Range machine for rough terrain
Norco Sight VLT A1 Review

Range anxiety plagues many E-MTB aficionados with worry lines. Canadian bike manufacturer Norco claims to have solved the issue with a hefty 900-Wh battery. The All Mountain E-Bike Sight VLT A1 boasts an abundance of energy. However, the large battery contributes to the weight. Does the 27 kg heavy E-Mountainbike still deliver fun in rough terrain?

Bigger is better. Whether it’s the US or Canada, North America is the continent of superlatives. “More is more” is the motto – proven by hefty V8 engines on one hand, and on the other, giant electric pickups with XXL batteries. The Canadian all-mountain E-Bike Norco Sight VLT also packs a XXL battery, boasting a solid 900 Wh of energy storage.

The beefy battery isn’t just about extended range; it’s really there to support a constant full-throttle mentality. Full-throttle up the climbs, full-throttle on the descents: no reason to hold back. The Sight VLT is designed to be a fun machine for rugged terrain. The Boost mode of the EP8 motor is virtually pre-set.

The Norco Sight VLT aluminum version tips the scales at 27.1 kg. That’s on the hefty side, even for a high-performance full-power all-mountain e-MTB. For context, the German direct-to-consumer brand Canyon’s Spectral:ON CF 9 also houses a 900 Wh battery, but the scales stop at 25 kg for that model. The Cube Stereo Hybrid One55 gets by with a smaller 750 Wh battery and a robust full-power motor, clocking in at a more athletic 22.7 kilograms.

Believe it or not, two kilograms of weight difference are noticeable – especially on the trail. Hoisting the bike onto the car’s rack or lifting it over a pasture fence: it’s quite the effort. Even pushing the bike on rocky mountain paths becomes a feat of strength – even with walk assist. You don’t want to push or carry the bike. With the right route selection, this isn’t necessary.

Norco promises riding fun on all levels with the Sight VLT. On the mountain, the large battery is supposed to provide continuous boost assistance, allowing riders to avoid boring gravel roads. Towards the summit, it’s all about the terrain. Yet the true prowess of the Norco is said to shine on descents. More fun climbing to have even more fun descending, that’s what the manufacturer promises.

The affordable wheels of the Norco with Deore hubs can’t compete with the high-quality DT Swiss wheelset of the Focus. Weighing in at 6,250 grams, the fully assembled wheelset is a real heavyweight. The heft suggests indestructibility. That’s a misconception. Despite tubeless-ready tires, the rear rim took a decent dent.

Considering the components, the price-performance ratio of the Norco Sight VLT A1 doesn’t impress. It’s a pity that even in this price range one has to make such significant compromises on the components. Whether the fun factor can compensate for the deficits in equipment was something we put to the test on the varied trails of Finale Ligure.

The riding position of the Norco is surprisingly sporty. Compared to other all-mountain bikes, the Norco’s cockpit is lower than usual – with the handlebars also being very wide. The handlebars measure 800 millimeters across. This pulls the upper body forward and puts a lot of weight on the front wheel. The steep seat angle of 77.7 degrees pushes the rider forward over the bottom bracket when seated. Thanks to the long top tube, there is still plenty of room to move between the saddle and cockpit.

The riding position promises strong uphill capabilities. The long rear end with 462 mm chainstays emphasizes the uphill ambitions of the Canadian bike. With these specs, the front wheel should stay grounded even on steep climbs.

The bike we tested is a size L. Norco offers sizes from S to XL. With a slack 64° head angle and long reach, its geometry is in line with current trends.

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Climbing hills is a necessary evil for many riders. Outside of bike parks, it’s your own muscle power that gets you up the mountain. Thank goodness for e-bikes. Powerful full-power e-bikes let you glide up asphalt roads and gravel paths with ease. Still, such climbs can be a bit tedious. With the Norco Sight VLT, we take the direct route. On the singletrack, this potent e-bike bravely powers upwards.

The strong Shimano EP8 motor shows no weaknesses. While the initial response isn’t quite as snappy as that of a latest-generation Bosch CX, the Shimano motor still delivers a solid “punch” at the rear. If you increase your cadence, the motor responds immediately with a forceful push. This makes it easy to navigate tight turns and terrain edges on technical climbs.

Steep is sweet: Even steep ramps don’t phase the Norco. The front wheel virtually sticks to the ground. The steep seat angle, the long chainstays, and especially the long battery, which extends far forward in the downtube towards the headtube, ensure a weight distribution with plenty of pressure on the front wheel. In technical uphill sections, this translates to exceptional control.

As long as the trail is flowing and not too rocky, the Norco ascends briskly in Boost mode. The suspension system operates sensitively, comfortably isolating the rider from impacts and ensuring solid traction at the rear wheel. However, the uphill trail shouldn’t be too tight and technical. Once the terrain requires an active riding style, the Norco noticeably becomes sluggish. The high weight takes its toll and demands a lot of physical effort from the rider, thus consuming energy.

Away from challenging uphill trails, on the classic ascent routes over asphalt and gravel roads, the Canadian brute rides very comfortably. You can feel its heft – and the rolling resistance of the puncture-proof Maxxis tires with robust DoubleDown casing. That’s why one is especially grateful for the powerful assistance of the strong Shimano EP8 motor. However, this motor needs to be kept at an optimal RPM. From a cadence of 80 revolutions per minute, the motor really starts to kick in. Not something for those who pedal at a leisurely pace.

Descending, the Sight VLT rolls with the momentum of a fully-loaded semi-truck. Nothing can unsettle this Canadian logging truck. The slack head angle and long wheelbase ensure tremendous stability – and tracking. The front tire grips the trail like it’s set in concrete, resulting in outstanding front-end traction. Perfect conditions for stable cornering.

The steeper, the better. What applies to climbing is equally true for descending. The riding fun on the Norco depends greatly on the terrain. Moderate trails with slight rollers and minimal gradients demand a lot of effort from the rider to keep the bike moving. It’s only when the slope gets steeper and gravity kicks in for acceleration that the Canadian truly comes alive.

The Norco feels incredibly planted on the trail and instills a lot of confidence accordingly. The suspension proves to be very plush. The Sight VLT is a bike that can take a beating. You wouldn’t notice that the rear travel is only 150 mm – it feels like more.

However, long descents do require some muscle power. The heavy bike pushes forward significantly. And since mass naturally wants to go straight, quick changes in direction require significant input from the rider. Also, braking points before corners have to be set earlier than what you’re used to with lighter bikes.

The weight of the Norco noticeably impedes an active and playful riding style. But if you commit to the bike and allow it the freedom to find its own way, you can confidently let off the brakes.

Adventure tours through alpine terrain with occasional hike-a-bike sections are not suitable for the hefty Sight VLT. Trail explorers and peak conquerors won’t find the right companion in the All-Mountain category with the Sight VLT.

A good choice, however, is the bike for full-throttle riders who hit the E-MTB mainly for the descent. The Sight VLT makes it a relaxed climb uphill. And for those who find the descent lacking, they battle up the mountains over trails.

Riders who value precise handling might not gel with the self-dynamics of this heavy brute. However, those who want to let the bike carry them stably down into the valley can have a lot of fun with the Norco during “hammer time.”

As always, not only do we provide an overview of all models, but we also offer the option to directly compare specific models. Those who click on the arrow icon on the widgets below can match up specs and geometry data from various models head-to-head.

You’ll find all competing models for comparison in our extensive E-MTB market overview. You can also utilize the arrow icon here for comparisons.