Is It Better? Norco Optic C1 Review | Short Travel, High Pivot

The 2024 ‪@NorcoBicyclesOfficial‬ Optic saw a ground-up redesign, with the most notable change being the switch from a standard Horst Link rear suspension to a high-pivot Four Bar layout utilizing Norco's VPSHP platform - the same system found on the recent Norco Sight. How does the suspension layout change influence the performance of Norco’s rowdy short travel trail mountain bike? We’ve been logging the miles to find out.
Written Review: theloamwolf.co...
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[@TeddyParker]

Everybody having a whinge in the comment. It's different! PRAISE BE someone in the industry is having fun and making a 'weird' bike that doesn't go out of its way to 'serve' everyone. We don't need yet another mid travel 29er 64-65 HTA bike with the same suspension platform as everyone else doing the same thing the same way. WEIRD IS GOOD! Short travel high pivot with an MX flip chip running a friggin down stroked Vivid or X2 is AMAZING! Keep MTBing weird lol

[@SudoChuckwalla]

1000%

[@TheLoamWolf]

@@TeddyParker I support this - Cole

[@jlcousineau]

I’m 5’10” and I own a s3, can confidently say it’s the most fun bike I’ve ridden. Set up with a 150mm fork and a vivid ultimate in full 29” It generates more traction when standing up and climbing tech than anything else I’ve ridden. It lets you charge and turns into a sled around corners, as the rear end grows, it generates more traction. The “on the limit” composure is my favorite part, even comparing it to larger bikes like the sentinel, when shit gets fast and you run out of suspension and skill, the optic stays level and doesn’t sea-saw or get pinged around in the same way as some other bikes, even a category up. After about 1000 miles I have no plans of swapping it for something else at the end of the season. Definitely not for everyone, but absolutely perfect for hard charging riders who want to interact with the trail. People shopping for a trail bike this likely isn’t the right bike. But people who currently ride a 140-150mm bike and are looking for something a little more sharp feeling while maintaining the capability, this thing is the bomb.

[@TheLoamWolf]

@@jlcousineau heck yeah, the Vivid would definitely be a really good shock for this bike backed up with a Lyrik. Definitely had me wondering! I was definitely surprised how composed it was over rough fast bits. - Cole

[@philfort7886]

This bike work with 150mm fork?? I was thinking that this bike can only have an 140mm fork. Did the geo change too much?? I was looking for the sight and optic and i don't which bike i need for my style of ride

[@russellmontez3936]

Great review! I custom built mine by removing the travel reducer in the vivid for about 137mm in the rear, no issues, 160 lyrik, -1 angleset , Dominion A4 brakes, carbon wheels. This bike corners on rails and can hang with enduro bikes. Amazing rear suspension performance! I'm blown away how hard and fast i can ride this "little" bike.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Glad to hear you like yours!

[@philfort7886]

This bike can work with 160mm fork?? Would it be too much for the bike?? Does it work with 160mm fork? Why you choose the optic instead of the sight if you run an 160mm fork?

[@jlcousineau]

@@russellmontez3936 that’s the setup! I have mine pretty similar, are you running 185x52.5 or the full 185x55 on the vivid?

[@pgson8929]

Having the old optic and I absolutely love it (its in the never sell category) i really like the look of this bike. If only it wasnt for the whack sizing.

[@TheLoamWolf]

@@pgson8929 the previous gen is a hard one to top for sure

[@acarter028]

I’m really loving these style of reviews. Awesome stuff

[@TheLoamWolf]

Glad you like them!

[@aaronblonden6774]

My alloy vivid build is a tank and functions as my enduro bike. Geo is perfect for whatever, and the bike inspires confidence and playfulness. Not cost effective but i built frame up so i could use what i like.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks for sharing!

[@cryx4]

This thing is epic but putting Level brakes on it is outrageous imo. This is obviously meant to be the dh-racer's XC bike and I think most would appreciate something closer to a code / xt 4 pot.

[@bullit4x]

I like it. I also LOVE my aluminum spectral 125. I bought the base model and upgraded literally everything. Nobl tr37’s, Xt drivetrain and brakes and I’m still 5200 bucks cheaper than the norco with identical geo. I did bump my fork up to 150 and my spectral RIPS. But. If I was a dentist I’d go with the forbidden Druid. I think the 150mm travel and up is where the norco’s shine.

[@TheLoamWolf]

@@bullit4x I still love the 140mm spectral from earlier this year. Definitely interested to see how the 125 would compare to the Optic. What does yours weigh in at?

[@bullit4x]

@ between 31 and 33 depending on what tires I’m running.

[@xaverymulholland5279]

Sweet bike. Sounds like a great trail ripper for local trail centres that are a bit more chuncky. I do think they shit themselves in the foot a little with the sizing gaps they chose.

[@nayr8453]

Thats a damn good lookin bike.

[@nelsonalvarez9054]

Introducing to you the Mini Slash c1

[@NoShredDad]

Level breaks is a big miss on this. Need Codes!!

[@jubalvw3302]

Weird. Three different rims for the C1 model. Unions in this video, Triads on the website photos, but Factions in the description from Norco....

[@guidouable]

Own 7 bikes including the new Sight. But the new Optic is the most lively, playful, poppy bike I own. Such a fun bike to ride.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Awesome to hear and thanks for sharing.

[@51249ca]

hmm...never had any rattle with my OneUp dropper post

[@joehoeper3941]

Not a fan of high pivots - owned one for two seasons, then got on a Nomad and liked the SC better than I ever did my Dreadnought.

[@hansonwang2121]

I love Norco, I’ve owned 3 different models however I don’t understand this new Optic. If you’re going to make a 125mm bike weigh and climb like a 150mm bike then why not just get a 150mm bike? On a side note I don’t know why they speced this new Optic with a Fox 34 when the previous generation had a 36 yet this new optic is more geared towards downhill.

[@cloud6074]

Will there be a Forbidden supernough review?

[@TheLoamWolf]

@@cloud6074 oh man we hope! That bike is a looker

[@cloud6074]

@ for sure, might just have to order it without any reviews published anywhere. It was just confusing since it’s been out a year now and every review site was keen to review the dreadnought en druid. But no one dare touch the supernought for some reason

[@TheLoamWolf]

From our experience it’s not that people don’t want to touch it, it’s that Forbidden do not want to send media test bikes out…take that for whatever you may? It has us wondering though.

[@cloud6074]

@ ah that is odd. The only thing I was able to find was a guy on reddit that’s racing one. He liked it but that’s really all I was able to find

[@tomasstraka5244]

those brakes are a joke compared to the rest of the spec... :D

[@topchoice1621]

9k for this bike I feel Is a bit too steep but hey who am I to say

[@TheDiablosix6six]

Great review but is 125mm high pivot a bit to much. I understand If it was a 140mm and up but 125mm doesn't make sense. I actually have a high pivot bike...Deviate Highlander 2...and the high pivot does really feel different from a "standard" suspension!! Also love the fact you put in the € price!!

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks! Yeah we are torn on this one too. It’s an interesting combo for sure

[@mtbct]

497mm REACH! No wonder the seat is pushed so far forward on the rails 😂

[@TheLoamWolf]

@@mtbct yeppp, but to be fair I always have the seat pretty much maxed out. - Cole

[@ridemx323]

Level brakes on this bike is an insult. Oneup dropper sucks.

[@ark530abe]

Love high pivots but bo one talks about the noise they make when they get some grit and dirt in them. How does this bike do with mud and dust?

[@TheLoamWolf]

Fair question, totally forgot to mention this in the video. It’s no better or worse than any other high pivot. Definitely worth keeping clean.

[@danparker4401]

I own the C2 Mx, and also came off a 2020 C1. I am still dialling in my suspension slowly (trying so hard to not just default to the ShockWiz), but man it's a fun bike. I honestly don't notice the sound, over any other trail noise. Maybe if I rode heaps on the pavement? To even mention the noise over everything else this bike offers, is like owning a Ferrari and moaning about the fuel efficiency.

[@ark530abe]

@@danparker4401idk ive owned 2 high pivots and they both pick up noise fairly quickly. My druid will literally starting creaking/grinding after riding a slightly dusty or wet trail. It’s not bad when I’m just going dh but having to pedal a grinding bike is unsettling in my opinion. Love the feel hate the sounds. Im also someone who truly enjoys a quiet bike. Some people don’t but I literally will tear my bike apart instead of ride.

[@ark530abe]

@@danparker4401Im not talking about this bike exactly but more on all high pivots in general. Ive owned a druid v1 and a commencal supreme and both bike pedal loudly in dusty Colorado

[@bradcomis1066]

The idler on this bike isn't narrow wide, so it makes less noise than most idler bikes. Just throw a little bit of chain lube on quick before a ride and the noise isn't an issue (IME with my Sight).

[@Bierce88]

Why do yall always just get the most expensive build possible? Its out of touch with what people are actually buying.

[@Trade2Invest-]

Eventually people upgrade their stuff😊

[@TheLoamWolf]

It’s mostly on what the brands have available to send/want to showcase. I have a base level Top Fuel we are working on now!

[@RookYZRM1]

Could be wrong, but my guess is the entry level reviews don’t get the views. I know I’m not watching them🤷🏼‍♂️

[@pgson8929]

Im glad they do. If it was a budget build i wouldnt even bother watching the review. It would be harder getting a sense of how the frame and geo performed if the reviewer is trying to isolate whether poor performance was due to the components or the frame/geo

[@cliffordjosey9924]

So S4 is XL? I thought it was a large. I know they stretched the reach numbers a bit on these. Being 6’2” I’m pretty comfy on the XL VLT Range at 517mm