Submitted by
Jacques Pienaar
a Weekend Warrior
from Santiago, Chile, SA Date Reviewed: November 9, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Hacienda Las Varras
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3100.00
Purchased At:
Belda Cycles USA
Strengths:
Parts set up - quality vs. price: unbeatable, Rider position and feel: confident inspiring, Marzocchi 55 ATA once tuned lives up to the name Bomber, Specialized patented suspension with Fox DHX makes for a stable combination. All Mountain capabilities, drops of up to 4-5 feet at high speed seems unnoticed never bottoms out
Weaknesses:
Pedals
Similar Products Used:
First Full suspension frame, Marzocchi AM 1 & 3 TST, Rock Shox Tora 302 coil
Bike Setup:
Stock Standard
Bottom Line:
This is my first Full suspension bike. Took my GT avelanche 1.0 disc all the way up there and back. 5 Foot Drops and serious All Andes Mountain riding. Upgraded to a full suspension as my riding style and skills improved and was adapted from riding Moto Enduros. After studying the market the Norco Fluid LT2 was the answer Price I paid vs. component quality. Great on the climbs with notacable "bob" from the DHX 3.0 but ever inspiring just climbing up and over anything I point the wheel at. Descending is a dream once the suspension is set up, correct amount of air and re-bound adjust. Very forgiving as I ride this bike same as a hard tail I do not even know about some of the things I would previously feel. Great change, great bike. The pedals have let me down though (Crank Brothers Smarty) will suggest a Shimano SPD type as they are more predictable in those unpredictable situations. Love it, live it, ride it. Peace
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mesozoic
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: October 11, 2009
Favorite Trail:
anything Shore
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Purchased At:
Different Bikes
Strengths:
Incredibly well designed geometry that is especially well suited for longer rides, but definitely capable DH. Pedals extremely well up technical terrain. Well spec'd for the most part.
Weaknesses:
The 55 ATA fork is a steaming pile due to the faulty ATA cartridge. I hear that Marzocchi has a fix for it, though.
A great looking, great riding frame for XC/AM/DH all in one bike. Well spec'd with a Fox DHX 3.0 Air shock which has no adjustments, but doesn't need any for most riders. XT hubs and front der, Juice 5 brakes, X9 rear der, and tasteful color selection for things like bar ends and spoke nipples indicate Norco's attention to detail. The only negative thing is the fork selection. Replace that and ride on!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
superprofe
a Weekend Warrior
from Shrewsbury Date Reviewed: May 27, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Llandegla, Afan forest, Brecon
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
winstanleys cycles
Strengths:
In a few words,this is a bike that does everything pretty good and nothing bad. The components are spot on for the price, for £1300 it is a bargain!! The finished paint is awesome, you'll turn heads with this bike, the fork and shock adjustability makes it ideal for climbs and descents and it isn't very heavy for a 160 mm ful sus bike. The curved frame really lowers the gravity center and makes the bike very agile as well. A very good all mountain/enduro bike !! Exclusive, I haven't seen one like mine yet in the UK!!
Weaknesses:
The rear end could be a bit flexy on fast descents or flat turns. The head angle could be a bit slacker as well(67 degrees instead of 68)Cable routing is very poor, the cranks look fragile as well and mud clearance at the rear isn't great with a 2.35" tyre. Many people complains about ATA cartidges in Marzocchi's, but mine works fine after 10 months
Similar Products Used:
Commencal meta 5 VIP
Bike Setup:
Shimano SPD pedals, Avid Code 5 rear brake (nothing wrong with Juicys, I just found I bargain on ebay)2.3 Continental vapour rear tyre to make it a bit faster and better mud clearance.
Bottom Line:
Make no mistake, this bike can't live up with Santa Cruz Nomads, Lapierre Spicys or Giant Reign Xs, but if you don't want to spend a fortune and you just want a decent bike to do a bit of everything I recommend this bike. Look for discounts in old 2008 models and it will make more sense!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
steve bown
a Weekend Warrior
from Alberta Date Reviewed: May 7, 2009
Favorite Trail:
jumpingpound Ridge
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
used, but Couloir se
Strengths:
Looks great, well balanced, versatile. I have the 2008 version which is lighter than the 2009 (mine in large with pedals and ergo grips and rubber tube chainstay protector weighs just over 32 lbs). Climbs as well or better than my lighter bike and is solid and stable balsting down
Weaknesses:
Marzocchi fork - been in twice for warranty repairs and now lock out gone again. Won't bother to fix it again since i don't use the lockout and don't want the hassle.
Bike Setup:
stock exxcept for xt shifters and derailleur, ergo hand grips, candy sl pedals and Nevegal 2.35 tires.
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks. It is a great climber, especially when the fork is lowered to 120 mm setting, just shoots up steep inclines and over obstacles like a much lighter bike (won't be first to the top though). Its very well balanced for swoopy rugged single track and is a total blast cruising down. I feel like I'm going slow then I realize that my (approximate) time on the trail is less than ever before. Great bike for all round exploring of varied terrain and especially for larger riders (I'm about 215 lbs)who might otherwise bottom out their suspension. Great fun for anyone not counting seconds on the climbs and wants something indestructable and good looking.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Boardies are cool
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia Date Reviewed: March 24, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Bunya or Gap Creek
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4000.00
Purchased At:
Brisbane
Strengths:
Norco Fluid LT2: Awesome bike, first soft tail i have owned but got used to it very quickly, very forgiving on single trails and great uphill, BUT....
Weaknesses:
First ride out, third trail of the day the gear changing lever broke, fell off on the ground. I have been riding for a while and have never come across this before, not sure if they are going to fix it or free yet or not. HOLD THE PHONE!!!!! 3 weeks of riding and the frame has completely split!!!!!!!! Riding single trails in Bunya and the frame opposite the rear deraulier split completely in two (long walk home). Am taking it back to shop tomorrow.
Similar Products Used:
Trek 4700. Cost 1/3 of the price and have ridden it for years with only minor problems.
Bike Setup:
Single trail and cross country
Bottom Line:
Not sure yet...LT2 was just getting stronger and faster when disaster struck, will let you know how good the service is from shop i bought it from and also Norco.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Prosser
a Racer
from Sutton, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: August 12, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Bell Ringer, Dirt Merchant
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Strengths:
A great bike for any kind of mountain biking. A great price (whe you get a pro deal)!
Weaknesses:
Poor cable routing. The shock mount bolts are torx drive and strip easily. Stock pedals are cheap and come loose quickly.
Similar Products Used:
Norco Fluid 1.0, Specialized Enduro
Bike Setup:
XO grip shifters, Candy Sl pedals, stock otherwise
Bottom Line:
This bike is awesome. I've done some great XC rides, and even a little DH. The suspension works awesome, with little bob. The geometery is great too. I just narrowed the bars out a bit. I had to make a few changes to satisfy my expectations for the little details. I swapped the weak tie wraps that hold the cables to the frame (and let the cables slide all over the place) for some metal toothed ties, and the crappy crank bros. candy c pedals (which came loose in 3 dry rides....I know they are entry level, but why even bother making something if it won't hold up?). I also covered the exposed front d cable that was rubbing into the frame with a small peice of hose. If you want to change the rear travel ride by ride then I'd recommend swapping the shock mount torx drive bolts for some traditional allen bolts. The drive in the stock bolts strips very easily! If Norco routes the cables better, and uses better shock hardware this will be the best all around bike on the market!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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