NORCO OPTIC C1 REVIEW

A HIGH PIVOT TRAIL WEAPON

Review by Cole Gregg

The 2024 Norco Optic saw a ground-up redesign, with the most notable change being the switch from a standard Horst Link rear suspension to a high-pivot Four Bar layout utilizing Norcos VPSHP platform – the same system found on the recent Norco Sight. How does the suspension layout change influence the performance of Norco’s rowdy short travel trail mountain bike? We’ve been logging the miles to find out.

ABOUT THE NORCO OPTIC C1

The Norco Optic sits in an interesting space, with short travel but relatively aggressive geometry and a stout frame designed to handle some punishment. The move to Norco’s VPSHP suspension design further signifies the aggressive intentions of the 125mm travel Optic – this is not your run-of-the-mill mile muncher.

FRAME AND FEATURES | Norco has made the switch to the SZ sizing system, and now offers sizes SZ1 – SZ5. This is accompanied by their Ride Aligned system, which tailors chainstay length and suspension characteristics to each size. Norco’s missing link kit for the Optic allows you to choose from running a full 29 setup or MX all while not changing any of the geometry or frames kinematics, while this is sold separately for $135 it is a great way to further tune the bike to your style and terrain.

The Optic is offered in both Carbon and aluminum variants, with frame-only options available for each. The Carbon frame is claimed to save 1.1kg (2.6lbs), but shares suspension configuration and the majority of features. New for the carbon frame are full carbon chainstays and seatstays, whereas the previous generations were made from aluminum. The carbon frames come with tube-in-tube cable routing for easy service. Both the carbon and aluminum models have a single water bottle mount on the downtube, and an accessory mount on the bottom side of the top tube.

SUSPENSION | While the travel number stays the same, there’s of course the notable switch over to a high pivot design. The idea here is not uncommon, but relatively unique to a bike with only 125mm of travel. With the idler and VPS_HP layout, the rear axle is given a more rearward axle path, aimed to deliver better suspension performance on square edges. The axle moves around 7mm rearwards at sag on 29” equipped bikes, and 9mm on a MX wheel setup. The idler in the high pivot design is there to manage chain growth from the rearward axle path, tailoring the pedaling characteristics and reducing pedal kickback on big compressions.

While Norco is pretty tight lipped about their kinematics and leverage curves, we can report that the progression has increased allowing the frame design to better help control big hits with less volume reducers. Yes, you can run a coil on this frame if you so choose.

The Anti-Squat figure is dictated by the idler location, and was tuned with the use of the I-Track system to retain a snappy feeling. In comparison, the idler location on the Sight targeted more traction with less Anti-Squat. Anti-Rise has been increased over the outgoing Optic as well, delivering more geometry preservation under hard braking.

GEOMETRY | There are a total of 5 sizes offered on the new Norco Optic, named SZ1 to SZ5. Reach numbers range from 422.5mm all the way to 522.5mm, covering a wide rider height range. Norco’s Ride Aligned system hopes to offer riders with tailored size and suspension setting recommendations, allowing them to input their height, weight and preferences.

Chainstay lengths increase 4mm per size, ranging from 421mm to 437mm static. While on the geo chart these numbers seem short; you also have to take into account the rearward axle path which grows the rear center at sag. The bottom bracket drop across all sizes is 32mm, same goes with the 65º seat tube angle. Stack height on our S4 lands at 635mm.

BUILD SPECS | The Norco Optic is offered in a choice of three builds using the carbon fiber frame – the C2 with 29” or MX wheel setup at $6,999, or the C1 tested at $9,099. There are also frame-only offerings with a RockShox Vivid Air Select+ shock in either carbon ($3,849) or aluminum ($2,099).

On the Norco Optic C1 tested, there was a 140mm Fox 34 Factory Fork and Float X Factory shock out back. Shifting duties were covered by a wireless SRAM XO T-Type drivetrain. Stopping power comes from SRAM Level Stealth Silver brakes, with 200mm front and 180mm rear rotors.

The cockpit has Carbon Deity Skywire bars with DMR DeathGrips and an in-house 40mm stem. A set of WeAreOne Union Carbon rims laced to Industry Nine 1/1 hubs are wrapped in a Maxxis DHF up front and Dissector rear tire combo, both in EXO casing. For a stock size S3, weight landed in at 32.4lbs (14.7kg).

TESTING THE NORCO OPTIC C1

SETUP | At 6’1” tall, the Norco Ride Aligned software recommended a size SZ4. While this was a reasonable approximation, I believe the SZ3 may have been a better fit for my proportions and preferences.

For initial setup, I followed the Ride Aligned instructions and found the suggestions close to what I needed, but a bit soft on both ends. I ended up at 103psi in the fork vs 90psi suggested, and 210psi in the shock vs 208psi suggested, but with a .4 reducer instead of .2. Compression on the fork was run nearly closed, while the shock lived at 3 from fully open. Rebound constantly changed depending on the zone I was riding. I found the 34 to be pretty fickle to set up perfectly – finding the balance of comfort and support was a challenge especially when riding hard on trails I knew very well. I opted to run more compression than I normally would, and this seemed to help achieve the feeling I was looking for. For the first few rides I left the EXO casing tires installed, but swapped them out for a more reliable Double Down casing once I was pushing the Optic harder. While this for sure added a fair amount of weight, I was happy to pay that price with the added sidewall support and protection. Playing with the dual-29” and MX wheel setups allowed me to get a good feel for the character of the bike under different riders.

Most of my testing was at home on Beacon Hill, with some local trips to Northern Idaho and one day in the Bike Park at Silver Mountain.

CLIMBING | The new high pivot Norco Optic frame is no slouch on the climbs, but does have its drawbacks. As with most high pivot designs, drivetrain maintenance is key to keeping the system quiet. If you keep up with the maintenance and cleaning, there should be minimal build up on the idler wheel. We could all be better about drivetrain maintenance regardless of our bike type, but high pivot systems with their idler pulleys demand it more.

When seated there is enough give in the system to promote solid traction and compliance over chatter in the trail. Conversely when you stand up and lay the power down, the system firms up nicely and offers plenty of platform with minimal bob. When accelerating around switchbacks it is not the most snappy bike to get up to speed – I do not think you will win any hill climb times on this rig. But for long days in the saddle, you have a light bike under foot with plenty of traction on hand. The stock EXO tires rolled extremely well as to be expected, whereas the DD tires I swapped out for did make a noticeable difference in climbing speed, but was worth the trade off for the confidence on the way down.

The 497.5mm Reach put my body position in a bit more of a stretched out position than I would have liked. On longer days, this caused some hand fatigue and a sore lower back. For me the S3 would have been a better fit for my personal preferences when it comes to geometry.

DESCENDING | Once pointed downhill the Optic really comes alive. The harder you charge, the more it gives you. The 34mm fork is the first thing that’ll hold it back, with the SRAM Level brakes coming in shortly after. You can ride some astonishingly rough trails with confidence. The long wheelbase at higher speeds begs you to let off the brakes, and when you are riding the brakes through rough sections of trail there is very little feedback translated to your feel. The bike remained calm and composed on some seriously rough terrain but this feeling transformed when it came time to get airborne. The harder and stronger on the bike I rode, the more confidence I was rewarded with.

When you wanted to pop and play around, it was just as much at home doing this – especially with the MX wheel setup. On flat long and low style jumps there was plenty of spring from the frame making it easy to get airborne. I was surprised at how neutral the bike was off steeper dirt jump style lips. Sometimes with high pivot bikes I have found there to be a moment of unpredictability on steeper lips due to the wheelbase growth, but I’m happy to report that was not an issue with the Optic.

When it came to leaning the Optic into corners, it had a natural feeling that urged you to come in faster than you think you could. Once leaned over on the tires’ edges, there was plenty of traction on hand. I did change the EXO tires for some more capable Double down casings, which really allowed me to get as close to the bike’s limit as I possibly could. The chainstays were short enough to stay peppy through tight corners but the relatively long wheelbase proved to be confidence inspiring on longer flat high speed corners.

On fast, flowy, smooth terrain, generating speed was quite easy and pumping efforts were very rewarding. Once up to speed it was easy to keep your flow going looking for small bits of trail to push into and creating natural gaps on rollers. Manualling did take some getting used to with the rearward axle path, but the bikes light weight helped in that area.

The 497.5mm reach did make the tighter slow speed corners more difficult, and required more of a plan leading into them. This was especially notable because slow speed tech is not my strong suit. I generally ride a 475mm reach, but have personally owned bikes near and above the 500mm mark. The longer bikes do of course feel amazing when you are letting it hang out going uncomfortably fast, but the drawbacks I find in day-to-day riding outshine the benefits. I land right within the SZ4 per Norco’s size chart, but I can say that if I was purchasing the bike I would likely drop down to the S3. With my long legs and super tall seat height, the climbing position was uncomfortable on big days. I added as much stack as I could before losing confidence in the front end.

FINISH AND VALUE | When it comes to the components on the 2024 Norco Optic C1, everything lasted well, but there were some stand out issues I found. The Idler pulley faired well, but as with all high pivot bikes, more care was needed to keep the chain clean and well lubricated, else some noise would begin to creep in. The Deity bars were quite stiff and did not provide much vibration damping. I swapped these out immediately for my preferred OneUp bars, which made a notable improvement. The SRAM Level brakes worked when you were chilling, but as soon as you wanted to push the pace harder they quickly became overwhelmed and underpowered. The OneUp dropper rattled horrendously, which was a shame as everything else on the bike was silent. I know you can put in larger pins to take up the slack, but I am pretty sick of this being an issue right out of the box on pretty much every OneUp dropper I have used.

When diving through the entire build, there is really nothing missing other than some more serious brakes. While the Levels are lighter than Codes, that few grams of savings is not worth the performance loss in my eyes. If you are looking at a bike in this price range, there is reasonable value there for a dealer-supported bike, and you receive all the top end parts your heart desires. However if you are maybe a bit more gravity focused and want to keep some money in your pocket for a road trip, the C2 MX model at $6,999 would be my pick. You get a burlier Rockshox Lyrik and Vivid Air rear shock – 0h that setup would eat!

The Wolf’s Last Word

The previous generation Norco Optic was for sure more of a climbing focused trail mountain bike. It spun up to speed a bit quicker and had a firmer pedaling platform. The changes made to this new version have made it a much much more exciting bike going downhill. The suspension performance on the way down has been boosted considerably, but there is still enough support when climbing to not feel overly sluggish. The fun agile feel of the old bike was not lost, but the priorities have shifted towards improved downhill fun and capability.

If you are more focused on XC but dabble in some light black trails, the previous generation Norco Optic may be a good fit for you. If you are a rider looking for a daily driver pedal bike that won’t hold you back, the new version will be right up your alley. This high pivot frame eats chunk and provides you with plenty of confidence when charging hard, as long as you have the fork set up properly. In contrast it still is a very easy bike to have big days in the saddle on, especially with the stock tires. 

Price: $9,099
Website: Norco.com

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