Norco really seems to be hitting them out of the park as of late. I know many people who LOVE their Norco bikes (Bike Somm, I'm thinking of you!) and I am very much considering a Norco as a future purchase.
As an Optic owner, that Fluid sure is sweet. Very similar bikes but with some differences, be curious to hear a breakdown of the two bikes side-by-side.
I had a optic with CC link and now have a 2023 fluid. I can tell you it’s a more fun bike! More forgiving. Don’t have to have it pinned to come alive. Climbing is much better. Better Bb clearance and still snappy. I have some short videos on it.
I have the 2019 fluid fs1 with some lighter wheels and tyres, it weighs 13.7kg with pedals, its super fun to ride, its agile, responsive, lively and poppy, plus stable, I took the fs a3 for a ride around a parking lot to get a basic idea on what it rides like, and it wasn't the same bike anymore, it felt like a generic heavy trail bike, slower enduro like steering, hard to get a rebound pop out of the suspension, and much harder to get the front wheel up, its like norco changed it from a fun playful bike to a short travel enduro bike, so I'm not upgrading, I much prefer the older model, and on top of that the price has gone up too, in my country the 2021 fs1 cost $3800 and came with a rockshox deluxe shock and pike select fork, where the fs a3 costs $200 more and comes with a crappy x-fusion shock and rockshox 35 silver tk fork, the fs a2 has good spec but it costs $800 more.
Sorry two things, everyone did nearly everything you pointed except within regards to brakes and some did add larger rotors. Second and this one particular affects me the 150mm travel posts ven on smalls on a bike with 29in tires will affect people whose inseam is particularly short. You can actually have the seat post fully inserted and still be too high to negate having that much travel unless you get something with adjustable travel like a Ranier Gen 3. 100-125mm Travel is still the more reasonabl;e option on a size small bike.
Gorgeous bike, very nice XT spec and looks like a great decision for bike of the year. Funny that I can't feel attracted by bikes with less than 150mm.🤙🏻
How tall is the test rider? Im 5’9 140pounds and the large frame feels to large. But norco size chart recommends a large. I don’t want to make the mistake of buying a Medium
norco doesn't recommend it and with no geo adjustments on the bike, you'd probably have to mess w/ shock eye-to-eye or offset bushings to keep it from scraping the ground w/ the small rear wheel. not worth the hassle/cost.
Norco is a bike company that understand the needs of bikers in the world. Absolutely awesome bike with a very fair price. Well done Norco
Its cool to see Vital picking a bike thats great for the price not just great with an unlimited budget!
Norco really seems to be hitting them out of the park as of late. I know many people who LOVE their Norco bikes (Bike Somm, I'm thinking of you!) and I am very much considering a Norco as a future purchase.
I just walked into a bike shop and bought one of these, no clue what I was buying, but looks like a smart choice! Love the bike.
Lucky you. Mines been on back order for three months
As an Optic owner, that Fluid sure is sweet. Very similar bikes but with some differences, be curious to hear a breakdown of the two bikes side-by-side.
Second this
An Optic with a Cascade link is also 130r 140f. Interested in how they would compare.
@@robertkeith9620 Would love a CC link just can't justify the cost :(, would think they would ride very similarly
third this
I had a optic with CC link and now have a 2023 fluid. I can tell you it’s a more fun bike! More forgiving. Don’t have to have it pinned to come alive. Climbing is much better. Better Bb clearance and still snappy. I have some short videos on it.
I'd love a direct comparison to the Marin Rift Zone XR.
I have the 2019 fluid fs1 with some lighter wheels and tyres, it weighs 13.7kg with pedals, its super fun to ride, its agile, responsive, lively and poppy, plus stable, I took the fs a3 for a ride around a parking lot to get a basic idea on what it rides like, and it wasn't the same bike anymore, it felt like a generic heavy trail bike, slower enduro like steering, hard to get a rebound pop out of the suspension, and much harder to get the front wheel up, its like norco changed it from a fun playful bike to a short travel enduro bike, so I'm not upgrading, I much prefer the older model, and on top of that the price has gone up too, in my country the 2021 fs1 cost $3800 and came with a rockshox deluxe shock and pike select fork, where the fs a3 costs $200 more and comes with a crappy x-fusion shock and rockshox 35 silver tk fork, the fs a2 has good spec but it costs $800 more.
I just brought home the 2023 Fluid FS A2 two days ago. Sweet bike!
I went in to buy the A2 and he said he could get me the A1 for the same price... I was like.. WHAT? YES .. 1000% yes.
@@snowman22ism YAAA WOW! That's amazing! congrats!
@@dems_mtb Did you get the Silver one with the red fork or the sweet blue one with the copper lettering?
@@snowman22ism silver wth red fork
This bike beat a 10k Yeti on the ups and downs In the pink bike field test, def deserves BOTY !!
I made the mistake of renting one of these in Quebec. It was so much better than my bike I have to buy one now
Sorry two things, everyone did nearly everything you pointed except within regards to brakes and some did add larger rotors. Second and this one particular affects me the 150mm travel posts ven on smalls on a bike with 29in tires will affect people whose inseam is particularly short. You can actually have the seat post fully inserted and still be too high to negate having that much travel unless you get something with adjustable travel like a Ranier Gen 3. 100-125mm Travel is still the more reasonabl;e option on a size small bike.
Optic comparison please.
Actually it's the 2022 Specialized S-WORKS Enduro LTD 👏👍💪
3999?
got my Norco Fluid A1 today 😎
What a sub $5000 bike wins BOTY23 ?! Why not a $12,000+ dream build? Blasphemy!!! Oh the Horror !!!
that bike is $4999.99 here in Canada
The difference between a great bike and a fantastic bike comes down to the rider. 😊
A bike is just a bike until you put a rider on it.. :)
Gorgeous bike, very nice XT spec and looks like a great decision for bike of the year. Funny that I can't feel attracted by bikes with less than 150mm.🤙🏻
A Good choice...Nice !!
Good choice,
Norco powa 💕💕💕💕
Norco looks great! I can have Giant trance x advanced pro 2 for same price. Any advice please? Tough decision...
Really? I just looked this bike up and it's retail price is over $1200 more. You must be getting a sick deal.
Quite similar to the bike I chose.
How tall is the test rider?
Im 5’9 140pounds and the large frame feels to large. But norco size chart recommends a large. I don’t want to make the mistake of buying a Medium
at 5'9, we'd go for the medium. in general, our testers like a more playful bike fit than a stretched-out fit.
@@vitalmtbthank you so much!!!
I'm 5-9 and 215 lbs. Just got a medium FS A2 and the fit is great. The software they use won't show medium for 5-9, it shows large.
Could you do a mullet set up
norco doesn't recommend it and with no geo adjustments on the bike, you'd probably have to mess w/ shock eye-to-eye or offset bushings to keep it from scraping the ground w/ the small rear wheel. not worth the hassle/cost.
@@vitalmtb could you do it if you changed the fork to 150
@@fullsendmtbbois6149 following