Brutally steep rock rollers, tight bits of north shore, huge jumps, technical root sections and never-ending flow – do trails get any more diverse than in BC? We temporarily adopted the idyllic region as our base for three weeks, seizing the opportunity to put the Norco Sight C7.1 through the wringer. Born and bred in BC, is it worthy of the hype?

Norco Sight C7.1 | Weight: 12.10 kg | Travel: 150 mm/140 mm | Price: € 6,799
Norco Sight C7.1 | Weight: 12.10 kg | Travel: 150 mm/140 mm | Price: € 6.799

Ask anyone what the trails are like in Canada and they’ll struggle to find the right description; they’re as varied as the country itself, with each region – even each neighbourhood – offering wildly different terrain. We had a 3-week road trip ahead of us and hoped for a bike that’d offer the mandatory versatility to cope. With 150 mm front travel and 140 mm at the rear, the Norco Sight C7.1 looked like a decent candidate. On paper, the balanced geometry and 12.10 kg low weight backed up our assumptions.

Deep in the Canadian wilderness – the Norco Sight C7.1 always delivers.
Deep in the Canadian wilderness – the Norco Sight C7.1 always delivers.

The Norco Sight C7.1 features suspension courtesy of a RockShox PIKE RCT3 Solo Air at the front and a Cane Creek DB Inline rear shock. The rear shock isn’t the most simple when it comes to set-up, but fortunately the DIALED App proffers a base tune that was uncannily well suited to our riding. As expected for a retail price of € 6,799, the spec on the carbon C7.1 reads like a who’s who, sporting unfaultable SRAM XX1 shifters, Guide RSC brakes and DT SWISS XM 1501 SPLINE ONE wheels.

The spec of the Norco Sight C7.1

Forks: RockShox PIKE RCT3 150 mm
Rear shock: Cane Creek DB Inline
Brakes: SRAM Guide RSC
Drivetrain: SRAM XX1/X01
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth 125 mm
Stem: Race Face Turbine 60 mm
Bars: Race Face Next 760 mm
Wheelset: DT Swiss EX1501 SPLINE ONE
Tires: Schwalbe Magic Mary/Nobby Nic
Weight: 12.1 kg
Price: 6.799 €

Set-up skills required – tuning the rear shock asks for patience.
Set-up skills required – tuning the rear shock asks for patience.
Spot on - the RockShox PIKE RCT3 is deservedly a top-dog amongst forks.
Spot on – the RockShox PIKE RCT3 is deservedly a top-dog amongst forks.
Irritating: the cable port closures kept escaping from the frame during testing.
Irritating: the cable port closures kept escaping from the frame during testing.
The 60 mm stem length is spot on for the Norco …
The 60 mm stem length is spot on for the Norco …
… but at 760 mm, wider bars would have been appreciated. After all, you can always cut them down if they’re too long.
… but at 760 mm, wider bars would have been appreciated. After all, you can always cut them down if they’re too long.
THE SRAM XX1 drivetrain shifts rapidly and with cutthroat precision. Even without a chain guide, we rode chaindrop-free for the three weeks.
The SRAM XX1 drivetrain shifts rapidly and with cutthroat precision. Even without a chain guide, we rode chaindrop-free for the three weeks.
Trustworthy – the DT Swiss EX 1501 SplineOne wheels are amongst the most reliable on the market.
Trustworthy – the DT Swiss EX 1501 SplineOne wheels are amongst the most reliable on the market.

The geometry of the Norco Sight C7.1

Size S M L XL
Seat Tube 405 mm 435 mm 470 mm 510 mm
Tob tube 580 mm 607 mm 628 mm 650 mm
Head tube 101 mm 101 mm 119 mm 149 mm
Head tube angle 66.9 ° 66.9 ° 66.9 ° 66.9 °
Seat tube angle 74.0 ° 73.6 ° 73.3 ° 72.9 °
Chainstays 423 mm 427 mm 431 mm 435 mm
Botttom bracket height 341 mm 341 mm 341 mm 341 mm
Wheelbase 1110 mm 1136 mm 1165 mm 1193 mm
Reach 396 mm 415 mm 436 mm 465 mm
Stack 585 mm 595 mm 604 mm 613 mm

The Norco Sight C7.1 on the trails

It was fairly evident that our test bike had seen some action before us, as it came bearing a number of deep scratches. Not long after our test period begin, the Cane Creek rear shock appeared to have a faulty seal – fortunately, it was replaced really quickly and the shock then worked efficiently for the rest of the time.

Despite not being the burliest bike around with fairly limited travel, the rear rode really responsively with great end progression. In the mid-stroke it was always stable, and gave decent feedback to the rider. Aside from the early teething problems, we would be hard pushed to criticize the Norco’s very agreeable suspension set-up! Sweet!

norco-sight-c7-1-review-cb-13

On climbs the Sight C7.1 has a noticeably high performance, seeing the front wheel keep ground contact on the steepest sections with ease. As the rear was so effective, there was rarely any need to use the climb switch on the shock and the Norco generated a ton of traction on technical climbs, so summits were all within its capabilities.

norco-sight-c7-1-review-cb-16

On descents the Sight comes into its own on flowing trails equally as much as it shines when railing its way around tight switchbacks. Thanks to its compact and incredibly balanced geometry, it’s a mean cornerer and responds well without asking for too much input from the rider. When the trails get rougher, the downhills steeper and the drops bigger, the Sight lacks some stability and demands a more experienced captain at the helm. We’d say that these limiting factors come from the overly steep 66.9° head angle and the short main frame (a reach of 436 mm for the size L), which feel like they’re holding you back a bit. Fortunately, the rider is still in control and the Norco cuts a fine figure on the trails – even when we were throwing it down in Bikepark Whistler.

norco-sight-c7-1-review-cb-15

With a Schwalbe Magic Mary at the front and a Nobby Nic at the rear, the stock tire combination is well chosen for its purpose. If your inner World Cup downhill racer bubbles to the surface, then you’d be wise to go for more traction at the rear like the more aggressive Schwalbe Hans Dampf.

Conclusion Norco Sight C7.1


In our three Canadian weeks, the Norco Sight C7.1 was consistently by our side, delivering the goods. With super agile handling, great climbing and effective rear end, we are sold on the Sight, although more stability and smoothness would be welcome on gnarly, high-speed descents. For those who like to get loose, the Sight’s bigger brother Range would be a better choice.

For more informatione head to Norco.com


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