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Today’s Deals2024 Norco
Optic C3
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with upper mid-range components.
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Manufacturer Price
CA$6,399($4,635)| Weight | 34.2 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Suspension | Full, 125 / 140mm |
| Fork | RockShox Pike Select |
| Shock | Fox Float X Performance |
| Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | Deore |
| Brakes | Shimano Deore Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
Based on build material and quality level of the frame, fork, wheelset, groupset, suspension system, and more.
Compare the full Optic model range
View Comparison5'0" – 5'5"
5'4" – 5'8"
5'7" – 5'11"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'0" – 6'6"
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Summary
The Norco Optic is a versatile trail bike that excels in descending and handling rough terrain, thanks to its high-pivot suspension design. While it offers a fun and aggressive ride, some reviews note its weight and climbing efficiency as drawbacks. The bike's unique features and geometry make it stand out, but its performance comes with mixed feelings regarding its setup and maintenance.
High-pivot rear suspension design for smooth descents
Versatile and fun on flowing trails
Excellent geometry and scaled sizing
Good climbing performance on technical trails
Ride Aligned bike setup program is highly praised
Heavy and less efficient at climbing
Noisy drivetrain with noticeable drag
Undersized brakes for aggressive trail biking
Requires experienced rider to tame on gnarlier trails
Some mechanical issues with drivetrain layout
Moments where the Norco’s back end floats through the chop and you calmly steer and focus or choose to pump and push here and there to get some extra life out of the ground and get rewarded for inputs and efforts.
Bike PerfectThe new 2024 Norco Optic is a real banger and delivers a tremendous overall performance, especially on fast, flowing trails.
Enduro Mountainbike MagazineThe harder you charge, the more it gives you.
Loam WolfFeedback?
View all reviews
May 2025 · Ben Haworth
Unlike most idler-equipped bikes, the Norco Optic doesn’t have that much travel and its main pivot location isn’t all that high.
Fun on a stick
Quirky
Best shorter travel mountain bike experienced
Midstroke support and propulsion
Doesn’t sacrifice traction and comfort
Significantly reduces trail chatter
Super short seat tube and low slung top tube
Excellent suspension fork and rear shock
Great wheels
Fabulous technical climber
Incredible levels of traction
High level of pedal response
Trail-pumping hustle
Adrenaline-packed package
Way too expensive
Some iffy spec choices
Will get you into trouble
Handlebar lacked rise for a larger size frame bike
Rear tyre isn’t great
Occasionally reminds you that you aren’t on a 160mm+ travel enduro bike
Frame can’t bend the laws of physics any more, the shock bottoms out and your feet may blow off the pedals
Mar 2025 · Nelson
If you live for technical descents but need to do a lot of equally challenging climbing to get there, the Optic is a clear choice for being on the short list of options.
Nov 2024
If you're a rider looking for a daily driver pedal bike that won't hold you back, the high-pivot Norco Optic C1 will be right up your alley.
Sep 2024 · Joshua Hutchens
The redesigned Optic features Norco's VPSHP suspension to increase the rearward axle path and improve suspension performance in technical terrain. We...
Svelte design
Quiet in the rough
29" or MX wheels
Heavy
No frame storage
Linkage is a net negative
Jun 2024 · Mick Kirkman
125mm rear wheel travel might have you imagining something of an XC bike, but think again, as Norco’s latest high pivot Optic blurs the boundaries and brings maximum downhill attitude to the short travel trail bike segment
Rear suspension swallows bumps like a champion
Could easily be convinced there is up to 30mm more rear wheel travel than advertised
Nice frame shape with tons of standover clearance, good angles and good adjustability
Great wheels, tires and many parts.
Proportional chainstays bring meaningful size changes to maintain balance
Heavy and slow up and along for its short travel category
Noisy drivetrain with noticeable drag
Active suspension isn’t the most efficient
Brakes are laughably weak for the bike’s DH capability
So expensive it’s not being brought into the UK
Mar 2024 · Matt Miller
The 2024 Norco Optic 125mm trail bike gets a high pivot and idler pulley from its big siblings and makes a case for the suspension system on shorter-travel bikes.
Versatile, short-travel trail bike
Predictable, composed suspension
Punches above its travel
Wheel swap requires additional Missing Link kit
Not as energetic as some other short-travel bikes
Could benefit from stronger brakes
Feb 2024 · Zach Overholt
We've seen more and more high pivot suspension with idler pulleys, but on short travel bikes? The new Norco Sight and Optic look interesting.
Feb 2024 · Peter Walker
The new 2024 Norco Optic relies on a distinctive high pivot suspension design. Does it even make sense on a trail bike?
High fun factor on flowing trails
Doesn’t shy away from gnarly trails either
Ride Aligned system is extremely practical
Undersized brakes
Cables rattle loudly
| Frame | Optic Carbon, VPS HP, 125mm Travel, UDH Compatible BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded Hanger Standard: UDH Color: Red |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox Pike Select, Charger RC, DebonAir+, 140mm, 44mm Offset Travel: 140mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | Fox FLOAT X Performance, 2 Pos, 185x50mm Trunnion Travel: 125mm |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano BSA Threaded |
| Headset | FSA #57 E Sealed Bearing |
| Stem | Alloy 40mm Length, 35mm Clamp |
| Handlebar | 6061 Alloy 800mm, 25mm Rise |
| Saddle | WTB Volt 250 Sport |
| Seatpost | TranzX YS105 Dropper, 34.9mm, 150mm (1), 170mm (2), 200mm (3, 4), 230mm (5) Type: Dropper |
| Grips | DMR DeathGrip |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore RD-M6100 SGS |
|---|---|
| Crank | Shimano Deore FC-MT512, 30T |
| Shifters | Shimano Deore SL-M6100-R, Rapidfire Plus |
| Cassette | Shimano 10-51T, CS-M6100-12, 12 Speed |
| Chain | Shimano Deore CN-M6100 |
| Chain Guide | Norco Idler Guide and Lower Guide |
| Brakes | Front: Shimano Deore MT520 4-Piston, Metallic Pads, Rear: Shimano Deore MT520 4-Piston, Metallic Pads Type: Shimano Deore Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | Shimano Deore |
| Rims | WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0, 32H, 29" |
|---|---|
| Front Hub | Shimano HB-TC500 110x15mm Boost, Center Lock |
| Rear Hub | Shimano FH-TC500, 12x148mm Boost, Micro Spline, Center Lock |
| Tires | Front: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5" 3C, MaxxTerra / EXO / TR, Folding, Rear: Maxxis Dissector 2.4" 3C, MaxxTerra / EXO / TR. Folding |
| Disc Rotors | Shimano RT-64 200mm |
First added February 28
Last updated June 4