My 16 yo son has outgrown his Medium (17.5″) frame … he’s currently riding a 2020 Specialized Stumpjumper ST Alloy 29 with SRAM drivetrain and TekTRO Gemini SL brakes. I’ve shopped around and came across a 2023 Norco Optic C2 SRAM which was brought in as a late-season demo at a local Vermont MTB shop, and it’s only been ridden less than 5 times.
The original retail was $5259 (but currently discounted on most websites to around $3600-$3700), but the shop is willing to let it go for $3000. This one apparently has some upgraded components from the base model. It has carbon front triangle, alloy rear triangle, RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate rear shock, RockShox Pike Select up front. Brakes are SRAM G2 Ultimate. Currently outfitted with Goodyear tires. It has 140mm travel up front and 125mm travel in the back.
For riding style, my son is NOT a downhiller. More XC. He loves to climb and is super strong, but also loves downhill flowy berms and speed (but again, NOT a “ride up the ski hill on the gondola and race back downhill over jumps” type riding. This bike is considered a “downcountry” style bike.
CONCERNS/QUESTIONS:
I’ve read a couple reviews that says the SRAM G2’s are a bit softer and not a lot of bite, and that Shimano is better. Will he have a hard time braking compared to his TekTRO brakes on the Stumpy?
I’ve also read some conflicting reviews on climbing – some saying the Optic C2 is an [efficient climber](https://www.bikeperfect.com/reviews/norco-optic-c2-sram-review-short-travel-trail-ripper-with-enduro-geometry), and others saying it’s “competent and capable on the uphills, though [climbing isn’t its strongest suit](https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/biking/trail-mountain-bike/norco-optic-c2-sram)”. Which is it? Climbing efficiency is important for what we ride in Vermont.
Anyone care to weigh in on the SRAM vs Shimano model? And whether the slackness makes it a good climber?
And whether he’ll be able to keep up with his old man on my Rocky Mountain Instinct C50? 🙂
by GoodsVT
3 Comments
I’ve had both a carbon instinct as well as the optic, so I think I’m suited to answer!
The optic is NOT a downcountry bike, despite its travel. It has a remarkably different personality from something like the current top fuel, which IMO is pretty representative of what “down country” currently is. If anything, it’s a trail bike or even a low travel all-mountain (categories are silly, aren’t they?).
The bike climbs well. It has a solid pedal position for its travel and mannerisms. The platform is good. The two statements in your reviews linked arent contradictory. Climbing isnt its strongest suit, but it is a good climber. It does not have the same get up and go as most downcountry bikes, nor the instinct (which imo is one of the ‘snappiest’ pedallers in the travel bracket). The optic feels efficient, it just doesn’t feel terribly athletic.
What the optic DOES do is make you feel like an absolute gangster on every descent that isn’t a rough black/double black with repeated hits. It can get chunked out and run out of travel on the big stuff, sure, but throw it at some flowtech or fast tech and you’ll swear you could hear the pump up rap music blasting in the background.
It’s a 125mm bike I’d consider racing on a less technical, more athletic enduro race. I wouldn’t have said that on my rocky – the way they move through the travel is remarkably different.
Edit: to respond to your questions that I missed, the g2s are solid enough. They have a different feel but they’re appropriate for an optic. Personally I do prefer shimano but you’ll find as many people on the other side of the fence preferring srams modulation and consistent lever feel.
As for the sram vs shimano model, I’d get whichever is 3,000 dollars. It doesn’t really matter.
I ended up selling the optic and keeping the instinct because ultimately they were too close to each other to justify both. I kept the rocky because of emotional attachment (it is custom painted by me). It wasn’t a choice of one is better than the other.
I imagine the brakes would be an improvement, even if they are squishy like all SRAM brakes are. Some people like that though.
I have the Shimano C2 I love it. I wouldn’t say the breaks have a lot of bite imo. They have a lot of modulation.
I love pedaling on it only problem are the cranks. They are way longer then they need to be.