Submitted by
Slowup
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver Date Reviewed: July 10, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Switchback
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At:
MR Cycle
Strengths:
Handling, climbing & descending prowess. Plows over everything without complaint & makes you a better (seeming) rider.
Weaknesses:
Originally spec'd Mavic Crossride wheelset is rudimentary & slow at best. Too bad a bike like this wasn't available years ago.
Similar Products Used:
RM Altitude, Giant Anthem.
Bike Setup:
Lots changed from original & sitting at 30.5 pounds for a 5.5"+ travel "all mountain" bike.
Bottom Line:
When I got this bike in early '06 it was Norco's first real foray into a lighter more pedal-friendly all mountainy bike.
I think they did a pretty good job.
Other than some relatively weak parts spec, which conversley kept the initial cost down, the bike in my view was mostly a winner right out of the gate. In having owned and ridden this bike for over three years I have to say it remains an excellent choice for any epic length rides of a technical nature.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Redstone
a Weekend Warrior
from Luxembourg Date Reviewed: May 4, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Minette
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Cycles Schütz
Strengths:
Good set-up, good parts, very handy and nimble bike, perfect for technical trails
Weaknesses:
none at the moment
Similar Products Used:
none, its my first full-suspension bike
Bike Setup:
standard except the tires, changed the original 2.1 Kenda's for 2.25 Schwalbe Alberts
Bottom Line:
Perfect bike for my riding style, from tours to trail-riding. Very robust and it has really taken some hard beating
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Clare
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, NSW, Australia Date Reviewed: February 22, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$3465.00
Purchased At:
Local bike shop
Strengths:
Good all-rounder. Sturdy Fox suspension soaks up technical decents with ease and the bike is also a very efficient climber. Good reliable Shimano drivetrain and powerful XT hydraulic breaks.
Weaknesses:
The deep red paint job looks brilliant (when new) but I have found it relatively easy to scratch and is also badly affected by cable rub.
Bike Setup:
Stock with the following swaps from new: Tyres - Maxxis Rancheros, which are more suitable for sandy Aussie conditions. Pedals - Swapped Candy for XTR preference. Chain - XTR. Seat – Specialised Body Geometry
Bottom Line:
This is my first dual suspension bike and has so far been nothing but a pleasure to ride. In a year I have ridden the bike about 1500km and have found it to be very reliable. Mostly I use the bike for light all-mountain riding and for XC. This bike is a very efficient climber, with minimal feedback. The three pro-pedal levels on the Fox RP23 shock are very effective, and allow the bike to be easily adapted to a range of riding conditions. The bike has a very strong feel to it even though it is reasonably light. The curvy top tube is not only attractive, but also significantly improves stand-over clearance. Overall I have found the bike provides a lot of bang for my buck and I highly recommend it to prospective buyers.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DC
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada Date Reviewed: September 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Pidherny
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Strengths:
Great all mountain bike. Goes anywhere and so far has been durable.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
2003 Norco Fluid 2.0
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
This bike is super effecient compared to my previous Fluid. It is also much lighter, weighing in at 29lbs for the medium. This is the first bike I've owned where I do not have to change any of the components. I thought the tires, Hutchinson Piranhas, would be too light for the rough trails we ride but they have surprised me. Keep the pressure up and they will ride in any condition, wet or dry.
This bike performs exceptionally well on climbs and on descents.
I highly recommend this bike for any one looking for a do anything bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dimitri
a Cross Country Rider
from Cave Creek Date Reviewed: September 9, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
Excellent climber and decender. The Fuild is a nimble and quick AM bike without the bulk of many AM bikes. Adjustable rear wheel travel from 4-5+".
Weaknesses:
Paint quality is good but not excellent. The bike's rear triangle limits tire widths of about 2.35-2.4.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz, Diamondback, Kona....
Bike Setup:
XT Crank, SRAM XO Shifters, f+r derailleur, Hayes 8" Disc Brakes, Mavic Rims with hope hubs, Hell Bent bars, Cane Creek headset.....Minute 3 up front and Fox Float R in back.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a superb example of what an all mountain bike should be. It rides strong with little to no flex. It eats up rock gardens and is very very fast downhill. This is a keeper. I bought only the frame and built up the bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim K
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: August 25, 2007
Favorite Trail:
3 stage
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
I've only ridden it for one week, but so far it kicks ass. Formerly, I rode a Norco XCS 1 with a Stratos Helix Pro rear shock (for many years). Thanks to Norco for replacing my frame and shock after my old frame cracked at the welds - I now own a Fluid 1.0 with an RP23 rear shock. The pro pedal works awesome on climbs and flats! Flip the lever and you have a great descender. I'll update this review later if any problems arise. Many thanks to Rob at Home Hardware in Kincardine (the best bike shop in Ontario - located in maybe the most unlikely spot) and Norco who stand behind their products and put their money where their mouth is.
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
Norco XCS1 with a Stratos Helix Pro rear shock. Test ridden many others and owned a Kona prior to my Norco (actually a Bianchi got me hooked and was my first mountain bike >20 years ago).
Bike Setup:
As mentioned above
Bottom Line:
So far, so good. The frame looks and feels bomb-proof. Hopefully Norco bikes will catch on south of the border. For knarly Canadian trails, they can't be beat.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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