The Reasonably Priced One: Norco Fluid Review | 2022 Fall Field Test
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- čas přidán 7. 12. 2022
- A good price doesn't automatically equate to a good time on the trail, but it sure seems like Norco did everything they could to make sure the Fluid delivered, equipping it with a smart mix of parts and geometry numbers that should work well in a wide range of locations.
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Love that you threw a reasonably priced option in the mix that punched with the pack. Manufacturers need to be sent a message that whatever the hell they're doing with pricing isn't OK. You should have allowed it to swap a $4k XC bike in its place for the efficiency and uphill tests given you could still buy the two for less than the cost of most of the other bikes in the field :D Hell, have some real fun and make it $4k enduro + $4k XC Bike + $3k gravel bike vs $11k 'superbike'.
Or how about 1 $12k superbike riding alone or 3 Fluids having a blast with your mates!
I was hoping this thing was high $2k-low $3k. I guess it is 'reasonable' compared to $10k+.
@@EverythingisFire they have the same model with some lower spec components at that price point. Check their website.
@@stevenh766 THIS
@Hojkontot Huzzah?
The review we’ve all been waiting for 😂😂
The view count on this will be the lowest though…
@@kyleslater5245 That would be sad if true...
@@BenSch100 usually reviews on lower priced bikes do poorly. I mean personally I skip the pricier ones half the time but clearly not the bulk of consumers.
Nah this video will probably have the highest views, because normal people with limited budgets buy bikes like this. Not many people buy those 10k sleds.
Great job Norco! The perfect bike for riders with more sense than money.
not any more after price drop from other manufacturers. Norco effect i guess.
Yes! Finally, a review of a reasonably priced bike. More of this kind of content, please.
So sad that we're at the point of calling "$4,000" a reasonably priced bike. At least this one is well equipped.
@@goldsquadron Yes, bikes are getting more expensive, in my country the new fluid fs a3 is $200 more than the previous top model fluid fs1, and on the old fs1 you got a rockshox deluxe select shock and a pike select fork, where on the new fs a3 you get a crappy x-fusion shock with a rockshox 35 silver tk fork, in order to get a similar level spec to the fs1 you have to get a fs a2 which costs $800 more than the fs1.
Bikes for Walmart riders
@@goldsquadron That's inflation for you!
Another excellent review!
Price is important. I'm usually the guy on the chameleon when others are on their sb140s and stumpjumpers but I'm usually right with every one on all the trails. I'm all for a 130 travel trail bike. I'm into an alloy , less expensive, better spec bike that keeps up in all regards. Good review. 👍
I❤my chameleon
I’ve love my trail hardtail, 65 HTA 140-150mm travel. I’ve been mulling over whether or not to get a FS trail bike for a while now. Test rode a Top Fuel 8 and wasn’t blown away. I love being able to get on the pedals with the rigid rear end. Maybe I just need time to get used to rear suspension then I won’t want to go back
Sadly, the chameleon is up there in price these days. However, there's never anything wrong with a sick hardtail. I just built up a trek Roscoe recently and it's my go to trail bike now. I save the full squish for big tech and park stuff
I always enjoy your reviews and group shootouts. I often reflect after and think ok i know an expensive bike is pretty damn good usually. By you throwing this fluid into the mix, i was hooked from the first vid to hear how a bike that is still not cheap but more realistic for people to consider, would compare against super high end ones. Well done, and thanks for this review.
Upgrading this next summer to a new fluid. Just sold my 2018 fluid fs1 was my first bike baby. Learned to ride for 5 years and now killing it. Thanks Norco and excited for the journey.
Probably the bike that makes sense for most of the viewers! Most of us, your followers, cannot afford a $10k bike. Please keep doing this…there is room for value, mid and luxury price level. Great video.
I have the previous Fluid and it’s a fantastic bike. Used it to get into MTB and have purchased a Sight for the more gnarly stuff but I still use my Fluid everyday to ride to work and for doing the more tame trails around where I live. Absolutely love it
Great review from the Odd Couple of Pinkbike. These guys couldn't be more entertaining while explaining what mountain bikes do. Great stuff!
That's just a good looking (and performing) trail bike. Would be great if you could elaborate a bit more on the Fluid vs Optic scenario, too?
I relly appreciate the honesty here, it really kinda proves that these reviews are not just marketing bollox. They basically just stated that there is no major rational reason to go for a bike that costs more than twice as much. Ofc it should be noted that, just like with cars, the emotional and prestige factors still play a huge part in what cost we can justify.
Anyway, this vid deserves a big like. :)
Was looking forward to this review the most. The green is awesome.
Nice Review. I'd like to see more of this kind of review/analysis/comparison.
Ordered mine today! I went with the A2 in silver. Can't wait for next season!
Been waiting for your review of this exact bike. Couldn't believe what they priced this at with all of the included components. On paper it was solidly in my top 3 for the bike I'm going to purchase in the coming months and now I just need to demo.
You wont be disappointed.
I really like the simplicity and intuitive design
I think you guys know that Pil's "best ever" assertion on the free/cheap bike challenge videos are a rebuttal to the expensive-is-better ethos that we're all trapped in as consumers and dentists. He's really showing us all the weaknesses of cheaper bikes while doing whips and backflips and manuals into bowls and barring out - shit 90% of us will never be capable of doing.
I ran into Kaz at sea-tac a few months ago after you guy were done with your sun peaks series. Hey Kazimer!
Also thank you Pinkbike team for including a bike at this price point
I got the fs3 for my wife for the exact reasons mentioned, definitely lower spec'ed components, great geo at a competitive price point. This bike is confidence inspiring and a really good starting platform.
Love my A2.
You guys nailed the review.
It’s so capable, but not as playful as I was expecting.
What do you mean by playful?
@@patrickwright8352 not agile, nimble, like to get airborne, love to wheelie ect. It’s still a fantastic bike all round though!
Norco vs Ibis Ripley Af would make a great video
I just wanna say the good year tires on this bike are kicking ass. I’m loving them! And the bike lives up to the hype
I’m sure this vid won’t be as interesting for all the wealthy dentists out there who wanna drop $10k+ on a bike, but it’s great to see how much value this bike brings. Nice review!
Personally, I just can’t even understand how it’s possible that a mass market bicycle costs 10-11k these days…maybe they are stuffing precious gems into the downtubes? Not saying the big dollar bikes are bad, but I am saying that you can buy a motorcycle for less (and motorcycles don’t require pedaling :)).
Yes, at 10-11k they're more expensive than a brand new honda crf450r motocross bike, and that obviously has an internal combustion engine and electronic fuel injection, mountain bikers are getting ripped off.
@@benjy288 eveyone that talks like this and compares to motorcycles or cars are missing the point.. The bike culture is a different culture.. You have large groups of people that are willing to pay these exorbitant prices.. Especially since the advent of the covid pandemic. Cyclists and moutain bikers don't seemingly care that you can a motorcycle for x amount with xyz engine... It's not the world they are living in...
@@flow2tech I realize that these companies charge what they charge because they can get away with it, but that still doesn't change the fact that its a rip off.
@@benjy288 "Rip off" is subjective.. To someone who lives and breathes the sport and wants the best of the best - perhaps, to them it is not a rip off..I know guys that change their bikes every 2 seasons.. They do well enough in life that it simply doesn't matter..It is a priority to them..
@@flow2tech That's technically correct, some rich guy wouldn't even think twice about it, perhaps a more accurate way to describe it is what you get for your money, the major parts of a mountain bike are frame, suspension, and wheels, $10k for that, as opposed to $10 on a motorbike which has a frame, suspension, and wheels, plus an internal combustion engine, with electronic fuel injection, with multiple fuel maps, I don't think anyone would argue that you get more for your money with the mountain bike.
Thank you for putting more real world budget bike for us working class folks!
But I was looking at Status 140 and 160 for my 3rd bike...or to replace my analog bike! This lower build might be an option for me as well.
Good to see just how geometry stacks up. I'm riding a 2022 Giant Trance Advanced Pro with the same 130/140 Fox traction setup: essentially a really light version of this aggressive trail bike.
What wheel size? 29er trance pro is a 120/130 travel bike.
The 2021 Fluid FS3 was my first full suspension bike. I love the hell out of it. It gets me up the hills and lets me run lose going downhill. I've ridden it down some pretty gnarly rides and it doesn't make me feel scared. I can definitely handle the bike park, but I would worry about overall wear & tear on it.
The model I got was lower teir so components weren't as good as reviewed here (C$3000). The rear shock is perpetually living in full travel with my **ahem** gravitationally enhanced body and bobs when pedalling without a lock-out option. The brakes (Tektro) also leave much to be desired and often need an extra finger to pull on the levers. I tried to switch to a different pad material, but since I'm not riding SUPER-aggressive they just didn't heat up enough to be effective. So completely upgrading now for next year.
Sounds like such a cool bike!
Love the color, I think this would be a great addition to my daily 2018 YT Capra 29er!
I would have definitely mentioned the finish detailing on the frame, The dressed welds on the front triangle were amazing and had it looking almost exactly like complex carbon shapes.
I agree with you sir 😊 have a Fluid but HT and it’s the same thing just amazing! Love Norco
I’d love to see them test this against the Fluid FS A2. Just to see how the difference in spec effects how they ride over all. I’d personally buy the A2 over the A1 any day
For me, here in the Midwest, I find a lightweight HT with a longer travel fork to be about perfect. For trips to PNW, or gnarly east coast trails, I like the other end of the spectrum - full-on enduro.
We should review all of these bikes in the CHEAPEST stock-build option. Would be very interesting.
I love my 2022 Fluid HT 1, best bang for your buck 29'r hardtail! Though I'd like the fully version as well!
It's a great, reasonably priced trail bike :)
same as
Cannondale Habit (5) which would be great to see on your channel!
Just the right amount of green. I want one! 😎
I was new bike shopping a month ago and this was in my top 3. Canadian brand with great specs and customer support. Decided I wanted a bit more suspension travel and got a alloy transition sentinal. Would still buy this as a short travel bike. Cheers 👍
Same story, I went with a Canyon Spectral 29 AL 5 - 160mm/150mm - decent spec (36 Rhythm fork, Float X suspension, Deore drivetrain), but a kilo heavier!
I was looking at the A2 as I think it is the best components for the price in the new Fluid line up, but there weren't any around my area to test ride. The Ripmo AF came on sale so I jumped on it instead. I am still going to take a test ride on the A2 when my LBS gets them in stock.
I love my Fluid 2 HT. It came with some awful components as stock, but with a few select upgrades it's great
You were also on the Ripley AF field test. How does the Fluid compare to the Ripley AF?
Not only is it not much more weight than the other bikes as is, but you could spend a little bit of the difference and probably make it lighter than most if not all the bikes in this test.
Would love to match this against the Ibis Ripley AF. I feel it's a good cage match with those two bikes
this one wins 100% based on looks alone
@@Flaminturkey1 agreed... NO contest.. Ripmo looks like it smashed into something head on.
Love the color. You may have sold me on this bike. I’m on east coast. Enduro bike is way too much bike now. Was thinking Spec stumpy or ibis ripley Al but I think this Norco my fit my style and budget best!
Just picked a FS2 for riding here in Australia - and hands down it’s the best bike I’ve ever owned by far
What have you been on prior?
The chain probably kept dropping because of the Praxxis wave chainring. A lot of Giant full suspension bikes have had the same issue recently and they have the same chainring. Change it for a proper narrow/wide ring and problem is solved.
This comment is underrated. Norco knows full well that the Praxis chain ring is not compatible with the Shimano hyperglide chain. Yet they continue to spec them. I have the Norco Optic C2 Shimano. It's the only bike in that range with a chain retention device. I wonder why that might be? Like @kazorees4884 says fitting a narrow/wide chainring that is compatible with the chain etc solved the problem. Also, the Praxis BBs were terrible. I went through three in 8 months. Probably because of the general incompatibility of the overall drive train.
Just got mine today, these will be sold out all across the board really soon!!!
I love Norco. Even tho I'm missing teeth from snapping my 2006 charger. I also cracked my 07 sasquatch in the same spot. The gusset on the down tube 😅
I really like this bike. For my money I'd like a shorter chainstay but so many things are right on this bike.
My perfect bike I think. Especially at the price. Currently on a Norco Torrent S2. Time to go back to FS ;-)
One of the designers put a 36 150mm on it and a coil to test. I would like a Z1 fork, but the Z2 on the A2 model will suit me just fine.
Goes to show carbon is not that it is all made out to be. We need more alloy bikes with the higher end components from the MFG's. Never understood that when they offer both carbon and alloy versions of the same bike that only the better builds were only offered on the carbon frames. Give me choice of frame material and the choice of build to go with it.
Your review makes me think of the first reviews on the SC HIGHTOWER back in 2016. QUIVER KILLER comes to mind and it may have the one same flaw I heard about the HIGHTOWER in that it isn't exactly the best cross country-ish bike but it can still do that if you don't mind putting in a little more effort.
Might be the perfect side hitter trailbike
Would be interesting to see the YT Jeffsy compared to these since it also has a lot of value with a carbon frame.
I like that you threw in a somewhat reasonably priced bike. I spent $4000 on a trail bike this past year (which is still a lot of money, really) and I can see how little things about better bikes might feel nicer, but I rode in in a prairie XC race and at SilverStar bike park in the same 2 week period and had a blast doing both.
I'm all about the bike with the most fun per dollar, and it sounds like this bike really has that one dialled in. Sure the 11k bike feels a little better, but is it more than twice as much fun to ride for almost 3 times the price? No chance.
Beautiful bike
This bike is a hell of a deal right now. Would love to see them do a bigger travel version maybe with the Sight's travel and geo.
just get a sight...lol its the same price if you go for an A3 Sight...i find this fluid a tad overpriced personally...should be 3k for the top end AL version...
This should be very entertaining 🤣
The bike is decent, i like seeing these more agressive shorter travel trail bikes. I'm all for getting a bike for the geometry over Spec that's for sure.
Would love to get one ❤
I have a 2020 Norco Fluid FS2 and it was my first full suspension bike. I wanted something on the lower price point, but could still kill some sting of the roots and rocks of local single track for an older guy in Northern Kentucky. I'm curious as to why Norco never provided the Ride Aligned system for my year Fluid. Since having the bike about the only "stock" component now is the frame. I just love to tinker. Given the changes in frame geometry do you think it would be work the upgrade to the newer Fluid FS frame? Is it really that much better than the previous model?
Kudos to Norco for providing a reasonably priced bike
Thinking about getting on of these that or marlin rift
We have the winner or at least 2nd place. Good job Norco!
Great bike, but also cool 5 panel cap. Are they still available anywhere?
So you can literally buy this bike and the high tower frame, swap all the parts including the shock with a spacer removal and longer fork air spring. For less money and better components than what comes on the Hightower as tested. Then after you sell the shock and frame you can buy carbon wheels and a bike park season pass.
As a budget-minded buyer, I'd like to see a $2500-$3500 bike comparison. I just bought I Trek Fuel EX 5 and am now thinking I might have been better off to buy a Vitus Mythique. But even now I still have no idea. The Trek is a decent bike, but the tires are mediocre at best, and the Recon fork isn't anywhere near as plush as my 2018 Recon 27.5 fork was.
What are your thoughts on the beer pawls hubs? They have them spec on every model, even the base model. main concern on the reliability of them ?
Inflation is so weird. I got my full carbon 150mm Cube Stereo in Juli 2019 before covid went down, I paid 3.5k for it.
For me watching the prices rise from the outside kinda saddens me, it makes the sport less accessible, but there is still the used market.
A 150mm version on this bike would be sweet!
Listening to your comments, I think it begs the question of how does this compare to the Transition Scout?
So the question is - is a trail bike now more than 130MM? Also the Optic was a burley ST platform to "Send" - is this Fuel?
I feel this fuel is more of a shot at a Stumpy or Tallboy than it competes with an SB130/140 or Hightower.
That said, this build kit is stunning, Geo is on point, and gotta wonder if the pedal bob is more 'tune' or Suspension type because the Optic is a very firm pedaling platform.
If they made this a 140 w/ a Fox 36 150 Fork, I'd call it a long leggeded trail bike
That’s pretty much a Jeffsy isn’t? Long legged trail bike = all mountain?
What you think about the A2 model with the bomber z2 for $3200? For Bellingham
I almost bought this bike but decided to build a bike because of a black Friday frame deal on another brand but man if your buying a bike for a teenager or a spouse this thing is perfect
It’s perfect for anyone man. Lol not just teenagers or a spouse.
@@johnshredsalot1295 of course! I was just speaking about getting it for someone which is what I was going to buy it for. It's so much bike for the money especially if your buying it for someone who might not stick with it. They won't be held back by the bike.
@@ish474 it really is. I have one and love it and don’t think twice! I’ve had bugs that cost 9k lol and this one is a banger!
@@johnshredsalot1295 I was told I am no longer allowed to buy more bikes. I found a loophole and I'm building her one
@@ish474 haha, I did the same!
I bought the fs4 and put a Fox 34 150mm fork on it and oh man!! I may get the fs 2 for me in silver.
Man I love mountain bikes! And theres sooo many good brands out there now days I want to try them all but its too expensive. And Im down to spend money but my god. This year Ive got into more than ever and Ive spent tens of thousands of dollars just this year alone. Im considering buying or building a downhill dedicated bike but with so many options out there and no way to try them, its really difficult to decide what to buy.
4K fully loaded norco and my fully loaded commencal ohlins meta ht together are still 4K or so less than one high end bike in the test. Heck my almost fully high end trek slash from 2014 was only 4k
Or you could go with tREK Fuel EX 8 Gen 5 for 4k. How would they compare, what do you think?
How does this Norco Fluid compare with a Trek Top Fuel 8 / aluminium?
Hos does the a2 compare to the closer priced trek fuel ex 7? Comparing it to the 10k fuel isnt really apples to apples
Yes please now if it was just in stock😢 in NZ
Tempting. This or I can have Giant Trance Advanced Pro 2 for the same price? Any advice please?
Even the fs4 2k its a great bike
Question: How many times did you guys had to clean yourself after riding a bike that was under the 5 digits mark? Cordially,
$4K to get into a nice trail bike is a freakin' steal !!
I’ve always loved shorter travel bikes , they are a lot more fun and don’t drain your energy like longer travel bikes .
I know Norco is known to have size specific chainstay lenghts, however, I noticed that the 2019-2021 Fluid FS have a standard size across the sizes. As a matter of fact, the XS to medium have a 431mm chainstay length and the medium to XL have a 429. I have often wondered why the larger frame would get a shorter chainstay. I am assuming that it has to do with the wheel size as the extra small to medium are 27.5's and the medium to XL are 29's. Can someone shed some light on this?
Sounds like its likely the most appropriate bike for me so far given what I ride and the fact that I lean more to the XC side of things with my Revolver, I'm glad you mentioned the Optic (guessing that will get an update in 2024) but I wish you had compared it to the alloy Stumpjumper.
How does this compare to the similarly priced ripmo af?
I found I had a sh!t time with my current Norco but when I tried my friends sight I absolutely loved it the suspension was amazing but I’m not so sure about this model
How was the lateral stiffness of this frame?
Have the A2 version. For me, it's great. It's my goldilocks.
Norco fluid vs propain hugene? Which one is better?
Would be interested to hear your comparison on this bike vs the Optic? Worth going up to the Optic or no?
7:20
@@TheFatSteezya I did hear that in the review. However, this addresses only one aspect vs an overall opinion.
Should someone be concerned to ride a Fox 34 over a 36 if they're a more aggressive rider and on the heavier side? I haven't ridden something smaller then a 36.
Seems very similar to Spectral 125. Slack aggressive, not that long travel.
Coming from an aluminum sb95, anyone have thoughts on this being a modern version of that? Seems similar with new geometry.
This Norco or the Fuel ex 8 gen 6? Where I'm from. The Trek is 400usd cheaper. That would be a better comparison
Somehow like a marin rift zone 29er with 50mm riser bar.
This bike is perfect for 99.9999% of the riders out there. And the fact that you can buy two of them for less than the cost of 1 Santa Cruz is laughable. It's time to stop buying overpriced bikes and break some of these price gougers.
The new Yeti is well over 10k with alloy wheels and weighs almost 33 lbs. Ridiculous.