Wow, that looks super awesome and that is WAAAAYYYYY more than the bike that I will ever need, watching you do this trail gives me the shivers lol. Definitely going to check out the bike for my level 1 beginner baby trails lol. Seroiusly cannot even imagine flying down a rocky tree filled trail like that, yikes!
Rad video man and a real nice bike too! I found the same as you with the pike on my tallboy and have had to add a token and more air. You’ve just inspired me to try 2 tokens 😂
Nice bike and the leaves are all out in full bloom. As an Optic owner I'm glad the Fluid wasn't around when I bought as it would have made the decision a lot more difficult LOL
@@CapitalMTB Would you say the Fluid or Optic is better suited for trails like Camp Fortune? I ride trails similar to the Camp Fortune singletrack (rocky, rooty descents and techy climbs) but also flowy trails with berms/jumps and I get out to Mont Ste. Marie for a couple weeks a year. I like the idea of the Optic for the faster downhills but I want something that's still active at slower speeds and has good traction for techy climbs.
@@martenwopereis9771I think you may want to check out the older version of the sight. I found that to be a great all rounder. The fluid is good but I found it rode better with a 36mm stanchion fork and burlier shock. If you end up making those upgrades it weighs about as much as a sight so IMO sight is the way to go.
Did you consider the Trek Ex as well? I'm really between wanting the Trek and Norco. This will be my first modern non-emtb so excited to get back into something lighter weight and more simple again. My Trek dealership is my preferred shop so its making it hard to go to Norco (I do have a Norco VLT Bigfoot thought) but there is just something about the Fluid that makes me want it more.
So the Trek has a tad more travel and you can change the geo a bunch too with the flip chips. I’d say if you’re only going to get one bike the Trek is your best bet but if you can swing getting a trail bike and an enduro bike the fluid is a great option.
How laterally stiff did you find the frame? I'd ride a large and it has a short seat tube. I've tried the Ibis and found it was really flexy at the top tube.
@@CapitalMTB Right on. I snagged a '23 A1 fluid late this summer. I'm just a shade under 5'9".. I rode both medium and Large and opted for a Large. Seat is forward on the rails and I swapped the stem for a 32mm.. I think I'm in love with my bike :) It's just amazing! Anyway, was just curious what you decided on sizing since you are close to the middle also.
@@greenhill26did you find the medium too small or is it just your preference for the large? I’m exact same height as you with long legs and shorter torso, thanks in advance
@@peterhaworth6859 - I think both.. and trust me, this was not a decision I made hastily, I spent a lot of time on this before pulling trigger.. I must have watched every mtb sizing video on youtube... I think you need to consider your riding intent.. For me, my intent for this bike was just to pedal (exercise) and be comfortable.. (I'm treating a "trail" bike like a "cross-country" bike I guess.. We live in a area with fast flowy-smooth single track trails that you can pedal for great lengths of time... good mix of ups and downs... I'm in my mid 40's and have no plans to learn tail whips, whoopties, hoopties, and doopties...😂 just being honest with myself.. I sided on the stability side as appose to snappy trickster side.. At 5'8" - 5'9", we of course fall squarely in the middle of most sizing charts... After watching all the "RAD" and "REACH" youtube videos, I was convinced I was going to buy a "Medium" with a a ~450 reach... -until I sat on one ;) ...for me, as soon as I sat on a Medium, it fell WAY to cramped and did not like it... There is a GMBN video out there somewhere where "Doddy" nudges to size up if you fall in the middle of a sizing chart.... One thing that RAD and REACH do not take into account is the seat-tube angle, which alters the "effective" top tube length.. For myself, I think of it as a "seated reach" as appose to a "standing reach" .... just remember all the angles make a difference in feel.. for instance, there are plenty of bikes out there with shorter reach #'s but longer effective top tubes because of the combination of seat-tube angle and head-tube angle..(plus other factors).... obviously not all mediums are the same and not all larges are the same... My best advise is to go to a bike shop and sit and ride on bikes (that is what I finally did)... also, listen to yourself!! -I got such a mix of recommendations from LBS's.. -> "Yeah, you are definitely a Medium", "I would definitely put you on a Large"..... As I mentioned in my previous post, I do have my seat slid forward, and changed my stem to a Trail One 32mm.. which really dialed it to me, and feels REALLY good. I am very pleased with the feel of the bike and happy with my decision.. I used to get lower back pain, but now that i've moved to this bike the pain is truly gone which is the best part. My lungs are my only limitation now :). Good luck and take your time.
Hey man sorry for late reply and your detailed response. I think I’m leaning more to the large, just a little concerned with that huge jump in reach from the medium, also been looking at Lee likes bikes RAD theory which is the exact opposite of my logic😅. Both my current bikes are mediums but with 460 and 463 reach and about 1220 wheelbase so the fluid or the optic a fair bit smaller
Yeah I’d say the pike is a bit on the flexy side but I don’t mind it in a trail bike context. I may try out a 140 or 150mm lyrik next season for fun though but I told myself I wouldn’t make this into a mini enduro bike.. 🙄
@@CapitalMTB im 5’8” as well. im trying to track down a medium in nova scotia right now just to see how it feels. My current bike is a canyon torque with a 460 reach and its perfect. Im probably stressing to much over it lol.
Yeah fair I’m kinda in the same boat. I really like the geo on the new sight and optic. The reach is on the long side but it definitely feels more comfy.
Awesome video Chris. The new Fluid Carbon rips!!
Wow, that looks super awesome and that is WAAAAYYYYY more than the bike that I will ever need, watching you do this trail gives me the shivers lol. Definitely going to check out the bike for my level 1 beginner baby trails lol. Seroiusly cannot even imagine flying down a rocky tree filled trail like that, yikes!
this bike is currently on sale from norco for what i think is a steal of a deal. I just picked one up foe $3999 canadian. I love it so far!
Currently riding a transition smuggler, it definitely makes me feel like a superhero while hitting jumps. 😂
Love these short travel bikes.
Rad video man and a real nice bike too! I found the same as you with the pike on my tallboy and have had to add a token and more air. You’ve just inspired me to try 2 tokens 😂
Nice bike and the leaves are all out in full bloom. As an Optic owner I'm glad the Fluid wasn't around when I bought as it would have made the decision a lot more difficult LOL
Yeah no kidding, it’s surprising how different they feel considering they’re so similar on paper.
@@CapitalMTB Would you say the Fluid or Optic is better suited for trails like Camp Fortune? I ride trails similar to the Camp Fortune singletrack (rocky, rooty descents and techy climbs) but also flowy trails with berms/jumps and I get out to Mont Ste. Marie for a couple weeks a year. I like the idea of the Optic for the faster downhills but I want something that's still active at slower speeds and has good traction for techy climbs.
@@martenwopereis9771I think you may want to check out the older version of the sight. I found that to be a great all rounder. The fluid is good but I found it rode better with a 36mm stanchion fork and burlier shock. If you end up making those upgrades it weighs about as much as a sight so IMO sight is the way to go.
Did you consider the Trek Ex as well? I'm really between wanting the Trek and Norco. This will be my first modern non-emtb so excited to get back into something lighter weight and more simple again. My Trek dealership is my preferred shop so its making it hard to go to Norco (I do have a Norco VLT Bigfoot thought) but there is just something about the Fluid that makes me want it more.
So the Trek has a tad more travel and you can change the geo a bunch too with the flip chips. I’d say if you’re only going to get one bike the Trek is your best bet but if you can swing getting a trail bike and an enduro bike the fluid is a great option.
love the video. what trails were you riding?
Some were are camp fortune and others were in chelsea near Larimac golf course
What trails were you riding? They look fantastic!
So the POV stuff was at Camp Fortune and the 3rd person stuff was the Chelsea Highlands trail network.
How laterally stiff did you find the frame? I'd ride a large and it has a short seat tube. I've tried the Ibis and found it was really flexy at the top tube.
Good question, I’m not a huge dude (5’8 150lbs) but I do find the frame to be pretty darn stiff.
Thanks for the review! Where are you riding in thr video? Camp fortune?
Thanks! The talking head stuff and pov footage is from Fortune and the shots of me riding are from the Chelsea Highlands trails :)
@@CapitalMTB sweet I'll have to check them out! I'm in QC!
Sorry if I missed it, I see that you entered your height as 5'8".. What size Fluid did you go with?? M? or L? Thanks! (great video by the way)..
Thanks! I’m on a size Medium :)
@@CapitalMTB Right on. I snagged a '23 A1 fluid late this summer. I'm just a shade under 5'9".. I rode both medium and Large and opted for a Large. Seat is forward on the rails and I swapped the stem for a 32mm.. I think I'm in love with my bike :) It's just amazing! Anyway, was just curious what you decided on sizing since you are close to the middle also.
@@greenhill26did you find the medium too small or is it just your preference for the large? I’m exact same height as you with long legs and shorter torso, thanks in advance
@@peterhaworth6859 - I think both.. and trust me, this was not a decision I made hastily, I spent a lot of time on this before pulling trigger.. I must have watched every mtb sizing video on youtube... I think you need to consider your riding intent.. For me, my intent for this bike was just to pedal (exercise) and be comfortable.. (I'm treating a "trail" bike like a "cross-country" bike I guess.. We live in a area with fast flowy-smooth single track trails that you can pedal for great lengths of time... good mix of ups and downs... I'm in my mid 40's and have no plans to learn tail whips, whoopties, hoopties, and doopties...😂 just being honest with myself.. I sided on the stability side as appose to snappy trickster side.. At 5'8" - 5'9", we of course fall squarely in the middle of most sizing charts... After watching all the "RAD" and "REACH" youtube videos, I was convinced I was going to buy a "Medium" with a a ~450 reach... -until I sat on one ;) ...for me, as soon as I sat on a Medium, it fell WAY to cramped and did not like it... There is a GMBN video out there somewhere where "Doddy" nudges to size up if you fall in the middle of a sizing chart.... One thing that RAD and REACH do not take into account is the seat-tube angle, which alters the "effective" top tube length.. For myself, I think of it as a "seated reach" as appose to a "standing reach" .... just remember all the angles make a difference in feel.. for instance, there are plenty of bikes out there with shorter reach #'s but longer effective top tubes because of the combination of seat-tube angle and head-tube angle..(plus other factors).... obviously not all mediums are the same and not all larges are the same... My best advise is to go to a bike shop and sit and ride on bikes (that is what I finally did)... also, listen to yourself!! -I got such a mix of recommendations from LBS's.. -> "Yeah, you are definitely a Medium", "I would definitely put you on a Large"..... As I mentioned in my previous post, I do have my seat slid forward, and changed my stem to a Trail One 32mm.. which really dialed it to me, and feels REALLY good. I am very pleased with the feel of the bike and happy with my decision.. I used to get lower back pain, but now that i've moved to this bike the pain is truly gone which is the best part. My lungs are my only limitation now :). Good luck and take your time.
Hey man sorry for late reply and your detailed response. I think I’m leaning more to the large, just a little concerned with that huge jump in reach from the medium, also been looking at Lee likes bikes RAD theory which is the exact opposite of my logic😅. Both my current bikes are mediums but with 460 and 463 reach and about 1220 wheelbase so the fluid or the optic a fair bit smaller
any big difference on the feel/flex of the pike vs lyrik ?
Yeah I’d say the pike is a bit on the flexy side but I don’t mind it in a trail bike context. I may try out a 140 or 150mm lyrik next season for fun though but I told myself I wouldn’t make this into a mini enduro bike.. 🙄
haha yes fair enough, thanks for getting back to me! enjoy the last bit of fall !@@CapitalMTB
Where were these videos shot? Is this all in and around Ottawa or was some video shot in Quebec?
They were up in chelsea and at camp fortune yep.
@@CapitalMTB ah so are those both in Quebec or one in Ontario and the other in Quebec? I am down here in Pickering...lol. burb of Toronto.
Ah yes then is all the Quebec side just across the bridge from Ottawa :)
Cant decide if i should go with a medium or a large… dammit norco why couldn’t you go with a reach of 460!!!
How tall are you? I went for the medium and put a 45mm stem on and it worked out pretty well.
@@CapitalMTB im 5’8” as well. im trying to track down a medium in nova scotia right now just to see how it feels. My current bike is a canyon torque with a 460 reach and its perfect. Im probably stressing to much over it lol.
Yeah fair I’m kinda in the same boat. I really like the geo on the new sight and optic. The reach is on the long side but it definitely feels more comfy.