Overview
The Norco Sight 160 Gen 5 is the longer-travel variant of Norco’s all-mountain platform, bumping rear travel to 160mm with a 170mm fork. Sharing the same VPS HP (High Pivot) suspension and MX wheel configuration as the Sight 150, the 160 version is aimed squarely at aggressive enduro riding and riders who prioritize descending performance while still demanding a bike that pedals well. The half-degree slacker 63.5° head angle and additional 10mm of travel give the Sight 160 a distinctly more gravity-oriented character.
New to bike geometry? Our complete guide to mountain bike geometry explains every measurement and what it means for your riding. You can also learn how to read a geometry chart to compare this bike against other models.
Geometry follows Norco’s Ride Aligned philosophy with five sizes (1–5). The 63.5° head angle is consistent across all sizes, while seat tube angles progress from 76.25° (Size 1) to 77.5° (Size 5). Reach spans 416mm to 516mm in 25mm increments, and size-specific chainstay lengths range from 420mm to 436mm. The bottom bracket sits at 353mm — identical to the 150 — with a front/rear BB drop split of 20.5mm/0mm, meaning all the drop comes from the front axle offset. The 170mm fork pushes trail to 140mm, providing very stable steering at speed.
Geometry Diagram
Geometry Table
| Measurement | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head Tube Angle | 63.5° | 63.5° | 63.5° | 63.5° | 63.5° |
| Seat Tube Angle (eff.) | 76.25° | 76.50° | 77.00° | 77.25° | 77.50° |
| Seat Tube Length | 350mm | 370mm | 385mm | 430mm | 445mm |
| Reach | 416mm | 441mm | 466mm | 491mm | 516mm |
| Stack | 622mm | 631mm | 640mm | 650mm | 659mm |
| Wheelbase | 1187mm | 1220mm | 1253mm | 1287mm | 1320mm |
| Chainstay Length | 420mm | 424mm | 428mm | 432mm | 436mm |
| BB Height | 353mm | 353mm | 353mm | 353mm | 353mm |
| BB Drop (Front/Rear) | 20.5/0mm | 20.5/0mm | 20.5/0mm | 20.5/0mm | 20.5/0mm |
| Head Tube Length | 105mm | 115mm | 125mm | 135mm | 145mm |
| Horizontal Top Tube | 567mm | 591mm | 615mm | 639mm | 663mm |
| Standover | 678mm | 684mm | 690mm | 713mm | 725mm |
| Trail | 140mm | 140mm | 140mm | 140mm | 140mm |
Geometry Analysis
The Sight 160 takes the Sight 150’s already-capable geometry and tilts it further toward gravity. The 63.5° head angle matches the Norco Range enduro bike, signaling serious descending intent. The 140mm trail figure (up from 128mm on the 150) provides very stable steering that tracks well through rough terrain at speed. Despite the gravity orientation, Norco keeps the seat angles steep — 76.25° to 77.5° — ensuring the bike still climbs respectably. The identical chainstay lengths to the 150 (420–436mm) mean the rear end retains its responsive character even with the slacker front end. Reach is 6.5mm shorter per size than the 150 (a consequence of the slacker head angle with similar stack), so riders shouldn’t assume they need to size up from a 150.
Ride Characteristics
The Sight 160 is an enduro weapon that still remembers how to climb. On descents, the extra travel and slacker geometry over the 150 are immediately apparent — the bike soaks up larger hits with more composure and maintains speed through rough terrain with less rider input. The VPS HP high pivot keeps the rear wheel tracking beautifully through rock gardens and braking bumps, and the 170mm fork provides a confidence-inspiring front end. The MX wheel setup adds a flickable, playful element that keeps the Sight 160 from feeling like a plow. On climbs, the bike is still impressively efficient for its travel class — the steep seat angles and VPS HP anti-squat make sustained climbing manageable, though it can’t match the 150’s uphill prowess. This is a bike that rewards aggressive, committed riding.
Key Specs
Frame: Carbon (C1, C2). Wheel Size: MX (29″/27.5″). Travel: 170mm fork / 160mm rear. Suspension: VPS HP (High Pivot). Sizes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Drivetrain: SRAM GX/X0 Eagle Transmission or Shimano XT/XTR. Fork: FOX 38 / RockShox ZEB. Shock: FOX Float X / RockShox Super Deluxe.
What’s New vs Previous Generation
The Sight 160 is a new travel option for the Gen 5 Sight platform, sharing the same frame as the 150 but with different shock tune and fork travel. This dual-travel approach allows Norco to offer both all-mountain (150) and enduro (160) configurations on a single platform. The Gen 5 updates — UDH, Ride Aligned five-size range, refined VPS HP kinematics — all apply to the 160 as well.
Who Should Consider This Bike
The Sight 160 is for riders who want enduro-level descending capability without the full commitment of a dedicated enduro bike like the Range. If your trails are steep, rough, and technical — and you still need to pedal to the top — the Sight 160 strikes an excellent balance. It’s particularly well-suited to BC-style terrain where climbs are long but descents are rowdy. Riders on mellower terrain should save weight and choose the 150, while those racing EWS-level enduro should look at the Range.
Comparable Models
The Sight 160 competes with the Santa Cruz Bronson (160/150mm), Specialized Stumpjumper 15 EVO (150/150mm), Yeti SB160 (170/160mm), and Trek Slash (170/160mm). The Sight 160’s VPS HP high-pivot suspension is unique among these competitors, offering superior rough-terrain bump absorption. The Yeti SB160 offers Switch Infinity at a similar travel with full 29″ wheels, while the Bronson and Slash provide different suspension feels with conventional pivot designs.
Related Geometry
More Norco geometry: 2023 Norco Fluid FS Geometry, 2023 Norco Fluid VLT Geometry, 2023 Norco Optic Geometry, 2023 Norco Range Geometry, 2023 Norco Range VLT Geometry.
Compare all mountain bikes: 2023 Yeti SB140 Geometry, Commencal Meta AM 29 2020 Geometry, Commencal Meta AM 29 2021 Geometry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Norco Sight 150 and Sight 160?
Both share the same Gen 5 frame and VPS HP suspension. The Sight 150 has 160/150mm travel with a 64° head angle, while the Sight 160 has 170/160mm travel with a 63.5° head angle. The 160 is more gravity-oriented while the 150 is more versatile for all-day riding.
What is VPS HP suspension on the Norco Sight?
VPS HP stands for Virtual Pivot Suspension, High Pivot. It’s Norco’s high-pivot suspension design that creates a rearward axle path — meaning the rear wheel moves backward as it encounters bumps, allowing it to absorb impacts more effectively than conventional low-pivot designs.
Can the Sight 160 run full 29-inch wheels?
The Sight 160 runs MX (mixed wheel) as standard with 29″ front and 27.5″ rear. A Missing Link Kit from Norco allows conversion to full 29″/29″ for riders who prefer the increased rollover of dual 29″ wheels.
How does the Norco Sight 160 compare to the Range?
The Sight 160 (170/160mm) is more trail-oriented and climbs better than the Range (170/170mm), which is a dedicated enduro race bike. The Range has a higher-pivot layout optimized for maximum descending performance, while the Sight 160 balances climbing and descending more evenly.
What sizes does the Norco Sight 160 come in?
The Sight 160 comes in five sizes numbered 1 through 5, following Norco’s Ride Aligned system. Each size has unique geometry including size-specific chainstay lengths and seat tube angles.