Norco Fluid FS

83/100
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Facts

Gender
Release Year
Brand
Wheel Size
Number of Gears
Gearing Type
Weight
33.29 lb
Suspension
Brake Type
Frame Material

Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Norco Fluid FS. In summary, this is what cyclists think.

17 reasons to buy

  • The Norco Fluid FS is an affordable full suspension mountain bike.
  • Test riders were satisfied to discover that the bike is compatible with 27.5" or 29” wheels and tires.
  • 120mm of travel in the rear and 130mm of travel up front make this bike ideal for trail riding and down country terrain.
  • Wheel and tire sizes are specified based on the size of the rider's bike. Small sizes have 27.5” setups. Larger bikes have 29” setups.
  • The bike’s aluminum frame has a sleek, attractive appearance, according to testers.
  • Wide 800mm handlebars on the bike provide riders with great stability on a variety of terrain.
  • Experts found the X-Fusion Manic dropper post on the bike to be reliable.
  • 2.6” wide tires provide riders with flotation and the ability to run lower pressures, for a smoother ride over rough terrain.
  • The aluminum tubing is size-specific on the Fluid FS, providing riders with consistent stiffness across all sizes.
  • The Norco Fluid FS has a long wheelbase and slack head tube angle. This helps riders to conquer descents smoothly, at speed.
  • The bike has short chainstays, providing riders with playfulness through corners and over obstacles on the trail.
  • Experts were pleased that, even without a lockout lever, the bike did not bob on climbs.
  • The Horst Link four-bar suspension design provides riders with an efficient pedaling platform and traction.
  • The bike shifts smoothly with SRAM and Shimano drivetrains on each build.
  • Norco’s setup guide gives riders an accurate baseline for setting up the Fluid FS’s suspension to their height and weight.
  • The internally routed cables are held in place with grommets, to ensure a quiet ride.
  • A full-sized water bottle fits in the frame of the Fluid FS.

3 reasons not to buy

  • Testers found that Tektro brakes specced on the Norco Fluid FS 1 lacked effectiveness.
  • The bike is heavy, with a weight of almost 34 lbs.
  • Tall riders may find the dropper post insufficient, with only 150mm of travel available on size L and XL bikes.

Bottom line

The Norco Fluid FS is a budget-friendly mountain bike with 120mm of travel in the rear and 130mm of travel upfront. Smaller sizes of the bike come with a 27.5” setup, while larger sizes come with a 29” setup. The Fluid FS is stable through technical terrain and descents, thanks to wide handlebars, a low standover height and a slack head tube angle. The bike is heavy yet can still climb efficiently with its four-bar Horst link suspension set-up. The Fluid FS’s lower-end model is specced with Tektro brakes, which experts found lacked adequate stopping power. Test riders best describe the Norco Fluid FS as an entry-level, full-suspension bike that skilled riders will enjoy with a few upgrades.

Expert Reviews

79/100 based on 3 rated expert reviews
90

Tons of Fun on a Budget – Norco Fluid FS1 29er Review

Flowy, jumpy terrain is what the Fluid wants. Aggressive, nasty terrain is what the Fluid ain’t scared of. Where the enduro bike is overkill and the cross country bike is nerve-wracking, the Fluid is right at home.

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90
Bike Perfect

Norco Fluid FS1 2020 Tested

Norco always puts together a great spec package for the price and that’s certainly true of the Fluid FS 1.

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60

Norco Fluid FS3 Review

Overall, while the Norco’s shape is good, as a whole package it feels a bit dull compared to the competition. The fork was easily the worst on test, which has a big influence on the overall ride experience and reduces comfort, vision and concentration over bumpy terrain.

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$____ Norco Fluid FS3 Bike Review – Close, but Needs Better Brakes

It has glimmers of greatness offered by a solid chassis, but that sheen is dulled by inefficient suspension and by incompetent brakes.

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2020 Norco Fluid FS2 Review!

This bike really helps me gain confidence and lets me roll over all kinds of stuff that I would have been nervous to before.

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Trail Talk MTB

2019 Norco Fluid FS1 | Long-Term Review

The bike really is playful, fun, stable, wants to jump, loves drops, all that kind of stuff like that. It was really good in those kinds of situations.

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Brouhaha Mtb

Having a Blast On Merlin View Trail… Again // Norco Fluid FS1 Test Ride

It climbed really well.

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MNFATBIKEFAMILY 1

Norco Fluid Test Ride

So far this Norco feels awesome. Pretty comfortable, going from a fat bike to a full suspension 29”.

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Mountain Bike Action

Bike Test: Norco Fluid FS1

Riders looking to score a great deal now and have a bike they can upgrade later will find Norco’s all-new Fluid FS 1 is a bike made for them.

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Review: The 2019 Norco Fluid FS1 29er Packs a Punch With High Value Build

The highest-spec 29” FS1 model I tested is what I’d call a high entry-level bike, and it offers everything any new or mid-level rider should need to push their riding further. The 120mm travel two niner also makes a great all around trail machine, which is ideal for riders who can only justify owning one bike.

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Australian Mountain Bike

Tested: Norco Fluid FS1

It’s a trail bike that Norco designed to have ‘confidence inspiring handling’ and be ‘playful with an unmatched fun factor’ and to be there for you on any trail you decide to explore. And better yet, it does so with killer value.

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Norco Fluid FS1 Women’s Review- Modern Flow Fun

The Norco Fluid is an amazing modern full suspension bike that could grow with the owner’s enthusiasm for the sport. It could be easily upgraded with lighter tires, bars and saddle for minimal investment. If you are a smaller and less aggressive rider you could upgrade the wheelset for something lighter and get an even more nimble, playful ride.

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Everyday MTB

Norco Fluid FS1 Ride Review

This bike could easily be used as a budget “down-country” bike or just as a general trail bike. Swap on some faster rolling and lighter tires and I would not hesitate to take this out to a XC race. Leave those original 2.6″ tires on and it would make a great general purpose trail bike.

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User Ratings

90/100 based on 1 ratings
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Bike Comparison

Norco Fluid FS in comparison to averages

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