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Norco Fluild LT 3 anyone ?

1148 Views 10 Replies 9 Participants Last post by aryman, Apr 2, 2010

PizzaMan

Discussion Starter · Dec 28, 2009

Hello
I've got the 2009 Norco Fluid LT3 as my second bike.
My main ride is a light 29er hardtail.
I used to ride a SC Nomad, but since my rides became more XC oriented I sold it and got 2 bikes instead, the HT for most rides and the Norco for those rare technical rides.
The thing is, I'm having a hard time riding the Norco .
On descents & also on slow technical climbs, it shines.
But on those XC or paved climbes that are sometimes part of the ride I feel the bike is really heavy and I need to put in a lot of effort to keep it moving. I actually can't keep up with my buddies, while on the other bike they don't stand a chance keeping up with me.
I know what 6" bikes feel like, but I got a feeling mine is more sluggish than others.

What I am actually asking, is there a magic trick to make the Norco more XC friendly for those XC sections ?
Are those stock Nevegal tires super heavy or highly roll resistant ? Any other cheap upgrade that would make me feel better on the XC ?
Thanks
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JimC.

· #2 · Dec 28, 2009

Some rambling thoughts...

same issues for me but different bike and different riding areas (I'm on Vancouver's Norshore on a Knolly Endorphin)

I can't speak to your bike specifically, but yes I do think you've got some rotational weight issues there with perhaps heavier rims and the Nevegals (which BTW are great tires with very low rolling resistance). I can't offer any advice, but here's an extensive review of the LT2 here on MTBR that might offer some insight?
http://reviews.mtbr.com/blog/2009-norco-fluid-lt-2/
Good luck, and FWIW, I'm always last with my friends; it's my heart and lung capacity though, plus a heavier bike. I've learned to live with it.

Jim

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PizzaMan

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 28, 2009

I read it before I got my bike and it was rather encouraging. But my personal experiance is a bit differant. I'm not too strong, and have learned over the years that a light and efficient bike makes a hugh differance for my position in my riding group.

I would also like to hear from people who own this bike, maybe the conclusion I will reach is that I'm totally out of shape, and me thinking I'm fast is only an illusion becuase my lighter bike gives me an edge.

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JimC.

· #4 · Dec 28, 2009

Not out of shape

the LT is an all mountain ride, it's not supposed to be fast. OTOH neither is the Nomad. I kept my Stumpy FSR when I bought my 34lb Knolly, but now I never use it, even though it's faster on trail rides @28lb. On descents it simply isn't up to snuff (too flexy), & not enough travel.

I really don't know what you might try, but my 1st thought is that the LT is not designed to be an XC bike nor is it designed to be fast on trails, except maybe going down. Norco claims the bike is for Norshore trails and Enduro, whatever Enduro is???

All I can think of is using 2.1 Nevegals and perhaps a lighter rim, if your riding and descending allows for that.

Good luck, Jim

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fsrxc

· #5 · Dec 29, 2009

Try some faster rolling tires and light tubes.

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coolatt

· #6 · Apr 2, 2010

JimC. said:
the LT is an all mountain ride, it's not supposed to be fast.

I really don't know what you might try, but my 1st thought is that the LT is not designed to be an XC bike nor is it designed to be fast on trails, except maybe going down. Norco claims the bike is for Norshore trails and Enduro, whatever Enduro is???

All I can think of is using 2.1 Nevegals and perhaps a lighter rim, if your riding and descending allows for that.

Good luck, Jim

I agree with these comments. I ride in Vancouver's rather technical terrain. The Fluid LT is pretty good going down although the head angle is a tad steep, and it climbs technical terrain pretty good. It is on the heavy side though, at least if feels that way. I have a Remedy as well that I swapp wheels with back and forth. The weight difference between the two bikes is about two pounds but the Fluid LT pedals noticably slower/heavier. I think the Remedy is just has a more efficient/less supple rear end while the Fluid is more plush.

Probably your best bet is to run light tires. Also if you can afford it get a rear shock with a propedal lever so you can turn the platform on and off. That makes quite a difference too

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Dr.Zoidberg

· #7 · Apr 2, 2010

I have a 6x6 AM bike as well and notice the same, especially fire roads where I just can't seem to generate the torque even in the 2nd cog. The problem? most likely my mud dedicated tires. I slay on proper mtb terrain but on fire roads and hard pack it's very sluggish.

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DGB

· #8 · Apr 2, 2010

fsrxc said:
Try some faster rolling tires and light tubes.

+1 :thumbsup:

FWIW, Personally I found the 2.35 Nevs (on friends' Reigns) to be really draggy and seriously sap energy. My friends have since moved on to more grippy but better rolling tyres as they came to the same conclusions.

I have a lighter HT (26") and a 6x6 bike. While I ride the HT more than the FS, I find that it's worthwhile to stick with the FS for more than the odd ride as it helps to build fitness and is great fun. It's never going to roll/accelerate as well as a light HT but that's not what it's about.

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antiherohio

· #9 · Apr 2, 2010

I have the LT2 and it feels the same. Really seems to handle great on slower tech climbs and rails on decents. The bike does feel heavy(because it is?) @ 35lbs. The stock DHX 3.0 is propedal valved and I don't get much if any bob out of mine. There are quite a few ways to lighten the bike up, if you have the money. The fork is pushing 5.5lbs and the wheel set is pretty heavy also, but, seems to handle all of the abuse I can throw at it.

I'm running ghetto tubless w/ WTB Mutanoraptor tires, which seem slightly faster than the Nevgals that came on it, but not much.

If I had the $, I'd probably go with a lighter fork, wheelset, and cassette. I'm pretty sure you could get it closer to the 31ish lbs mark, pretty easily.

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slowlybutsurly

· #10 · Apr 2, 2010

I also have the LT 2 (09 model) & i trimmed the weight down to 29 lbs by changing to lighter tires, DH casing 2.3 Nevs front & rear to regular(?) 2.3 Nevs up front & 2.1 SB8 in the rear. Changed the Marz Bomber to RS Revelation Race, thats a whopping 2.5 (approx.) lost. I dont know if changing the cockpit made a difference. Replaced the drivetrain from Truvativ & Sram to all XT.

My current setup is around 30 lbs because i changed the stock 317s to Flows & the ultra-light Exustar platforms to slightly heavier Answer Roves. Im looking for 2.3 SB8s to replace the 2.1 in the rear so that would be + a few more grams. I think 30 lbs is a decent weight for a 6" travel AM bike.

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aryman

· #11 · Apr 2, 2010

try a tubeless conversion first,i like stans but ghetto looks good too.it made my 49lb bike roll much better and fire road climbs were doable.

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