Sitting as arguably the most popular product line-up in the Norco bike catalogue, the Sight has long been favoured thanks to their versatility and balanced ride characteristics. For 2020, Canadian Outfit has seemingly built on the strengths of the Sight, beefing up the bike to create what Norco calls a “breakthrough in All-Mountain Performace.
With an all-new geometry, a revised suspension tune, increased tyre clearance and more capable components across the board, join us as we take you through the all-new Norco Sight.
1. Introducing: Ride Aligned
Much of the fanfare around the all-new Sight surrounds a new geometry philosophy by Norco dubbed Ride Aligned. Ride Aligned, an ethos of sorts, combines a bikes Fit, Setup, Suspension and Geometry data into a sleek new app that allows each rider to fine-tune the qualities of their ride to suit their individual riding preferences.
The updated Geometry of the Sight has more of an emphasis on ensuring the rider’s centre of gravity - both seated and standing - is in an optimal position between both the front and the rear wheel for optimal grip and handling on the trail. To achieve this, Reach is extended by 30mm, and the stack height marginally increased while the headtube has been slackened to 63.5º. Wheelbase stats are now around 30mm longer across the range for increased stability, with bottom bracket heights increased for increased clearance on the trail.
2. Long-Travel Dropper Approved.
With the updated geometry, the Sight range now features shorter seat tubes, which allows for maximum standover clearance. The added benefit here is that size-specific long-travel dropper posts can be, and are included across the range. The dropper posts range from 150mm to 200mm across the size range and mean that saddles can be depressed entirely out of the way when tackling the rough and technical trail.
3. Increased Suspension Travel
In conjunction with the new frame shape, increased suspension travel and kinematics are said to provide improved grip and control on the trail. The entire Sight line-up makes use of a RockShox/Fox Racing suspension combination, with compression, rebound and dampening characteristics tweaked to provide a package is claimed to straddle the line between progressive and linear.
This means optimised anti-squat properties that allegedly negate the need for a rear lockout, optimised mid-stroke support for maintaining grip while a smoother transition from mid-to-end stroke is said to provide a consistent feel under substantial impacts.
4. Powerful Anchors Across the Board
As a bike focussed on tackling more rugged and gnarly trails, the entire Sight range benefits from increased stopping power compared to its predecessor. 4-piston hydraulic brakes are now standard across the whole range with rotor sizes also increasing to 200mm (front) and 180mm (rear) respectively.
5. Alloy or Carbon, The Choice Is Yours
Both aluminium and carbon-framed options exist within the Sight range, and both options are slated to hit local shores. Carbon models make use of a carbon fibre front triangle, and carbon seat stays, with aluminium chainstays providing a little more durability.
Aluminium options feature the same geometry as carbon models and are said to be engineered to offer a consistent ride quality to their carbon counterparts.
6. Space for Wide Rubber
The entire Sight range will be available in both 27.5” and 29” wheel sizes and feature room for beefy rubber. How wide you ask? Norco states a maximum of 2.6”, and includes 2.5” (front) and 2.4” (rear) wide rubber as standard. Rolling stock across the range make use of durable Maxxis rubber that feature supportive sidewalls and reduced weight compared to DH tyres commonly fitted.
7. Sight Youth
Also new for 2020 is the Sight Youth 27.5”. More than just a shrunken down version of the adults’ bike, the Sight Youth is a fully spec’d trail shredder for young riders. The new ride is engineered with a more compliant aluminium frame, youth-tuned suspension components with 140mm (frame) and 150mm (fork) of travel, a SRAM Eagle drive train and SDG Jr. touchpoints.
8. Availability
The Norco Sight A1 and A2 aluminium models are available at selected retailers around the country right now. Carbon framed models expected to hit local shores in December with the Sight Youth and A3 scheduled to follow in January. For local availability, check with your nearest bike store.
With the 2020 Sight hitting showroom stores around the country, right now is a great time to grab a bargain on an outgoing Norco Sight. Browse the deals on offer from our leading independent retailers across the country right here, at BikeExchange.
