Should You Over Fork Your Mountain Bike? | Norco Optic With 150mm Fork

I tried a 150mm fork on my Norco Optic, but was it better? In this video I'll discuss the geometry changes that happen when you extend your fork travel, and how they translate on the trail.
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[@MTBMcPhee]

FYI I have now gone back to 140mm and I like it a lot more. The bike is way more fun for the trail riding I bought it for, but it was a nice experiment and I may put it back to 150mm when I race again at Stromlo. Happy riding 🤙

[@quban79]

thinking about doing the same thing on my optic.. i cannot get the geo chart to work properly for the life of me but anyways looking at what youve entered (although the geo numbers youve entered look like its the sight not the optic i assume the altered geo would basically be the same).. youve said you noticed the smaller reach which going by your numbers is a reduction of 1.6mm (as shown)? is this correct? surely you wouldnt notice a reduced reach of less than 2mm

[@MTBMcPhee]

@@quban79 hah you’re right those are the sight numbers from my 170mm fork test. I dunno, I think I noticed all the change to the fit together and overall it’s less good for me, but I did like the 150mm fork as a race setup

[@quban79]

@@MTBMcPhee ha yeah fair enough, ok sweet the reach is sorta my main concern but if it’s that small amount thinking I can just roll the bars forward to negate the reduction as I’m more after the higher bb/ increase in wb so will give it a crack! Cheers mate

[@MTBMcPhee]

@@quban79 let me know how you go 💪

[@matsfredrickson5251]

Thanks for this video! I've been going back and forth with increasing the fork on my Optic to 150mm, especially since I got the Cascade Components link. This is my only bike, so I want to be able to ride it on any trail, but I don't want to take away from it's playful nature. Your experience swayed me to stay with the stock fork travel. I'm going to install a Vorsprung Luftkappe, maybe that'll make the bike a little more capable without changing its playful nature.

[@JohnBarrosoPereira]

Great topic. I've done this to my bike and haven't looked back since. My bike is 130 front and rear in stock configuration, and I've jacked up the fork to 150. As you said, instantly became more capable on the steeper, and more technical stuff especially if going straight. I wouldn't say it got worse in any part of riding. Also, I've felt that I'm a lot more comfortable on neutral climbs, cause I find that I sit straighter on the bike (if that makes sense). I also reduced volume spacers and dropped the pressure by about 5 PSI. That was until I found a good ball park baseline. I only have one bike, so for me, definitely a great mod.

[@MTBMcPhee]

150/130 sounds perfect to me for your only bike - capable for big terrain but still fine for regular trail work 👌

[@JohnBarrosoPereira]

@@MTBMcPhee all I can say is that the weakest link on this bike / bloke combo is definitely the old bloke pushing the pedals, not the bike :)

[@nedapaz]

Thanks for your analysis! I knew bike geo would change but this clarifies each of those changes. Very useful information!

[@stiingya]

If you try it again make sure to tilt your seat down a touch and move it forward a little to make up for the slacker STA. Then a 5mm longer stem and/or a little bar roll can help with felt reach. (and since you extended your wheel base you usually don't get a negative impact from the small amount of actual reduced reach as long as you get your hands back where they should be) BUT... for sure nearly everything you do to your bike has pro's and con's. Make it better for the down you probably take a hit on the up. More stable, then less maneuverable, etc. etc. :)

[@MTBMcPhee]

Yeah for sure. I did a lot of that, though I didn't want to go any longer with the stem. It was a good experiment but since I have a bigger enduro bike I put the Optic back to 140mm and enjoy it more as a trail rig.

[@daveleech5971]

Good onya. The internet always carries on like bigger is always better. Your findings were what I expected and you explained the changes with clarity. Great vid 👍

[@MTBMcPhee]

Thanks Dave, I agree with you there, but I also wouldn't be surprised to see the next Optic come out as a 150/130 bike which seems to be the way these days.

[@daveleech5971]

@@MTBMcPhee I hope not. That segment is saturated and the spritely nature of the current Optic is what makes it a stand out. Dying to get mine... Waiting for stock

[@davidhargrave778]

The editing on this video is class 👌

[@MTBMcPhee]

Thanks David! Still a noob but learning all the time 🙌

[@stevet9938]

Great video, I've been thinking about this for a while for my Trance 29er. I only have one bike and have been considering upping the travel by 10mm to take some of the bigger hits while trying to retain the bikes playfulness. This video is timely and gives me more to consider, cheers 👍

[@MTBMcPhee]

It's worth investigating for sure! Glad you found the video useful 🙌

[@emmajackson2606]

Definitely considered this, on 140/150 trance 27.5. Cannonball murders me...could use the fox36

[@MTBMcPhee]

Oh wow that's a small bike for cannonball! Congrats for being able to hold on 😂

[@digswithdan]

Another awesome vid dude !!

[@MTBMcPhee]

Legend!

[@TheDangals]

Great vid! Interesting findings and I assume you are back to stock then by the sound of it?

[@MTBMcPhee]

Not yet, but that's the intention. Cheers 👌

[@nathanielbrice8725]

Great video! Just wondering what the difference between the Optic and Fluid? They seem like the same bike.

[@MTBMcPhee]

I haven’t tried a Fluid but I’ve read that it rides a little bit bigger. I also believe the next optic will be very different

[@nathanielbrice8725]

Thanks mate!

[@robcohen4294]

Great vid mate. Excuse me if I missed it, but what were you running for sag?

[@MTBMcPhee]

Would be around 15% I'd say but I don't measure my fork sag

[@gbowen444]

How do you find climbing on the Optic on shire trails? I have a 2005 Norco sight c7.2 (27.5") at the moment and am thinking about buying a 2023 Optic as I've loved the sight but want something more up to date. I mainly ride at Grays point, mill creek, appin etc. Watching heaps of reviews, it's clear the Optic descends well, but how is it on rocky tech climbs? Thanks heaps.

[@MTBMcPhee]

@@gbowen444 perfect bike for the places you mentioned. The climbing geo is great and it has plenty of grip for the local tech climbs

[@gbowen444]

@@MTBMcPhee cool. Thanks and love the channel. It's great seeing such good videos of local trails. BTW what camera do you use?

[@MTBMcPhee]

@@gbowen444 thanks for the kind words. I’m currently trying the DJI Osmo Action 4, but most of my videos were shot on gopro 8, 11, and 12. I think you can get great footage from any recent camera if you’re willing to learn what all the settings do 👍

[@gbowen444]

@@MTBMcPhee thanks. Footage and stabilisation is amazing. So much better than my videos on GoPro 1-2. E.g. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4bao5xre9GkbqMsi=bd8hKk-g5a24_sSh

[@gbowen444]

Just ordered an 2023 Optic. Can't wait 😁. Oh and current bike is 2015, not 2005 🙄

[@chadsugden411]

did you find going 170mm up front on your SIGHT made it harder to turn and weight the front end on more mellow stuff like the optic? or did the sight accept over forking alittle better? as i plan to get some 38's soon to replace the rythm 36's on my a2. and im not sure if i should go 160mm or 170mm. as i mention in an other video of yours i mainly ride wollongong area. cheers in advance chad :)

[@MTBMcPhee]

Nah not all, I thought the 170mm was an awesome upgrade on the Sight. My Sight absolutely ate up the gong trails 👌

[@chadsugden411]

@@MTBMcPhee perfect that’s exactly what I wanted to hear

[@johnsaunders9701]

Great information. Just wondering what tyres and tyre width are you using?

[@MTBMcPhee]

2.5 assegai front 2.4 dissector rear. Both are exo+ and I have a cushcore Pro in the rear🤘

[@clmfilms8103]

How big of drops do you think you can hit with only 125mm rear travel?

[@MTBMcPhee]

Depends on the drop and it’s landing I guess. I’ve done a few decent huck to flats on it and it’s taken them in it’s stride

[@Bogdan_Ch]

The Optic geo is just to good so as a trail bike it works like a charm on 140 / 125. I get Buchanan he's going 150 with his DVO but that's because of not having the Range ready to ride and I belive a bit of marketing as well

[@MTBMcPhee]

I agree with you there. It already has "enduro" geometry with 140mm, but the short travel makes it a lot snappier than the bigger bikes. And I'm not sure what to think about Lewis primarily running the Optic. No doubt he'll get on the new Range but I don't understand why he's using the Optic over a Sight. It would ride very burly the way he's got it set up with DH tyres and cushcore!

[@Bogdan_Ch]

@@MTBMcPhee well , he's actually an awesome ridder, so I bet he could do 90% of what he's doing on hardtail as well but would loose the point. I believe the actual reason is as I've mentioned above, a bit of marketing to prove Norco bikes are not the lightest, but super strong, that 125 mm of rear travel mated with a DVO shock is a solid option and a bit of WHY NOT try this route or go safe on the Sight. I totally agree on you with the Sight, as it's a bike that can cover alot of ground but would cut bike purchase intentions in half , as he's adevertising an awesome trail bike and soon the upcoming range instead of one bike as a jack of all trades. Does it makes sense ?

[@MTBMcPhee]

@@Bogdan_Ch you could be onto something there. I'm looking forward to the Optic+Range combo 😍

[@garybrown9719]

Your accent is strong

[@TheSouthpawSoldier]

You never mentioned, what was the original fork length? Assuming it was 140 if you were able to increase it yourself?

[@MTBMcPhee]

140 is standard on the Optic. I do mention it in the setup explanation 👍

[@rachelpanth5527]

My mates got a fox 49, 203mm on his sight.... that’s a bit much if I do say so myself 😂

[@MTBMcPhee]

We'll the a2c on a dual crown is less than single crown, but not 40mm less 😂

[@rachelpanth5527]

@@MTBMcPhee yeah it’s a bit crazy, he’s put a longer stroke shock on and actually pulled up the fork legs below where you should be, therefore technically he isn’t allowed to bottom it out or he will destroy atleast his seals or maybe even other pieces of the lowers. Certainly a scary set up but it’s what he needed for Thredbo after snapping a set of Lyriks

[@MTBMcPhee]

@@rachelpanth5527 that sounds sketchy but also like it would be a ton of fun at Thredbo. I think I'll stick to the 170s on my Sight though 😜

[@lukehinchelwood5765]

Nice

[@stevenkilleen8149]

I am thinking of this know I just got my nuckproof mega 290 and I had already bought a rockshox lyrik ultimate 160mm bike recommended 170 front with its 160 on back but gotta ride it first see hmm plus I climb alot not just hit downhill so will see if its better

[@MTBMcPhee]

Nice bike! A big rig like that will probably be fine both ways.

[@stevenkilleen8149]

@@MTBMcPhee yeah thats what I figured only 50 dollar change but only 10m different see if I notice it reach and slack wise

[@user-cy8wf3mj5v]

Do you still rate the optic? Even now with I'll the other options. ?

[@MTBMcPhee]

Absolutely. It’s a fabulous bike with really dialled geometry

[@felixduprey]

What was your head angle before the change?

[@MTBMcPhee]

The Optic is 65 degrees with the stock 140mm fork

[@ayjay05]

Yeah bobcats

[@MTBMcPhee]

My go-to test trail

[@joserizal877]

Hi, what is the rotor size?

[@MTBMcPhee]

I run 203 on all my bikes 👍

[@joserizal877]

@@MTBMcPhee thank you, what about the spacer?