Norco TorrentvsRocky Mountain Growler
Spend around two thousand dollars on either of these Canadian hardtails and you get a machine that ignores the traditional limits of a rigid rear end. They both trade the complexity of a rear shock for top-tier geometry and forks beefy enough to handle full-on enduro terrain, though they take different paths to achieving that stability.
Overview
Norco and Rocky Mountain have both leaned into the 'hardcore hardtail' movement, but the Growler and Torrent prioritize different ways of managing the trail. The Norco Torrent is unapologetically a 'bruiser,' built with a long front end and short 425mm chainstays that make it feel like a ground-hugging sled on the descents. While the Torrent is famous for its compliant steel versions, this aluminum A1 build is a stiff, heavy-duty alternative for riders who want maximum durability and aren't afraid of a little trail feedback. In contrast, the Rocky Mountain Growler is designed with a singular focus on high-speed stability and a 'ride everything' attitude. Its aluminum frame is exceptionally rigid, but Rocky uses high-volume 2.6-inch tires to provide the damping that the frame lacks. Both bikes are 'winch and plummet' machines—they aren't light, and they aren't meant for cross-country racing—but they are arguably more capable on a black diamond descent than many mid-travel full-suspension bikes at this price point.
Ride and handling
Pointed downhill, the Growler feels like it has a higher speed limit than its hardtail status suggests. It encourages the rider to take the same lines they would on an enduro bike, with the 64-degree head angle and long wheelbase keeping things calm when the trail gets chunky. It feels 'stable and relaxed' rather than 'twitchy,' though that length makes it feel a bit like a cruise ship when you're trying to navigate tight, low-speed switchbacks. The frame itself yields nothing to the trail; it is a talk-to-a-wall levels of stiff, making the low-pressure 2.6-inch tires your primary defense against fatigue. The Torrent A1 handles with a more distinct 'front-long, rear-short' character. That 425mm chainstay allows the rear end to follow the nose better than the Growler in tight stuff, making the Norco feel like a 'carver' that's easy to pop into a manual or slash through a corner. However, without the compliance of the steel Torrent frame, this A1 aluminum model can be 'jarring' on rough, technical climbs. It demands an active pilot who can finesse the bike through holes rather than just plowing through them. While both are stable, the Norco feels slightly more maneuverable in the air and on technical rock slabs, whereas the Growler is the king of high-speed tracking.
Specifications
The Growler 50 holds a significant advantage in front suspension with the Marzocchi Z2 Float EVOL fork. Reviewers often find the RockShox 35 Gold RL on the Torrent A1 to be 'unrefined' and prone to diving, whereas the Z2 provides much more consistent damping and support for aggressive riding. Rocky Mountain also gets creative with a 'mullet' brake setup, using a 4-piston Shimano MT4120 caliper in the front for raw stopping power and a 2-piston unit in the rear to keep the price competitive. Norco, meanwhile, fits 4-piston TRP Slate EVO brakes at both ends, offering a more balanced and predictable feel during heavy braking. Drivetrains are a wash between the two, as both rely heavily on Shimano’s workhorse Deore 12-speed group, though the Growler 50 adds a flashier XT rear derailleur to the mix. The tire choice marks the biggest divergence in philosophy: Rocky uses meaty 2.6-inch Maxxis Minions to maximize traction and damping, while Norco opts for narrower 2.35-inch Schwalbe Hans Dampfs. The narrower Schwalbes on the Norco offer more precision on hardpack but will feel much harsher and less forgiving when you're trying to keep the rear end from bouncing off line in a root garden.
| Torrent | Growler | |
|---|---|---|
| FRAMESET | ||
| Frame | Butted 6061 Alloy | Rocky Mountain 6061 Alloy | Threaded BB | Boost 148mm | Tapered Zerostack Headtube | Dropper Post Compatible |
| Fork | RockShox 35 Gold RL, 150mm travel, 44mm offset | Marzocchi Z2 Float EVOL Rail 150mm | 44mm Offset |
| Rear shock | — | — |
| GROUPSET | ||
| Shift levers | Shimano Deore SL-M6100-R I-Spec (rear) | Shimano Deore 12spd |
| Front derailleur | — | — |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Deore RD-M6100 | Shimano XT |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore CS-M6100-12, 12-speed, 10-51T | Shimano Deore 10-51T 12spd |
| Chain | Shimano Deore CN-M6100 | Shimano M6100 |
| Crankset | FSA V-Drive 1X DM, 30T, 170mm (S) / 175mm (M, L, XL) | Shimano Deore | 30T | 24mm Spindle | Crankarm Length: SM - MD = 170 | LG - XL = 175mm |
| Bottom bracket | FSA MegaExo, BSA threaded | Shimano SM-BB52 |
| Front brake | TRP Slate EVO, 4-piston hydraulic, resin pads | Shimano MT4120 4 Piston | Resin Pads |
| Rear brake | TRP Slate EVO, 4-piston hydraulic, resin pads | Shimano MT4120 4 Piston | Resin Pads |
| WHEELSET | ||
| Front wheel | Stan's Flow D 29", 32H; Bear Pawls BMB-013, 15x110mm Boost, 6-bolt; Stainless spokes, black (nipples: black) | WTB ST i30 TOUGH TCS 2.0 | 32H; Shimano TC500 | 15mm Boost; 2.0 Stainless |
| Rear wheel | Stan's Flow D 29", 32H; Bear Pawls MS12S, 12x148mm Boost, Micro Spline, 6-bolt; Stainless spokes, black (nipples: black) | WTB ST i30 TOUGH TCS 2.0 | 32H; Shimano TC500 Boost 148mm; 2.0 Stainless |
| Front tire | Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2.35, Performance/Twinskin, TLR | Maxxis Minion DHF 2.6 EXO Tubeless Ready |
| Rear tire | Schwalbe Hans Dampf 2.35, Performance/Twinskin, TLR | Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.6 EXO Tubeless Ready |
| COCKPIT | ||
| Stem | 6061 Alloy, 50mm length, 35mm clamp | Rocky Mountain 35 AM | 0° Rise | All Sizes = 40mm |
| Handlebars | Butted 6061 Alloy, 800mm, 25mm rise | Rocky Mountain AM | 780mm Width | 38mm Rise | 9° Backsweep | 5° Upsweep | 35 Clamp |
| Saddle | Fizik Taiga | Rocky Mountain 148 Cromo |
| Seatpost | TranzX YSP18 dropper post, 31.6mm, 130mm (S) / 150mm (M, L, XL) | X Fusion Manic Composite 30.9mm | XS - SM = 125mm | MD = 150mm | LG - XL = 170mm |
| Grips/Tape | DMR Deathgrip | Rocky Mountain Lock On Ergo |
Geometry and fit comparison
Both bikes share a slack 64-degree head tube angle, which is essentially the same front-end geometry you’d find on a modern enduro race rig. The fit delta is significant: the Large Torrent’s 480mm reach is 30mm longer than the Medium Growler’s 450mm reach, giving the Norco a much more stretched-out stance. Despite the longer front end, the Norco’s 1238mm wheelbase is only 28mm longer than the Growler’s, thanks to the Norco's tighter 425mm chainstays. This confirms the Norco’s intent as a bike that balances high-speed stability with a rear end that’s easier to whip around. The Norco also features a significantly lower standover height—679mm compared to the Growler’s 802mm. That 123mm difference is massive in practice, giving the Torrent rider far more room to move the bike around between their legs on steep technical features. On the climbs, the Torrent’s 76-degree seat tube angle is a degree steeper than the Growler’s 75-degree pitch. That extra degree helps keep the front wheel planted and your hips over the pedals, which is necessary when you’re trying to motor a 31-pound hardtail up a technical grade.
| FIT GEO | Torrent | Growler | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stack | 637 | 652 | +15 |
| Reach | 480 | 475 | -5 |
| Top tube | 639 | 647 | +8 |
| Headtube length | 115 | 120 | +5 |
| Standover height | 679 | 804 | +125 |
| Seat tube length | 435 | 445 | +10 |
| HANDLING | Torrent | Growler | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headtube angle | 64 | 64 | 0 |
| Seat tube angle | 76 | 75 | -1 |
| BB height | 333 | — | — |
| BB drop | 45 | 60 | +15 |
| Trail | 138 | — | — |
| Offset | 42 | — | — |
| Front center | — | — | — |
| Wheelbase | 1238 | 1239 | +1 |
| Chainstay length | 425 | 435 | +10 |
Who each one is for
Norco Torrent
The Torrent A1 suits the technical trail pilot who treats every rock slab and root garden as a personal challenge. If your weekend involves grinding up fire roads just to attack steep, chunky descents where you need the bike to pivot quickly, the Norco’s short-chainstay and low-standover geometry will feel dialed. It’s a tool for riders who enjoy the physical demands of an aggressive hardtail and want a bike that carves corners with precision.
Rocky Mountain Growler
The Growler 50 fits the high-speed addict who wants to hunt down full-suspension bikes on fast, chattered-out descents without the maintenance headache of a rear shock. Its combination of a better fork and higher-volume tires makes it the more forgiving of the two when the trail gets reckless. It's the better choice for riders who prioritize straight-line stability and tire grip over low-speed agility.
