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Norco Fluid FS 4 Review

A confident and capable bike at an outstanding price, this is a fantastic bike!
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Norco Fluid FS 4 Review (The Norco Fluid is a fantastic value and an even better way to experience the trails.)
The Norco Fluid is a fantastic value and an even better way to experience the trails.
Credit: Pat Donahue
Price:  $1,899 List
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Manufacturer:   Norco
By Pat Donahue, Joshua Hutchens  ⋅  Aug 21, 2023
81
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 11
  • Fun Factor - 30% 8.0
  • Downhill - 30% 9.0
  • Climbing - 25% 7.0
  • Build - 15% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Norco Fluid FS 4 is a ripping trail bike at an outstanding price point. This red singletrack slayer delivers a very confident and capable ride, with its downhill stability and composure standing out as particularly impressive. This 130mm travel 29er should tick a ton of boxes for riders looking for a bike that can handle a wide variety of terrain, from mellow trails to more aggressive ones. As a result, the Fluid FS 4 was an easy choice for our Editor's Choice award. Simply put, this is the most capable and confident bike we have ridden in this price range. Our article on the best budget mountain bikes will show you how it fares versus competing products.
REASONS TO BUY
Extremely capable on the descents
Comfortable climbing abilities
Solid build spec
REASONS TO AVOID
Long wheelbase might not be ideal for some trail networks
Not a particularly spritely climber

Compare to Similar Products

 
norco fluid fs 4
This Product
Norco Fluid FS 4
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Budget Full-Suspension Mountain Bike
 Best Buy Award
Best Full-Suspension Bike Under $2000
 Best Buy Award
Most Versatile Budget Hardtail
Price $1,899 List$2,399 List$1,799 List$1,499 List$1,399 List
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line A true singletrack slayer at an eye-popping priceThis redesigned bike is just as well-rounded but rips harder than its predecessorA quick-witted and agile bike that boasts incredible uphill efficiencyA quality, versatile, entry-level full-suspension mountain bike with a very reasonable price tagA versatile hardtail that is comfortable in a number of situations
Rating Categories Norco Fluid FS 4 Polygon Siskiu T8 Canyon Neuron 5 Polygon Siskiu D7 Trek Roscoe 7
Fun Factor (30%)
8.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
Downhill (30%)
9.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
Climbing (25%)
7.0
8.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
Build (15%)
8.0
7.0
8.0
5.0
8.0
Specs Norco Fluid FS 4 Polygon Siskiu T8 Canyon Neuron 5 Polygon Siskiu D7 Trek Roscoe 7
Wheelsize 29" 29" 29" 29" (27.5" S, M) 29"
Weight 36 lbs 2 oz (tubeless) 32 lbs 8 oz 33 lbs 10 oz (tubeless) 33 lbs 31 lbs 12 oz (tubeless)
Frame Material Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Size Tested XL L L L L
Available Sizes S-XXL S, M, L, XL XS-XL S, M, L, XL XS, S, M, ML, L, XL
Fork RockShox Recon RL, 140mm Fox Rhythm 34, 140mm RockShox Recon Silver RL, 130mm RockShox Recon RL, 120mm RockShox Recon Silver RL, 140mm
Rear Shock X-Fusion 02 Pro R, 120mm Fox Float DPS Performance EVOL RockShox Deluxe Select RockShox Deluxe Select+ N/A
Wheelset Stan's Flow D Rims with Bear Pawls hub Entity XL2 Disc Iridium 30 Shimano hubs with Entity X15 doublewall disc rims E*Thirteen LG1 Enduro rims with Shimano MT 510 hubs
Front Tire Goodyear Newton 29 x 2.4" Folding Schwalbe Han Dampf Addix Speedgrip EVO TLE 2.6" Schwalbe Nobby Nic 29 x 2.4" Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25" Bontrager XR4 29 x 2.6"
Rear Tire Goodyear Escape 29 x 2.35" Folding Schwalbe Han Dampf Addix Speedgrip EVO TLE 2.6" Schwalbe Wicked WIll 29 x 2.4" Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.25" Bontrager XR4 29 x 2.6"
Shifters Shimano Deore 11- Speed Shimano SLX 12-speed Shimano Deore 12-speed Shimano Deore 11-speed Shimano Deore 12-speed
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore 11-speed Shimano SLX 12-speed Shimano Deore 12-speed Shimano Deore 11-speed Shimano Deore 12-speed
Cranks FSA Comet Shimano MT510 175mm(L-XL) Praxis Shimano Deore Shimano MT-511
Chainring 30T 32T 32T 32T 30T
Bottom Bracket FSA Mega EXO BSA Threaded Shimano Shimano Deore Shimano SM-BB52
Cassette Sunrace 11-speed 11-51T Shimano SLX 12-speed 10-51T Shimano Deore 12-speed 10-51T Shimano Deore 11-speed Shimano Deore 12-speed 10-51T
Saddle Norco Trail Entity XTENT Selle Italia X3 Entity Void Bontrager Arvada
Seatpost SDG Tellis Dropper 200mm Tranz-X 170mm (L-XL) Iridium Dropper 150mm Tranz-X 170mm (L-XL) 150mm (S-M) TransX Dropper 150mm
Handlebar E*Thirteen 800mm Entity Expert 780mm Iridium Flat. 780mm Entity Expert Alloy 780mm Bontrager Alloy 780
Stem Alloy 40mm Entity Expert 35mm Iridium, 50mm Entity Expert 45mm Bontrager Alloy 50mm
Brakes Tektro HD-M535 Tektro HD-M745 4-piston Shimano BT-MT10 Shimano MT201 Hydraulic Disc Shimano MT-200
Warranty Five years 10 Years on frame Six Years 5 Years on frame Lifetime

Our Analysis and Test Results

For 2024, Norco changed the name of the bike from the Fluid FS 4 top Fluid FS A4 to denote its aluminum frame; it is an excellent value. -May 2024

This bike confident when aimed down just about any trail

'photo-credit'>Credit: Pat Donahue


Should I Buy This Bike?


The Fluid FS 4 makes a lot of sense for a lot of riders. Riders who are interested in a bike in this price range that can legitimately shred and hold its own on more difficult terrain will love this bike. While the 140mm RockShox Recon Silver fork and X-Fusion O2 Pro shock won't blow your mind, the components on this bike largely back up this bike's can-do attitude. The 11-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain works well, the Tektro brakes offer plenty of power, and the Goodyear rubber can handle high speeds and aggressive rider input.

Riders who put a lot of stock into outright efficiency may want to look elsewhere. This bike climbs well enough, but there are better options if rapidly scooting up hills and logging big miles are important to you.

norco fluid fs 4 - the norco fluid is as fun as a barrel of monkeys. climbing abilities...
The Norco Fluid is as fun as a barrel of monkeys. Climbing abilities are solid and downhill performance is outrageously good.
Credit: Pat Donahue

Fun Factor


When assessing a bike, the fun factor is a somewhat subjective performance metric. We found this bike to be exceptionally fun thanks to its adaptable attitude and ability to feel comfortable in most situations. The controlled and confident ride had us smiling ear-to-ear and quickly had us forgetting that we were riding a “budget” bike…we think that's incredibly fun.

In terms of traditional definitions of fun factor, this bike is happy to get airborne and snap through corners. That being said, we wouldn't call it the most peppy or lively bike when it comes to boosting jumps and finding trailside obstacles to launch off of. The slack 65-degree head angle and long reach paired with the lengthy 1284mm wheelbase (size XL test bike) don't feel all that eager to get airborne. If you are in between sizes and prefer a playful ride, we highly recommend sizing down.

norco fluid fs 4 - this bike is confident in almost all downhill situations.
This bike is confident in almost all downhill situations.
Credit: Pat Donahue

Downhill


The Fluid FS A4 is a very competent descender. In fact, it is a clear standout in terms of downhill prowess within its test class… in fact, it's not really close.

There are a few key elements that contribute to this bike's downhill skills. First, the slack 65-degree head tube angle is very modern and aggressive among 130mm trail bikes. Rolling into gnarly or steep sections of trail, there is a distinct sense of confidence, and it feels a little like a small enduro bike compared to a beefy trail bike. Next, the long, effective top tube and size-specific chainstays (445mm on our XL bike) create a long wheelbase that lends itself to incredible stability. When flying down singletrack at high speeds, this bike feels incredibly confident, calm, and planted. When other bikes in our test class begin to stutter, the Fluid FS remains stable at speed.

The simple and effective four-bar suspension design delivers a predictable and comfortable ride. When charging over choppy trails, the bike feels calm and does a nice job of smoothing out the ride. On bigger impacts, the suspension is supportive and doesn't blow through its travel too easily. Running about 28% sag seemed to be the sweet spot in terms of balancing bottom-out control and small bump sensitivity.

norco fluid fs 4 - the rear suspension is active and remains glued to the ground over...
The rear suspension is active and remains glued to the ground over choppy sections of trail.
Credit: Pat Donahue

The Goodyear Newton 2.4-inch front tire was a pleasant surprise. It was aggressive enough to provide a confident front end and could handle aggressive movements and loose surfaces pretty well.

Given the longer wheelbase and long reach, this bike didn't necessarily corner like it was on rails. It thrives on faster, wide-open corners or berms as opposed to working through super-tight ones. To be clear, it corners well enough, but if your local singletrack is littered with ultra-tight switchbacks, this could prove to be important when making a purchase decision.

norco fluid fs 4 - while it is no featherweight, the norco is a comfortable and...
While it is no featherweight, the Norco is a comfortable and effective climber.
Credit: Pat Donahue

Climbing


The Fluid FS 4 has a comfortable position and can-do attitude when it comes to grinding uphill. There is no mistaking it for a cross-country bike, but it gets the job done.

This bike has a comfortable seated climbing position that feels fairly relaxed. The 77-degree effective seat tube angle is pleasant by modern-day standards. The bike has a fairly upright feel to it when climbing, and despite its long reach, it doesn't feel like you're being pulled forward over the bars. Instead, the positioning is comfortable, and it feels like you could sit and spin all day if you're not in a huge rush.

Our XL test bike hit the scales at 36 pounds without pedals and set up tubeless. It's definitely no featherweight but it also doesn't feel that heavy when climbing. The X-Fusion rear shock does not have a climb switch, and the suspension remains fairly active when climbing. On one hand, this is a positive when climbing technical trails, as active suspension lends itself to improved rear-wheel traction. On the other hand, there is a noticeable amount of pedal bob when climbing a steep fire road and you start to put the power down.

The Fluid FS isn't an especially swift climber, but it's very comfortable and can get you to the top of any climb so long as you are not in a huge rush. The Shimano Deore 11-speed derailleur is paired with a 30-tooth chainring and SunRace 51-tooth cassette, which allows for a very light climbing gear comparable to a 12-speed drivetrain.

Our hub started making noise on our second ride.
Credit: Pat Donahue

Build


When evaluating the build kits on budget bikes, it is easy to get hung up on a mediocre fork or shock. In the case of the Fluid FS 4, the suspension might be underwhelming, but the rest of the package works extremely well for the price.

Fork- Our test bike came fitted with a 140mm RockShox Recon Silver fork. This fork uses the Motion Control damper and has low-speed compression and rebound adjustments. We had to run significantly more air than normal to achieve enough support out of this fork. Our 195-pound tester used about 120 PSI and a healthy amount of low-speed compression damping to keep the fork from diving into its travel too frequently. This fork might not be particularly plush, but it works.

norco fluid fs 4 - the x-fusion shock lacks a climb switch that could have been useful...
The X-Fusion shock lacks a climb switch that could have been useful on fireroad climbs.
Credit: Pat Donahue


Shock- The X-Fusion 02 Pro shock was a solid performer. While we would have liked to see a climb switch for double-track climbs, the shock performed quite well on the descent. We were able to identify the ideal settings very quickly and were able to focus on shredding this red rocket.

norco fluid fs 4 - a shimano 11-speed derailleur is paired with a sunrace wide-range...
A Shimano 11-speed derailleur is paired with a SunRace wide-range cassette.
Credit: Pat Donahue

Drivetrain - The Fluid FS 4 came with a Shimano Deore 11-speed derailleur and shifter paired with a SunRace 51-tooth cassette. A 30-tooth chainring helped provide a very breezy climbing experience that rivals a far more expensive 12-speed setup. We really liked the use of a Shimano 11-speed derailleur instead of a low-end 12-speed derailleur. Simply put, we find the entry-level 11-speed drivetrains are a bit more crisp than the entry-level 12-speed drivetrains. Shifting was tidy throughout the entire testing period.

Brakes- Stopping duties were performed by Tektro HD-M535 4-piston brakes. These brakes offer plenty of power, and despite having a fairly simple lever design, they just work. We never felt held back by the brakes.

Wheels-The Bear Pawls rear hub started making noise very quickly. This became annoying and frustrating on a brand-new bike. The freehub still functioned perfectly as this noise persisted.

The Goodyear Newton front tire was among the most aggressive front...
The Goodyear Newton front tire was among the most aggressive front tire in our test class. An aggressive front tire goes a long way to a confident ride.
The Goodyear Escape rear tire is fast-rolling and provides mediocre...
The Goodyear Escape rear tire is fast-rolling and provides mediocre braking bite.

Tires- Our test bike featured a Goodyear Newton 29 x 2.4-inch tire up front paired with a 2.35-inch Goodyear Escape in the rear.

We had never ridden any of the Goodyear tires, and we were pleasantly surprised. The Goodyear Newton offered plenty of bite in loose conditions and at high speed. The faster-rolling Goodyear Escape on the rear wheel delivered a solid blend of traction and rolling speed. The sidewall support was fine, although we could feel these tires squirming a bit at 25+ PSI.

norco fluid fs 4 - this bike is a true winner.
This bike is a true winner.
Credit: Pat Donahue

Conclusion


The Norco Fluid FS 4 is an easy choice for our coveted Editor's Choice award. This bike is the most capable out of all of the bikes in its test class by a healthy margin. The downhill performance is spectacular, and the climbing experience can be defined as comfortable. We loved this bike, and we think you will too.

Pat Donahue, Joshua Hutchens
 

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