2022 Norco Sight VLT C1 E-Bike

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Fitting into the all-mountain e-MTB category, Norco equips their third generation Sight VLT line with the latest Shimano EP8 motor and sets a new bar for potential range with an available 900Wh battery option. That’s right, a 900Wh battery! With an attention to spec and frame durability, the Sight VLT moves exclusively to the 29-inch wheel platform. It also features an updated chassis with a few geometry changes. The updated rear suspension kinematics and new horizontal shock placement creates easier access for shock adjustment and the ability to run two water bottle cages. Clean lines and angles make for a bike with great symmetry, capable of handling all scenarios well while looking fast at a standstill.

Highlights

• 150mm (5.9-inches) of rear-wheel travel // 160mm (6.3-inches) fork travel
• 29-inch wheels
• Motor: Shimano EP8// 85Nm Torque
• Battery Options: 900Wh, 720Wh, 540Wh
• Carbon front// Carbon and Aluminum rear
• Motor angled upward
• Horizontal shock placement
• Rosenberger RoPD charge port
• Updated Horst-link suspension design with link arm and shock extension
• Internal cable routing
• Dual Water bottle mount
• 148 boost rear spacing with 12mm through axle
• DEITY Skywire Carbon Bar
• Sizes: S, M, L (tested), XL
• MSRP $8,599 USD (battery not included)
• Battery price: 900Wh ($1,199, 10 pounds) 720Wh ($999, 8.5 pounds), 540Wh ($749, 7 pounds)
• Measured weight (size Large, no pedals, 900Wh battery): 56.6 pounds (25.6kg)

Initial Impressions

We appreciate the clean, flowing symmetry from front to back as the top tube and seat stay portion of the rear end is a continuous line. All of the cables are internally routed in a tidy fashion. Our size large is equipped with a 170mm-travel dropper post, enabling us to set the post as low as possible to get the saddle out of the way on descents. The EP8 motor is now angled in balance with the beefy downtube which reduces the available bash area. It's topped off with a clean battery cover/bash guard and integrated tool for convenient battery removal. When Norco angled the motor, they had to adjust to a horizontal shock placement to maintain bottle clearance. This created an added benefit of easily accessible shock adjustment controls. The engineering team at Norco updated the horst-link suspension, utilizing a new link arm and shock extension. The updated kinematics are tightly guarded by Norco, as several brands use this shared platform. We can report improved square-edged bump compliance while climbing, but the most notable difference in feedback is the isolation of rear-end flex into the new link arm and shock extension.

Three New Norco VLT e-Bikes

Norco is revising their VLT line with three new e-bikes. The Range, Sight, and Fluid VLT are all receiving a host of updates in one, massive launch. The Range and the Sight VLT models will offer both carbon and alloy frame options, while the Fluid VLT will only be available in two alloy models. All three models make use of the Shimano EP8 motor. We'll tip our cap to Norco for not skimping on the drive unit for their entry-level model. Get the full rundown on all the prices and specs in our Product Guide.

Three Battery Options

Regardless of which model you select, riders will have their choice of three battery options. Norco offers a 540Wh battery ($749), a 720Wh battery ($999) and an industry-leading 900Wh battery ($1,199). It is important to note that a battery is not included with each bike. The battery purchase must be made separately. This gives riders the choice of what battery (and weight) they want to run. The distinction is important as this will also affect the final price of the bike. In other words - choose your VLT, batteries not included.

Norco utilizes a proprietary battery, and the size chosen will impact the overall weight, range, and price of the Sight VLT. We used the 900Wh battery for the duration of testing, and while it is the heaviest choice, we never ran out of juice! Riders also have a 540Wh or 720Wh battery to choose from. This lets the rider to pick their own adventure. We did notice some crud buildup in the battery mount bolt as well as some corrosion on bolt heads, so the battery cavity is worthy of thorough maintenance – especially after a muddy or wet ride. Lastly, the 2021 Sight VLT line is equipped with a user-friendly Rosenberger RoPD charge port tying the fit and finish together on this updated chassis.

Geometry

Norco improved the 2022 Sight VLT line with current all-mountain geometry. The intent is to keep the rider centered while climbing and ripping descents. With a relaxed-but-unchanged head angle, steeper seat tube angle, low bb height, and long reach paired with a longish rear center, the Sight VLT caters to riders seeking that “weight over the front wheel while feeling in the bike” approach. Norco considered key details like fine-tuning the seat tube angle and travel of dropper post between size range. This lead to a larger 34.9mm seatpost diameter to accommodate the longer travel posts.

Setup

We appreciate the Norco Ride Aligned Tune page to help find a base setting, but we initially set fork air pressure 4psi less than suggested and shock pressure 20psi less than suggested to achieve 22mm sag. We set out on a test ride in dry, fast-rolling conditions. Our final settings still varied from the suggested tune to cater to some preferences of our test rider and to suit dry conditions. We ran firm tire pressures – 31 psi rear 29 psi front – 15mm stack height and lower air spring PSI, paired with preferred compression and rebound damping settings. We have included our final suspension settings along with the Norco Ride Align Tune guide so you can see the comparisons.

Initially, we ran the familiar Shimano EP 8 motor in the base tune setting, but after two rides we dove into the e-Tune app and we’ll discuss those changes a little further into this review.

Griz's Setup

Ride Aligned Recommended Setup

Our test rider opted for a size large as we tested a medium Sight VLT during the Vital e-MTB Test Session last year but felt a large was in order this go-round. The increased front center and steeper seat tube angle are appreciated but ultimately the bike is on the large end of the spectrum. Interestingly, the Ergon saddle spec is unchanged but with the slightly different seat tube angle and longer reach, our test rider has a new appreciation for the SM-10 – most notably the support it offers when climbing up steep grades thanks to the raised rear portion. The cockpit feels fantastic straight away thanks to the familiar DEITY Skywire handlebar with SRAM brake levers and shifting. There was a spacious feel even with a short stem length. Norco’s engineering team hit their goal, as we felt securely nestled between the front and rear axles. No major adjustments were made regarding bike fit. For a long-term review, our tester would opt for a preferred 35mm stem length as well as trimming the bars to 780mm. He also prefers bars with more rise and less stack height. Loading the bike on a Thule rack proved the size large just fit on the rack with no room to spare. An XL would likely not fit. In fact, our Sight VLT is longer than any DH bike we have loaded on this rack for 2021.

On The Trail

We utilized Trail 4, Idaho City, Avimor, and Eagle Bike Park for testing Thanks to the lack of rain and early heat, conditions were bone dry and warm for all but one of our test rides. Trail 4 and Idaho City trails offer high speeds, banked turns, and deep ruts. We hit plenty of compressions ranging from moto whoops, acceleration bumps, aggressive braking zones with some rocky bits, and plenty of sand. All of which the Norco Sight VLT absolutely digs. Our sessions at Eagle Bike Park and Avimor provided many berms, jumps, and sh-nibbles, and bits of rocks to get a feel for the Sight in a more MTB-specific environment. Again in dry, hot, loose over hardpack soil conditions. We felt the moto trails were the best-suited environment to our Sight VLT largely due to the terrain catering to a long, stable wheelbase at higher speeds over the slower speeds and cumbersome weight of the bike on MTB specific trails.

We felt safe as the bike was glued to the ground with abundant traction.

DH/Technical Performance/Fun Factor

Just like our 2021 Sight VLT, the updated model shines when pointed downhill at high speeds. The Sight's stable, long wheelbase and rigid front chassis with isolated rear flex offered stability under braking. The low center mass compliments sweeping corners. We felt safe as the bike was glued to the ground with abundant traction. We clocked a high speed of 37.5 mph without a worry. Less worry over traction equates to more fun for us. With geometry requiring you to lean forward and guide the bike with the front wheel, the Sight encourages you to pick a line and commit – just apply finesse and avoid setting yourself up to need to quickly bunnyhop out of a poor line as the Sight is hefty. As we got more comfortable on the Sight VLT it was clear we were feeling confident when riding casually, aiming for smooth lines and holding steady arcs in outside lines with both tires primarily in contact with the ground. Trail gaps are an effort as bunnyhopping the Sight VLT is not an easy task. However, jumping in the bike park was not nearly the same effort as the bike has a familiar pop.

Rear Suspension Performance

FOX provides a custom-tuned Float X2 and while Norco keeps their spring curves tightly guarded we did notice the shock does everything we can ask for. The X2 gave supple small bump compliance, firm mid-stroke support and while we did bottom out the rear shock several times, we have no harsh feedback to report. We like the kinematics, although we don’t have the details to share. While the Sight offers improved square edge compliance when climbing, jumping, chatter and g-out performance felt unchanged from the 2021 Sight VLT, which is fine by us as the rear suspension works fantastic everywhere. We believe the shock outperforms the fork spec and we’ll clarify deeper in this review.

Unique Features

The horizontal shock placement provides easy access to adjust the shock and allows for dual bottle cages to be set up. Along with embracing longer travel dropper posts in the Sight VLT line, Norco has adopted a 34.9 post clamp which offers increased structural integrity and reduces undesired post movement. The integrated tool fits securely into the battery cover/bash guard adding the convenience of 4, 5, and 6mm Allen keys for easy battery removal and potential trailside maintenance. The highlight feature without a doubt is the 900Wh battery option which offers more range than we usually need for our go-to e-MTB loop. We never drained the 900Wh battery in testing but also did not go more than 21 miles in a single ride.

Geometry

For our e-MTB Test Session last year we tested a size Medium. Our tester traditionally runs a size large for testing and with only one test rider to consider, we went large. Utilizing the modern approach to geometry, the Sight C1 VLT is designed to naturally keep the rider centered on the bike while ascending and descending. We found this to be true as the long 485mm reach restricted our 5-foot 10-inch test rider from hanging off the back wheel. That said, the rear axle felt like a stretch to get our weight over when pumping and attempting to manual. We would prefer a 5-10mm shorter rear center. With bikes continuing to grow, maybe a size medium would be ideal after all. Our size large boasts a 77.7-degree seat tube angle (2020 model was 78.7-degrees), 462mm rear center, 64-degree head angle paired with long 485mm reach, and 350mm bb height which kept us in the bike. With geometry catering to riders comfortable with a long wheelbase and centered weight, the Sight felt best on more wide-open trails.

Perceived Weight

When riding at speed, the bulk of the Sight C1 VLT is welcomed as the bike inspires confidence with its planted feel in rocks, chatter and loose to sandy soil. Handling the bike on and off a bike rack is a serious effort. At 57.1 pounds with DEITY Deftrap pedals, the Sight C1 VLT is on the heavier side of any e-MTB we have tested to date. Considering the tradeoff of aforementioned handling and ultra-long-range capacity, the only noticeable weight penalty is in the loading process. The Sight C1 VLT is not a bike with which we would want to run out of battery. However, we never did as we rode the 900Wh battery for the duration of testing. In the end, we felt the security of the battery range was worth its weight.

Sprinting

Although we have never done sprints on a Karpiel Armageddon while having a parachute in tow, this mental image did come to mind when sprinting the Norco Sight at a pace where the pedal-assist is null and void. While the Sight VLT provides a settled and stable platform for sprinting with minimal pedal bob, the weight of the bike is a noticeable setback when aiming to quickly get the bike up to speed. It is extremely noticeable when sprinting at speeds greater than 20mph. When sprinting from 0-20mph in boost, the Norco was mildly sluggish from 0-8mph then zipped from 9-19mph very well with pedal assist quickly signing off at 20mph. That said, the Shimano EP 8 motor on this Sight is going to lose in a drag race against an e-MTB equipped with a Bosch or Specialized motor no matter how much fine-tuning we achieve with the Shimano e-tube app.

Climbing

As mentioned, pedal bob is minimal on the Sight VLT and although the FOX X2 has a lockout lever, we always ran the shock wide open with no penalty. The benefit to a longer rear center is traction when pointed uphill which enabled us to keep our weight aimed over the front end. Suspension performance when climbing left us with nothing to complain about or any more to ask for. Techy climbs required us to use Boost to better pull weight and we managed to connect the bash guard on rocks, noticing the front chainring has the necessary protection from the bolt-on guard. The long wheelbase felt cumbersome in slower tech climbs and switchbacks demanded the outside line option. Overall, the weight was noticeable when climbing which lead us to climb in Boost mode for most of the time. That said, let us touch on some motor tune settings we adjusted from the E-Tube app.

Norco equips the 2022 Sight VLT line up with the latest Shimano STEPS EP8 motor which is 380g lighter than the E8000 unit and also uniquely set up at an angle that nearly matches the slope of the downtube. Customers will need to purchase their desired battery or batteries separately and will have 900Wh (4570g/10pounds), 720Wh (3880g/8.5 pounds), or 540Wh (3190g/7 pounds) options.

This is our third test bike equipped with the Shimano EP8 motor and we are familiar with it. It’s quietish, the display is user-friendly, and easy to toggle between the diagnostics to help track speeds, distance, average and top speed, and estimated range. With the base tune, Eco feels like pedaling a dead battery, Trail mode feels flat despite accessing all available 85Nm torque, and Boost is like trail modes on competing motors. However, we made it feel better!

Trail mode came to life by increasing the Assist character to Lv. 7, Boost got cranked to max everything and we never bothered with Eco again despite increasing the Assist character to level 3 and Max Torque to 42Nm. After adjusting the settings on the E-Tube app from our phone, we utilized Trail mode for all descending and much more when climbing. We opted for Boost in most climbing situations as the 900Wh battery range is an estimated 39 miles with just under 12k ft of climbing – more than we did in any test rides. The only option for a range extender is having a second battery. We did not feel the need for any range extenders with the 900Wh but the option to have an additional 720Wh or 540Wh battery is there for the ambitious rider – you’ll just need a pack large enough to fit a spare battery as we found out the battery was too long for any pack we own.

For the duration of on-trail testing, we had zero glitches or issues.

Build Kit

Our 2021 test bike was the C1. Norco now calls that the C2, giving the 2022 C1 a whole new spec with several noteworthy upgrades. In brief, there's the custom-tuned FOX X2 air shock, SRAM X01 derailleur, and OneUp Adjustable dropper with 170mm travel on our size large. Different sizes in the Sight VLT line have appropriate dropper post travel per size. Featuring the same Code brake spec as the previous 2021 but enhanced stopping power with a 220mm front rotor and 200mm rear rotor. DMR Deathgrip replaced a previous Ergon spec while the DEITY Skywire carbon bar tops off the upgrades from the previous Ridgeline aluminum series spec. Ergon S-10 E saddle remains the same as 2021. While tire spec maintains a 2.5 front and 2.4 rear, an Assegai and Dissector replace previous Minions. 165mm length Shimano cranks are exactly what we are looking for and would not want to run a longer crank. DT Swiss E1700 rims and hubs are still the wheel choice for Norco and we like the 30mm width paired with Maxxis tires. No parts were broken during testing. We would consider running a 35mm length stem for the size large while upgrading from the FOX e36 to the FOX e38 in 160mm travel format. At the end of the day, the new C1 is about $2,000 more than the prior designation, but, that model is now called the C2 and its price is relatively unchanged.

Fork Performance

"Why not the FOX 38?" This was the first question we asked ourselves upon assembling our test Sight C1 VLT. We like to party. The Fox 36 offers all the tunability we can ask for and ours felt buttery through the duration of testing. That said, the fore and aft flex is pronounced which lead us to a more reserved approach through rougher sections of trail we are familiar with. We’ve previously hit these sections at higher speeds on a different test bike in the same travel category equipped with a FOX e38. Our Fox e36 was set with three volume-reduction spacers and 99psi as suggested. We still had to run high-speed compression all the way closed or 1 click out to keep the fork from feeling too deep in the travel under braking. Considering the hefty 900Wh battery weight in the down tube and frame geometry demanding the rider to maintain weight over the front wheel, it’s understandable the 36 felt like it was soft through mid-stroke and wiggly – a lot is being asked from the fork.

Tire Performance

Staying true to no corners cut in regard to spec, up front we have the Maxxis Assegai 2.5-inch 3C MaxxGrip and out back we have the Maxxis Disector 2.4-inch WT 3C MaxxTerra, both with preferred DoubleDown casing. We’re seeing a lot of Maxxis Assegai tires specced on the front end of test bikes and we like it as it offers great traction in all conditions. Our test rider had no previous experience on a Disector and his first test ride proved the tire is tough enough to roll over a rattlesnake with ease followed by incredible braking grip on steep, loose dirt. Seriously, we ran over a rattler on our first ride and while it was spooky, no tires or snakes were damaged in the process. Considering the dry conditions providing minimal traction, we had no issues finding control with the Assegai/Disector tire combo thanks to both tires having a channel between the center and side knobs. To top it off we never punctured. 5 out of 5 stars for tire spec!

Wheel Performance

DT Swiss E1700 rims are 30mm wide which provide a graceful round tire profile and have a great flex profile that compliments the rigid front triangle and isolated flex of the linkage in the rear. Our wheels were set up tubeless and ran perfectly through the duration of testing and remain true. Hub engagement on the 350H hub is decent but there is a little delay in engagement. This was most noticeable on slower speed punchy climbs that required instant torque. Would we want to run a lighter duty wheel on the Sight C1 VLT? No, we would not.

Brake Performance

We expect nothing less than Code 4-piston brakes with 220mm front rotor and 200mm out back for an e-MTB like the Sight VLT. Big front rotors are a must! Our test rider in this case appreciates the modulation of SRAM brakes and never had any issues of brake fade or feeling underpowered. Our Code brakes worked flawlessly through testing and remained quiet.

Drivetrain Performance

Our SRAM 12-speed drivetrain was crispy from day one, never missing a shift and never dropping a chain. We noticed the XO1 derailleur was less clanky when shifting under load than the previously specced GX option. Having a GX Eagle chain and shifter is fine by us but we wonder what would happen to retail pricing if the entire drivetrain was XO1.

Noise

Apart from one developed squawk, the Sight C1 VLT is a very quiet bike and the EP8 motor is drastically less noticeable compared to the old E8000. After a muddy ride followed by intense heat and dust, we quickly developed a squawking-creak in the rocker link/shock extender merger. The noise was obvious when standing up and leaning the bike from side to side while pedaling. That said, we simply removed the shock bolt from the extender, applied grease to the bolt body (not on threads) and shock/extender contact points, reinstalled and solved the squawk. We have no unusual noises to report of.

If there is one upgrade we would make, it would be answered by FOX 38 or RockShox Zeb in 160mm travel configuration. This upgrade would simply increase confidence and cater to riders that want to push the limits on rugged downhill sections. Yes, there is the Range VLT for those that want to go all-in, but the e36 is simply outgunned by this new Sight VLT chassis.

Long Term Durability

If we had to guess what part would need servicing first it would be the eight linkage bearings as there are a lot of forces isolated in the new shock linkage/extender area. We developed a creak in this area but easily resolved the squawk as the linkage is user-friendly and easy to access. Batteries will likely outlive the life of the bike and we have no doubt the frame will last for many seasons as it is robust. We noticed corrosion on the battery mount bolts so we found it critical to clean the battery cavity area after exposure to mud. Thankfully, this is an easy task as well with a simple battery removal process. Norco backs their entire e-MTB line with a 5-year limited warranty, and we had no paint chip issues or other negative occurrences to report.

...the 2022 Sight C1 VLT is on our top 5 list of e-MTBs tested to date.

What's The Bottom Line?

Built with durability, long-range capacity, a solid spec, and a centered riding stance in mind, the 2022 Sight C1 VLT is on our top 5 list of e-MTBs tested to date. With confidence-inspiring geometry, the fore and aft flex of the FOX 36 will keep heavier riders from overcooking trails. Still, Sight VLT maintains a DH bike-like feel and thrives at higher speeds. It descends much like a DH bike but one you are better off keeping on the casual side of crushing. If you are looking to smash an e-MTB on the most heinous terrain possible, you would be better off looking at the Range VLT line but for riders looking for a do-it-all-well machine, the Sight line is what you’re looking for. Considering the spec on the C1, we feel the retail price is justified. For alternative budgets (such as our own) there are C2, A1 and A3 build options respectively. We’d likely consider owning a C2 or A1 model with the 900Wh battery if we were seriously considering owning one for ourselves. E-Bike packing would be something we could see ourselves enjoying with the 900Wh range capacity and do-it-all capability of the Sight VLT line.

Head to Norco.com to learn more

About the Tester

Sean McClendon - Age: 35 // Years Riding: 21 // Height: 5'10" (1.78m) // Weight: 190-pounds (86.2kg)

"Griz" is a battered veteran of MTB gravity racing. Following a major crash during the 2010 USA National Championship Pro downhill race, he put in the hours and fought his way back to health and the fun that is two wheels. Griz has ridden for a number of the USA's top teams throughout his racing career, testing prototype frames and components along the way. Currently managing US Dealer sales and the Fresh Blood amateur development team at DEITY Components, he remains motivated by the mantra "whips don't lie." You'll often find him perfecting his high-flying sideways aerial maneuvers while living the #pinelife in Idaho.