Revolver 120 C1 Gen 4

The fourth-generation Norco Revolver 120 is a dedicated cross-country platform engineered for modern, highly technical race courses and aggressive trail riding. Moving away from its historical Horst-link design, Norco transitions the Revolver to a flex-pivot rear suspension layout, shedding significant frame weight while maintaining an active suspension feel. The platform is built around a 120mm fork and 115mm of rear travel, utilizing a custom-tuned inline shock to balance pedaling support with small-bump compliance.

Aimed at riders who want race-day efficiency without sacrificing capability on steep or rough terrain, the Revolver 120 updates its chassis with contemporary standards like a threaded bottom bracket, UDH compatibility, and dual-bottle capacity on most sizes. It is a sharp, lightweight machine that prioritizes forward momentum but embraces the reality that modern cross-country riding often demands the descending composure of a short-travel trail bike.

$8,299Gen Gen 4

Build

Size

Stack	598mm
Reach	447.5mm
Top tube	605mm
Headtube length	100mm
Standover height	681mm
Seat tube length	434mm

Fit and geometry

Norco shapes the Revolver 120 around a thoroughly modern cross-country geometry that prioritizes stability without losing low-speed agility. The 66.5-degree head tube angle is notably slacker than previous iterations, pushing the front wheel further out to prevent the bike from feeling nervous on steep descents. This is paired with a roomy reach—measuring 472.5mm on a Size 3—giving the rider plenty of space to shift their weight during technical maneuvers.

To keep handling consistent across the size run, Norco employs size-specific geometry. As the frames get larger, the rear-center lengths grow proportionally and the seat tube angles steepen. This approach ensures that taller riders remain centered between the wheels, maintaining a powerful, forward-biased pedaling posture on steep climbs without the front wheel wandering.

The cockpit setup reinforces the bike's aggressive intentions. Across all builds, Norco specs a short 50mm stem paired with wide, low-rise handlebars. This combination keeps steering inputs direct and responsive, allowing riders to easily navigate tight switchbacks while maintaining leverage over the front end through rougher sections.

Full specs

Frameset

Frame

Carbon frame, 115mm travel, UDH, Eagle Transmission compatible, Ride Aligned™

Fork

RockShox SID Ultimate 3P, 120mm, 44mm offset

Rear shock

RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate, 190x42.5mm

Weight

11.56 kg (25.5 lbs) (size S3)

Groupset

Shift levers

Shimano XTR SW-M9250-IR, I-SPEC (rear)

Rear derailleur

Shimano XTR RD-9250 Di2, 12-speed, SGS

Cassette

Shimano XTR CS-M9200-12, 12-speed, 10-51T

Chain

Shimano XTR CN-M9100, 12-speed

Crankset

Shimano Deore XT FC-M8200, 34T, CL55, 165mm (S1) / 170mm (S2,S3) / 175mm (S4,S5)

Bottom bracket

Shimano BB-MT501, BSA 73mm

Front brake

Shimano Deore XT BR-M8220 hydraulic disc, metal pads (with Shimano Deore XT BL-M8220 lever)

Rear brake

Shimano Deore XT BR-M8220 hydraulic disc, metal pads (with Shimano Deore XT BL-M8220 lever)

Front rotor

Shimano SM-RT66, 180mm, 6-bolt

Rear rotor

Shimano SM-RT66, 160mm, 6-bolt

Wheelset

Front wheel

Zipp 1Zero HiTop S Carbon, 29", 30mm internal width; Zipp 1Zero HiTop S, 15x110mm Boost, 6-bolt; Sapim CX-Sprint (spokes/nipples)

Rear wheel

Zipp 1Zero HiTop S Carbon, 29", 30mm internal width; Zipp 1Zero HiTop S, 12x148mm Boost, Micro Spline, 6-bolt; Sapim CX-Sprint (spokes/nipples)

Front tire

Maxxis Rekon, 3C MaxxTerra, EXO, 29x2.40

Rear tire

Maxxis Rekon Race, 3C MaxxSpeed, EXO, 29x2.40

Cockpit

Stem

Alloy CNC stem, 50mm length, 35mm clamp

Handlebars

Race Face ERA35, 760mm (S1,S2) / 780mm (S3,S4,S5), 20mm rise

Saddle

Fizik Terra Ridon, MG rail

Seatpost

TranzX YSI36 dropper, 31.6mm — 120mm (S1,S2) / 150mm (S3) / 170mm (S4) / 200mm (S5)

Grips

WTB Wavelength

Builds

The Revolver 120 lineup spans three carbon builds, all utilizing the same lightweight frame, threaded bottom bracket, and UDH compatibility. The entry point is the C2, which blends a Shimano XT Di2 rear derailleur with Deore-level drivetrain components and four-piston brakes. It relies on RockShox Select+ suspension and an alloy Stan's Arch D wheelset. While this build offers reliable shifting and braking, the heavier wheels mask some of the frame's inherent acceleration.

Stepping up to the C1 introduces a full Shimano XTR Di2 drivetrain, upgraded XT brakes, and RockShox Ultimate-tier suspension. Crucially, the C1 upgrades to a Zipp 1Zero HiTop S carbon wheelset, significantly reducing rotational weight and sharpening the bike's climbing response.

At the top of the ladder, the C SE represents a no-compromise race build. It features a SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS Transmission, SRAM Motive Ultimate four-piston brakes, and RockShox Flight Attendant automated suspension. Like the C1, it rolls on the Zipp carbon wheelset but swaps the standard dropper for a wireless RockShox Reverb AXS post. Across all models, Norco specs a Maxxis Rekon and Rekon Race tire combination, leaning heavily toward rolling speed.

C2 Gen 4

$5,399

C1 Gen 4

$8,299

Selected

C SE Gen 4

$11,499

Reviews

Reviewers consistently praise the Revolver 120 for balancing sharp pedaling response with unexpected descending capability. The transition to a flex-pivot rear end is widely viewed as a success, yielding a bike that feels energetic under power but remains "nice and active at the top of its travel, aiding traction on technical climbs" (Flow Mountain Bike). Testers found that the custom shock tune provides enough mid-stroke support to push hard into corners, while the frame's low weight translates to immediate acceleration.

On rougher descents, the bike handles terrain that typically overwhelms short-travel platforms. One tester noted that the "dialed steering allowed me to slice through rough lines" (Cycling Magazine), maintaining composure on steep, rocky trails. However, its cross-country DNA remains apparent. While highly capable, the front end can exhibit "twitchy moments from the front end when the speeds pick up" (Theloamwolf) on truly aggressive downhill sections.

The primary critique centers on the stock components of the lower-tier builds. Testers observed that the heavier alloy wheelset on the C2 model dulls the frame's natural liveliness and "saps some momentum and impeded quick accelerations" (Flow Mountain Bike). Additionally, several reviewers found the stock Maxxis Rekon rear tire prone to slipping on loose hardpack, suggesting a tread upgrade for riders tackling demanding conditions.