Overview
The Norco Range is Norco’s dedicated enduro race bike, featuring 170mm of both front and rear travel with a VPS HP (High Pivot) suspension design and full 29-inch wheels. The Range is purpose-built for EWS-level enduro racing, with geometry and suspension tuned for maximum descending performance while maintaining enough climbing capability to get riders to the top of timed stages. The current model launched in 2023 and remains Norco’s flagship enduro platform.
New to bike geometry? Our complete guide to mountain bike geometry explains every measurement and what it means for your riding. You can also learn how to read a geometry chart to compare this bike against other models.
The Range runs a size-specific head angle that ranges from 63.75° on the Small to 63° on the XL — getting slacker as sizes increase, which is part of Norco’s Ride Aligned philosophy. Seat tube angles progress from 76.5° (S) to 77.25° (XL), and reach spans 420mm to 510mm. Chainstay lengths range from 440mm to 447.5mm, longer than the Sight to provide additional stability at enduro speeds. The 355mm bottom bracket height is consistent across all sizes. The full 29″ wheel setup maximizes rollover speed on rough, high-speed enduro courses.
Geometry Diagram
Geometry Table
| Measurement | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head Tube Angle | 63.75° | 63.50° | 63.25° | 63.00° |
| Seat Tube Angle (eff.) | 76.50° | 76.75° | 77.00° | 77.25° |
| Reach | 420mm | 450mm | 480mm | 510mm |
| Stack | 618mm | 630mm | 643mm | 653mm |
| Wheelbase | 1203mm | 1243mm | 1280mm | 1329mm |
| Chainstay Length | 440mm | 442.5mm | 445mm | 447.5mm |
| BB Height | 355mm | 355mm | 355mm | 355mm |
| Head Tube Length | 105mm | 115mm | 125mm | 140mm |
| Horizontal Top Tube | 562mm | 593mm | 622mm | 656mm |
| Standover | 702mm | 717mm | 722mm | 729mm |
Geometry Analysis
The Range’s size-specific head angles are a defining feature — the Small runs 63.75° while the XL runs a remarkably slack 63°. This progressive approach ensures larger riders, who carry more momentum and weight, get additional stability, while smaller riders retain agility. The 440–447.5mm chainstays are longer than the Sight (420–436mm), reflecting the Range’s priority on stability at speed over low-speed playfulness. The 355mm BB height is 2mm higher than the Sight 150, providing a touch more clearance for the rough terrain the Range is designed to handle. The 29″ wheel setup maximizes rollover speed and stability, foregoing the MX option of the Sight in favor of pure enduro performance.
Ride Characteristics
The Range is Norco’s most capable descender. The VPS HP high-pivot suspension shines in the rough terrain the Range was designed for — the rearward axle path keeps the rear wheel tracking beautifully through rock gardens, braking bumps, and high-speed chatter. The 170/170mm of travel provides a massive window of bump absorption, and the progressive suspension resists bottom-out even under the hardest hits. On timed stages, the Range inspires confidence at speeds where other bikes start to feel unsettled. The longer chainstays and slacker geometry create a stable platform that allows riders to push harder. Climbing is adequate for enduro racing — the steep seat angles and VPS HP anti-squat keep the bike moving forward, though the Range is not a bike you’d choose for an all-day pedal adventure. This is a race bike built for the timer.
Key Specs
Frame: Carbon (C1, C2) or Aluminum (A1). Wheel Size: 29″. Travel: 170mm fork / 170mm rear. Suspension: VPS HP (High Pivot). Sizes: S, M, L, XL. Drivetrain: SRAM GX/X0 Eagle or Shimano XT/XTR. Fork: FOX 38 / RockShox ZEB. Shock: FOX Float X / RockShox Super Deluxe.
What’s New vs Previous Generation
The current Range was introduced in 2023 with the VPS HP high-pivot suspension platform, representing a fundamental shift from the previous Range’s conventional pivot design. Key innovations include the high-pivot layout with idler pulley for improved bump absorption, size-specific head angles, and geometry tuned specifically for enduro racing. The aluminum A1 build option makes the Range’s technology more accessible at a lower price point.
Who Should Consider This Bike
The Norco Range is for dedicated enduro racers and aggressive riders who prioritize descending performance above all else. If you race EWS or regional enduro series, ride the steepest and roughest terrain your area offers, and view climbing as a necessary means to get to the top of the next stage, the Range is purpose-built for you. Riders who want more all-round versatility should choose the Sight 160, and riders on mellower terrain will find the Range’s aggressive geometry overkill.
Comparable Models
The Range competes with the Santa Cruz Megatower (165/160mm), Specialized Enduro (180/170mm), Yeti SB160 (170/160mm), Trek Slash (170/160mm), and YT Capra (170/170mm). The Range stands out for its VPS HP high-pivot suspension and size-specific head angles. The Specialized Enduro offers more travel and adjustability, while the Megatower uses VPP suspension. The YT Capra is the closest travel competitor with a direct-to-consumer value proposition.
Related Geometry
More Norco geometry: 2023 Norco Fluid FS Geometry, 2023 Norco Fluid VLT Geometry, 2023 Norco Optic Geometry, 2023 Norco Range Geometry, 2023 Norco Range VLT Geometry.
Compare enduro bikes: 2023 Giant Reign Geometry, 2023 Giant Reign SX Geometry, 2023 Trek Slash Geometry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What suspension does the Norco Range use?
The Range uses Norco’s VPS HP (Virtual Pivot Suspension, High Pivot) design. The high-pivot layout creates a rearward axle path that helps the rear wheel track over bumps more effectively, especially on rough terrain at speed. An idler pulley manages chain tension.
Does the Norco Range have size-specific geometry?
Yes. The Range uses Norco’s Ride Aligned philosophy with size-specific head angles (63.75° S to 63° XL), seat tube angles (76.5° to 77.25°), chainstay lengths (440–447.5mm), and other measurements that change per size to optimize handling for riders of different heights.
Is the Norco Range available in aluminum?
Yes. The Range is available in both carbon (C1, C2 builds) and aluminum (A1 build). The aluminum version uses the same VPS HP suspension design and geometry as the carbon models at a more accessible price point.
What wheel size does the Norco Range use?
The Range runs full 29-inch wheels front and rear. Unlike the Sight, the Range does not offer a MX (mixed wheel) option, as the full 29″ setup provides maximum rollover speed and stability for enduro racing.
How does the Norco Range compare to the Sight 160?
Both use VPS HP suspension, but the Range (170/170mm) is a dedicated enduro race bike with slacker geometry (63-63.75°), longer chainstays, and full 29″ wheels. The Sight 160 (170/160mm, 63.5° HA, MX wheels) is more versatile and better suited to all-day riding. The Range prioritizes timed descending performance; the Sight 160 balances climbing and descending.