2020 Norco Optic Review: Short on Travel, Not Capability | Pinkbike Field Test

[@jimborainbird2311]

This category (including aggressive trail bikes) hits my sweet spot, so great job guys. I have my fingers crossed that the Nukeproof Reactor & Norco Sight are going to be put through the ringer. Can't wait

[@rocco.mbb.zoccoli]

Great another bike I want (says that after every one of these vids in this series)

[@paulsimpson8990]

It would be great if you guys could plot the bikes you test on a chart from xc racer on the extreme left through to downhill monster on the right so we could see where they sit based on geometry etc. I find the manufacturer website are becoming increasingly confusing in this regard as they continue to introduce new categories.

[@NoBrakes23]

Two years ago, I would have mocked a Horst link with no lockout. A year ago I rode a 130mm travel Sight, and I couldn't believe how well it climbed. I am a Weagle snob, but Norco works some witchcraft on that Horst link.

[@tainted180]

This bike is definitely at the top of my "next bike" list

[@neto116]

The Devinci Django would be a good contender in this category.

[@chm1701]

Hands down, the best intros.

[@tehllama42]

@Pinkbike I would absolutely love to have just some raw Action Cam uploads of the test loop descents on each bike - no need for commentary, editing, or much effort (though it's always appreciated), but just using all the footage you have. I'd watch every one of them.

[@Monkeyseemonkey79]

Another great video, Mike. You're one of the best MTB presenters out there.

[@Shepski15]

Very similar to my SBG Transition Smuggler which is too fast and aggressive for the 120mm travel stock DPS shock to keep up to.

[@Andreas-bm3hy]

Really good video! I pumped to see all the other bikes!

[@baddriversofcolga]

Woo! Enjoyed it! I'm already ready for the next one!

[@rickc2222]

vs 2020 Sight 29er....why would someone choose the sight over this & vice versa? which would be a better climber? decender? all day pedaler?

[@milesdzineku9940]

Ik you’ve probably found you answer but I’d take the Optic. It’s a better climber by very little and a better all day riding bike. The Optic is more poppy and feels more fun vs the sight feels wallowy and heavy in comparison

[@SWOP_B]

Optic vs Tallboy (assuming comparable spec)?

[@ajyoung]

was thinking more Optic vs 5010?

[@tonyparkin3379]

Modern bikes are so good I use my endura as a trail/X country.

[@ChuckBeefOG]

I still have a 2005 Kona Stinky. Bought it new and put about a $1000 into it in those days. Collects dust now as i chase around kids and future retirement sadly.

[@dank3823]

... and its Dale Stone approved 👍

[@chadclark2070]

Great review, keep them coming!!

[@ehtikhet]

Oooooof! That frame and fork flex in the slomo bunny hop! *CRACK*

[@trelane751]

A bike that rivals this is the Evil Following MB

[@sacallaway]

Has anyone done a comparison with the Optic and the Tallboy?

[@chrisfontaine6221]

I ride a 130mm rear 2008 Scott Genius with a 160mm fork, climbing... DH it does it all, about all the travel I'd be looking for in a new bike

[@patryka11]

I love the simplicity. Great bike to me !!!

[@financialcyclist]

Can compare it against trance 29 or ibis Ripley?

[@GavynPendleton]

Really good job guys!

[@mtbninja897]

Have you tested the evil following? It sounds like it rides really similar

[@lukeschlieper8880]

If I’m looking for a bike that can do it all (xc to enduro/light dh) should this be at the top of my list ?

[@ethanbenton6676]

knolly fugitive

[@lukeschlieper8880]

Ethan Benton I bought a Canyon Strive and race enduro now, thanks anyways

[@ethanbenton6676]

Luke Schlieper dope keep up the shreddin’

[@huck-to-flatmedia6453]

So keen for the series, can't wait for the next bike!

[@michaelvanderlit6198]

Would like to see a shoot-out vs Trek Fuel Ex, similar geo and travel.

[@noname-sd5dt]

agree, and the commencal meta tr

[@antanis]

For this spec i probably would have gone nx with alloy cranks and upgraded the fork. but it looks pretty nice overall.

[@mrwhite421]

looking excited to get this bike at the end of the year, but kind of hard to find in france,and in XL size

[@DEXVD]

Would love to see/hear opinions on how this bike would compare to the 21 Stumpjumper

[@brianhanish6307]

So quick Question. Not as gravity oriented here in Ontario but I want a bike that pedals well, and can handle Chunky terrain at times. I would call the riding I do technical cross country. Lots of rocks and roots at times and not a lot of sustained downhills. This bike or the Transition Spur. I'm willing to get my feet wet into the new school geo. Feedback would be appreciated. Pros for the Spur are great weight, fast, great geo, great company. Cons, possibly that very low bottom bracket. Fair amount of technical climbing were I am but not a lot of vertical up or down. worried about pedal strikes.

[@mtnbikerva1]

Pedal striking bikes piss me off also! Also dangerous in some circumstances!

[@borlampic6152]

Can you review the 2020 Spectral CF🙏

[@SWOP_B]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmjJXpqIeK54ha8

[@JessHines]

Vs. the Guerrilla Gravity Trail Pistol? Whadya think?

[@frostmeister666]

Talking about '% faster' definitely let us know the % difference between fastest and slowest overall.

[@DBB65]

Keep the field tests coming!

[@gabebennett5590]

Wish I could have a bike like this.

[@tmwall25]

norco fluid fs1 - cheaper aluminum and slightly steeper/less travel

[@7Rotorman]

What stroke shock is coming on the new optic?

[@Rob.Brown13]

This will be my next bike, obviously which ever year I end up with one. I have rode Norco bikes for a bit now and been happy the whole time. Plus I don't need a big Enduro bike just something I can take to one of the 3 bike Parks near me :p

[@Beaks-gw2iz]

1:04 What does he mean with cheater switch?

[@Robc1987]

Lock out/propedal

[@jonathanvasquez9604]

Cnt w8 for ur NP Reactor RS review. Ty

[@JessHines]

I wanna see a Guerrilla Gravity Smash in here. EDIT: saw one in the preview! Sweet!

[@superultramuffintime]

They dont have the smash, they have the trail pistol instead

[@willbennett7107]

How often are these videos coming out

[@callumrobertson3027]

Great video guys, but what are some of the options to attach under the top tube Thanks!

[@SuperSeanwallace]

Callum Robertson pump or tool keg

[@eric8471]

When are u doing a video on upduro bikes

[@antrace92]

resin only rotors? sincee when?

[@NDemanuele1]

What about the Ibis Ripley?

[@rgmtb]

So now where does this bike put the Sight and the Range? Well, I can see the distance between the Optic and Range but there is some overlap with the Sight. Very interesting and thank you for the review!

[@dubbreak]

Overlap with the old sight. The new sight is a 160/150mm Enduro bike. The old was a 150/130 trail bike. The optic takes over for the old sight, sight for old range and the old range is hanging on this year as a coil Enduro bike (apparently to be replaced by a mini dh or whatever the category is.. think RM slayer or pivot firebird). There is now a hole in the lineup where the old sight alloy was.the optic is carbon only and the fluid is definitely less bike than the old sight (in travel and builds etc).

[@Katabatic44]

whats the music in the intro?

[@nicoladiana2358]

hello a suggestion .. this summer I bought the spectral canyon cf 8.0 with fox suspensions ... this summer I turned around 1 week in the bike park and the outputs that I do now are only of street ... 6 months have passed since the purchase and I was wondering if I had to overhaul the suspension or wait for the summer ... in winter I use it very little because where I live I have snow

[@High_Octane]

wait for summer

[@tyhaugh287]

Do you think I can add a coil to the bike if I wanted too I’m been looking and I can’t find anything

[@user-qc4tt2qm9v]

Yes. Seems ;ics of a Cane Creek DB Inline coil on the bike.

[@jeanmarchendrickx5698]

hello you think that he is best of propain heugenes

[@vrwgq3q]

Basically Torrent (HT), Optic (short travel) and Sight (long legged) are the same bike with zero to alot of suspension.

[@freelo5322]

Great bike

[@garethcarberry7516]

Is this not a copy of the devincie troy?

[@D_Allsen]

Hey Mike(s), I live in Utah and wanted to know if you thought the Optic would be enough for the Moab area and for trails like the Whole Enchilada? I think 99% of my riding will be amazing on this but I'm not sure about the really big days. Thanks for the great content🙌🙌

[@milesdzineku9940]

I know this is late and probably won’t matter now but the optic is an amazing Utah bike I love it out here

[@rstrakovsky]

What's the track in the beginning? It's pretty 🔥

[@superultramuffintime]

Dark daze - mike geiger

[@olliechub7931]

How much doe

[@justsayin3600]

Why-Why-Why resin only?

[@TheRealFoxist]

The aluminum model Optic comes with a 68 degree HTA , which seems pretty steep in my opinion. My previous bike was from 2015 and had a 67 degree HTA. It's interesting that the geo changes between frame materials. Something I hadn't seen before. I hope most manufacturers are more consistent than that.

[@okatbikes4917]

I don't give a shit how efficient you think your platform is. When i'm climbing 1000hm in one go on smooth euro fire roads with pitches up to 20%, you better believe i'm using that climb switch. Arrogance has probably cost them a lot of sales over here.

[@Robc1987]

Agreed - wouldn't buy it based on that alone

[@Driftuner]

Well, its still has the low speed comp dial on the shock. So if you will be climbing all that much on one go, you might aswell take a minute to give that lsc some clicks into more compression right? Nothing wrong with that imo...plus, it has only about 120 mil, its not like it will bob too much since there isnt much in there anyway...def not a deal breaker for me, would still buy it no problem..

[@tobymurphy3401]

consider yourself lucky you get a place to ride with that much altitude

[@user-180-mand90]

Moot* point. If your descending 1000m+ with any sort of rocks/drops, you're going to want an Enduro bike anyways...which weight similar.

[@okatbikes4917]

@@user-180-mand90 moot* I'll ride whatever I deem appropriate on my trails, and if I say I don't want to climb fire roads with my anus pointing way past my rear axle with a open shock, then that's up to me.

[@CycoWardDrew]

It went together easily in less than an hour. kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Make sure the front fork is forward or the pedals will hit the front tire. Tires are both a little soft so it needs air before I ride it. The rear wheel didn't come with a clamp regular bolts hold it on. The front had the clamp. No scratches out of box. Rims are a little off with a slight wobble. They could have spent more time with the spoke tool fixing the run out. So far out of the box I'm happy with it. I did replace the pedals with a nice aftermarket set. After riding it a bit my A$$ is a bit sore so I ordered another seat. Overall I'm nearly 60 and didn't ride a bike in 30 years. I like my new 29" Schwinn. It will be used for casual rides with my friend.

[@richardkaz2336]

Norco Optic aluminum rear swing arm is prone to crack through and around the small cross brace tube between the two fork stays. They also will crack through the right hand pivot section between the small cross brace tube and the seat post pivot point. How do I know Because I have a 2017 Norco Optica C9.2. I don't do jumps, gap jumps or drops. Trawling through many forums this appears to be a common problem with Norco. every few years they claim the problem is fixed, but the problem reoccur. They just need to beef up the metal in this area.

[@andrewd6418]

Richard Kaz really?? Well shit! I’ve been looking at a 2019 optic c2 for my first full suspension.

[@richardkaz2336]

@@andrewd6418 Possibly better to look at Trek. That said every manufacture have some design flaw or deficiency. I had to pay A$200 and wait 2months from the local bike shop (Norco dealer) for the replacement even though it was a 2017 model. The replacement swing arm is this years charcoal model 2019 and the design has a very minor change to the weep hole location but no other visible changes like thicker wall thickness. Just be be aware and ask around on FB user and club groups.

[@andrewd6418]

Richard Kaz I was looking at the Trek fuel ex 8, but then again there’s a lot more bike companies to look at. That sucks about your experience with Norco. It seems like a lot of people are having that issue from the little research I did. I’ll definitely read into some Mtb forums and ask around.

[@user-qc4tt2qm9v]

That's a completely different bike. Literally, every thing about the 2017 bike is different than the 2020. Different geometry, different parts, different build, different suspension and kinematics. That's like me saying bad stuff about the 2020 Toyota Tacoma because I use to have a 2001 Tacoma with a blown head gasket. Totally different truck, just the same name.

[@ДмитрийНабвок]

Norko is good. But faint lower feathers ((

[@51249ca]

shame on Norco for speccing those resin only rotors and resin pads. You're a Canadian company Norco. Warehouse in Coquitlam, BC. Why make the customer spend another $100+ dollars to spec it out for our weather/conditions.

[@nonofyourbuznez6001]

Amen my man. Not just for those on continental America either here in Europe resin pads are useless 3/4 of the year. Be sure to check though as sometimes you can get aftermarket or same brand even metal pads and just swap the rotors and pads not the whole brake.

[@51249ca]

@@nonofyourbuznez6001 yup. simple rotor and pad swap. But who are you going to pawn off the resin rotors to if those rotors don't suit the conditions/area you ride in. I hear you regarding wet and muddy conditions. I've actually never used resin on my mountain bikes, metallic suits me just fine.

[@RobertOgilvie-w4y]

COME TO SCOTLAND.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿.. YOU'RE ALL GOOD..FREE HOUSE.. AMAZING TRACKS..TEACH ME PLS 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️🚴🔥🔥

[@ky3ma439]

It’s a transition smuggler rebranded as a Norco. Look at the geometry lol

[@Buzdu22]

Geometry is very similar, but the frame is completly different, look at the curved tubes on the Transition vs the much straighter tubes on the Norco. Plus the Smuggler is a full carbon bike, while the Optic has an alloy rear 😉

[@user-qc4tt2qm9v]

Totally different bike. Short travel 29er, but different frame design and the Optic is a degree slacker with more rear travel.

[@Adrian-yn8iw]

3:22 yes, Santa Cruz tall boy

[@ethanbenton6676]

*pike select plus

[@stevenjalopnik1342]

Mike levys mini is fucking rad

[@eugenegutierrez5106]

Why all new bikes nowadays are all 29er? I’m not fan of big wheels. Not agile on corners.

[@patrickhogan1617]

Honestly they are. Me and my mate swap bikes often for rides and I have 275 he has 29 and it just feels fast. I used to think the same as u but honestly try one they're sick.

[@High_Octane]

@@patrickhogan1617 no their not. fake news.

[@user-qc4tt2qm9v]

@@High_Octane They're, not their. Try mastering 3rd grade English before posting.

[@user-qc4tt2qm9v]

Just because you're too small and fit better on a woman's bike, doesn't mean the rest of us immortals cant enjoy the monster truck ride of a 29er.

[@High_Octane]

@@user-qc4tt2qm9v learn to have your butt hurt less in general salty fuck

[@alfonsomtb2692]

Careful it could snap

[@just6979]

1.2% faster on the clock? If you're not racing, and you guys said it's probably not the bike to get if you're enduro racing, then who fucking cares? Rather have a bike that 20% funner and feels 10% faster than anything that is actaully 1-point-friggin-2 percent faster.

[@edmundpohpiah6923]

Why is there no review on the Marin alpine trail 7?

[@High_Octane]

because its a hoopty.

[@E.MTB.user7lz7rx7r]

👍🚴

[@nzzgcg4217]

🥵🥵🥵

[@fynnhansmann8027]

Cheater switch? But this bike do has coward levers? (Brakes?)

[@CalgaryDynastar]

If you’re a capable rider, you don’t need a “enduro” bike to ride 95 percent of trails.

[@mb_95]

Hello welcome my channel

[@mathieumartin2967]

DhF front and DHR rear... noobs.

[@cruzkelly9937]

Ge

[@d42macdo]

What surprised me most about this review is that two grown men still weigh 155 lbs. My highschool weight was a long time ago.

[@ricusmate]

I miss when engineering was about making long travel bikes able to climb instead of designing short travel bikes that can descend.

[@dinohuntr851]

Ric James that’s an interesting thought. 🤔

[@superultramuffintime]

Have you ridden any modern long travel bike? They all pedal extremely well considering. This is just a different category of bike, one that suits a lot of people

[@nealbrooker4295]

Definitely getting one, cancel the rest of the field test videos!

[@meteormedia7021]

Norco? Yeah, no. I‘d rather not buy a bike with a frame that breaks within the first couple of months.

[@viperrules24]

Way to have an open mind! I'm sure you thought well and hard before completely writing off a brand new platform on an issue that almost certainly does not plagues any other MTB brand!

[@meteormedia7021]

@@viperrules24 Yeah its just that my last bike was in fact a Norco Fluid FS, which I bought because it was seemingly good value for money. Just that it developed cracks on the lower part of the downtube after just 3 months of trail riding. And if you go check on other peoples experience with that exact frame, you'll see that thats not an unusual issue at all. Norco has some severe quality control deficits. I've got it replaced under warranty, but rather sold it and got a Merida One-Twenty instead. That one curiously held up to exactly the same riding style just fine for the last 8 months with no defects what so ever...

[@High_Octane]

when i just googled fluid fs frame crack a bunch of videos came up of santa cruz bikes BREAKING IN HALF. what are ya goin on about? Norco's are fine. you got a lemon.

[@анпн-п2ю]

Кусок херни решили прорекламить.

[@user-qc4tt2qm9v]

Tacos are delicious, I couldn't agree with you more.

[@zesar1568]

Hello. I do not want this bike. next please.

[@patryka11]

I love the simplicity. Great bike to me !!!