Norco has released a new Sight VLT eMTB, which is claimed to be 20 per cent lighter than the previous generation despite packing in a bigger battery.
This weight reduction is primarily to the latest Bosch CX drive unit and battery tech, which the new Sight VLT is built around.
Rolling on mixed 29/27.5in wheels, the Sight VLT retains its 160/150mm of suspension travel (front/rear) and its VPS High Pivot rear suspension platform.
Norco Sight VLT CX – specs at a glance
- 160/150mm travel (front/rear)
- Mixed 29”/27.5in wheels
- Bosch CX motor, 800 Wh battery
- Three carbon framed builds in four sizes
- Approx Weight (C1 build in S3): 21.8 kg
Lighter but bigger
Norco’s headline claim for the new Sight VLT is its twenty percent weight saving, despite boasting more battery capacity and equal power to the previous model.
Some of this weight saving is thanks to the new Bosch CX Performance motor, which shaves 100g compared to its predecessor.
However, the latest motor's torque, power and assistance levels remain unchanged, sitting at 85Nm, 600w and 340 per cent respectively.
Bosch’s latest drive unit is also claimed to be less rattly than before – a common issue with most eMTB motors.
Its redesigned gearbox "decouples" the bike's drivetrain from the motor, meaning that pedal kickback, chain growth, and micro-inputs caused by the bike's suspension compression, or the rider rotating the cranks, shouldn't cause the motor's freewheel to constantly engage and disengage, reducing on-trail rattle.
The Sight VLT pairs the new Bosch motor with a PT800Wh battery that has more capacity (800 Wh compared to 750 Wh) than previously without growing in size.
In fact, the PT800 boasts an energy density of 205Wh per kilogram – up on the 174Wh per kilogram of the 750Wh model - meaning it’s lighter, too.
Made to last
Norco is also keen to stress the Sight VLT’s focus on longevity. The Bosch motor and battery housing is made of powder-coated magnesium battery, which Norco tout to be corrosion- resistant, strong, and built to withstand harsh conditions.
Backing up its claims is the brand’s limited lifetime warranty, which promises to have your back should anything go wrong.
Smart setup
Even the best bike won’t reach its full potential if it’s not set up correctly for its rider. However, with the depth of adjustment offered on today’s mountain bike suspension, setup can be a daunting topic for many riders.
Norco wants to make it easy to find a great baseline setting with its Ride Alligned setup assistant.
The online tool uses metrics like rider height, weight, positioning on the bike and other modifiers such as preferred suspension feel, trail grip and trail type to generate setup suggestions for suspension and cockpit setup, as well as tyre pressures for all stock Norco models.
This takes the guesswork out of setting up your new bike and gives you a confident starting point to take to the trails. The tool also offers a function to save multiple setups for varying trail types, conditions and ride-feel.
Norco Sight VLT geometry
| Size | S2 | S3 | S4 | S5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 447.5 | 472.5 | 497.5 | 522.5 |
| Stack | 627 | 636 | 645 | 654 |
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 |
| Seat tube length | 395 | 415 | 445 | 475 |
| Effective seat tube angle (degrees) | 77.25 | 77.5 | 77.75 | 78 |
| Rear centre length | 432 | 436 | 440 | 444 |
| Bottom bracket height | 349 | 349 | 349 | 349 |
| Horizontal top tube | 589 | 613 | 637 | 661 |
| Wheelbase | 1222 | 1255 | 1289 | 1322 |
| Standover | 701 | 711 | 714 | 729 |
| Head Tube Length | 115 | 125 | 135 | 145 |
Norco Sight VLT specs and prices
Sight VLT CX - C1
- Frame: Sight VLT full carbon frame, 150mm travel
- Motor / battery: Bosch CX Smart System, 800 Wh
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate
- Fork: RockShox Lyrik Ultimate, 160mm travel
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Silver
- Price: $13,299 CAD / $9,999 USD
- Approx Weight (S3): 21.8 kg
Sight VLT CX - C2
- Frame: Sight VLT full carbon frame, 150mm travel
- Motor / battery: Bosch CX Smart System, 800 Wh
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select+
- Fork: RockShox Lyrik Select+, 160mm travel
- Drivetrain: SRAM S1000 Eagle AXS Transmission
- Brakes: SRAM Maven Bronze
- Price: $10,299 CAD / $7,999 USD
- Approx Weight (S3): 22.2 kg
Sight VLT CX - C3
- Frame: Sight VLT full carbon frame, 150mm travel
- Motor / battery: Bosch CX Smart System, 800 Wh
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe
- Fork: RockShox Lyrik Select, 160mm travel
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 12-speed
- Brakes: TRP Slate Evo
- Price: $8,649 CAD / $6,699 USD
- Approx Weight (S3): 22.7 kg
