2026 Norco Sight VLT TQ C2 E-Bike

Norco’s Sight has been their all-mountain workhouse for well over a decade. 2026 sees the Sight expand into its 3rd category--Norco’s first foray into SL e-bikes. Virtually identical to the recently updated Sight VLT CX, the Sight VLT TQ sheds the pounds and the power to deliver an intuitive ride feel that can go all day.

Highlights

• Full carbon frame
• Five sizes available, S1-S5
• 150mm of rear wheel travel // 160mm fork
• Mixed-wheel only
• TQ HPR60 drive unit (60Nm torque, 350W max power)
• 580Wh removable, integrated battery (160Wh range extender sold separately)
• No Other Way limited lifetime guarantee
• Size-specific chainstay length and seat tube angle
• UDH equipped
• 12x148 Boost rear hub spacing
• 3 builds ranging from $6,999-$10,599 USD
• Build tested: C2 - $8,999 USD
• Weight (size S4): 44 lbs (19.95 kg)

Overview

Hot on the heels of the Bosch-equipped Sight VLT CX, Norco is expanding the 150mm Sight VLT platform into the SL e-bike category with the Sight VLT TQ. With claimed complete build weights ranging from 42-44 pounds, the Sight VLT TQ features TQ’s recently released HPR60 drive unit and 580Wh battery. A full five to six pounds lighter than its full power counterpart, the Sight TQ is not a participant in the motor arms race. Instead, Norco aims to preserve the best qualities of motorized and non-motorized bikes with a package that can handle like an analog bike but with the ability to go lap after lap like a full-powered e-bike.

Build Kits

The Sight VLT TQ is available in three builds starting at $6,999 and topping out at $10,599. We tested the $8,999 mid-level C2 build centered around FOX Performance Elite suspension and a complete Shimano Deore Di2 package. Crankbrothers Synthesis aluminum wheels and Continental Kryptotal Enduro casing tires round out the build. The $6,999 C3 build features DVO squish instead of FOX, the drivetrain goes mechanical, and TRP Slate EVOs handle stopping duties. The $10,599 build gets bumped up to FOX Factory level suspension and an upgrade to Carbon Synthesis wheels. Interestingly, the TransX dropper post (which has always proven dependable) is a constant across all builds, regardless of how much you dump from your wallet. It borders on comical to think of a $7,000 bike as cheap, but the C3 comes in at a lower entry point than most full-carbon ebikes, and with a build kit that, while not very flashy, should cover the needs of 90% of riders.

Motor Details

TQ’s HPR60 is their most powerful motor to date, delivering 60Nm and 350W with a 200% assist. TQ also introduced a new, larger 580Wh battery, increasing the capacity by 60% over the HPR50. This puts setup within spitting distance of the current crop of 600Wh full-power eMTBs. The HPR60 has three app-configurable assist modes: Eco, Mid, and High, selected through the handlebar mounted remote. As much as the TQ app is intuitive and easy to use, I strongly prefer not having to use an app at all. The Rocky Mountain Instinct I rode last year was fully configurable through the onboard display, allowing motor tuning changes to be made on the fly, something I’d like to see more manufacturers embrace.

Ride Aligned, Sight VLT TQ Geometry

Ride Aligned is both Norco’s bike setup guide for customers as well as the moniker used to describe the Canadian brand’s geometry philosophy. Norco’s Ride Aligned setup guide is a great resource when setting up the Sight, providing the rider with a starting point before the bike even arrives. Through Ride Aligned riders input their height, weight, body position (fore/aft) and suspension preference (soft/firm). Through the magic of computers (and engineers and designers), the Ride Aligned interface returns suspension pressure, compression settings, volume reduction recommendations, tire pressure, bar width and bar height.

Submitting my off-the-back riding style and firmer suspension preference got me within 5% of the settings I settled on. Aggressive riders will be used to going up a weight bracket for their suspension setup and Ride Aligned tells the same story. Inputting 210lbs for my 200lb body weight outputs the exact spring rates I settled on. At 6’2, I’m right in between Norco’s recommended sizing for S4 and S5.While I would have preferred the stack and reach of the S5, replacing the stock 40mm stem and 25mm rise bar for my preferred combo of 50mm and 40mm respectively gave me plenty of cockpit space to move about. Norco’s Ride Aligned geometry sees the chainstay grow across all sizes as well as the seat tube getting progressively steeper. The Sight chassis has no flip chips or geometry adjustments to speak of, perhaps a testament to Norco’s confidence in the geometry they’ve selected.

On the Trail

Motor Performance

Having spent extensive time on the TQ’s HPR50 drive unit with a 360Wh battery, I had high expectations testing the Sight TQ. The HPR60 did not disappoint. The system is still nearly dead silent, borders on visually undetectable, and the 580Wh battery feels endless compared to its 360Wh predecessor. The Sight TQ is the first SL e-bike I’ve been comfortable riding in High after forgetting to charge the battery. I never drained the battery for a true range test, however every 2000ft ride seemed to get the battery to exactly 50% without ever leaving High mode. Extrapolating from that, riders should be able to expect 4000ft of High assistance, and even more when being mode conscious.

On the trail, the refinement of the HPR60 is second to none.

The torque and power of the HPR60 are not enough to tow riders up every climb out there--riders looking to put up Avinox numbers should look elsewhere--but 350 watts with 200% support means a moderate effort goes a long way. It only takes 175W of rider input to get 350W out of the motor for a combined system power of 425W, exceeding the sustained output of World Cup XC racers. On the trail, the refinement of the HPR60 is second to none, accomplishing exactly what it sets out to: delivering a natural ride feel that rewards effort as much as it obscures it.

Climbing Performance

Obviously e-bikes climb well and the Sight VLT TQ is no exception. Tall riders rejoice as the Sight rises above the rest thanks to its size-specific chainstays and seat tube angles, aided even further by the VPS HP high pivot suspension platform that grows the chainstay from 440mm at top out to 450mm at sag. While not nearly as dramatic as Forbidden's “One Ride” proportional geometry, the Norco strikes a good balance of keeping things familiar without leaving the lankier amongst us feeling left out. The S4’s 77.75-degree seat tube angle and 450mm chainstay allowed me to comfortably navigate steep, technical switchback climbs without having to consciously weight the front wheel or compromise body position.

The Sight begs to be leaned over as far as possible, with body positioning that encourages it.

Descending

The Sight VLT TQ comes alive when things point downhill. Despite being a 150mm high pivot e-bike, the character of the Sight TQ is very much that of a trail bike—the bike is light and responsive enough for any trailside kickers and trials maneuvers you’d expect to do on a regular trail bike. When things get faster and more technical the VHP HP high pivot suspension rewards pushing firmly through your feet, growing the chainstay and putting more weight on the front wheel, increasing stability. The same holds true when cornering--pushing hard into turns returns more traction—and subsequently—confidence. The Sight begs to be leaned over as far as possible, with body positioning that encourages it.

Build Kit Analysis

Relative to its class, the Sight VLT TQ C2 packs in a lot more value than its competitors with the same motor and battery. The least expensive Yeti MTe is an additional $800 and still drops down a suspension tier to FOX Performance from Performance Elite. The Trek Fuel+ is a similar story, with the cheapest carbon build coming in at $8699 while dropping all the way down to FOX Rhythm suspension. With that being said, Deore brakes on a $9000 bike is a tough pill to swallow, especially when the rear brake only has a 180mm rotor. The Sight VLT TQ may be a light e-bike, but it's still an e-bike. If Mavens aren't on the table, then 220mm rotors would be well worth the additional power and heat management.

This test was my introduction to Continental Tires and I was pleasantly surprised. The soft compound and enduro casing offered tons of grip in all but the loosest-over-hardpack conditions. Even then as the traction faded, the predictability never faltered. I have about 180 miles on this set and they show minimal signs of wear.

Crankbrothers Synthesis alloy wheels are a staple of mid-travel, all-mountain bikes and probably appear on as many bike builds as there are bike brands. They’re not the fanciest, but they get the job done. This set did need an appointment with a spoke wrench early on in the test, but since then they’ve been trouble free.

Shimano’s electronic Deore Di2 drivetrain left me flatly whelmed. While I strongly prefer the ergonomics and button feel of the Deore Shifter over SRAM Transmission, the shift quality and noise aren’t on SRAM’s level. Pedaling over square edged rocks induced enough derailleur movement to routinely trigger ghost shifts. Getting up close and personal with the Deore derailleur made me realize how much I don’t miss limit screws and B-tension.

It’s easy to knock the unbranded TransX dropper post—when shelling out this kind of money, one would hope to have all the bells and whistles—but the truth is the 200mm seatpost worked flawlessly. In fact, the TransX post that came on my personal bike has been there for 1000 trouble-free miles and I expect the same from this one.

Long Term Durability

I have 180 miles on the Sight VLT TQ, and while that's not enough to pass judgment on long term durability, the experience thus far leaves me with a lot of confidence. As much as the bike was never the quietest thanks to the Shimano drivetrain, the frame feels rock solid with no premature squeaks or creaks, doesn’t flex excessively through heavy G-forces, and no frame bolts have budged.

The Norco is a testament to what can happen when high-pivot suspension and a sleek motor are integrated harmoniously into an all-mountain bike.

What's the Bottom Line?

As the field of SL e-bikes gets deeper, the Norco Sight VLT TQ manages to stand out from the crowd. At the intersection of playfulness, stability, range, and weight, the Norco is a testament to what can happen when high-pivot suspension and a sleek motor are integrated harmoniously into an all-mountain bike.

Vital Rating: 4.6/5

• Motor Performance 5.0
• Descending Performance: 4.5
• Climbing Performance 4.5
• Frame Details: 4.5
• Value: 4.5

About The Reviewer

Blake Motley - Age: 27 // Years Riding MTB: 17 // Height: 6'2 (1.88m) // Weight: 190 pounds (86.2kg)

Coming from a long tradition of Socal never-was downhill racers, Blake has spent the better part of the last decade complaining about the bike industry. A full-time engineer during the day and part-time van bum on the weekends, he usually spends his free time riding E-bikes and telling forum users their bars are too low.