2011 Norcross SL. Photo Courtesy Blue Competition Cycles.
by Jamie Mack
The 2011 bikes from Blue should be on their way to retailers’ shelves within the next few weeks; Blue has indicated that deliveries are expected sometime in early August. The 2011 line from Blue will include three models all bearing the name of Blue’s home city, Norcross.
The alloy CX6.5 from 2010 will be replaced by the entry level Norcross SP. The SP features an alloy frame with a carbon fork. The build, if purchased as a complete bike, will include the new SRAM Apex group complemented by Avid Shorty 4 brakes and American Classic clincher wheels. The frame shares some features with it’s higher-end carbon brethren such as the tapered head tube and BB30-compatible bottom bracket shell. Meant as an entry-level race bike, the geometry of the SP is a little more forgiving with a couple of extra centimeters of height in the head tube. This provides a more upright position and handling that is more predictable than a full-on race machine, allowing for the learning curve of a new ’cross racer.
The Norcross EX, next up the ladder at $1,700 for a frame and $2,400 for a complete build, features a full carbon monocoque frame and the same fork used by Page on his Worlds bikes last year. The build is also SRAM Apex and the frame features a tapered head tube and BB30-compatible bottom bracket shell. The EX uses the same fork and geometry as the 2010 Norcross but bows to the SL at the scale, coming in about half a pound heavier than the top of the 2011 line.
And then there’s the SL. The top-of-the-line for 2011 all-carbon frame sees little change from last year. The geometry used to great success by many riders last year, including Page and Jonathan Baker and the rest of the Hudz-Subaru Team, remains virtually intact in the 2011 models. The newer frames have been trimmed a bit in the chainstay-bottom bracket junction. The shelf behind the seat tube is gone and the sides of the stays along the tire have been trimmed for greater clearance. This trimming opens up the area to allow for better mud clearance, but retains a brace across the chainstays to keep the stiffness that riders like Page require. The fork on this model also sees a minor change, coming into 2011 as an all-carbon model, including the dropouts.
Builds for the SL are likely to be Force or Ultegra and will include the tapered head tube and BB30 bottom bracket from the other Norcross models. SL frames purchased bare will include an FSA headset, rear derailleur hanger, front derailleur pulley, seat clamp, cantilever bosses and bottle cage bolts. Purchase as a complete build, however, and there is reportedly one more innovative feature. The SL features a small piece that allows the rider to run any bottom-pull front derailleur from SRAM or Shimano as a top pull derailleur, eliminating the need for the pulley.
Aside from the design, componentry and style of the revamped line, the most striking feature is the signature included on each frame. Jonathan Page provided input on the design of the new frames and each rider that hops on a 2011 Blue will likely benefit from the experience of America’s most successful Elite male ’cross racer. But the signature also represents a benefit for Page, since a portion of the proceeds from each frame and complete bike sold anywhere in the world will go directly to Page to support his racing efforts in Europe.
Norcross SL with SRAM Force
Wheels – American Classic Hurricane
Tires – Vittoria XG Pro 700×34
Shifters – SRAM Force
Front Derailleur – SRAM Force
Rear Derailleur – SRAM Force
Crank Set – SRAM Force 50/34 BB30
Cassette – SRAM PG1070 12/27
Brakes – TRP Euro X Alloy Ano. Black
Chain – Wippermann 10S8
Saddle – Selle Italia Filante Flow or Prologo
Seatpost – Aerus C4 carbon
Handlebar – Aerus 6061 alloy
Stem – Aerus 2014 alloy
Headset – FSA Orbit C-40 CX
Norcross SL with Shimano Ultegra 6700
Wheels – American Classic Hurricane
Tires – Vittoria XG Pro 700×34
Shifters – Shimano Ultegra 6700
Front Derailleur – Shimano Ultegra 6700
Rear Derailleur – Shimano Ultegra 6700
Crank set – Shimano Ultegra 6700 50/34
Cassette – Shimano Ultegra 6700 12/25
Brakes – TRP Euro X Alloy Ano. Black
Chain – Wippermann 10S8
Saddle – Selle Italia Filante Flow or Prologo
Seatpost – Aerus C4 carbon
Handlebar – Aerus 6061 alloy
Stem – Aerus 2014 alloy
Headset – FSA Orbit C-40 CX
Norcross EX with SRAM Apex
Wheels – American Classic Victory 30
Tires – Vittoria XG Pro 700×34
Shifters – SRAM Apex
Front Derailleur – SRAM Apex 34.9
Rear Derailleur – SRAM Apex
Crank set – SRAM Apex 48/34
Cassette – SRAM PG-850 12/26
Brakes – Avid Shorty 6
Chain – SRAM PC1051
Saddle – Blue logo saddle
Seatpost – Aerus 6061 alloy
Handlebar – Aerus 6061 alloy
Stem – Aerus 6061 alloy
Headset – FSA Orbit C-40 CX
Norcross SP with SRAM Apex
Wheels – American Classic Victory
Tires – Vittoria XG Pro 700×34
Shifters – SRAM Apex
Front Derailleur – SRAM Apex 34.9
Rear Derailleur – SRAM Apex
Crank set – SRAM Apex 48/34
Cassette – PG-850 12/26
Brakes – Avid Shorty 4
Chain – SRAM PC1051
Saddle – Blue logo saddle
Seatpost – Aerus 6061 alloy
Handlebar – Aerus 6061 alloy
Stem – Aerus 6061 alloy
Headset – FSA Orbit C-40 CX
