Torrent

The Norco Torrent is a hardcore 29er hardtail built for aggressive trail riding and gravity-focused descents. Redesigned from the ground up for the 2020 model year, the platform centers around a 150mm travel fork and a robust frame available in either double-butted 4130 chromoly steel or 6061 aluminum. Norco prioritized durability and practicality, equipping the frame with a threaded 73mm bottom bracket, Boost rear spacing, and external downtube cable routing with an internal port for the dropper post. The 1x-specific layout utilizes a shaped yoke at the chainstays to maintain clearance for large tires while keeping the rear end compact. Weighing in over 30 pounds depending on the exact specification, the Torrent is not designed for cross-country speed or lightweight efficiency. Instead, it serves riders who want the simplicity of a hardtail combined with the geometry and descending capability typically reserved for long-travel full-suspension mountain bikes.

Build

Size

Stack	637mm
Reach	480mm
Top tube	639mm
Headtube length	115mm
Standover height	679mm
Seat tube length	435mm

Fit and geometry

The Torrent’s geometry mirrors the numbers found on modern all-mountain and enduro bikes, fundamentally shaping its handling and rider fit. A notably slack 64-degree head tube angle pushes the front wheel far forward, creating immense stability on steep descents and preventing the bike from pivoting forward over technical features. To balance this long front center, Norco utilizes very short chainstays, measuring 420mm on sizes small and medium, and 425mm on large and extra-large frames. This compact rear end is responsible for the bike's ability to pivot sharply and manual over obstacles despite its overall length.

Reach is generous across the size run, measuring 480mm on a size large, which provides a spacious cockpit that allows the rider to move freely without upsetting the bike's balance. To ensure this length remains manageable on ascents, the frame features a steep 76-degree effective seat tube angle. This positions the rider's hips centrally over the bottom bracket, promoting an upright, efficient pedaling posture that helps keep the front wheel tracking straight on steep climbs, counteracting the wandering tendency often associated with slack head angles.

Builds

While the Torrent platform includes premium steel options, the aluminum lineup is split into the A1 HT and A2 HT builds, both utilizing the same 6061 alloy frame. The A1 HT sits as the higher-tier aluminum option, equipped with a 150mm RockShox 35 Gold RL fork and a Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain featuring a wide-range 10-51T cassette. Braking is handled by TRP Slate EVO four-piston hydraulic calipers paired with 180mm rotors.

The A2 HT lowers the entry price by stepping down to an SR Suntour Zeron35 coil fork, though it maintains the 150mm travel and 44mm offset. The drivetrain shifts to an 11-speed Shimano Deore setup with an 11-51T SunRace cassette, and braking duties move to Tektro HD-745 four-piston hydraulics.

Both aluminum builds share a robust wheel and tire package designed for aggressive riding. They roll on 32-hole Stan's Flow D rims laced to Boost hubs, wrapped in 2.35-inch Schwalbe Hans Dampf tires with Performance TwinSkin casings. Additionally, both models feature a TranzX dropper post, offering 130mm of travel on size small frames and 150mm on medium through extra-large sizes, alongside an 800mm alloy handlebar and a short 50mm stem.

A2 HT

$1,519

A1 HT

$1,879

Reviews

Reviewers consistently characterize the Torrent as a descending specialist that requires an active, aggressive pilot. On steep, technical trails, the bike delivers a distinctly "ground-hugging" (PinkBike) feel, remaining remarkably composed at high speeds. Despite its substantial length and weight, testers found the bike surprisingly eager to corner, noting that the short rear end allows it to "carve so well" (YouTube) through tight berms and quick line adjustments.

The frame material plays a significant role in the ride quality. The steel models are frequently praised for offering subtle flex and vibration damping that softens trail chatter. In contrast, the aluminum frames transmit more feedback, which can feel jarring on rough, seated climbs. Uphill performance is generally viewed as a slow, steady affair. The bike's heft and aggressive tires mean it is "not a zippy bike" (YouTube) when accelerating, though the steep seat angle provides an effective position for grinding up fire roads.

Component specification heavily influences reviewer sentiment, particularly regarding the front suspension. While high-end builds with premium forks receive universal praise for their supportive descending capabilities, the RockShox 35 Gold RL found on mid-tier models is often criticized as "unrefined and poorly damped" (Outdoorgearlab), with a tendency to dive under hard braking.