Last year Norco introduced the Torrent hardtail, which features 27.5 wheels in a slack, alloy frameset. The Canadian brand is following suit for 2017 by rolling out a full suspension version of the Torrent.
Torrent FS details
- Equipped with 27.5x2.8in tires
- 140mm front / 130 rear travel
- ART rear suspension design
- Two complete bikes and a frameset
- Available January 2017
Plus with more travel
Like its hardtail sibling, the Torrent FS is positioned as a slack trail bike. On paper at least it looks to be very playful — while the chainstay length is a touch longer than the hardtail Torrent, the rear end is still respectably short, particularly for a plus bike.
Norco’s Gravity-Tuned chainstay length varies from 425mm on the size small to 440mm on the XL.
The Torrent FS has 130mm of rear travel mated to 140mm of suspension up front. Like the company’s other full suspension models, it uses a Horst link suspension design that Norco calls ART
There’s an ongoing debate in the world of plus bikes about what constitutes “plus". Some plus proponents feel that a tire should be a full three inches wide, while others have decided that scaling back to a 2.8 inch width gives the same benefits, with a bit less weight and less tire squirm.
Norco appears to be in the later camp, as both models come shod in the new 27.5x2.8in Maxxis DHF and DHR treads. According to Chris Cook, Norco’s marketing manager, true 27.5x3in tires will fit in the rear end, but the clearance will be tight, particularly if the tires have tall knobs.
Torrent FS pricing, specs and availability
For 2017, Norco will offer the Torrent FS in two complete versions as well as a frame with shock.
The Torrent FS A7.1 will retail for US$3,599, while the Torrent FS A7.2 comes in at US$2,499. The Torrent FS frame with RockShox Deluxe RT Debonair shock comes in at US$1,399. (UK and Australian pricing have yet to be announced.)
Norco Bicycles introduces the Torrent FS+
The Torrent FS+ will be available in January. For more details, visit http://www.norco.com.
