The Vary VLT is the heavy hitter in Norco’s lineup of eMTBs. Norco redesigned the full-power long-travel e-bike in 2024, making it much more aggressive than its predecessor.
With 170mm of rear journey, a 180mm fork, combined wheels, slack angles, and excessive pivot suspension, the Vary VLT has a really clear downhill focus. Issue within the highly effective Bosch motor and long-range 750Wh battery, nonetheless, and it’s able to taking you proper again to the highest for extra.
Final fall, I examined the Norco Vary VLT C1 ($8,999) for a number of months on the various trails and terrain in and round Truckee, Calif. From 2,500-foot climbs to puckering steeps and machine-built stream trails to janky skidders, I put this long-travel path slayer by means of its paces to see if it lives as much as the high-pivot hype.
In brief: The Norco Vary VLT is the burliest and most aggressive eMTB I’ve ever ridden. This bike thrives at pace, plowing down tough trails and over large drops. When it’s time for extra, the Bosch motor and enormous battery make climbing a breeze. It’s heavy — even for an e-bike — making it a handful at decrease speeds and tighter terrain. However should you’re fascinated about going downhill quick, look no additional.
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Unimaginable composure and stability at pace -
Beautiful suspension efficiency — excessive pivot works properly -
Largely nice construct for the value -
Highly effective Bosch motor
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Additional heavy -
Awkward dealing with at decrease speeds and in tighter terrain -
AXS shifter pod — not remoted to this bike
Norco Vary VLT Assessment
Particulars
If you happen to’re aware of the Canadian model Norco, you already know it focuses on downhill efficiency. Even its short-travel path bikes are extra aggressive than most. The identical is true of its electrical bikes, with the VLT fashions mirroring its nonelectric lineup.
The Vary VLT is the longest journey bike in Norco’s eMTB vary. The model fully overhauled the mannequin in 2024. Whereas the newest model could look just like its predecessor on paper, there are a variety of serious variations.
Probably the most apparent variations is the form of the beefed-up entrance triangle. There may be now a assist bridging between the highest tube and the down tube that additionally serves because the higher shock mount.
Norco flies the high-pivot flag proudly, so it isn’t an excessive amount of of a shock that the newest Vary VLT makes use of a high-pivot suspension design with an loafer pulley. Often called Digital Pivot Suspension, Excessive Pivot (VPS HP), this design goals to offer a rearward axle path because it strikes by means of its 170mm of journey.
Motor-wise, Norco made the change to the high-performance Bosch Efficiency Line CX with Sensible System. An improve over the earlier model’s Shimano EP8 drive system.
One other notable change is that the Vary VLT now is available in 5 body sizes with size-specific geometry. This could present a extra balanced really feel throughout the scale run.
Norco Vary VLT Body
I examined the range-topping Vary VLT C1. The C within the title stands for carbon and describes the fabric used for the entrance triangle. That’s paired with aluminum chainstays and seat stays. The C2 construct shares the identical carbon entrance finish, whereas the A1 has a full aluminum body.
The Vary VLT is a devoted mixed-wheel dimension bike with a 29-inch entrance wheel and a smaller 27.5-inch wheel within the rear. The body has 170mm of rear wheel journey and is meant for use with a 180mm journey fork.
The Vary VLT body has customary inner cable routing, and there may be house throughout the entrance triangle for a full-size water bottle. The Bosch battery/mode show unit is built-in into the highest tube. A plastic shuttle guard on the underside of the downtube protects from tailgate harm — not that you just want a shuttle with this bike.
The stout-looking body homes the battery within the downtube. Whereas it isn’t super-obvious, the beefy battery cowl is detachable to slip the battery out from the underside of the downtube.
Motor and Battery
The Norco Vary VLT depends on the confirmed Bosch Efficiency Line CX motor. This can be a full-power motor that places out as much as 85 Nm of torque. The motor is by the underside bracket however positioned diagonally upward to make extra room for the battery. This positioning helps hold the battery and motor weight as little as doable on the bike.
Switching between the motor’s 4 output modes is finished by means of a wi-fi distant on the handlebar. I appreciated the distant’s wi-fi nature, because it reduces litter, and there’s no wire to snag or pull out whereas driving. The Bosch Sensible System Rim Magnet works because the system’s pace sensor.
The highest tube built-in battery/mode show unit is out of the way in which however was simple to see. It has two buttons — the principle energy button in addition to a button that can be utilized to modify between output modes. A coloured LED adjustments between 4 completely different colours to point the present help mode. 5 extra LED bars characterize the remaining battery life in roughly 20% increments. Extra detailed monitoring of battery life might be completed by means of the Bosch app.
The motor comes preset in 4 driving modes that present a very good unfold of help. By way of the Bosch app, you can even select from three different preset modes — however you’ll be able to solely use 4 at a time.
You may as well customise the modes by means of the app to optimize them to your driving model, terrain, and preferences. The Bosch eBike Stream app was simple to know and use.
Not like the earlier model, Norco now not allows you to select the battery dimension. The 2024 Vary VLT comes with a 750Wh Bosch PowerTube battery. That’s fairly sizeable, and, to be trustworthy, something greater would make this bike heavier than it already is.
That mentioned, these fascinated about most vary will probably be comfortable to know that it’s appropriate with a spread extender. The Bosch PowerMore 250 Vary Extender suits on body sizes 3, 4, and 5.
Norco Vary VLT Geometry
The Vary VLT has an extended and slack geometry properly suited to its downhill smashing intentions. Most notably, the 63-degree head tube angle goals to offer stability at pace and confidence in steep terrain.
As talked about briefly above, the Vary VLT is available in 5 body sizes with size-specific geometry. The run of 5 sizes is claimed to suit riders between 5’1” and 6’5”. Most riders ought to be capable of get a very good match or select a dimension based mostly on attain choice. Attain begins at 417.5 mm on S1 and will increase 25 mm per dimension to 517.5 mm on S5. That equates to a 492.5mm attain on the scale S4 that I examined.
Curiously, the five-size unfold places riders like me — who’re accustomed to a 480mm-ish attain on a dimension Massive — between sizes 3 and 4. The unfold may match higher for others, nevertheless it meant I had to decide on between an extended or shorter attain than I’m accustomed to.
Efficient seat tube angles are appropriately steep — throughout 77 levels — and enhance by 0.25 levels as you climb up by means of the scale run. Likewise, the rear middle size will increase by 4 mm per dimension to keep up fore-aft stability, with 440 mm on my S4 check bike. Given the 180mm of fork journey, the stack heights are additionally fairly tall throughout the board.
Excessive Pivot Suspension
One of many largest updates to the 2024 variations was the transfer to a high-pivot suspension design. The Norco VPS HP is basically a modified Horst Hyperlink design. The primary pivot is moved up greater — behind and above the underside bracket — with an loafer pulley routing the chain over that pivot level.
This suspension format leads to a rearward axle path within the first two-thirds of the journey. It’s claimed that the rear middle size extends by as much as 15 mm because it goes by means of its journey.
Why does that matter? One of many fundamental targets of high-pivot suspension designs is to cut back the feeling of the rear wheel getting hung up over obstacles. Because the rear wheel strikes up and again because the suspension compresses, it will get out of the way in which extra simply. This makes it simpler to keep up momentum, pace, and ahead progress, comparatively talking.
Norco Vary VLT C1 Construct
The C1 is the top-tier choice in Norco’s lineup of three Vary VLT builds. It sells for a retail value of $8,999, nevertheless it has been discounted at occasions over the winter months. Total, it has a largely high quality construct that leaves little to be desired.
Suspension
One of many highlights of the C1 construct is the RockShox suspension package deal. A RockShox Zeb Final fork handles the 180mm of entrance journey. The final a number of Zeb forks I’ve ridden have actually impressed me, and that continued right here. It was super-sturdy, very easy, and extremely tuneable. It sat excessive in its journey whereas giving up its full stroke when requested.
The RockShox Vivid Choose+ shock controls the bike’s 170mm of rear journey. When mixed with the excessive pivot design, this shock felt very supple off the highest, supportive within the mid-stroke, and managed deep in its journey. I discovered it to be very plush, with ample adjustability to dial in particular person preferences.
Drivetrain and Brakes
SRAM’s newest GX AXS Transmission wi-fi drivetrain offers 12 gears and an enormous vary. The wi-fi shifting was crisp and shifted very properly beneath load — a very good factor, given the highly effective motor.
Shifting is managed by a SRAM AXS Pod. I’ve used the AXS Pod on many bikes, and I’ve by no means gotten together with it. The identical was true right here. It labored, however the ergonomics have been horrible.
The SRAM Code RSC four-piston brakes offered heaps of stopping energy, particularly when paired with the thicker HS2 rotors entrance and rear. The newest SRAM Maven brakes could be a very good match for this bike, however I discovered the Codes to be lots highly effective.
Wheels and Tires
The Vary VLT C1 rolls on a set of alloy Crankbrothers Synthesis E-Bike wheels — 29-inch entrance and 27.5-inch rear. Total, these wheels have been fairly unremarkable. They received the job completed with out impressing or disappointing. A set of two.4-inch-wide Continental Kryptotal tires with the Enduro casing have been correctly aggressive, even when the rubber compound wasn’t the tackiest.
Cockpit
Out entrance, a 40mm stem clamps and 800mm large, 25mm rise unbranded alloy handlebar with WTB Wavelength grips. A cushty SDG Bel Air V3 saddle sits atop a TranzX RAD+ dropper put up. Dropper size varies by body dimension, with 200 mm on the S4 I examined.
Construct Choices
Norco sells the Vary VLT in three completely different builds, together with the top-of-the-line C1 I examined. The C2 ($7,999) makes use of the identical carbon body and alloy rear triangle. Among the elements are the identical, nevertheless it comes with a Choose+ stage Zeb fork, downgraded wheels, SRAM DB8 brakes with Centerline rotors, and a cable-actuated SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain.
The “A” in A1 ($6,999) stands for aluminum, and this construct comes with a full aluminum body. The bike’s geometry, motor, and battery are the identical. Suspension elements embrace a RockShox Zeb Choose fork and Vivid Base shock. It comes with a mechanical SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain, SRAM DB4 brakes, and WTB wheels.
Weight
There’s no two methods round it; electrical mountain bikes are heavy. That is notably true of the Norco Vary VLT C1, even in comparison with different full-power eMTBs. At a measured weight of 58 kilos (dimension 4) with out pedals, that is the heaviest eMTB I’ve ridden — by a number of kilos.
It is smart when you think about the full-power motor, 750Wh battery, beefy suspension elements, and burly body. Nonetheless, 58 kilos is rather a lot for a motorbike. Whereas weight isn’t an enormous issue when you have got a strong motor to again you up, it positively performed a task on this bike’s dealing with. I’ll clarify extra in a bit.
Moreover, it’s rather a lot if it’s a must to get off and push, carry, and even carry this bike onto a hitch bike rack. On that observe, you’ll need to be sure that your bike rack can deal with this beast. A sturdy rack with a excessive weight restrict, just like the 1Up-USA Tremendous Obligation, could be a very good match.
Check Bike Setup
Based mostly on Norco’s dimension chart, I went with a dimension 4 Vary VLT. As talked about within the geometry part above, my typical attain falls between S3 and S4. I opted for the longer attain to keep away from feeling cramped, but when I might do it once more, I’d in all probability go shorter. If you happen to’re between sizes, I’d suggest sizing down or attempting to get your arms on a demo to really feel it out. This can be a lot of motorbike.
Norco’s Journey Aligned setup information aids within the preliminary suspension setup on the Vary VLT. I’ve used Journey Aligned up to now with different check bikes and had good outcomes. The identical holds true for the Vary VLT. Merely coming into your bike mannequin, peak, weight, and a few preferences offers you with a strong baseline for the bike’s setup.
I adopted the Journey Aligned solutions and felt fairly snug proper off the bat. I did make some slight deviations from the steered shock pressures based mostly on choice and journey really feel. Nonetheless, Journey Aligned made it simpler to get setup sorted so I might get on the path extra shortly.
The Journey
Simply trying on the Vary VLT C1, it’s clear to see the place its priorities lie. My finest description is that it rides like a downhill bike with a motor. If lapping quick and tough trails is what you’re into, the Vary VLT can get you again to the highest shortly. You possibly can spend extra time driving and fewer time attempting to determine shuttle math or squeezing into the again seat of your buddy’s truck.
Climbing
It feels and sounds unusual to name a 58-pound bike a very good climber, however right here we’re. It wouldn’t be with out the motor and enormous battery, in fact, however fortunately, it has each of these. Norco additionally gave it a correctly steep seat tube angle, so it’s snug for grinding up these steep fireplace roads for extra downhill laps.
I’ve ridden fairly a number of bikes with the Bosch motor, and I proceed to be impressed by its refined really feel. As somebody who likes to place in some effort, I particularly respect its energy supply. It doesn’t simply blast you with energy. As an alternative, it offers output based mostly in your pedaling enter. Positive, you may sit again and soft-pedal, nevertheless it rewards an lively participant.
It might be simple to get into the weeds on all of the completely different modes, however there are 4 to select from — with extra choices and customization doable by means of the app. Even simply driving within the manufacturing facility settings, I at all times discovered a mode that labored properly for my wants on the climbs.
The 750Wh battery offered ample energy for hefty rides. On one check journey, I coated 16 miles with 5,000 ft of climbing and nonetheless had about 25% of the battery remaining. I used to be positively placing in some pedaling effort, however the motor was doing its share of the work. Driving 5K of vertical in an hour and a half is fairly superior, too.
The steep seat tube props the rider up and helps hold the slack entrance finish from feeling too gentle. When mixed with the excessive stack, the seated place is fairly upright. I used to be in a position to claw my manner up some steep and chunky pitches. This was largely because of the assist of the motor and heaps of traction from the lively rear suspension. Whereas lively, the suspension nonetheless felt supportive sufficient to maintain it from being too mushy or imprecise.
Like its downhill efficiency, the geometry and weight closely affect the Vary VLT’s climbing talents. Tight, steep turns have been tough, given its size and slack entrance finish — maneuverability isn’t its strongest go well with.
Likewise, attributable to its hefty weight, it was rather a lot to deal with any time I needed to get off and push or carry the bike. I discovered it finest suited to fireside roads and double tracks, the place I might blast uphill with little regard.
Descending
There are numerous super-versatile, do-it-all electrical bikes available on the market, however the Vary VLT will not be considered one of them. This bike is pretty one-dimensional in its downhill efficiency, however that’s additionally by design. It was purpose-built to go downhill quick, and it does that extremely properly, albeit with a little bit of a brute-force method.
The Vary VLT is a giant, lengthy, slack, and heavy bike with a necessity for pace. It actually got here alive as speeds elevated with a planted and unflinchingly steady really feel. At occasions, it felt so calm and composed that it gave me the feeling of driving a lot slower than I used to be. I feel most riders could be hard-pressed to seek out its pace restrict.
A giant a part of that calmness and stability is the Vary VLT’s suspension efficiency. With 170mm of journey within the rear, it may clearly take in some critical hits. It gave up full journey readily when requested, with a easy, managed really feel with no wallowing or bottom-outs. Past the large impacts, the suspension felt extremely supple over small path chatter with good assist within the mid-stroke. It actually felt like I used to be floating over tough terrain.
I discovered myself carrying tons of pace into rock gardens with the data that the bike might take it in stride. In these cases, the excessive pivot suspension design and its rearward axle path have been very noticeable.
On square-edged impacts that gradual many bikes down, the Vary VLT maintained momentum and pace a lot better than I’m used to. As an alternative of hanging up, that rear wheel simply received proper out of the way in which.
The suspension efficiency additionally appeared nearly unaffected by braking or drivetrain forces, and the bike was impressively quiet, too. Many individuals complain concerning the idlers on some high-pivot bikes being noisy, however this one remained nearly silent by means of testing.
The Vary VLT’s size offered a sensation of being very a lot between the wheels. When settled into the shock’s sag, I positively felt within the bike moderately than perched on it.
On the primary few rides, nonetheless, I needed to consciously hold my weight ahead to keep up front-end grip. With the 27.5-inch rear wheel, excessive stack, and 63-degree head tube angle, staying centered was the secret.
In any other case, the entrance wheel felt liable to washing out, and the bike needed to run on me. It was a minor adjustment, however one which made an enormous distinction when it comes to management and delight on the Vary VLT. It shortly grew to become second nature, even in steep terrain, because the excessive stack and raked-out entrance finish saved me in a commanding place with little have to shift weight again.
I discovered the Vary VLT dealt with finest in its ingredient — quick, tough, and steep. The sooner I went, the extra aggressive the terrain, the higher the bike carried out. On the identical time, the smaller rear wheel made it pretty simple to get the again finish of the bike round. It felt nice on steep, sweeping turns with catch berms.
That mentioned, the Vary VLT’s weight, dimension, and geometry mixed made it an actual handful in different conditions. I didn’t discover it to be playful within the slightest. Its suspension was so plush and forgiving, and 58 kilos is simply plain heavy. Positive, I might get it off the bottom, however I didn’t discover further credit score aspect hits or jumps to be of a lot curiosity. That translated to mellower trails, too, because it felt uninteresting and torpid when taken out of its ingredient.
A few of my favourite native trails are steep however fairly janky, with frequent low-speed, high-consequence technical strikes. I shortly realized that the load and bulk made for some awkward dealing with within the tight, steep tech. Maybe the smaller body dimension would’ve helped. However actually, it felt like the load was the largest difficulty.
Norco Vary VLT C1: Who’s It For?
If you happen to’ve learn this far, then it ought to in all probability be fairly clear who the Norco Vary VLT C1 is for. This bike is right for individuals who prioritize hard-hitting, high-speed downhill efficiency. I mentioned it already, however my finest description remains to be an electrical downhill bike.
It’s the right bike for riders who journey correct high-speed downhill tracks and need an electrical bike to take them there. For these burly trails that chairlifts or shuttle automobiles can’t entry, the Vary VLT’s highly effective motor and ample battery can assist you spin laps.
It’s removed from gentle or nimble, nevertheless it plows down steep, quick, and tough trails with supernatural confidence and composure. And whereas it is perhaps a little bit of a one-trick pony, not less than it’s actually good at that trick.
