We've seen a lot of innovation in the mountain bike world over the years: longer reach, slacker head angles, bigger wheels. But nothing, and we mean nothing, has prepared you for what Norco has just dropped on the enduro scene.
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Meet the 2027 Norco Recliner.
You can also watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JZPdAutgYCQ
Three Wheels. One Vision. Zero Compromises.
Norco's engineers spent four years asking one question: what if enduro riders didn't have to choose between stability and speed? The answer, apparently, was to add a third wheel. The Recliner's patented Tri-Track geometry places a stabilizer wheel at the rear, dramatically improving traction on loose-over-hard terrain and giving riders the confidence to send it on the gnarliest descents the EWS calendar has to offer.
The 45° Reclining Seat Tube: A Paradigm Shift
The headline spec that's got the entire industry talking is the Recliner's 45-degree seat tube angle. Yes, that means what you think it means. Rather than the aggressive forward position that's dominated enduro bikes for the past decade, Norco has gone the other direction entirely. The seat reclines to a near-horizontal position, allowing riders to adopt a fully supine pedaling posture on climbs.
The benefits, according to Norco's internal testing, are significant:
- 37% reduction in saddle pressure on long fire road climbs
- Improved aerodynamics: Riders report feeling noticeably faster on open descents, though wind tunnel data is still pending
- Enhanced trail visibility: Looking straight up at the sky gives you a unique perspective on the canopy above, which Norco describes as "meditative"
- Unprecedented comfort on multi-stage enduro events. Several test riders reportedly fell asleep during the liaison stages
The Specs
- Frame: Norco's proprietary Tri-Ply carbon layup with integrated lumbar support and optional heated seat pad (sold separately)
- Travel: 170mm front, 160mm rear, 40mm stabilizer wheel (independent suspension)
- Wheel size: 16" front, 16" dual rear wheel
- Head tube angle: 63°
- Seat tube angle: 45° (reclining, with 7-position adjustment)
- Reach: 520mm (size L)
- Drivetrain: SRAM XX Eagle Transmission with Recliner-specific extended chainstay yoke
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Ultimate, 4-piston front and rear, plus dedicated stabilizer wheel disc
- Fork: Fox 38 Factory GRIP X2 with Norco's custom Tri-Track lower leg brace
- Shock: Fox DHX2 Factory with custom Recliner linkage tune
- Weight: 16.2 kg (size L, complete build). Norco notes the third wheel "adds character, not weight"
What the Pros Are Saying
Norco's factory team has been quietly testing the Recliner at venues across British Columbia all winter. Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with one team rider describing the experience as "like sending a La-Z-Boy off a 10-foot drop."
Availability
The 2027 Norco Recliner will be available in four sizes (S, M, L, XL) and two colorways: Cascade Slate and Lounge Lizard Green. It's available exclusively at Airpark Bike Co. We've worked hard to secure a deal as the sole authorized Norco dealer for this must-have model in the US.
Pre-orders are open, contact us for pricing and availability.
This is enduro. Reclined.