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The Norco Fluid has long served as a budget-friendly and highly capable trail bike. Traditionally, the platform has been comfortable dressed in budget parts and set up for beginners, and also dripping in Kashima for folks after a capable trail bike, who aren’t interested in carbon.
Last updated in 2023, the Fluid received an increase in suspension travel at both ends and an all-new alloy frame. We tested the Fluid FS A1 and were impressed by its handling and solid-feeling alloy chassis. It was a shining example of how well-considered geometry and thoughtfully tuned suspension can offer loads of capability without resorting to excessive travel.
For 2027, the new Fluid has been refined, and the frame looks very similar. However, there have been some clever tweaks to keep it modern and practical.
Related:
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- Norco Torrent DH Review | A refreshingly simple DH rig that gets the important things right
- Norco Sight VLT CX Review | Powerful, playful and plush
An overview of the 2027 Norco Fluid
The Fluid sits between the high-pivot, longer-travel Sight and the Revolver XC bike within Norco’s range. Previously, it was quite similar to the Optic, with a smidgen more rear travel; however, that bike has since gone high-pivot, forging down a separate path — it also no longer appears on the Norco AU, website but is still available overseas.
Keeping the Fluid in this same segment, the suspension travel has not changed, maintaining 130mm of rear squish and a 140mm fork.
What is changing, however, is the aluminium used for the frame. The new model is made from 6066 aluminium, compared to the 6061 alloy used in the previous bike. Norco says the 6066 alloy balances durability and some weight savings, with the new frame claimed to be lighter than the older model.
Norco doesn’t state how many grams this new frame has lost, but looking at the complete bike weights, the new Fluid actually gains a bit of weight over its predecessor.
The size Large Fluid A1 we tested in 2023 had a confirmed weight of 15.38kg, while the claimed weight of a new Fluid A1 in the equivalent size is 16.2kg.
This isn’t an apples-to-apples comparison, as our test bike had a Fox 34, while the 2027 version uses a RockShox Lyrik with 35mm stanchions, among other things.
Internal cable routing & VPS suspension
This updated frame now also features fully guided internal routing, using nylon tubing to direct cables and hoses through the frame, staying well away from the headset. This is a welcome addition for home mechanics and bike shops alike.
Just like the previous model, the new Fluid utilises Norco’s Virtual Pivot Suspension (VPS) layout to deliver 130mm of rear travel. This is Norco’s take on a Horst Link design, and it has become a mainstay of the brand’s dual suspension range, also appearing on the Torrent DH bike. While Norco has moved a number of its platforms to high-pivot suspension, VPS is simple, low-maintenance, and is well suited to this short travel platform.
Handling the rear squish duties is either a custom-tuned RockShox Super Deluxe or DVO Opal rear shock, depending on the build.
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Each size of the 2027 Norco Fluid gets size-specific rear centre lengths and set tube angles.
2027 Norco Fluid Geometry & Sizing
Since the last Fluid, Norco has changed to its reach-based S-sizing, moving away from the classic t-shirt size model — with a size S3 roughly equating to the previous Large — and the new Fluid will be available in five sizes.
The head angle remains unchanged at 65° while the bottom bracket height is now 6mm lower at 342mm across all sizes. The seat angles are size-specific and are slightly steeper. We’re talking less than one degree in every size.
There is actually quite a bit to digest on this geometry chart: the reach in size S1 and S2 has grown, while size S3 and up have gotten smaller, and the stack heights have decreased by 9mm across the board. Looking at the size S3, the reach is 8mm shorter, now at 472mm.
Norco is a major proponent of size-specific chainstays for the influence the rear centre length can have on optimal weight distribution between the wheels. The smallest S1 frame has a 428mm rear centre, while S5 stretches to 444mm, both with a 29in rear wheel.
Norco is also jumping to size-specific crank length, too, with 165mm on sizes S1 and S2 and 170mm on S3-S5 — the old bike was 175mm cranks across the board.
A flip chip on a Norco?
Norco has traditionally avoided flip chips on its trail bikes, believing that creating a meaningful difference in the geometry required concessions elsewhere that made the juice not worth the squeeze.
However, the 2027 Fluid features a link-arm flip chip that allows riders to swap from a full 29er to a mixed-wheeled mullet bike.
All bikes will ship as full 29ers; however, the flip chip on the link arm raises the rear BB drop by 9mm to compensate for the smaller 27.5in wheel. Norco says the inclusion of the flip chip allows riders to adapt to different terrain and personal preferences without compromising geometry or suspension kinematics.
Lifetime Warranty & Ride-Aligned Setup
The new Fluid will be backed by Norco’s “No Other Way Limited Lifetime Warranty.” This covers every bike the Canadian brand has made from 2014 onwards for its usable life, and there is even a discounted crash replacement program available to the original owner. Pretty neat!
Norco has also said the new Fluid will be included in its Ride Aligned setup guide, which provides ultra-detailed suspension, fit, and tyre pressure recommendations based on a riders’ weight and height. In our experience, it gets you well within the ballpark, potentially only requiring a few clicks here or there.
2027 Norco Fluid Price & Specs
The 2027 Norco Fluid will be available in three build options in Australia. The top-spec Fluid A1 will come in at $4,999 AUD, which gets you a RockShox Lyrik Select+ with 140mm of travel, backed by a Super Deluxe Select RT shock. Shimano handles shifting and stopping duties with a mechanical XT drivetrain and SLX brakes.
At the other end of the spectrum is the entry-level A3 model, which sees a RockShox Recon fork and DVO Opal shock. The drivetrain is a 10-speed Shimano CUES system, and the bike sees Tektro 4-piston brakes. Norco AU has also confirmed it will be bringing in both the black and pistachio colourways of this build.
2027 Norco Fluid A1
- Frame | 6066 aluminium frame, 130mm travel
- Fork | RockShox Lyrik Select+, 140mm travel
- Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Select RT, 210x50mm
- Wheels | WTB KOM Team i30 TCS 2.0, 30mm, 32H, 29in
- Tyres | Schwalbe Magic Mary, Trail casing, Ultra Soft, Radial, 29×2.5in front, Schwalbe Roamy, Trail casing, Soft, Radial, 29×2.4in rear
- Drivetrain | Shimano Deore XT M8200, 12-speed, 10-51T cassette
- Brakes | Shimano SLX, BL-M7120 lever, RT64 203mm front rotor, RT64 180mm rear rotor
- Handlebar | Norco 6061 DB Alloy, 800mm, 25mm rise (S1, S2) – 35mm rise (S3, S4, S5)
- Stem | Norco 6061, 40mm length, 35mm clamp
- Seatpost | TranzX YS I 160 RAD+, 31.6mm, S1 – 125mm travel, S2 – 150mm travel, S3 – 170mm travel, S4/5 – 200mm travel
- Saddle | WTB Solano Med, 142x240mm, steel rails
- Claimed Weight | 16.2kg, size S3
- Price | $4,999 AUD
2027 Norco Fluid A2
- Frame | 6066 aluminium frame, 130mm travel
- Fork | RockShox Psylo Gold RC, 140mm travel
- Shock | RockShox Super Deluxe Select, 210x50mm
- Wheels | WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0, 30mm, 32H, 29in
- Tyres | Schwalbe Magic Mary, Trail casing, Ultra Soft, Radial, 29×2.5in front, Schwalbe Roamy, Trail casing, Soft, Radial, 29×2.4in rear
- Drivetrain | Shimano Deore M6200, 12-speed, 10-51T cassette
- Brakes | Shimano BL-MT401 lever, BR-MT420 calipers, RT64 203mm front rotor, RT64 180mm rear rotor
- Handlebar | Norco 6061 DB Alloy, 800mm, 25mm rise (S1, S2) – 35mm rise (S3, S4, S5)
- Stem | Norco 6061, 40mm length, 35mm clamp
- Seatpost | TranzX YS I 34QL, 31.6mm, S1 – 125mm travel, S2 – 150mm travel, S3 – 170mm travel, S4/5 – 200mm travel
- Saddle | WTB Solano Med, 142x240mm, steel rails
- Claimed Weight | 16.0kg, size S3
- Price | $3,999 AUD
2027 Norco Fluid A3
- Frame | 6066 aluminium frame, 130mm travel (available in Flat Black or Pistachio Green)
- Fork | RockShox Recon RL 140mm
- Shock | DVO Opal, 210x50mm
- Wheels | WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0, 30mm, 32H, 29in
- Tyres | Schwalbe Magic Mary, Trail casing, Ultra Soft, Radial, 29×2.5in front, Schwalbe Roamy, Trail casing, Soft, Radial, 29×2.4in rear
- Drivetrain | Shimano CUES, 10-speed, 11-48T cassette
- Brakes | Tektro HD-M535 lever, Tektro HD-M535 4-piston, 203mm front rotor, 180mm rear rotor
- Handlebar | Norco 6061 DB Alloy, 800mm, 25mm rise (S1, S2) – 35mm rise (S3, S4, S5)
- Stem | Norco 6061, 40mm length, 35mm clamp
- Seatpost | TranzX YS I 34QL, 31.6mm, S1 – 125mm travel, S2 – 150mm travel, S3 – 170mm travel, S4/5 – 200mm travel
- Saddle | WTB Solano Med, 142x240mm, steel rails
- Claimed Weight | 16.9kg, size S3
- Price | $3,099 AUD
Flow’s take on the 2027 Norco Fluid
While a large portion of new bikes being launched are on the higher end of the spectrum, the Fluid is the latest in a series of more budget-conscious options from Norco. There is a significant part of the market that has been crying out for highly capable, well-thought-out aluminium bikes; the Fluid, along with the Torrent DH and the Sight VLT A Bosch, appear to be heeding that call.
The previous-generation Fluid struck a chord as a mighty-capable bike that didn’t cost an arm, a leg, and part of a kidney. The solid chassis and well-sorted geometry paired well with build kits across budgets, delivering an engaging, confidence-inspiring ride, extremely well-suited to a large portion of Aussie terrain.
With the updates to the new model and the strain on many people’s wallets, we can see the 2027 Fluid continuing the trend of the previous bike as a more budget-friendly trail weapon.
The post 2027 Norco Fluid First Look | Flip chips, fresh geometry and sharp pricing appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.
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[[{“value”:”The Norco Fluid has long served as a budget-friendly and highly capable trail bike. Traditionally, the platform has been comfortable dressed in budget parts and set up for beginners, and also dripping in Kashima for folks after a capable trail bike, who aren’t interested in carbon. Last updated in 2023, the Fluid received an increase
The post 2027 Norco Fluid First Look | Flip chips, fresh geometry and sharp pricing appeared first on Flow Mountain Bike.”}]] Read More Flow Mountain Bike
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