Range, Sight and Fluid VLT – Norco present three new eMTBs with Shimano EP8 motors and battery capacities of up to 900 Wh
Norco have launched their third generation eMTBs, presenting three new models with Shimano EP8 motors and a battery capacity of up to 900 Wh. Along with the completely redesigned Norco Range VLT and Sight VLT, the Norco Fluid VLT is an all-new addition to the lineup. Read on for all the details.
In the revamped portfolio is something for everyone: the new Norco Range VLT is designed for gravity-oriented use in rough terrain, while the Norco Sight VLT should be capable of performing on a wide variety of trails. The new Norco Range VLT and Norco Sight VLT models aren’t just refinements of Norco’s existing eMTBs, replacing the old Shimano STEPS E8000 motor with the latest Shimano EP8 motor. Instead, they’ve been redesigned from the ground up. You can tell when looking at the new rear triangle. Across the range, the shock is now positioned horizontally instead of vertically as before. The Fluid VLT is an entirely new addition to Norco’s eMTB lineup, an offshoot of the analogue Fluid. It promises to excel on flow and singletrack. If you want to admire them in person, the new eMTBs should be available at your local Norco dealer in October.
25.1 kg in size L (Manufacturer’s info) | € 9,999 | Manufacturer’s website
The Shimano EP8 motor in the new 2022 NORCO VLT models
The Shimano EP8 motor is tilted upwards on all of Norco’s new ebikes, as Whyte have done on their Bosch equipped eMTBs. On the one hand, the Canadian brand justifies this design decision with the increased ground clearance. On the other hand, it allows Norco to place the battery lower in the down tube, closer to the bottom bracket. You will have to wait for our first ride review to find out whether this does, in fact, lower the centre of gravity and have a positive effect on the weight distribution and handling of the new eMTBs. An additional benefit of the unusual way they’ve mounted the motor and battery is that the battery can be removed via a small hatch at the bottom of the down tube. According to Norco, the comparatively small opening makes the down tube stiffer and stronger compared to eMTBs with bigger battery openings on one side of the down tube.
540 Wh, 720 Wh or 900 Wh – The choice is yours with Norco (in theory)
The Canadian brand has also taken a unique approach to the battery concept, offering its North American customers a range of sizes. The Norco Range, Sight and Fluid VLT are offered in configurations with 540 Wh, 720 Wh or 900 Wh batteries, leaving it to the customers to decide which battery concept best suits their requirements. That doesn’t apply to the European market. Here, the distributors choose which battery option to offer. For example, all Norco Range VLT models sold in Germany, Austria and Italy will come exclusively with a 900 Wh battery. With the Sight and Fluid VLT models, you can choose between 900 Wh and 720 Wh on some variants, and the 540 Wh battery isn’t available at all. According to the manufacturer, the 900 Wh battery weighs 4,570 g. The 720 Wh battery should weigh 3,880 g, and the 540 Wh battery – which is available to a limited extent in Europe – is claimed to be the lightest at 3,190 g. It’s a shame. We find the North American approach exciting and would like to see all buyers allowed to choose the battery concept they prefer.
The Range Extender that Norco offered before has been made obsolete by the new 900 Wh battery and is no longer available. Instead, the freed up space is reserved for bottle cages or accessory mounts via bosses on the down tube. In sizes L and XL, the down tube of the Norco Range and Sight VLT can even accommodate two bottle cages. All models come in four sizes, from S to XL.
The new eMTBs from Norco in detail
The Ride Aligned design philosophy known from Norco’s analogue bikes also features on their new eMTBs, though not to the same extent. On Norco’s analogue bikes, “Ride Aligned” includes proportional chainstay lengths, seat and head tube angles, various factory shock tunes and rear-end kinematics. However, we only noticed proportional seat tube angles and grip thicknesses on the new eMTBs. Regarding wheel size, Norco choose 29″ wheels for all models and frame sizes. You get four-piston brakes with at least 200 mm rotors across the board, front and rear, which should be standard on aggressive eMTBs to guarantee adequate braking performance and safety. On the hard-hitting Range and Sight VLT, Norco rely exclusively on MAXXIS Doubledown tires, which means you don’t have to constantly reckon with flat tires and punctures even when you’ve got an aggressive riding style or you’re running lower tire pressures.
The new Norco Range VLT
The Range VLT is a gravity-focused eMTB offering 180 mm travel up front and 170 mm at the rear. We took a closer look at the predecessor in our big group test in 2020 and can attest to its capability. As with the predecessor, the Norco team relies on the performance of a coil shock on the rear of all Range VLT models, though the frame and the rear suspension have been completely redesigned. The Norco Range VLT is available in two builds with a full aluminium frame, and two builds with a carbon front triangle and carbon seat stays. All variants feature aluminium chainstays. The entry-level aluminium version costs € 6,999, while the flagship carbon model costs € 9,999.
Norco Range VLT C1
€ 9,999
Specifications
Motor Shimano EP8 85 Nm
Battery Shimano compatible battery 900 Wh
Fork FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 180 mm
Rear Shock FOX Factory DHX2 170 mm
Seatpost OneUp Dropper Post 120 – 210 mm
Brakes Shimano XT M8120 200/200 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XT/XTR/SLX 1x12
Stem CNC Alloy 40 mm
Handlebar Deity Ridgeline 800 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss H1700 29"
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI MaxxGrip DD 2.5"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 120 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no
Specific Features
selectable battery capacity (depends on region)
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 395 mm | 415 mm | 440 mm | 455 mm |
| Top tube | 569 mm | 598 mm | 625 mm | 654 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm |
| Head angle | 63° | 63° | 63° | 63° |
| Seat angle | 76.2° | 76.5° | 76.9° | 77.2° |
| Chainstays | 462 mm | 462 mm | 462 mm | 462 mm |
| BB Drop | 19 mm | 19 mm | 19 mm | 19 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,232 mm | 1,267 mm | 1,301 mm | 1,336 mm |
| Reach | 415 mm | 445 mm | 475 mm | 505 mm |
| Stack | 622 mm | 632 mm | 641 mm | 650 mm |
The new Norco Sight VLT
The Norco Sight VLT promises to cut a fine figure on demanding descents as well as climbs. It offers 160 mm travel at the front and 150 mm at the rear via an air shock from RockShox or FOX, depending on the build. The Norco Sight VLT will also be available in two carbon versions and two aluminium versions. As with the Range VLT, the chainstays are all made from aluminium. The entry-level Norco Sight VLT A2 with a 720 Wh battery is priced at € 6,499 and the flagship Sight VLT C1 – which will only be available with a 900 Wh battery in many parts of Europe – can be had for € 9,999 from your local Norco dealer.
Norco Sight VLT C1
€ 9,999
Specifications
Motor Shimano EP8 85 Nm
Battery Shimano compatible battery 900 Wh
Fork FOX 36 Factory GRIP2 160 mm
Rear Shock FOX Float X2 Factory 150 mm
Seatpost OneUp Dropper Post 120 – 210 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE RSC 220/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM X01/GX Eagle 1x12
Stem CNC Alloy 40 mm
Handlebar Deity Skywire 800 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss H1700 29"
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI/DISSECTOR DD 2.5"/2.4"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 120 kg
Trailer approval nein
Kickstand mount nein
Specific Features
selectable battery capacity (depends on region)
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 395 mm | 415 mm | 440 mm | 455 mm |
| Top tube | 567 mm | 596 mm | 624 mm | 652 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm |
| Head angle | 64° | 64° | 64° | 64° |
| Seat angle | 77° | 77.3° | 77.7° | 78° |
| Chainstays | 462 mm | 462 mm | 462 mm | 462 mm |
| BB Drop | 25 mm | 25 mm | 25 mm | 25 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,224 mm | 1,258 mm | 1,292 mm | 1,327 mm |
| Reach | 425 mm | 455 mm | 485 mm | 515 mm |
| Stack | 616 mm | 625 mm | 634 mm | 643 mm |
The new Norco Fluid VLT
The new Norco Fluid VLT provides 140 mm travel up front and 130 mm at the rear. It is aimed at flow and singletrack riders who aren’t always charging down the steepest descents and conquering the most demanding climbs. The Fluid VLT is limited to two models and a full aluminium frame. The flagship model with a 900 Wh battery is expected to cost € 6,199 and the same model with the slightly smaller 720 Wh battery will cost only € 200 less, priced at € 5,999.
Norco Fluid VLT A1
€ 6,199
Specifications
Motor Shimano EP8 85 Nm
Battery Shimano compatible battery 900 Wh
Fork RockShox 35 Silver 140 mm
Rear Shock RockShox Select R 130 mm
Seatpost TranzX 125 – 170 mm
Brakes Shimano BR-MT420 200/200 mm
Drivetrain Shimano Deore 1x12
Stem Alloy 50 mm
Handlebar Butted 6061 Alloy 800 mm
Wheelset WTB ST i30 29"
Tires MAXXIS DISSECTOR Exo+ 2.4"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 120 kg
Trailer approval nein
Kickstand mount nein
Specific Features
selectable battery capacity (depends on region)
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 395 mm | 415 mm | 440 mm | 485 mm |
| Top tube | 565 mm | 594 mm | 622 mm | 651 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm |
| Head angle | 65° | 65° | 65° | 65° |
| Seat angle | 75.5° | 75.8° | 76.2° | 76.5° |
| Chainstays | 462 mm | 462 mm | 462 mm | 462 mm |
| BB Drop | 25 mm | 25 mm | 25 mm | 25 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,188 mm | 1,222 mm | 1,256 mm | 1,290 mm |
| Reach | 410 mm | 440 mm | 470 mm | 500 mm |
| Stack | 600 mm | 609 mm | 618 mm | 627 mm |
Our conclusion
Revolution instead of evolution, the design of Norco’s new eMTBs is far removed from their predecessors. If properly implemented, the unique option of three different battery sizes could also be groundbreaking for battery concept customisation. The fact that European buyers don’t get this choice is a bitter pill to swallow. We’ll tell you how Norco’s new eMTBs behave on the trail and whether the all-new design pays off as soon as we can lay our hands on the new Range, Sight and Fluid VLT.
For more information, visit norco.com.
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Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: Norco
