2017 Norco Sight C 7.1

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Following an excellent first experience at the 2014 Vital MTB Test Sessions, I've been riding a Norco Sight for nearly four years. Not a tester at the time, I played the role of house mom. Yes, I'm a woman, a darn good cook, and OCD enough to clean everyday (throwing horns). The 2014 Norco Sight was one of the only test bikes with low enough standover for my wee legs – a common issue for women. In the years since I've progressed a lot as a rider aboard the Sight, given it some upgrades, and gone on countless adventures with my bike. Needless to say, I'm rather attached. I call it The Unicorn.

Following a complete redesign in 2017, I'm faced with the decision to upgrade or to keep rolling with my trusty steed. While facing this dilemma, other questions also arise: What would the updated version of the Norco Sight be like? What are the new standards like? Should I be looking at a female-specific build? Keeping these thoughts in mind, the beloved Unicorn was tucked into the back of the stable while I took on the new generation of Norco Sight.

Norco Sight C 7.1 Highlights

• SmoothCore carbon frame and seatstays, alloy chainstays
• 27.5-inch (650b) wheel size
• 140mm (5.5-inches) rear wheel travel // 150mm (5.9-inches) fork travel
• A.R.T. suspension design
• Tapered headtube
• Gravity Tune geometry
• GIZMO internal cable management
• 160mm post rear brake
• Press Fit 92 bottom bracket with ISCG 05 tabs
• Boost 148mm rear spacing with 12mm nutted axle
• Measured weight (size medium, tubeless, no pedals): 28.0-pounds (12.7kg)
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
• MSRP: $6,499 USD

The Sight, like all of Norco's carbon bikes, utilizes ArmorLite resin. This creates an exceptionally strong bond with the carbon, enhancing frame strength and increasing impact resistance. Other interesting bits of technology used by Norco are their Gravity Tune, SizeScaled tubing, and an updated GIZMO internal cable management system.

Traditional bike designs keep the same length chainstay across all frame sizes, which can make for different riding positions on different frame sizes. Gravity Tune, on the other hand, fixes the front-center to rear-center ratio across all frame sizes. By fixing the ratio and adjusting chainstay length as the length of the frame changes, Norco optimizes rider weight distribution for every size in the line.

Similarly, SizeScaled tubing increases tube profile dimensions in proportion to frame size. This allows Norco engineers to calibrate frame stiffness to the weight of the prospective rider. The goal is to ensure that a heavier rider on an extra-large frame will have the same ride experience as a lighter rider on a small frame.

The GIZMO internal cable management system allows tension to be put on the cable housing to prevent rattling while riding. The updated version is a one-piece clamp design that bolts to the frame. Compared to the individual rubber plugs that previously shoved into the frame (and often popped out) this design is far more dialed.

Perhaps the most notable visual difference when looking at the new frame is that the gas-tank hump by the head tube has been done away with. A straightened top tube makes the new bike look like it'll fly like an arrow.

For the 2017 update, Norco upped the fork travel from 140mm to 150mm. This is an upgrade I also made a few years back and have been enjoying on my 2014 Sight. Norco also went Boost in the wheel spacing and tweaked their A.R.T. (Advanced Ride Technology) suspension system to work around RockShox's new metric shocks. They've also slightly lessened the rearward axle path and leverage curve progression (it now starts at a 2.8 leverage ratio and ends at 2.4). These changes were made to reduce the level of pedal kickback as well as improve suspension performance while pedaling. Norco uses fully sealed Enduro Max bearings at all pivot points.

To further benefit from the advantages of Metric suspension, they've utilized a 185x55mm trunnion-style shock with upper and lower cartridge bearings to get a super supple feel. With most bike brands using just one bearing mount, bearings at both ends of the shock is a luxury upgrade.

Geometry

In the geometry realm, the new Sight has a 1-degree slacker head angle and slightly steeper effective seat tube angle. The wheelbase, reach, and chainstays are all longer which should make for a more stable ride. Due to the straightened top tube, the bike sees a big 30+ millimeter addition to standover height, which is something I initially had reservations about.

On The Trail

There's the recognizable rumble on the drive and squeak of brakes as the delivery truck rolls up. The dog goes ballistic at the window. Sigh. Clearly he doesn't realize what awesome cargo the person in brown carries. The bike has arrived!

Out of the box, the 2017 Norco Sight C 7.1 was a full build. After a few hours of assembly and a trip to the bike shop for a bottom bracket install, it was looking like a bike. Next I set up the tires tubeless, inflated the fork to match the manufacture recommendations and set the rear shock sag to the suggested 30%. Out of personal preference, I trimmed the bars down to my go-to 750mm width and swapped the spec'd 60mm stem for a shorter 40mm one. The finishing touch was adding mastic tape to a few spots that could use the protection: along the top of the chainstay where Norco's guard didn't quite cover everything and the seat stay bridge where mud and rocks often scratch things. Looking good, bike. In the morning we ride.

Over the past five months, the bike has seen trails in Durango, Flagstaff, Moab, Bend, Hood River, Black Rock, Phoenix and more. It has been ridden on fast and flowy trails with super fun turns, mountain forests through a mix of rocky conditions, classic Moab rides like the Whole Enchilada and Captain Ahab, and the wet and cold of Pacific Northwest in Novem-brrrrr. I even took it on a few laps down Geronimo, an extremely rough downhill trail on Phoenix's South Mountain, to get the action photos in this review and to see how it would perform.

Aside from a battered rear rim and a squishy dropper post, the bike has withstood several hundred miles without issue.

Though the paint is of excellent quality and hasn't chipped much at all, the downtube finish can wear quickly if transported with a tailgate pad. Some clear vinyl protection would be a wise addition.

Norco backs the bike with a five year limited warranty.

What's The Bottom Line?

After riding and experiencing the updated Norco Sight, let's revisit those earlier questions. With three years of advancement in components and materials, new standards, and updated geometry, what was the new version of the Norco Sight like?

Both the previous and new editions of the Norco Sight are really fun rides. I prefer the updated version for the dozens of improvements to the little details, big increase in responsiveness, less flex, and feeling as though it can withstand a beating much better. Like a boxer on the ropes throwing in the towel before receiving the next blow to the face, on the old Sight there were times I didn't take on that next feature because it felt like the bike was overwhelmed after going through the proceeding features. Once that magical sweet spot in the suspension was found, I rode things on the new Sight I hadn't fathomed riding before and were ready to try more. The supportive feel makes for a bike that loves to rip turns, pop off jumps, and soak up those big hits bombing down the trails. It is truly in its element on smoother, faster, flowier terrain, but does well when things get rough. After a rippin' downhill, when you're ready to head back up for more, the bike is ready to do that too. No turning of dials or deep preparatory breaths are needed... just start pedaling.

I would recommend this bike to any level of rider, and to both those who enjoy pedaling and those who enjoy descending. I'd tell you though, "The harder you ride it, the better it rides," and send you off with a go-get-‘em-tiger pat on the bum. This would not be the best bike for a rider who prefers to passenger rather than drive. To more novice riders: this bike will pedal efficiently while you build your stamina and the suspension is there to help you advance, saving your ass as you push your personal skills envelope doing so. Don't expect it to do all the work, however. You'll need to give in order to receive from this one. To intermediate and advanced riders: Ride faster and push/pump the bike harder! The Sight won't be holding you back as you push your limits and progress your skills further and further.

Visit www.norco.com for more details.

Vital MTB Rating

• Climbing: 4.5 stars - Outstanding
• Descending: 4 stars - Excellent
• Fun Factor: 5 stars - Spectacular
• Value: 3.5 stars - Very Good
• Overall Impression: 4.5 stars - Outstanding

About The Reviewer

Courtney Steen - Age: 30 // Years Riding: 10 // Height: 5'7" (1.7m) // Weight: 143-pounds (64.9kg)

"Going downhill puts a smile on my face and I climb for ice cream." Courtney routinely shocks the boys with her speed and has experience in various disciplines. Today she travels the country in a RV in search of the next best trail and writes women's reviews for Vital MTB. Her technical background helps her think critically about products and how they can be improved.

Photos by Brandon Turman