WITH THE E-BIKE MARKET EXPANDING FASTER THAN MY WAISTLINE OVER THE FESTIVE SEASON, IT IS WITH NO SURPRISE THAT NORCO HAS DECIDED TO COME TO THE PARTY. WHILE A LOT OF COMPANIES HAVE BEEN FAST TO PRODUCE E-BIKES STEMMING OFF THEIR REGULAR BIKE LINEUPS, NORCO HAVE BEEN HIDING THEIRS DEEP IN THE SQUAMISH FORREST, GROWING, IMPROVING, BECOMING A FULL GROWN BEAST. THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS THEY FOCUSED ON IT FEELING AS PLAYFUL AND CAPABLE AS THE REST OF THEIR LINE UP. NORCO UNDERSTOOD THAT IN ORDER FOR THEM TO MAKE THE SIGHT VLT A BIKE THAT LIVES UP TO THEIR STANDARDS THEY WOULD NEED TO FOCUS ON THE GEOMETRY, FRAME MATERIAL, ​​​​​​AND COMPONENTRY BEFORE WORRYING ABOUT ADDING A MOTOR.
REVIEWER Darren Mallard PHOTOS Kane Naaraat
To make the bike handle like the well renowned ‘Sight’ Norco knew they had to make the bike as light as possible. To do this they made the front triangle and seat stay out of carbon. With the bike coming in at 22.3kg it isn’t the lightest on the market but its still up there with Benders old Karpiel in weight class. By having the battery low inside the down tube (Shimano’s first in tube battery) and the rest of the motor components lower in the frame, Norco have managed to keep what weight is left low and controllable while looking sleek. This new Shimano battery is also one of the biggest on the market with a capacity of 630wh, giving you enough power to ride all day before needing a charge.
The only possible downside to this battery and its location is that it cannot be removed easily. This might not be the biggest downside but you will run into trouble if travelling or heading out for longer rides that require a battery removal or for some people to lift onto transport.
The Sight VLT is equipped with the top shelf E8000 motor which should need no more explanation. It is a super reliable, slightly tuneable and effective in making you feel like you have the legs of a horse. While the motor can pull along in a high gear at a low cadence, it does prefer to be spun up a hill in an easier gear.
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