Is anyone else looking considering the Sight VLT CX when it comes out? The specs look great: new cx motor with 800 WH battery, 160/150mm high pivot suspension and only weighs 48 lbs in top spec.
Then only thing I'm not excited about is the sizing. Size 4 reach is 497.5, but size 3 is just 472.5.
I've been eyeballing them too. Agreed that the specs seem good. In their launch teasers they were talking about a 20% weight loss from the previous model, which I thought must be just referring to the drive unit or frame, but it seems like they were genuinely talking about the whole bike. Of course it doesn't hurt that the 2024 model was a serious tank!
The weight does seem pretty impressive, although looking at the spec, it doesn't seem that there is any black magic involved. For example, from what I can tell, the VLT is either about the same weight or slightly (1-2lb) heavier than the new Santa Cruz Vala, with both having the same motor and similar Horst link suspension design. The VLT has the 800wh battery vs. the Vala's 600wh, so that seems like Norco really did something special UNTIL you see that all the Norcos have 36mm forks, whereas all the Valas have 38mm forks, so Norco has gone for a less heavy duty fork to compensate for the battery weight. Another bike that can be interesting to compare is the Cannondale Moterra SL, which is only 45lbs with a 36mm fork and a 600wh battery, so I guess I'm saying that apples to apples, the Norco is most impressive when compared to their previous very heavy bike, as opposed to the similarly cutting edge models from their competitors.
Having said all of that, the Norco is very competitive, and has made it onto my list of possible next rides. I rode one of their low/mid power models with the SX motor last fall and really liked it. And if you think those size jumps are too big, you should see the Ibis Oso which goes from 460mm reach on the Medium to 500mm on the large! It would be nice if companies sized their trail and enduro bike head tubes to make reach adjust headsets easier to fit as they do on many DH bikes.