The Matchup: 2020 Norco Optic or Sight? - Trail Bike vs All-Mountain Bike

Jun 3, 2020
by Pinkbike Originals  

Welcome to The Matchup! This is a sponsored series where we take a look at two bikes from the same manufacturer.

First up, the Norco Optic and Sight. They have similar geometries and frame designs, but decidedly different intentions. Aidan explains some of their personality traits out on the trail.

Let us know in the comments which one you'd want to ride, and tell us which two bikes you want us to match up next!


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This episode of The Matchup is presented by Norco Bicycles








Author Info:
pinkbikeoriginals avatar

Member since Feb 15, 2012
1,085 articles

192 Comments
  • 256 8
 Not really much of a break down on the differences in ride. Could have pulled that same info from the Norco advertising. No details on cornering, jumping stability at speed and so much more. Shallow comparison.
  • 103 3
 Yep, no timed runs or any objective analysis at all. Literally the definition of paid sponsorship.
  • 43 3
 I mean, what do you expect? It's a sponsored post, so that right there should indicate you should be skeptical of the entire thing. It's an infomercial.
  • 37 13
 No way Norco would allow that. It could cause people to find out that these "aggressive trail bikes" (AKA handicapped enduro) don't actually climb any better than the bigger bikes
  • 30 1
 C.R.E.A.M.

Even Pinkbike gotta pay dem bills y’all
  • 7 1
 Yeah this is such a let down. Instead of brand vs. brand, so something for readers, we have something for manufacturers. Well, I'm almost 40 and this does not really surprise me anymore, but my brain still refuses to get over it.
  • 2 1
 @Iberian: I think you mean subjective.
  • 36 34
 The Matchup is intended to be an overview comparison. I hope it’s still useful for folks looking into these bikes.

The tech team will continue doing critical comparisons of all the new bikes in our full reviews as well as Field Test and head to head Cage Match videos.

Currently our full reviews have a comparison section where we contrast a bike to its competition. Would you find it useful if that section also did a comparison within a brand’s lineup?
  • 20 1
 @brianpark: That would absolutely be helpful. A lot of times bikes seem to overlap within a brands lineup. I definitely had some analysis paralysis when deciding between SB-130, 140,150
  • 12 4
 @brianpark: there is so much real analysis of (these) bikes available out there. This is just an ad.
  • 5 12
flag halljam (Jun 3, 2020 at 8:57) (Below Threshold)
 @Arierep: Word. 170/170 on my Capra 29 climbs just fine, THANK YOU VERY MUCH
  • 16 1
 @brianpark: I was super excited to see this article but also felt like more could have been done. The video quality, script and presentation was great but going deeper by one or two layers might have revealed something more substantial. I am looking at both of these bikes and tilting to the optic but wanted to know how they compare on climbing and descending. Dash a little more bro-science in and a couple of more violin scrapes featuring and unimpressed Levy face would be good for a laugh too. I'm very interested in this type of video and look forward to more in the future. Great work as always.
  • 5 1
 @BobbyHillbomb: they are actually getting paid directly for this, seems fair to expect that they would do the job better. Pink bike audience probably did not learn much at all from the vid.
I'm not one to bitch about free content properly identified, I just wanted to say that the opposite argument to yours seems valid as well. Cheers!
  • 3 1
 maybe they're hoping you buy both and compare for yourself
  • 1 1
 @halljam: I rode with a couple who had a 29 capra each and I was on a hard tail and let me tell you... I was struggling on the climb and they weren’t. Smile
  • 3 8
flag diego-b (Jun 3, 2020 at 11:34) (Below Threshold)
 @brianpark: You're all good don't mind the trolls
  • 8 0
 @diego-b: so, any comment that's not strictly following the "official" line is trolling?
New content as put out, people commented with some criticism, some jokingly, that could be interpreted as an improvement opportunity, @brianpark responded with a pretty reasonable answer.
I can't see what's wrong with the whole process
  • 16 0
 @brianpark: thanks for the feedback.
I think many people are starting to get a little confused about current lineups. What used to be a pretty straight forward choice (wanted aggressive, all-round riding? Pick an enduro bike) is growing more complex by the year.

Many brands are now running 3 bikes separated by 20mm travel increments but sharing geometry and build almost entirely. They then proceed to promote how good the longer travel climbs and how awesome the short travel one is downhill.
I think many saw the articles title and got exited expecting some short Vs long travel comparison, like the already mentioned timed descends and climbs. This would great content I think
  • 3 0
 @brianpark: Next head 2 hear, Canyon Spectral Vs Canyon Strive
  • 1 0
 @halljam: YOU'RE WELCOME!
  • 4 0
 Chuck em in the bin, and get yerself some Grim.
  • 10 0
 Youtuber VanCan, just did a little review on the Optic and the insight and comparisons he provides are much, much better than this paid for advertising.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmLe0ljq3M8
  • 2 0
 all mountain aint dead
  • 2 1
 @BobbyHillbomb: yes.

Folks, it literally says “This episode of The Matchup is presented by Norco Bicycles” at the bottom. PB is being transparent, even if it is still rubs up pretty close to the line of journalistic integrity.
  • 3 0
 @Arierep: i guarantee that optic climbs better than your Capra.
Probably the sight too, but I haven’t ridden that one.
  • 1 0
 @VtVolk: should be at the top though...
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: Unless Levy does an impossible climb with both bikes it doesnt count
  • 2 0
 @brianpark: Very much so. A comparison for a normal kind of rider of a 5km trail riding both a 140mm and 170mm offering from the same factory would be exceptionally useful. It's the sort of thing that we as MTBers think about lots. For me it was a "would i be faster on the Whyte T-130 or the G-160" but also "where would i be slower and how much will that bother me". I went for the G-160 in the end and accepted certain XC limitations of it... But that sort of comparison would be very useful
  • 1 0
 @brianpark: i think it would be more than helpful- comparing different brands is a test with many variables. Comparing within a brand is a different question altogether. I've seen many cases where buyers, even very experienced riders, are focused on a specific brand but cant decide between two models. Especially now when the line blurs between trail and enduro ones.
More often than not, they end up choosing the burlier bikes, for no justified reason. We see this trend repeat every few years. I think such tests can put things well in context and help people choose the bikes that fit their style and trails better.
  • 1 0
 @gotohe11carolina: "cash rules everything around me - get da money (dolla dolla bill y'all")....
  • 1 0
 @gotohe11carolina: I don't know who you are or where you live, but this is not the first time I've seen your comment, looked at your handle and appreciated the Chapel Hill/Spinal Tap marriage. GO HEELS.
  • 2 0
 @islandforlife: exactly.

I watched vancan's video saw this come up and was excited, hoping it would bring up the same things he did but directly compare the two. This video was a disappointment. Hopefully vancan gets a sight to review so he can compare it to the optic.
  • 1 0
 @eh-steve: saw via his instragram he did demo a sight... before the optic I believe. Not sure if he just didn’t make a video or he’s holding onto it to be released soon/later.
  • 1 0
 @islandforlife: thanks for the info. I only follow him on yt. I'm curious how the new sight pedals compared to the Enduro. I know someone that upgraded from a 2019 range and he loves the new sight (better in all ways). I have the old sight (150/130) which I like (after bumping up the spacer in the dpx2) but I'm leaning towards more rear travel in the next bike.
  • 3 0
 @eh-steve: Ya, its been interesting hearing his reviews and comparisons to the enduro. Sounds like he bought the enduro when he thought he was going to be able to get up to the Bike park a lot and it would be a bike that could do it all and so he wouldn't need and could sell his DH bike. But since he can't do that right now... he seems to be leaning towards his Enduro being too much and too big of a bike... just my thoughts.

Ya, the Sight is great, and I haven't heard any bad reviews about it. I demo'd one before I bought my bike (I owned the 2017 version (140/150), loved it but it was a very different bike to the Sight now), but didn't buy the new Sight

I've been on a Range as well. The Sight basically takes the place of the current range solely based on geometry... it ultimately maybe can't take quite the same hits on the extreme end of things as the Range... but right now, I way rather be on the new Sight vs the old Range.

It'll be interesting when they announce the new Range... rumours say it'll be a high pivot big bike like the Slayer or the Enduro or the Warden LT. So, take the Sight geometry, add 20mm of travel on both ends, plus a rear end that gets out of the way of hits. Too much and too big for me... but will probably be a cool bug bruiser of a bike.

The Sight really did pedal well... but I ended up with a Knolly Warden (VanCan demo'd and reviewed it as well). I felt it road a lot like the Sight (aggressive geometry), but has a lot of features that took everything to the next level. Suspension performance... a 157 rear end combined with the suppleness and support of the 4x4 system is really something that needs to be ridden to fully understand. It's also stiffer laterally than anything I'd ever ridden, yet the suspension works so beautifully. Being so stiff from the links on back, allows the suspension to do it job The attention to detail and frame construction gives you a bike that is supremely "tuned"... nothing I rode before or demo'd rode like the Warden. And nothing allowed me to go as fast as easily as I could on the Warden. I'd say the Sight pedals a little bit better than the Warden, but my Warden is also a 160/170 and descends better, which is a priority for me.. most of my rides tend to be long fire road climbs followed by long steep descents. Anyway... my two cents.
  • 3 0
 4m 30s of the video "well... that's enough of me babbling off numbers".

30s of comparison "all-mountain bike is if you life more technical terrain. Trail bike if you like less technical terrain".

I understand it's sponsored content under the guise of a "new segment", but would have been much better if he had put at least a couple original thoughts or feelings/impressions of actual ride characteristics and not just solely the approved words from Norco's distributor workbook.
  • 1 0
 @islandforlife:

Cheers for the link share,
I bought a new optic just before they got named trail bike of the year,
Coming from DH years ago and more recently XC it’s perfect for me, Been showing up loads of Enduro bikes on some naughty trails here in NZ,
It’s a cool format and I agree with this guys video - can do it all
  • 1 0
 @James188: care to disclose you riding weight? 125mm rear travel scares me (despite only being 5mm less than I have). Different progressiveness though and different shock. I'm at full spacers on the shock (as is a lighter friend on his RM also on a dpx2). I could live with 125mm if the suspension is progressive enough and the super deluxe resists bottoming out.
  • 47 0
 This type of review is really interesting. I think what would be more helpful, however, is more time spent fleshing out the types of terrain/rider the bikes suit. It would be great to see each model run up the same few sections of trail and have the rider(s) mic'ed up to hear what it's like for them, etc. Spending a good chunk of the video on each model's numbers is fine, but most riders would not know how this applies to them irl.
  • 43 2
 This feels more like an advertisement than a proper head to head to be honest.

The concept certainly has potential, but as others mentioned, without much detail on ride characteristics, strenghts, and weaknesses in certain terrain, there is not much to be learned for the viewer that they cannot gather from a quick visit of the manufacturer's website.

Besides, I wonder how much criticizm from a professional reviewer we can expect from a sponsored format like this. If the answer is "none", that's fair, but again it would reduce the value of the content in my opinion.

To end with something positive though, I appreciate PB developing and trying out new formats.
  • 16 3
 You’re right this is a sponsored comparison, not a critical review. Reviews aren’t ever paid for, and never hold back any criticisms. For the record though we’ve really enjoyed both of these bikes when we reviewed them.

With the Matchup we’re just trying to develop a format that breaks down two bikes’ intentions, rather than having winners and losers.
  • 3 0
 @brianpark: Both are beautiful bikes.

Maybe PB could add more ride quality details to the comparison and show each bike on different types of trails. ( Tech/Flow/Climb/) Then it would be the ultimate matchup.
Good work PB!
Keep them coming.
  • 6 0
 @brianpark: Can pinkbike give some more inside information about these sponsored "articles"?
What makes a review a review and a sponsored article a sponsored article?
Where are your limits around shutting up about criticisms?
Is this really content?
..
I mean, the edge between an objective article and a paid article getting really thin!
  • 23 0
 @fredooo: Sure! A Pinkbike review is unpaid and done by one of our tech team. They say "Review" in the headline, and we actually give verdicts, and make value judgements or recommendations. There are no limits to criticism, we report our findings as objectively as possible.

If you'd like more info on the challenges with bike reviews, we go in depth in a podcast we recorded a few weeks back: www.pinkbike.com/news/pinkbike-podcast-episode-5-can-you-trust-bike-reviews.html

Sponsored content is labeled sponsored within the article as well as tagged as such, including who it's sponsored by. Currently that includes things like The Privateer, Hot Laps, and The Matchup.

The one place where the two cross over at all is when we take on non-endemic and non-technical sponsorships for Field Tests (clothing, helmets, beer), because they cost a ton of money to make happen.
  • 40 0
 @fredooo: I should add that our sales department and technical editorial departments are entirely separate so I don't know details, but I do know that we've lost advertisers because of negative reviews in the past.

And some brands that are conspicuously absent from our testing is because they were sensitive to criticism and are scared of us reviewing their products.
  • 3 0
 @brianpark: thanks for the insight. In my opinion, a lot of magasins/websites/bloggers lose their credibility when they start making paid 'articles' and certainly when their criticisms are filtered by advertisers. I sincerely hope that pinkbike can keep up staying neutral Smile
  • 2 1
 @brianpark: Names Please!!! Smile
  • 40 1
 not much of a head to head - was expecting timed laps, uphill and downhill sections and all that for a proper comparison.
  • 6 0
 head to head by brochure
  • 23 1
 Transition Scout vs Sentinel
  • 12 0
 If you want something comparable but cheaper, check out the new Fluid. It's basically the budget version of the Optic and the FS 1 build kit has some great value for only $2800. It has 120/130 travel with a 66* head angle. I picked one up about a month ago and its been handling everything I've thrown at it here in Bellingham so far!
  • 2 0
 I can second this! I also have the Fluid FS1 and ride it in Bellingham!
  • 1 0
 @tanzars: I'm still loving mine but it's not exactly stock anymore lol. Longer fork(140mm), longer dropper(170mm), nicer levers, metallic pads, larger rotors, and new bar/stem/grips. Also when I get the shock serviced this spring I may remove the 5mm internal spacer to up the travel to 132mm or so.
  • 1 0
 @millsr4: sounds legit! I didn't realize you could put a 140 fork on it! Sounds like a good idea.
  • 1 0
 @tanzars: It's also pretty cheap to do! You just need to buy a new air spring shaft for $42 and have them install it next time you get your fork serviced. I'm planning on trying something similar with the rear shock since it comes stock with a 5mm internal spacer that I want to remove, I'm thinking I can get another 12mm or so of rear travel.
  • 1 0
 @millsr4: Sweet! Thanks for the info. Did you get a new fork too or is it stock?
  • 1 0
 @tanzars: Stock, I had Fanatik put the new spring shaft in when I first bought the bike.
  • 17 1
 Ripley vs Ripmo
  • 7 0
 Or Hightower vs. Tallboy... of course around my neck of the woods, the Tallboy dominates.
  • 5 1
 Evil Following vs Offering. So on the fence between these. Though current short travel 29er has been a barrel full of monkeys...
  • 2 0
 Marin Wolf Ridge VS Marin Alpine Trail
  • 2 2
 Commencal META Trail SX vs Ibis Ripmo SLX with coil.
  • 2 0
 Transition Scout vs Sentinel (as already stated haha)
  • 13 5
 My 2018 Norco Range has been a real lemon. I wouldn't buy another Norco again. The chainstays look very similar to the Sight's chainstays and they crack at the brace behind the BB. I don't huck big air and I never break chains or rims but I do like to go fast. I'm on my 3rd chainstay and my 3 year warranty will run out later this year. I was charged more than $100 for shipping and installation costs of this new part even though the bike is still under warranty. Why would I want to support this company and their cheap and weak bikes? I'll get a tougher bike with a decent warranty next time. I'm thinking the Guerrilla Gravity Smash or something similar - all suggestions welcome!
  • 6 3
 If you downvoted this do you mind leaving a comment explaining why? Maybe you love your Norco and it's not cracked but that doesn't mean my experience is invalid.

One of the reasons I bought a Norco was I heard they had a good warranty program but I found it painfully slow and 3 years is a very short warranty period.

I had a Santa Cruz Nomad in the past and the warranty service was excellent, even though my frame was second hand. They're high on my list: Smash/Megatower/SB150/etc.
  • 2 0
 Exact same thing happened to my buddy on his 2018 Range. Apparently it's pretty common. Norco / NS Bike shop did take care of him tho.
  • 2 0
 @bluenoser23: I was extremely close on buying an Optic but the carbon and warranty kinda put me off - I have now decided on a Cotic Flaremax and will hopefully take delivery next week or the week after
  • 3 0
 I was just about to reply to you and say how great my 2018 Norco Range has been, BUT I just went to go check that area you mentioned and my bike has a fucking crack right there too!!!
  • 1 0
 @a-prince: Oh no! Gotta get that replaced before the warranty expires! At least you caught it before it cracked on the trail and damaged something else. It's not like it's a cracked head tube, it shouldn't be dangerous even if it did crack.

This is my dilemma now, do I keep the bike and hope it doesn't crack again or sell it and spend $4K on a new frame/shock/whatever. Maybe it's just time for a whole new bike and sell the Range? It's so expensive for something decent these days. A new bike should last a good 5 years, 2.5 years is shockingly bad.

My chainstays always crack at the hole in the chainstay brace. I might try reinforcing this hole by brazing a sleeve in this hole. My warranty is almost up anyway so why not? These cracks sure look like stress cracks to me. If that hole is reinforced it might not crack again. Pretty desperate measures!

This article sure looks like a Norco ad. Wouldn't it be great if Norco would respond and maybe do something about these issues?
  • 1 0
 @sewer-rat: A steel full suspension! That's pretty cool actually. I bet that'll be bombproof. There's a big part of me wondering if I should just buy something like a Chromag hardtail. They're so much simpler and steel is tough as hell. I haven't ridden a steel hardtail since I retired my 97 Kona Explosif many years ago.
  • 1 0
 @bluenoser23: I just got a 2020 Enduro and I’m going to swap my components over. Same rear shock size. I bought the Norco used, so I’m not the first owner and no warranty.
  • 1 0
 @bluenoser23: yeah they’re pretty cool ! I love steel bikes, had a few over the years
  • 11 0
 That poor frayed cable on the Sight
  • 6 0
 This is not good content, I was quite excited when i seen the headline because it could be super interesting and really informative. But no, just read the geo numbers out and some non descript riding. Expect better from pinkbike.
  • 6 0
 I appreciate you clearly labeling this as sponsored content. With that out of the way, I can't say I got any useful information from this video. Pretty much everything presented here is easy to find on Norco's website. Press releases are one thing but a Pinkbike created video seems like a bit much. This feels like a slippery slope for Pinkbike. I'm sure the sponsorship $$$ is nice but does this type of content actually provide any value to your viewers?
  • 5 0
 Wow. Superimposing those two bikes, I'm amazed at how hard it is to see the differences. I wonder: if you were to put the longer fork on an Optic, how many people (outside the PB comment section) would be able to tell the difference between it and a Sight?
  • 19 0
 So I have a Sight with the stock 160mm fork and an Optic up-forked to 150mm. There is still a major difference between how the two bikes ride and tackle terrain. The kinematics and suspension tune differences account for most of it - the Optic is more lively in and out of corners (easier to slap corners, hop over trail obstacles, and change trail location), and also feels a little more nimble when in the air. The Sight, on the other hand, feels like it takes more upper body input to get it out of tight corners and back into the air (berm-berm transfers for example) but it also helps hold a line through rough sections, and recover from mistakes/poor line choices much better. If I'm going to hit new trails where I don't know what to expect, or if I'm chasing Strava times, I'll pick the Sight. If I want to go and style-cat things up, I pick the Optic.

Hope that helps.
  • 4 0
 @dkidd: Upvoted for "style-cat". Nice mini review too.
  • 2 0
 @dkidd: Well that was a way more informative ride comparison than the video!
  • 6 0
 Love the idea of these, but need a little more actual ride info. How do they really differ on the climbs and descents? How much better does the optic climb or the sight descend?
  • 9 1
 Commencal meta AM X meta TR
  • 13 5
 Sight. You can always use a little more travel when you have no talent.
  • 2 0
 I feel like this comment was directed to me even though I wasn't tagged...
  • 7 0
 Optic.

Let’s see spark vs genius
  • 9 0
 Genius vs the Ransom
  • 8 1
 YT Jeffsy Vs Capra
  • 7 0
 153 vs 134
  • 4 0
 We know all the specs already. This video series has a lot of potential, but with lack of research and in debth ride impression and comparison is quite useless.
  • 6 0
 Commencal META AM vs. META Trail
  • 6 1
 I really think the sight is the end all be all 27.5 bike. C2 spec is second to none for price/quality.
  • 2 0
 @brianpark I know I'm late to the party, but I had a good idea on how to refine these head to head articles. The intent is to determine and convey which terrain each bike is best suited for, right? So what if you designated a series of courses on local trails for timed testing, varying in technical features, as well as altitude change. It could range from a 50% uphill/50% downhill xc loop to a full downhill with world cup like features. Then you could do timed tests with each bike on whatever courses would be applicable. Each head-to head should have one bike that's faster on less technical/more climby trails, and one that's faster on more technical and more downhill oriented trails, with some threshold of where one bike is better than the other. Then readers can compare their local trails to the PB head to head courses and will have a better idea which bike would be best for them.
  • 2 0
 Fun! Would still probably choose the Sight, only due to the gnarly situation I was able to ride out of... but.... how about a Knolly Warden and Warden LT?? Something from Knolly
  • 1 0
 Fugitive vs 2020 Warden. Please!
  • 1 0
 Hello everybody,

I am currently looking to change my bike and this model interests me a lot. However, I have a few questions:

1) It does indeed seem that the running gear is very heavy: Stan's Flow S1 29" rims at 2.2 kg per pair and Vittoria tires at more than 2 kg per pair as well.
I was thinking of changing the wheels to DT Swiss M 1900 or XM 1700 and the tires to Maxxis Dissector 2.4 (front and rear) or Dissector / Minion DHRII (front / rear).
What do you think of this assembly, do you think it's worth it and that it will make the bike more dynamic and lighter?

2) Regarding the brakes, they seem undersized to me compared to the possibilities of the bike. I was thinking of changing them to Shimano SLX 4 pistons. So, what do you think of this change?

3) Do you see other avenues for improvement that remain accessible?

Thank you in advance for your answers !
  • 5 1
 I learned nothing new from watching this video over going to the Norco website...
  • 1 0
 100% - The "Paid Promotion" fine print at the beginning should have been the title of this video.
  • 5 0
 Tallboy vs Hightower vs Megatower
  • 1 0
 I was fortunate enough to be able to demo all three (2020 models) on my local trails. Fun to compare. I couldn't tell much difference between the Meg and the Hightower, but the Tallboy was definitely different (much more nervous on the descents, which some people would call playful. I went with the Meg.
  • 4 0
 I'd like to see an in depth analysis of the riding characteristics of different suspension platforms.
  • 1 0
 Hi guys , I'm in the market for a new bike. Just sold a Whyte T130 and want to buy a Santa Cruz next. Looking at Nomad or Megatower, which one should I buy. my riding is enduro tracks and I do like to do uplifts but also happy climbing and doing 2/3 hour ride and would like to get to the Alps more. Is there a clear winner?
  • 1 0
 @foresterlee I really liked the Megatower when I tried it last year. It climbs great, rolling over lots of stuff, and the decent was awesome too. its got the right amount of travel where you can take it over chunky terrain and jumps, but its not super burly to the point where the climbing gets sacrificed. The Nomad is fun too tough, so I'd recommend you try to demo the bikes sometime and make the decision yourself
  • 1 0
 @morgandewirth: Thank you for the input, think you're right need to try them both, I did a demo day and tried a Nomad and was really impressed with the climbing capabilities for an enduro bike. I've read some stories that say because the Magetower is so monster truck it kills the sensitivity of the ride. Any other bikes I should be considering in this bracket, I think I've already made up my mind I would like a Santa Cruz though.
  • 1 0
 love my nomad - had it for over 2 years as my only MTB. Have ridden Whistler, the Alps and most of New Zealand, as well as plenty in this country. Big jump lines, downhill tracks, dirt jumps and clocked a 5000 metre elevation epic on it the other week. It can do everything and the suspension is really efficient. Santa Cruz warranty including free bearings is amazing too. Top bike and top brand.
  • 1 0
 @milanboez: thank you for the message, I chose to go against the current trend of 29ers and got myself a Nomad a month ago, shout out to Stif Cycles for there help. I love the bike and can't wait to use it more. One question you say you had a Nomad, what did you get after it?
  • 1 0
 @foresterlee: Nice! Such a fun bike aye? I've still got it Smile Just about to fit a coil to see how she goes with that.
  • 1 0
 @milanboez: Yep loving the extra travel and finding that I'm riding the trails quicker than a current on trend short travel bike and yet have more time to think about where to place the bike at the same time. Got mine with the coil shock from the start based on the reviews and write ups I'd seen and happy with the set up so far. ????
  • 1 0
 My 2 cents on these "short travel rippers" are they are quite capable, capable enough that you can easily shred lightweight XC tires. So what's the point if you have to use heavier enduro tires to get the most out of it them? As soon as you put heavy tires on it likely won't out-climb a longer-travel trail bike and if you keep the XC tires it likely will neither out-climb nor out-descend a more XC oriented rig.
  • 2 0
 I have the Sight 29er C2, and strongly considered the optic but realised its geo was going to write cheques a lighter tyre combo probably couldn't cash. Have been super happy with the sight it loves chunder and really rides the stuff my previous trail bike ran out of legs on well.. Although now I am looking at turning my 27.5 enduro hardtail into a short travel ripper....... weird.
  • 5 0
 Sight, Optic, a blind man could spot the difference.
  • 1 0
 I have and ride both of these ‘20 models extensively
And if I’m honest, there have been many times I’ve wished I could have had nuances broken down within one manufacturer’s lineup so I could decide on a model perfect for me and my trails. Happy to get into it if anyone has questions
Y
  • 6 2
 You were doing well until you pronounced the word Aluminium wrong
  • 4 0
 pivot switchblade v pivot firebird
  • 4 0
 Specialized Enduro v/s the Stumpjumper EVO
Propain Spindrifter V/S Tyee
  • 5 0
 pinkbike is a rag.
  • 3 0
 Infomercial alright. Nothing you couldn't learn from browsing Norco's website.
  • 2 0
 Well... Since both of these bikes are basically sold out for 2020... I guess I'd like to see the 2021's (with Shimano 12 speed, perhaps?)
  • 2 0
 Sight all day long, but I'm south of the border so my sight would be spelled S E N T I N E L. Nothing whatsoever against Norco though, some fine folks up there.
  • 2 0
 Trying to buy a Sight for myself and an Optic for my wife, but neither one is actually available for purchase ... soooo what's the point of either the test, or the comments.
  • 2 0
 Next bike head-to-head: my shitty last bike VS my awesome current bike (pick any year you'd like, all the way back to Rockhopper days....)
  • 4 0
 I'd like you to do the Norco Aurum HSP and the Norco Range HSP
  • 4 0
 Your mother vs my skin flute.
  • 4 1
 Very weak "comparison". You can do better.
  • 4 0
 GT Force vs Sensor
  • 4 1
 Where is the comparative information at? That was a commercial
  • 4 1
 Is there a filter to remove this kind of content similar to E-bikes?
  • 4 1
 Do the new Evil following vs the Offering please.
  • 4 1
 None, the wheels are too big
  • 1 0
 I love the sight but i do wish it was a little poppier and easier to lift the front wheel sometimes. Maybe this means shorter chainstays?
  • 5 1
 Sentinel vs Ripmo
  • 3 1
 Not exactly from the same manufacturer, but I like where your head's at!
  • 7 5
 The answer is sentinel. I’ve ridden neither
  • 1 1
 after spending WAY too many hours making this same comparison it boiled to this Sentinel = better when pinned or racing, muted on less technical or flow type trails, can make it up a hill Ripmo (AF) = aggressive trail bike that can occasional be raced, still fun on less tech trails, climbs better.

I do 3 enduro races a year and 4-5 lift access days but on trails 90+ days a year. I went with the ripmo since it seemed like a better choice especially when riding with my 7yr old or on 3+ hour rides. Havent received the bike yet to confirm my choice.
  • 3 0
 Scale vs Gambler. Ridden on both their optimal terrains.
  • 6 2
 Too heavy vs too heavy.
  • 4 0
 nomad 4 vs Bronson
  • 3 0
 Tallboy vs Hightower vs Megatower please
  • 3 0
 Next: Yeti SB130 vs SB150. Jeffsy vs Capra. Enduro vs Stumpjumper. Etc.
  • 4 0
 Nukeproof Mega v Reactor
  • 1 0
 Am I the only person who went to a NORCO shop and took the OPTIC into the bathroom and turned the lights off hoping like hell that it would emit a transcendent glow?
  • 1 0
 Please include a overview of the comparison in written form for those of us that don't have time to watch a video!
  • 1 0
 Is there a reason or benefit to having the shock 'upside down' like on the Optic vs the 'proper' way on the Sight?
  • 1 0
 Santa cruz Tallboy vs Hightower. And a bit more ride comparison, please ????
  • 2 0
 Why Is the rear shock mounted upside down?
  • 2 0
 Stoked on this one. How about Trek Fuel vs Slash in large 29. Thanks
  • 2 0
 Guerilla Gravity Smash vs Gnarvana
  • 2 0
 Bathroom door ridden by Sam Hill v Any other bike
  • 1 0
 WTF Pinkbike paid promotional video? We don’t need sponsored content - just give us the down and dirty.
  • 1 0
 would like to see match up Nicolai G15 vs Saturn 14 ST can't decide between two
  • 2 0
 Stumpjumper vs Enduro!
  • 1 0
 so intersting! Giant Trance 29er VS Giant Reign 29er!
  • 2 0
 Predator VS Alien!
  • 2 0
 Trek Remedy vs Slash
  • 1 0
 Tallboy Hightower Megatower
  • 1 0
 Giant Trance VS Giant Reign please!
  • 1 0
 Rocky Mountain Slayer vs Instinct BC
  • 1 0
 Agree! Let’s see if Remi and Jesse are correct in switching to Slayers.
  • 1 0
 Sorry PB but I'm with most others here, this sucked!
  • 1 0
 Orbea Rallon vs Orbea Occam
  • 1 0
 Specialized Stumpjumper vs Specialized Enduro
  • 1 0
 Treck Slash vs Treck Remedy
  • 1 0
 I’d like to see a comparison between the Scott Genius and Spark.
  • 1 0
 Commencal Meta AM VS TR !!
  • 1 0
 Commencal Meta TR vs AM or Santa Cruz Hightower vs Tallboy
  • 1 0
 Transition Scout vs Patrol
  • 1 0
 Oh my gawd!!!! The mech cable on the Sight.......
  • 1 0
 Norco sight vs range. Both seem close in numbers. Which is better?
  • 3 2
 ThE OpTiC Is ShOrT TrAvEl So It CaNT bE RiDdEn As HaRd....
  • 2 0
 Trance Vs Reign
  • 1 0
 My optic frame should be here any day!!!
  • 1 0
 Why is the Optic frame-only so much cheaper than the Sight?
  • 2 0
 Stumpjumper vs Enduro
  • 1 0
 yoooo do the foxy vs superfoxy!
  • 1 0
 Optic vs Izzo, Sight vs Jeffsy, Druid vs Meta TR,
  • 1 0
 so, is "Allmountain" becoming a fashionable MTB Term again ?
  • 1 0
 Propain Tyee vs Hugene. Byt the way, still waiting full review of Tyee.
  • 1 0
 Scott Ransom VS Scott Genius Or Lapierre Spicy vs Lapierre Zesty
  • 1 0
 the way the guy walks in the intro is so fake
  • 1 0
 Sightnow do mega 275 vs mega 290
  • 3 3
 Where’s the grim donut?
  • 1 1
 Ctrl+Z fail.

can't un-see "downcountry" mike levy...
  • 1 0
 Stumpjumper VS Enduro
  • 1 0
 Hightower/Bronson
  • 1 0
 Phantom v Prime.
  • 1 0
 cringe...
  • 1 0
 Optic vs folowing v3
  • 2 3
 Specialized Enduro vs Capra
  • 1 1
 Colors are hideous.
  • 2 3
 Grim Donut vs Grim Donut head to head,...no? Then not interested
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