Norco Storm 2 29 Review
- Price: $899
- Frame: Aluminum
- Tires: 27.5 inch/29 inch
- Gear: 1×12
What we like about it: The abundance of frame sizes with different sizes of wheelsets to choose from.
What we don’t like about it: No dropper design, no quick adjustment of sitting weight between climbing and descending.
Rating: (4.8/5)
The Norco Storm 2 29 is a hardtail mountain bike with a sturdy aluminum frame and agile, powerful off-road capabilities.
This allows it to handle a variety of bumpy surfaces.
It also has a wide range of frame sizes and different wheelset sizes to choose from to meet most people’s riding needs.
Below, we will analyze the riding experience, key features, components, and specifications as well as other versions of this bike.
Additionally, at the end of the review, we will also compare several best bike models. If you want to know more about bike reviews, don’t hesitate to follow us.
Riding Experience
The first thing that struck me about the Norco Storm 2 29 was its sturdiness.
For an XC mountain bike in this class, there are few that are made as hard as it is.
Also the overall design of the internal alignment looks clean and simple, and with the dark paint job, it gives a very understated feel to the vehicle.
I immediately booked a ticket to a forest park near my home on Skyscanner to get the fastest feel of how much this XC mountain bike could do.
The route I chose this time was almost all gravel and sand, which is the most common surface for XC mountain bikes to ride on.
Climbing
As I rode the Norco Storm 2 29 on an upward climbing section, the 6061 aluminum frame it uses greatly reduced some of the weight, thus saving a lot of energy.
Next, the Pro Wheel CY10Y-NW, 30T crankset with 11-46T, 10 Speed flywheel made me easily climb up no matter how steep the slope was.
The front and rear Maxxis Rekon DK60 2.25″ outer tires with larger grains gripped the ground well so that there was no slippage, ensuring that every pedal stroke I made would become forward momentum.
The same excellent almost shape kept my center of gravity very stable in front of the bike on the uphill, which also facilitated my pedaling power on the climbs.
Decline
Although this is an XC mountain bike, it performed just as well as I expected as I rode it down.
It still handled these gravel bumps and small drop-offs with ease.
First of all, the Norco Storm 2 29 has an internal cable routing design coupled with a noise-canceling cable tube design to avoid noise from the cable tube hitting the inner wall of the frame downtube while riding.
Next, the Shimano Deore RD-M5120’s rear derailleur tension also met my expectations, and the chain would not come off on this kind of gravel and bumpy road.
After all, I’m not going to take this XC mountain bike and do what a full-suspension mountain bike does.
As for braking, the Norco Storm 2 29 uses Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc brakes with Tektro 160mm discs, and the braking power is excellent after breaking in the pads and discs.
It still responded positively when I needed to brake in a hurry, helping me stop the Storm 2 29.
Finally, the 29-inch wheelset size used with the 100mm travel Suntour XCM HLO DS fork absorbed most of the vibration during fast descents and gave me a very stable descending experience.
All in all, I am satisfied with the Norco Storm 2 29’s performance on the climbs and the stability on the descents that many XC mountain bikes don’t have.
Specification
The Norco Storm 2 29 is available in six aluminum frame sizes from XXS to XL (XXS-S sizes with 27.5-inch wheelsets, L-XL with 29-inch wheelsets and M sizes with both 27.5 and 29-inch wheelsets), which greatly enriches the options available on this bike.
In addition, there are two mounting holes in the frame of this car, at the down tube and the seat tube.
It can support full-size water bottle installation. The design of the inner alignment also makes the appearance look more neat.
Apart from that, the design of the silent line pipe ensures that the vehicle will not make noise during the ride.
The next thing I like about the Norco is the reinforcement at the seat tube and top tube, which makes the whole bike stronger.
Although the Norco Storm 2 29 has a quick-release wheelset design that makes it easier to disassemble the wheelset, I prefer the cartridge design because it is more stable and less prone to accidents under intense riding.
Finally, the Norco Storm 2 29 can support up to a 2.35-inch outer tire size, which further enhances the potential of this XC mountain bike.
Video
Other versions
The Norco Storm 2 29 is a hardtail mountain bike with excellent all-around capabilities that can handle most of the surfaces it faces in everyday life very well.
Whether it’s a light trail ride or a daily commuter ride, it’s worth a try.
The single disc reduces the weight of the bike, but it also affects its riding speed on flat road.
For this reason, we have also found a hardtail mountain bike that is faster on the flat and more suitable for daily commuting.
Norco Storm 5
Both the Norco Storm 2 and the Norco Storm 5 use the same aluminum frame and have the same size specifications.
But the latter price will be a few hundred dollars cheaper than the former.
First of all, the latter uses Shimano TY301, 42/34/24T crankset with CS-M3007, 11-34T, 7 Speed flywheel, altogether the bike has 21 speed.
This also indicates that it will be faster than the former in flat road commuting, but the overly complex gear ratios in off-road riding are not as efficient as the single disc gearing.
Next, the two bikes are different in terms of brake kits. The latter uses mechanical disc brakes, which have a good braking effect in daily riding, but the braking ability is weaker than the former’s hydraulic disc brakes.
The braking power will drop after a long time of use due to the aging of the cables.
So if you’re not willing to spend too much money on just an XC mountain bike for your daily commute, then the Norco Storm 5 would be a good choice.
Below, we will list the specific parameters of the Norco Storm 2 29 in detail and some other brands of hardtail trail bikes with similar prices for your reference.
What do we like about it?
- -Inside alignment design makes the appearance looks cleaner and neater and it is easy to clean.
- -Cable muffling treatment reduces the noise made by the cable slapping the inner wall of the down tube during the ride.
- -With a wide range of frame sizes and wheelset sizes to choose from, it can cope with the choices of riders of all different heights.
- -Maximum 2.35-inch compatible outer tire improves the potential of the bike’s off-road capability.
- -Reinforcement treatment at the seat tube and top tube, and the whole car has higher and stronger wall fixing.
- -Excellent geometry gives the vehicle an agile, easy-to-handle off-road capability.
What don’t we like about it?
- -No dropper design, no quick adjustment of sitting center of gravity between climbing and descending.
FAQs
- What wheelset is used on the Norco Storm 2 29?
Front wheelset: Alloy QR, 9x100mm QR, 6 Bolt.
Rear wheelset: Alloy QR, 10x135mm QR, HG, 6 Bolt.
- Does Norco Storm 2 29 weigh heavy?
It uses 6061 aluminum alloy frame material, which is lighter than traditional steel frame, combining light weight and stiffness.
- How to choose the right size for Norco Storm 2 29?
Here we provide you with a size chart, but of course you do not have to follow this standard. The best way to find the most suitable size is to test ride.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 4’6″-4’10” | XXS |
| 4’9″-5’2″ | XS |
| 5’1″-5’5″ | S |
| 5’4″-5’9″ | M |
| 5’8″-6’0″ | L |
| 5’11”-6’4″ | XL |
Norco Storm 2 29 Specs
Build
| Frame | 6061 Alloy, Internal Routing, Smooth Welds BB Standard: BSA, 73mm, Threaded Colors: Blue / Black; Blue / Grey; Green / Green |
| Fork | Suntour XCM HLO DS, 100mm, 42mm Offset (27.5), 46mm Offset (29) |
| Bottom Bracket | Cartridge, BSA Threaded |
| Headset | Zero Stack |
| Stem | Alloy 60mm, 31.8mm Clamp |
| Handlebar | X6 Alloy, 720mm (XXS, XS, S), 740mm (M, L, XL), 25mm Rise |
| Saddle | Norco XC |
| Seatpost | Alloy 31.6mm |
| Pedals | VP Nylon Flat |
| Grips | Norco XC |
Groupset
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore RD-M5120 |
| Crank | Pro Wheel CY10Y-NW, 30T, 170mm (XXS, XS, S), 175mm (M, L, XL) |
| Shifters | Shimano Deore SL-M4100 |
| Cassette | Sunrace CSMS2, 11-46T, 10 Speed |
| Chain | KMC X10 |
| Brakes | Tektro HD-M275 Hydraulic, Resin Pads |
| Brake Levers | Tektro HD-M275, HD-M276 Short Reach on Step-Thru |
Wheels
| Rims | Alex DP21 TRS |
| Front Hub | Alloy QR, 9x100mm QR, 6 Bolt |
| Rear Hub | Alloy QR, 10x135mm QR, HG, 6 Bolt |
| Tires | Maxxis Rekon DK60 2.25″ |
| Disk Rotors | Tektro 160mm |
Comparison Table
| Bicycles | Click View | Drivetrain | Frame | Brake | Travel |
| Specialized Rockhopper Sport 26 | Click View | 2 × 9 | Aluminum | Hydraulic Disc | 80mm front |
| Trek X-Caliber 8 | Click View | 1 × 12 | Aluminum | Hydraulic Disc | 100mm front |
| Canyon Lux Trail CF 8 | Click View | 1 × 12 Electronic | Carbon | Hydraulic Disc | 110mm rear, 120mm front |
| GT Aggressor Comp | Click View | 3 × 7 | Aluminum | Mechanical Disc | 80mm front |
Norco Storm 2 29 vs Specialized Rockhopper Sport 26
From Norco Storm 2 29 and Specialized Rockhopper Sport 26, I would recommend the former more, even though the latter may look cooler.
First, although both forks are from Suntour, the former has 100mm travel, but the latter only has 80mm travel, which also allows the Norco Storm 2 29 to absorb more vibration and have better off-road riding ability.
Then, in terms of drivetrain, the former’s single crankset 1×10 speed design is not as rich as the latter’s 2×9, but will reduce the weight of the bike and better release off-road riding potential.
As for the brake system, both bikes are hydraulic disc brakes with excellent braking ability.
Finally, the biggest difference is that the former has 27.5-inch and 29-inch wheelsets to choose from, but the latter only 26 inches to opt from. This is also a huge advantage of the former in terms of passability and stability.
Norco Storm 2 29 vs Trek X-Caliber 8
Comparing Norco Storm 2 29 with Trek X-Caliber 8, the latter uses the kit more advanced than the former with great off-road capabilities, but the price is also relatively higher.
The latter uses Shimano M6100 mixed with Shimano XT 1×12 speed drivetrain kit than the former 1×10 speed Shimano to make Trek X-Caliber 8 more powerful in climbing.
The latter’s RockShox Judy SL also has better sensitivity and lubrication than the former’s fork, and has a better ability to filter vibrations on continuous bumpy roads.
In the brake kit, both of them use Tektro HD-M275 and Shimano MT200 respectively, and the braking effect of these two brakes is similar and good.
From my perspective, if the budget is sufficient then Trek X-Caliber 8 will be very good. Considering that you do not want to spend too much money, Norco Storm 2 29 will be more suitable.
Learn More: Is The Trek X-Caliber 8 Worth Buying? [Trek X-Caliber 8 Review]
Norco Storm 2 29 vs Canyon Lux Trail CF 8
Comparing the Norco Storm 2 29 with the Canyon Lux Trail CF 8, the latter has a better kit and frame.
The Lux Trail CF 8 has a carbon fiber frame design and shock absorbers front and rear, which makes it far more capable in descending than the former and can adapt to more intense descending rides.
As for the drivetrain, the latter’s SRAM GX Eagle AXS 12s kit has a crisper, more responsive shifting feel than the former’s Shimano Deore M5120, and the rear derailleur has more tension, which makes the chain come off less often as well.
In terms of braking, the latter SRAM Level TLM has more powerful braking ability and faster brake response than the former Tektro Mech Disc Brakes.
In the end, if you want to choose between these two bikes, the top-of-the-line Canyon Lux Trail CF 8 will meet your needs in all aspects if you have a budget. However, the Norco Storm 2 29, which costs only one-sixth of the former, is suitable for more people.
Learn More: Is Canyon Lux Trail CF 7 Worth Buying? [Canyon Lux Trail CF 7 Review]
Norco Storm 2 29 vs GT Aggressor Comp
Between the Norco Storm 2 29 and the GT Aggressor Comp, the former Storm 2 29 is better.
First of all, in the drivetrain system, the former 1×10 speed is easier to operate than the latter’s 3×7 speed, but the latter will be faster in flat road cruising speed.
In terms of braking, the hydraulic disc brakes of the former are stronger than the mechanical disc brakes of the latter, and are more reliable after a long period of use.
Next, the Norco Storm 2 29’s 100mm damping stroke can absorb more vibration than the GT Aggressor Comp’s 80mm damping stroke, and can also better handle rough roads.
Finally, I would also prefer the former’s internal alignment design, not only is it neater and cleaner than the latter’s external alignment design, but also in the daily cleaning of the vehicle is also simpler and more convenient.
So of these two cars, the Norco Storm 2 29 is worth recommending, and it is more capable in almost every way than the GT Aggressor Comp.
Learn More: Is GT Aggressor Comp Worth Buying? [GT Aggressor Comp Review]
Summary
Above is my ride review of the Norco Storm 2 29. In our opinion, it’s an all-around excellent and cost-effective hardtail trail bike. Surprisingly, it’s on sale right now with a $140 cheaper! That’s why we gave it a 4.8 rating.
Of course, if you’re interested in exploring other similar bikes, we have reviewed a variety of bikes at different price points that you might find interesting. Feel free to check out our other reviews as well.
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