Long-Travel eMTB for the Rowdiest Trails: Norco Range VLT C1 Review

The Range VLT is the heavy hitter in Norco’s lineup of eMTBs. Norco redesigned the full-power long-travel e-bike in 2024, making it even more aggressive than its predecessor.

With 170mm of rear travel, a 180mm fork, mixed wheels, slack angles, and high pivot suspension, the Range VLT has a very clear downhill focus. Factor in the powerful Bosch motor and long-range 750Wh battery, however, and it’s capable of taking you right back to the top for more.

Last fall, I tested the Norco Range VLT C1 ($8,999) for several months on the varied trails and terrain in and around Truckee, Calif. From 2,500-foot climbs to puckering steeps and machine-built flow trails to janky skidders, I put this long-travel trail slayer through its paces to see if it lives up to the high-pivot hype.

In short: The Norco Range VLT is the burliest and most aggressive eMTB I’ve ever ridden. This bike thrives at speed, plowing down rough trails and over big drops. When it’s time for more, the Bosch motor and large battery make climbing a breeze. It’s heavy — even for an e-bike — making it a handful at lower speeds and tighter terrain. But if you’re interested in going downhill fast, look no further.

In the market for an e-bike? Check out our guide to the best electric bikes.

Norco Range VLT Review

Details

If you’re familiar with the Canadian brand Norco, you know it focuses on downhill performance. Even its short-travel trail bikes are more aggressive than most. The same is true of its electric bikes, with the VLT models mirroring its nonelectric lineup.

The Range VLT is the longest travel bike in Norco’s eMTB range. The brand completely overhauled the model in 2024. While the latest version may look similar to its predecessor on paper, there are a number of significant differences. 

One of the most obvious differences is the shape of the beefed-up front triangle. There is now a support bridging between the top tube and the down tube that also serves as the upper shock mount. 

Norco flies the high-pivot flag proudly, so it isn’t too much of a surprise that the latest Range VLT uses a high-pivot suspension design with an idler pulley. Known as Virtual Pivot Suspension, High Pivot (VPS HP), this design aims to provide a rearward axle path as it moves through its 170mm of travel.

Motor-wise, Norco made the switch to the high-performance Bosch Performance Line CX with Smart System. An upgrade over the previous version’s Shimano EP8 drive system.

Another notable change is that the Range VLT now comes in five frame sizes with size-specific geometry. This should provide a more balanced feel across the size run.

Norco Range VLT Frame

I tested the range-topping Range VLT C1. The C in the name stands for carbon and describes the material used for the front triangle. That’s paired with aluminum chainstays and seat stays. The C2 build shares the same carbon front end, while the A1 has a full aluminum frame.

The Range VLT is a dedicated mixed-wheel size bike with a 29-inch front wheel and a smaller 27.5-inch wheel in the rear. The frame has 170mm of rear wheel travel and is intended to be used with a 180mm travel fork.

The Range VLT frame has standard internal cable routing, and there is space within the front triangle for a full-size water bottle. The Bosch battery/mode display unit is integrated into the top tube. A plastic shuttle guard on the underside of the downtube protects from tailgate damage — not that you need a shuttle with this bike.

The stout-looking frame houses the battery in the downtube. While it isn’t super-obvious, the beefy battery cover is removable to slide the battery out from the bottom of the downtube.

Motor and Battery

The Norco Range VLT relies on the proven Bosch Performance Line CX motor. This is a full-power motor that puts out up to 85 Nm of torque. The motor is by the bottom bracket but positioned diagonally upward to make more room for the battery. This positioning helps keep the battery and motor weight as low as possible on the bike.

Switching between the motor’s four output modes is done through a wireless remote on the handlebar. I appreciated the remote’s wireless nature, as it reduces clutter, and there’s no wire to snag or pull out while riding. The Bosch Smart System Rim Magnet works as the system’s speed sensor.

The top tube integrated battery/mode display unit is out of the way but was easy to see. It has two buttons — the main power button as well as a button that can be used to switch between output modes. A colored LED changes between four different colors to indicate the current assist mode. Five additional LED bars represent the remaining battery life in roughly 20% increments. More detailed monitoring of battery life can be done through the Bosch app.

The motor comes preset in four riding modes that provide a good spread of assistance. Through the Bosch app, you can also choose from three other preset modes — but you can only use four at a time.

You can also customize the modes through the app to optimize them for your riding style, terrain, and preferences. The Bosch eBike Flow app was easy to understand and use.

Unlike the previous version, Norco no longer lets you choose the battery size. The 2024 Range VLT comes with a 750Wh Bosch PowerTube battery. That’s pretty sizeable, and, to be honest, anything bigger would make this bike heavier than it already is.

That said, those interested in maximum range will be happy to know that it is compatible with a range extender. The Bosch PowerMore 250 Range Extender fits on frame sizes 3, 4, and 5.

Norco Range VLT Geometry

The Range VLT has a long and slack geometry well suited to its downhill smashing intentions. Most notably, the 63-degree head tube angle aims to provide stability at speed and confidence in steep terrain. 

As mentioned briefly above, the Range VLT comes in five frame sizes with size-specific geometry. The run of five sizes is claimed to fit riders between 5’1” and 6’5”. Most riders should be able to get a good fit or choose a size based on reach preference. Reach starts at 417.5 mm on S1 and increases 25 mm per size to 517.5 mm on S5. That equates to a 492.5mm reach on the size S4 that I tested. 

Interestingly, the five-size spread puts riders like me — who are accustomed to a 480mm-ish reach on a size Large — between sizes 3 and 4. The spread may work better for others, but it meant I had to choose between a longer or shorter reach than I’m accustomed to.

Effective seat tube angles are appropriately steep — all around 77 degrees — and increase by 0.25 degrees as you climb up through the size run. Likewise, the rear center length increases by 4 mm per size to maintain fore-aft balance, with 440 mm on my S4 test bike. Given the 180mm of fork travel, the stack heights are also quite tall across the board.

High Pivot Suspension

One of the biggest updates to the 2024 versions was the move to a high-pivot suspension design. The Norco VPS HP is essentially a modified Horst Link design. The main pivot is moved up higher — behind and above the bottom bracket — with an idler pulley routing the chain over that pivot point.

This suspension layout results in a rearward axle path in the first two-thirds of the travel. It is claimed that the rear center length extends by up to 15 mm as it goes through its travel. 

Why does that matter? One of the main goals of high-pivot suspension designs is to reduce the sensation of the rear wheel getting hung up over obstacles. Since the rear wheel moves up and back as the suspension compresses, it gets out of the way more easily. This makes it easier to maintain momentum, speed, and forward progress, comparatively speaking.

Norco Range VLT C1 Build

The C1 is the top-tier option in Norco’s lineup of three Range VLT builds. It sells for a retail price of $8,999, but it has been discounted at times over the winter months. Overall, it has a mostly quality build that leaves little to be desired.

Suspension

One of the highlights of the C1 build is the RockShox suspension package. A RockShox Zeb Ultimate fork handles the 180mm of front travel. The last several Zeb forks I’ve ridden have truly impressed me, and that continued here. It was super-sturdy, very smooth, and highly tuneable. It sat high in its travel while giving up its full stroke when asked. 

The RockShox Vivid Select+ shock controls the bike’s 170mm of rear travel. When combined with the high pivot design, this shock felt very supple off the top, supportive in the mid-stroke, and controlled deep in its travel. I found it to be very plush, with ample adjustability to dial in individual preferences.

Drivetrain and Brakes

SRAM’s latest GX AXS Transmission wireless drivetrain provides 12 gears and a huge range. The wireless shifting was crisp and shifted very well under load — a good thing, given the powerful motor.

Shifting is controlled by a SRAM AXS Pod. I’ve used the AXS Pod on many bikes, and I have never gotten along with it. The same was true here. It worked, but the ergonomics were terrible. 

The SRAM Code RSC four-piston brakes provided heaps of stopping power, especially when paired with the thicker HS2 rotors front and rear. The latest SRAM Maven brakes would be a good fit for this bike, but I found the Codes to be plenty powerful. 

Wheels and Tires

The Range VLT C1 rolls on a set of alloy Crankbrothers Synthesis E-Bike wheels — 29-inch front and 27.5-inch rear. Overall, these wheels were pretty unremarkable. They got the job done without impressing or disappointing. A set of 2.4-inch-wide Continental Kryptotal tires with the Enduro casing were properly aggressive, even if the rubber compound wasn’t the tackiest.

Cockpit

Out front, a 40mm stem clamps an 800mm wide, 25mm rise unbranded alloy handlebar with WTB Wavelength mountain bike grips. A comfortable SDG Bel Air V3 saddle sits atop a TranzX RAD+ dropper seatpost. Dropper length varies by frame size, with 200 mm on the S4 I tested.

Build Options

Norco sells the Range VLT in three different builds, including the top-of-the-line C1 I tested. The C2 ($7,999) uses the same carbon frame and alloy rear triangle. Some of the components are the same, but it comes with a Select+ level 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 build comes with a full aluminum frame. The bike’s geometry, motor, and battery are the same. Suspension components include a RockShox Zeb Select 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 ways around it; electric mountain bikes are heavy. This is particularly true of the Norco Range VLT C1, even compared to other full-power eMTBs. At a measured weight of 58 pounds (size 4) without pedals, this is the heaviest eMTB I’ve ridden — by several pounds. 

It makes sense when you consider the full-power motor, 750Wh battery, beefy suspension components, and burly frame. Still, 58 pounds is a lot for a bike. While weight isn’t a huge factor when you have a powerful motor to back you up, it definitely played a role in this bike’s handling. I’ll explain more in a bit.

Additionally, it’s a lot if you have to get off and push, carry, or even lift this bike onto a hitch bike rack. On that note, you’ll want to make sure your bike rack can handle this beast. A durable rack with a high weight limit, like the 1Up-USA Super Duty, would be a good match.

Test Bike Setup

Based on Norco’s size chart, I went with a size 4 Range VLT. As mentioned in the geometry section above, my usual reach falls between S3 and S4. I opted for the longer reach to avoid feeling cramped, but if I could do it again, I’d probably go shorter. If you’re between sizes, I’d recommend sizing down or trying to get your hands on a demo to feel it out. This is a lot of bike.

Norco’s Ride Aligned setup guide aids in the initial suspension setup on the Range VLT. I’ve used Ride Aligned in the past with other test bikes and had good results. The same holds true for the Range VLT. Simply entering your bike model, height, weight, and some preferences provides you with a solid baseline for the bike’s setup.

I followed the Ride Aligned suggestions and felt quite comfortable right off the bat. I did make some slight deviations from the suggested shock pressures based on preference and ride feel. Still, Ride Aligned made it easier to get setup sorted so I could get on the trail more quickly.

The Ride

Just looking at the Range VLT C1, it’s clear to see where its priorities lie. My best description is that it rides like a downhill bike with a motor. If lapping fast and rough trails is what you’re into, the Range VLT can get you back to the top quickly. You can spend more time riding and less time trying to figure out shuttle math or squeezing into the back seat of your buddy’s truck.

Climbing

It feels and sounds strange to call a 58-pound bike a good climber, but here we are. It wouldn’t be without the motor and large battery, of course, but thankfully, it has both of those. Norco also gave it a properly steep seat tube angle, so it’s comfortable for grinding up those steep fire roads for more downhill laps. 

I’ve ridden quite a few bikes with the Bosch motor, and I continue to be impressed by its refined feel. As someone who likes to put in some effort, I especially appreciate its power delivery. It doesn’t just blast you with power. Instead, it provides output based on your pedaling input. Sure, you could sit back and soft-pedal, but it rewards an active participant. 

It would be easy to get into the weeds on all the different modes, but there are four to choose from — with more options and customization possible through the app. Even just riding in the factory settings, I always found a mode that worked well for my needs on the climbs. 

The 750Wh battery provided ample power for hefty rides. On one test ride, I covered 16 miles with 5,000 feet of climbing and still had about 25% of the battery remaining. I was definitely putting in some pedaling effort, but the motor was doing its share of the work. Riding 5K of vertical in an hour and a half is pretty awesome, too.

The steep seat tube props the rider up and helps keep the slack front end from feeling too light. When combined with the high stack, the seated position is pretty upright. I was able to claw my way up some steep and chunky pitches. This was mostly thanks to the support of the motor and heaps of traction from the active rear suspension. While active, the suspension still felt supportive enough to keep it from being too mushy or vague.

Like its downhill performance, the geometry and weight heavily influence the Range VLT’s climbing abilities. Tight, steep turns were tricky, given its length and slack front end — maneuverability isn’t its strongest suit.

Likewise, due to its hefty weight, it was a lot to handle any time I had to get off and push or carry the bike. I found it best suited to fire roads and double tracks, where I could blast uphill with little regard.

Descending

There are a lot of super-versatile, do-it-all electric bikes on the market, but the Range VLT is not one of them. This bike is fairly one-dimensional in its downhill performance, but that’s also by design. It was purpose-built to go downhill fast, and it does that incredibly well, albeit with a bit of a brute-force approach.

The Range VLT is a big, long, slack, and heavy bike with a need for speed. It really came alive as speeds increased with a planted and unflinchingly stable feel. At times, it felt so calm and composed that it gave me the sensation of riding much slower than I was. I think most riders would be hard-pressed to find its speed limit.

A big part of that calmness and stability is the Range VLT’s suspension performance. With 170mm of travel in the rear, it can obviously soak up some serious hits. It gave up full travel readily when asked, with a smooth, controlled feel with no wallowing or bottom-outs. Beyond the big impacts, the suspension felt incredibly supple over small trail chatter with good support in the mid-stroke. It truly felt like I was floating over rough terrain.

I found myself carrying tons of speed into rock gardens with the knowledge that the bike could take it in stride. In those instances, the high pivot suspension design and its rearward axle path were very noticeable.

On square-edged impacts that slow many bikes down, the Range VLT maintained momentum and speed much better than I’m used to. Instead of hanging up, that rear wheel just got right out of the way. 

The suspension performance also seemed virtually unaffected by braking or drivetrain forces, and the bike was impressively quiet, too. Many people complain about the idlers on some high-pivot bikes being noisy, but this one remained virtually silent through testing.

The Range VLT’s length provided a sensation of being very much between the wheels. When settled into the shock’s sag, I definitely felt in the bike rather than perched on it.

On the first few rides, however, I had to consciously keep my weight forward to maintain front-end grip. With the 27.5-inch rear wheel, high stack, and 63-degree head tube angle, staying centered was the name of the game.

Otherwise, the front wheel felt prone to washing out, and the bike wanted to run on me. It was a minor adjustment, but one that made a huge difference in terms of control and enjoyment on the Range VLT. It quickly became second nature, even in steep terrain, as the high stack and raked-out front end kept me in a commanding position with little need to shift weight back.

I found the Range VLT handled best in its element — fast, rough, and steep. The faster I went, the more aggressive the terrain, the better the bike performed. At the same time, the smaller rear wheel made it fairly easy to get the back end of the bike around. It felt great on steep, sweeping turns with catch berms.  

That said, the Range VLT’s weight, size, and geometry combined made it a real handful in other situations. I did not find it to be playful in the slightest. Its suspension was so plush and forgiving, and 58 pounds is just plain heavy. Sure, I could get it off the ground, but I didn’t find extra credit side hits or jumps to be of much interest. That translated to mellower trails, too, as it felt dull and lethargic when taken out of its element.

Some of my favorite local trails are steep but pretty janky, with frequent low-speed, high-consequence technical moves. I quickly realized that the weight and bulk made for some awkward handling in the tight, steep tech. Perhaps the smaller frame size would’ve helped. But really, it felt like the weight was the biggest issue.

Norco Range VLT C1: Who’s It For?

If you’ve read this far, then it should probably be pretty clear who the Norco Range VLT C1 is for. This bike is ideal for those who prioritize hard-hitting, high-speed downhill performance. I said it already, but my best description is still an electric downhill bike. 

It’s the perfect bike for riders who ride proper high-speed downhill tracks and want an electric bike to take them there. For those burly trails that chairlifts or shuttle vehicles can’t access, the Range VLT’s powerful motor and ample battery can help you spin laps. 

It’s far from light or nimble, but it plows down steep, fast, and rough trails with supernatural confidence and composure. And while it might be a bit of a one-trick pony, at least it’s really good at that trick.