Now in its fourth generation, Norco’s Range VLT falls right in line with the likes of the Sight VLT. With that, it brings a mighty familiar ride that noticeably brings serious capability but without squandering agility. In fact, the Norco Range Gen 4 may be the most agile enduro e-MTB I’ve ridden to date.
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Norco’s high pivot VPShp suspension kinematic first found its place on the Range enduro mountain bike, and since then, it’s popped up throughout the brand’s range and over the years, it’s been refined to what we’ve got on the Range VLT Gen 4. This bike is Norco’s heavy-hitting enduro e-MTB to hit that mark, it dons 160mm of suspension at the rear and 170mm of squish up front.
If you’re already familiar with Norco’s other e-mountain bikes, like the Sight VLT, you’ll be forgiven for mistaking the Range VLT for that very bike. I’ll let you off because the Range VLT uses the same frame as the Sight, but the bulk of its changes come through the longer travel fork and a longer, 65mm stroke shock. That’s really not a bad thing either, as the Sight VLT is an excellent example of a welcoming trail/all-mountain high-pivot e-MTB.
Bringing the ‘e’ to the Range VLT is Bosch’s Performance Line CX motor paired with a sizey 800Wh battery. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best options currently on the market that’s almost constantly being updated, with the last one introducing a traction control feature to its eMTB+ mode. Of course, the latest model of the motor claims to be lighter, and it’s got a little more punch to it, as it knocks out up to 100Nm of torque and 750W at peak.
Virtual Pivot Suspension, High Pivot (or VPShp for short), is Norco’s take on the increasingly popular high pivot suspension layout. It rotates around a virtual instant centre that’s controlled by the chainstay and rocker link, but as you would expect of such a platform, it encourages a more rearward axle path. That should help the rear wheel roll over obstacles, rather than catch and hang up on them, making for a more jarring and less flowy ride.
As for the bike’s features, it’s all pretty normal for a modern e-MTB. There’s internal cable routing, an accessory mount under the top tube and space for a water bottle in the front triangle. Oh, and the bike runs a mullet wheel setup. I’m not typically a fan of the big wheel up front and small wheel out back arrangement, but for an e-MTB that weighs around 24kg, it makes sense as it welcomes extra maneuverability.
Moving on to the geometry, and it’s all very ‘Norco’. I rode a size 3 (medium equivalent), which gets a 466mm reach, a 63.5-degree head angle, a 77-degree effective seat tube angle and a 436mm chainstay, which stretches to 446mm at sag.
Norco Range VLT CX C1 – Componentry
Coming in at £8,400, the Range VLT CX C1 gets a rather nice build, but without going completely overboard. Its suspension is handled by Fox with a 38 Factory fork and an X2 Factory shock. Shimano then steps in with its recent XT Di2 drivetrain and updated four-piston brakes. That is all bolted to a carbon frame, of course.
While the bike relies on Norco’s own kit for the bar and stem, there’s a Fizik Terra Aidon X5 saddle, WTB Wavelength grips and a TransX RAD+ dropper post offering 170mm of travel, unlike the 210mm dropper on the leg-powered S3 Sight. Personally, I would prefer more travel, especially as this dropper is adjustable, just to add more space to move over the bike.
The super blingy, silver-finished wheels come from Crankbrothers in the form of the Synthesis Enduro hoops, and they’re wrapped with the Continental Kryptotal FR and RE duo with Enduro casings and Soft rubber compounds.
Norco Range VLT CX C1 – Ride Impressions
Usually, I’d pick a large bike, or an S4 in Norco talk, but as that bike dons a rather lengthy 491mm reach, I was very happy to be riding the smaller bike. In fact, I’m a fan of downsizing on full-fat e-mountain bikes as it helps balance the stability promoted by their weight, with a welcome level of agility.
But although Norco’s geometry could be seen as a little short, especially for an enduro-focussed e-mountain bike, I reckon the brand has nailed it. Mainly, that’s because this is a high pivot e-MTB. As a bike compresses through its suspension, its wheelbase stretches, which, with the weight, rustles up excellent stability through straight-line rough stuff, but when it’s not being consistently loaded, it makes for an impressively agile machine.
I rode the bike through some of my favourite local-ish trails that are a good mix of tight and twisty, with chunky, root-addled straights, and the bike felt right at home. Along with the mullet wheel size and comparatively short chainstay, the bike engaged into corners with ease. It’s keen to tip in and whip about, but as weight is loaded through the suspension, the whole wheelbase lengthens, which helps the bike hold its line, which is particularly noticeable through flatter, unsupported turns.
The VPShp kinematic works wonders here, where it brings plenty of traction, even through the mostly wet and slippery conditions I rode through. It’s definitely sensitive but there’s plenty of support to be had. It uses its travel wisely, remaining propped up where you would want it, and super communicative through rough terrain, despite the mass of travel at its disposal.
With its 63.5-degree head tube angle, the Range VLT is a bike that prefers gradient. Over flatter terrain, the front wheel and steering axis feel rather light, which can make it wander where it requires a little bit more attention to keep it pointed in the right direction. However, with a downhill gradient underneath the bike, it’s much more comfortable, where the 170mm of travel, reasonable stack and that head angle deliver a good heft of front-end support, even when heavy on the brakes.
Equipped with a fat-stanchioned 38 fork and a generally burly build, it’s incredibly keen to be pointed and pushed into technical terrain. It runs true to its line and forces itself over obstacles, rather than being persuaded off line. With that, the Range VLT makes for a super confident machine, despite what its shorter-than-usual shape might suggest.
Norco Range VLT CX C1 – Early verdict
With its full range of VPShp-equipped mountain bikes, Norco has done an excellent job in translating its trademark ride feel across varying platforms. That means that it’s enduro e-MTB, the Range VLT, brings confidence by the shedload through a stiff but super forgiving ride. Though where many big-travel e-mountain bikes can become a bit of a handful, Norco’s more reserved geometry choices bring serious balance as the Range VLT is as agile and nippy as it is unshakeable and surefooted. However, I feel like a longer travel dropper is a must for this bike.
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