Hey everyone! It’s Emily and Joe here from The Vantastic Life—your go-to couple for all things mountain biking, global travel, and, of course, the hunt for the world’s best pizza. Today, we’re diving into a detailed review of the 2024 Norco Sight, a bike we’ve had our eyes on for a while. We put it through the ultimate test on Moab’s legendary Captain Ahab trail, a spot known for challenging climbs, gnarly descents, and technical sections that test a bike’s true capability.
First Look at the 2024 Norco Sight
This beast of a bike comes with a 160mm travel up front and 150mm on the rear, making it sit comfortably in that sweet spot between a trail and enduro bike. One of the standout features is the high-pivot suspension design, a major selling point for the refreshed model. Norco has also equipped this ride with top-tier components like the Ohlins shock, Fox Factory 36 fork, and SRAM GX Transmission, plus Code RSC brakes—a solid setup right out of the box.
Other notable components include Deity handlebars (we’re guessing about 20-30mm rise), a OneUp dropper post, SDG saddle, and Maxxis EXO+ casing tires. Sounds like a winning combo, right? Well, we couldn’t wait to hit Captain Ahab to see how it all performs in the wild.
Checkout full Norco Sight Build here
Climbing Performance: Surprising Agility
First impressions? The Norco Sight climbs really well. It’s a little longer than the Revel Rail that I’m used to, but once you get used to the length, it’s a well-balanced ride. Track stands felt easy, and the power transfer when you’re out of the saddle was impressive. The geometry, especially with the 497.5mm reach and 64-degree head tube angle, gave it a stable yet agile feel.
I will say, though, the Ohlins rear shock felt a bit stiff, but that might be due to how it was set up for my weight at 195 pounds. With more time, I’d dial it in better, but for a demo, it was good enough not to ruin the experience.
Descending: Where the Norco Sight Shines
Once we pointed the bike downhill, the Norco Sight really came alive. The 64-degree head tube angle played a big role here, giving me extra confidence, especially on steeper sections. It felt super stable, and the bike’s longer wheelbase made it easier to tackle features like drops and rock gardens. While it’s not the most “poppy” bike I’ve ridden (it’s harder to bunny hop), the trade-off is that confidence on technical features is unmatched.
The chunky descent on Captain Ahab is no joke, but the Norco Sight handled it with ease. The high-pivot design gave it a smooth feel, absorbing the rough sections without making the bike feel unwieldy. You get the benefits of the high pivot without the drawbacks like excessive lengthening during climbs or harsh hits.
Transmission and Braking: Smooth and Solid
This was my first time riding the SRAM GX Transmission, and I have to say, I’m impressed. Despite what others might say about it being slow under load, I didn’t find it to be a problem. The shifting was precise and smooth, even when dropping gears under tension. There was a bit of noise when hitting drops, though, which might be a dealbreaker if you’re particular about quiet rides.
As for the Code RSC brakes, while they performed well, I still prefer my TRPs. The TRP levers have an easier pull and a bit more bite at the end, but that’s a personal preference.
The Verdict: Norco Sight – A Solid Choice for a One-Bike Quiver
After testing the Norco Sight, I’m convinced this could be a perfect one-bike quiver for riders like me who want a bike that can handle everything from technical trail riding to bike park laps. And, after speaking with the team at Chili Pepper Bikes and Norco, I found out that you can even upgrade the fork to a 170mm and keep the rear at 160mm for more aggressive riding.
Would I recommend this bike? Absolutely. It’s a fun ride with confidence-inspiring geometry, great components, and versatility. While I’d make a few personal tweaks, like swapping the saddle for an Ergon Enduro and changing out the brakes, the Norco Sight is a bike I’d gladly own and ride regularly.
If you’re in the market for a bike that can handle a variety of trails and conditions, the Norco Sight is a strong contender.
As always, if you’ve got any questions, drop them in the comments below. If you enjoyed this review, give it a thumbs up and don’t forget to subscribe for more bike reviews and updates on our mountain biking adventures and van life shenanigans. Until next time, have a Vantastic LIFE!
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