We ride the all-new 2024 Norco Sight and Optic

Norco have just released the latest iterations of the popular Optic and Sight, with both bikes showing an evolution of the outgoing models with a few key updates that make a big difference on the trail.

At first glance it may look like they have just brought the high pivots across from the Aurum, Shore and Range, but there are far more changes going on. Norco engineers went deep, with testing mules to dial in the right kinematics for each model, updating axle paths, progression, versatility and overall construction quality of the new platforms.

Sizing and geometry for Norco 2024

Norco also added an extra size to their range, adopting reach based sizing for 5 sizes from 1-5. This has added more overalp between sizes, but also caters better for taller riders as well.

The high pivot designs haven't been added due to fashion. Norco's engineers stated they have learnt something from every design so far, with the idler location chosen specifically to suit the design of either the Optic or Sight. The idler is all-new with 18t and a design tested every which way for quiet operation and chain security. It is amazingly silent.

Some classic Norco traits remain, like size-specific geometry. Norco have also overhaulled their RideAligned software to help you get everything out of your new bike. You can adjust your weight balance, the terrain you are riding and even the conditions to get a better tyre and suspension setup – you can even save your different bikes and different setups in a virtual garage on the app!

Mullets rule for Norco in 2024

Both the Optic and Sight will be sold in Australian in mixed (MX, mullet) wheel size options, not the 29” sample configurations shown here. However, Norco Australia will stock the link and lower shock mount so you can swap to a 29er build if you like. Norco designed the bikes around a change in hardware, to ensure the geometry and kinematics remain completely unchanged from how they designed them. So – how did they ride?

Riding the 2024 Norco Sight

Words: Hayden Wright | Photos: Gerard Lagana

It takes a mere glance to recognise that the new generation of Sight casts quite a different silhouette to its predecessor that was launched in mid 2019. The previous generation sight was popular thanks to its utilitarian construction, capable chassis and considered specification. At the time of release, it was right at the forefront of geometry design which has since become the norm in the trail bike realm; steep seat tubes, long front ends and relaxed head angles. That geometry remains on the new iteration, with only minor variances to the dimensions and angles which make up these Canadian all mountain machines.

While a move to a 5 size specification does increase choice and overlap for riders to pick the bike that best suits them, the numbers within those sizes are fairly run of the mill.

What is different is the suspension layout and wheel size options. While this bike is still running the Horst-link Norco are well-known for, it now has an ace up its sleeve. As with the new Optic the 2024 Sight has a raised main pivot and concentric idler pulley which is attached to the chain stay – what Norco are calling VHS HP. The specific idler location was acutely tuned through the use of aluminium test mules during development. The axle path is rearward through the first 30% of the stroke, and then tails off to being more vertical through to bottom out. This provides the bump-eating character of a high pivot bike, without the drawbacks of decreased agility and manoeuvrability which can be seen with aggressively rearward axle paths deep in the travel.

The final change to the layout and kinematics of this bike is a move to a more progressive suspension curve. In Norco’s own words, the previous generation Sight was too linear. Riders who prefer a coil shock could too easily reach bottom out. As such, they have moved to a 28% rate of progression through the travel, up from 18% on the previous model. This will increase support through the end of the shock’s stroke, decreasing the likelihood of bottom out and increasing the acceptable window of tuning for each rider. Accompanying this change is a move from a 185×52.5mm shock up to a more common 205×60.

Fit and finish on the new Sight is more revolution rather than evolution over the previous model. Fully ported cable routing, capped bearings, extensive frame protection and quality hardware adorn this new frame giving it a look much similar to that of a Yeti or Santa Cruz. While we feel Norco does have a tough road ahead if they want to battle against those top-tier brands on the showroom floor, all of their recent moves tell us they’re ready for the war. Increased frame quality, product support (like, a lifetime frame warranty!), marketing spend and ride quality are all steps towards riders choosing a Sight as their next bike over a SB-150 or Hightower.

On the Trail with the 2024 Norco Sight C1

I had a Sight C1 with 160/150mm of travel parked up in my garage around a month ago, and was able to get out on a few rides on it. I am very familiar with high pivot bikes, so my mind was fairly made up on how this bike would behave out on the trail before I even swung a leg over it. I was very wrong.

The unique combination of a very short rear-centre and a rearward axle path led to a truly unique trail experience. I was able to do all my favourite car park jibs, much to my surprise. Long forgotten due to my inability to manual the Forbidden Dreadnought I typically call home, the Sight was happy to pop up the front wheel and dart around gutters and kerbs. Similarly, the mellow trails that start out my typical test loop were much more fun than I had anticipated. Typically used just to check that body and brain are in gear before heading off to some chunder, I found myself popping and shooting off every little feature – another surprise! This is not to say that the rear end couldn’t soak up square edge hits.

The Sight C1 behaved very well through rock gardens, with the rear wheel getting out of the way of bumps and chatter as expected. Similarly, I enjoyed the sensation of the growing rear centre length through long bermed turns. While it takes some getting used to, having a bike that increases in stability as you push through a compression is nothing but a good thing in my mind. While not as stable or forgiving as the Dreadnought in the most dire of situations, the Sight was a much more mild mannered beast on all other styles of trail. Another key point of interest was how quiet this bike is. New drivetrain aside, the extensive chain stay protection and fully ported cables made for a deathly quiet ride. And what about that idler I hear you say? I honestly did not notice it.

Who should consider a 2024 Norco Sight?

Riders who are looking to invest in a capable all-mountain bike for all day epics and enduro racing would be happy on one of these new Sights. While the idler pulley may scare off some, the proof really is in the pudding when it comes to the ride character on these new bikes. Through the implementation of a unique suspension curve which Norco have spent years working towards, they have delivered a bike that manages to be stable, yet playful. Their new 5 size system and mixed wheel configuration means that most if not all riders from short right through to tall should be able to find a Sight to fit their needs.

Change the mount and link to change from MX to 29er (and the wheel, obviously)

Norco Sight 2024 models in Australia

Advanced Traders are bringing in 3 Sight models, all with mullet wheel configurations. At the tip of the spear is the $10,499 C1 Carbon, which comes with Fox Factory suspension, a GX AXS drivetrain, Code brake set and a set of Race Face Vault Hubs on Stans Flow S2 rims. Next up is the $8,999 C2 Carbon, which has SRAM Ultimate level suspension, Code stealth brake set and a base level Eagle mechanical drivetrain. The wheels are once again Stans Flow S2 rims, however this time Race Face Trace hubs are used. Those who prefer aluminium bikes can choose the A2, which for $6,999 gives Fox Performance suspension and a full SLX groupset, excluding Deore 4 pot brakes. Stans Flow D rims with Shimano SLX hubs round out this value oriented specification.

Riding the 2024 Norco Optic

Words: Mike Blewitt | Photos: Gerard Lagana

Having spent quite a lot of time on the last two iterations of the Optic, I was interested to see where the 2024 model landed. The Optic was released in 2016 had a huge overhaul in late 2019, and that Optic has won praise throughout the mountain bike world. I had an Optic C3 for most of 2020 as a long-term trail bike, and it truly rewarded a rider that pushed to find the limits.

While the geometry and handling was leading the way for much of the bike industry for this type of short travel trail bike, some riders still had a few complaints with the 140/125mm 29er. Personally, I still found it a bit too active when working the bike on undulating trails, although this was remedied in a way by different shock options in later model years. The complaint from those wanting to really push the bike was the issues around leverage rate, and the air volume issues. Riders were hitting the maximum shock pressure trying to get the support they wanted.

The 2024 Optic has had a total suspension redesign, including adding a high pivot setup designed to give 7mm of axle growth about two thirds of the way into the travel, while still giving an excellent pedalling platform and more confidence to really let the bike go. The design has opened up the air volume restrictions and the Optic is also compatible with a coil shock.

Geometry hasn't had any radical changes, just the shift to 5 sizes which happened with the Sight, and we can expect to happen with more releases from Norco in the future. I found a size 3 felt awesome for my 178cm with lanky arms, it was shorter than the large I'd tested and ridden a tonne before – but that was a good thing. Would I opt for a size 3 when the next generation Revolvers appear? Maybe, maybe not. But on the Optic it felt like a much better fit for me. And that's the general idea of the sizing, is to offer more overlap for riders. There is no way I would ride a medium in the past sizing – they felt tiny. The large was good but sometimes a bit long in flatter corners unless you really rode the front. But just like Goldilocks figured out, the one in the middle was just right for me.

Overall, the Optic is just an evolution of its former self, it is still designed to be a capable and aggressive short travel trail bike. But I did wonder if a 125mm was enough to warrant the high pivot and idler?

On the trail with the 2024 Norco Optic

Make no mistake, I'm not the kind of rider to get on an Optic and find its absolute limit. That said, I prefer a shorter travel trail bike to a longer one, and I'd rather ride a short travel trail bike near the limit for me and it, rather than wallow around on a long travel bike. I[d much rather have a responsive bike than something overdone for how and where I ride.

Hayden and I tested the Sight and Optic respectively before the new Ride Aligned software was available, and I really believe that setuop tool makes a difference for fine-tuning how a bike rides. That said, we are both adept at setup to get bikes riding how we want them to, but I do think the precise setup available to every rider with RideAligned is a real stand out for Norco. Just make sure you get a digital shock pump and tyre pressure gauge to make the best use out of it! And yes, 1-2 psi do make a difference. 

The central position when seated and climbing up to the trail head was instantly noticeable. It has been a few years since I was on an Optic, and while they climbed ok I just don't think they really climbed as well as they should. I expected it to be worse with an idler and high pivot, but it was very good, with plenty of snap for a burst out of the saddle. According to Norco's engineers, this is by design. They didn't want any of the elements of the Optic to be lost by moving to the new suspension design – they just wanted to enhance it.

On the first rough descent I use as a speed check, the Optic was fast. It remained planted when it needed to be, without pinging off the freshly revealed rocks and roots after the rain events we have had in February. With a fast succession of corners, the agility of the previous models remains, with the Optic deftly changing direction with subtle input. While I only got a few rides on the Optic, this is the first time on a high pivot bike and I'd expected a far more muted ride – more plow than wow. But what I experienced instead was a bike that kept the pop of the previous Optic, with an overall better climbing manner, and a more planted character when you're trying to squash jumps and keep the bike finding traction on rough and loose terrain.

While the suspension design shows the benefits of extensive real world testing with a wide variety of riders, I think a lot of the handling really comes down to subtle updates to the geometry as well. The 472.5mm reach and 77 degree head angle meant I was really balanced, and that counts on a bike like the Optic. You need to be able to lead with the front and use the fork – if the bike is too long or slack you can't do that, and go from being a rider to a passenger.

I was very impressed with the latest generation Optic. I think it could be an exceptional trail bike for those who want a bike that doesn't turn the sound down on the trails you are riding, but it still begs you to give it some more input to let it go. I expected its character to have changed with the shift to a high pivot design with idler – but unless I looked down I didn't notice. The system is whisper quiet and stable (something the enginners spent a lot of time on) and they use a different location for the idler compared to the Sight to give the Optic better pedalling dynamics. It's not a shorter travel Sight – it's just a new Optic.

When I first tested the Optic in 2016, Norco had set out to create an agile and capable trail bike. Back then the 27.5" model I had on release had a 130/120 mix, and the 29er I tested later that year ran 120/110mm. Norco wanted the ride to stay the same whether you were on a 29" or 27.5", and that same mentality plays true for the 2024 Optic. Regardless of wheel setup, the Norco engineers want the rider to have the same suspension kinematics and handling within the realms of 29 v MX setup. While I only rode the Optic in a 29" setup, it is clearly still and Optic, but one that has truly evolved – especially since 2016.

Norco Optics in Australia

There will only be one Optic carbon model in Australia, with the C2 that uses a Lyrik, SRAM GX Eagle T-type and a Vivid rear shock – it will sell for $9999. Norco Australia are still holding the previous generation Optics in stock as well. Contact Norco Australia or your local Norco dealer for more details.

https://www.norco.com/