Norco Sight VLT CX C2 first ride review
Norco has overhauled its Sight VLT to match the rest of its range and we've already had a go on it.
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Now in its fourth iteration, the Norco Sight VLT builds on the bikes that have come before with heavy inspiration from its regular mountain bike counterpart. Now, the e-MTB boasts the very latest in Bosch technology as well as an 800Wh battery in a 22kg package. We got some time on the bike, ahead of launch, so read on for our first impressions.
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For 2025, Norco has brought an update to its all-mountain e-MTB platform, the Sight VLT, and it’s a rather sizeable change. Compared to the outgoing bike, it’s clear that Norco has recognised the success of the Sight mountain bike, and has chosen to kit the Sight VLT with a strikingly similar shape. Most notably, the bike moves to a vertically mounted shock, opposed to the horizontal shock from before.
2025 norco sight vlt idler.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Norco puts a real emphasis on balance and weight, or lack thereof. As before, there’s 160mm of suspension up front with 150mm at the rear, which is driven by the brand’s VPShp (Virtual Pivot Suspension / High Pivot) layout. But the bike now uses Bosch’s latest Performance Line CX motor that outputs 85Nm and up to 600W of assistance. It’s also a quieter motor overall.
2025 norco sight vlt motor.jpg, by Liam Mercer
A powder-coated magnesium housing boosts the drive system’s reliability. This adds corrosion resistance and improved sealing to keep the battery healthy.
Norco claims that this version of the Sight VLT is 20% lighter than the last, despite coming with a larger battery. We’re told that the CX C2 model we’ve ridden weighs around 22kg which certainly isn’t shabby for a full-fat e-MTB. That weight also puts it in line with high-end heavyweights such as Pivot’s Shuttle LT.
2025 norco sight vlt dt logo.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Geometry remains nearly identical on the old bike and the regular Sight, and that’s no bad thing. I felt the brand really dialled the geometry on the Sight C1, so I’m happy to see similar figures.
On this size ‘3’ bike, there’s a 472.5mm reach, a 64-degree head tube angle and a 77.5-degree effective seat tube angle. The chainstay is a little longer than the mountain bike’s at 436mm, and there’s no option to up the rear wheel’s size to 29-inch – this is a mullet bike only. This latest model also drops the smallest frame size, consolidating the range to four sizes. As before, the chainstay length is proportional to the size of the bike, with lengths ranging from 432mm up to 444mm.
Norco Sight VLT CX C2 - Componentry
For my time with the Sight VLT, I was given the middle-of-the-range bike, the CX C2, and it’ll set you back a hair under £9,000.
2025 norco sight vlt fork.jpg, by Liam Mercer
For that money, you get everything you need and nothing that you don’t. Damping that 160mm of squish up front is a RockShox Lyrik Select+ with the Charger 3.1 damper. It’s an incredibly easy fork to set up and generally a solid performer. That’s paired with a Super Deluxe Select+ shock.
Shifting is provided by SRAM and the S1000 AXS T-Type drivetrain. Slowing the bike is a pair of SRAM Maven Bronze brakes – a great touch on an e-MTB like this. However, those are combined with SRAM’s Centerline rotors.
2025 norco sight vlt mech.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Rolling on WTB ST i30 rims, laced to a DT Swiss 370 hub at the rear, Continental supplies the traction with a Kryptotal F at the front in the Trail casing and firmer Endurance compound, whereas the Xynotal at the rear gets the Enduro casing and Soft rubber. Slightly weird choices, if you ask me. This highlights Conti’s odd tyre specifications, where the lighter Trail casing doesn’t come with a soft compound option, and the Enduro casing lacks a firmer compound.
2025 norco sight vlt front tyre.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Like the regular Sight, long dropper posts are the order of the day, a 170mm dropper in this instance. Other parts include a Fizik saddle and a set of WTB Wavelength grips.
Norco Sight VLT CX C2 - First impressions
The Sight VLT takes the very same formula of the regular Sight but slings a motor and battery into the mix. But, because the motor-powered version does little to deviate from the standard set by its pedal-powered cousin, it accurately translates all of the points that made the original bike so great and adds plenty of range and a punchy motor.
Admittedly, the conditions I rode the Sight VLT through were far from favourable and very wet. But despite this, the bike felt incredibly familiar, and rightfully so, given its inspiration.
2025 norco sight vlt dt logo 2.jpg, by Liam Mercer
The seat tube is fairly steep and that does great things for climbing, especially when there’s the extra 85Nm of that Bosch Performance Line CX motor influencing things. Because weight is planted centrally between the wheels, climbing comes easily to the Sight VLT. And that’s a real improvement from the regular bike – it’s not the best of climbers, and as you might guess, bolting a motor onto the bike solves this instantly.
Small-bump sensitivity is a real benefit to this bike. It packs tonnes of it thanks to the RockShox Super Deluxe shock and the high-pivot suspension platform. The duo delivers grip by the shedload. When climbing, the bike hunts for traction with ease but the bike’s ability to cling to the ground shines at its brightest in the descents.
2025 norco sight vlt tt display.jpg, by Liam Mercer
When pointed downhill, the Sight VLT is a surprisingly spritely number. The suspension remains uber responsive, where it’s happy to hop and skip around the trail. When loaded through corners and compressions, it does well not to blow through the whole of its travel, keeping the bike standing up and poised to absorb further impacts.
Responsiveness is an overarching feel of the bike, and that’s clear in Norco’s geometry choices. It’s not a terribly long bike, nor are its angles exactly extreme, but it’s pretty spot on. They worked well on the regular bike, and, dare I say, it works just as well, if not better on this e-MTB platform.
2025 norco sight vlt shock.jpg, by Liam Mercer
Because the bike isn’t overly long, there’s heaps of snap in the bike’s handling, too. It’s keen to be leaned into corners. It simply hooks up, and while it might not be as eager in the turns as its meat-powered counterpart, owing to its lengthier chainstay and the weight, it’s stable and predictable in the turns.
The Sight VLT loves to be pushed through chunky terrain. Due to the weight of the bike, it drives through technical terrain, but thanks to the capability of its rear end, it remains super composed without feeling vague.
2025 norco sight vlt brake lever.jpg, by Liam Mercer
My only real hangup with the bike is Norco’s dedication to running Centreline rotors. SRAM’s HS2 discs are a serious upgrade in both power and lever feel, and with the bike running Mavens, I’m curious as to why the brand’s sticking with the Centerline option. It also falls victim to Continental's confusing tyre specifications. Granted, Continental’s range is all the rage at the moment, but a firmer compound rubber at the front doesn’t make sense, despite the excellent tread pattern. I imagine it won’t be long before owners swap the front tyre for something softer for a more predictable front end.
The 2025 Sight VLT successfully translates the overall character, ride feel, and charm of its pedal-powered stablemate but packs in the assistance of a motor. While it’s primed for chunky and technical trails, it’s superbly balanced as it climbs effectively, and it certainly doesn’t hold back on the descents thanks to its uber-responsive and seriously fun demeanour.
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