Norco Charger A2 Hardtail MTB (2025)

The Norco Charger A2 is perhaps the most modern hardtail mountain bike in our range.

What makes it so modern is the geometry. That's because geometry dictates handling. This preview will explain the Charger A2 and why you should consider it 

What is the Norco Charger A2?

It's a Trail hardtail mountain bike. As a Trail bike it's designed to be 'more' bike. 

Meaning it's much more capable on proper mountain bike trails than our recreational mountain bikes.

It's got bigger tyres, larger wheels, more suspension and, most importantly - very capable Geometry.

All this stuff means if you want to start riding mountain bike trails the Charger A2 will:

• Allow you to stay in control over unstable trails and surfaces easier.

• Be more confident on trails.

• Deliver a huge improvement in stability over other recreational mountain bikes.

Who is the Norco Charger A2 for?

It's for riders who want to start riding mountain bike trails. 

Realistically this may not be 100% of your riding but at least you have a bike that is going to be super capable of riding these trails.

The Charger A2 Geometry

The Geometry makes - or breaks - a mountain bike

As a premium Canadian mountain bike brand, Norco have been at the pointy end of mountain bike design for decades.

Starting at the front. 

The steering angle is 65-degrees. This means the suspension is much less "vertical" and more "horizontal" than many bikes in this category.

Just imagine the front wheel being pushed further forward. 

By making the steering angle less vertical, the front wheel returns to centre when it's deflected by a tree root, rock or other trail feature. 

This adds safety - lots.

Because as a new rider you're going to make mistakes.

You could pick the wrong line through a rock section. Or land a jump awkwardly. Or need to correct your line choice through a corner.

The front-end of the Charger A2 will absorb those poor line choices and keep on going.

The Charger A2 Build

Starting at the front.

Suspension is of utmost importance. It is one of, if not, the most important components that will determine how much control you have over the front of the bike.

The X-Fusion RC32 fork is an air-spring suspension fork.

This means we use a suspension pump to adjust the pressure inside the fork. And this depends on rider weight.

Bikes without an air-spring fork can't be adjusted. The stiffness of the fork is set to whatever the factory thinks is right.

Air forks are also very supple. They absorb larger impacts and smaller chatter bumps better. This means the front tyre is rolling over every part of the trail. And not getting bounced off tree roots and rocks.

The Charger's fork also has 130mm of travel. Most other bikes tend to have 100mm - significantly less.

This means the front of the bike sits taller. This places riders in a far more relaxed riding position. Because your hands are higher and your back is straighter.

Plus, it's a stronger position when you're descending. You're more centred on the bike. And you'll feel less like tipping over the front.

The Charger A2 frame is better than average.

Smooth welds improve fatigue strength and make the Charger frame look like it's one-piece. It's a lighter and stiffer frame that results in better handling on the trail.

Oversized front and rear axles also contribute to better handling. Instead of being 5mm, Norco has used a 15mm front axle and 12mm rear. Further, the hubs are wider too (called Boost). This means stronger wheels.

Deore 12-speed gearing parts sit at the affordable end of Shimano's performance range.

Deore parts are extremely reliable, smooth shifting and affordable to replace. Because they are part of Shimano's 12-speed family, parts can be upgraded. You can even upgrade to electronic gears, called Shimano Di2.

Maxxis Forekaster 2.40-inch wide tyres are a well balanced tyre. They're fast rolling on smooth surfaces. But also delivery good cornering grip over loose trail conditions.