RIDING THE 2024 NORCO OPTIC
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 released in 2016 had a huge overhaul for 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. 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 - it just does it better.
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. While there are only subtle changes in geometry for the new Optic, they are enough to land me onto a size 3, whereas I opted for a large on the C3 I had in 2020. With a low standover height and short seat tube for long dropper posts, it looked like a slopestyle bike, but the fit was spot on for my 178cm. I do think the 5 sizes will see more riders on their best fit size.
Hayden and I tested the Sight and Optic respectively before the new Ride Aligned software was available, which I think really makes a difference for fine-tuning setup. We are both adept at setup to get the bikes riding how we want them to, but I do think the precise setup available to every rider with this tool 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!
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 a short travel bike 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 and improve 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 was my 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 capacity to soak up bigger, successive hits without pinging the back end around.
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.
There will only be one Optic carbon model in Australia, with the C2 ($9999) that uses a Lyrik, SRAM GX Eagle T-type and a Vivid rear shock. Norco Australia are still holding the previous generation Optics in stock as well.
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 for both line creativity and reckless abandon.