The Norco Sight VLT C1 with its Shimano EP8 motor comes equipped with a huge 900 Wh battery. But is the Canadian powerhouse just a bike for long tours or can it also impress on the trail? Read our review to find out how the Norco fared against the competition in our 2022 eMTB group test.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2022 – 13 models in review
Norco rely on a flexible battery concept for all their full-suspension eMTBs, allowing you to choose from three different battery configurations with a 540 Wh, 720 Wh or 900 Wh capacity. While outside the EU customers can choose the battery that best suits their requirements, in the EU the choice is limited: the flagship € 9,999 Sight VLT C1 is only available with a 900 Wh battery. Needless to say, the biggest battery in the entire test field contributes significantly to the high 25.52 kg weight of the Sight (size L). However, at 120 kg, the maximum permissible weight is very low, leaving just 94 kg for a fully-kitted rider – the lowest payload in this group test. The Shimano EP8 motor is tilted upwards by about 45⁰, allowing Norco to position the battery deep and low in the down tube, right in front of the motor. To charge the battery externally, you can slide it out of the bottom of the down tube. The charge port sits right in front of the bottom bracket and is protected by a magnetic cover. Unfortunately, when pedalling hard it’s all too easy to inadvertently disconnect the plug connecting the battery and motor with your foot, shutting down the motor. Moreover, the cable routing is rather messy, reflecting the overall untidy integration of the motor system.
Robust components for tours and trails – The spec of the Norco Sight VLT C1 in detail
The spec of the Sight is well-suited to for trail riding and includes high-quality FOX Factory suspension. This consists of a 36 GRIP2 fork and X2 shock controlling 160/150 mm travel at the front and rear. For heavy riders, a stiffer FOX 38 would ensure more precise handling on rough descents, particularly given the heavy battery. The shock is offset and the stanchion rotated to facilitate setup and keep it out of the way when pedalling. Talking of which, Norco’s user-friendly setup guide will help you dial in your suspension for riders of all abilities. SRAM CODE RSC brakes with a big 220 mm rotor at the front ensure reliable deceleration. Unfortunately, the stiff remote of the 170 mm OneUp dropper post requires strong fingers. A 12-speed SRAM GX drivetrain with an expensive (and superfluous) X01 rear derailleur does the shifting. The 29” MAXXIS ASSEGAI front tire in the robust DoubleDown casing ensures excellent traction, which the shallow tread of the DISSECTOR rear tire can’t match.
Norco Sight VLT C1
€ 9,999
Specifications
Motor Shimano EP8 85 Nm
Battery Norco Custom 900 Wh
Display Shimano SC-EM800
Fork FOX 36 Factory GRIP2 E-Bike+ 160 mm
Rear Shock FOX X2 Factory 150 mm
Seatpost OneUp Dropper Post 170 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 E1700 29"
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI / DISSECTOR DD 2.5"/2.4"
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Weight 25.52 kg
Perm. total weight 120 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 94 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no
Specific Features
selectable battery capacity (depends on region)
The geometry of the Norco Sight VLT C1 in detail
On level ground, the relatively steep seat tube angle ensures a forward-biased pedalling position but a couple of spacers under the stem will move your weight backwards. The plush suspension contributes massively to the outstanding touring qualities of the Norco. Compared to the equally-comfortable FOCUS, the Sight VLT has a much bigger battery and lets you carry two water bottles on the down tube (size L and above), making it the ideal companion for long days in the saddle. Unlike most of Norco’s analogue mountain bikes, the Sight VLT relies on the same chainstay length across all sizes: at 462, they’re rather long, which becomes particularly evident uphill.
Size | S | M | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Top tube | 567 mm | 596 mm | 624 mm | 652 mm |
Seat tube | 395 mm | 415 mm | 440 mm | 455 mm |
Head tube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm |
Head angle | 64.0° | 64.0° | 64.0° | 64.0° |
Seat angle | 77.0° | 77.3° | 77.7° | 78.0° |
Chainstays | 462 mm | 462 mm | 462 mm | 462 mm |
BB Height | 350 mm | 350 mm | 350 mm | 350 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 |
A tame pony rather than a fiery stallion – The Norco Sight VLT C1 uphill
The steep seat tube angle and long chainstays ensure a central pedalling position, which keeps the front wheel tracking the ground on steep climbs. Unfortunately, the shallow tread of the rear tire struggles to generate traction on technical climbs, spinning out of control on loose and slippery terrain. On winding climbs with flowing turns, the Sight VLT is predictable and good-natured, allowing inexperienced riders to wind their way up the mountain in wide circles and only requiring more significant physical effort through tight turns. The Norco is just too sluggish to playfully drift from one corner into the next.
Around the world on two wheels – the Norco Sight VLT is a comfortable tourer with a massive range.
Dropping into the valley in a straight line – The Norco Sight VLT C1 downhill
On technical descents, the Norco stays firmly planted on the trail. The plush suspension swallows up big hits and generates plenty of traction while ensuring excellent composure. The downside: spontaneous direction changes require significant physical effort, particularly through tight corners. On steep trails, the front wheel literally sucks itself into the ground, making it hard to lift over obstacles.
Ploughing your way into the valley in a straight line is the Norco’s credo. Once the Sight VLT C1 picks up speed, it’s hard to stop!
The Norco isn’t too agile on flowing trails either, where the plush suspension doesn’t generate enough pop to change direction spontaneously. In return, the Norco holds the line with stoic composure through long open corners, regardless of your riding skills. With its beginner-friendly handling, the Norco reminds us of the SCOTT Ransom, ironing out stutter bumps and conveying huge amounts of confidence. The one drawback is that both bikes only deliver fun at high-speeds.
Tuning tip: upgrade the rear tire to a model with a more aggressive tread and the tough Doubledown casing when the first tire change is due
Riding Characteristics
7Agility
- sluggish
- playful
Stability
- nervous
- stable
Handling
- demanding
- balanced
Riding fun
- boring
- lively
Motor feeling
- digital
- natural
Motor power
- weak
- strong
Value for money
- poor
- top
Conclusion
The Norco Sight VLT C1 excels at the two extremes of the spectrum. The comfortable suspension, balanced riding position and huge battery make it the ideal eMTB tourer while the composed and intuitive handling make it a great fix for high-speed junkies and an excellent companion for inexperienced riders. However, the sluggish Norco can’t keep up with the lively all-rounders on winding trails and thus falls back to the middle of the field of our 2022 eMTB group test.
Tops
- long-distance comfort
- spec suitable for trail riding
- intuitive handling excellent for beginners
- plenty of composure for speed freaks
Flops
- poor motor integration and reliability
- lowest payload in the entire test field
- stiff dropper post remote
You can find out more about at norco.com
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2022 – 13 models in review
All bikes in test: FOCUS JAM² 7.0 (Click for review) | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10k (Click for review) | Norco Sight VLT C1 | Orbea Rise M-Team (Click for review) | Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 (Click for review) | ROTWILD R.E375 PRO (Click for review) | SCOR 4060 Z ST XT (Click for review) | SCOTT Ransom eRIDE 910 (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL (Click for review) | Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS (Click for review) | Yeti 160E T1 (Click for review) | YT DECOY MX CORE 4 (Click for review)
Relaxed and comfortable riding on surfaced roads, both uphill and downhill.↩
Easy climbs up trails with few obstacles, wide turns and a moderate incline.↩
Active and playful descents on easy trails with few obstacles, wide turns and a moderate slope.↩
Single-track climbs on challenging terrain. Loose ground, steps, roots, tight corners and occasionally extreme inclines.↩
Singletrack descents on challenging terrain. Loose ground, steps, roots, tight corners and small jumps as well as some very steep descents.↩
High speed descents on sometimes very rough trails with large jumps and obstacles that you can’t roll over.↩
The rating used for riding characteristics refers to the bikes in the group test and the current state of development of eMTBs. The best bikes managed to blend supposedly opposite riding characteristics, feeling both lively and stable at the same time. The handling describes the balance of the bike on downhill sections. The information regarding motor-power refers to the ride-feeling in the overall context of the bike and not exclusively to the motor – that’s why the same motor can present different values.↩
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Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: Robin Schmitt, Julian Lemme