Few brands embody adventure and innovation like Norco. Founded in 1964 in British Columbia by Bert Lewis, Norco started in a small chicken coop near Vancouver. Originally Northern Cycle Industries, the company aimed to bring high-quality bicycles to Canadians. By 1967, it rebranded as Norco, becoming synonymous with durable and innovative bikes.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Norco introduced Canada’s first BMX bikes, such as the Spitfire and Force 3. These models helped shape the BMX racing scene and established Norco as a leader in performance cycling. Concurrently, Norco pioneered Canadian mountain biking, producing some of the country’s first production mountain bikes.

The 1990s saw Norco push boundaries with collaborations with freeride icons like Ryan Leech, highlighted in the Kranked video series. Norco’s VPS (Variable Pivot Suspension) bikes redefined downhill and freeride standards, earning recognition for their innovation.

Today, Norco continues to deliver cutting-edge designs tailored to rider needs. The VLT electric mountain bike series extends range and power for challenging trails. Models like the Optic, Sight, and Range feature advanced geometry and suspension, catering to aggressive trail and enduro riders.

The VPSHP suspension platform enhances performance with a high-pivot design, improving momentum and stability on rough terrain. Combined with the Ride Aligned™ setup tool, Norco ensures riders achieve optimal bike performance based on their body and riding style.

As Norco nears its 60th anniversary, it remains committed to rider-focused innovation. Technologies like the VPSHP platform demonstrate the brand’s focus on performance and adaptability. Now fully owned by the Lewis family, Norco honours its heritage while shaping the future of cycling.

From its modest beginnings to its role as an industry leader, Norco’s history reflects a dedication to creating bikes that perform and inspire.

Ride Aligned

Ride Aligned is Norco's personalised bike set-up guide. You put in your bike details, your height weight and weight bias. change the feel and the type of trails you're setting it up for and it gives you a comprehensive bike, fork and shock setup.

Unlike others out there, the Norco system lets you modify the results depending on your particular riding characteristics, skipping the 'one size fits all' guide.

You can find the Ride Aligned page here

VPS HP suspension system (Virtual Pivot Suspension | High Pivot)

At the core of Norco's VPSHP platform is the high pivot configuration, which shifts the main pivot point higher on the frame. This allows for a rearward axle path during suspension travel, enabling the rear wheel to better absorb impacts and maintain momentum on rugged trails. Complementing this is a precisely positioned idler pulley, leveraging I-Track technology to manage chain growth. This fine-tuning ensures a responsive pedalling feel with minimized drivetrain feedback, even when tackling rough terrain.

The idler’s position custom-tailored for each model, defines their anti-squat characteristics. The Optic prioritizes a snappy pedalling response, while the Sight reduces anti-squat slightly to emphasize traction on technical climbs. Anti-rise adjustments on the high pivot Horst-link layout counteract front-end weight shift during braking while allowing the suspension to recover seamlessly through rough sections.

The Bikes

Norco Fluid

About the bike: The fluid is Norco's 130/140mm Travel trail bike. Featuring a more simplistic suspension design this is the most budget-friendly, all-purpose bike in the range. It's designed to get the maximum out of every ride for almost every rider. Available in multiple build kits and with carbon or alloy options.

Why should I buy a Norco Fluid? If you're just starting out or an experienced rider looking to maximise the bike for your money, the fluid in the perfect bike. It's a mid-travel trail bike that will be great on everything from your local trails to red runs at the bike park. It'll be overwhelmed by bigger features though so if you're racing go for the Sight.

Check out the Norco Fluid here

Norco Optic

About the bike: The Norco Optic is a little bike with a big bike feel on the downs and a fast responsive feel on the ups.

It features a high pivot and an idler to go with its 140/125mm travel, normally only seen on big travel DH bikes, Norco has implemented this system on a short travel trail bike. This has the effect of lengthening the bike under compression, allowing the rear wheel to move out of the way of obstacles as you move over them, giving the bike a fast stable and forgiving ride while still maintaining the snappy feel on a shorter travel bike.

Why should I buy a Norco Optic? If you want a bike to feel light, snappy and fast on flow trails and your local riding spots, this bike is perfect. It won't slow you down on the climbs and will be quick and efficient on flat and undulating terrain. The suspension platform will give you a forgiving ride on rougher descents so perfect for somewhere like Afan.

Check out the Norco Optic here

Norco Sight

About the bike:  This is the 150/160mm travel bike, it's designed to do a bit of everything. Like the Optic, it uses the VPS HP suspension system with that high pivot swing arm. It's a mid-travel bike but it's forgiving suspension will handle anything up to full downhill racing. It won't pedal as well as the Optic but it's a lot better than a full-on enduro bike.

Why should I buy a Norco Sight? If you are looking for a bike that will do your local trails and trips to Bikepark Wales, a trip to the Alps in the summer or a few local enduro races this is the one. 

Check out the Norco Sight here

Norco Range

About the bike: The Norco Range is a true enduro powerhouse, bridging the gap with downhill bikes. Built around a carbon frame and a high-pivot suspension design, it delivers 170mm of travel front and rear, relying on a coil shock for its progressive leverage curve. Norco’s "Ride Aligned" system ensures precise, size-specific geometry tailored for aggressive riding.

On descents, the Range excels with its rearward axle path, four-bar linkage, and 63.25° head angle, offering unrivalled stability and bump absorption. While climbing isn’t its forte, the steep seat angle and anti-squat characteristics maintain traction. It's ideal for riders seeking a burly machine for bike parks and technical terrain.

Why should I buy a Norco Range? You want a bike that's as close to a proper downhill bike as possible with a single crown fork and trail bike gearing.

Check out the Norco Range here

Norco Fluid VLT EMTB

About the bike: The Norco Fluid VLT EMTB blends lightweight e-bike efficiency with trail-ready capability. Powered by a Bosch Performance Line SX motor and a 400Wh battery (expandable with a 250Wh extender), its carbon frame integrates a Horst-link suspension with 130-140mm rear travel.

Designed for nimble trail handling, it climbs efficiently with short cranks and a high bottom bracket, though the slack seat tube angle may require saddle tweaks. On descents, the Fluid VLT delivers smooth suspension performance and exceptional rear-wheel traction. With Norco’s "Ride Aligned" system and capable geometry, it’s a versatile choice for trail enthusiasts seeking eMTB performance.

Why should I buy a Norco Fluid VLT? If you want an e-bike that you can move around easily and feel agile on the trail. These are ideal for smaller or lighter riders who aren't smashing downhill laps.

Check out the Norco Fluid VLT Here

Norco Sight VLT EMTB

About the bike: The Norco Sight VLT is an all-mountain eMTB offering 150mm of rear travel paired with a 160mm fork. The frame accommodates batteries from 540Wh to 900Wh, enabling customizable range options. Powered by a Shimano STEPS EP8 motor, it provides responsive pedal assistance with ample torque for technical climbs.

Geometry features a slack head angle for stability and a steep seat tube angle for efficient pedalling. Its supple suspension absorbs trail chatter, excelling on rough descents. Although heavier with the largest battery, it remains well-balanced. With detailed setup guides, the Sight VLT is a versatile and confidence-inspiring choice for all-mountain riders.

Why should I buy a Norco Sight VLT? You want an EMTB to ride everything on, you do a lot of trail centres but also want to ride to your local woods and not lug around 3kg of downhill tyres.

Check out the Norco Sight VLT Here

Norco Range VLT EMTB

About the bike:  The Norco Range VLT (2024) is a downhill-focused eMTB built for rugged terrain. Its carbon front triangle and aluminium rear swingarm house a 170mm rear travel suspension paired with a 180mm RockShox Zeb Ultimate fork. The Bosch Performance Line CX Gen4 motor delivers 85Nm torque, supported by a 750Wh battery for extended rides.

Aggressive geometry, including a 63° head angle and mixed 29"/27.5" wheels, ensures stability and agility on technical descents. Reviewers praise its ability to tackle steep, rough terrain with ease, though its 57.8 lb weight can challenge manoeuvrability in tight spots. A range of builds and competitive specs make the Range VLT an excellent option for serious downhill riders.

Why should I buy a Norco Range VLT? A plough with a motor, like its non-motorised brother it is designed to emulate a downhill bike as much as possible. If you don't mind the extra weight and value stability and suspension platform, this is the one.

Check out the Norco Range VLT here

Why you should buy a Norco in 2025

Norco has cemented its reputation as a leader in innovative bike design, offering cutting-edge technology, precision engineering, and rider-focused performance across its lineup. Whether you're an enduro enthusiast, an eMTB aficionado, or a casual trail explorer, Norco's 2025 range delivers unparalleled versatility and capability. With their "Ride Aligned" philosophy ensuring every rider experiences optimal fit and handling, and their dedication to sustainability through carbon and aluminium construction, Norco continues to push the boundaries of what's possible on two wheels.

From rugged mountains to flowing singletrack, there's a Norco bike tailored to your adventure. The real question isn't why you should buy a Norco in 2025 — it's which one.