2023 Norco Fluid FS Short Term Update

Summary

In this review of the 2023 Norco Fluid FS A2, the owner reflects on their four-month experience, logging 200 miles. They discuss various upgrades, including a Fox 36 fork and coil shock, which enhance performance, especially for climbing and descending. While the bike’s geometry and ride quality are praised, there are minor issues with stock components such as the grips, chainring, and hubs. Despite these, the speaker reaffirms their satisfaction with the bike, highlighting its value, price, and the overall riding experience, even after being tempted by a friend’s Capra.

Takeaways

• 😀 The reviewer owns a 2023 Norco Fluid FS A2 aluminum mountain bike, which they've had for about four months and ridden approximately 200 miles.
• 😀 The bike has undergone several component upgrades since purchase, including changes to the fork, shock, and chainring.
• 😀 The reviewer mentions a 'close call' with breaking a bolt on the bike, which led to a temporary switch to a friend's Capra bike.
• 😀 Some components, like the grips, wear out quickly and feel thin, though they are an easy and inexpensive fix (around $25-30).
• 😀 The stock 30-tooth Praxis chainring was swapped for a 32-tooth for better gearing on fast, local trails, though the Shimano chain and SRAM chainring don’t perfectly mesh.
• 😀 Cable routing, especially around the rear shock, could be better as the cables rubbed on the shock's stanchion, but the issue was mitigated with tape and adjustments.
• 😀 The hubs, though functional, lack the desired engagement for the reviewer's riding style, with a preference for high or instant engagement hubs like Onyx.
• 😀 The main reasons for choosing this bike include its price, component build, and geometry.
• 😀 The reviewer upgraded the fork to a Fox 36 with 160mm of travel (from a Marzocchi Bomber Z2 with 140mm) for better performance, though the head tube angle changed from 65° to 64°.
• 😀 The rear shock was upgraded from a Fox Float X Performance to a coil shock, which improved traction and handling, especially on descents and climbs. The shock was over-stroked to 210x55mm for increased travel (130mm).
• 😀 The increased front travel (160mm) raised the bike's bottom bracket, reducing pedal strikes and enhancing pedaling efficiency, especially on climbs and out of corners.

Q & A

What are the main reasons the rider decided to buy the 2023 Norco Fluid FS A2?

The rider chose the Norco Fluid FS A2 because of its price, components, and geometry. The bike offers good value with solid components at a reasonable price, and the geometry suits their riding style.

What is the rider's experience with the stock grips on the bike?

The rider found the stock grips to be too narrow and thin. After taking a few spills, the grips showed significant wear. The rider considers this a minor issue that can be easily fixed with a replacement.

Why did the rider replace the stock chainring, and what did they switch it to?

The rider replaced the stock 30-tooth Praxis chainring with a 32-tooth chainring to achieve better speed on certain local trails. They were reaching the top speed on the 30-tooth chainring and needed the 32-tooth for more efficient pedaling at higher speeds.

What issue did the rider experience with the bike's cables, and how did they fix it?

The cables running to the derailleur and rear brake were rubbing against the shock's stanchion. The rider resolved this by applying tape to keep the cables in place and prevent friction. The issue improved after switching to a coil shock, as the cables were better tucked underneath.

How does the rider feel about the stock hubs, and do they plan to replace them?

The rider is not happy with the stock hubs, as they lack high engagement, which is a preference for the rider. While the hubs are still functional, the rider plans to eventually replace them with higher-engagement hubs for better performance.

What fork did the rider replace the stock Marzocchi Bomber Z2 with, and why?

The rider swapped the stock Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fork for a Fox 36 fork with 160mm travel. The rider specifically wanted the Fox 36 for its performance, and they got a great deal on it. Although the stock fork had 140mm travel, the rider was happy with the 160mm travel fork and doesn't necessarily plan to reduce it to 150mm.

How did swapping the fork to the Fox 36 affect the bike's geometry?

Swapping the fork to a Fox 36 with 160mm travel made the head tube angle slacker, going from 65° to 64°, which is still within the rider's preferred range. This change improved the bike's descending capabilities without compromising the overall ride.

What modifications did the rider make to the shock, and how did they affect the bike's performance?

The rider replaced the stock Fox Float X Performance shock with a coil shock, increasing the shock's travel to 130mm by over-stroking it (210mm eye-to-eye, 55mm stroke). This modification greatly improved traction, climbing efficiency, and descending performance, especially on more technical trails.

Does the rider have any concerns about the overall balance of the bike after these modifications?

The rider feels that the increased front fork travel (160mm) may unbalance the bike compared to the rear shock, which has been over-stroked to 130mm. They are undecided about whether to adjust the fork travel to 150mm to restore balance but are generally happy with the current setup.

How does the rider feel about the climbing and descending performance after the upgrades?

The rider is extremely satisfied with the climbing and descending performance after the upgrades. The coil shock provides excellent traction, especially for technical climbing, and the Fox 36 fork offers stability for descending. The bike is described as responsive and efficient, particularly when boosting out of corners.