Norco Fluid VLT: 5 pros, 5 cons!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Head to www.DrinkLMNT.com/Jeff to get your free sample pack with any purchase.

[@SwimmingBird846]

I have one of these, this is pretty bang on. Since most people aren't riding big mountains in Washington or BC, I think this is one of the best eMTB options for the more casual terrain. Reduced battery life is less of a concern because you climb less. Big travel bikes are soft and lifeless for the types of trails and intesity most people ride.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

This thing is soooo close to being dialed! But for sales, 160mm bikes are by far the most popular... I follow my sales data with Jenson USA as close as I can, and it's surprising, but that's the deal. 160 bikes always get the most views for content, too. So while I understand that plenty of people live in areas where less travel works fine, if 160 bikes are the most popular, I have to ask... Shouldn't someone be making a 160mm SL e-MTB?!?! Such low hanging fruit for the industry!

[@laa052]

@@JeffKendallWeed Trek Slash +?

[@erictrelz3519]

My big travel full e-bike is a blast to ride up and down, twist and turn. It is definitely not soft! It is also so stable and confidence inspiring. I think your comment is an over generalization of full power, long travel e-bikes.

[@fueledbycoffee1455]

No BS, straight to the point review. So much info discussed on an eight-minute video. High quality video I can watch on my coffee break. BTW, would you say the SX motor has way more power than Fazua? Thanks Jeff!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks! As for power, Fazua is more powerful in real life, Bosch SX is more powerful on paper. Bosch can’t sustain much power since its battery is so small, and it requires an unrealistically fast cadence to get there. In real life, the Fazua is more powerful

[@Hipnohippie]

lol deep cut with Kevin Wyndham. I've got pictures of my Dad holding me as an infant while meeting Wyndham on TWO separate occasions. Loved the onboard footage!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

That’s awesome! I met Kevin at the Oakland Supercross in 2011.

[@mcl40000]

this format is really great, showing pro´s and cons in each sector and not just over all...neatly ordered. well done vid!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks! I thought it'd be fun to try something different... Personally, I'd rather watch a video like the review I posted last week, but this was pretty easy to put together. It's not getting many views, so I can't tell if it's the format or the subject matter... My hunch is that Norco is just less popular with my generally USA based audience. I'll try the 5 pros/5 cons/5 wishes format a few more times soon here...

[@mcl40000]

@@JeffKendallWeed mebe its its own thing...quick reviews of bikes and things you dont have as long. or mebe implement it into your normal reviews? man, i dont know...i´m just a rando on youtube. (was checking what vid from last week ya mean and dang...there is a full review vid of the same bike...XD)

[@-tr0n]

I find the 27" rear wheel easier to pop and flick around, sidehops and whips and stuff. Probably because I'm not nearly as capable a rider as Jeff. Also appreciate never getting a brown eye buzzer when getting stupid far back, but I'm always doing stupid shit like pedal kicking up ledges and stuff. Probably much less of a concern on a 45lb e-bike.

[@LEGENDofBEANY]

You inspired me to get that exact same helmet. It comes tomorrow. Stoked!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Congrats! I really dig that thing. Comfy and safe!

[@YongPark-g3h]

1 down side for full 29er is butt to tire clearance. As someone with short leg, my complain is that 29er rear wheel touches my butt too often.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

A that's a fair call... I am 174cm (5' 8") and rarely have issues with clearance. I'm pretty proportional, at least for someone with a western European type body.

[@YongPark-g3h]

@@JeffKendallWeed I'm about the same height as you (173mm) but I have short legs. I like what 29er wheel provides but man my riding shorts is going to wear out so much quicker now lol

[@erictrelz3519]

Totally agree about mullet bikes. I also don’t get the light e-bike crowd. Seems lite ebikes are stuck in no man’s land; heavier than an analogue bike but not as powerful as a full e-bike. The range is also a problem with light e-bikes.

[@Flex-Jitsu]

Hey Jeff, Would love to see you Demo a Santa Cruz Heckler SL, Mondraker Dune, and YT Decoy SN.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Heck SL would be fun! I’m less curious about the Dune. Would be fun to compare Decoy SN to a Relay PNW!

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

For the longest time near my property there's trail that crosses a huge 500kv (?) powerline and there was a 1993 model rm250 abandoned there, we finally picked it up with the side by side to see what's up... Of course it was stolen 😅 Owner was glad to have it back since he didn't claim insurance on it 😊

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Cool story! That's the kind of content that does amazing on you tube!!! Cool you found the OG owner!

[@brianedmonds90]

The mullet bikes are more fun to me then full 29er. I have a a Santa Cruz bronson and its so great in the corners. I think its easier to learn to corner on a mullet bike than full 29er.

[@Biking_with_Akiva]

Hey Jeff you rock 🤙🏾💯

[@AntonCor]

Norco is going full circle, this is very close to the 2018-2019 Sight VLT.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Eh except it’s well below 50 lbs!!! And the chain stay is reasonable.

[@freshpukesh]

@@JeffKendallWeed agreed...I had the first gen Sight VLT and this bike is definitely an evolution - lighter, plusher, and more nimble!

[@Trail_gypsy]

Bonus points for the K Dub reference.

[@SpaynjXD]

I'm pretty sure this man operates under different gravitational laws then us

[@budddy1]

In my experience, The Fazua system does not compare to the reliability of Bosch. I have not personally seen a Fazua motor pass 200mi without any electronic issues. The warranty process is simple on both ends but fazua in north america is lacking. Warranty replacements take upwards of 4-10 weeks to fufill. Dont get me wrong, I really like the Fazua system. The zero drag motor with simple integration and extra boost of battery size and torque is much appreciated and feels more natural than the Bosch SX. The Bosch does have a benefit to higher top end power which can only be seen at higher cadences. If Fazua can improve in those aspects, they can be competitive in the lightweight market. Glad to see more ebike reviews.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

I’ve got over 800 miles on my FAZUA system now. It’s been solid. I think they came to market a little too early, as I’ve heard of a lot of problems with the early generation units, but I’m pretty impressed with the durability and reliability of this new one on the shuttle SL.

[@budddy1]

@@JeffKendallWeed I have heard and seen many people online talk about the newer revisions providing better reliability which I believe to be true. Fazua has been offering lightweight motors for some time now and have had the ride50 and ride60 system. I hope to see more bikes with the fazua motor but I believe it has left a bad taste in the mouths' of many.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

A tail as old as time in the bike industry... rush it out to market ASAP, then have it snafu, then once the product is perfected, no one wants it... A classic tale, indeed. Luckily Fazua is still doing well. I don't even mind the Fazua handlebar controller, but I do get annoyed at their dental floss wiring.

[@158158cow]

Hey Jeff, do you have a blog or something similar? There’s so much good information embedded in your reviews and I’d love to be able to search it up more easily. Preferred tires, suspension impressions, frame characteristics, etc. To basically put what you say on video into a searchable library… Thanks!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks for the great suggestion! I have about 190 articles uploaded to jeffkendallweed.com, but a couple years ago decided to simply put that extra effort into making better videos, so I kinda dropped off the publishing side. I should totally get someone to do that for me, but I only have so much bandwidth!

[@mprox3431]

Everyone talks about the Bosh sx motor only giving full power at very high cadence. How is it at lower cadence? does it provide the torque the fazua motor does?

[@gundamnit3594]

Quick fire review with cat included 👍

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Moar cats!

[@noahbouchard487]

Can you review the forbidden Druid v2 pls??

[@NDemanuele1]

I wonder what Jeff would consider the best 'bang for your buck' EMTB? I bet that's his next video!...LOL.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Hey Norbert, thanks for the note! I would say the aluminum or rise Hydro would be the best value

[@khai6101]

Do they allow emtbs at Duthie now?

[@canadianboyee]

Con: E bike

[@Biking_with_Akiva]

E-bikes freaking rip I don't own one but I have a tow strap for those occasions when an e-biker passing me and says "I would pull ya if I brought my strap" 😈 great way to make new friends 😜

[@nicolaslabrecque3110]

Have you look at the new Devinci Troy e-lite ?

[@JeffKendallWeed]

No, not many Davinci in USA.

[@50whatnomadtravelnursemtb5]

I don't know, if you are worrying about a range extender on your bike then you should rethink the type of ebike you want...just saying. It's hard to get both range and power/distance. Maybe someday...think DJi bike in the USA please?

[@JeffKendallWeed]

I disagree. Orbea rise has 2x the range of the Fluid, all while being lighter and more powerful.

[@Cassienope]

​@@JeffKendallWeedthat's pretty crazy. Close to 8k vertical on the Rise? 🤯. I just got a Moterra SL and I get about 4k on it but most of that's in Turbo.....

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Yeah, close to 8k when ridden in trail mode. I only use trail mode on these SL eMTBs, as battery life is too limited to use any more power. I had to bump down the power on the Fluid VLT here in order to get better range.

[@JeremiahPolhill-w7n]

Glover Light

[@KelvinSimpson-d7i]

Jonatan Mountain

[@KiwiInGermanyMTB]

Mullet is better for fun

[@trailpeakuk]

first ;)

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Second!

[@fueledbycoffee1455]

@@JeffKendallWeed 3rd!

[@GeorgeIda]

61443 Leola Unions