller front end. That combination should suit riders who want more centered weight distribution and better control on rough descents without needing an aggressive, low cockpit.
Chainstay lengths of 425 mm on the smaller sizes, growing to 430 mm on the largest, and wheelbases from 1037 mm to 1132 mm reinforce that stable character. A consistent 75 mm bottom bracket drop keeps the rider reasonably in the bike for cornering confidence, while seat tube angles from 74.5° down to 73.5° balance seated pedaling position across sizes. In practical terms, the Search Aluminum’s numbers suggest a bike that will feel composed with larger tires and loaded gear, leaning more toward confidence and traction on uneven terrain than toward the snappy feel of a racier gravel bike.
Full specs
Groupset
Shift levers
Shimano CUES ST-U6030 (2x10/11 integrated brake/shift levers)
Front derailleur
Shimano CUES FD-U6030, 9/10-speed, down swing
Rear derailleur
Shimano CUES RD-U6020 Shadow, 10-speed
Cassette
Shimano LG-400, 11-39T, 10-speed
Chain
KMC XGlide
Crankset
Shimano CUES FC-U6030, 46/32T, 170mm
Bottom bracket
Shimano cartridge bearing, 68mm BSA
Front brake
Shimano CUES BR-U6030 (resin pads)
Rear brake
Shimano CUES BR-U6030 (resin pads)
Front rotor
Shimano SM-RT54, 160mm, Center Lock
Rear rotor
Shimano SM-RT54, 160mm, Center Lock
Wheelset
Front wheel
WTB ST i25 2.0, 25mm internal, 28h; Shimano HB-TC500 sealed bearing, 12x100mm, 28h, Center Lock; Sapim Leader 2.0mm black w/ black brass nipples
Rear wheel
WTB ST i25 2.0, 25mm internal, 28h; Shimano FH-TC500 sealed bearing, 12x142mm, HG, 28h; Sapim Leader 2.0mm black w/ black brass nipples
Front tire
Schwalbe G-One Comp, K-Guard (Recyclable), 700x40c
Rear tire
Schwalbe G-One Comp, K-Guard (Recyclable), 700x40c
Cockpit
Stem
Norco SL Alloy, 70mm length, 31.8mm clamp
Handlebars
Norco Super Flare Aluminum Compact, 16° flare — 40cm (S1/S2) / 42cm (S3) / 44cm (S4) / 46cm (S5)
Saddle
Selle Royale SRX Gravel, 148mm
Seatpost
Norco Alloy, 27.2mm, 12° offset, 300mm length
Grips
Griptacular Shockproof Tape, 3mm
Builds
Norco offers the Search Aluminum Gen 3 in three complete builds: A Flat Bar Gen 3, A GRX Gen 3, and A CUES Gen 3. Even without detailed component lists here, the lineup itself indicates that Norco is targeting a wide spread of riders rather than a single traditional drop-bar gravel buyer. The Flat Bar model broadens the bike’s appeal toward commuters, fitness riders, and riders who want the Search platform’s stable geometry in a simpler, more upright configuration.
The GRX and CUES builds likely separate the range into more conventional gravel-oriented and more utility-minded options, with GRX generally associated with dedicated gravel use and CUES pointing toward durability and broad-range everyday riding. As a range, the aluminum Search appears positioned as the practical, versatile side of the new Search family: same updated frame concept and standards as the relaunch, but in builds aimed at accessibility, everyday durability, and multiple use cases.
