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Reviews 1 - 6 (6 Reviews Total)
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Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Dublin, IrelandDate Reviewed: July 20, 2004
Strengths: Good frame - Norco reputation - takes lots of abuseWeaknesses: Stock rims are weak. Stock tires are too skinny. Stock seat-post is not telescopingBottom Line: Great all-mountain bike. This is a 10 month update (I used to be Andrew from Nelson - have moved to Dublin since then). The rear rim never held its shape - I was constantly tightening the spokes on EVERY ride. Norco determined that they couldn't do anything under warrenty as I had waited too long. So, bought a new Mavic F-519? rim - its BULLETPROOF - have done several 6 step (around 4 foot)to flat concrete landings and no problems. Other than the weaknesses above, this is a superb all-mountain machine. It will take all the abuse you can throw at it up to about 3-4 foot drops. It climbs well and handles steeps with ease. However, as it has some free-ride capabilities and has shown me how much fun free-riding is, I will be buying a Norco 6 and a full face helmet next season! If you never intend to drop anything over 3 feet - buy this bike! It rocks! (especially the 2004 - way better spec). Four chilis because of the poor spec choices for this years model.
Favorite Trail: Three Rock Mountain
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At: John Henry
Similar Products Used: Trek Liquid, RM Slayer
Bike Setup: Stock except for new rear rim (Mavic 519), Fox Vanilla 125 RLC fork, Mavic MOFO 2.35 tires, Shimano DX clipless pedals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin
a Downhiller
from Vancouver, BC CanadaDate Reviewed: March 31, 2004
Strengths: Light weight, Low standover, slack headtube angleWeaknesses: Rims and tiresBottom Line: I love the fluid. Some say that it is not burly enough to be a freeride bike but I disagree. I use it stricktly for downhilling. It takes the abuse of the shore and asks for more. And it's light enough to pedal up the mountain a couple times in a day. My only complaint is that it was not designed to take a double crown fork.
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$1750.00
Purchased At: The Bike Doctor
Bike Setup: Changed to a short stem, lost the big ring, beefed up the rims and tires.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Nelson, BC, CanadaDate Reviewed: September 15, 2003
Strengths: Great spec for the price. Nice light frame, but not too wimpy. I researched the "all-mountain" field extensively (bikes that go uphill fast enough for fun rides and downhill stable enough for fun too - not like wimpy XC bikes or too heavy DH/FR bikes) and this was the best made in Canada deal going.Weaknesses: Tire's and rims. The Kenda Kinetics that come with the bike - supposedly 2.1" tires are more like 1.95" tires. XC rims are a little on the light side, but as I have a habit of bending rims once a year anyeways, I will put Mavic X3.1's on as soon as the stock rims break.Bottom Line: So far, very happy with the bike. Good price and made in Canada is always a plus. I was looking for a well priced all-mountain bike so I could ride hard and not worry about a cracked frame. No, I am not a freerider and don't plan on dropping much over 4 feet - which is what this bike is designed for. Only problem is with the fork, but I am having the springs changed out which should solve the "over-bounciness" I am experiencing at the moment. In about two months I will post another review to update my experience. Overall rating is only 4 chilis until I get the forks sorted out. So far so good with John Henry's, but need to wait and see how they handle the fork-spring issue.
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At: John Henry
Similar Products Used: Rocky Mountain Slayer, Trek Liquid
Bike Setup: Large size frame. Maxxis MOFO 2.35" tires. Fox Vanilla 125 RLC fork. Shimano M646 SPD's. Everything else is stock.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
jake
a Downhiller
from vancouver, BCDate Reviewed: June 30, 2003
Strengths: LOW standover, Norco reputation.Weaknesses: ITS not a 2002 Norco VPS FLUID.Bottom Line: I wish Norco extended the 2002 type frame another year. The '02 FLuids were freeride frames for riders with shorter inseams. They were beefy , toss them in the air, 20 foot drop off bikes. The '03 Fluids are XC bikes - pure & simple. I was told by the Norco not to even attempt putting a dual crown fork on the '03 frame for it'll void their warranty. The air shock is a dead give away as well as the lighter frame. The '03 Fluids look no different that the Norco Fireball & Norco XC Team. Now there are 5 different models that do XC riding? The 2002 FLuids were the ONLY freeride bike in their lineup that did not incorporate the monocoque framing. Launch, A-line, Shore all monocoque frames which are excellent. Fluid was the only freerider that incorporated drawn tubing throughout which was special...a little heavier but unique. Norco please revisit the 2002!
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Stephen Melnechuk
a Downhiller
from North VancouverDate Reviewed: May 29, 2003
Strengths: Lightweight, great forks, solid rearend.Weaknesses: OEM Tires and WheelsBottom Line: I have been riding for over 15 years and it was difficult for me to see Norco as the great company it is today. As it turns out I am happy I did.
The Fluid 1.0 is not only set up with an excellent frame and fork, it has good mix of other components.
I changed the tires from the XC tires that were on the bike. I am also worried that the XC rims will be done in the next few months, but so far have held up.
The lock out is nice on the front and rear so that when I am done, I just turn and ride back up. I have done a good deal of gap jumps and drops with no problem.
If Norco had of gone with the additional weight of tougher rims and bigger tires they would have nailed it.
This bike does everything an all mountain bike should.
Also the service I have received from John Henry's has been exceptional and would recommend them to anyone.
Favorite Trail: Oilcan
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At: John Henry Bikes
Similar Products Used: Specialized Enduro, Rocky Slayer
Bike Setup: Nokian Gazzaloddi tires
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
bill macguire
a Cross Country Rider
from vancouver, BCDate Reviewed: March 27, 2003
Strengths: From a well represented canadian manufacturerWeaknesses: anemic. Strictly for XC use or trail riding.Bottom Line: I am disappointed with the 03 Fluids. They are targeted for all mountain purpose but It does not compete with the class that its in. Giant AC models are beefier, Specialized Enduros are lighter,and Kona stinky's are stronger. The Fluids are lighter this year because the framing used thinner guage tubing and an air shock to fit the suspension. In losing weight (almost 6 lbs from 2002) the Fluids are now XC oriented bike. The 2002 Fluids were special because they were freeride bikes that were made for shorter guys (low standover = more control when droping and hucking). The main purpose for the Fluid frames was to accomodate riders with shorter inseams. Well, it was a marvelous debut in 2002, but the 2003 models dont stand up to the freeriding abuse the 02's were designed for. I called Norco and said they dont even recommend putting a dual crown fork on the 03 because they're not strong enough to withold the lateral shears. Being a bike manufactured from Canada you'd expect a decent freerider. Well the vote is out and the 2003 just doesn't cut it as a freeride bike. For close to $2500 the enduros and Giant VTs outride the Norcos.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Norco VPS FLuid 2002
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