First Look | The 2024 Norco Range VLT & Sight VLT get Bosch motors & high-pivot suspension

Norco started 2024 with a bang, with the release of its new high pivot Sight and Optic and first-ever lightweight e-MTB the Fluid VLT. Just as the dust settles on these releases, Norco has more news for us. This time, it is the full-fat e-MTB line-up that gets the high pivot treatment.

For 2024 Norco’s Sight VLT and Range VLT are updated with a new suspension design, an 85nm Bosch Performance Line CX motor, and a 750Wh battery.

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Following along from the Fluid VLT, Norco has changed over to Bosch for the 2024 VLT e-MTBs.

The most striking update to the bikes is the new high pivot suspension system, dubbed Virtual Pivot Suspension – High Pivot or VPSHP. Utilizing an i-Track configured idler location, the bike’s anti-squat has been tuned for efficiency and responsive feel under power. Norco say the chainstay-mounted idler manages chain growth and pedal kickback.

Falling in line with the Fluid VLT, Norco has switched these bikes from Shimano e-MTB systems to Bosch. Among the changes to the equipment itself, this also brings a custom Norco version of the Bosch e-Bike Flow app.

Here, riders will be able to tune torque, speed, dynamic output, and the assist level. Along with the new motor and suspension design, both bikes feature longer-stroke rear shocks. Norco says this allowed it to tune the suspension design to suit a wider range of rider weights and match the leverage ratio for their new High Pivot linkages.

Given every other bike the Canadian outfit has launched this year has adopted its VPSHP suspension, it’s not a huge surprise to see it here. Either way, the design is striking.

Ride Aligned 2.0

As mentioned in our high pivot Sight and Optic news article, Norco has released Ride Aligned 2.0. The updated bike setup guide is not just for its 2024 bikes, it includes most of the previously released models too.

What is new in version 2.0 is the broader range of modifiers. This means users can input more information about their riding style and preferences to see what impact these can have on their bike setup. You can now create an account and save your bikes and set-ups into a garage, meaning you can keep track of your settings and changes over time.

Ride Aligned 2.0 has been fully rolled out including the older gen models that were a part of the 1.0 — though at the time of writing the team from Vancouver hadn’t made the new VLT e-MTBs searchable.

This is a handy update for riders as it provides a simple way to track your changes over time or save settings for certain locations.

On the topic of updates from Norco, the brand has also just announced that all its bikes going back to those released in 2014 will now have a limited lifetime warranty. The warranty only applies to the first owner; however, this is big news, especially considering they have backdated it to 2014. For all the details check out the website.

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An overview of the 2024 Sight VLT

Sticking with the same travel as its pedal-powered sibling the Sight VLT has a 160mm fork and 150mm travel out back, like the previous VLT the new models retain its mixed wheel size setup.

For 2024 it is powered by a Bosch Performance Line CX motor that delivers 85nm of torque. This is paired with a Bosch Powertube 750Wh battery that should deliver enough power for a solid day of shredding trails. Norco has kept the slide-out design of the battery, and 500Wh or 625Wh aftermarket options are available. However, the MASSIVE 900Wh option offered with the previous Shimano system is no longer available. That said, there will be a 250Wh range extender, however it will only fit in the S3-S5 frames.

Norco has moved away from the 900Wh battery, likely realising that most folks simply don’t need to ride around with that much juice regularly. For those who are planning on big adventures, there is a 250Wh range extender available, but it will only fit in the size S3 and up.

2024 Sight VLT Geometry & Sizing

The Sight VLT has had its geometry updated, as well as adopting the number-based sizing as seen with the trio of bikes already launched in 2024. For the new Sight e-MTB, the reach has grown by 17.5mm for a size 3 compared to the older medium equivalent. Stack has increased by 11mm, while the head tube angle stays the same at 64°, the effective seat tube angle which has only increased by .2°, now 77.5°.

Norco has kept its size-specific rear centre lengths. However, this is also home to quite a significant change on the geometry chat, with the rear end now 30mm shorter at 432mm; this has also reduced the wheelbase, which now comes in at 1252mm, 6mm shorter than the older model.

2024 Norco Sight VLT geometry and sizing
The new Sight VLT has adopted the new numbered sizing.

2024 Sight VLT Pricing & Specs

The Sight will be available in a single C1 carbon build in Australia, and will feature a full carbon front triangle, while chain and seat stays will be alloy.

This singular build has an impressive spec list, with Norco not skimping on just about anything; it does come at a price though, coming in at $15,999 AUD. The local Norco distributor Advance Traders says it is expecting to see the Sight VLT hit our shores in late July or early August.

2024 Norco Sight VLT C1
Priced at $15,999 AUD, the top-end C1 build offers little room for upgrades, but you’ll need deep pockets to own one.

2024 Norco Sight VLT C1

Norco has made some pretty drastic changes to the Range VLT with a new motor, new suspension layout and mixed wheels.

An overview of the 2024 Norco Range VLT

Just like the Sight VLT the new Range carries over the same 180mm/170mm travel as the previous version. What has been changed is the wheel sizes,  and it’s now offered as a mixed-wheel bike compared to the previously dedicated 29er.

The Range VLT gets the same 85nm Bosch Performance Line CX motor and 750Wh Powertube battery as the new Sight VLT, and riders in sizes S3 to S5 can opt for the additional 250Wh range extender. In Australia, we will get two carbon models and one alloy; the latter will see a carbon front triangle and an aluminium read end.

The updated Range VLT is a BIG and burley e-MTB, and for 2024, Norco has made it high pivot and Mullet only.

2024 Norco Range VLT Geometry & Sizing

Geometry for the new carbon and alloy models has been revised too. Both versions of the bike share mostly the same geometry updates and only vary in their seat post-insertion limits and stand-over heights. The Carbon models on average get an extra 25mm of seatpost insertion and a higher stand-over height that varies between 2-7mm across the five sizes.

2024 Norco Range VLT Geometry & Sizing
Also, swapping to the numbered sizing, the Range has had some adjustments for 2024.

The reach on the new VLT models has increased, with the size 3 model (previously a medium) adding 22.5mm of reach and 7mm of stack height.

The head angle stays the same at 63°, and the effective seat tube angle has steepened by .5°. The rear centre lengths are also size-specific, and in size 3, they are now 26mm shorter due in part to the smaller rear wheel. Despite the shorter rear centre, the wheelbase has actually grown by 2mm to 1269mm.

2024 Range VLT Pricing & Specs

With three models coming into Australia, the all-singing all all-dancing C1 version is equipped with the RockShox Ultimate level suspension, GX AXS T-Type Transmission, Code RSC stoppers and is priced at $13,999 AUD. At the other end of the spectrum, the alloy build steps down to Select/Base level Rockshox suspension, an SRAM NX drivetrain and SRAM DB8 brakes and comes in at $10,999 AUD. Advance Traders expects these bikes will land in Australia in late July or early August.

2024 Norco Range VLT C1
How good does that deep purple paint look? The new Range VLT is trustworthy.

2024 Norco Range VLT C1

2024 Norco Range VLT C2
Taking a step down in price, Norco has opted for a lower-tier suspension package and mechanical shifting.

2024 Norco Range VLT C2

2024 Norco Range VLT A1
The only alloy model of the Range VLT being brought into Australia into Australia is the A1 and sees an entry spec from nose to tail.

2024 Norco Range VLT A1

 

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