Presenting the long travel and long range 2020 Norco Range VLT

Norco present their new, long-travel eMTB – the Norco Range VLT – with 180/170 mm travel, a coil shock, Shimano STEPS E8000 motor with an internal 630 Wh battery and optional external battery pack. Read on for all the details.

Canada is known for its demanding trails, so it’s hardly surprising that Norco is added a more aggressive, long-travel option to its 2020 eMTB line-up. The new Norco Range VLT will be available in two versions, each with a 180 mm travel fork and 170 mm travel at the rear with a coil shock. Along with the integrated 630 Wh-Intube battery powering the Shimano STEPS E-8000 motor, you have the option of mounting an additional 360 Wh range extender on the down tube for those particularly long days in the saddle. The beautifully shaped carbon frame also offers enough space in the front triangle to accommodate a 750 ml water bottle. Norco opted for 27.5″ wheels on the Range VLT and for stopping power they chose to spec powerful SRAM CODE brakes with 200 mm rotors.

Specs, prices and availability

The Norco VLT Range will be available in two versions. While the C2 build will set you back by € 6,999 and is specced with FOX suspension, the C1 is specced with RockShox suspension and will be available for € 7,999. Both models will be available from November 2019.

Range VLT 1

Motor/Battery Shimano E8000/630 Wh + optional externe 360 Wh
Fork RockShox Lyrik Ultimate 180 mm
Rear shock RockShox Super Deluxe Coil 170 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle 1×12
Brakes SRAM CODE RSC 200 mm/200 mm
Wheels DT Swiss H1700 27.5″
Tires Maxxis Assegai 2.5″

Range VLT 2

Motor/Battery Shimano E8000/630 Wh + optional externe 360 Wh
Fork FOX 36 Performance Elite 180 mm
Rear shock FOX DHX2 Performance Elite 170 mm
Drivetrain SRAM NX Eagle 1×12
Brakes SRAM CODE RSC 200 mm/200 mm
Sattelstütze – –
Vorbau – –
Lenker – –
Wheels e*thriteen LG1 DH/Novatec (v) & DT Swiss (h) 27.5″
Tires Maxxis Assegai 2.5″

Range VLT 3

Motor/Battery Shimano E8000/630 Wh + optional externe 360 Wh
Fork RockShox Yari 180 mm
Rear shock RockShox Super Deluxe Coil 170 mm
Drivetrain SRAM SX Eagle 1×12
Brakes Shimano BR-MT520 200 mm/200 mm
Wheels e*thriteen LG1 DH/Shimano Deore 27.5″
Tires Maxxis Assegai 2.5″

The geometry of the Norco Range VLT

The Norco Range VLT is only available in the three sizes: M, L, XL, which will be disappointing news for smaller riders. The relevant angles on the Range VLT are far from average. The head angle is more like that of a downhill bike at 63.5° and the 77.3° seat tube angle could work just as well on a road bike. Typical for Norco, the 440 mm chainstays are on the shorter side. Die Kettenstreben sind mit 440 mm auf der kurzen Seite, typisch für Norco.

Our conclusion on the new Norco Range VLT

By introducing the Range VLT, Norco are adding an eMTB with a total battery capacity of 990 Wh with the optional range extender to their 2020 line-up. This should give you enough range to conquer the longest of climbs. They’ve specced powerful brakes and long-travel suspension for you to take on the most demanding trails on the way back down. We’re curious to see how much this bike can help us push our limits; the geometry data definitely sounds promising.