The steering is calm and well-weighted even when the trail gets hectic, and the threat of going over the bars is mitigated by the long front-end and short-ish 60mm stem, which keeps your weight centered when tackling steep descents. The generous 470mm reach measurement on our size L test bike bringing the proportion of this entry-level bike in line with the best bikes money can buy. Like most websites, Norco.com uses cookies. Brand: Norco, Product: Fluid 4.3 HT+ With features like gears and disc brakes, your kid will be riding circles around you on the Fluid 4.3 HT+. As they’re not tubeless, you can’t go really low on pressure for fear of bursting the inner tubes. Went out first to 46.18 @ the 125 line . This keeps the steering precise and confident in smoother turns, but the tyres let the bike down here. To some, it’s about carving endless ribbons of buff, flowy singletrack. Featuring a responsive aluminum hardtail frame designed around 27.5" Plus and 26” Plus wheels, the Fluid HT offers a fast and efficient ride … Add high wheel weight that kills acceleration and the bike feels harsh and hard work rather than flowy and floaty at the slow speeds where plus bikes should shine. Theoretically, the stiffer axle connection and 120mm stroke should give the Norco a control advantage over the 100mm/QR-forked bikes here. The Fluid HT+ is the latest addition to the Fluid family. >>> Hardtail of the Year 2018: best mountain bike under £500, £750 and £1000. NORCO Storm 3 Mountain Bike XS Frame 24 Speed - Low Miles - NICE!! Service Parts Reference. Brand: Norco, Product: Fluid 2.3 HT+ With features like gears and disc brakes, your kid will be riding circles around you on the Fluid 2.3 HT+. 2018 Indie 1 . Until then, a quick-release (QR) collar lets you change seat height without tools. It is 2019, and there is an increasing number of compelling hardtail mountain bikes in the $1,500-$2,000 price range. While plus tyres haven’t taken off as well as many brands expected, one place they work well is on hardtails, particularly cheaper ones where suspension quality is likely to be compromised. But the Norco’s WTB Rangers are budget versions that feel more wooden than most, Gravel bike vs hardtail vs CX bike at Grinduro Scotland, A closer look at Norco’s new downhill bike — plus gravel and enduro rigs, Mountain bike groupsets: everything you need to know, 6061 aluminium w/ double-butted top and down tubes, SR Suntour XCM 32 DS QLoc2, 120mm (4.7in) travel. Local Pickup. Cable routing for a semi-internal dropper post makes future upgrading easier. Already have an account with us? This features a strengthened aluminium frame, wider 650B+ 2.8in Plus tyres and a 120mm travel suspension fork for comfort, performance and grip. It’s unusual to see any dropper at this price, and the TransX post fitted here is a good one too. Bigfoot 1: 2018 Bigfoot 2: 2018 Bigfoot 3: 2018 Bigfoot 6.3: 2016 Charger 7.1: 2017 Charger 7.2 2x10: 2017 Charger 7.3: 2017 Charger 9.1: 2017 Charger 9.2 2x10: 2017 Charger 9.3: 2017 Fluid 1: 2018 Fluid 2 HT: 2018 Fluid HT Kids Bike Storm: 2018 Jan. 13, 2019, 12:01 a.m. on Bike Radar. Reviews, ratings, specifications, weight, price and more for the 2018 Norco Fluid FS 3 27.5 Bike They have an overly rounded profile, with little shoulder tread. Norco’s sizingis bang up to date too. You also get SRAM NX 11-speed gearing, offering simple and reliable shifting performance. Fluid 6061 Alloy XC Frame w/DB TT & DT ... Norco Alloy Nutted Clamp . Details. As a result, you can fit up to three-inch tyres in the back should you choose to up-size from the 2.8in already there. Thank you!!! It also looks like an absolute steal for £1,450. The Tektro brakes with 160mm rotors are basic and low on power, though. 2018 Fluid HT 1 . You can unsubscribe at any time. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. Super responsive, snappy with the ability to explode up technical climbs, the Fluid 2.3+ features a responsive aluminum hardtail frame designed around 20” wheels. While the rear axle is the latest 148mm ‘Boost’ width, it’s QR rather than bolt-through and the dropouts are fixed. This warranty applies to the original owner only, and is non-transferable. Downsides are the coil-sprung 120mm SR Suntour XCM32 fork, slippery WTB Ranger tyres and lackluster Tektro brakes. The rear brake attaches via a neat perpendicular ‘post’ mount. or Best Offer. More Info. Norco Fluid 7. Has a few scratches on frame. Norco Fluid 3 HT 26 2018 112 Lydiard st Nth Ballarat Central 3350 $1,199.00. 2018 20” Norco Fluid 2.3+ HT For sale on Pinkbike buysell. Which is essentially the same bike with a new name and paint job. Headed south and found warmer water constant above 60 @ 46.15 125.06. The 30mm rims mean the 2.8in tyres are rounded enough not to put up extra resistance to leaning into or out of corners too. That’s certainly the case on Norco’s Fluid, but it’s still begging for a fork upgrade to show its full potential. I take out my wife's new Norco Fluid 2 HT 2018 and put it to the test. The big tyres roll faster than you might think, even on tarmac stretches, and when it comes to riding over bumpy surfaces they offer noticeably more comfort and sustain speed better than narrower rubber. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. A SRAM 11-speed shifter, rear mech and 11-42t rear cassette complete a practical range of gears. The big tyres smooth-out the bumps and find traction on rooty and loose climbs that had me spinning-out with regular rubber. The WTB Ranger tyres aren’t much good in muddy conditions though, there’s just not enough tread. $485.00. Roomy 29er with the right angles for a 2020 bike Our rating . The tyres are not tubeless-ready either, so they can’t sustain low pressures in rocky terrain without risking punctures. Frameset Frame -Fluid 6061 Alloy XC Frame w/DB TT & DT Up front, the XCM fork uses SR Suntour’s ingenious push-fit ‘Q-Loc2’ thru-axle in 110mm Boost width. It offers 120mm of height adjustment, internal cable routing and an ergonomic under-the-bar remote. 2017 Rocky Mountain Growler (27.5+) 2017 Santa Cruz Highball 27.5 . The blame for this bulk lies with the components. Th… |, AUD $1,199.00 If you like our family videos please and Subscribe!!! Saddle. Norco also make a hardtail version of the Fluid. With extra-wide 2.8”… 2017 Scott Scale RC . This saves a little weight by tapering the wall-thickness in the middle of the tube, where strength is needed least. Already have an account with us? 2017 Orange P7, Crush, or Clockwork 27.5 . You’ll need to budget for a new fork. Seb's much happier back-to-back testing suspension on a wet Welsh hillside than riding the latest five-figure bikes on some sunny press trip - although he quite likes that too! 2017 Commencal Meta HT AM RACE . $4,950.00. Like many bikes at this price, the Fluid boasts a double-butted top tube and down tube. Since getting hooked on mountain bikes aged thirteen riding a tiny 24Seven Crosser, he's raced downhill, enduro and cross country, and while no athlete, still enters the occasional race. Without the twists and turns of internal cable routing, the SRAM NX gearing is smoother and lighter in action than normal. Switching tyres (the rims are tubeless) to something better isn’t a big deal though, and you could even fit a lighter 2.6in set without dropping the bottom bracket too low. Seb studied experimental physics at university, and he's now happily using (wasting) his degree experimenting with different bike setups, trying to work out what works best and why. This year, we welcome the Norco Fluid 2 HT. Yes, there are a lot of great options for the budget-conscious buyers. Downloads; Specifications; Geometry; Downloads. Frame material: Double butted aluminium; Fork: SR Suntour XCM32, 120mm travel, 15x110mm; Front derailleur: None; Rear derailleur: SRAM NX; Cassette: SRAM NX 11-speed $1,199.00. Specifications. Wind finally died down to make a run today, still a rough one at that. Original Post Date: Apr-07-2019 3:08:24 Last Repost Date: Apr-07-2019 3:08:24 Still For Sale: Sold View Count: 845 Thanks! Norco Fluid 3 Ht (2019) Review. Hopes of a smooth ride from the plus tyres are dashed by their stiff, wooden carcass. All BBB direct listings are still available for purchase. It’s a mixed affair coming back down the hill though. Aug. 17, 2018, 7 a.m. on Bike Radar. 2018 24" Norco 4.3 Fluid HT For sale on Pinkbike buysell. The original owner must register their new bicycle with Norco Bicycles within 90 days from the date of purchase. Despite its heft, the Fluid shifts along nicely. Thanks! Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. 2018 Fluid HT 3 . One year is a long time in mountain bike development, and with three other wide tyred alternatives on test, the Norco struggled to hold on to that top spot. Available by order. While plus tyres haven’t taken off as well as many brands expected, one place they work well is on hardtails, particularly cheaper ones where suspension quality is likely to be compromised. You can unsubscribe at any time. The frame’s most striking feature is the dropped chainstay just behind the chainring. Despite this, the complete bike weighs in at a portly 15.6kg in XL. Yes to all of the above! Norco Fluid FS 3 review. Service Parts Reference . Available by order. The second set of bottle cage mounts on the seat tube limits how far you can drop the seatpost, but you can always cut it down. $1,700.00. Featuring a responsive aluminum hardtail frame designed around 27.5" Plus and 26” Plus wheels, the Fluid HT offers a fast and efficient ride with capable handling characteristics. Norco warrants that Norco frames will be free from manufacturer defects in materials and workmanship. Norco Fluid HT 3. Good condition. Shimano Deore BRM-6000 180mm . FRAME Norco Fluid FS, Aluminum, 120mm Travel, Boo . Suntour supplies the crankset too, which has a small 30-tooth chainring to offset the effect of the fat tyres on the gearing. Don't miss out on MBUK – get your next 3 issues for just £5, Get the next 3 issues of the UK's number one cycling magazine for just £5, Fun, confident handling on smooth and grippy terrain, but stubborn fork, lackluster tyres and weak brakes let it down on tricky trails, GBP £800.00 RRP Frame. Norco Range Carbon C7.1 Enduro Mountain Bike. Unfortunately, the Suntour fork is massively oversprung, so it only gets half its travel even when ridden pretty hard. Its low-sl… There’s no seatstay bridge, so there’s ample room for 3in rubber if you fancy upsizing from the stock 2.8s. 2018 Norco Fluid HT+2.3 KIDS 20" Frame For sale on Pinkbike buysell The driveside chainstay snakes down and out to squeeze between the chainring and the fat rear tyre, while keeping the back end short at 430mm. COVID-19 Update ... 2018 Fluid HT 3 . I tried removing one of the coil springs, but that left it too soft and slow to rebound. Because the WTB Ranger tyres are cheap non-tubeless versions, they’re not as supple and smooth as usual. Frameset . Bigfoot 1: 2018 Bigfoot 2: 2018 Bigfoot 3: 2018 Bigfoot 6.3: 2016 Charger 7.1: 2017 Charger 7.2 2x10: 2017 Charger 7.3: 2017 Charger 9.1: 2017 Charger 9.2 2x10: 2017 Charger 9.3: 2017 Fluid 1: 2018 Fluid 2 HT: 2018 Fluid HT Kids Bike Storm: 2018 Reviews, ratings, specifications, weight, price and more for the 2018 Norco Fluid FS 2+ Bike This may be less of an issue for heavier riders because the fork boasts a stiff chassis. Norco Fluid 3 Ht Review. or Best Offer. $75.00 shipping. A 60mm stem and 750mm bar provide a decent cockpit. Learn about our experience riding the affordable Norco Fluid FS 3 trail bike. 2017 Raleigh Tokul 4130 (27.5+) 2017 Norco Charger 2017 Norco Fluid (27.5+) 2017 Norco Torrent (27.5+) 2017 Airborne Goblin EVO 27.5 . Norco XC Saddle . Both the top and down tube are double butted (thicker at the ends for extra strength without excess weight/stiffness in the centre), and the extended seat tube has a reinforcing buttress. Norco Fluid HT 3 Women's. However, when things get rough the fork lets the side down. Downloads; Specifications; Geometry; Downloads. Seb's been riding and racing mountain bikes for half his life. With RockShox suspension, 29in wheels, high-volume 2.6in Maxxis tyres and a frame finish that wouldn’t look out of place on a high-end Trek or Specialized, the new Fluid FS 3 ticks all of the boxes. The dropped stay sits very close to the chain, but it’s well protected and didn’t cause any rattling during testing. Original Post Date: Sep-08-2019 7:45:52 Last Repost Date: Sep-08-2019 7:45:52 Still For Sale: Sold View Count: 741 Rear Brake. 5 photos 2018 Trek Fuel EX8 29" tubeless 18.5" All Mountain/Enduro Bikes ... 2018 Norco Storm 1, Large, Red/Black All Mountain/Enduro Bikes Fun, versatile trail hardtail with fork and tyre issues. The 30mm (internal) rims are on the narrow side for a plus bike too. 2018 Fluid HT 3 Womens . Local Pickup. Bicycle Blue Book has temporarily disabled all peer to peer listings. Unfortunately for the Fluid HT 1, we feel you can do substantially better with other bikes at a similar price. This shape discourages proper cornering technique, which involves leaning the bike over into the corner like a carving ski — cornering aggressively on muddy or loose ground will likely lead to slipping out. This is done to boost tyre clearance while keeping the rear end short. Service Parts Reference . It also has a slack head angle for added confidence on steeper tracks. Don't miss out on MBUK – get your next 3 issues for just £5, Get the next 3 issues of the UK's number one cycling magazine for just £5, Potentially great plus (or 2.6in) tyred trail bike, but oversprung fork and cheap tyres spoil the ride, GBP £750.00 RRP Get ready for a fast and efficient ride with more than capable handling and extra-wide 2.6” tires. That makes it stable enough to be confident at speed but not too sluggish when making sudden changes in direction and diving between trees. By entering your details, you are agreeing to BikeRadar terms and conditions and privacy policy. or Best Offer. Water was 59-60 no bait or birds. The Fluid chassis gets off to a good start with its posh-fork-friendly tapered head tube. It’s also sticky and reluctant to get moving, making for an uncomfortable ride and causing the front wheel to get bounced off-line over small bumps. By entering your details, you are agreeing to BikeRadar terms and conditions and privacy policy. Finally, the Tektro brakes are underpowered, making one-finger braking on steep descents very hard work. The 15mm hub also means you won’t need a new wheel if you upgrade the fork. Norco’s fat-tyre Fluid has serious trail-taming potential, but this model’s capability is let down by a … You've been subscribed to our newsletter. The small chainring provides a more realistic gear range for novice riders and also helps you capitalise on the Norco’s ability to crawl up super-steep slopes, if the ground is dry enough for the WTB rubber to keep gripping. 2017 Jamis Nemesis . Meanwhile, the fairly short chainstay length (from the bottom bracket to the rear axle) makes it easier to manual and bunnyhop. Service Parts Reference. Sorted chassis, but plus tyres can’t hide kit flaws. You can eke a bit more out of it if you cut down the long elastomer in the right-hand leg, but it’s still way too firm for an average weight rider. 2018 Norco Fluid HT+ Small Frame Aluminum Frame 27.5" x 2.8" Wheels Originally priced at $1099.99, we now have it marked down to $849.99. |, Well-shaped, dropper-ready frame with decent trail-taming potential; SRAM NX gears give a usefully wide-ratio spread with relentless reliability in all conditions, Stubborn and insensitive fork stroke undermines traction and impact control; Cheap, non-tubeless plus tyres aren’t as plush and pillowy as they should be, Suntour’s ‘Q-Loc2’ 15mm axle is fast and secure to use once you’ve got the knack, and means the front wheel will be compatible with any future fork upgrades, The XCM fork struggles to provide either smooth control or full travel, especially in colder weather, Plus-size tyres on wider rims let you run lower pressures for a smoother, grippier ride. We apologize for the inconvenience. You'll often find him riding the same track ten times in a day, changing just one thing to pin down the differences. When you are on our site, you are agreeing to use our cookies. The wide handlebar, quality grips and short stem make for a confident feeling cockpit. Unlike an air fork, the coil springs can’t be adjusted to suit different rider weights, and the SR Suntour XCM32 fork is fitted with such stiff springs that I rarely used more than half of its 120mm of travel, despite weighing over 85kg. This is backed up by a relatively slack head angle (67 degrees) and long top tube, which combine to provide a comfortable fit and relaxed handling. New technology trickles down to lower price points every year, and we are now seeing 12-speed drivetrains and dropper posts in this price range. The continuous spread of gears and remote-dropper post ensure the rhythm of the ride is not broken up by awkward shifts between chainrings or stopping to adjust the saddle height. With a balanced 67.5-degree head angle and a fairly wide bar at the end of a reasonable-length top tube, the Norco’s handling feels naturally weighted and sorted. In the UK, only the Fluid HT and Fluid FS are available. |, Well-balanced geometry is confidence inspiring and playful; 1x11 drivetrain and dropper post help the Fluid flow over varying terrain; plus tyres roll fast and smooth out trail chatter, Over-sprung and sticky fork is disappointing in the rough, tyres lack cornering bite, brakes lack power, The Norco Fluid 3 is a fast-rolling plus-tyred mountain bike, The Tektro brakes didn’t hugely impress in testing, The WTB Ranger rolls fast but struggles in the mud, The brake caliper is nicely located inside the rear triangle, You can lock out the fork for prolonged climbs, The SR Suntour XCM32 fork is fairly stiff, but over-sprung I feel, Cables are routed under the down tube for easy maintenance, Norco has done a good job with the geometry, including the short-ish stem, Pick the right tracks and the Fluid 3 is great fun, Best mountain bike: how to choose the right one for you, How to choose the perfect handlebar for your road bike, Best mountain bike 2021: how to choose the right one for you, Mountain bike suspension setup: video guides to help you get the most from your bike, TranzX YSP18JL Stealth Dropper, 120mm Travel, 31.6mm, 1x Lever, Tektro HD-M275, Hydraulic Disc, 180mm/160mm rotors. Norco’s fat-tyre Fluid has serious trail-taming potential, but this model’s capability is let down by a few sub-par components. Norco Fluid 3 HT ride impressions With a balanced 67.5-degree head angle and a fairly wide bar at the end of a reasonable-length top tube, the Norco’s … These are typically longer lasting than square-taper or ISIS bottom brackets. To others, it’s the challenge of punchy trails, technical climbs and off-camber roots. You also get a threaded bottom bracket with external bottom bracket bearings. Norco Fluid 3 HT specifications. Front Brake.