Norco's redesigned Fluid FS goes longer and slacker, remains sensibly priced

Norco has completely redesigned the Fluid FS, its full suspension alloy trail bike. The stalwart design was due an update, and the brand new design features modernised geometry and features, and is claimed to be able to tackle anything it turns to.

2019 Norco Fluid FS highlights

The Norco Fluid FS has been updated to an even more capable trail package - Norco

Brand new X6 Aluminium frame
Longer, slacker and more progressive geometry
“Size scaled tubing” frame design
Updated with internal routing and thru-axles
1x drivetrain, dropper posts and tubeless compatible tyres on all models
Four models, each with a men’s and women’s version
Available with 27.5” or 29” wheels
130mm travel front, 120mm rear

An all-new aluminium frame

The Norco Fluid FS features an all-new aluminium frame for 2019. The previous frameset was getting a little long in the tooth, so Norco has designed the new bike from the ground up.

Constructed from double butted X6 Aluminium with smooth welds, it looks a neat overall package. The frame has been updated with internal cable routing and now uses a thru axle at the rear.

Norco sticks to its size scaled tubing design, ensuring frame characteristics maintain the same stiffness and ride characteristics for each size in the range.

Modern Geometry

The geometry follows the usual industry trend of going longer, lower and slacker.

The head tube angle is now around 66 degrees, a whole 3 degrees less than the previous model. The reach has increased by about 40mm to 440mm and the wheelbase has increased by almost 60mm to 1169mm for a size M.

To compensate the seat tube angle is now at 76 degrees for a better pedalling position, with a shorter stem and lower standover height helping manoeuvrability.

These are some fairly radical changes compared with the older model, but do now put the new Fluid FS roughly in line with the ‘modern’ geometry we see on a lot of trail bikes today.

The updated progressive geometry should allow you to ride faster and harder - Norco

Setup your suspension

The suspension is still based on a Horst link design offering 120mm travel at the rear. That’s paired with a 130mm travel fork up front.

The ultimate guide to mountain bike rear suspension systems

The Fluid FS will also come with a comprehensive suspension setup guide, with suggestions for tyre pressure, suspension pressure and damping settings. This is potentially a boon for newer riders who need a starting point from which to experiment with their preferred settings.

How to get your suspension setup dialled

Built for purpose

All models will be specced with a modern 1x drivetrain, along with dropper posts and 2.6” tubeless compatible tyres. The range starts at just £1,195 / $1,649 for the FS4 and FS4 W models and tops out with the£1,850 / $3,049 FS1 and FS1 W.

The Fluid FS will be available in four models, each of which is available as a men’s and women’s version. They appear to share the same frame, with women’s specific contact points fitted to the relevant bikes.