Norco Optic

It feels really good. The only thing I’d change is the tires. I’m not big on these tires.

I’d say this bike is the perfect bike for anyone who does long singletrack days but wants just like a little more bike so they can plow through some of the crazy technical sections.

I am personally, absolutely, blown away by the capacity that this bike has.

I was really excited to get on this bike. Looks awesome and it is awesome.

The Optic is a hard charging bike, and though its travel numbers are similar to many other short travel 29 ‘trail bikes’, the Optic falls into a class of its own. Visually intriguing, confidence inspiring, and keen for a long pedal, the Optic is certainly a top contender for a do-it-all trail weapon.

While the Norco Optic may have been an XC pinner’s dream a few years ago, it’s now the bike aggressive, baggy short-wearing trail riders will be throwing knee pads on to ride. While that makes riders like us happy, it may alienate the die-hard lycra riders who are still looking to KOM climbs.

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!

On the whole, the 2020 Norco Optic offers an inspiring riding position, egging the rider on to go fast. Above all else, our tester felt the 2020 Norco Optic was an intuitive bike to ride, describing it fondly as “like riding with a mate who eggs you on a bit”.

Norco’s latest Optic is a short-travel trail bike that aims to let you extract maximum fun from minimal travel. So even though it only has 125mm of travel on the rear, it forgoes any XC racing ambitions. Something that’s instantly apparent from the 140mm fork.

With the 2020 Optic C2, Norco aims to maximize fun on the downs, while giving up as little climbing prowess as possible.

The Optic is the bike for those that don’t shy away from the most technical terrain. They also don’t want to give up pedaling performance in favor of a big heavy and slower handling enduro bike. If you want one bike to ride any trail no matter how tame or rowdy the 2020 Norco Optic is setting the bar.

The Optic does charge pretty hard, and I was happy doing some small gaps and jumps that I usually err away from. It’s a super capable riding bike, and one that is pushing what a short travel trail bike can be.

The Norco pushes into a realm of performance where the bike is definitely not going to be holding you back, making it an excellent choice for a rider looking to invest in their first ‘serious’ mountain bike.