cube gravel bike 2025 Norco Search A Flat Bar

cube gravel bike 2025 Norco Search A Flat BarThe 2025 Norco Search A FB is built for riders who want the freedom to explore pavement, gravel, paths, and mixed terrain with comfort and confidence. Taking cues from Norcos acclaimed Search gravel platform, this flat bar version blends stability, capability, and everyday rideability in a way that makes it equally suited to fitness rides, bikepacking, commuting, and weekend exploration. With a butted aluminum frame, lightweight carbon fork, wide

The 2025 Norco Search A FB is built for riders who want the freedom to explore pavement, gravel, paths, and mixed terrain with comfort and confidence. Taking cues from Norco’s acclaimed Search gravel platform, this flat-bar version blends stability, capability, and everyday rideability in a way that makes it equally suited to fitness rides, bikepacking, commuting, and weekend exploration. With a butted aluminum frame, lightweight carbon fork, wide-range gearing, hydraulic brakes, and adventure-ready wheels and tires, the Search A FB is a practical and engaging ride for new cyclists and enthusiasts alike.

Butted Aluminum Frame With Adventure-Ready Geometry

At the heart of the Search A FB is its Search Butted Aluminum frame, crafted with smooth welds for clean lines, improved durability, and reduced vibrations. The frame strikes a balance between responsive handling and long-ride comfort. It maintains the Search’s proven gravel geometry: stable enough for rough roads and loose surfaces, yet still lively on paved climbs or spirited group rides.

The frame’s generous clearance accommodates large-volume tires, while its versatile mounting points allow riders to outfit the bike for commuting, bikepacking, or long off-road excursions. Whether you're loading up for the day or carving through a twisty bike path, the Search A FB remains composed, predictable, and fun.

Search Carbon Fork for Precision and Comfort

Up front, the bike features a Search Carbon fork with a 51mm offset and a 12x100mm thru-axle. The carbon construction reduces weight and helps absorb road vibrations, significantly improving comfort on gravel and mixed surfaces. The thru-axle increases front-end stiffness, sharpening steering response whether navigating dirt corners or weaving through urban traffic.

This fork configuration provides the confidence and smoothness needed to tackle varied terrain while keeping the front end light and maneuverable.

Shimano CUES 9-Speed Drivetrain: Smooth, Reliable, Practical

The drivetrain is built around Shimano CUES, designed for durability and real-world riding. The Search A FB uses:

• Shimano CUES SL-U4000 RapidFire shifter
• Shimano CUES RD-U4000 rear derailleur
• Shimano CS-LG300 11–46T 9-speed cassette
• Prowheel 38T crankset
• KMC Z9 chain

This setup provides a wide gear range ideal for city hills, long gravel climbs, or endurance rides with added cargo. The 11–46T cassette offers excellent climbing gears without compromising smooth transitions on flats and descents. Paired with the simple 1x drivetrain layout, shifting is intuitive and efficient, making it easy for riders of all experience levels to find the right gear.

The Prowheel 38T crankset uses size-specific crank lengths to ensure a natural pedaling position across the size range. A Shimano 68mm BSA bottom bracket ensures quiet, smooth rotation and long-term durability.

Tektro Hydraulic Brakes for Confident Speed Control

Reliable braking performance is essential on a gravel-capable flat-bar bike, and the Search A FB is equipped with Tektro HD-R280 hydraulic disc brakes. These brakes offer:

• Consistent power in all weather
• Smooth, predictable modulation
• Low maintenance requirements

Paired with 160mm Tektro 6-bolt rotors, the bike delivers excellent stopping control whether descending gravel switchbacks, navigating city traffic, or braking confidently on wet pavement. Hydraulic systems also require less hand strength—helpful for longer rides or riders seeking maximum comfort.

Comfortable Flat-Bar Cockpit and Smart Touchpoints

The flat-bar setup is designed for riders who prefer an upright, confident riding position. The Norco Alloy handlebar comes in:

• 620mm width for S1–S2
• 640mm width for S3–S5

The 15mm rise supports a relaxed posture, making the bike comfortable for commuting, sightseeing, or endurance rides. A 70mm Norco Alloy stem with a 31.8mm clamp provides quick but controlled steering.

Touchpoints include:

• Selle Royale SRX Gravel saddle, built for comfort on long mixed-surface rides
• Norco Lock-On grips for secure hold and vibration damping

Together, these components ensure that daily riding feels smooth, comfortable, and predictable.

Durable Wheels Built for Adventure

The Search A FB rolls on a wheelset designed for mixed-terrain durability:

• Formula 12x100mm front hub
• Formula 12x142mm rear hub
• WTB ST i25 2.0 rims, 25mm internal width, 28h

The thru-axle spacing enhances stiffness, improving responsiveness when cornering or climbing out of the saddle. The WTB ST i25 rims offer a stable platform for the 40c tires, enhancing traction and shock absorption.

Schwalbe G-One Comp Tires: Fast and Confident on Mixed Surfaces

The bike is equipped with Schwalbe G-One Comp 700x40c tires, known for their versatility and smooth rolling feel. They feature:

• K-Guard puncture protection
• Recyclable casing
• Semi-slick tread for efficient pavement riding
• Micro-knobs for grip on gravel and dirt

This tire choice makes the bike feel quick on the road while offering enough confidence for exploring unpaved routes or unexpected detours.

FSA Integrated Headset and Aluminum Seatpost

The FSA No. 42/48ACB integrated headset keeps the steering precise and smooth, while the 27.2mm aluminum seatpost adds comfort without excess weight. Riders can easily adjust saddle height and swap posts for suspension or dropper upgrades if desired.

Balanced Weight and Everyday Practicality

At 27.8 lbs for size 3, the Search A FB remains impressively manageable for an aluminum adventure bike with hydraulic brakes and durable wheels. It is light enough for spirited riding, carrying up stairs, or loading onto a vehicle, yet strong enough to handle years of daily commuting, fitness loops, and gravel exploration.

Overall Ride Feel

The 2025 Norco Search A FB is built for the rider who wants one bike that does many things exceptionally well. It feels stable on gravel yet lively on pavement, comfortable for long rides yet agile in urban environments, and durable for daily use yet adventurous enough for weekend exploration.

With its carbon fork, wide-range gearing, flat-bar control, and gravel-ready wheels and tires, the Search A FB is a versatile, confidence-building bike designed to help riders explore farther, ride more often, and enjoy the journey— no matter where the path leads.