Bike Check: Mike Blewitt's Norco Revolver for Reef to Reef
Ever wondered what our staff ride as their personal bikes? Here's our Editor's own ride ahead of the Reef to Reef MTB stage race.
We often do bike checks at events here at AMB – but have you ever wondered what our staff and key contributors ride? With our Editor Mike Blewitt up in cairns for the Reef to Reef stage race, here's a look at his personal ride. It's a bike tuned for events like Reef to Reef, aimed to be efficient and fun for marathons and multi-day events.
I've had about 6 Norco Revolvers now, buying my first in early 2016, the same frame type and model that Anna Beck tested a few months earlier. I was impressed with the ride and build, so placed one on order myself. I ended up having two more of that same design, and a matching hardtail, before buying the new Norco Revolver in 2019, and the matching hardtail the following year.
I like the current Revolver as the geometry is really progressive, and you can run a 100 or 120mm fork, and depending on the shock stroke, you can have 100 or 120mm of rear travel as well. I've mostly run the bike at 120mm for the past two years, which gives the large a 485mm reach, 67.5 degree head angle and about a 75 degree seat angle. Norco have size specific chain stays and on this size they are 427mm.
I bought a frame only and built it up using parts I like and trust, as it doesn't get nearly the maintenance it should. I've taken this bike to Maydena Bike Park a couple of times, to Derby a few times, and raced it in the Swiss Alps for the Swiss Epic. I also used it for the Arabian Epic Stage race in Jordan. Although all together its time between the tape has been pretty minimal since March 2020.
There are a few changes that differ to stock specs. I opted to run a 44mm offset fork, although Norco orginally specced 51mm offset. I find it handles better, especially with the 120mm fork. The frame is rated for 2.35" tyres, although 2.4" fit fine. I often run 2.35" in the back anyway as on some casings and tread patterns I prefer the shape.
I run my suspension as push to unlock. I really like how rapid fire the lock out is this way. I really built this bike up for the 2019 Swiss Epic, which has a lot of amazing trail to ride – but when you climb it is steep and unrelenting. So if the spring in the lockout is doing the work to lock the bike out – I think it feels a lot better and is faster to actuate.
The frame has mounts for a chain guide and I have mounted one for a Tassie trip. But in general, a good 12-speed group set has excellent chain retention. I wish it had a mount for a second bottle somewhere. I have mounted a second with a Wolftooth mount, in front of the main mount. It looks a bit sketch but works.
The only changes I made for Reef to Reef are tyres. I mix and match a lot, and I stayed with Rekon Race front and back, with 120tpi EXO casing and 3C rubber. I do have a 2.4" WT front and a 2.35" rear. They're at about 19/20psi.
Click through the gallery above for more details.
Frame Material: Full carbon fiber including swing link
Fork: Fox Float 34 SC, 120mm travel, 44mm offset
Shock: Fox Float DPS, 190×45
Shifter: Shimano XT, iSpec EV
Derailleur: Shimano XTR SGS
Crank: Shimano MT900, 175mm, 34t ring (M9020 Stages Gen 3 Power meter on NDS)
Bottom bracket: Shimano XTR BB92 PF
Chain: Shimano XT
Cassette: Shimano XTR 10-51t
Hubs: DT Swiss 350, 28h, straight pull, 36t ratchet
Spokes: DT Swiss Super Comp
Rims: EIE Carbon A29C30D18 SL, 28h
Tyres: Maxxis Rekon Race EXO 3C TR. 2.4"/2.35"
Brakes: Shimano XTR Race, 180/160mm XT rotors
Stem: Syntace LiteForce 60mm
Handlebars: Mt Zoom Ultralight, 760mm
Seatpost: Fox Transfer SL, 100mm
Saddle: Fizik Argo Adaptive
