Norco's new Fluid FS Carbon is 17 percent lighter than the existing alloy version

Norco has added a carbon front end to their Fluid FS which is said to save a huge 600g over the alloy version already available. The Fluid's format remains unchanged with 140mm front / 130mm rear of travel, the same geometry, and suspension kinematics, however, the 17 percent reduction in frame weight keeps it competitive with the best trail mountain bikes.

Norco's Aligned Design System extends further than the geometry and suspension changes though. All the angles of the Fluid FS Alloy have been passed on to the Carbon version giving the bikes a 65-degree head angle and a 420 to 510mm reach. The rear end is also size specific with a 425mm to 440mm chainstay and 76 to 77-degree seat angle. With the carbon frame, Norco says its Ride Aligned Design System includes the carbon lay-up which has been tuned to give maintain similar strength and stiffness across all frame sizes.

The Fluid frame is super low slung making full use of long dropped posts and giving riders plenty of space to pull shapes on the trail. The 410mm seat tube on the size large means that the large bikes come specced with a 200mm dropper seatpost as standard.

Other than the material and weight, the only significant difference between the Fluid FS alloy and carbon is that the carbon version isn't available in the largest XXL frame size.

The rocker link and rear triangle remain exactly the same as the aluminum version with a UDH hanger-less interface for SRAM Transmission compatibility.

Specs and availability

The Norco Fluid FS Carbon comes in C1, C2, and C3 build options or there is a frameset-only option with a RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate air shock. Bikes and frames are available now starting at $4,099 / £4,199 for the C3 or £2,249 / $2,599 for the frameset.

For more details, head over to Norco.com.

Norco Fluid FS C3

• Frame: Carbon Fiber Main Triangle, Aluminum Stays, 130mm Travel
• Fork: RockShox Pike Select, 140mm Travel
• Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select+
• Crankset: SRAM SX Eagle DUB, 30T, 170mm (S), 175mm (M-XL)
• Cassette: SRAM PG1210 Eagle, 11-50T
• Derailleur: SRAM NX Eagle
• Seatpost: Tranz-X Dropper, 150mm (S), 170mm (M), 200mm (L, XL)
• Saddle: Fizik Alpaca Terra
• Brakes: SRAM DB8, 200mm/180mm
• Wheels: WTB ST, 29in
• Tires: Vittoria Mazza 2.4in Trail G2.0, Vittoria Martello 2.35in Trail G2.0
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Color: Copper/Black, Black/Chrome
• Pricing: $4,099 / £4,199

Norco Fluid FS C2

• Frame: Carbon Fiber Main Triangle, Aluminum Stays, 130mm Travel
• Fork: RockShox Pike Select+, 140mm Travel
• Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select+
• Crankset: Truvativ Descendant DUB, 30T, 170mm (S), 175mm (M-XL)
• Cassette: SRAM 1275 Eagle, 10-52T
• Derailleur: SRAM GX Eagle
• Seatpost: SDG Tellis Adjustable Dropper, 150mm (S), 170mm (M), 200mm (L, XL)
• Saddle: Fizik Alpaca Terra
• Brakes: SRAM G2 RS, 200mm/180mm
• Wheels: WTB ST Light, 29in
• Tires: Vittoria Mazza 2.4in Trail G2.0, Vittoria Martello 2.35in Trail G2.0
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Color: Blue/Black, Black/Chrome
• Pricing: $4,999 / £4,999

Norco Fluid FS C1

• Frame: Carbon Fiber Main Triangle, Aluminum Stays, 130mm Travel
• Fork: RockShox Pike Ultimate, 140mm Travel
• Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate
• Crankset: SRAM GX DUB T-Type, 30T, 170mm (S), 175mm (M-XL)
• Cassette: SRAM 1275 T-Type, 10-52T
• Derailleur: SRAM GX Eagle AXS T-Type
• Seatpost: SDG Tellis VS Adjustable Dropper, 150mm (S), 170mm (M), 200mm (L, XL)
• Saddle: Fizik Alpaca Terra
• Brakes: SRAM G2 RSC, 200mm/180mm
• Wheels: Crankbrothers Synthesis Enduro Alloy Wheelset, 29in
• Tires: Vittoria Mazza 2.4in Trail G2.0, Vittoria Martello 2.35in Trail G2.0
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Color: Green/White, Black/Chrome
• Pricing: $5,999 / £6,599