Norco 2022 Range: High-Pivot Suspension for Enduro Performance

Norco 2022 Range: High-Pivot Suspension for Enduro Performance

After months of speculation, spy shots, and rumors, Norco has officially unveiled its all-new 2022 range of enduro bikes. Designed specifically for high-performance trail and enduro racing, the new lineup is built around 29-inch wheels and offers an impressive 170mm of front and rear suspension travel, providing riders with maximum control on technical descents and rough terrain.

One of the most notable features of the 2022 Norco enduro bikes is the virtual high-pivot rear suspension with an idler pulley. This design allows the rear wheel to move in a slightly elevated arc during compression, which helps to reduce pedal kickback, improve traction, and maintain a low center of gravity. The idler pulley ensures the chain tension remains consistent throughout the suspension travel, enabling smoother pedaling and better efficiency when climbing or sprinting out of corners.

The new range builds on Norco’s extensive experience in mountain biking. The brand first experimented with high-performance enduro designs in 2012, and over the years has refined its bikes through collaboration with the Norco World Cup downhill team, ensuring every detail is optimized for racing.

Currently, the 2022 Norco enduro lineup is available exclusively with carbon frames, emphasizing both lightweight construction and durability. The bikes are engineered to balance aggressive downhill capability with responsive climbing performance, making them ideal for riders who demand versatility and high-speed control on every trail.

The range also includes a variety of models to suit different budgets and rider needs, with the top-of-the-line model priced at €9,999. For riders seeking alternatives, Norco offers slightly lower-tier models that maintain the same high-pivot suspension technology and carbon frame construction, making the Norco 2022 range accessible to a broader spectrum of enduro enthusiasts.

With its combination of cutting-edge suspension technology, advanced geometry, and Norco’s racing heritage, the 2022 Norco enduro bikes set a new benchmark for high-performance mountain biking, promising smooth descents, confident cornering, and excellent pedaling efficiency.

Virtual High-Pivot Rear Suspension with Idler Pulley

Norco has long been a pioneer in suspension design, and its high-pivot technology has already been proven in downhill racing with bikes like the Norco HSP. With the new 2022 enduro range, Norco has adapted and refined this concept to create a virtual high-pivot rear suspension, combining aggressive geometry with practical pedaling efficiency.

In this design, the seat stay of the rear triangle is connected to the front triangle high above the bottom bracket, forming a four-bar linkage system. When the rear wheel encounters an obstacle, it moves both upward and backward rather than just vertically. This motion allows the bike to absorb impacts more effectively, smoothing out rough terrain and steep drops while maintaining traction and control.

A challenge with high-pivot designs is pedal kickback, which occurs when the rear wheel moves backward and causes the chain to pull against the cranks, creating a jerky feeling while pedaling. Norco solves this problem by incorporating an idler pulley, which re-routes the chain through a smooth tensioning system. The idler pulley ensures that chain tension remains stable, minimizing kickback and allowing the rider to pedal efficiently even over technical, rough terrain.

The combination of virtual high-pivot geometry and the idler pulley provides several key advantages:

• Enhanced traction: The rear wheel moves backward to better follow obstacles, keeping tires planted on the ground.
• Improved control: Smoother absorption of bumps reduces jolts transmitted to the rider.
• Efficient pedaling: Minimal pedal kickback means more power is transferred to forward motion, especially useful on climbs or technical sections.
• Low center of gravity: The design helps maintain stability and balance at high speeds, particularly on steep descents.

By integrating this sophisticated suspension design into its enduro range, Norco combines race-level downhill performance with practical enduro versatility, making these bikes capable of handling extreme trails while still being efficient for pedaling uphill or covering long distances.

Construction Variants and Availability of the 2022 Norco Range

Norco’s 2022 enduro lineup is designed to cater to riders of all levels, from top-tier pros seeking the ultimate performance to enthusiasts looking for a versatile, reliable bike. The range is available in three main construction variants:

C1 – Top Model

• The flagship of the series, the C1 features the most advanced components, including a full carbon frame, high-end suspension (both front and rear), premium drivetrain and brakes, and top-quality wheels.

Price: €9,999

This build is aimed at riders who want maximum performance for enduro racing or aggressive trail riding.

C2 – Mid-Level Model

• Designed for riders who want many high-end features but at a slightly lower price point. The C2 combines high-quality components and suspension with some cost-effective choices to offer a great balance of performance and value.

Price: Approximately mid-range between C1 and C3

Ideal for serious hobbyists or riders transitioning to competitive enduro riding.

C3 – Entry-Level Model

• The C3 provides Norco’s signature geometry and suspension design but uses more accessible components, making it suitable for beginners or budget-conscious riders who still want a high-performing enduro bike.

Price: Lower end of the range, starting around €3,799 for frameset

Frameset Option

For riders who prefer to customize their bike or upgrade components individually, Norco offers a frameset option.

This allows experienced cyclists to build their bike to exact specifications while benefiting from Norco’s 2022 high-pivot geometry and suspension design.

Practical Features Across All Models

Every model in the 2022 Norco range is designed with trail practicality in mind:

Frame clearance allows for a 750 ml water bottle, ensuring hydration on long rides.

An additional tool holder is integrated into the frame for carrying repair kits, spare parts, or essential trail tools.

The range is expected to be available from autumn 2021, giving riders ample time to prepare for the upcoming riding season.

Summary
The 2022 Norco range offers something for everyone: from the elite-level C1 for competitive riders to the accessible C3 for enthusiasts, plus a frameset for those who want full customization. The combination of high-pivot rear suspension, idler pulley technology, and thoughtful frame features makes this lineup one of the most versatile and performance-oriented enduro offerings on the market.

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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 2022 Norco Range

The 2022 Norco enduro bikes are designed with modern, performance-oriented geometry that prioritizes stability, agility, and rider comfort across different sizes. The range is available in four frame sizes: Small (S), Medium (M), Large (L), and Extra Large (XL), allowing riders of various heights to find a perfect fit.

Ride Aligned Suspension Setup
Norco introduces the Ride Aligned Suspension Setup, a system that fine-tunes the geometry and suspension characteristics for each frame size. This ensures that the bike performs consistently for riders regardless of their height or build. Adjustments include:

• Head angle – slightly flatter on larger sizes for better downhill stability, slightly steeper on smaller frames for agility and maneuverability.
• Seat tube angle – optimized for each size to maintain efficient pedaling and climbing performance.
• Shock absorber setup – suspension travel and damping are adapted to match the rider’s weight and frame size, ensuring consistent responsiveness across the range.

Key Measurements for Size L

• Reach: 480 mm – providing a spacious cockpit for improved control and comfort on technical descents.
• Stack: 641 mm – a high front end that enhances stability and rider confidence on steep trails.
• Seat tube: 410 mm – a super-short design that allows maximum dropper post insertion, giving riders plenty of room to move freely on descents or technical sections.
• Dropper post compatibility: 200 mm for L and XL sizes – fully insertable, allowing optimal saddle positioning for both climbing and descending.
• Chainstay length: 442.5 mm – strikes a balance between agility and stability, allowing the bike to be responsive in tight corners while maintaining control at high speeds.

Overall Design Philosophy
Norco’s geometry approach ensures that every size, from S to XL, delivers a balanced, confident, and playful ride. The combination of a low center of gravity, modern head angles, short chainstays, and long reach values makes the bike equally capable on technical climbs, steep descents, and long enduro stages. Riders benefit from optimized suspension performance and ergonomic cockpit dimensions, which together create a smooth, efficient, and controlled riding experience.

The geometry of the new 2022 Norco range in detail

Size	S	M	l	XL
Upper tube	568 mm	598 mm	628 mm	658 mm
Steering tube	100 mm	115 mm	130 mm	145 mm
Seat tube	370 mm	395 mm	410 mm	455 mm
Angle of the head	63,8°	63,5°	63,3°	63°
Seat angle	76,5°	76,8°	77°	77,3°
low sheath	440 mm	440 mm	443 mm	448 mm
BB drop	20 mm	20 mm	20 mm	20 mm
Wheelbase	1203 mm	1243 mm	1285 mm	1329 mm
To reach	420 mm	450 mm	480 mm	510 mm
Pila	618 mm	630 mm	641 mm	653 mm

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