TESTED - $5,999 2023 Norco Fluid FS Carbon C1 6

Last year, Norco's Fluid took home the elusive title of Vital's Bike of the Year thanks to its versatility and value-packed build kits. So, how do you improve on such a stellar platform? Add carbon. Fast forward to this summer, and the reigning champ returned with a claimed 600 gram (1.32 lbs) weight saving thanks to a carbon front triangle. With geometry and suspension kinematics remaining identical to the aluminum version, has the switch in material continued to elevate the Fluid in the trail bike category? And is the extra dough to go carbon worth it? Let's find out.

Highlights 

• Carbon front triangle with aluminum rear triangle
• 29-inch wheels only
• 130mm (5.1 inches) of rear wheel travel // 140mm (5.5 inches) fork travel 
• Horst link suspension design
• 65-degree head tube angle
• Size-specific rear center and effective seat tube angles
• Size-specific dropper posts
• Internal cable routing  
• Threaded bottom bracket
• Boost 148mm rear spacing w/ 12mm thru-axle 
• 5-year limited warranty 
• Four size options - S, M, L, XL
• UDH compatible
• Measured weight (size Large, no pedals): 31.68 lbs (14.4 kg) 
• MSRP: $4,099 - 5,999 USD (as tested, C1 Build - $5,999 USD) 

Frame Details 

The latest Norco Fluid uses a carbon front triangle with size-specific carbon layups to match stiffness with rider size, delivering a tuned and curated ride quality. The rear triangle remains aluminum and uses oversized bearings to improve durability, while the chainstay lengths grow by 5mm per size increase to pair well with reach and stack measurements. The same goes for seat tube lengths and standover height, which steadily grow between each size while the effective seat angle steepens. 

When the aluminum Fluid launched last year, its longer and slacker geometry set it apart from the previous generation and improved its overall capabilities. A 65-degree head tube angle offers a balanced feel when climbing and descending, and reach numbers in each size are now on par with industry standards. We tested a size large Fluid with a 480mm reach and a 435mm chainstay.

Other details include an accessory mount, molded chainstay protection, internal cable routing, and optional frame plugs to keep unwanted moisture and dirt from entering the frame if you use wireless components.  

Our early released Fluid came with the same eye-catching, green metallic paint as the Fluid FS A1, but Norco has since replaced that colorway with a flashy Black/Chrome, Blue, and Copper. The paint job on the aluminum fluid was second to none, making the bike appear carbon at first glance. The same quality and finish have remained on the carbon models. 

Suspension Design 

The Fluid utilizes the Horst link suspension design with a progressive leverage curve that offers ample support without relying on progressivity from an air shock or volume reducers. Like the aluminum model, Norco continues to go the extra step and offers custom-tuned shocks for each frame size, and setup is streamlined through their advanced Ride Aligned™ Bike Setup Guide that offers base fit and suspension settings. 

Build Kits 

Value was a major strength of the aluminum Fluid, and while going carbon does cost more, we were pleasantly surprised to see the thoughtful component choices had carried over from the aluminum models. The C1 build we tested retails for $5,999 and flaunts top-tier RockShox Ultimate suspension, SRAM's GX Transmission and G2 RSC brakes, a 200mm SDG dropper post, and stout Crankbrothers Enduro alloy wheels. For those looking to spend less but still ride carbon, the C2 and C3 models use mid-tier components but maintain the same 200mm front and 180mm rear rotor with 4-piston brakes, size-specific dropper posts, and Vittoria trail casing tires. 

The cost to jump from aluminum to carbon is around $2,000, with the barrier to entry set at $1,999 for the Fluid A4 and $4,099 for the Fluid C3. Riders can also choose a frame-only option in carbon for $2,599. The Fuild carbon is available in four sizes (S - XL), while the Fluid aluminum tacks on a size XXL to accommodate riders between 6' 3" and 6' 7" (190-200cm). 

On The Trail 

We pushed the climbing and descending limits of the Fluid FS C1 on several occasions during our months of testing. We tested the bike around the greater Boise, Idaho area, which features a mix of undulating, highspeed foothills trails with periodic rock gardens and punchy climbs, plus two nearby lift-accessed bike parks—Tamarack Resort and The Basin Gravity Park. Testing conditions were dry and sandy, with loose moon dust at the bike parks. 

Using the same geometry and suspension kinematics as the aluminum Fluid that we enjoyed so much, the on-trail performance and characteristics of the Fluid FS C1 were similarly impressive in various settings as the FS A1 we tested a year ago.

Setup 

Norco has made the setup for the Fluid extremely easy. All you have to do is click the Ride Aligned™ tab on their website, choose the bike model, enter your weight and height, and you'll receive recommended cockpit and suspension settings. An awesome way to get base settings that can be tweaked as needed or set and forgotten, we only changed tire pressure and bar width from Norco's recommended settings. 

Descending Performance 

Despite only having 130 and 140mm of travel, the Fluid performed extremely well on just about every descent we tossed its way. The only exception was a few rocky and chunky sections in the bike park that caused the bike to deflect and feel overwhelmed. Not very surprising for a shorter travel bike, we were still able to make it down gnarly trails, albeit with more methodical lines since the margin for error was smaller than on our longer travel enduro bike. 

That said, the Fluid carbon gained the same high marks descending as its aluminum sibling, highlighted by its extremely balanced feel and playful demeanor. It rode much lighter than its 32-pound weight would have had us believe, making bonus lines, manuals, and changing direction thoughtless. The ability to carry speed and see new lines was highly engaging and breathed excitement back into trails we had ridden countless times. Through high-speed sections littered with braking bumps, the Fluid held its own up to a certain point (or size of impact), making it a blast to take down flow trails at the bike park. 

Climbing Performance 

When we heard that the Fluid was going carbon and the main benefit was weight savings, we wondered how this would translate to climbing efficiency. The aluminum Fluid was a very capable climber, and the thought of having less bike to pedal uphill seemed like it would further elevate its abilities. Well, with only a .3 lb (136 g) weight saving between our aluminum and carbon test bikes, the performance difference was negligible. 

The Fluid still climbed lighter than what the scale told us, thanks in part to the geometry package, the shifting quality of the SRAM Transmission system, and the smooth rolling Vittoria tires. The suspension was super efficient and could be left open for most trail riding, only needing to be locked out during steep pitches when we would pedal out of the saddle. If we remained in the saddle up tricky, technical climbs, the Fluid kept us in a forward position that limited front wheel flop and improved control. On longer, sustained climbs, the Fluid never felt like a chore to pedal, and we were relatively comfortable during multi-hour efforts. 

Rear Suspension Performance 

The Fluid's Horst Link suspension design, paired with RockShox's Super Deluxe Ultimate, performed extremely well within the bike's intended use. Don't get us wrong, at the end of the day, it's still a 130mm travel bike, so expectations must be kept within reason. But for a versatile, medium-travel trail bike, the Fluid gave us the confidence to ride harder than we typically receive from such bikes. Small bumps and chatter, or medium drops and jumps, were mitigated and absorbed smoothly and with control.   

Fluid FS C1 Build Kit

The Fluid FS C1 build leaves little room for upgrades with a legit component list at an awesome bang-for-your-buck price. The only parts we would change would be to match our personal preference, like the grips, tires, the saddle, and the plastic lever of the dropper post.  

Fork/Shock Performance 

The RockShox Pike Ultimate fork and Super Deluxe Ultimate shock provided a very balanced feel throughout the test. We did experience nose-diving and bottoming out on extreme G-outs until we added the suggested token in the fork. As we continued to put miles on, we did notice that the rear shock was starting to weep some oil. We wiped it before each ride, and the issue never seemed excessive and never took away from the performance of the shock. 

Tire Performance 

The Vittoria Mazza and Martello combo performed adequately but left us yearning for a tad more support and grip in the rear. We've had good luck with the Mazza in the past but questioned the ability of the Martello's blocked knobs and Vittoria's softer trail casing to withstand the aggression of the Fluid. To play it safe, we added 1-2 psi in the rear. The Vittorias climbed well throughout the test on hardpacked and sandy surfaces, and when it came to the descents, the Mazza was very confident in holding traction. The Martello tended to slide more than expected, and the extra air pressure didn't help the situation. For larger riders or those with deep, soft soil, replacing the rear tire with something more aggressive with a stiffer sidewall or adding an insert would provide some piece of mind.   

Drivetrain Performance 

We were stoked to see SRAM's latest and greatest GX Eagle Transmission bolted on the Fluid C1. There was a slight learning curve in familiarizing ourselves with the new pod controller and the delayed timing of shifts, but Transmission's ability to shift under load went against everything we knew about proper shifting. 

During the duration of our test, everything performed flawlessly; we never felt that the chain was ever close to coming off, and the derailleur was significantly quieter than previous GX AXS. One of the biggest benefits of riding with Transmission was the ability to shift while sprinting. Being able to dump gears as you speed up and pedal harder without letting off the gas was super beneficial. Overall, Transmission exceeded expectations and was a welcome addition to the Norco Fluid FS C1 build. 

Wheel Performance 

The Crankbrothers Synthesis Enduro alloy wheelset held strong and handled the abuse of our 200+ lb rider without fuss. After over 250 miles of testing, the wheels are still true and dent-free. The only thing we wouldn't mind seeing from Crankbrothers in the future would be a hub with slightly better engagement.  

Brake Performance 

During our initial shakedown rides, we noticed that the SRAM G2 RSC brakes felt spongy from day one. After a few rides, the feeling didn't get any better, so we decided to bleed them. After a fresh bleed, we regained confidence in the brakes and had zero issues with them for the rest of the test. With several dials to customize the feel, the brakes were a solid spec on the Fluid. 

Long Term Durability 

The Norco Fluid carbon is here for the long haul. The frame is built to last, with oversized bearings and a durable paint job that has yet to show any significant chips or scuffs. The creaking we experienced in the bottom bracket of our aluminum Fluid was nonexistent on the carbon version, and overall, the bike has remained incredibly silent. With regular maintenance and bolt checks, the Fluid will be in your stable for many seasons. Norco also stands behind their bikes and offers a 5-year limited warranty to the original owner as long as they register their bike online within 90 days of purchase.  

What's The Bottom Line? 

The Fluid Carbon continues to carry the torch lit by its aluminum predecessor as an attack-everything, fun-generating trail bike. An appropriate choice for just about any trail, riding style, or terrain, its versatility reminded us why we originally loved the aluminum Fluid so much against the current crop of aggressive short-travel bikes. 

So, is jumping up to the Fluid carbon worth the extra dough? Considering that the on-trail performance of the two materials was very similar and the weight between our two test bikes was minuscule, the decision comes down to whether you enjoy the aesthetics and allure of carbon enough to pay the difference. Norco has continued to curate value-rich builds within the entire Fluid lineup, so if one price point or component spec speaks to you, let that be your deciding factor—not the frame material. If you are seeking the lightest Fluid possible, start with a carbon frame only, and with some thoughtful component selection, you will certainly end up with a lighter Fluid than what we tested. 

Vital MTB Rating - 4.5 / 5 stars

For more information about the Fluid, please visit Norco.com

View key specs, compare bikes, and rate the Norco Fluid FS in the Vital MTB Product Guide.

About The Reviewer 

John Palumbo- Age 48 // Years Riding MTB: 27 // Height: 6'1" (1.85m) // Weight 215-pounds (97.5kg) 

John has been riding for over 27 years, racing most cycling disciplines along the way. Currently the Executive Director for Southwest Mountain Biking Association, he has dedicated his life to cycling, trail design/maintenance and growing his local mountain biking community.