Norco Ceres 8, 11, or n360 with Carbon Drive

“The best commuting-specific component group on the market,” says ecovelo.info of the 2011 Norco Ceres. Substantially lighter and more refined than the 2010 model, the new Ceres is a Gates belt-drive, hydraulic disc-brake super-commuter with flat bars and a chromoly frame, designed and built to take all the punishment that Portland streets and Portland weather can throw at it. Lots of mounting points for fenders, racks, and bottles. The Shimano Alfine 8-speed rear hub has all the gear range you should ever need, and the Gates carbon belt lasts many times longer than a chain (around 12,000 miles, according to the manufacturer), never leaves gunk on your pants, requires zero maintenance, and feels supersmooth. MSRP $1374; on sale for $1199, an incredible price for a belt drive, hydraulic disc brake bike. Learn to love your commute; come and test ride the Ceres!  Sizes available: 16, 18″. Sizes 20 and 22″ are no longer available from Norco. 11-speed: $1599. n360: $1449. Top photo used with permission from ecovelo.info.

Only from Joe Bike: the Ceres Portlandistan Package

Alfine 8-speed or 11-speed hub

Gates Carbon Drive, 50/24 or 46/24 (CenterTrack for 11-speed upgrade only)

Shimano hydraulic disc brakes

Alfine dyno hub

Busch & Muller Cyo or Lumotec Lyt Senso Plus (front)

Busch & Muller Toplight Line Plus or other B&M model (rear)

Axiom Streamliner rack (100 lb. capacity)

Axiom Rainrunner fenders with full reflective stripe

Portland Design Works King of Ding brass bell

Portlandistan pricing: $1700 8-speed, $1900 n360, $2200 11-speed

Domestic shipping: About $150 via UPS Ground, including insurance.

Lower rates via Amtrak Express to major cities, but you have to pick the bike up at the station. E.g., Portland to Chicago, $75 including insurance.

Upgrade to Alfine 11-speed (available now; $1774 $1679 end-of-season sale price. Offer ends December 6, 2011. Or upgrade to Nuvinci n360 (chain, not belt) for $1600. n360 + Carbon Drive is now available. Call us at 503 232-1107 or email info@joe-bike.com for more info. Ceres is also available with drop bars and Versa shifters in either 8-speed or 11.

Note: fenders, rack, and bottle holder shown at top are optional.

Also note: we systematically replace the aluminum Gates cog with the steel Gates cog on all our belt-drive bikes. There is no charge for this.

Australian customers: We offer low-cost, insured shipping to Australia. Please see https://www.priceusa.com.au/order/?mod=order to get a quick shipping quote. You’ll need to enter these typical box dimensions: 133 x 22 x 79 cm, gross weight 17 kg. Bonus: There is no within-US shipping charge for Australian customers, because PriceUSA has an office in Portland.

Read a thorough review of the bike here at EcoVelo.info.