23' Norco Bigfoot vlt

darwink1

Well-known member
Dec 19, 2022
175
562
Ontario, Canada
Decided to upgrade my perfectly good 19' bigfoot vlt with a 23' vlt1... because I'm a nerd and I have a problem. Honestly, I just wanted the ep8, removable battery and new style speed sensor.

So far it got a 150mm mastadon ext pro, magura 200mm mdrp rotors, chromag lift saddle, chromag bza 35mm stem, 4.5 studded cake eaters, a gold kmc chain and custom lock on foam grips. Still waiting on a oneup ebar and oneup flat pedals. I have a new set of hayes dominion a4 brakes for it as well, just have to talk myself into messing with the stupid internal routing.

I'm trying a set of Loam Lab Counterpunch finger protectors on it as well. A tree tried to rip my pinkie finger off a month and a half ago so I figured I'd give them a go. So far they do what they claim to and actually give me a bit more confidence when the trees get tight.

I've gone for 2 rides so far and I'm getting along with the bike really well. The bigger wheels take some getting used to but roll very nicely. The 23' weighs roughly 7lb more than the 19' due to the larger battery (720 vs 520) and heavier wheelset (19' has an i9/whiskey carbon wheelset) but it carries it well. It takes a bit more muscle to throw it around and get the tires off the ground but thats just a bonus upper body workout lol.

Only real complaint so far is that the stock norco handlebar is really weirdly shaped and may have been made by someone who's never ridden a bike.

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Haveland

Active member
Apr 21, 2022
195
134
New Brunswick, Canada
I love mine and the oneup bars were a nice improvement for sure. I've had mine for about 2 months and about 500km on it so far without issues. I have the 900Wh battery and the thing just lasts for ever.
 

darwink1

Well-known member
Dec 19, 2022
175
562
Ontario, Canada
Have you weighed yours with the big battery? Mine large is 59.xxlb with the 720 if you trust my Amazon scale while my 19' bigfoot vlt comes in at 52.xxlb.

D
 

Haveland

Active member
Apr 21, 2022
195
134
New Brunswick, Canada
I haven't weighed mine but I did get the weights of them from Norco because I'm thinking about buying a Slight as well. Prices are in CDN.

whweight (grams)price (cdn)
90045701700
72038801400
54031901150
 

Prairie Dog

Active member
Subscriber
Mar 25, 2021
65
334
Alberta, Canada
A big howdy from a first time fat biker from Alberta. Took delivery of my '23 BF VLT 1 (900Wh) from the LBS and immediately rode it from there to the nearest single track. What a machine! This will be my winter ride exclusively so I have to eke out the few remaining weeks before the big meltdown. It's still basically stock only with the addition of a set of 45Nrth Wrathchilds and also had it ridewrapped.

Here's a hastily edited video of my first ride after I picked it up from the LBS


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darwink1

Well-known member
Dec 19, 2022
175
562
Ontario, Canada
The Bigfoo got some upgrades before winter set in. Threw a set of hayes dominion a4 brakes on as well as some 76mm wide 27.5" Whisky carbon/i9 wheels. She stops a hell of a lot better with the hayes compared to the shitbox sram Guidos that came on it and the tubeless carbon wheel setup shed a few pounds off the boat anchor.

Mint!

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darwink1

Well-known member
Dec 19, 2022
175
562
Ontario, Canada
Thanks! The upgrades still didn't keep me from eating shit today lol. What was left of the old snow was packed and icy with a inch and a half of fresh floof on it so the rocks were super sketchy.

At least I had someone to console me and bring me sticks while I was down...

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darwink1

Well-known member
Dec 19, 2022
175
562
Ontario, Canada
I wish they made tougher fat bike tires.. I can handle losing studs during the in between seasons but the flimsy sidewalls suck.


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darwink1

Well-known member
Dec 19, 2022
175
562
Ontario, Canada
Have you found any solution for shorter cranks? I find in the shoulder season my biggest issue is crank strikes.
I'd love a set of 155 or 160mm. I tried bugging 5dev to make shorter fat cranks for the ep8 but im guessing its a limited market...

Shoot them an email, can't hurt to bug them a bit more..
 

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