Norco Launches the 2020 Optic

Today, Norco just announced an all new Optic for 2020. Aimed at the trail bike category, it definitely leans in a more aggressive direction, at least in regard to spec. Every spec level features a piggy back shock – something we applaud and would like to see more of in the short travel category. Additionally, you’ll find Soft compound Schwalbe tires on each bike as well as 4 piston brakes. Another thing that you’ll find with Norco is their scaled geometry. Unlike most manufacturers, the rear center varies by 5mm per size. Find the rest of the details in the press release below…

Details

• 29″ wheels
• 140mm front travel / 125mm rear travel
• Boost hub spacing
• Metric shock sizing
• Piggy back rear shock standard on all spec levels
• 4 sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Carbon Fiber front triangle / Aluminum rear triangle
• 2.6″ tire clearance

Geometry

Suspension

[Press Release] – Norco Bicycles is excited to announce the totally re-designed and re-focused Optic–the latest addition to their line of world-class mountain bikes.

Developed on, and inspired by their backyard trails in the mountains surrounding their Vancouver-area headquarters and throughout the Pacific Northwest, the 2020 Optic is an evolution of Norco’s new holistic, progressive design philosophy that is designed specifically for high-speed, short-travel Trail riding.

Though the new Optic shares its name with the company’s past all-rounder trail platform, there isn’t a single aspect of the new bike that hasn’t been examined, re-addressed and overly-scrutinized from previous versions. With this new bike, there is a clear priority put on creating a rippin’ fun short-travel trail bike with the agility and confidence riders need to manage speeds that usually overwhelm bikes with this amount of suspension travel.

The Optic’s carbon frame uses Norco’s new holistic, progressive design process to create its high-speed, short-travel performance, with geometry prioritizing confident, playful descents, railing corners and boosting jumps. The precision suspension kinematics and custom RockShox DH shock create 125mm of plush rear travel, which has been matched with a bump-eating 140mm Pike on every model for the control riders need to keep their mind on the trail, and off of what the bike is up to.

The steep seat angle and long top tube will help get all the power and grip they need to claw back up, but make no mistake, what the Optic really wants to do is rip back down again.Each model benefits from a descent-focused parts package, featuring 180mm 4-piston hydraulic brakes, light, stiff 29er wheelsets, short seat tubes mated to long-travel dropper posts for increased clearance, and grippy, aggressive Schwalbe soft-compound 29×2.35” tires.

The all-new Norco Optic will be available November 2019 and is available in S, M, L and XL, with a selection of four complete bikes and a frame kit available through Norco dealers and online at www.norco.com.

Specs

Optic C AXS – $7,499

Optic C1 – $6,599

Optic C2 – $4,499

Optic C2 Women’s – $4,499

Optic C3 – $3,599

Optic C3 Women’s – $3,599

Optic C frame – $2,799