Norco Optic Review: Short Travel Bike, Big Travel Design

Summary

The Norco Optic is a refreshed trail bike for 2024, featuring a high pivot layout and available in both carbon and aluminum frames. With 125mm rear wheel travel and a 140mm fork, it's designed for mixed wheel or full 29" setups. The bike boasts a 65-degree head angle, low bottom bracket, and a balanced geometry that scales well across five sizes. The suspension system, VPS HP, ensures a good anti-squat performance, and the shock stroke is slightly longer for optimal travel. The bike comes in six build kits, with prices ranging up to $10,000. The C1 build, reviewed here, includes Fox Factory suspension and weighs around 33 lbs. The Optic stands out for its confident handling in rough terrain and excellent cornering, although it has some noise issues and could benefit from a longer rear end. It's a unique bike that may not appeal to everyone but offers a distinctive ride experience for those who prefer a capable yet unconventional trail bike.

Takeaways

• 🚴 The Norco Optic has been fully refreshed for 2024 with new features, maintaining its short travel design with 125mm rear wheel and 140mm fork.
• 🔄 It now features a high pivot design and offers the flexibility to run in mixed wheel or full 29" wheel setup.
• 🛠️ Both carbon and aluminum frame options are available, catering to different preferences and budgets.
• 📏 The geometry is designed for trail biking with a 65-degree head angle and a low bottom bracket for optimal handling.
• 🔢 The reach numbers align with general sizing, scaling in 20mm increments across five sizes, offering a good fit for a range of riders.
• 🔄 The Ride Align System adjusts the rear center and seat tube angle with changes in reach, providing a balanced and comfortable ride.
• 🚵‍♂️ The bike is designed to perform well on climbs and technical terrain, with a grippy rear wheel and consistent travel for efficient pedaling.
• 🔊 The bike's suspension system, VPS HP, has been fine-tuned for optimal performance, but may produce a noticeable hum during rides.
• 💰 Six build kits are available at various price points, including frame-only options for both carbon and aluminum frames.
• 🔨 The bike has been customized by the reviewer with upgraded components like brakes and tires to better suit their preferences.
• 🌟 The suspension performance, cornering characteristics, and unique appeal are highlighted as pros, while noise and rear end length are noted as cons.
• ❓ The Norco Optic is positioned as a bike for a specific crowd who appreciate its unique design and performance in challenging terrain.

Q & A

What are the key updates for the Norco Optic for the year 2024?

The Norco Optic for 2024 has been fully refreshed with new features. It now has a high pivot layout and can be run in either mixed wheel or full 29. Both carbon and aluminum frame options are available, and the bike maintains its short travel with 125mm of rear wheel and a 140mm fork.

What is the geometry of the Norco Optic described as?

The geometry of the Norco Optic is described as a trail bike with a 65-degree head angle, a low bottom bracket with about 32mm of drop, and reach numbers ranging from 422 up to 522mm across five sizes.

How does the Ride Align System on the Norco Optic work?

The Ride Align System on the Norco Optic adjusts the rear center and seat tube angle as the reach changes, ensuring a balanced geometry. Rear centers grow about 6mm per size, and the system maintains a consistent level in travel.

What is unique about the suspension layout of the Norco Optic?

The Norco Optic uses a VPS HP (Variable Pendulum Suspension High Pivot) suspension layout that falls under a pre-existing patent. The location of the idler pulley is specifically important to anti-squat performance, which Norco tested extensively.

What are the shock stroke and rise characteristics of the Norco Optic?

The shock stroke on the Norco Optic is slightly longer than the previous model to ensure 125mm of rear wheel travel. The rise is slightly higher than the outgoing model, which means the bike will squat a bit more under braking.

How many build kits are available for the Norco Optic, and what is the price range?

There are six build kits available for the Norco Optic, with prices ranging between $0 and $10,000. Four of the builds are based on carbon frames, two on aluminum frames, and there are frame-only options for both materials.

What is the weight of the Norco Optic C1 build?

The Norco Optic C1 build, which features Fox Factory suspension and other high-end components, weighs around 33 lb (15 kg), which is on the heavier side for a 125mm trail bike.

What are some of the components the reviewer changed on the Norco Optic?

The reviewer changed the brakes to Codes, experimented with different tires as seasons changed, and added a higher rise bar for personal preference.

How does the Norco Optic perform on climbs?

The Norco Optic performs well on climbs, with a grippy rear wheel that moves out of the way over bumpier climbs. It has enough anti-squat to maintain a consistent level in travel, making it easy to punch up technical climbs.

What are the two areas where the Norco Optic particularly stands out?

The Norco Optic particularly stands out in rough, chattery terrain and cornering. Its rearward axle path and kinematics work well over rough terrain, and its cornering characteristics reward a heavy ride, allowing for nice wheelbase extension and carving corners.

What are the three cons mentioned by the reviewer about the Norco Optic?

The three cons mentioned are the noise from the frame and drivetrain, the rear end length which could be longer, and the spec choice of the highest tier build coming with Level brakes, which the reviewer finds odd for such a confident bike.

Who is the target audience for the Norco Optic?

The target audience for the Norco Optic is riders who are looking for a unique and capable bike that can handle gnarly terrain. It's described as a 'funky little bike' that may not be the perfect tool for every job but offers a confident feel for those who prefer an undergunned yet still capable ride.