QUICK HITS
• 150mm VPSHP Suspension
• Bosch CX Gen 5 Drive Unit
• 100Nm, 750W Peak
• 800Wh Battery | Fixed
WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE NORCO SIGHT VLT CX C1
Seatstay Issue Resolved
We held off posting this episode in our eMTB Shootout due to the stop sale and stop ride notice that Norco issued on this eBike. This was due to a brake mount manufacturing inconsistency that presented itself in a small number of frames, including our original. While there were only a handful of frames effected, Norco replaced all seat stays to ensure there was no chance of riders having this issue with their bike. Bikes can now be sold by Norco dealers with the replacement seat stays fitted, and replacements are available for any existing Sight VLT CX customers, who can go to their local Norco dealer.
What is the Norco Sight VLT CX designed to be?
The Norco Sight VLT CX is Norco’s do-it-all All Mountain eMTB, with a 150mm high pivot rear end mated to a 160mm fork and mixed-wheel setup only.
What eBike drive system does the Norco Sight VLT CX use?
The Norco Sight VLT CX is one of eight bikes in our 2025 eMTB Shootout to use the Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 5 drive unit. This provides 85Nm Torque and 600W Peak Power as standard. With the Flow app, riders can increase this to 100Nm and 750W Peak if more power is desired.
The Sight VLT’s Bosch system is powered by a fixed internal 800Wh (8.6 lbs / 3.9 kg) battery on all builds and sizes. Removal is possible if the motor is removed from the frame. This can be boosted by a further 250Wh using the 3.3 lbs (1.5kg) Bosch PowerMore Range Extender. The battery is charged by the 4A Bosch charger, taking roughly 7 hours to go from empty to full.
Norco opted to run the Bosch Smart System’s LED Hub in the top tube as the only display. This shows the battery life in 10% increments and the power mode selected. On the handlebar is the Bosch Wireless Mini Remote, letting the user change power mode and use the walk and hill hold functions.
Bosch’s eBike Flow App connects to the system via Bluetooth. This can be used to tune the power; tweak the response and setup of the power modes; access map data to plan and track rides, and lock and track the bike for security purposes.
What are the details of the Norco Sight VLT CX frame?
Norco makes the Sight VLT CX from carbon fiber, and for the latest generation worked to optimize the structure to drop a large amount of weight. The result are full build weights nearly 10lbs lower than the previous generation.
The Sight VLT CX does not feature adjustable geometry. However, Norco implemented size-specific geometry to ensure every rider shares a similar fit and balance. There’s space within the front triangle for a large water bottle or the range extender. A tool mount is fitted on the underside of the top tube.
The cable routing is fully guided internally, with ports at the side of the head tube. Users should be able to push the cable into one end and have it pop out the other side with minimal effort.
The high pivot suspension system uses an idler mounted to the seat stays, with a fully housed chain guide to keep it in place and running quietly.
Norco’s “No Other Way” warranty guarantees the frame for its lifetime against manufacturing defects.
How much suspension travel does the Norco Sight VLT CX have, and with what linkage?
The Sight VLT CX uses Norco’s VPSHP (Virtual Pivot Suspension – High Pivot) suspension system to deliver the 150mm of rear wheel travel. This is not an extreme high pivot, giving 9mm of rearward axle travel up to sag. Up front, a 160mm fork is fitted.
What are the stand-out geometry figures on the Norco Sight VLT CX?
Geometry on the Sight VLT CX is highly size-specific, with effective seat tube angles getting steeper and chainstay lengths growing longer as you move up the size range. This is done in a bid to maintain the balance between the wheels for riders across the SZ2 to SZ5 size range.
What Norco Sight VLT CX build specs are offered?
Norco bikes are available through dealers worldwide. The Sight VLT CX is offered in a choice of three builds from the $6,699 C3 to $9,999 C1 (tested).
Our SZ3 Norco Sight VLT CX C1 weighed 49.6 lbs (22.5 kg) with the Schwalbe Magic Mary and Albert Radial Gravity control tires fitted.
View the full build spec tested in the spec list.
THE DIRT
Getting the Norco Sight VLT CX Set Up | It’s important to note that Norco recommends riders of the heights of our crew – from 5’11” to 6’2” – run a Size 4. Counter to this recommendation, we opted to test the Size 3 to suit our preferences better – the 497.5mm Reach would exceed our 475-485mm sweet spot by a notable margin. The 472.5mm Reach of the Size 3 proved to feel a little smaller than we’d have liked – in a dream world, we would have a Size 3.5!
Norco’s Ride Aligned guide allows riders to input their height, weight and riding preferences to obtain a customized setup suggestion. This is one of the most comprehensive setup guides in the industry, and something that removes a little of the guesswork when first hitting the trails on a Norco bike. Most of our crew found the Ride Aligned recommended setting to be in the rough ballpark, but we did tweak things slightly to suit our preferred feel. For a consumer – especially one with limited experience setting up bikes – Ride Aligned is an awesome system that takes no small amount of work to implement. As a result, we have to tip our hats to Norco.
How Did The Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 5 eBike System Perform?
The Norco Sight VLT CX was one of eight bikes in our 2025 eMTB Shootout that was equipped with the Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 5 drive unit. As a result, we became very familiar with the characteristics of this drive unit.
The standout characteristic of the Bosch drive unit was its impressively controlled power delivery as standard. The system responded extremely sensitively to rider input, giving quick response when power was demanded, and providing exceptional traction and confidence for technical climbing maneuvers.
Midway through our testing, we were able to update the Bosch Gen 5 systems with a beta version of the upcoming firmware, which allows users to increase the power of the Bosch system to deliver 100Nm and 750W Peak Power. The update also introduced EMTB+ mode. We appreciated the extra power for keeping pace with riders on the Specialized and DJI-equipped Unno. However, we generally found the standard Bosch drive unit power sufficient for a good balance of speed and efficiency. The increased power option is beneficial for some riders, so it’s great that Bosch provides that flexibility.
We struggled with the new EMTB+ mode initially, with the lengthy extended boost giving a runaway sensation much akin to the RACE mode of the Gen 4 race drive unit. On high-consequence technical climb maneuvers, we struggled to control the power and were left concerned for our safety. As such, we found ourselves toggling between the power modes more frequently with the updated Bosch Gen 5 system, to obtain the drive unit handling characteristics we desired in every given situation. The finalized firmware will allow riders to tune the EMTB+ mode’s dynamic assistance profile, so riders should be able to obtain improved control from the mode if they wish.
With the 800Wh battery and option to extend with the Bosch PowerMore Range Extender, we foresee most riders being very satisfied with the range available. The battery not being easily removable will not please all riders, but we appreciated the reduced complexity and lighter overall system that’s made possible by the fixed battery.
How Did The Norco Sight VLT CX Climb?
The fairly compact overall wheelbase and well-centered seating position combined with a solid pedaling platform to make the Norco Sight VLT CX an excellent climbing eBike. Striking a fine balance of comfort and traction, we were able to get the power down on the Bosch drive unit and clean some impressively technical climb sections. Powering around uphill switchbacks was a pleasure, and the ground clearance was solid.
How Was The Norco Sight VLT CX On The Descents?
Sizing struggles pushed the Norco firmly towards the compact and playful end of the spectrum for our test crew, which had its merits but also some notable drawbacks. We spent some time on board a Size 4 Sight VLT CX, which confirmed the sizing dilemma. On this bike, the seated climbing position was notably more stretched out, and the whole bike felt longer than our crew desired and less agile as a result.
Our preference was certainly the Size 3, however it did feel a little unsettled and twitchy at times. With the shorter cockpit, it felt hard to balance the weight between the wheels when things got rowdy. However, the flip side was a reduced time required to react and transfer the weight to the necessary wheel. The suspension and frame construction undoubtedly had the potential to be highly capable, so if you are a rider who falls in the right zone for the sizing of this All Mountain eMTB then you’re likely to obtain a very well-rounded machine.
The Sight VLT CX was an incredibly fun machine to pop and play on mellow trails through to mid-level tech. It was only when pushing our limits in more technical terrain that we could unsettle this high pivot eBike on occasion. With its low overall weight and reasonably poppy suspension, we found ourselves regularly getting airborne and pulling for gaps that didn’t feel to be on the cards on some of the other bikes on test. This was particularly impressive given its 800Wh battery spec. By no means was the Norco lacking capability, it just showed a little nervousness in the gnarlier sections of descents when compared with most of the other bikes in this eMTB group test.
Finish And Value On The Norco Sight VLT CX
This Norco was amongst some of the best finished bikes in this group test. From the beautiful paint job to solid hardware and silent operation, the Norco Sight VLT CX was a bike that felt to command every bit of its $10k price tag. While we would struggle to suggest that any eBike with this price tag is good value, for the dealer-supported Norco with a quality carbon frame and even carbon wheels, the price tag felt very reasonable.
A concern that many may have with the high pivot and idler setup on an eMTB is issues with chain noise and drag. We found there to be essentially no detriment to having the idler wheel, which ran smoothly so long as the chain hadn’t fully dried out. We suffered no dropped chains, and there was no perceivable drag with the power of the motor. It was easy to forget that the Norco was a high pivot bike for the majority of the time. Of course, it adds an extra item to service and replace once worn, but it wouldn’t put us off of purchasing this eBike.
The Wolf’s Last Word
Sizing dilemmas aside, the Norco Sight VLT CX proved to be a dialed all-round All Mountain eBike that was a lot of fun to ride. Our sizing preferences left us in a tricky spot, and ultimately the comfort when pushing hard was reduced on board the smaller Size 3 we opted to test. The flip side was that this Norco was an extremely fun and playful eMTB, which ranked high on the smiles provided on the trail. Add to that a dialled overall package and comparatively reasonable value for this high-quality machine, and there’s a lot to like.
Who Is The Ideal Norco Sight VLT CX Rider?
We expect the Norco Sight VLT CX to be an exceptionally well-rounded bike for riders who sit in a more favorable spot for their preferred fitment within Norco’s size range. Riders looking to cover solid ground and balance a lightweight and playful overall bike that retains good capability in more demanding terrain are likely to be very pleased.
Price: $9,999
Website: Norco.com
About The Pack
During the production of our 2025 eMTB Shootout, we had the Ari Timp Peak 2.0 tested under 8 different riders and compared to the other 11 bikes. The Loam Wolf crew spans heights from 5’10” to 6’2” (177cm to 189cm), and weights from 160lbs to 220lbs. For this year’s test, we also included one of our supporting members, Leonard Johnston from Indiana. His “real world eMTBer” insight was invaluable to us as we evaluated the performance of each of these eBikes.
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