Norco Storm 3 (2027)

The Norco Storm 3 is an aluminium hardtail mountain bike for riders getting into dirt: fire roads, gravel paths and easy singletrack.

It has a 100mm SR Suntour coil fork, Shimano 1x8 gearing and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, the parts that matter most on a first mountain bike.

The Small frame rolls on 27.5" wheels, and Medium to XXL on 29".

Hydraulic disc brakes

Hydraulic brakes are the standout on the Storm 3. The Shimano MT200 brakes use 160mm rotors front and rear, the same brakes as the Storm 2 and Storm 1.

They need less effort at the lever than cable discs, which makes a real difference to tired hands on a long descent, and they adjust themselves as the pads wear, so there's no cable to tension.

They come with resin pads, which are quiet and bite well but wear faster in wet, gritty conditions. The Shimano SM-RT26 rotors are rated for resin pads only, so stick with resin pads when you replace them.

Simple 1x8 gearing

There's one chainring at the front and eight gears at the back, worked by a single shifter. With no front derailleur, there's less to adjust and less to go wrong, and you never have to think about which chainring you're in.

The 30-tooth chainring and 11-45 cassette give a low climbing gear where the back wheel turns slower than the pedals, so you can keep spinning up steep fire-road climbs.

That's almost the same range as the Storm 2's 9-speed, with slightly bigger steps between gears.

Suspension and where to ride it

The SR Suntour XCT30 is a coil-spring fork with 100mm of travel.

It smooths out roots, rocks and braking bumps, and needs little maintenance beyond keeping the stanchions clean. Unlike an air fork, it can't be tuned to your weight with a shock pump.

The Storm 3 suits fire roads, gravel trails, bike paths and green singletrack. It isn't built for jumps, drops or steep technical descents.

Standard seatpost

The Storm 3 has a standard alloy seatpost, so you set the saddle height before you ride. The Norco Storm 2 adds a dropper post, which lets you lower the saddle from the handlebar for descents. If you plan to ride trails regularly, it's the most useful difference between the two bikes.

Sizing: 27.5" or 29" wheels

The Small has 27.5" wheels, which keeps the bike in proportion for shorter riders and lowers the standover height. Medium to XXL use 29" wheels, which roll over roots and rocks more easily and hold their speed.

If you're between sizes, the best way to choose is to ride both. Test rides are available at all three of our stores, in the store car park.

Norco Storm 3 or Storm 2?

The two bikes share the same fork, brakes, cockpit, cranks and wheel sizes. The differences are the seatpost and the gearing:

Choose the Storm 3 for paths, fire roads and easy trails. Choose the Storm 2 if you want the dropper post and the extra gear. For more fork travel, a fork lockout and a thru-axle front end, look at the Norco Storm 1. Compare more options in our hardtail mountain bikes range.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Norco Storm 3 good for beginners?

Yes. It's built for riders new to mountain biking, with simple 1x8 gearing, hydraulic disc brakes and a 100mm suspension fork.

Does the Norco Storm 3 have hydraulic brakes?

Yes. It has Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors front and rear.

Does the Norco Storm 3 have a dropper post?

No. It has a standard alloy seatpost. The Norco Storm 2 and Storm 1 come with an X-Fusion dropper post.

What's the difference between the Norco Storm 3 and Storm 2?

The Storm 2 adds an X-Fusion dropper post and Shimano CUES 1x9 gearing with an 11-46 cassette. The Storm 3 has a standard seatpost and Shimano 1x8 with an 11-45 cassette. The fork, brakes and wheel sizes are the same.

What size wheels does the Norco Storm 3 have?

The Small has 27.5" wheels. Medium, Large, XL and XXL have 29" wheels. All sizes use 2.25" tyres.

Can I use metallic brake pads?

No. The Shimano SM-RT26 rotors are rated for resin pads only. Using metallic pads will wear the rotors quickly.

Does the Norco Storm 3 come with pedals?

Yes. Flat platform pedals are included.

Can I get the Norco Storm 3 delivered?

No. Norco bikes are available through Click & Collect or in store only. Click & Collect is free, and every bike includes a free first service within 6 months.