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MOUNTAIN BIKE OF THE YEAR


Norco Optic

The new Norco provides a shining example of how a modern trail bike should handle.



Take a heaping scoop of modern geometry, add 29” wheels and 125mm of well-managed rear travel, then blend in a generous amount of fun. That's the recipe that created the winner of Pinkbike's Mountain Bike of the Year award – the Norco Optic.

The 2020 Norco Optic was one of the standouts at the Pinkbike Field Test, thanks in part to its excellent geometry. Applying longer and slacker geometry to shorter travel bikes isn't an entirely new concept, but Norco absolutely nailed the numbers on the Optic. They also earned extra credit points by changing the chainstay length depending on the frame size, which means that the handling of the bike should feel similar no matter if you're 5'4” or 6'4”.


FIND FOCUS

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW 2020 OPTIC

THERE ISN’T A SINGLE ASPECT OF THE 2020 OPTIC THAT HASN’T BEEN EXAMINED, RE-ADDRESSED AND OVERLY-SCRUTINIZED TO MAKE IT A RIPPIN’ FUN SHORT TRAVEL TRAIL BIKE WITH THE AGILITY AND CONFIDENCE YOU NEED TO LOOK FURTHER UP THE TRAIL.

The Optic’s carbon frame uses Norco’s Ride Aligned™ design system to create its high-speed, short-travel performance, with geometry created for confident, playful descents, railing corners and boosting jumps. The precision suspension kinematics and custom RockShox DH shock create 125mm of plush rear travel, which we’ve matched to a bump-eating 140mm Pike on every model for the control you need to keep your mind on the trail, and off of what your bike is up to.

Every Optic is equipped with DH-focused components – because we know what kind of speed the bike inspires. Big four-piston disc brakes, wide handlebars, short stems, stiff, and burly 29er wheels with tough 2.35 tires give you the control and clarity you need to attack your favourite trails at speeds that go by in a blur on regular short-travel bikes.

Sure, the steep seat angle and long top tube will help you get all the power and grip you need to claw your way back up, but make no mistake, what the Optic really wants to do is rip back down again.

RIDE ALIGNED

The 2020 Optic uses?Norco's Ride Aligned™ design system which matches each individual bike to the human who rides it, creating a customized platform that is both stable and balanced, allowing the rider to push harder. Using individual rider metrics, precise suspension kinematics, and proprietary app technology, you’ll align with your ride experience like never before.

FULLY CUSTOM SUSPENSION

We created the Optic’s suspension design around a very specific shock, with spring and damper characteristics that would help define its ride. Unfortunately, that shock didn't exist, so we asked RockShox to build us a fully customized Super Deluxe Ultimate DH rear shock with everything we were looking for, and they delivered! We liked it so much, in fact, that we put it on every Optic in the line!

HIGH SPEED BY DESIGN

By relaxing the Optic's head angle for stability, we fine-tuned the handling with reduced-offset forks and short 45mm stems – providing even more high-speed precision and predictability for a more aggressive trail riding.

EQUIPPED TO DESCEND

To bolster the Optic's descending prowess, each bike is equipped with 4-piston 180mm disc brakes, shorter seat tubes, long-stroke dropper posts and aggressive knobby tires.