Norco Sight VLT TQ C1 on test: Lightweight high-pivot E-MTB in a quick check

The fact that light e-MTBs are currently selling like sour beer in the shops and the war over motor power is escalating? Norco couldn't care less. The cult brand from British Columbia brings with the Sight VLT TQ (here an overview of all models) a techy and expensive high-pivot e-MTB with a small and light TQ motor and is therefore not aimed at the masses but at handling and trail fans. Will the plan work?

580 Wh - Light motor but plenty of range

The Sight VLT TQ contains the new HPR 60 motor from TQ (tested here). The company from Ammersee specialises in particularly quiet and lightweight drives, and the HPR 60 is the ultimate for fans of the most natural motor support possible. No other drive is as discreet and quiet! At the same time, the TQ provides a hearty push. The specified 350 watts and 60 Nm also come out and heat-related derating, as with the predecessor, is no longer a problem with the HPR 60.

Norco combines the motor not with the small 360 watt-hour battery but with the larger 580 battery. This means that long tours of up to around 1500 metres in altitude are no problem, depending on rider weight and support. For even more, you can fit an unfortunately quite expensive range extender with 160 watt hours (599 euros) in the bottle cage. The top tube display has a sporty design. However, the operation of the TQ system is basically very successful.

Long & flat with elegant features

Unsurprisingly, Norco has given the Sight VLT a modern, long and flat design. This is certainly also due to the nasty home trails of the Canadians. Our test bike in S5 (XL) has a reach of almost 517 millimetres and a long wheelbase of 1327 millimetres. Nice to see: Norco encourages riders to choose the bike according to the desired length and relies on reasonably short seat tubes and dropper posts with adjustable travel. The length of the chainstays increases with the frame size to create balanced handling. The author is only 1.82 metres tall, but likes to ride long bikes and even coped well on the large S5.

The equipment is classy, but the price is also high. After all, for 9990 euros (e.g. available here) you get a full carbon e-bike with carbon wheels from Crankbrothers, premium Fox Factory suspension and the new XT Di2 drivetrain as well as the matching XT four-piston brakes. That's not bad for a boutique brand like Norco, but of course it's not a price-performance hit à la Cube and co. Different brand, different target group.

Comparison of Trek Slash+ and Propain Sresh SL

Aroused interest? Fortunately, there are now a few exciting light E-MTBs on the market that were able to inspire us on the trail. Technically closest to the Norco the Trek Slash+ (review here). Although it has 170/170 millimetres more travel, it also has a full carbon frame and a high-pivot rear triangle as well as 580 watt hours. The handling is also designed for riding fun. However, the longer suspension travel is noticeable - both positively and negatively. The TQ HPR 50 motor is the predecessor of the HPR 60 and is technically somewhat outdated.

Also similar is the new Sresh SL from Propain, with HPR 60 and optionally also 580 watt hours, here even relatively easy to remove. With 160/150 millimetres of suspension travel, it also targets the gap between all-mountain and enduro and was able to in our last Light E-MTB comparison test. The ride feel is even more direct and defined than the Norco.

Ship? Not at all: This is how the Sight VLT TQ rides

When I stand in front of the Norco for the first time in our test lab, I'm overcome with doubt. Phew, the bike is quite long and big. Plus the brute high-pivot rear triangle. I wonder if I've overshot the mark. But the first surprise comes at the scales. Less than 20 kilos without pedals and with the enduro tyres fitted is a good figure, especially for the elaborate frame construction.

The bike also feels surprisingly less bulky when getting on the bike and on the trail. The seat angle is steep, the rear end hardly bobs, but could be a little more sensitive on the climbs. Nevertheless, the bike climbs really well. Downhill you are well integrated and always kept in a nice active position. The rear suspension works sensitively, but is not a boring hoover. The Norco rides surprisingly poppy and light-footed and is easy to get airborne. Just like an all-mountain bike and not like the enduro bike that you might initially expect. However, the Norco is not an explicitly playful candidate for manual fans.

High-pivot advantage: off to the rumble

When the trail gets angrier, the Sight encourages you to hold on. The raised pivot point of the rear triangle comes into play on rough bumps. It allows the rear wheel to avoid obstacles backwards/upwards instead of forwards/upwards as with conventional designs. The Norco also irons out nasty bumps with ease and is particularly plush and traction-strong on the trail. Nevertheless, the character remains active and poppy. Many high-travel, high-pivot bikes are fast in a straight line, but feel rather lifeless. In contrast, the Norco remained nice and quiet downhill, with only a slight rattling of the cables in front of the handlebars. The chain guide makes a slight noise when pedalling, but everything remained completely within limits.

Small things that we would nevertheless criticise: The rear suspension is quite generous with its travel and benefits from the adjustable compression damping. The XT Di2 Hyperglide shifting is almost overwhelmed by the moderate power of the TQ motor. Srams transmission gears are less complicated on an e-bike. And the choice of tyres could be optimised, especially for European mud, with very soft rubber at the front and a more open tread at the rear. In practice, however, this was hardly a problem.

Personally, I absolutely loved the Norco Sight VLT. The motor power and battery are sufficient for normal tours. The suspension travel and range of use strike a happy medium: fun and fast on the home trail and even those who want to step on the gas on holiday in Finale or the Vinschgau Valley will get their money's worth here. The conceptually high price is almost the only problem with the bike. - Adrian Kaether, BIKE test editor

Strengths:

• Driving fun and versatility
• Lightweight for a high-pivot E-MTB
• Strong chassis

Weaknesses:

• High price