Norco Revolver 120
Wheel Size: 29”
Travel: 115 mm rear / 120 mm front
Geometry Highlights:
- Sizes Offered: S1-5
- Headtube Angle: 66.5°
- Reach: 472.5 mm (S3)
- Chainstay Length: 430 mm (S3)
Frame Material: Carbon fiber
Price: Complete bikes starting at $5,249 USD / $6,699 CAD
Norco Revolver 130
Wheel Size: 29”
Travel: 120 mm rear / 130 mm front
Geometry Highlights:
- Sizes Offered: S1-5
- Headtube Angle: 66°
- Reach: 468 mm (S3)
- Chainstay Length: 430 mm (S3)
Frame Material: Carbon fiber
Price: Complete bikes starting at $3,899 USD / $4,899 CAD
Intro
The Revolver name has been in Norco’s lineup since 2011, first appearing as a full-suspension XC bike with 100 mm of travel front and rear. Ever since then, Norco has been updating the Revolver, with the last update happening in early 2019.
That changes today, though, with the introduction of the all-new Revolver platform, which includes the Revolver 120 and Revolver 130. With modern geometry to keep up with today’s demanding XC race courses, Norco’s first “Flex-Pivot” suspension design, & more, this is one of the most significant evolutions of the Revolver. Let’s get into the details:
The Frame
The Revolver 120 and 130 use the same frame, which is only available in carbon fiber. Interestingly, the new Revolvers are named for their fork travel, not their rear travel. The Revolver 120 packs 115 mm out back, while the 130 bumps that to 120 mm.
With a stated frame weight of 1830 grams (S3, hardware & plastics included, no rear shock), Norco is claiming a weight savings of 450 grams over the previous Revolver. A new flex-stay design on the Revolver frame is responsible for a significant chunk of the saved grams, allowing Norco to ditch a pivot that previously existed between the chainstays and seatstays. Norco also claims to have achieved this lighter frame by focusing on size-specific carbon layups for each frame. Norco also uses clear-coat paint on each frame, which they claim is half the weight of standard paint, and the new Revolver frames also use titanium hardware throughout to further boost weight savings.
Norco hasn’t published any suspension leverage curve or anti-squat graphs for their new Revolvers, but they designed this new XC bike around the kinematics of compact XC air shocks. Norco also has shot for consistent anti-squat numbers throughout this bike’s rear travel to keep it pedaling predictably over varied terrain.
The Revolver frame can fit two water bottles inside the front triangle of every size but the smallest S1. Additionally, the new Revolver is SRAM UDH compatible, has an ISCG05 chainguide mount, uses a threaded bottom bracket, can fit tires up to 2.5” wide, and has guided internal cable routing that also supports a dual lockout. Norco also takes pains to mention that the new Revolvers do not use headset cable routing.
Fit & Geometry
The new Revolver also comes with modern geometry, bringing it up to speed with many other XC bikes that have been launched in the last couple of years. Norco equipped the Revolver with a slacker head tube angle, a lower bottom bracket, and size-specific chainstay lengths. Additionally, this new Revolver also features intentionally short seat tube lengths for each size, allowing riders to run longer dropper posts. With five sizes spanning from S1 to S5, Norco claims the new Revolver will fit riders from 5’1” to 6’5” (155-195.5 cm).
Looking at the geometry chart as a whole, nothing really pops out, and rather, a cohesive bike seems to take shape. Each size’s chainstay length is perhaps on the shorter end, but other than that, the latest Revolver seems to fit right in with today’s capable XC bikes.
The Builds
Norco offers the Revolver 120 and 130 in three different build kits each. The Revolver 120 uses RockShox suspension front and rear, while the Revolver 130 opts for Fox suspension both up front and out back. Hitting a low weight seems to be a priority across build kits, with the Revolver 120 SE coming in at a stated 25.35 lbs (11.5 kg), and the Revolver 130 C1 weighing in at 28.66lbs (13 kg), according to Norco.
Highlights from the available builds are as follows:
Revolver 120 C2 ($5,249 USD / $6,699 CAD)
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore XT Di2
- Brakes: TBD
- Fork: RockShox SID Select Charger (120 mm)
- Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Select+
- Wheels: TBD
- Dropper Post: TBD
Revolver 120 C1 ($7,999 USD / $9,500 CAD)
- Drivetrain: Shimano XTR Di2
- Brakes: TBD
- Fork: RockShox SID Ultimate 3P (120 mm)
- Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate
- Wheels: TBD
- Dropper Post: TBD
Revolver 120 SE ($11,499 USD / $14,000 CAD)
- Drivetrain: SRAM XX Eagle AXS Transmission
- Brakes: TBD
- Fork: RockShox SID Ultimate Flight Attendant (120 mm)
- Shock: RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant
- Wheels: TBD
- Dropper Post: TBD
Revolver 130 C3 ($3,899 USD / $4,899 CAD)
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore XT Di2
- Brakes: TBD
- Fork: Fox 34SL Performance Float Grip2 (130 mm)
- Shock: Fox Float SL Performance
- Wheels: TBD
- Dropper Post: TBD
Revolver 130 C2 ($5,249 USD / $6,699 CAD)
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore XT Di2
- Brakes: TBD
- Fork: Fox 34SL Performance Float Grip2 (130 mm)
- Shock: Fox Float SL Performance
- Wheels: TBD
- Dropper Post: TBD
Revolver 130 C1 ($7,999 USD / $9,500 CAD)
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore XT Di2
- Brakes: TBD
- Fork: Fox 34SL Factory Float GripX (130 mm)
- Shock: Fox Factory Float SL
- Wheels: TBD
- Dropper Post: TBD
In addition to the complete builds, Norco also offers the Revolver 120 in a frame-only option with a RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate rear shock for $3,499 USD / $4,200 CAD.
Some Questions / Things We’re Curious About
(1) We often find that flex-stay suspension designs tend to be more energetic and responsive. So, how will the new Revolver’s “Flex-Pivot” design feel, and will it also incorporate a decent amount of traction?
(2) With somewhat shorter chainstay lengths, how playful will the Revolver feel, and will it sacrifice much stability?
(3) How different will the Revolver 120 and 130 feel, and who should buy what?
Bottom Line (For Now)
The XC race scene has changed a lot since Norco last launched an XC bike, and this new Revolver seems up to the task when it comes to handling today’s more demanding World Cup XC race tracks. We have a Revolver on the way, so stay tuned for updates as we start spending time on this new bike from Norco.