Norco has dropped a new “All Mountain” hardtail in one of the oldest bike manufacture materials, steel. This is not going to be your XC race bike. The builds are equipped with 4-piston disc brakes, long-stroke dropper posts and aggressive Maxxis Assegai 29er tires.
Even though it shares the Torrent name with Norco’s already aggressive 27.5 alloy trail bike, this bike is a different beast. As a 29er with 2.5in tires the Norco Torrent S is not your standard entry level 27.5 plus trail hardtail. Featuring a massive 150mm of travel up front on a slack 64 degree head tube angle, a reach of 450mm on a medium and an effective seat tube angle of 76 degrees, this bike has enduro like numbers without the rear suspension.
Build Options
The Norco Torrent S comes in two build options and a frame only option. The base build comes in at $2,199. For this, you’ll get a SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain (the lowest Eagle option available from SRAM) combined with TRP G-Spec Trail S 4 piston brakes. The build is rounded out with a RockShox 35 Gold fork and an X Fusion dropper.
The S1 build makes a few key upgrades for $2,999. You get a SRAM GX Eagle drive train mix and matched with NX series cranks. You also get upgraded to SRAM Code R Brakes and the Rockshox 35 Gold is replaces with a RockShox Lyrik Ultimate RC2.
Overall these builds and prices suggest that this is not an entry level bike. Instead, I think this bike caters to the rider who knows that they want a steel hardtail and knows they will be happy with it. At the prices that these builds are coming in at many riders would probably be better served by looking at some of the more affordable full suspension options available.
However, if those clean steel lines and the subtle damping of steel frames are what you are after the Norco Torrent S bikes might just fit your bill. Even if it’s not the bike for you and your budget, almost any rider will admit that it’s a gorgeous bike to look at.
Find out more over on norco.com
