The new Norco 2022 range – Suspensions high axle rear for an enduro bike

After many spy shots and rumors making the rounds, Norco now presents its all-new 2022 range. The bike is designed for enduro racing, riding on 29″ wheels and offering a massive 170mm of travel. But what advantages can suspension offer virtual high pin and idler pulley and what alternatives are there to the €9.999 top model?

The new 2022 Norco range builds on the Canadian bike brand's many years of experience, releasing the primor model already in 2012. This primuntil the enduro racing scene really began. The brand new range was developed collaboratively with the Norco World Cup downhill team and is designed specifically for racing. For now, it will only be available with a carbon frame, which offers 170mm of travel at the front and rear. The 29″ bike has a suspension design virtual high-pivot rear with an idler pulley, which, in addition to the advantages of a high-pivot bike, promises to keep the center of gravity nice and low.

Suspend Rear Virtual High Pivot and idler pulley

Norco already has a high pivot bike in the range, its downhill race bike the Norco HSP, taking things even further with the new range. The seat stay of the suspension virtual high-pivot rear is connected to the front triangle high above the bottom bracket. Therefore, the four-bar linkage should allow the rear wheel to move backwards and up when hitting an obstacle. To minimize the pedal kickback this causes, the chain is guided around an idler pulley.

The construction variants and availability of the new 2022 Norco range

The new 2022 Norco range will be available in three construction variants, from the top model C1 to the entry level C3. A frameset will also be available. They are priced between €3.799 (frame set) and €9.999 (builds C1) and should be available from autumn 2021. All bikes offer enough space for a 750 ml water bottle and are equipped with an additional tool holder on the frame.

Norco C1 range 2022 | 170/170 mm of travel (f/r) | €9.999

Fork Fox Factory 38 Grip 2 FLOAT 170 mm
Rear shock absorber FOX DHX2 factory coil
Handlebar Divinity Skywire Carbon 800 mm
Stem Alloy 40 mm
seatpost Adjustable dropper OneUp
Brakes SRAM Code RSC Metallic Pads
Transmitted SRAM X01 Eagle
wheels DT Swiss EXC 1501 29 "
Tyres Maxxis Assegai 2,5" DD/Dissector 2,4" WEIGHT & DAYS

Norco Gamma C2 2022

Norco C2 range 2022 | 170/170 mm of travel (f/r) | €7.499

Fork RockShox ZEB Ultimate RC2 170 mm
Rear shock absorber FOX DHX2 factory coil
Handlebar Ridgeline Deity 800 mm
Stem CNC alloy 40 mm
seatpost TranzX YSP-105 Adjustable Dropper
Brakes SRAM Code R 4 Metallic Pads 
Transmitted SRAM GX Eagle
Hub DT Swiss 350
Wheel e*thirteen LG1 IT 29 "
Tyres Maxxis Assegai 2,5" DD/Dissector 2,4" WEIGHT & DAYS

Norco Gamma C3 2022

Norco C3 range 2022 | 170/170 mm of travel (f/r) | €6.199

Fork loader RockShox ZEB R 170 mm
Rear shock absorber FOX DHX2 factory coil
Handlebar 6061 Aluminium 800 mm
Stem e*thirteen Base 40 mm
seatpost TranzX YSP-105 Adjustable Dropper
Brakes Shimano BR-MT520 4-piston metal pads
Transmitted Shimano SLX SL-M7100-R
Hub Shimano
Wheel Stan's Flow D 32H 29 "
Tyres Maxxis Assegai 2,5" DD/Dissector 2,4" WEIGHT & DAYS

The geometry of the new Norco 2022 range

The new 2022 Norco range will be available in four sizes from S to XL. With their "Ride Aligned Suspension Setup", Norco also adjusts the head angle, seat tube angle and adjustability of shock absorbers to adapt to every size of the frame and thus ensure a consistent riding experience for all cyclists. In size L, the frame has a radius of action of 480 mm combined with a high front end (641 mm stack). Considering the scope, we are rimasti affected by the super short seat tube. It is only 410mm long in size L, which should offer plenty of freedom of movement in combinations with long telescopic seat posts. Norco specs a 200mm dropper on the L and XL sizes and promises that it can be fully inserted. The stays measure 442,5mm in size L.

The geometry of the new 2022 Norco range in detail