Submitted by
DC
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2004
Strengths: Durable, useful for an all around rider.
Weaknesses: Long Stem, wimpy brake levers, grips, skinny tires, cable routing and wheel assembly.
Bottom Line:
With the upgrades that I have done, this is an excellent bike. I noticed that Norco has updated many of these issues on their 2004 Fluid 2. The cable routing from the facory was curious as it was damaging my head tube. The wheels were not properly tensioned and needed to be trued twice in a week. The mechanic properly trued and tensioned them the second time and I haven't been back. I upgraded to an XT RD after a rogue stick completely tore my LX off. Thanks for the replacable hanger to prevent frame damage. The cables were also re-routed and work fine now.
This is now an excellent trail bike that goes without complaint. It is forgiving on the mistakes and greatful for good lines. I have had zero problems with the suspension or pivots.
Even with the initial growing pains, I will buy another Norco product as they seem to be on top of rider's feedback and concerns.
I recommend this bike but would look for a good deal on a 2004 to avoid the problems that I experienced.
Bike Setup: XT rear / Hayes levers / Race Face Stem 60mm / ODI Lock On Grips / Wireless Sigma Comp / Blue Groove/Nevegal 2.35 Tires
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Submitted by
Beeron Andres
a Weekend Warrior
from Squamish, BC
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2004
Strengths: Great crossover from beefy XC to light DH. 4' drops are no problem. Light enough to climb ladders. heavy ass front fork leaves no worries on the big stuff and looks kickass
Weaknesses: Tires way too skinny, I guess for the XC crowd, they sure go fast but don't try crossing a wet root on an angle. Would have preferred a coil-over rear with a lock-out and some hydro brakes instead of the cables. Truvativ Components,......Truvativ who?
Bottom Line:
I am pretty happy overall. If I feel like I ride enough to make it worthwhile, I'll upgrade the wheels, brakes, stem,and saddle in that order. You should buy this bike if you want a beefy crossover that's strong enough to take some abuse. I'm 225, no problems so far except I am in constant fear of blowing that little fox float on a long ride.
Strengths: Excellent mid travel trail bike, above average climber when compared to equivelents, Amazing when pointed down hill
Weaknesses: wheels: narrow rims, poor construction (at least on my rear wheel anyways no prep was used on spokes) Tires: TOO NARROW!! Brakes: hmx w cheap a@@ levers to wimpy color, but you cant have everything Fork: oversprung, too stiffly damped for this type of bike
Bottom Line:
Overall outstanding ride quality. my choice of bikes came down to enduro vs fluid in the end and I definatly feel the fluid is the better bike if you want a capable, but slow climber that is surprisingly nimble in the technical stuff, a rocket when pointed downhill, and tough enough for occasional days on the drops. Vs the enduro, while heavier it is a better overall climber and significantly better handling through technical terrain. There are some definate component misques and weaknesses, but the frame is solid and worth making upgrades. For a classic, 5" four bar frame I think it holds its own to anyone including a few certain boutique level fourbars out there. overall I'm pretty happy... just have your wheels checked for spokeprep as my backwheel wouldn't hold tension after about 3 rides (all better now)
Similar Products Used: Spent much time testing other 5-7" all mountain/light freeride type frames including enduro, liquid, gemini, heckler, uzzi, switchblade
Bike Setup: Changes from stock: currently timberwolf 2.5 ft, kinetic 2.3 rear, Xt rear d with sram rocket shifters, avid mechs
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Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2003
Strengths: Very solid handling Good componentry Amazing price compared with the competition Fox Float RL and Marzocchi DJ-3
Weaknesses: A little on the heavy side minor disc and drivetrain calibration issues (probably still break-in period, but longer than I expected)
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks! It's very substantial feeling, and the geometry is perfect for being the versatile bike that it is. The lock out is very conveniently designed too, since the frame of the bike has a 'hole' in the middle of the upper side, letting you reach in for the lever. The dirt jumper forks are big and heavy but really solid, and I don't miss the adjustability- it's set up well from the factory (rebound and compression dampening). I am 140 lbs and running 0 psi preload and it works great, done some 4-5 feet drops and it's just almost bottoming. FSR design (or VPS by Norco) works well, very plush and so unbelievably comfortable for me, who came from a hardtail. The bike is a bit heavy, I notice it on climbs, even with the lockout, but is well worth it once you realize how newly-paved smooth the trail that used to give your body a lot of pounding has become. Another not-too-desirable trait was the tires. They are supposedly 2.1's but they look obviously thinner than my hardtail's 1.9 Tioga Psychos. I don't know what's up with that. At least the tread's good...
Overall, it is an amazing value. I was shopping for a freeride bike and my list included the Giant VT (favourite), Trek Liquid, Rocky Mountain Edge and Specialized Enduro. I admit the VT was the outstanding one of the group, but it was sold out every bike store I went to, and they wouldn't budge from the original price. The norco was substantially cheaper than the rest, and it was just as good.
Submitted by
Jake
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2003
Strengths: low standover, components spec
Weaknesses: Its not a 2002.
Bottom Line:
I wanted a 2002 model because it was a freeride bike with the lowest standoever height available (27" with a 5inch fork). That model sold out faster than you can say 'non-monocoque freeride bike'. I rode my friend's 2002 and compared it with my 2003. Big differentice was the weight. The 03 was definitely xc tuned. I was weary about putting a Rock shox boxer on it. The 02 model was a tank. You can do 20' drops and not work about cracks. Anybody want a 03 fluid for sale?
Submitted by
Kyle Nelson
a Weekend Warrior
from SC
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003
Strengths: Good Package for the money, excellent all around design, stout frame, horst link, rear lockout.
Weaknesses: Would have rather had a coilover rear shock, stem too long, front tire too skinny(2.1), front shock is not adjustable, mechanical brakes not the best, welgo flat pedals with reflectors?, rear wheel flew apart on 8th ride.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a pretty good balance of pedaling efficiency and aggressive capability for the price. I really like the frame, but some of the components will need to be upgraded with time. If you are on a budget and am impatient for a new bike as I was, this is a good package to purchase now and eventually upgrade some of the components one by one as you get the cash.
Bike Setup: Pretty much stock except for pedals, will upgrade brakes, wheels, and front tire next.
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Submitted by
Jol Foster
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2003
Strengths: good size for med height riders, relatively light for full suspesion bike. strong frame. overall tidy package for the money.
Weaknesses: head stem too long. rims and tires slightly on the narrow side. some extra adjustability on the front forks would be good. but all can be changed with time.
Bottom Line:
good reliable bike from a reliable manufacturer. best bike i tested for the money. for novice mtbr's and freeride beginners this is a good compromise package in a full suspension bike for the money. quality components used should ensure some hard riding and long life out of this bike. I'm happy !!!
Bike Setup: currently standard. head stem,wheels and tires on the shopping list.
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Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2003
Strengths: Small size for small riders. Horst Link. Excellent standover height. Relatively lightweight. Paid Cdn$2200, couldn't afford the $3200 Fluid 1.0
Weaknesses: dj3 fork adjustability (what adjustabilitiy, other than air pressure?) The mechanical Hayes work fine, but I swapped in Hydros from my old bike. Stock tires (kenda 2.1 stick-E) are kinda skinny, so I put on some Kujo DH in 2.35F + 2.25R. The stem is waaaay too long (EA70, 90mm). Would have been happier with a coil shock instead of the Fox Fload RL.
Bottom Line:
Nice riding bike, one of the only ones that fits small people properly (I'm 5'2") I wanted one last year, but they were sold out by the time I had the funding availible. More XC than last year's model, slightly lighter, and with 400g XC rims. I'm upgrading right away to a '03 Z1 FR (not the SL). I might change the bar from the EA30 to a Monkeylight SL Carbon to lose 1/2# off the front end as funds permit. I'm sooo excited to finally have a decent FS bike for playing on the Shore.
Bike Setup: Fluid 2.0, size small Hayes & Grimeca hydros, Kujo DH tires, notubes w/ Stan's sealant Axiom DH stem (45mm) Axiom Road Gap pedals buncha other parts from the old bike
