Submitted by
downhilling kid
a Downhiller
from colorado springs, colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2010
Strengths: solid frame, strong suspention, just a great all around bike in my mind
Weaknesses: the rear shock has a tendensy to bottom out easier then i would like
Bottom Line:
this bike is not ment for DH when its stock, but with a few modifications it is a true downhill bike. i reccomend this to everybody looking to get into the great sport of mountain biking.
Similar Products Used: Trek liquid, Specialized rockhopper
Bike Setup: Stock, but with a Fox Float RL instead as a rear shock
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Submitted by
Simon Côté
a Weekend Warrior
from Montreal
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2007
Strengths: I bought it for the great deal I had, 600$!! With the hayes brakes and dual suspension I was happy!! This bike has good parts but I had problems with it!!
Weaknesses: After hitting a hard bump, my rear derailleur shifted to smaller gears by itself, I also found this bike heavy (especialy when climbing). After 6 months, a part of the rear suspension broke (on the frame) and I had to put 330$ to replace the whole suspension triangle.. not cool!!
Bottom Line:
The only thing that made me happy with this bike, is the parts that I took off and reinstalled on my new frame (I bought a new frame on ebay cheaper that the repair cost) and I do not encourage you to buy this bike... It's a good starting bike for poeple who don't really know much about DH bikes!
Bike Setup: Norco VPS with the parts of the Fluid (+ better head set and 8 inch disc) :)
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Submitted by
Nigel
a Cross Country Rider
from athabasca, alberta, canada
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2005
Strengths: Rides awesome, looks sweet. Excellant specs for the price (1550 Canadian)
Weaknesses: Haven't had any problems so far...
Bottom Line:
For the trails I've been on so far, it's been flawless. Brakes work great, super soft ride, and I can't get over how good it looks. Awesome bike overall! Probably not great for huge drops, but sadly I may never get to try, I know it can handle what I throw at it.
Weaknesses: Weak derailleur hanger; grips; weak front wheel quick release; latteral movement of front wheel/fork; tends to bob and to wheelie on climbs; front hub squeaking after 2 rides;
Bottom Line:
I'm very disapointed with this bike. Very weak components other than the frame. On the first ride, I bumped de rear derailleur while lifting the bike (not a big blow, I wasn't even sitting on the bike or riding it) which caused the hanger to bend and resulted in gear hopping. Went to have it fixed the next day and on the second ride, a little twig caught in the derailleur and bent the hanger again. On the same ride while going down a single track I suddenly noticed that the front wheel/fork were shaky, I stopped and noticed that the front wheel quick release was loose and I was about to loose the front wheel.
Note that I take care of my bikes and this bike was verified and tightened before each ride but still, everything keeps wanting to fall appart and I'm not doing downhill/hard riding with this bike.
Again, very disapointed. Never will I put money in Norco products again.
Submitted by
LES STEEL
a Weekend Warrior
from DURHAM (UK)
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2004
Strengths: Price, quality components, Marzocchi fork, Fox shock
Weaknesses: Cheap headset otherwise nowt
Bottom Line:
Price is in Canadian Dollars which worked out at £710, retail in the UK is £1000. I can't believe you could put this bike together for that little cash! Rides really well and is much more comfortable on a long ride than my Azonic hardtail. Absolutely no pedal feedback, excellent Hayes brakes. A little heavy but at least it won't break in a hurry. I can't really fault it, especially for the price.
Similar Products Used: My first full sus bike so nothing else
Bike Setup: stock except for FSA headset, Azonic twin bolt seatpost and some X-LITE finishing kit
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Submitted by
Dude
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2004
Strengths: Its a norco and has nice shiny paint
Weaknesses: THe shiny paint flakes and chips after the first ride. THe rear chainstays crack and break if you try to do any aggressive riding. Frame hole misplacement too close to yoke weld causing frame breakage due to bad design on medium frame size model. Chainstays longer on large size, not such a problem with it
Bottom Line:
I have ridden this bike around local trails, mostly agressive XC, small drops up to 3 feet, technical trails. The rear chainstay broke after 6 months of this riding. This bike is marketed as an "All Mountain" bike, and rides ok, until it breaks. It is in a grey area of bike design at the moment, obviously others here are riding the bike pretty hard, dirt jumping, DH, and so forth. But the chainstays on my fluid 3 broke 6 months after purchase. Norco wouldnt replace the parts as they said it had been "not used for designed All Mountain purposes". THis is apperntly not much more than lycra wearing XC riding I have been told by Norco, so beware. Beware, this is not a DH, DJ, drop or free ride bike, it is "All Mountain" yeah so work out what that is and you can ride that, but dont ride it too hard, or it will break. Mine creaked and groaned for a week or two, then snapped.
Get an Atomic or Six if you want to ride hard, and This bike is nice for general trail use, but if you arent sure, buy the stronger model.
Bike Setup: 2003 model, marzocchi drop off forks, Maxxis high roller 2.35 Super tackys, telescopic seatpost
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Submitted by
Ken
a Weekend Warrior
from Bellingham
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2004
Strengths: Great value. Hayes hydraulic disc brakes, Marzocchi oil/ spring forks and fox vanilla shock that doesn't bounce. Very plush ride. Great geometry for steep terrain. Bike is very smooth in rocky rooty trails. Handling is neutral and jumps very well. Even the Norco house brand Seat is comfortable.
Weaknesses: Rider postion places rider too far back for steep technical uphills making the bike VERY wheelie prone, at least compared to a traditional cross counrty bike. Kinda heavy for cross country use.
Bottom Line:
My wife and I sold our 23 lb front suspended hardtail cross country bikes and switched to the Norco Fluid 3 and couldn't be happier. Best (rough terrain or freeride) bike for the buck as far as I can tell. Buy it!!
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Peace River, Alberta
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2004
Strengths: Great price, well spec'd (for what you pay)
Weaknesses: Paint chips easy, some components needed to be replaced for my size
Bottom Line:
I did a lot of research before entering the full suspension market and this lineup (the Norco fluid) kept coming out on top for me (the Six would have been the ultimate but I didn't have the cash). The fluid 3 was right in my price range and came pretty well spec'd. With the few minor upgrades I did to this bike I am very happy with it. The rear shock doesn't bob at all (I'm 250lbs!!), the front fork is plush but not spongy, it handles anything I'm willing to throw at it and more. The only drawbacks: it's a bit heavy for xc (I find some hills now are harder to get up than my old hardtail) and the paint chips real easy (a friend of mine chipped it with a plastic bungie cord hook, shouldn't happen!) If you're looking for a sub 2k full suspension bike look no further, this is it!
Bike Setup: Bought stock with the following swaps: XT rear, Thompson seatpost, Evolve Stem, Hussefelt cranks, Mallet C pedals, Specialized saddle
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Submitted by
Joey gonish
a Weekend Warrior
from santana fe new mexico
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2004
Strengths: lots of stuff but front shocks are nice
Weaknesses: not a good DH bike, but sweet for dirt juming
Bottom Line:
This bike sucks for DH, it cant handle as well as my Norco team DH or team shore can handle DH. This bike is only for dirt jumping, but even then, becarful that you dont bend the frame like i did. I think ill go with some other Dirt Jumping bike instead
Submitted by
Shane
a Cross Country Rider
from Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2004
Strengths: Amazing spec for the price, Horst link suspension, Fox Vanilla R w/Propedal, Marzocchi EXR Pro 120mm coil, Hayes hydraulic disc brakes.
Weaknesses: None.
Bottom Line:
I have only had this bike for 1 week and so far it’s everything I expected and more. It's like a down-spec’d Turner 5 Spot for a fraction of the price ($1400 CAN). Five inches of super plush front and rear travel and stable pedaling while seated thanks to the Propedal. The brakes are wicked strong and smooth. Check the manufacturers page for the correct specs: http://www.norco.com/bikes/2004bikes/fluid3.htm
The trail here is still too snowy and wet to test it on but I found a hill with steep chutes that the geometry seems made for (68 degree head angle). I will report again when it is fully broken in after hammering some aggressive trails. I am hoping it handles well on the switchback ridden local trail. I expect this beast to eat bloody roots and baby heads for breakfast.
Submitted by
Craig Duncan
a Weekend Warrior
from Wollongong, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2004
Strengths: Adjustable travel rear, FSR four bar, nimble.
Weaknesses: paint job is weak. tyres lacking
Bottom Line:
This was purchased originally as an all round trail bike and proved to be a great little rig. With only a Vanilla R rear shock it still pedalled well thanks to the trusty old Specialized FSR rear four bar. The OEM Marzocchi EXR forks were fair but lacked the punch to help get the most out of the bike so they were tossed in favour of 6" Sliders. The bike now has a Freeride feel to it and can tackle DH runs reasonably well, although the BB height is still a little tall. It corners beautifully and can climb quite well, although you should invest in a telescopic seat post as the height can't be lifted high enough on the '03 model. I think the '04 has been changed to suit. Pretty cool alrounder that I love to get on and bash. Apart from the lame paint work that keeps chipping away ('04 fixed too?) it is a good rig at an affordable price..even down here in Oz!!
Bike Setup: Manitou Sherman Sliders, Answer Protaper DH Bar, Michelin 2.8 front on Sun Ryno Lite tyre, Maxxis high roller 2.5 rear on Sun Ditch Witch. Truvativ Hussefelt cranks, Titec Bezerker saddle, FSA DH pig pro H/S, Woodman DH 50mm stem. Dice Outlaw flats plus more...
