Sport eBikes

First Look: Norco Charger VLT Hardtail eMTB

Shimano STEPS bike equipped for commuting and around-town duty as well.

Updated: March 19, 2020

The Charger VLT retails for $4,299.Norco Bicycles

Been after an ebike for commuting, casual cruising, and the occasional mountain bike adventure? Norco Bicycles nominates the new Charger VLT hardtail as the answer to your varied ride needs.

The pedal-assist hardtail was designed with an upright riding position.Norco Bicycles

“The Charger VLT positions less weight on the rider’s hands thanks to its upright riding position, which also provides increased visibility and confidence around town. The fender and rack mounts make accessorizing simple, and the Charger VLT’s off-road-capable components and design make it perfect for weekend trail excursions,” Norco stated in a release.

Shimano’s three-mode STEPS E7000 motor provides pedal assist.Norco Bicycles

A Shimano STEPS E7000 mid-drive unit and a 504Wh E8035 in-tube battery integrated into the 6061 aluminum frame give the Charger VLT its three levels of pedal assist (Eco, Trail, and Boost), with Shimano’s tidy, low-profile display conveying key information for your ride.

The Charger VLT rolls on 29-inch wheels with Boost spacing front (110 millimeters) and rear (148 millimeters), making it easy to upgrade to a wide variety of aftermarket wheelsets down the line. Spec includes a Shimano Altus nine-speed shifter and derailleur, Shimano Acera 11-36T cassette, an ebike-specific SR Suntour XCM32 DS suspension fork with 120 millimeters of travel, TranzX dropper seatpost, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180/160-millimeter front/rear rotors, and 29 x 2.25-inch WTB Ranger Comp tires.

With off-road-worthy components, the Charger VLT is ready to hit the trails.Norco Bicycles

The Charger VLT is available in S, M, L, and XL sizes at an MSRP of $4,299, and will be available at Norco dealers and through norco.com.