We’ve always been fans of Norco’s 140mm (5.5in) travel trail bike, the Sight, and couldn’t wait to get our hands on the new carbon framed, 650b wheeled version.
The frame
The obvious and most recent change here is the carbon mainframe and
seatstays (the chainstays remain aluminium). The result, according to Norco, is
a 25 per cent weight saving over the old aluminium frame.
While many companies only adjust their bikes’ front triangles to
accommodate larger riders, Norco’s Gravity Tune geometry means that the Sight’s
rear centre (bottom bracket to rear axle length) grows in proportion to the
front centre (BB to front axle length) as you go up the size range. This helps
promote a better riding position and more even weight distribution.
The sizing is on the small side so we opted to test the large bike
instead of the medium. The 615mm effective top tube offered a great body
position on the climbs even after we fitted a stubbier stem.
The Sight continues to use Norco’s Advanced Ride Technology (ART)
four-bar suspension platform. The company claim this has ‘a pronounced rearward
axle path’ that should make it better at tackling the really rough stuff.
The kit
We’re always happy to see a RockShox Reverb dropper post plugged into any
bike, but unlike the pricier 7.1 model which has the internally routed Stealth
version, the 7 1.5 gets the standard Reverb. It’s hardly a problem, although it
does mean the finish isn’t quite as neat.
The ride
Get the Sight grinding up a seated climb and you’ll notice a bit of
pedal bob. This can be remedied with a flick of the CTD lever, sticking the Fox
shock into trail mode. At slow speeds when standing up and really punching the
pedals in the small chainring that pedal bob rears its head once again, as does
some flex in the frame. It’s something you do get used to, even if it does sap
some of the efficiency from your pedal stroke. Point the Sight back down though
and any climbing niggles fade away.
The well proportioned trail geometry sticks you in a good position on
the bike, letting you shift your weight and react to the trail easily and
rapidly. We’d recommend ditching the over-long 70mm stem to liven up the
steering and push you a little further back to increase confidence on steeper
trails.
The ART suspension simply gets on with the job at hand, offering a plush
and reasonably supportive feel when you really get trucking, with a good amount
of rear wheel traction even when the Ardent tyre is caked in mud.
You’ll notice the flex from the Fox 32 up front when you rattle through
repetitive hits at speed. A stiffer 34mm or 35mm stanchioned fork would unlock
further potential and elevate the Sight’s impressive trail manners to another
level.
A predictable, dependable trail bike that handles more than you might
expect. A stiffer fork would open up its potential
FRAME Carbon mainframe and seatstays, aluminium chainstays, 140mm (5.5in)
travel
FORK Fox 32 Float CTD FIT (Performance Series), 140mm (5.5in) travel
SHOCK Fox Float CTD BV (Performance Series)
DRIVETRAIN Shimano SLX crankset, shifters and front mech; Shimano Deore XT Shadow
Plus rear mech
WHEELSET Shimano SLX hubs, Sun Inferno 25 rims, Maxxis Ardent 27.5x2.25in tyres
BRAKES Shimano SLX
BAR/STEM Norco, 740mm/Norco, 70mm
SEATPOST/SADDLE RockShox Reverb/Norco
WEIGHT 13.34kg (29.4lb) without pedals
