Mountain bike technology is constantly evolving, but sometimes the best advancements are not about flashy new features but rather refining the core riding experience. It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of the latest innovations, but the truth is, many riders simply want a reliable, capable bike that allows them to focus on the joy of riding. In a market saturated with high-end and niche models, the Norco Fluid FS emerges as a refreshing reminder of what a great trail bike should be: accessible, versatile, and simply fun.
The Norco Fluid FS isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. Instead, Norco aimed to create a bike that blends the best aspects of their previous Fluid and Optic platforms, delivering a potent combination of performance and value. This approach results in a trail bike that doesn’t demand attention with extravagant features but quietly excels in providing a balanced and enjoyable ride across a wide range of terrains. For riders seeking a mountain bike that prioritizes the trail experience above all else, the Norco Fluid FS warrants a closer look.
The Norco Fluid FS: A trail bike that’s as good-looking as it is functional.
Setup: Dialing in the Ride
Finding the ideal setup for any bike can be a journey, and the Fluid FS was no exception. While Norco’s recommended settings provided a solid starting point, fine-tuning was essential to unlock the bike’s full potential across diverse riding environments. Initially, on the steep and technical trails of Vancouver’s North Shore, the factory settings felt adequate, though not entirely perfect. There was a slight sense of imbalance between the front and rear, hinting at a need for adjustment.
The move to the faster, more varied trails of Vancouver Island’s Comox Valley highlighted this further. The initial setup, optimized for the Shore’s chunk, felt somewhat overdamped and caused the rear to buck on the quicker, chatter-filled trails. Confidence waned, and it became clear that a shift in setup was needed. Through experimentation, a more open fork compression setting and lower pressure, combined with adjustments to the rear shock and bar roll, brought a significant improvement. The final settings, detailed below, unlocked a newfound sense of control and speed.
Cockpit
- Bar width: 790 mm
- Stem length: 40 mm
- Spacers under stem: 15 mm
- Bar roll: Rise in line with steerer / head tube
Fox 34 fork
- Air spring: 70 psi (25% sag)
- LSC: Fully open
- HSC: Fully open
- LSR: 7 clicks from closed
- HSR: 7 clicks from closed
Fox Float X shock
- Air spring: 180 psi (30% sag)
- LSC: 7 clicks from closed
- HSC: 8 clicks from closed
Vittoria tires
- Mazza 2.4″ Trail front: 20 psi (tubeless, insertless)
- Martello 2.35″ Trail rear: 25 psi (tubeless, insertless)
Autumn riding on the Norco Fluid FS, perfectly set up for cross-country trails.
Riding Impressions: Performance Across Disciplines
The Norco Fluid FS proves to be a versatile performer, handling various aspects of mountain biking with competence and a touch of flair.
Climbing: Efficient and Grippy
Ascending on the Fluid FS is a surprisingly pleasant experience. The rear suspension strikes a sweet spot, feeling both active enough to maintain traction on technical climbs and supportive enough to provide an efficient pedaling platform. There’s a subtle but noticeable anti-squat characteristic that contributes to a feeling of forward momentum without sacrificing grip. Throughout testing, the climb switch remained untouched, a testament to the suspension’s inherent climbing efficiency. The initial weight balance concerns experienced were effectively resolved through the refined fork and cockpit setup.
While the Fluid FS carries a bit of heft at 15.5 kg (34 lbs), this weight penalty is only truly noticeable when lifting the bike onto a car rack or carrying it up stairs. On the trail, the weight becomes less of a factor, especially considering the bike’s balanced climbing dynamics.
Cross Country: Capable Cruiser
The meandering, flatter trails often classified as cross-country in Cumberland were tackled with ease by the Fluid FS. It wasn’t a bike that begged to be pushed to its limits on these terrains, but it provided a comfortable and efficient ride. The Fluid FS simply gets the job done, allowing riders to enjoy the flow of the trail without demanding excessive input.
Descending: Confidence-Inspiring and Fun
Descending is where the Fluid FS truly shines. It’s a bike that manages to be both capable and forgiving, catering to a broad spectrum of riding styles from relaxed cruising to more aggressive trail shredding. Even on the first rides, despite unfamiliar components and setup experimentation, the Fluid FS immediately felt fun and lively.
Once the suspension and cockpit were dialed in, and familiarity with the brakes and tires grew, the Fluid FS encouraged pushing boundaries. Speed became easier to find, and the bike remained remarkably composed even on fast, chattery trails. While the 140mm front and 130mm rear travel have their limits, the Fluid FS operates ideally within its mid-travel trail bike category. It excels on moderately challenging blue and single black trails, handling moderately fast, steep, and technical terrain with confidence. However, the Fluid FS is also capable enough to tackle more demanding trails, expanding its versatility beyond typical mid-travel expectations. The geometry and suspension work in harmony, creating a balanced and predictable ride feel in most situations, perfectly complementing the available travel.
Flowing through blue trails in Cumberland, the Fluid FS feels perfectly at home.
Tackling light black technical trails with confidence on the Norco Fluid FS.
Comparison: Norco Fluid FS vs. Canyon Spectral 125
The Canyon Spectral 125, previously reviewed, shares a similar paper specification with the Fluid FS in terms of travel and geometry, suggesting a comparable riding experience. However, closer examination reveals subtle but significant differences that translate to distinct on-trail personalities.
The Spectral 125, with its slightly slacker 64° head tube angle and Fox 36 fork paired with 125mm of rear travel, leans towards a more aggressive demeanor compared to the Fluid FS’s 65° head angle, 130mm travel, and Fox 34 fork. These nuances in specification become apparent on the trail. The Spectral 125 consistently urges the rider to push harder and faster, demanding a high level of focus and skill to manage its shorter travel at speed. When ridden aggressively, the Spectral 125 delivers a rewarding and engaging experience. However, on mellower trails or when not riding at peak performance, it can feel less inspiring and even demanding.
In contrast, the Fluid FS presents a more forgiving and approachable character. While pushing hard on challenging trails will eventually reach the limits of its travel, the Fluid FS handles these situations with less harshness and maintains composure more readily. It’s also noticeably more enjoyable at slower speeds and on less demanding trails, making it a more versatile and user-friendly option. This friendly nature, while broadly positive, does make the Fluid FS slightly less engaging than the more demanding Spectral 125 when pushing the limits.
Interestingly, despite being slightly heavier than the Spectral 125, the Fluid FS proved to be a more agreeable climber. This is attributed to the Fluid FS’s slightly higher anti-squat, providing a more responsive and efficient feel under pedal power. Both bikes offer ample traction on technical climbs, but the Fluid FS edges ahead in overall climbing feel.
In summary, the Fluid FS emerges as the more balanced and versatile bike, catering to a wider range of riders and riding styles. The Spectral 125, while capable, occupies a more niche position, appealing to riders seeking a more aggressive and demanding short-travel trail bike experience. While the Spectral 125’s range overlaps with the more experienced end of the Fluid FS’s spectrum, it also extends further into more aggressive terrain, albeit with a narrower overall appeal.
The Norco Fluid FS: A balanced and well-rounded trail companion.
The Canyon Spectral 125: More engaging but ultimately more niche in its appeal.
Technical Report: The Creaking Mystery
Throughout the test period, the Fluid FS performed flawlessly in terms of functionality. However, after about a month of riding, an intermittent creaking noise developed. As the dry summer conditions persisted, the creak became more frequent and noticeable, prompting investigation. The noise seemed to manifest under pedaling load, both seated and standing.
Troubleshooting involved a systematic approach, addressing common culprits like pivot points, chainring interfaces, and bottom brackets. Each component was meticulously cleaned, greased or threadlocked as needed, and reassembled to the correct torque specifications. Despite disassembling and rebuilding the suspension pivots, the creaking initially subsided but returned shortly after. Suspicions then fell on a potentially dry direct mount chainring interface, but greasing this area also yielded no improvement.
Eventually, accepting defeat, the focus shifted to stoicism, attempting to ignore the noise and concentrate on the ride itself. Norco, upon being informed of the issue, acknowledged the thorough troubleshooting efforts and pledged to investigate the bike upon its return. Reassuringly, Norco was unaware of any widespread creaking issues with production Fluid FS bikes, suggesting this was an isolated incident with the test model. While the exact cause remains unresolved, the possibility of a simple, overlooked issue lingers.
Somewhere within the Fluid FS, a persistent creak arose, adding an unexpected element to the test.
Despite the mysterious noise, the fun factor of the Fluid FS remained undiminished.
Components: Spec Highlights
The components selected for the Fluid FS performed reliably and as intended throughout the duration of the test. Certain components stood out, warranting specific mention, while others, such as the drivetrain and cockpit parts, performed their roles without requiring further comment.
Fox Float Factory 34 GRIP2 140mm fork: The Fox 34 fork impressed from the outset with its smooth and controlled performance. While a 34mm stanchion fork naturally offers less stiffness than a 36mm counterpart, this proved to be a non-issue for the tester, who is not an exceptionally aggressive or heavy rider. For riders fitting a more aggressive or heavier profile, a burlier fork, potentially at 150mm of travel, could be a worthwhile upgrade, further enhancing the Fluid FS’s capabilities.
Fox Float X Performance Elite rear shock: The Float X rear shock, featuring Low-Speed Compression (LSC) and Low-Speed Rebound (LSR) adjustments with a practical range, proved to be a well-matched component for the Fluid FS. Its performance was consistent and effective, complementing the bike’s overall character. The climb switch, as previously mentioned, was deemed unnecessary on the Fluid FS due to the suspension’s inherent pedaling efficiency.
TRP Trail Evo 4-piston brakes: The TRP Trail Evo brakes required an initial period of adaptation. The brake pads exhibited a longer-than-usual bed-in period, and the lever ergonomics differed slightly from Shimano and SRAM brakes. The bite point engaged relatively early in the lever stroke, and even the shortest lever reach setting remained somewhat extended. However, once accustomed to the TRP brakes, confidence in their performance grew significantly. They operated quietly, offered pleasant modulation, and delivered more than adequate braking power in the dry test conditions. Regrettably, wet-weather performance testing was limited.
Wheels: Stan’s Flow S2 rims on Bear Pawl hubs: Concerns were raised in initial impressions regarding the Stan’s Flow S2 wheelset, with some considering them a potential weak point in the Fluid FS’s specification. However, throughout the test, the wheels proved to be robust and reliable. The rims remained true, and the hubs spun smoothly without developing play. No noticeable flex or stiffness issues were observed, leading to the conclusion that these wheels are a perfectly suitable and well-rounded choice for the Fluid FS.
Vittoria Mazza 2.4 (front) and Martello 2.35 (rear) tires: The Vittoria tire combination was of particular interest, and the test provided an opportunity for extended evaluation. The Mazza front tire shares similarities in appearance and performance with popular tires like the Maxxis DHF or Specialized Butcher. The Martello rear tire, with its knob pattern and ride characteristics, evokes comparisons to the Schwalbe Nobby Nic. In the dry summer conditions, the Martello rolled efficiently while providing sufficient cornering grip and climbing traction. Limited experience in damp conditions suggested reasonable performance on wet roots and rocks, though perhaps slightly less grip than a Maxxis DHF/DHR2 Maxxterra combination and considerably less than Maxxgrip variants.
TranzX 200 mm dropper post (out of spec): The test bike was equipped with a TranzX dropper post, differing from the SDG Tellis dropper specified for production models. Therefore, the TranzX’s somewhat slow return speed isn’t held against the Fluid FS. The 200mm drop, however, was highly appreciated, providing ample room for maneuverability on the bike, particularly given its 77° seat tube angle. A dropper post with less travel would be considered a compromise on this bike.
The TRP Trail Evo brakes: Surprising performers that proved to be excellent in dry conditions.
The Vittoria Mazza and Martello tires proved to be a good match for the extended summer conditions.
Final Words
The Norco Fluid FS deliberately avoids the trends and extremes that define much of the current mountain bike market. It’s not carbon, not a mullet, and lacks high-pivot suspension or electronic wizardry. It’s also not a steel hardtail or a niche creation from a small workshop. Instead, the Fluid FS occupies the sweet spot in the middle, embracing proven technology and delivering it in an accessible and affordable package. It’s a trail bike for riders who prioritize function over flash, offering options for various body sizes and budgets.
Whether you are new to mountain biking or a seasoned rider, the Fluid FS is designed to accommodate your needs and grow with your skills. It’s a versatile platform that provides a solid foundation for progression and enjoyment on the trails.
Norco has truly excelled with the new Fluid FS. It’s a remarkably well-rounded trail bike capable of handling a wide spectrum of riders and terrain with grace and competence. The size-scaled geometry and extensive size range, from S to XXL, make it particularly appealing to riders at both ends of the height spectrum.
While any bike designed to meet a specific price point involves compromises, the Fluid FS minimizes these effectively. Weight-conscious riders might find the Fluid FS a bit heavier than desired, especially in the lower-priced models. Norco’s “min-max” component spec philosophy may not perfectly align with every rider’s preferences. Internal cable routing might be a point of contention for some. However, none of these potential drawbacks detracted from the positive riding experience during testing.
Ultimately, the Norco Fluid FS earns a strong recommendation for anyone seeking a capable and versatile short to mid-travel trail bike. It’s a bike that disappears beneath you on the trail, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: the ride itself.
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For more information, visit norco.com
A thank you to Vik Banerjee, NSMB community member and forum moderator, for his excellent riding photography in this review!
Niels van Kampenhout
Location: Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, BC
Model Year: 1980
Height: 187 cm / 6’2″
Weight: 78 kg / 172 lbs
Riding style: Zenduro™
