1995/96 Norco Team Issue - "Grinch" build thread

[90's Ninja]

I picked up this odd ball Norco Team Issue frame recently. Its a 1995 /1996 frame with the 1999 Team 853 colourway. 95/96 were the only two years that the team hardtails had Ritchey WCS tubing and Ritchey Lost Wax dropouts. In 97 Norco switched to Reynolds 853 on the Team Issue and did away with the rear brake cable hanger. The most likely scenario is that this was a warranty frame for someone who cracked their 1999 Team 853 and got a Ritchey WCS frame as a replacement. It's a cool frame rocking Christmas colours so I'll nickname this build, "Grinch"

 

[MattiThundrrr]

"If I Can't Find A Reindeer, I'll Make One Instead."​

Sweet Norco. Looking forward to seeing it come together

 

[PO853]

This is really cool! I have the original 1997 Team 853 in this green colourway. I loved that bike but haven’t risen it in ages. Maybe one day I’ll find the time to restore it or do a gravel bike conversion! How’s the build coming along?

 

[90's Ninja]

As @MattiThundrrr hinted early in his Norco Rampage build, its gonna be a slow burn. The next step will be to get custom Team and Grinch decals printed. The 1999 Team had "853" in the "Team853" top tube decal so I had a friend make a vector of the decal without the "853" since this is a Ritchey WCS tubed frame. Just need to send the order off to the printers

 

[HuskyDinoBomber]

Looking forward to seeing this get built up. Im sure it’ll be awesome!

 

[90's Ninja]

Custom "Team" and Grinch decals arrived from Slik Graphics. I have to give these guys a plug on excellent quality work. Time to polish the frame

 

[90's Ninja]

Tag Team photo op. I wasn't planning to build up the Grinch until the end of the season but listening to my 90's Seattle grunge playlist put me in the mood to wrench. This is an easy one as I'm swapping over the parts over from my 17" 1998 Team Issue. I'm curious to see if the 18.5" green frame feels better than the 17" as I've only ridden Norco's 17's from the era

 

[90's Ninja]

All done and went for a 40km gravel ride yesterday. I do like the extra space and size with this 18.5" on gravel type riding but if I were doing technical climbs and needed to put my foot down on uneven terrain, I would probably bash my nards against the top tube.

Pretty Canadian frame, eh with a total of 5 maple leafs in the decals and head badge and one Canadian flag sticker

 

[Canuckbiker]

Love it, looks fantastic, well done

 

[HuskyDinoBomber]

Wowzers that’s awesome! If your looking to move the 17” frame… just saying