Norco Optic – one platform, two different flavours

Canadian bike company Norco have been making some exceptional bikes over the last few years – including the 140mm travel Sight, and the heavy hitting 170mm travel Range.

But with a gap in the range between the impressively capable Sight, and the Revolver XC race bike – they had an opportunity to build a pure trail bike that can be ridden how you want.

Available from today is the new Norco Optic, a short travel trail bike that comes in both 27.5in and 29in wheel sizes. We checked out the C7.2 Carbon and C9.2 Carbon…

Why two wheel sizes? 

Whilst efficient suspension platforms have seen longer travel Enduro bikes boom, for many riders that amount of travel is simply not needed. And it isolates you from the trail too much.

Norco wanted to develop a bike that was defined as a trail bike, but could be treated as such – or ridden absolutely flat out and slammed in to berms.

The Optic is that platform, and to suit the needs of different riders who might otherwise pick a bike that is overkill – or not enough for them, they offer it in two wheel sizes which accordingly have different characteristics.

But unlike other brands who have done this, the Optic geometry and suspension kinematics are as near as possible to allow the bike to still have the same identity.

Here are the main points about each bike:

The Norco Optic Carbon 29in

1. 110mm travel out back
2. 120mm up front with Trail Tune*
3. *normally a 120mm Fox fork will have a lighter compression tune for XC – Norco has a Trail tune to feel the same as the 27.5in model.
4. Modern Trail Geometry
5. Gravity Tune – size specific geometry (larger frames have longer rear centres to keep body weight in the right place)
6. A.R.T Suspension
7. Boost 148mm spacing allows an extra 3mm for clearance and better chain line. It’s not for Plus compatibility
8. Front derailleur compatibility
9. Comes with a double chainring set up, but also with a single 30t in the box – have it your way.
10. Gizmo Internal routing can be routed how you want it – multiple ports to allow for right/left hand brake set up etc.
11. Armourlite resin on the Carbon – improved impact resistance from flying rocks
12. Alloy rear end – saves on cost versus performance
13. Optimised around 30-32t chainrings
14. Less Anti-squat than the bigger travel Sight/Range bikes
15. 4x sizes (no XS as the design would be compromised)
16. 150mm dropper on bigger sizes
17. Geo (size Large) – 68.5deg HA | 74.1deg SA | 1175mm WB | 435mm CS | 632mm TT
18. 3x carbon models, 2x alloy models.
19. Pricing ranges from €2499 – €7299.   C9.2 model as shown above. – €4699. UK pricing to follow.

The Norco Optic Carbon 27.5in

1. 120mm travel out back
2. 130mm fork
3. Modern Trail Geometry
4. Gravity Tune – size specific geometry (larger frames have longer rear centres to keep body weight in the right place)
5. A.R.T Suspension
6. Boost 148mm spacing allows an extra 3mm for clearance and better chain line. It’s not for Plus compatibility
7. Front derailleur compatibility
8. Comes with a double chainring set up, but also with a single 32t in the box – have it your way.
9. Gizmo Internal routing can be routed how you want it – multiple ports to allow for right/left hand brake set up etc.
10. Armourlite resin on the Carbon – improved impact resistance from flying rocks
11. Alloy rear end – saves on cost versus performance
12. Less Anti-squat than the bigger travel Sight/Range bikes
13. Optimised around 30-32t chainring
14. 150mm dropper on bigger sizes
15. 5x sizes
16. Geo (size Large) – 68deg head angle | 74.1deg seat angle | 1174mm WB | 435mm CS | 622mm TT
17. 3x carbon models, 2x alloy models.
18. Pricing ranges from €2499 – €7299.   C7.2 model as shown above. – €4699. UK pricing to follow.

The Norco Optic uses the A.R.T suspension system – which is a variant on the four bar design. This keeps the bike very active and supple whether pedalling, or braking – it’s a proven system and Norco implement it excellently on the Optic.

Like the Sight and Range, the Norco Optic has the same design rocker link with the twin bolt system. Designer Own Pemberton discovered that no matter how well made a single piece rocker could be, the tolerances would always be better with a bolt up design. This mean a better fit with the upper shock mount, and less stress on the bushes – more trail time, and less maintenance. The two bolt design is clean and simple – and barely any different in weight to a single piece design.

The Gizmo cable routing on the Norco Optic holds the cables securely – meaning no annoying rattle. There are also options for every possible set up you might need – like running your front brake on the right or left. Ever noticed how annoying it is on a bike with brakes the ‘moto’ way, where it creates an ugly loop or cable? You won’t get that on the Optic. Tidy.

Whilst other bike designers have gone nuts for plus size bikes, this bike is firmly designed for 29in or 27.5in wheels. Designer Owen Pemberton shared the same excitement as Whyte Bikes designer Ian Alexander when he found out about 148mm – it gives extra mud clearance, and an extra 3mm to play with to get a better chain line and include a front mech too. What’s not to like?

Although SRAM announced the front mech was dead recently, a lot of riders still want a double set up. And those riders tend to be trail riders or those going on longer adventures. Norco use an ISCG mounted plate for the optional front mech – which means there is no ugly direct mech mount on the frame. Most will run a single ring – but the option is there. Options are good.

How do they ride?

Although we didn’t have long on the bikes, we had enough time to get some back to back testing done, as Norco kindly provided bikes with exact set ups in both 29in and 27.5in sizes.

The suspension has a good feel for riding hard –  often shorter travel designs can feel too linear, but Norco has nailed the progression on the Optic. In fact, getting a 110/120mm back end to ramp up like this without feeling harsh can be tricky – there are only a handful of bikes out there that manage this. Although there is just 10mm difference in travel between the two models – the 27.5in bike felt a fair bit more comfortable – definitely more confidence inspiring and flattering than the 29er.

The 29er I rode first felt fast – which combined with the fast rolling tyres specced and the notoriously slippy trail surface at Cannock Chase meant hitting turns hard felt pretty scary at first. Switching to the 27.5in changed it all though – the bike had more grip and felt a lot more playful. Although slightly slacker, the 27.5in actually felt way quicker in the handling department – no doubt the smaller wheels gave it this feel.

And it felt like it had loads more grip too.

Although the 29er was faster, I couldn’t get enough of the 27.5in model ! This thing is stiff, punchy and wants to jump around and have a blast. Don’t let the short travel think it will hold you back – it climbs like a race bike, but hammers through berms and jumps like a 4X bike. 120 is plenty!  Photo | Mick Kirkman

But jumping back to the 29in version revealed they’re actually about the same – it’s just the 29er is just a lot faster at covering the ground.

Despite having less travel, the bigger wheels do isolate you marginally more than the smaller wheels – so you don’t feel like you are going faster – but the sliding in every turn and off camber section confirmed I was. It’s not so much a trait of the bike – it’s more those polished pebbles that Cannock is famous for. But it certainly accentuates what the bikes can do.

Push it fast, pop off the lips or just keep cranking – the Norco Optic is an extremely versatile bike. It’s a mountain bike that can be ridden in an XC race; has enough travel for pushing your luck on and is more capable than the amount of travel would ever let you think. Photo | Mick Kirkman

Norco’s design team have done an excellent job keeping the bike feel similar – both bikes definitely have that same feel out on the trail, and the whole package has a great feel.

Where the 27.5in model wants to push in to back sides and pop off lips, the 29er just wants to keep the gas down. They’re both remarkably similar bikes, with traits that will suit different riders and riding spots.

It’s great that Norco has offered the choice to the riders, as you will be able to get a bike that flatters your riding and where you ride.

Although I found the 27.5in model a lot more fun to ride, I suspect the 29er will suit me better – with some more aggressive rubber and a bit of time to get to know it.

We’ll be doing some back to back testing on home trails soon, so we’ll really be able to find out what works best locally.

Keep watch on Factoryjackson.com for the details soon!

What do you think of the new Norco Optic?

Which model would you go for – 27.5in or 29in?

Let us know in the comments below! 

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