Sometimes things are just worth doing because they are awesome. Norco builds a bike here for the hard charging 7-10 year old that can rip bikes downhill with skill. Thanks to Norco for sending us a demo to facilitate this review.
Norco Fluid FS1 24 Details:
- Intended Age- 7 to 10 years
- Weight- 29.0 lbs (give or take depending on build)
- Features- 155 mm cranks and 30T front chain-ring, Shimano MT500 brakes, 120 mm rear suspension, 145 mm travel Manitou Machete fully tune-able fork, 64.5 HA, 350 mm reach
- MSRP- $2499 USD, $1899 for FS 2
- Available- Norco Bicycles
The Bike Dads' Take:
"A true 24 inch 120 mm travel enduro bike, the Fluid FS 1 pushes the envelope with wide tubeless rims, 2.3inch Maxxis Minions and rebound/compression adjustable 145 mm Manitou fork. Great suspension platform and progressive geometry with a 64.5 degree HA inspires confidence (407mm Chainstays, 75 Seat Tube Angle). With an 11-42 T Sram NX drive train and 155 mm cranks, Norco put together one of the most aggressive 24 inch full suspension bikes we have seen complete with stealth dropper post." -Colin
Looks like the 2023 model comes with 140mm cranks.
Yep, much better.
Thanks for the great reviews and tips. Got an FS1 for my 7 yo here in New Zealand.
We don’t have the same range at reasonable prices as you guys do in the kids bike sizes. I was a little worried about how well this would climb as we have a great xc bike park a few hundred meters away that requires up hill peddling. He’s had no trouble at all and loves it. We also have a lift access park in town that he is really enjoying the bike on.
Made a couple of mods, went tubeless and replaced the cranks with the Prevalo Heir 140mm cranks (new Xt BB). Also swapped the cassette for an Xt 11-46. This has helped with the odd steep section of climbing. I think the above saved over 1/2 kg.
How’s the fork? We have always had trouble getting full travel out of the Machete with the small kids.
Colin, I’m picking up a demo unit from a local shop this week for my sons birthday. Looking to lighten it up a bit. We live by The Don trails in Toronto where he will ride the most. What would you recommend swapping out to lighten it up?
Tires, wheelset, cassette, cranks will help the most but can also look to a carbon bar, light weight cold forged stem.
Best bike for a juniors norcos had a FS2 24 red and grey
everything jus works ergo wise, kids can handle these like a adult would they’re bike if confident.
My son did wear out a bottom bracket
and rear linkages got quite a bit of play, but was jumping big hits and thrashing down hills a bit more then most kids would.
we have since replaced with a FS1 24 red and green
was the same price as as the FS2 24 was much better bike if you kid likes to ride often gears are better and wheels and tyres, you are half way there once you replace the average tyres on the FS2
have a bit of trouble getting the rear shock pressure right he bottoms it out pretty hard when set up sag like a normal bike so put a bit more pressure in. but he is riding it harder then most.
put a set of renthal carbon bars on and set up tube less
rides like a dream
I’m debating between Norco Fluid FS 2 24” ($1600 on sale) or YT Jeffsy Primus 24 (retail at $2k)…. Open to other options, but these seemed reasonable. Would anyone have recommendations? Norco seems like a good deal at the moment, but YT is lighter of if the box.
How do you rate the Norco Fluid FS2 24″ compared to the Polygon D24X? We’re leaning towards the Norco as we can get it with a free service from our LBS and that may outweigh the $200AUD difference in cost between them. But other than that factor, keen to hear your view on which is the best value for money for an eager 7 year old.
They are similar weights with the Norco being slacker and more bike park/descending geometry while the the Polygon a little more all mountain geometry. That said this difference is small. The part specs differ a fair amount but both builds and suspension performs well. You do get the 145mm fork on the Norco although this is base model Machete. Its hard to get full travel out of the Machetes so I’d say the difference from the 120mm x fusion fork is negligible. Both very good bikes and I’m sure either will suit your needs.
Thanks heaps for all the advice. Decided on the Norco FS 2 24″ for my 7 year old son. Was going to buy the Polygon but want to support LBS and will get awesome after sales service from them so I’m happy. Any tips / hints now that you’ve had it for a while?
Would live to know if you guys have any setup tips for the Manitou J unit fork? We just bought this bike but are struggling a little with setup.
Unfortunately, as mentioned it the review, I also struggled with the fork set-up. I think the factory tune is too stiff a tune for the light weight kids. It has an adjustable shim stack so a suspension service center should be able to dial it in better. That said, make sure you have the shock pump screwed in as much as possible on the valve and pump in 5-10 lb increments taking the pump off and cycling through the travel a few times in between increments. I have tried a number of J-UNIT forks and some travel lengths performed better than others but on a whole I found it difficult to get full use of travel. Good luck!
Hello!
I’m looking at the norco fluid 2 or rocky mountain reaper for my 7.5 year old, out of those two which one is smaller? My daughter is petite (49” inseam about 22”).
Thanks!
The Norco has a bit smaller reach (negligible) and fairly shorter stack height (due to 24 inch fork vs 26). Either would probably fit pretty good. Tough with kids as they keep growing!