Norco Sight VLT & Range VLT 2024: Norco shows new Bosch e-MTBs with High Pivot

High-pivot rear triangles, i.e. rear suspension with a high pivot point, are one of the major trends in mountain biking. However, this technology is rarely found on e-mountainbikes. The Canadians at Norco are big advocates of the high pivot point. The Enduro Range has been using this technology for some time now, and recently the short-stroke Sight and Optic bikes "jacked up". For 2024, Norco is giving two new e-mountainbikes its speciality: the All Mountain Sight VLT and the Enduro Range VLT are now rolling with the kinematics that go by the beautiful name of VPS HP.

The biggest advantage of high-pivot technology is the wheel lift curve. Contrary to conventional designs, the rear wheel moves backwards rather than forwards during compression. In this way, it is supposed to avoid obstacles rather than approach them, thus enabling better suspension performance. There are hardly any e-bikes with this design, only Rocky Mountain relies on the Altitude Powerplay (test winner in our last enduro test) and Instinct Powerplay (Tip Trail in the EMTB Test)on higher pivot points. However, high pivot is booming on non-motorised enduro bikes. For example with Treks Slashthe Cannondale's Jekyll or the Deviate Claymore.

The electric drive in the Norco Sight VLT and Range VLT

The second drastic innovation for the two e-mountainbikes: Norco is using Bosch instead of Shimano for its new e-bikes. While the previous Sight and Range models were still equipped with EP8, the new 24cc e-MTBs from Bosch's Performance CX (to the test!) powered. The Shimano bikes will continue to run in model year 2024 - and some of them are available at greatly reduced prices. Bargain potential with the option of 900 watt hours!

Click here to test the predecessor Norco Sight VLT (until 2023) with a huge battery!

The Bosch Powertube with 750 watt hours sits in the closed down tube and can be pulled out downwards. The previous VLTs with their variable battery system (up to 900 watt hours!) already had this integration. In terms of controls, Norco has opted for the slim version with a system controller in the top tube and wireless mini-remote.

The facts about the Norco Sight VLT

• Motor: Bosch Performance CX
• Battery: Bosch Powertube 750
• Suspension travel: 160/150 mm (front/rear)
• Carbon main frame, aluminium rear triangle
• Wheel size: 29/27.5 inch
• Weight: 25.2 kg (manufacturer's specification, top model)

The key data of the Sight VLT remains true to its predecessor. 160/150 millimetres of suspension travel and a mullet wheel mix should provide the perfect balance for trail and mountain adventures. Unfortunately, the bike also seems to inherit the considerable weight of the old Sight. Norco specifies 25.2 kilos for the top model. The predecessor proved to be extremely stable in our test. Uphill and downhill, the bike hardly let anything burn. However, it was also somewhat sluggish and cumbersome when the trail was more gentle. In the new edition, the chainstays are significantly shorter and grow with the sizes. From 428 to 440 millimetres. This also reduces the wheelbase. This should give the bike significantly more playfulness. By way of comparison, the rear of the 2023 model was 462 mm long in all frame sizes. A decent reach (422 to 522 millimetres) and the slack steering angle should also give the new edition a very smooth ride.

However, there is only one version of the Sight VLT, which Norco prices at a whopping 13,999 dollars in Canada. The short-stroke bike will not be available from the German importer for the time being - but the different versions of the Enduro Range VLT will be.

The facts about the Norco Range VLT

• Motor: Bosch Performance CX
• Battery: Bosch Powertube 750
• Suspension travel: 180/170 mm (front/rear)
• Carbon main frame, aluminium rear triangle
• Also available with aluminium chassis
• Wheel size: 29/27.5 inch
• Weight: 26.1 kg (manufacturer's specification, top model)
• Three equipment variants between 7799 and 10499 euros

The Norco Range is a real heavyweight among E-MTBs. And by that we don't primarily mean the weight of the bike. With 180/170 millimetres of suspension travel and a long and flat geometry, it is designed for high speed and wants to be ridden in wild terrain. However, the chainstays have also been shortened on the Enduro. They grow over the five frame sizes from an extremely short 428 mm to a still moderate 444 mm. The bike is available in two versions with a carbon main frame for 8999 and 10,499 euros respectively. The entry-level A1 model with an aluminium chassis costs 7799 euros.