Putting the Fluid in Tiger Mountain's flow trails | Norco Fluid Review - Are value bikes more fun?

Summary

In this video, the rider reviews the Norco bike while exploring East Tiger Summit and Side Hustle Trails. Highlighting its 130mm rear and 140mm front travel, the rider praises the bike's playfulness and agility compared to their usual 170mm travel bike. The affordable Norco, which the rider purchased for $1,400, impresses with its smooth suspension, great handling, and solid components, like the TeKTRO Orion brakes and 200mm dropper post. Despite some minor issues with the drivetrain and grip comfort, the bike is fun and responsive on the trail, making it a great mid-range option for enthusiasts and beginners alike.

Takeaways

• 😀 The rider tested a Norco bike with 130mm rear travel and 140mm front travel on the East Tiger Summit Trail.
• 😀 The Norco bike felt incredibly playful and responsive, offering a different, more fun experience compared to the rider’s usual 170mm travel bike.
• 😀 The bike's short chainstays and steep head angle made it especially nimble and suitable for quick acceleration and aggressive descents.
• 😀 The Norco performed well downhill, with its suspension allowing for efficient pumping and great leverage on the terrain.
• 😀 Despite being priced at around $1,400, the bike offered impressive performance, especially for riders looking for an affordable entry-level option.
• 😀 The bike features a SX drivetrain, but the rider plans to swap out parts to upgrade it to the X01 components from a previous bike.
• 😀 The bike's suspension felt bottomless and handled aggressive rock gardens and technical terrain exceptionally well.
• 😀 The rider praised the 200mm dropper post, noting that many higher-end bikes still use shorter, cheaper droppers.
• 😀 The Victoria Maza and Martello tires, while different from the rider’s usual Minions, performed adequately but the rider had some concerns with cable rattle.
• 😀 The bike was noted to be very neutral for climbing, providing a good balance of comfort and control, even with higher-rise bars installed.
• 😀 Overall, the Norco bike proved to be a fun, versatile, and budget-friendly option for anyone looking to enjoy mountain biking without breaking the bank.

Q & A

What type of bike does the speaker mention in the video?

The speaker is riding a Norco bike, which is a short travel trail bike with 130 mm rear travel and 140 mm front travel.

What is the speaker’s opinion about the bike's performance on the trail?

The speaker finds the bike very playful and enjoyable, especially on downhill sections. They appreciate its ability to pump and leverage the suspension, making it more fun than their previous, longer-travel bikes.

What was the speaker's previous bike, and how does it compare to the new bike?

The speaker’s previous bike was a Transition Sentinel, which is a more burly bike with longer travel (170 mm). The new bike is seen as more playful and fun, particularly in downhill and jump sections.

Why did the speaker choose to buy this bike?

The speaker wanted to try a short travel bike and found this Norco at a good price of $1,400. They also wanted something fun and easier to ride for solo rides without putting miles on their more expensive, long-travel bike.

What components does the speaker plan to upgrade on the bike?

The speaker plans to upgrade the bike’s drivetrain from the SX version to the X01 components from their Specialized Enduro bike.

How does the speaker feel about the bike's suspension?

The speaker finds the suspension to be surprisingly effective, feeling bottomless and very well-tuned, even though they’re unsure about any custom tuning done by Norco.

What is the speaker’s opinion on the tires the bike comes with?

The speaker mentions that the Victoria Maza and Martello tires are fast-rolling but not the best in the muddy conditions, as they tend to get a bit squirrely.

What is the speaker’s biggest complaint about the bike?

The speaker’s biggest complaint is the cable rattle, which they have been trying to quiet down. They also didn’t like the e13 handlebars with the 20 mm rise and the hard grips that came with them.

What does the speaker think of the bike’s braking system?

The speaker is impressed by the Tekro Orion brakes, saying they perform well even with the smaller 180 mm front rotor. They feel similar to the TRP brakes they use on their other bike.

What is the speaker’s view on the bike's price relative to high-end bikes?

The speaker finds the bike to be a great value, especially compared to more expensive $5,000 to $7,000 bikes. They emphasize that for those looking for fun and quality at a more affordable price, this bike is an excellent choice.