Norco's 2018 range is dialled!
Norco hit the ball out of the park with the new carbon Sight and Range this year. And in 2018 the offering increases.
Norco's Sight and Range were already hits amongst trail and enduro riders, but off the back of the impressive Norco Optic that was released in April last year, Norco engineers reworked the Sight and Range, releasing he Sight Carbon and Range Carbon, in 27.5" and 29" wheel options.
Have you read our review of the Norco Sight Carbon?
Just after the Sight Cabron was launched, Norco then released the new Range Carbon. With 160mm out back and 170mm up front, this thing is a hard-hitting enduro bike, and available in 27.5" and 29" wheel options like the Sight Carbon.
One of the big changes with both bikes was the linkage design and suspension kinematics. The previous Sight and Range models pedalled really well, but almost to the detriment of their descending prowess, with a little too much antisquat built in.
With much greater shock tunes and pedalling platforms available, Norco were able to make sure they could do what they love "and that's build great descending bikes" stated Australian brand manager Robert Bekavac.
The big news from Norco for 2018 is that these same designs, and updated geometry and suspension kinematics are available on alloy models, for as little as $3199, and with two women's bikes in the Sight series as well.
The Norco Range alloy
The best thing about the Norco Range Alloy is how good they look! Ok, it's actually more about the geometry and suspension design. The Range comes in A1 (shown) at $5399 with SRAM GX Eagle, trunnion mounted Fox DPX2, Fox 36 And RaceFace AR30 wheels with Maxxis Minion DHR tyres. Available in 27.5 from S-XL, it also comes in 29" for M-XL.
The alloy frames share the same features as the carbon, like Boost spacing, short rear ends (as low as 420mm on the XS Range A3) long top tubes, and slack head angles around 65 degrees. As with any of their size specific wheel sized bikes, the geo changes to match the wheel size, and the bike size. This includes the rear centre and front centre measurements, which Norco call Gravity Tune.
Norco also use size specific tubing. So your big XL bikes will have thicker walls on the tubes to make sure they have the right stiffness and strength for riders on that sized bike. For the tiny bikes, they'll be lighter weight tubes, so the bikes don't ride with the feel of a railway sleeper.
The Range A2 sells for $4599, while the A3 comes in at $3699 – all on the same frame. The 2017 Range A3 will still be stocked into 2018, and while it has the 2017 frame and not the fully updated geometry and suspension – it also sells for $3499.
Let's not forget about carbon
And with the new alloy frames, we can't forget about the carbon models. Norco have 3 models in the Range Carbon, with the C1, C2 (pictured) and C3. You can also get a frame set in the C1 colour option (Black with some grey and orange) for $3799. The C1 runs at $8999 while the C3 is $5999.
The C2 is really dialled, and at $7299 it comes with GX Eagle 12 speed, DT-Swiss hubbed wheels with tacky E13 tyres and RockShox suspension. This bike comes in S-XL, but without the 29" option in XL. You have to get the frame, or the C3 for that big guy.
The Range, be it alloy or carbon, is the big-hitting bike for shuttled runs, the alpine bike parks, or hitting an enduro race series. And with prices starting at $3499 (for the 2017 A3) it's not priced out of the market by any means.
But what about the Sight in 2018?
The Sight expands
The story with the Sight is the same as the Range. More bikes and more options! While the Sight C2 (above) sells at $6799, you can get the same frame on the Sight C3 at $5799. It's got GX Eagle 12-speed and a DVO/Fox suspension set up with a Trans X dropper. The C2 is still GX Eagle but has a RockShox Pike, a Deluxe RT Debonair shock, ARC 30 rims not WTB i29 and in general higher spec parts.
Norco also have the option of a frame for the Sight Carbon. It is $3799, and available in 27.5" or 29" in M or L, or just 29" in XL. For the Sight C1 ($8999), C2 and C3, you can get the bikes in S-XL. S are 27.5" only, M and L are 27.5" or 29" and XL is 29" only.
Big news is there is a Sight C3 Women's, for $5799.
The frame is the same, but they come in an XS, S and M, and 27.5" wheel only. They're black, and have a women's seat (SDG) and grips (Ergon). So the big difference is the smaller frame size. That drops the reach down to 420mm, and the wheelbase is then 1094mm with 420mm chainstays.
There is also a Sight A3 Women's at $3699, with the same spec as the Sight A3 'gender neutral' model. Again, the XS size is avaliable, and they are 27.5" only.
The mighty Norco Sight Alloy
Is 140mm travel enough? Probably! The 27.5" Norco Sights have 150mm up front and 140mm out back. If you get a 29er, you knock that back 10mm front and rear. The Sight Alloy, like the 2018 Range Alloy, grabs the updated geometry and suspension kinematics from the carbon models and puts it in a value-packed package.
This Sight Alloy A3 is $3699 and has SRAM NX 11-speed, RockShox Revelations and Deluxe RT Debonair shock (trunnion mount) with a Trans X dropper post.
Norco are using Suntour cranks on some of the 3 series bikes like the Sight A3 – they look really smart. They are direct mount, and while we didn't see the mounting standard it's most likely a SRAM configuration.
The Sight Alloy range runs from the A3 pictured to the A2 at $4399, and the A1 at $4999. The A2 is silver with Shimano 11-speed SLX/XT, and the A1 jumps to 12-speed GX Eagle in a fluoro yellow-green. There's also a women's Sight A3 at $3699, with the same spec as this red one.
Sizing runs S-XL for the A1 and A2, with 27.5" in S, both wheel sizes for M and L and 29" only for XL. The A3 gains an XS as well, and the A3 Women's runs XS-M with 27.5" only.
There is also a 2017 re-order of Sight Alloy A3s, coming in at $3199. They don't have the updated geo and suspension, but you save $500!
And what about the Optic?
The Norco Optic in 2018
There are no big changes for the Optic in 2018 – as it was only released in April 2016! The fast trail bike will mostly be available in 29" wheel sizes, save for smalls. This means 120mm up front and 110mm out back. What is new is the Optic A3, shown above. At $2999, it has the same frame and suspension kinematics as the top A1 ($4499) but with SRAM NX 11-speed, a RockShox Recon Gold and Monarch shock, plus the Suntour crank set.
It's got a dropper post from Trans X and WTB i25 TCS rims and Maxxis Forekaster tyres which means you can roll away from your Norco dealer tubeless with some valves and sealant.
Norco have 7 Optic models, with 3 carbon models from $5499 up to $9999, and 4 alloy models from the $2999 A3 to the $4499 A1. There's also a A2 women's for $3799.
With SRAM NX 11-speed, Fox suspension, and WTB i25 rims and Maxxis Forekaster tyres it's a sweet rig. Both the S and M are avaliable in 29" too, while the 27.5" wheels are on the XS, and you have that option with the S as well.
The move to more substantial tyres as stock on the Optic range as good to see. The Optic 9.2 we reviewed was only ever let down by coming with XC tyres. These are one truly capable light and fast trail bike. So it's great to see a women's model for 2018.
The rest of the Norco range
There are lots more models, like the Fluid FS, with Plus bikes and women's models, and the killer value Storm and Charger hardtails.
Fat bikes are back with the Norco Big Foot, and the 2018 Revolver XC bikes have got some new colours and a jump to Boost forks – but otherwise remain fairly unchanged save for spec.
Like for 2016, Norco seem to have a really complete line up, with bikes that look well-suited to our riding. That's not bad for a brand from another country. Whether it's an XC race bike like the Revolver, a fast trail bike such as the Optic, or an all-mountain or enduro bike with the Sight or Range – you're covered. The Aurum remains and is alloy only this year. But who knows – maybe that carbon one with the raised chain line will make production soon?
The only thing missing is an all-mountain E-MTB. But maybe that's in the works as the demand grows.
For full details on the Norco line up visit your local dealer – or head to their website which will have full specs online shortly.
