The 2021 Norco Torrent S1: First Look At Their Flagship Hardtail

[@daniels6997]

That first look on Steve's face when he stops turning the cranks and hears the hub sound 😊I was also thinking like something sounded weird

[@hardtailparty]

Its not the first shimano hub that sounded wonky. See this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bp7bYZabZ9KMm9k

[@martinbedard371]

@@hardtailparty they all do! At least it's been reliable. But man it's annoying

[@jeangreco8714]

🤣🤣🤣

[@baddriversofcolga]

I think I got super lucky with my SLX hub because it's nearly silent.

[@hardtailparty]

@@NoBrakes23 exactly. They sent the good ones out to the mags for review, then a month later announced they wouldn't be silent anymore.

[@mattmitchell5320]

It's always a great day when Hardtail Party drops a new video!!! Bike looks Sick!

[@sixate]

I literally just spit my drink on my phone when you spun that wheel up. The look on your face from the sound was hilarious. 😆 It's a great looking bike, from the drive side, but that cable routing would drive me mad. Hope the ride can make up for it.

[@Yoda-em5mt]

Please confirm you had a cable tie in the spokes for that awefull noise ? I have hated shimano hubs for almost 40 years that noise sounds like a bomb about to explode ?wtf ?

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

I'm glad you called out the cable routing. So many bike manufactures get it wrong on external routing and instead of making it a priority right after geo, they place it somewhere after what color decals they are going to use. My '19 Chameleon got it right, and was one of the reasons I bought it.... that may sound stupid to some, but to those of us that get it, it's a big deal.

[@Dark__Thoughts]

I love the routing on my Mmmbop. Up to three cables along the bottom of the top tube and then the rear brake and shifter cable route along the bottom of the seat stay. It's soooo clean and the symmetry is really satisfying.

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

@@Dark__Thoughts Your bike is exactly like my Chameleon.

[@turbobrick3250]

Norco should be embarrassed about that cable routing

[@nathanwhitmire3888]

Well said!

[@adanielweaver]

I don't entirely agree. On my Transition bikes, they route the brake cable along the side like that and it works great and is hidden in pictures. Doesn't get in the way of the water bottle or get caked in mud on the downtube. It just looks weird here because of the skinny steel tubes. On the alloy model it probably looks better.

[@easternelement10]

So glad you finally got a Torrent on the channel. I’ve been on my S1 for a year and a half now riding everything from lift access downhill parks to old school freeride trails to dirt jumps. My absolute favorite bike I’ve owned! Geometry is spot on and really becomes playful at speed. I thought the cable routing was odd at first, but it actually never became a problem for me. I run an extra zip tie around the cables between the frame cable guides and they stay tidy and out of the way. Only downside I have seen on this frame is some chainslap underneath the chainstay that can eventually wear into the derailleur housing without a chainstay protector.

[@BrianRPaterson]

I don't think Steve ever sleeps. Just keeps testing bikes and pumping out reviews.

[@martinbedard371]

I've been a proud owner of that bike since last November and my oh my I'm soo happy they finally listened to me I've been reaching out to them for the past year for you to get at least a frame and they finally answered! I agree with you on the cable routing I ended up rerouting my rear brake to the top tube so it doesn't look quite as nice in pictures but so much safer. I find this frame is perfect ride quality wise and geo wise. I'm 5'6", 180 lbs with riding gear and ride a medium on natural technical slabs and rooty downhill/ bike park-ish terrain in eastern Canada all the to more XC ish terrain and it handles the corners like a dream!

[@hardtailparty]

Thanks for reaching out to them, that always helps!

[@JoeX96]

Love the Torrent. Can’t wait for the ride review 💪

[@s14tat]

Hey it's bruiser bikes!

[@chewcheen]

SO stoked to see that you got one in for review. I've owned this bike since March 1st and have gone on over 70 rides on it so far. I live on Vancouver Island, so my riding is steep/loam/western Canada gnar. My last bike was a 2019 Big Honzo alu, and the steel Torrent from the get-go is a noticeably more compliant ride. The Torrent seat tube is much shorter than the Honzo (awesome), so I sold the 170 post and got a 210mm post from 1up so I can slam it on the descents. (Note that where the cable enters the seat tube, you might not be able to run as long of a post on a medium frame as I can on my large). Anyway, I friggin love this bike. It's def a tad heavier b/c of the steel, but I'll take the vibration absorption over the aluminum Kona any day. As for cable routing, you'll get over it. It hasn't caused any issues with me, so it's a non-issue. When people see my bike and ask, "Hey, how do you like the Torrent?" I've stopped trying to explain, as all of them are curious full-squish riders. I just say "Everything that you heard about this bike... is true. It shreds." At least, I find that it does. Hope you find that it does too. Can't wait to hear your ride review on this bike. BTW, I hated the fizik seat. It's too triangular, so it jabbed into my inner thighs on the chunky stuff. Swapped it out for a Chromag.

[@moreypc]

I built up this frame last year when they dropped and love it. Cable routing ain't great but it's a killer bike and I can use a 210mm dropper on it. I've ridden it on everything from pedaly Bend trails to all out DH and it's money. Wish it was a bit less stiff... you'll probably feel that way too.

[@TheFatSteez]

Any idea what the frame weight is? Cheers

[@moreypc]

@@TheFatSteez something around 7 pounds, not light at all. It’s a bit heavier than my FS.

[@BgRdDg40]

Just recently found your channel. I love it. You are saving me so much time and I appreciate that.

[@MikeOnaBike]

Glad you finally got this (my bike). Can’t wait to see what you think of it.

[@jjhaydos9877]

I loved this when I heard about it... then went into a shop to look, saw the cable routing and changed my mind completely. Shame

[@matthewcarson1280]

Can't wait to see the review. Make us more how to vids! I want to learn how to hit tech climbs like you

[@illhumouredparadox]

Always liked the look of the Torrent. Cheers 🤙

[@davidh7414]

Really looking forward to this. I bought the 2021 Norco Fluid HT and over-forked it to 130mm but was 'this close' to buying the Torrent A1. One interesting point is the seat tube of the torrent HT is shorter than the same size Fluid HT! The cable routing on the Fluid is also hopeless but in a different way. The cables are not fixed at the entry port and the exit is a giant hole in front of the bottom bracket. The BB cable hole is very wide, yet somehow so thin that you cant fit a sound reducing sheath around any cables. Rattle, rattle, rattle, rattle, rattle, rattle...

[@FlyingBrickADV]

This bike, well the 2020 version, has revived my love of mountain biking. The geo has been a revelation to me. Really interested to hear what you think.

[@ds1755]

The bike looks great but I have to agree with him on the cable routing. Cables look like they were an after thought & definitely can/more likely get snagged where they are routed. I appreciate the external routing for easy setups. Hopefully Norco sees this video & addresses this ASAP. Thanks for the initial review, looking forward to the ride review.

[@austindean4035]

Can't wait to see the review!

[@leanasf821]

What is that hub sound?!

[@aaron.ohalloran7312]

I was looking for a torrent video from you before i bought mine, well its here now lol Ive been absolutely loving mine i built it up from frame, running it mullet and that green is just epic! I cant agree more about the cable routing tho…

[@jeremyspringer8236]

Can’t wait to hear the ride review! I have a 2020 S2, first REAL mountain bike I’ve owned, and I’m curious to find out if it’s considered a “compliant” steel hardtail, or if I’m getting beat up without realizing. Love it either way! Even with the ugly cable routing!

[@glenzigdan]

I have the 2020 which is black and you don't notice the cables as much. I think they could have definitely come up with something cleaner for a high end bike.

[@TheHuester44]

The aluminum version would be interesting to see a review on . Hope you’re doing well Steve .

[@МихаилСафонов-ю4ь]

Hello, I'm interested in your opinion on Norco Torrent in comparison with Jamis Dragon.

[@wesleywermuth9545]

Can’t wait for the ride review!

[@yegmtb8377]

The video ive been waiting for yay

[@prudentiaski]

What you said about that seat tube... really is the story of your life! 😂

[@evo1007]

Love the look of this bike except for the cable routing just looks a complete no no. Under the top tube every time for me. Surprised about the 175 cranks too as not everyone who needs a bigger frame has long legs. Nice bike though.

[@martinbedard371]

It's weird because mine came with 170mm cranks and it's a medium.. must be a stocking issue

[@chiefsilverback]

I know Norco are slowly expanding their "Ride Aligned" program so maybe the long term plan is that you'll be able to select your preferred crank length? Orbea offer this to varying degrees on their bikes. I was able to spec my new Oiz TR with a longer dropper and shorter cranks and no cost.

[@jackmcandle6955]

I think Norco was going for the slightest bend coming off of the brake and shifter angle and the short head tube seems like a tighter turn to the top tube 🤷🏻

[@pauls3616]

Too bad about the cable routing. Hopefully the ride is impressive. Looking forward to the review. Thanks Hardtail Party.

[@isaacbrooks5999]

When did Shimano start making chainsaws? That hub sounds awful😳

[@hardtailparty]

I boosted the volume a little so you could hear it better. It's not quite this loud in real life, but it's definitely intermittent like that.

[@Yoda-em5mt]

I think i could hear that hub in aus without the wi fi , Steve be very dubious about stomping on the power on shimano hubs i had one fail on me mid sprint it ended badly over 300 stiches in my face then my modelling days were over ha ha had to ride bikes for a living.

[@hardtailparty]

@@Yoda-em5mt man, that sucks. They sounded bad on the honzo esd too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bp7bYZabZ9KMm9k

[@Yoda-em5mt]

@@hardtailparty i was kidding about modelling i' ve always been ugly ha ha . A customer of mine bought me a t shirt from moab , mtbers code pain is temporary bones heal and glory is foreever chicks dig scars. How about a vid on the workings of that hub ie a pull down would be interesting as i know shimanos line will be oh never heard of that gee you the first to complain and so on .

[@ReindeerBork]

I really like the cable routing it looks different and utilitarian. Id rather internal but this looks cooler than the bottom mounting.

[@davidh7414]

Steel frames usually avoid internal routing. Less chance of moisture ingress and rust.

[@hansonwang2121]

That hub noise. Is it the audio or does it just sound terrible?

[@hardtailparty]

That's the actual hub noise. The new shimano hubs worry me.

[@martinbedard371]

They are really annoying but it has been reliable for the last year of riding in eastern Canada

[@BrianRPaterson]

@@hardtailparty I pestered you on Patreon earlier for an opinion on Shimano's new wheels. I think you've answered the question. I'll consider something else. Cheers 🥂

[@findtherightbeat]

The front center looks very long like the Taival, interesting as how it would feel to weight the front when cornering. Also, I don't understand companies running cabling under the bottom bracket and the chainstays

[@shaunroach7829]

Exciting new look, cable routing definitely 🤨 questionable. The Shimano hubs echoing in and out like that would definitely take time to get used too. Either silent hubs or loud with a consistent sound. Looking forward to the review and you answering the age old question 🙋‍♂️ steel is reel or not on this bike!!!

[@davekoch4335]

I've been waiting over a year now for my a2 ht torrent and I'm going nuts any tips for staying sane

[@hardtailparty]

I wish i had tips, that's a tough one.

[@thomaskuhn6541]

I hate it when bikes have the cable routing below the BB and along the bottom of the chainstays. My ROS 9 has that and the cable housing just gets destroyed from stuff flying up off the trail. But I'm excited about your upcoming review of this bike. I have to check the pricing on the Alu version.

[@jg2wheels]

I almost bought one of those frames, but opted to pre-order a Canfield Nimble9 so I could run SS. I'm still waiting on the Canfield 🙄. Maybe should've went Norco?

[@1josefat]

If you took an inch out of the seat tube it look like the saddle would be in your rear tire

[@hardtailparty]

Possibly. I'd love the option though. :)

[@dhones23]

First Steve spins up the rear wheel & hears that hub. Then Steve looks like he's sitting next to someone that just farted in Church...

[@titochris2701]

Would you mullet this bike?

[@SheGotHelicopters]

That hub was purring or growling or something there at the end. Wow.

[@limehelper2407]

Looks like a great bike! I'm a new convert to MTBs, so still learning... do you happen to have the weight of the complete bike and/or the frame, by any chance? Many Thanks!

[@hardtailparty]

I totally blew it and forgot to weigh this one. I thought it came in around 32 lbs

[@limehelper2407]

@@hardtailparty Thank you very much! No worries, its after all still possible to do if you haven't returned it.

[@christopherkemp5778]

How heavy is the frame you like?

[@chickensendies]

Absolutely stellar looking bike! But those cables lol

[@RowdyHonzo]

My Torrent AL sounds like a blender bottle when descending with their internal routing. Strange they're doing IR on the aluminum but not on the steel.

[@hardtailparty]

Ir adds the possibility of rust. Aluminum doesn't rust so it's not a big deal

[@jurisx85]

FINALLY!!!

[@simonsays5979]

Is it possible to convert a quick release to a through axle on the rear? I ride a 2019 giant fathom 1 29er

[@hardtailparty]

See my trials build video

[@ryancayetano]

that’s rad!!

[@tomf2013]

I've always liked Stan's wheels too but apparently drive side cracks on the rear spoke holes are common on mk3 wheels. Sort of bumming me out. :-(

[@hardtailparty]

I think it depends on which nipples are used.

[@rockefelleragent1357]

Nice bike. That chain stay doesn't seem to look like a 420mm.. Is that 27.5" tires?

[@hardtailparty]

Rear centrer is 420mm on the geo chart.

[@rockefelleragent1357]

@@hardtailparty Ok thanks

[@devinbyrnes8058]

If they shipped that bike to me, I would assume they assembled the wheel wrong or that the hub is faulty. Never heard a noise like that before.

[@hardtailparty]

See my Marin El roy first look. Same hub, same awful sound.

[@robax3r]

lol i ask for this review yesterday not knwing it was actually going to happen... impressive performance lol

[@hardtailparty]

I aim to please

[@jurisx85]

Man, there’s got to be a solution for those cables.

[@soco4949]

Only braze-ons for 1 water bottle? bummer...

[@Yoda-em5mt]

Hey Steve did i really hear you really say to aggressive? What the ? It sounds like trails are not gnarly enough ha in the 50 ° maybe ha ha.

[@michaelkroleski]

420mm chainstays scare me on any type of high speed chattery sections.

[@hardtailparty]

All hardtails scare me on any type of high speed chattery section.

[@5150abbott]

$3000 bike with SLX is a no for me. Should of been full XT drive train. Cable routing is horrible.

[@hardtailparty]

I think it's got good components where it counts: RockShox lyrik, stans flow rims, and a steel frame with great geo.

[@5150abbott]

@@hardtailparty I agree on that part. But come on....step up the game just a notch on the drive train.

[@rpiian]

Shimano in the running for worst sounding hub ever? Even my MT400's sounded better than that!

[@davidh7414]

I think The new Deore Level MT4XX hubs have sealed bearings. SLX and up use cup and cone. My Deore hub with a micro spline freehub definitely does not sound like that.

[@hardtailparty]

@@davidh7414i think the one on my honzo esd sounded even worse. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bp7bYZabZ9KMm9k

[@rosslyall7369]

The look of the bike is ruined by the cable routing

[@johnster187]

Not for me......... OCD and them cables just dont work............. Geometry seem good tho............. lets see how it rides hey!!

[@pepeanza6187]

3 ks bike and whit that horrible cable routing that's inaceptable

[@CptMooney]

Geo numbers indeed look nice, but 3 grand? Thanks, ill pass...

[@hardtailparty]

Steel frame, lyric, and stand flow wheels add up FAST

[@cellphonenut]

Cable routing is unacceptable 😑would not buy