2022 Emtb Shootout - Norco Sight VLT C1 Review

[@dr.gregmccandless]

Love love love the tailgate discussion. That is money and really gives you the unscripted feel and off the cuff reactions you miss in other reviews. Great job can't wait for this format for all kinds of shootouts

[@browniesride]

Love it guys!! Thanks for putting out awesome videos with so much insight. I'm in Western Washington and my wife ended up going with the Sight VLT A1 for the all around performance in our terrain and the fit. The Norco VLT lineup has some of the lowest standover heights, which is really attractive for smaller riders since so many bikes options are pretty tall, even the size S or XS builds out there. She was in between size S/M, ended up sizing down to the S because of the long wheelbase and big back end. Nothing but smiles and hollers :) Your video of the Norcos at Blackrock stoked the fire. Huge thanks again!

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks so much and glad to hear it. Stoked you are enjoying the bike.

[@jamesw1791]

The riders input is pretty good on this one. I would implore you to find a rider that test bikes for you guys that's around the 220 range. Most of the guys that are riding for you look like they're in the 150 to 175 range. That extra weight does a lot to the battery and I think it's more true for the general public at large riding ebikes. A lot of guys riding e-bikes are just guys that have jobs and kids and they do this on the weekend and they don't have to be super fit but they want to ride a good bike. Just some food for thought.

[@TheLoamWolf]

We hear ya. We actually have a tester around that weight range, unfortunately, life got in the way and he wasn't able to make it to the shootout this year.

[@jonsalvador5051]

Great review and your final remarks are very consistent with my experience with this bike. I bought the A1 and after a couple of upgrades (rims + brakes and a 38 fork), is a very comfy ride , that yes, struggle a little in tight terrain, however excels in the chunky fast single tracks , overall I am very happy as it suits my style, I don’t pop or flick :)

[@TheLoamWolf]

Right on! Glad to hear you agree and feel the same. It absolutely rips on the right terrain!

[@ryanautomator5760]

2 of my riding buddies have these with the 900Wh battery and they can run full boost all the time I'm struggling to keep up and not kill my battery. On the way down we are riding a mix or steep, tech-gnar and Sight can handle it no prob. It's cool to ride others and see what the differences between rider and bikes are, but then realize that it doesn't matter much, when we're all having a blast together.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Heck yes!! All about fun. And these bikes definitely let you have fun.

[@richjohnson2295]

I just recently purchased the C2 version of this. One thing to think about is take a hard look at the geo numbers. Iam 6'2" and norco and there ride alligned put me on an XL which has a 515 reach. Ive had bikes this big before and although very stable I was not a fan. I sized down to the large put on a 50mm stem and a 35mm rise bar and it made the bike feel great! Its now really good everywhere even jumping and tight corners etc. As bikes get longer lower slacker I think alot of folks may be riding bikes that are too big for them. Anyways for anyone on the fence its an awesome ride and I am very happy with it!

[@111chriswoods]

Personal preference. I'm 5'9 and I went with a large and I love it, the thing rips and still easy to move around. I come from a dirt bike background so probably why I like the longer bike.

[@richjohnson2295]

@@111chriswoods 100% personal preference I come from a dirt bike background as well and the geo numbers on the large almost matched my pivot firebird.

[@pinoypridemtb]

Nice review! Looking forward on other ebike shootout videos. 1:21 where can I can this shirt? Thanks!

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thank you! These shirts are screen printed right here in anti-eBike country, Bend, Oregon and are available in our web store. store.theloamwolf.com/

[@pinoypridemtb]

@@TheLoamWolf just ordered. Thanks!

[@chipbirdiestone8815]

Enjoyed the tailgate trash talk but where's the bike, Id like to see whatever you're discussing in the background, thanks.... and that bike is fun to ride up here in the bc. but only straight up n straight down, other wise its kind of a long beast.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks for sharing

[@DizzyBone3030]

Love it

[@pendulum1997]

What happened to the spectral review?

[@torabora851]

Nice review! You are saying that it's heavy but didn't mention the exact weight.

[@TheLoamWolf]

The bike weighs close to 56lbs, we have all the weights published on our website in the written reviews.

[@jereddennis4110]

You could probably go with a lighter battery if you wanted it to be more pop/playful?

[@dash0173]

weight isn't always the major factor in a bike's playfulness though. I have a norco range, not the e-bike variant, and it is a very planted bike and it made to simply go FAST but once you get it up to speed, it's plenty playful for my liking. the bike weighs 37ish pounds too which is relatively heavy for a non-ebike but the way the suspension works, it allows it to be confident and playful at high speeds. i agree to an extent though, a lighter bike USUALLY means it'll be more playful simply because you have more control over it but not from a suspension standpoint

[@TheLoamWolf]

The lighter battery only drops about 1.5lbs, which is noticeable but then range will be greatly affected and even still, it’s a heavy bike but moreover the suspension platform is just very supple and cushy. Which is why it’s so great in some terrain! Everything has a trade off and for some the plush and soft suspension will be exactly what they want.

[@jereddennis4110]

@@TheLoamWolf yeah right on I would go with the bigger battery than just to save weight then.

[@thim8009]

I like short chainstays. 462mm, holy crap, I didn't like my 455 on my Gen 2 levo xl. I ended up with yt decoy and Gen 3 levo.

[@Bittersfamily0424]

Did you guys experience any creaking on the Norco Range VLT or Sight VLT? I have a new Norco Sight VLT A2. It is creaking super bad. I have checked all the usuals. What did you guys do to fix it if you had issues?

[@TheLoamWolf]

We had creaking on one of our bikes, and found the lower pivot hardware had come loose. We also had motor mount bolts come loose, which ended up rubbing on the chainring. Have you pin pointed the general area where the noise is coming from? And does it happen at certain points during ride?

[@BlacqueJacqueShellacque_]

Love my e-bike (YT Decoy). It's so much fun, but don't think I'd drop $10k for one.

[@alejandroruelas7816]

Do you recommend decoy Ebike ? How is the battery 540 wh , how many miles can do ride ? Thinking to buy one but I can’t decide yet.

[@burningatthetrailhead]

Imagine opening the box and seeing batteries not included 🤭

[@waynebinky]

I'd doubt that happens. Every site shows the battery options and the cost of the battery.

[@CROSpunkie]

I am looking for an emtb and I weigh 350lb now, and I wonder if any of these could actually do the job. I live in a mountain valley in central america so I'm surrounded by stupidly high grade inclines, 10%, 20%, even 30% grade inclines abound. Also the actual town is all poorly maintained cobblestone so the bike will be getting a rock garden style thrashing 100% of the time. Its kind of terrifying to know y'all are already running boost mode all the time.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Yeah absolutely they would help you out greatly! You would likely be a prime candidate for the 900Wh battery on the Norco's however as you'll want that extra juice for the steep and plentiful climbs!

[@CROSpunkie]

@@TheLoamWolf I went looking for the max weight/payload capacity specs for norcos emtbs. It's hard to find but it seems like they max out of 275lb to 300lb? 😢

[@CROSpunkie]

@@TheLoamWolf Actually it's even worse that I imagined. I email Norco about this, they say "Our bikes are rated to support riders up to 250 lbs".

[@derrickcolgan6097]

Cost savings lol it’s over 10k. Should have xxx AXS.

[@dimebagdarrel4784]

If you are going to do a comprehensive comparison please, please, please weigh the bikes and give us the total weight with battery and pedals. I do not care what the manufacturer claims. Buy a $29.00 scale and hang the bike right there in your videos. I am trying to make an informed decision on spending my hard earned money. Give me all of the stats. Thanks

[@TheLoamWolf]

Read the site, weight for our bike is in there (55.6pounds/large) along with a decent comparison against others in the category. We don't weigh bikes with pedals due to the variety of pedals on the market.