Norco goes full freeride with Torrent DH

When Brage Vestavik signed with Norco, the release video featured not the brand’s Shore, it’s downhill bike (current or prototype) or even it’s Range enduro bike. Instead it was the Optic introducing Brage to the brand. There had to be something more. Now, that something is here. The Torrent DH is a burly rig perfectly suited to the freeride Viking. An all metal, straight forward, no f’ing around, 200mm travel downhill bike.

Norco Torrent DH

Norco’s new Torrent DH is deceptively simple. An all aluminum frame, simple-enough VPS suspension instead of a high pivot design, 200mm travel front and rear and a MX wheel set-up across all sizes. It’s a lot. But it’s also got the Norco touches. Size specific geometry across all five sizes. Norco’s “Ride Aligned” suspension set up guide. Coil or air spring compatibility. Oversized bearings. Burly, but refined and ready to support you when you when you want to, you know, try something a little stupid.

Here’s Norco’s blurb for the Torrent DH:

“There’s a version of mountain biking that gets polished, edited, and overthought; this isn’t it. The new Norco Torrent DH is built for the riding that happens when the cameras aren’t staged, and the only plan is “one more lap”. It’s for riders who live for lift service, shuttle laps, and the feeling of dropping into a trail that pushes back.”

Yeah, seems straight forward. An escalation of the Norco Shore, also an alloy beast. But less pedalling, less complicated suspension, and even more capable. A park bike. A freeride bike. A simple DH bike.

Norco Torrent DH: Models and pricing

Norco offers the new Torrent DH in one complete build and as a frame kit. Pricing and builds match the bikes utilitarian, no-nonsense intent.

The Torrent DH A1 drops in at $5,700 (USD $4,500) with a RockShox Boxxer Select fork and Vivid Air Base shock, SRAM GX DH seven-speed mechanical drivetrain with Praxis alloy crank, Maven Base brakes and an arroy of alloy components from Race Face. WTB ST Tough TCS 2.0 rims are built around Novatec and Formula hubs. Those are wrapped in Maxxis Assegai / Minion DHR tires in an appropriate and very welcome  MaxxGrip/DH Casing combo.

All that squeezes in a hair under 40 lbs (17.94 KG / 39.52 LBS) for a S3, according to Norco. Not bad, considering it comes with proper spec out of the box.

As a frame only, the Torrent DH comes with a RockShox Vivid Air Base for $2,800 (USD 3,000)