Issue #042, Review - February 4, 2020

Norco Optic C1 on test – the most progressive trail bike of the year

The Norco Optic C1 is the best example that you should never jump to conclusions. Despite offering only 125 mm travel, it doesn’t have to shy away from the roughest trails. From the first turn of the cranks, it will put a smile on your face and makes an impressive case for the fact that less is often more!

Click here for an overview of the best trail bike in test.

Leaving the suspension to one side for a moment, the Norco Optic looks like an all-out enduro bike at first glance. It features long and slack geometry and robust componentry. The spec includes a specially developed RockShox SuperDeluxe DH shock without a climb switch, Shimano XTR four-piston brakes, a 45 mm stem and a 780 mm handlebar. The silver, 140 mm travel RockShox PIKE Ultimate suits the bike perfectly both in its looks and performance. While the light SnakeSkin carcass of the Schwalbe Magic Mary tire up front and Hans Dampf at the rear are okay, with good grip and low rolling resistance, they don’t offer the best puncture protection. That said, we didn’t suffer any flats with a slightly increased tire pressure of 25 psi up front and 29 psi in the rear. At first glance, the chainstay protector seems too short, though the chainstay drops down far enough that there was no damage to the paintwork. However, we were annoyed by the sound of rattling cables as soon as we hit the trails. The additional cable tie on the down tube doesn’t help either – it slipped into the frame during testing.

Norco Optic C1

€ 5,499

Specifications

Fork RockShox Pike Ultimate RC2
Rear Shock RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate DH
Seatpost X-Fusion Maniac 170 mm
Brakes Shimano XTR M9120 180/180 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XTR / E13 TRS Race 30/10-51
Stem Norco Alu 45
Handlebar Race Face Next R 780 mm
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary/Hans Dampf SnakeSkin 2,35

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 13,7 kg
Wheelsize 29"
Travel (f/r) 140/125 mm

**Tuned for descending**
It’s rare to see a shock with a reservoir and no lock-out lever on a trail bike. Norco deliberately spec the SuperDeluxe Ultimate DH in order to make the Optic as capable as possible on the descents.

**Extra storage**
There are two bosses on the top tube of the Optic on which you can attach Wolf Tooth’s B-RAD system or anything similar. This offers a clean and easy way to attach a tube, tire lever and CO2 cartridge to the bike.

**Lost**
The rubber plug that is supposed to clamp the cables in the down tube slipped into the frame on our test bike. To get it out of the frame will test your patience.

**Dropped low**
At first glance, the chainstay protector seems too short. However, the chainstay drops low enough that there was no damage to the paintwork. We would add a little more tape nonetheless, just to be sure.

**Cheap**
With the Optic, Norco have focused on the essentials and saved wherever possible. So, despite the reasonable price of € 5,499, the bike is really well specced. The stem and the seat post aren’t the nicest looking but neither of them gave us any room for criticism in terms of functionality.

**Comfortable**
The riding position on the Optic is very upright and more reminiscent of a modern enduro bike than a lively trail bike. But that is exactly what makes the bike so comfortable and adds a lot of control on steep, technical climbs.

Geometry of the Norco Optic C1

At 480 mm, the Norco Optic has the longest reach on test and no bike could outdo the 65° head tube angle of the Optic either. In order to optimise the bike’s weight distribution, the chainstay length increases with frame size and with a 38 mm drop, the bottom bracket is very low. The angle of the seat tube is steep at 76° while its length is kept short at 445 mm to perfectly round off the bike’s modern geometry.

The Norco Optic is one of the boldest and most progressive mountain bike concepts we’ve seen in a long time and that is exactly what makes this bike so good!

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	395 mm	415 mm	445 mm	485 mm
Top tube	572 mm	605 mm	637 mm	669 mm
Head tube	100 mm	110 mm	120 mm	130 mm
Head angle	65°	65°	65°	65°
Seat angle	76°	76°	76°	76°
Chainstays	425 mm	430 mm	435 mm	440 mm
BB Drop	38 mm	38 mm	38 mm	38 mm
BB height	337 mm	337 mm	337 mm	337 mm
Wheelbase	1,157 mm	1,196 mm	1,235 mm	1,275 mm
Reach	420 mm	450 mm	480 mm	510 mm
Stack	611 mm	620 mm	629 mm	638 mm

The Optic C1 on test

The Norco Optic doesn’t exude the trail bike feeling that we’ve gotten used to in recent years. Instead of being stretched, you’re sat upright and central on the bike. This position is comfortable and pays off on steep and technical climbs. Nevertheless, the bike accelerates willingly with its firm rear suspension. We never missed the lock-out lever on the shock as there’s almost no pedal bob to speak of. With its fast rolling tire combo, the Optic quickly gets up to pace and is perfect for sprints. Your buddies will hate you on the way to the trailhead because you’ll always be a few meters ahead of them aboard this bike.

Less is more! Thanks to the firm suspension, the Optic is a lot of fun from the get-go!

While many bikes only start being fun when gravity takes over, the Optic will put a big grin on your face even on flat and flowy trails. Its firmly tuned rear end offers tons of support and immediately converts the rider’s input into propulsion. This invites you to pump the bike and build up a lot of speed and also makes it easy to play with the terrain. If you think that the Norco will quickly reach its limit as soon as things get demanding, you’d be wrong. Thanks to the long and slack geometry and the freedom of movement it provides, the bike instils you with confidence even in the steepest and roughest terrain, allowing you to go a lot faster. Even trips to the bike park or a shuttle day won’t faze the Optic. The only limiting factor is your level of fitness because the firm suspension can be quite demanding on the rider.

Tuning tip: if you want to go hard, we recommend fitting more robust tires | find a solution to better secure the cables

**Kleidung** | **Helmet** Giro Tyrant MIPS | **Glasses** SCOTT 60th Anniversary Edition | **Jersey** Fox Ranger Jersey | **Pants** Fox Ranger Shorts | **Kneepads** Fox Enduro Pro

How does the Norco Optic C1 compare to the competition?

The Norco Optic is difficult to compare with the other bikes in this test. It combines the long and slack geometry of the Yeti SB130 with the firm suspension of the Giant Trance 29, creating a unique riding experience. This usually makes it more fun than the Yeti while simultaneously being more stable and composed than the Giant.

Riding Characteristics

Uphill

sluggish
efficient

Agility

cumbersome
playful

Stability

nervous
confident

Handling

demanding
balanced

Suspension

harsh
plush

Fun Factor

planted
poppy

Value for money

terrible
very good

Intended Use

XC

Trail

Enduro

Downhill

Conclusion of the Norco Optic C1

The Norco Optic C1 is the perfect bike for everyone looking for an unfiltered trail experience with a need for speed. Its firm suspension doesn’t spoil the rider with excessive comfort and it provides tons of forward propulsion and very direct handling. This works perfectly in combination with the progressive geometry and is sure to put a grin on your face on flowing trails! You have to be strong and fit to tackle more demanding descents, though the bike always remains composed.

Tops

maximum fun on almost every trail
calm and composed despite short travel
comfortable pedalling position

Flops

firm suspension isn't the most comfortable
rattling cables
demanding on the rider

For more information head to norco.com

The test field