Yikes! would like to hear a 1st hand experience. It combines 150mm of rear wheel travel with a 160mm fork. I get it, ABS is probably great for commuting. What's next? im about 70kg in weight.. This things rips! The back end delivers a smooth and active feel, though its now much more resistant to bottoming out, in part thanks to the addition of the MegNeg air can. dampers. Much of your bodyweight is naturally placed onto the front wheel, helping to drive it into the trail surface for consistent grip, even on sketchy flat turns. When it comes times to replace the cable outer for dropper and derailleur they are both getting the AXS treatment. eMTB The SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain and Guide RE 4-piston brakes keep things moving forward and slowing down, while the Tranz-X dropper offers size specific drop. The paint has stood up to a stupid amount of abuse, the bearings haven't made a peep, and the action remains smooth. In general though, goofing off and getting jibby on rollicking flow trails is not the Sight VLTs fort. The Norco Sight VLT C1 29 EBike is a carbon electric allmountain bike with Norcos legendary descending capability quick confident climbing and the boost you want to ride faster and further. this bike does sound nice on paper. After about 15 tries I got the end into the opening of the port but no further. I mentioned in my first impressions that I was pleased with the charging interface and the magnetic port that keeps the battery connected either to the charger or the motor. Considering how much hard work has been put into the gains mountain bikers have made in the last twenty years, by a small and incredibly dedicated group of individuals, vigilance is vital. Just in case, I attempted to attach the new housing to the old so that removing the damaged housing would guide the replacement into place. UK US Free Ship 48V 52V 2000W MTX Wheel E Bike Electric Bicycle Hub Motor Conversion Kit with Colourful Display. Thats massive! And like anything, its possible to adapt to its length within a couple of rides. Overall though the frame details seem to be solid. Equipped with the 900Wh battery, the Sight VLT has outperformed every other e-MTB weve tested in terms of its range potential. The bikes overall length and bulk is also noticeable on faster and flowier trails, where the Sight VLT requires significant upper body input to flip it over between alternating corners. I put a mrp progressive on my vlt and it lessened bottom outs for me. . Youll notice its heft anytime you have to lift it over a fallen log on the trail, or a gate, or into a workstand, or the back of your car. Doing it upright works but there isn't enough room for the battery to slide all the way out without lifting the rear wheel. Yes folks, there is literally no mountain in this country that the Sight VLT couldnt climb up. 3 Battery Upgrade Options: 540Wh, 720Wh and 900Wh. Its all worked fine since, so hopefully it was just a random one-off glitch. *I just had a promising strategy come to me in fact. However, a smaller battery would still only see the complete bike weight drop to 24.63kg (720Wh) or 23.94kg (540Wh). Please, It appears you're using an old version of Internet Explorer which is. You are using an out of date browser. Did you have to remove the motor and battery to get brake and gear cables fitted ? 2022 Norco Sight VLT eMTB Review Norco's second biggest e-brawler - with a modular battery system - over the long haul in all kinds of weather. Theres notably more big-hit support, and while we found the stock setup to work beautifully, you do have options to tune the volume of both the positive and negative air chambers if needed. Norco has alloy Sight VLT models starting at $8,599 AUD, so it is hands-down a far more accessible e-MTB. While the previous statement remains true, the Sight almost claimed me on a move (seen below) I'd only done a couple of times before. It shouldn't have to be done too often but it does indeed seem to be challenging. The execution isnt as dramatic as what weve seen from Whyte and Haibike, but it is enough for the Norco Sight VLT to accommodate an enormous battery. I could just barely reach the end and only with my slightly smaller left arm. This means that going for a big pedal ride with my buddies can be stressful because I don't know what to expect. Norco Sight VLT A2 29 2021 is the most economical model, with a starting price of 4699 USD. Reach measurements are identical, with our size Large test bike clocking in at a vast 485mm (455mm on a Medium). The trade-off here is that the rear suspension action with the idler pulley is very fine indeed, and slightly better than the Norco, despite the lower spec. Along with the robust frame and slack head angle, the Sight VLT is as sure-footed as they come. The Sight VLT is designed with Norco's exclusive Ride Aligned Design System to create rider-first geometry and precision suspension kinematics. This gives each model and spec a range of prices. Norco Sight VLT C1 29 2021 on the other hand costs 7499 USD, and it's the most expensive model. Removable batteries also allows Norco to fine tune the VLT's. The batteries come in three sizes, and can be purchased separately. I began to imagine walking into emergency with my entire arm stuck inside a bicycle. Interestingly the 720wh and 900wh sizes have only gone up $100 apiece. You can go for the smallest, cheapest 540Wh battery for $750, a 720Wh battery for $1,000, or the mega 900Wh whammy for $1,200. Compared to its predecessors, the new Sight VLT is a more capable bike on really rough and rowdy high-speed descents. If I may delve into the sociological and metaphysical, I think this really distills what is holding us as riders, and humans, from greater enlightenment. Wear a helmet, obey the traffic rules and wear hi-vis clothes. E-certified forks and robust 29" wheels with grippy tires and supportive sidewalls take on the rigors of electric Big Mountain and Enduro riding. I could even say the same thing about mtb's too as I've seen more than enough newbies making the same sort of mistakes you mention. Because the chainstays are so long, its basically impossible to loop out, even when charging uphill in full Boost mode. The BB drop also remains at 25mm. It's easy to imagine how nasty that fall would be. I kept having to pull my arm out and re-evaluate things to determine why I was unable to thread this needle. The Sight impressed me in the air initially and that impression has only grown. Do you think you'd be enjoying riding as much overall if you didn't have an ebike in your life? The massive downtube, 1.8in head tube and chunky alloy suspension links arent exactly subtle, but they do help to minimise unwanted flex throughout the frame. These revelations have amplified my e-riding pleasure further and this often influences my chosen route. thank you! Of course we cant talk about the state of the e-MTB market without mentioning the Specialized Levo. This bike went straight to the top of my most wanted list until i saw your comment about non removable battery. Bold inputs are rewarded, particularly in the slower speed situations common on the North Shore. Have never run out of battery. I left the bike overnight and had an idea by morning. The straight and uninterrupted seat tube means theres a decent amount of insertion for the dropper post, and it uses the new-school 34.9mm diameter to increase strength and stiffness. Both were double downs and the front tire is a MaxxGrip and both have been surprisingly durable, particularly considering how many road miles they've seen. Its not impossible, it just requires a more active riding style compared to the lighter and more agile e-MTBs weve tested. No doubt about it, the Norco Sight VLT is one heavy bike. I managed to sort the cable routing finally. Climbing on an eMTB isn't quite half the fun, but it can still be a blast. Yeap, we're up in your social medias too. would make for a massive day out. So people avoid having You must log in or register to reply here. And no doubt The Industry will offer options that many of us find reprehensible/destructive/out of line with our firmly held beliefs about what a bike is, but as far as the infighting about who gets to use an ebike, we could all benefit from chilling out, and letting people do their thang. The C2 has a more basic suspension package than the C1, with a shift away from the Fox 36 Factory GRIP2 fork and X2 shock. Love this bike. Great report, Cam. At the beginning of one of the rides when these photos were taken, I noticed my rear derailleur housing was down to the wire where it crosses over to enter the swing arm, possibly because it had slipped out a cable guide. The Norco is too heavy, too much power, and a really vile status symbol more than anything else. These are purchased separately from the bike and Norco would be happy to sell you more than one. A shorter rear end and/or a mullet setup would also help to better differentiate the Sight VLT from the Range VLT. This sort of considerate feedback keeps the wind in my sails! > "What does seem pretty clear though is that you don't like ebikes and have some pretty biased views of them and and people who ride them. The rear end has been sorted from the get go using Norco's Ride Aligned setup guide, and it got me close for a solid starting point. A friendly greeting to a couple while passing by resulted me overhearing "..ebike" in a not so friendly way. As one of the most popular options out there, the Levo hits the same travel sweet spot as the Norco Sight VLT. - Brilliant tyre spec I'm just about there. The wheels have remained impressively true despite hundreds of kms of abuse (1180 total but I did some wheel testing for part of that time). Batteries start at $1,000 for the 540Wh up to $1,600 for the full-juice 900Wh battery. Either more gradients or a percentage reading would help reduce range anxiety. bike still rode but no level displayed. in the beginning when switching on the battery the battery level indicator on the control screen would not show battery level. Though thanks to the perky EP8 motor and long rear end, its also more capable on steep and technical climbs too. But it also makes sense to be careful about our conversations and not be consumed by infighting. Recently I've also been riding the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 and there are some interesting points of comparison. One major benefit of the bolt is that it holds the battery in a fixed position. Damn That fork really pops. Anyone on here ride a Sight VLT, I just got mine and had some issues trying to get it charging, the manuals that came with the bike were no help at all. Further inspection confirmed it met my criteria. The user interface on the Rocky also gets the nod over the Shimano display and controls. The spec isnt dissimilar between the two bikes. I did remove the motor and it wasn't bad at all actually. I haven't done the excercise but I'm curious if you applied the same spec as say the lightest Levo SL, how close you could get. The Sight motor and interface was also less finicky, particularly in the cold weather, while the lower spec Altitude C70 can be yours for 11,400 CAD, battery included, which is comparable to the Sight C2. The sizing the correct outer length exercise to fit the dropper took over two hours rather than the 10-15 minutes it should take (measure three times/ cut once). Of course a smaller rear wheel also gives shorter riders a little more arse clearance when hanging off the back of the bike on a really steep descent. Just like its predecessor, the 2022 Norco Sight VLT features 29in wheels, a 160mm travel fork and 150mm of rear wheel travel. Although I think 600 may be too much. That's an interesting question Mark and my answer is a personal one. Psi, spacers, rebound and all that. Here's a couple questions for you. Forming a key part of Norcos three-pronged attack on the electric mountain bike market for 2022, the Sight VLT is flanked by the new Fluid VLT (the 130mm travel trail bike) and the Range VLT (the 170mm travel enduro bike). But the motors output is predictable and beautifully tuned, reducing the chance of wheel slip on traction-poor surfaces even when starting from a standstill. As Andrew rightly pointed out, you did specify your angst with the Norco C1 in particular. Just seen 22.3kg for a size m - thats impressive with the bigger battery. Moreover, wear the right clothing. VLT Battery Install. Bear in mind that the peak of Mt Kosciuszko (Australias highest mountain) stands at 2,228m above sea level. Swapping the battery isn't as easy as you'd expect. 720wh - 3880g/8.5lbs - 1400 CAD. - Clever adjustable dropper post, - Enormous chainstays limit agility About the Norco Sight VLT C1 2022. Dropping your battery is a little easier than replacing it. As it stands, the geometry is very similar between the two bikes, which is understandable given they share the same mainframe and swingarm (a longer fork, shock and a different linkage is what gives the Range VLT its extra travel). If your criticisms of eMTBs echo Mike Vandeman's complaints about all mountain bikes, there might be something going on in the background, and it's entirely possible that involves a bruised ego. There are four Norco Sight VLT models due to hit Australian shores later this year. Class 2 also offers pedal-assist up to 20 mph, but also has a throttle-powered mode that allows users to engage the motor. A big thumbs up to Norco for specing tough DoubleDown casings. This also means my riding ability has been positively impacted because of longer rides and more downhill time. Thanks. Happy with the suspension set up at the moment, I am 95kg so it seems to work well for where I ride. Merida fully committed to the mullet setup when the latest eOne-Sixty platform launched in 2019, and its totally paid off. It flutters over chunder comfortably, and there is excellent composure under heavy braking. Its all been solid, and theres very little here that needs upgrading. While we would have preferred to see a Star Ratchet freehub at this price point, the DT Swiss 370 hubs havent skipped a beat. But if you could have batteries available in different locations then we could travel and pick up a battery when we get there, same as you can rent them for standard shimano batteries at various locations. While wed like to see a steeper seat angle on the Rail, the Bosch motor offers more grunt and a usable amount of overrun on technical climbs. However, the plastic shrouds surrounding the motor are flimsy and seem unfinished. So from that perspective, I ride more and my enjoyment is increased as well, and probably more so than if I wasn't dealing with this. I thought my set up was pretty good initially but over time I began to notice some harshness in the fork during repeated high intensity impacts. Norco has introduced a new 29er version of the Sight VLT, but while it may look similar, this is a completely different e-MTB on the trail. Its more expensive and its also heavier, putting more weight higher up and closer to the head tube, which does affect handling something well get onto in a moment. Cheers. I get it, ABS is probably great for commuting. If you only plan on doing quick blasts, grab the 540, if you're hungry for watts, distance, and boost-level climbing, the 900 is for you. Check out our Trek Rail review for more. Half Popeye. We found no need to shove the saddle forwards on the rails. 2021 Identiti Mettle Mountain Bike 16" Small Frame Full Suspension 160mm Enduro. Gear. Riding with a bunch of people whose fitness is varied, and being able to stay together, is like a party on wheels. That isquite heavy, even for an e-MTB. Rivaling the Levo for integration. I have been eyeing the options on the ebike market more or less seriously for the last six months as the industry has begun to offer some appealing options after what seemed to be a Paleolithic Period of ebike development. Solving a challenging up for the first time is almost as gratifying as completing a previously unconquered drop or rock face. It is important to note that a battery is not included with each bike. However, its worth pointing out that the rear centre length is identical on all four frame sizes. - Plastic motor shroud is flimsy and seems unfinished If you want maximum range, then go for the 900Wh whopper. The bike shop has been great to deal with and are talking to Norco and Shimano here in Australia. The final internal element of the routing proved to be even trickier and I had to abandon the task for the moment. Or perhaps even a dropout flip-chip, with short and long settings, so that riders can choose between the two. Trevor solved his issue with the Bluetooth connection to his phone (quite easily), but I never bothered. It flutters over chunder comfortably, and there is excellent composure under heavy braking. No complaints here at all. THE-GUNT wrote: Post pics and conversation tips on your 2022 Norco VLT eMTB'S. Down here in aus, expected delivery is Now July 2022 for the sight VLT C1 . So a nice element for me is knowing I can go for a ride, put in some miles and get a decent workout and do some downhill without being in the red zone and unable to move faster than a snail's pace. Paired to the proven Lyrik up front, the Sight VLT delivers fantastic suspension performance all-round. Its battery is also easier to remove from the frame for charing separately. Theres also no denying the outrageous traction, stability and control that this bike delivers, allowing you to monster-truck through technical terrain. Personally I classify the Norcos appearance as Brutalist in comparison to the likes of the Canyon, Rocky, and Forestal, but the battery option is a unique feature that sets it apart. This changes at speed and the bike feels less different from a pedal bike as the velocity increases. Because of the lack of bottom bracket clearance, and my clumsiness, this almost ended badly. It's noisier than the Sight and, while better than the previous generation, it doesn't pedal nearly as well without power. Seeing the prices published and thinking about those of normal Norco MTBs that have excellent quality but are not cheap there I find enough in line if I think of those of the other top brands, indeed, talking about a carbon frame if for example comparing prices with the Specy Levo 2019 we are still something lower but with the best components on the Sight. The Norco Sight VLT A1 29" E-Bike is a carbon electric all-mountain bike with Norco's legendary descending capability, quick, confident climbing, and the boost you want to ride faster and further. Despite this I rolled in brimming with confidence in front of Deniz' lens, only to hang up the bike with a hard hit on the motor bulkhead, pitching me forward for a moment. drat, Sweet!! Of course this ability explains one of the veiled reasons some people dislike eMTBs so vehemently. Lets not contribute to elitism and BS white male privilege. I'm 5' 10", 215lbs with gear and tend to plow and currently have a Ripmo AF with a 550lbs spring on a Jade X that's perfect. It's very close for me but one thing that tips the scale in the Norco's favour is the availability of the 900wh battery. ;). - Brilliant on steep and technical climbs It's all fine if this discussion is had during the bike sale, but how many sales humans are going to say "the bike is great but the cable routing is a fucking disaster that'll cost you a load of grief and / or money."? I generally have bad days and okay days, with the occasional good day sprinkled in. Watch this video to learn how to install and charge your VLT GEN 3 Battery for Sight VLT, Range VLT, Fluid VLT, and Bigfoot VLT. The power mode is indicated by text, and more usefully, colour. It's easiest to remove the battery fixing bolt with the bike upside down, but the battery won't slide out in that orientation because the bolt remains nested in the indent where it threads in. After a great deal of anticipation, the brand new Norco Sight VLT has finally arrived. The Assegai up front however was perfection. I've also put on (ahem) a little weight since I completed that form. Some of the best I've seen in fact and it's clear that the derailleur housing (green) is meant to span the width of the down tube from left to right as shown in the image. Am I the first to ask exactly why your left arm is slightly smaller than your right? Gobs of traction, excellent brakes with big rotors, and dialled geo kept me upright here. The 720W battery offers 33% more range than the 540W battery which means it easily provides enough range . Norco's VLT GEN 3 720W battery is the goldilocks battery choice for Norco VLT riders who want the best of worlds. Was exactly what I was looking for in terms of long term review. You can get a piggy back for the Rocky but that's not as clean and integrated as the Sight. Equipped with a SRAM X01 Eagle drivetrain of 12 gears (1x12). 0 bids. I'm not saying there aren't legitimate criticisms of eMTBs and those who ride them. That said, I still found your comments a bit odd as some of your complaints about the Norco could be carried over to any type of ebike. Like most things in mountain biking, these prices have increased by as much as 15% (the 540wh) since these bikes were released. The Norco Sight VLT C1 2022 is a Full suspension Enduro Mountain Bike with a carbon frame. I have yet to ride the Norco but I plan to test one out. I've since ramped the HSC up front to 0 out (full compression) pumped the fork to 95 and pushed the rear back up to 110. Shimano Deore Drivetrain. battery for e-bies) Further notes. drat R120 Moderator Subscriber Apr 13, 2018 7,814 9,141 Surrey Nov 7, 2018 #9 Yeah, I've been saying that same thing for a long time now - but you know that. Norco Sight VLT A2 29 Mountain E-Bike - 2020, X-Large, Mechanical Shifting $4,589.99 In Stock Specifications Frameset Frame Hydroformed Aluminum Fork FOX Rhythm FLOAT 36, 44mm Offset, E-Rated, 160mm Shock FOX FLOAT X2, Performance Elite Chassis, Custom Factory-Level Spec and Tune, 210x55mm Motor Shimano STEPS EP8, 85Nm max torque Battery The rear Maxxis Dissector isn't one I'd choose, and in situations where high grip was needed, it wasn't up to the task. The wheelbase on the Large measures 1,292mm, which is over 20mm longer than Norcos downhill bike, the Aurum HSP. In berms in particular, this thing is a tracking monster, and again the excellent grip comes into play. Thanks to that whopping 900Wh battery, the Norco Sight VLT has been able to achieve more range than any other e-MTB weve tested. Norco Sight VLT C1 29 2020 on the other hand is the most expensive at 7499 USD. Im beyond stoked to ride it. Posted: Jan 31, 2022 at 13:10. The Sight VLT has been a popular bike here in Australia, and to ensure that remains the case, Norco has come out firing with this 3rd generation model. 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay with Dyname 4.0 Motor, Gambling on the Retrogrouch - Shimano XT LinkGlide M8130, [Forum] NSMB - 2023 - Hardtails Leaning Against Stuff Thread, The New Crankbrothers Mallet Trail Pedals. In fairness to cornedbeef I was a bit quick with my judgement on some of your post. Safety Your safety is a top priority so always wear a helmet when you ride your bike. Has anyone tried to lighten their Sight VLT? the 630watt battery is superior to my friends 500watt kenevo. Cornering is another big strength and the bike loves to be tipped over hard, even on uneven surfaces. Take this with a grain of salt as I've seen Cam pedal a dead YT e-bike up the mountain at a good pace. no issues since. Gen 3 VLT E-MTB Features: Three proprietary battery options available (sold separately) Select your ideal capacity from 540Wh ($749), 720Wh ($999), 900Wh ($1199) Proprietary batteries featuring 21700 lithium ion cells; Batteries remove and install in seconds . Once I'd made the appropriate adjustments that is. The next step was to remove the battery to get a view of what was going on. How many people travel with their bikes usually? Just seen 22.3kg for a size m - thats impressive with the bigger battery. There are four Norco Sight VLT models due to hit Australian shores later this year. This horse loves to gallop, but it can also walk over obstacles, jump and trot /analogybeaten. Awesome write. Got to unbox this today and take it for a quick ride. I kept trying of course but made no headway. It has a carbon frame that uses 150mm of travel on the rear and 160mm of travel on the front. I'm not ranting about any particular brand :D, https://si.shimano.com/api/publish/storage/pdf/en/dm/EP800/DM-EP800-03_ENG.pdf. This doesn't feel like a bike at all, and I don't like what the Norco represents.a rich person's plaything to "enter" a sport whom I doubt knows trail ettique, any aspect of the communal nature of trail riding, or how to descend at all. Even though this handles surpringly well for its heft, it's really turned me off to this type of ebike. A significant difference is the Dyname's multi-pulley, semi-high pivot suspension system. Good option for Canadians, not available here in the UK. Model Year. And, wellranges. in the beginning when switching on the battery the battery level indicator on the control screen would not show battery level.