The Canadians' light première was announced last summer, and now the Fluid VLT is finally rolling onto the market. Perhaps the North Americans needed some time to get used to it, as they had previously been much more on the higher-further-stronger bandwagon. With 900 Wh batteries in their Range, Sight and Fluid models, Norco were already at the forefront of the giant battery wave in 2021 (click here to test the Norco Sight with 900 battery). So now the Fluid VLT light bike, the first bike from Norco with minimal assist drive, the Bosch Performance SX. The "small" Bosch is regarded as the light motor that comes closest to a conventional power drive. It delivers 40 Newton metres of torque and 450 watts of peak power in normal mode, but releases peak values of up to 55 Newton metres and 600 watts of motor power at short notice.
Facts about the Bosch Performance Line SX
- Continuous load: 40 Newton metres / 450 watts motor power
- Short-term peak values: Up to 55 Newton metres / 600 watts motor power
- Motor weight: 2.07 kg (EMTB measured value)
- New battery: Compact Tube 400 Wh, 2075 grams (EMTB measured value)
- Range extender Power More 250: 250 Wh
Norco Fluid VLT with two suspension travel versions: 150/140 and 140/130 mm
The Fluid VLT will be available in two suspension travel versions. The Fluid VLT 130 provides 140 millimetres of travel at the front and 130 millimetres at the rear. The Fluid VLT 140 provides one centimetre more travel at the front and one centimetre more at the rear. With 150/140 millimetres of travel and a wheel mix, the VLT 140 appeals to the trail/all-mountain target group, while the 130 model (also 29/27.5 inches) should also appeal to performance bikers. The geometry is modern and stretched. The small 27.5-inch rear wheel and the short chainstays, which grow with the frame sizes, should ensure manoeuvrability. The main frame is made of carbon on all models and houses the new Bosch Compacttube 400 battery, which is permanently installed in the frame and can only be removed for maintenance purposes.
The facts about the Norco Fluid VLT (manufacturer's specifications)
- Frame material: full carbon (C1); carbon main frame/aluminium rear triangle (C2, C3)
- Suspension travel: 140/130 mm and 150/140 mm
- Wheel size: 29/27.5 inch
- Weight: from 18.1 kg (VLT 130 C1, smallest frame size)
- Frame sizes: S1 / S2 / S3 / S4 / S5
- Drive: Bosch Performance Line SX, max. 55 Nm torque
- Battery: Bosch Compacttube, 400 Wh (permanently installed)
The geometry of the new Norco All Mountain bike
And what is the USP that the long-established company, founded in 1964, attributes to its latest offspring? "Our entire product team has worked together to develop a lightweight e-MTB that climbs incredibly well yet retains the confidence of a trail bike and playfulness on the descents," says Rachael DeVisser, Product Developer at Norco. And Norco Factory Team rider Lucas Cruz says: "This bike lives up to its name. It's a smooth transition between a classic e-bike and the playfulness of a motorless mountain bike." If you look at the geometry data, then the Fluid VLT at least seems to be at the cutting edge. The frame with four-bar rear triangle is available in five sizes (S1-S5). The reach is modern and long (477 mm in size S3, 502 mm in size S4), the seat angle is steep and the chainstays are short. Unusual: the chainstay length and seat angle are adapted to the frame size.
The models at a glance
The Norco Fluid VLT will be available in four versions. The more affordable C3 and C2 models rely on an aluminium rear triangle, while the C1 comes with a full carbon frame, both in the 140 and 130 model variants, which only comes off the production line as the expensive C1 version. With Crank Brothers carbon wheels, Sram XX AXS transmission and Rockshox Pike Ultimate fork, the VLT 130 C1 should weigh 18.1 kilos according to the manufacturer. At 12,999 euros, the Canadian bike is also priced in the highest realms. The top-of-the-range VLT 140 model is a good kilo heavier and 2,400 euros cheaper. Pleasing: At 6,499, the entry-level model VLT 140 C3 remains within reasonable limits, but at 20.3 kilos (according to the manufacturer) it is already drifting into classic E-MTB regions.
Norco Fluid VLT 130 C1
- Suspension travel: 140/130 mm
- Frame: Full carbon fibre
- Weight: 18.1 kg
- Highlights: Sram XX AXS transmission; Crankbrothers Synthesis carbon wheels, Rockshox Pike Ultimate
- Price: 12,999 euros
Norco Fluid VLT 140 C1
- Suspension travel: 150/140 mm
- Frame: Full carbon fibre
- Weight: 19.3 kg
- Highlights: Sram XO AXS Transmission; Fox 36 Performance Elite
- Price: 10,499 euros
Norco Fluid VLT 140 C2
- Suspension travel: 150/140 mm
- Frame: Carbon main frame, aluminium rear triangle
- Weight: 19.9 kg
- Highlights: Sram GX AXS Transmission; Fox 36 Rhythm
- Price: 7,999 euros
Norco Fluid VLT 140 C3
- Suspension travel: 150/140 mm
- Frame: Carbon main frame, aluminium rear triangle
- Weight: 20.3 kg
- Price: 6,499 euros
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
