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Today’s Deals2025 Norco
Optic A1
A 29″ aluminum frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
$5,499| Weight | 35.5 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Suspension | Full, 125 / 140mm |
| Fork | Fox Factory Float 34 |
| Shock | Fox Float X Factory |
| Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 Electronic |
| Groupset | GX Eagle Transmission |
| Brakes | SRAM Code Silver Stealth 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"
None yet.
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Summary
The Norco Optic is a trail bike that excels in descending with its high-pivot rear suspension design, offering a smooth ride over rough terrain and impressive traction. However, it's noted for being heavy and less efficient on climbs, with some models suffering from noisy drivetrains and weak brakes. Its unique suspension and geometry make it stand out, but it may not suit everyone's riding style or budget.
High-pivot rear suspension design for technical terrain
Excellent descending capabilities
Good traction and comfort on rough trails
Unique geometry and sizing options
Versatile for a variety of trail conditions
Heavy and less efficient on climbs
Noisy drivetrain and weak brakes on some models
Requires more maintenance due to idler pulley
Expensive, with some models not available in certain regions
Limited appeal to a niche of riders
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 Norco Optic’s highly capable suspension punches far above its travel class, delivering excellent traction and control.
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
Apr 2025 · Simon Kohler
In our 2025 big trail bike comparison test, we pitted the Norco Optic C1 against the hottest bikes of the year. How did it fare against the competition?
Highly capable suspension
Extensive setup guide
Well-balanced mix of composure and agility
Limited to a niche of riders
Weak brakes
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.
| Frame | Aluminum Frame, 125mm Travel, UDH, Eagle Transmission Compatible, Ride Aligned™ BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded Hanger Standard: UDH Color: Névé White |
|---|---|
| Fork | Fox 34 Factory Float, GripX, HSC/LSC/LSR, 140mm, 44mm Offset, Fender Included Travel: 140mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | Fox Float X Factory, 185x50mm TR Travel: 125mm |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB, BSA 73mm, MTB WIDE |
| Headset | FSA No. 57 ZS, Sealed Bearing, Tapered 1-1/8" - 1.5", ( ZS44/28.6 | ZS56/40 ) |
| Stem | OneUp 42mm Length , 35mm Clamp |
| Handlebar | OneUp Aluminum, 800mm, 20mm rise |
| Saddle | Fizik Alpaca Terra X5 |
| Seatpost | OneUp V3 w/ One Up 1x lever,34.9mm, 150 (S1) -180mm (S2) -210mm (S3,S4) -240mm (S5) Type: Dropper |
| Grips | Ergon GE1, Slim (S1, S2) Standard (S3,S4,S5) |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle AXS T-Type, 12sp |
|---|---|
| Crank | SRAM Eagle, 30T, CL55, 165mm (S1,S2) -170mm (S3,S4,S5) |
| Shifters | SRAM Pod Ultimate Controller, MMX Bridge |
| Cassette | SRAM 1275 Eagle T-Type, 10-52T, 12sp |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle T-Type, 12spd |
| Chain Guide | Norco Idler Guide and Lower Guide |
| Brakes | Front: SRAM Code Silver Stealth, 4-Piston, Sintered Pads, Rear: SRAM Code Silver Stealth, 4-Piston, Sintered Pads Type: SRAM Code Silver Stealth Hydraulic Disc |
| Brake Levers | SRAM Code Silver Stealth |
| Rims | Stan's Flow S2, 32H, F/R- 29", 30mm ID |
|---|---|
| Front Hub | DT Swiss 350, 15x110 Boost, 32H, 6-bolt |
| Rear Hub | DT Swiss 350, 12x148 Boost, XD, 6-bolt |
| Tires | Front: Maxxis Minion DHF, 3C Max Terra EXO, 29x2.5", Folding, Rear: Maxxis Dissector 2.4", 3C, MaxxTerra / EXO / TR, Folding |
| Disc Rotors | SRAM Centerline, 180mm, 1.8mm Thickness, 6-bolt |
First added November 23
Last updated June 4