2022 Emtb Shootout - Norco Range VLT C1 Review

Norco built the Range VLT to offer an electrified version of their big mountain crusher, with aggressive geometry all round and 170mm of coil sprung suspension. We’ve already reviewed the Norco Range VLT at length before our 4th Annual eMTB Shootout, so we’ll keep this write up a bit shorter and more focused on the ride impressions and who we think the ideal buyer of this bike might be. If you want to see the longer, full-length written review of the Norco Range VLT, hit the link here and be sure to watch our full length eMTB Shootout video to see what we think are the best eBikes on the market for 2022.

THE DIRT
As with many of the bikes that came to our eMTB Shootout, the Norco Range VLT C1 saw plenty of miles on our PNW trails and we had a solid understanding of where it excels and who we thought the ideal consumer would be. Being able to test that verdict head to head with many other bikes on new terrain yielded much the same result.

Our crew all loved how planted, plush and confidently the Norco Range VLT rode. This bike absolultely devours the trail beneath it. Whether we were charging gnarly rock gardens at Windrock Bike Park, or Baker Creek Preserve, the bike felt like it was floating on air. Minimizing big hits and small while allowing the rider to look down the trail and focus on going fast. Of course, the downside to that is it won’t be the ideal bike for riders who aren’t regularly attacking the gnarliest trails or want a playful ride.

The Norco Range VLT is at home on the chunkiest and roughest of terrain. When you put the Range on smoother, trail center trails, or mild flow lines, the soft suspension and hefty weight will be noticeable. Don’t get us wrong, it loves to jump and get in the air, it just needs a bigger lip or harder yanks to get it into orbit. Our best suggestion would be to evaluate what you ride and what you’re looking for most.

If you want stability, confidence, safety or the ability to take your hands off the brakes and plow, this is the bike for you. Impressively, it also climbed rather well for such a downhill-beast. Yes it’s a bit long and slack, so tight switchbacks and more technical portions of trail will require a bit more work. Nevertheless, if you want a backcountry explorer or like covering big miles before getting to your gnarly downhills, this could be a great option.

[ This is just a short snippet of our written review. For the full write-up, visit the site. ]

Weight as Tested: 56.2 lbs
Review:
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[nathanmizener]

As an owner of this bike, this is spot on. So stable and confidence inspiring, and such a good backcountry tourer. Not a bike for people who want something super sporty though. Opinion is still out if I have any bolt or motor issues…

[christianferrone]

Got the C2 model of this bike in November ‘21 with 900wh 🔋and have put 2100 miles and 500, 000 vert on it. Agree w the review, it’s a big heavy beast that plows like a dh bike. Swapping to Saint brakes was mandatory. Rest of spec solid. Yes, at this point my bolts come loose every ride. Just something you learn to check every time you lube the chain. I do have some play in the rear linkage possibly caused by riding with loose bolts. Rubber motor cover is poorly designed, replaced w moldable plastic after it fell off. Clips to retain cables on the lower pivot are not stout enough to hold the cables long term. Recently my motor has started giving me error e010 and isn’t giving full power. This bike shreds if you push it hard. Love knocking out 6k ft rides in 2.5 hrs. Needs a few tweaks but overall it’s rad. I’d be hesitant to buy if I didn’t have a local Norco dealer to deal w warranty and other issues.

[jeanmarc_in_Hudson]

Great review again, watched all of them so far.
I like the section discussing “Who is this bike for” it really adds to the review
Congrats!

[MrGregoryGriffin]

I bought mine 3 months ago, it failed to start 4 times at home, it started each time by connecting the charger for 2 minutes . today it just quit on the trail with 3 bars . charger enabled it to start again - I don't trust it and doubt Norco or Jenson will correct this from my previous dealings . Super fun bike

[markallison]

I live in Squamish BC and owned an A2 bike. I sold it recently and back onto my acoustic specialized enduro and I regret selling it. I think I might buy it again but this time I am looking at the A1 as the nicer suspension will be appreciated but the A2 was not bad at all either. I had the 900w battery. I rode this bike back to back against my new specialized enduro on Cypress mountain (proper DH trails) and much much much preferred the VLT A2 to my enduro. Both had 180 up front and 170 rear. Just felt so planted, much more like riding a DH bike, and was keeping up with other dedicated DH 200mm travel DH bikes. My biggest thing was it was a lot to get out of the back of a truck if you are shuttling with friends without E-bikes. But all in all. This bike does not get the love I think it deserves so I had to give my 2 cents. I agree with the bolt thing though as you need to remove the bolts and put thread locker on them, I hear this comment from anyone with a Norco, so I hope they fix this asap.

[boutiquebikes]

I think the bolt comment is a worthwhile mention for anyone with an eMTB. I've had issues with the Marin E1 in terms of linkage bolts needing to have very regular checks - I just think it's simply something that riders of electric bikes just need to get used to. These are heavy bikes in any guise. I'd wager a lot of riders don't do a basic 'M' check before they hit the trails but I think that with eMTBs you have to accept that check needs doing without fail.

[MYMOUNTAIN_]

Absolutely love my norco carbon sight non emtb, however if only they offered the same in the emtb as in 27.5 wheels along with a Bosch motor id buy it, for now I stay with my Cube 160 SL, issue is all brands are either full 29 or Mullet, when will the day come where as a consumer I can pick what wheels and

[AB-NZ]

Great review again guys. Brilliant. From memory this is the 1st review that really highlights the loose bolt issue. But you mentioned it is a problem more generally as well. Was the norco worse? Are some worse than others? Or is it the same across the range? Cheers!

[SAA]

Low strength or medium strength loctite ?

the prices are insane....10k, it just absolutely makes them out of reach for most people right now. How easily we have accepted this as the norm.

[thim]

Maybe if norco put an extra small chainstay on an extra large main triangle I would consider one. I prefer shorter chainstays.

[KODAKMOMNT]

Anyone change to a 220mm rear rotor on the Range VLT?

[GustavoSanchez]

I know quite a bit of people including myself that will go out of their way to NOT get an EP8 based bike at this point. Bosch just seems to be way ahead of everyone else in terms of reliability and quality motor wise. They just need to fix their crap interface.

[kevinmortimer]

10k to fall apart. its the audi of emtbs then. with an ep8 motor its not a choice for me.

[finroddd]

looks very good - but not 10k dollars without the battery?! That's way too much!

[TheAngryHusky]

10 grand for a 60 lb bike that is falling apart during a demo. That's unacceptable.

[Pienimusta]

Damn, you could pay your pal to shuttle you up for that money. Easily biggest present downside to e-bikes is the cost.

[cristoffeemons]

It’s a shame it’s fitted with the EP8 as the norco is a cracking bike.

There is only so long shimano can keep suppressing the issues with this motor.

Bearing failures, torque sensor failures, spindle failures …

[bmaclaps]

Norco needs to figure out how to shave off some of that weight.

[topchoice]

Canyon sells the best bikes for your moneys worth I don’t care what anyone says they are truly the best