2024 Norco Sight Mountain Bike Review

It takes a mere glance to recognise that the new generation of Sight casts quite a different silhouette to its predecessor, which was launched in mid 2019. The previous generation sight was loved by our staff and readers alike for its utilitarian construction, capable chassis and considered specification. At the time of release, it was right at the forefront of geometry design which has since become the norm in the trail bike realm – steep seat tubes, long front ends and relaxed head angles. That geometry remains on the new iteration, with only minor variances to the dimensions and angles which make up these Canadian all mountain machines. While a move to a 5 size specification does increase choice and overlap for riders to pick the bike that best suits them, the numbers within those sizes are fairly run of the mill. 

What is different is the suspension layout and wheel size. While this bike is still running the Horst-link Norco are well known for, it now has an ace up its sleeve. As with the new Optic the 2024 Sight has a raised main pivot and concentric idler pulley which is attached to the chainstay – what Norco are calling VHS HP. The specific idler location was acutely tuned through the use of aluminium test mules during development to give this bike what Norco consider to be the perfect ride character for a bike of this category. The axle path is rearward through the first 30% of the stroke, and then tails off to being more vertical through to bottom out. This has been done to give the bike the bump-eating character of a high pivot bike, without the drawbacks of decreased agility and manoeuvrability which can be seen with aggressively rearward axle paths deep in the travel. 

Attached to this axle is a 27.5” rear wheel, with all Sight models in Australia being in a mixed wheel configuration from the factory. A bold move from Norco and Advanced Traders? Yes. However our experience on mixed (MX) bikes has been nothing but positive. Those who would like to run a full wagon wheel setup need to merely swap out the upper and lower shock mounts with the 29” version, which will be available as a kit through your local Norco dealer. This link swap does nothing to the geometry or kinematics of the bike, as Norco felt the bike excelled with the factory setup regardless of wheel size.

The final change to the layout and kinematics of this bike is a move to a more progressive suspension curve. In Norco’s own words, the previous generation sight was too linear. Riders who prefer a coil shock could too easily reach bottom out. As such, they have moved to a 28% rate of progression through the travel, up from 18% on the previous model. This will increase support through the end of the shock’s stroke, decreasing the likelihood of bottom out and increasing the acceptable window of tunability for each rider. Accompanying this change is a move from a 185×52.5mm shock up to a more common 205×60. 

Fit and finish on the new Sight is more revolution rather than evolution over the previous model. Fully ported cable routing, capped bearings, extensive frame protection and quality hardware adorn this new frame giving it a look much similar to that of a Yeti or Santa Cruz. While we feel Norco does have a tough road ahead if they want to battle against those top-tier brands on the showroom floor, all of their recent moves tell us they’re ready for the war. Increased frame quality, product support, marketing spend and ride quality are all steps towards riders choosing a Sight as their next bike over a SB-150 or Hightower. 

On the Trail

I had a Sight C1 parked up in my garage around a month ago, and was able to get out on a few rides on it. The full carbon frame (excluding links and hardware) definitely had an eye-catching look to it, with the bold but simple graphics really catering to my taste. In typical fashion, I did not look at the geometry charts or press-packets before the initial voyage in an attempt to come in as open minded as I could, however given I am very familiar with high pivot bikes, my mind was fairly made up on how this bike would behave out on the trail before I even swung a leg over it. I was very wrong. 

The unique combination of a very short rear-centre and a rearward axle path led to a truly unique trail experience. I was able to do all my favourite car park jibs, much to my surprise. Long forgotten due to my inability to manual the Forbidden Dreadnought I typically call home, the Sight was happy to pop up the front wheel and dart around gutters and kerbs. Similarly, the mellow trails that start out my typical test loop were much more fun than I had anticipated. Typically used just to check that body and brain are in gear before heading off to some chunder, I found myself popping and shooting off every little feature – another surprise! This is not to say that the rear end couldn’t soak up square edge hits. As I had anticipated, this Sight C1 behaved very well through rock gardens, with the rear wheel getting out of the way of bumps and chatter as expected. Similarly, I enjoyed the sensation of the growing rear centre length through long bermed turns. While it takes some getting used to, having a bike that increases in stability as you push through a compression is nothing but a good thing in my mind. While not as stable or forgiving as the Dreadnought in the most dire of situations, the Sight was a much more mild mannered beast on all other styles of trail. Another key point of interest was how quiet this bike is. New drivetrain aside, the extensive chainstay protection and fully ported cables made for a deathly quiet ride. And what about that idler I hear you say? I honestly did not notice it. 

Who should consider a 2024 Norco Sight?

Riders who are looking to invest in a capable all-mountain bike for all day epics and enduro racing would be happy on one of these new Sights. While the idler pulley may scare off some, the proof really is in the pudding when it comes to the ride character on these new bikes. Through the implementation of a unique suspension curve which Norco have spent years working towards, they have delivered a bike that manages to be stable, yet playful. Through the implementation of a 5 size system and mixed wheel configuration, most if not all riders from short right through to tall should be able to find a Sight to fit their needs. 

What models are available?

Advanced Traders are bringing in 3 Sight models, all with mullet wheel configurations. At the tip of the spear is the $10,499 C1 Carbon, which comes with Fox Factory suspension, a GX AXS drivetrain, Code brake set and a set of Race Face Vault Hubs on Stans Flow S2 rims. Next up is the $8,999 C2 Carbon, which has SRAM Ultimate level suspension, Code stealth brake set and a base level Eagle mechanical drivetrain. The wheels are once again Stans Flow S2 rims, however this time Race Face Trace hubs are used. Those who prefer aluminium bikes can choose the A2, which for $6,999 gives Fox Performance suspension and a full SLX groupset, excluding Deore 4 pot brakes. Stans Flow D rims with Shimano SLX hubs round out this value oriented specification.