Did The Norco Fluid Deserve Mountain Bike of the Year?

It was epic to try this bike out in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast of Australia. I have to say I'm quite impressed. Norco has done something really special here, and I think it's a win for the bike industry as a whole. Hopefully other brands follow!
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[@JustACrows]

I bought the Norco A4 (the lowest spec) and have been riding it for almost a year. It has handled everything I have thrown at it and some pretty gnarly double back trails. I currently haven’t made any upgrades so I’ve been very impressed.

[@andrewscanzano4846]

I have the Norco Fluid A2, 2023. Zero complaints about the Bike, I have thrown it at everything, I live in Quebec the terrain is extremely rocky and this bike takes a beating and keeps going. I do think it could go with a few modifications, but keeping the bike stock is just fine. Overall a good price for what you get.

[@guyonthetube6366]

I have the A4, lowest spec. I'm 6'4" with a long reach so the XXL frame is one of the first bikes that feels like it actually fits. I had to replace the stock bear pawls brand hub twice. First time under warranty, second time I realized it was a crap hub and put on a DT Swiss 350 per the recommendation of an enduro rider. It's been a solid bike, but I look forward to upgrading to fox suspension when I'm ready to spend that much.

[@jimstockdale7761]

Nice video! A quick note from Canada, I have the A1 and I just love it! Previous trail bike was a Giant Trance 29er. I have a Norco Bigfoot S1 with 5" studded tires for winter and the Fluid FS A1 for the other seasons. Love them both!!!

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Cheers! Oh mate that's a nice setup. Really keen to try get on an A1 at some point. It's a killer spec

[@themjb24]

How do you find the trance 29 compares to the fluid? Im trying to decide between them

[@jimstockdale7761]

Hi@@themjb24, The Trance is a very good bike , don't get me wrong, but I find the geometry on the Fluid was immediately more comfortable and my first ride showed it to be much faster, without any extra effort. It climbed far better and seemed like it "wanted" to jump and take on the tech. The only issue I have is the cranks, at 174mm, are too long. I have 165mm on the way. I hope this helps. Jim

[@snat6299]

Definitely considering the A1, thanks for the review, Love the Vittoria tires had a set on my Ripmo and liked them better than the Maxxis I currently run. Never had a flat and they wear well even on rocky terrain in the US. Keep up the good work

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Cheers mate! It’s an epic spec aye. I’m super surprised by those tires. I can’t believe I didn’t flat on that last trail. Definitely considering trying them next time!

[@aaronbuckingham9862]

You rode my local and I'm 90% sure you rode it after all the work done there so your timing was good 👍. The trail crew did an awesome job. Your channel is great mate

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Cheers mate! The trails were absolutely prime. Couldn’t have timed it better! Love to go back one day and get a few more laps in

[@jamiehamilton3253]

Great vid as usual! Honest to good kiwi banga! Looking forward to the long term of the Canyon 👍 Also keen to see James's long term thoughts on his Meta as well! 🤘

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Cheers mate! Both those videos coming very soon. Just being held up with the combination of bad weather and work hahaha.

[@Number18ster]

Really well done bike review, much appreciated! I'm looking at getting a fluid to get back into riding again after leaving the dh & xc race scene for a while.

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Cheers mate! Appreciate it. I think it’s a perfect choice for that. The feel on the trail is super predictable and stable so it will be great for getting back up to speed.

[@ridesurf]

Heading from NZ to Noosa myself soon on holiday. Looks well worth the time hiring a bike and checking these trails out.

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Yeah definitely worth it! I rented from ‘bike on’ which is only a 15 minute pedal from the trails. Worth checking out!

[@hambo76]

My son has this bike (size L) and he loves it! We had to warranty the Rockshox 35 pretty soon after which was disappointing, but they turned our frown upside down by replacing it with a Pike Ultimate 2.1! We're planning to get a GX shifter/derailleur and an oval chainring at some point.

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Oh wow that’s a nice surprise with the fork! I bet it rides insanely well now. Some good upgrade plans as well.

[@richbyron2816]

Great video I’m looking at these Norco bikes I live on the east coast US . But get to some down hill stuff not sure the travel will be enough. I’m 215 lbs that doesn’t help yeah I know stay on the diet.

[@GLOBc]

Great vid (as usual) - re: Tyres, I've run an Enduro Casing 29x2.4 Mazza on the REAR for the last winter and summer on my Slash. Was an awesome tyre on everything from wet-winter-roots to dry-dusty-summer-rock gardens (and lasted 2x as long as the MaxxTerra DHRII it replaced). I see they have just released the 'RACE' version of the Enduro Mazza - super keen to try this up FRONT instead of the MaxxGrip Ass-Guy - just have to get my hands on one...

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Cheers for the info mate! Super keen to try them out for a season aye. Is really hard to beat the ass-guy for a front tyre though. Rear tyre I’m happy to experiment with!

[@jacobsimpson3245]

Looking forward to the long term review of the spectral. Currently deciding between that and the new Fuel EX for a do it all bike

[@BlueSkyBoys]

There’s quite a lot of info about the spectral in my main review. But the follow-up to that is coming very soon. Just need one day of good filming weather hahah.

[@matejsvec403]

Im supprised by what you said about the botomless feel. It was probably stuffed with spacersor just had a really proggresive geo, Id like to try it. I have the same canyon as you (only difference is the model year, 2023) and I really struggled with bottoming out even when I rode with 20% sag. Volumespacers solved it and I would maybe appreciate a little bit more progression in the frame itself. I actually love the bike. Bought it after watching your video, since it wasnt just a review from a big corporate or magazine. So keep it up, I believe that these videos can help others like me decide when buying a bike.

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Stoked to hear the review helped with your purchase mate! And hope you’ve been enjoying the bike. Interesting about the bottoming out on the canyon. I’ve had some issues with the fork bottoming out but the rear has been pretty good from stock with 25% sag. I think the norco is probably more progressive, it has a lot of support in the rear and definitely felt like more than 130mm. Anyway thanks for the kind words!

[@Sydney_Finanxce]

Hey bro, l have been a fan of your channel for a long time and love your vids(including this one) and Cant wait for the long-term review on the spectral! Im getting a new bike soon either the Norco fluid A2 or the Canyon spectral 27 AL 5 (similar spec to your canyon spectral), I feel like the canyon spectral is a bit too much travel and im afraid it wont be playful and feel sluggish and not fun overall for my local trails in Sydney and I feel like the Norco would be perfect but with that being said I would like to start racing a little bit of enduro next year when my skills progress, Im currently a novice intermediate rider who is not doing anything crazy on the bike rn but would like to in the future, just would love to know your thoughts on which I should get! Have a good one mate!

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Hey thanks for the kind words man! I definitely wouldn't say the Spectral is much less playful than the fluid. They both have lots of pop, weigh about the same etc. If you are considering doing some racing I would definitely look into the Canyon (that's if your local races are rough, if it's a little more cross country, then the fluid might have the edge there.) Hope that helps!

[@mattdickey2454]

I bought one for my wife. Hated the e thirteen bars and rockshox fork. Replaced with trail 1 riser and fox 34. Way nicer to ride. Medium size. Feels short in rear and long up front. Wheelies great and suspension feels bigger than 130.

[@BlueSkyBoys]

The 34 would have been an epic upgrade! good choice. Yeah they are really good fun, I agree about it feeling like more travel.

[@rickyg8293]

I got the a2 this year , up here in Canada . Center of Canada actually so not close to the mountains , but we have lots of rocks , techy stuff and some good hills , got it for the bomber 2 as it reminded me of when forks first came out as I was getting out of bmx and mountain biking was taking off . Really like the bomber 2 ( I’m 203 lbs ) only changed bars to riser ( atlas ) cranks ( atlas and shorter 170 ) new stem ( atlas ) how ever added xt chain , oval chain ring , new saddle ( stock one sucks ) dhr and dhf 2.5 s . It is a really fun bike , wife put a lyric ultimate 2 on her trek fuel ex ( 150mm ) now I’m kinda looking at the bomber 1 , however I really like the simplicity of the b2 , I heard you can stroke them to 150mm , has any one done this ? And how did it feel . Oh and for the record , the a2 really feels like it doesn’t need a climb switch , very rarely on really long days will I even touch it . Huh weird but nice

[@tbc_mtb]

Sunday highlight, new BSB video. Churr!

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Aw cheers mate! Hope you enjoyed it

[@tbc_mtb]

@@BlueSkyBoys always mate!

[@Pat_Gunter]

Beginner biker here. I understood half of the words you said 😄

[@digbe9308]

Just got the A3 $2500 Australian dollar s and love it 👍

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Nice mate! That's a nice deal there. Enjoy the bike!

[@digbe9308]

Thanks mate love your channel 👍

[@octodadmtbmartyrichards2862]

How was Noosa as a holiday spot? How far from town are these trails? Is the fluid a trail bike or down county bike? Looks like the perfect bike for those trails. Was sizing up weird or ok?

[@BlueSkyBoys]

It’s an epic holiday spot. Would highly recommend! The trails were a 15min pedal from the bike shop I rented from. Probably a 15 minute drive from the centre of town. It’s definitely a trail bike, worked really well on these trails. It was a bit weird. I felt a bit uncomfortable climbing with that reach, but descending felt very stable. Could probably end up riding faster on this size.

[@octodadmtbmartyrichards2862]

Also: did you like renting a bike or would you prefer taking your own bike?

[@BlueSkyBoys]

Ahhh I would always rather ride my own bike cause rentals often aren’t in the best condition and you don’t really have time to set them up properly. But it’s also fun to try something different and flying with a bike is a pain. So each has their pros and cons hahah

[@mbendahl]

I think you should compare the Norco Sight with the Canyon Spectral, not the Fluid.

[@dasanoneia4730]

hey man yall good?

[@BlueSkyBoys]

We good!!

[@sar-el7311]

Hi, bike and rider weight? Chur!