Norco Launches New Torrent DH Downhill Bike
Norco’s new Torrent DH combines 200mm travel, mixed wheels and a durable aluminium frame into a downhill bike designed for park laps and shuttle days.
Photography by Andy Vathis
Norco has expanded its long-running Torrent lineup with the launch of the new Torrent DH, a purpose built downhill bike aimed at riders who love shuttling laps and sending big lines at the bike park.
Built around an aluminium frame and Norco’s Virtual Pivot Suspension platform, the Torrent DH delivers 200mm of rear wheel travel paired with a 200mm dual-crown fork. Rather than chasing complexity, Norco says the focus was on creating a bike that’s durable, easy to maintain and capable of handling the punishment that comes with regular downhill riding.
The mixed wheel platform features size-specific geometry across five frame sizes and a low standover height designed to accommodate a broad range of riders, including younger riders stepping into gravity riding. Norco has also incorporated a custom-tuned air shock with additional end-stroke ramp-up to help control hard bottom outs, while riders who prefer a coil shock can swap one in.
Practicality appears to be a major theme throughout the build. External cable routing, replaceable frame protection and chain management are all aimed at lowering maintenance costs and upkeep so you can spend more time out on the trails.
According to Norco, the VPS suspension platform has been tuned to deliver a balance of traction, support and durability while remaining composed under heavy braking and repeated impacts. The goal is a bike that feels planted in rough terrain but still offers enough pop and playfulness when the trail opens up.
For Australian riders, the Torrent DH arrives at a time when gravity riding continues to grow, with bike parks, shuttle operations and lift-accessed riding becoming more accessible around the country. While many downhill bikes continue to push towards increasingly specialised race focused designs, the Torrent DH appears to be targeting riders who simply want a reliable bike for big days at the park.
RRP: AU $5999 for complete A1 (available in Blue and Raw)
Read more about the Torrent DH on Norco’s website.
