Norco has long been one of my favorite mountain bike manufacturers. Up in Canada, they rule the world, but south of the border, they don’t quite have the market share that other behemoth bike manufacturers enjoy (think Specialized, Trek, Cannondale, etc.). Thanks to NAFTA, Norco can easily begin the onslaught of the savvy American public.

The 2007 Norco Fluid 1.0 is billed as an all mountain cross country bike that’s built for all-day adventures full of long ascents and rock-strewn descents. True to their Canadian roots, the Fluid offers geometry that’s just a titch slacker than most bikes in the category (it’s hard to remove the North Shore from the designer’s minds). The Fluid 1.0 is currently in our grimy little hands and will be fully reviewed on FeedTheHabit.com shortly.

Here’s a few highlights of the Norco Fluid 1.0:

  • Horst 4-bar suspension linkage with either 136mm or 108mm travel
  • Fox Float RP23 rear shock - ProPedal and rebound adjust
  • Fox 32 Float RL forks
  • Shimano XT/LX drivetrain mix
  • Mavic Crossride wheelset
  • Hutchinson Python 2.0 tires (YIKES!!! A little narrow for my taste)

Quick Review of the Norco Fluid 1.0

After a quick ride on the Fluid, I’m impressed. As usual, the Fox Float RL fork and Fox Float RP23 rear shock provide a very comfortable and responsive suspension. This bike rides a lot like the Yeti 575, which is one of my all-time favorite all-mountain rigs. I’ve only got a few miles in the saddle, but I think I’m going to like the Fluid 1.0. The only things I know I’ll swap out are the grips and tires. The rubber on the Fluid is a mere 2.0 width, which is narrower than anything I’ve ridden in this century. I’ll swap ‘em out and I’m sure the handling in sand and loose stuff will greatly improve. As it is, the Fluid climbs like a goat and is stable at speed–thanks to its Canadian slacker roots. This is going to be a great bike… I can feel it.

MSRP: $2950 USD
Buy One: Visit Norco.com - Fluid 1.0 Page
Detailed Review: Visit GEAR.com for a detailed Fluid 1.0 review

Posted in: mountain biking