2002 Norco VPS Fluid
Dual Suspension Freeride Bike
VPS Fluid: $2949 CND - specs
frame only: 1149 CND
Confidence - what I lacked when I chose the easier route after 10 minutes of staring down the throat of a slick rock face. Confidence - what I couldn’t muster in the spring contemplating that new drop. Confidence - what I just didn't have in my old bike.
Wrestling with confidence in your abilities is hard enough without the constant worry of equipment failure. There is nothing I have found more frustrating than facing a new challenge and wondering if the bike will survive.
If this sounds familiar then, like me, shopping for a new bike isn’t about finding a rig that will bestow god-like skills (although that’d be nice). What we are really in the market for is confidence; the kind inspired by a reliable, responsive freeride machine. What I found was Norco’s 2002 VPS Fluid.
Out of the Box
By far the best feature of the Fluid is the frame design. It was refreshing
to sit on a dual suspension bike and still have my feet touch the ground (I’m
5’5”). This bike was created with smaller riders in mind, but anyone can benefit
from the increased standover height and laid-back geometry. The slack angles
and compact size also made the Fluid incredibly nimble and agile despite its
weight (approx. 40lbs. with stock components).
Another thing about the Fluid that really impressed me was the quality of the stock components relative to its price. The complete bike retails for a little under $3000 with Race Face Prodigy DH double w/ guard, dual 8” Hayes hydraulic disc brakes, a FUNN bar and stem combo, and the Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 1. This bike definitely reinforces Norco’s reputation for providing high quality at a reasonable cost.
Before you start thinking this sounds like a Norco marketing brochure, there were a few things I didn’t like about the bike or, more specifically, about its components. Within a few rides I replaced the front shifter, grips, saddle, and tires. As well, I had to exchange the standard seatpost for a telescopic, an item that should definitely come stock since every rider I have seen on this bike has needed one.
The Fluid uses a combination of a front Grip Shift and rear Rapidfire shifter. After about a month of riding, I replaced the Grip Shift with a Rapidfire. (I also considered a single ring and chain guide.) This decision was motivated purely by personal preference. Although the innovative use of the Grip Shift gives the rider their full range of gears and prevents cage rub, I still disliked it and never felt comfortable.
As well, I was very disappointed with the grips; a seemingly minor detail that caused a lot of headaches on the trail. Within three rides, they were worn through and slippery; I replaced them with ODI Lock-ons. Although the grips are current with industry standards, I would love to see Norco push this standard to Lock-ons, since any bike advertised as ‘Shore’ should be able to handle Shore conditions.
The Fluid's tires were, by far, its weakest feature. The Kendas were excellent on dry streets but turned into a slippery nightmare on mucky trails and, in particular, on wet wooden stunts and roots. Fortunately, tires are one of the cheapest and easiest components to change. I replaced mine with a 2.5 Intense50 DH on the front, and a 2.2 Michelin WildGripper in the rear.
On the Trail
As much as I was impressed with the setup and design of the Fluid, I didn’t fall in love with it until we actually spent some 'quality time' on the trails. During the test period, I noticed some fairly significant increases in my skill level, and can definitely attribute part of this to how much confidence I had in the bike.
I was also keen to test Norco’s claim that the Fluid was an ‘all-around’ freeride bike. It's ideal for someone wants to try everything. I would especially recommend it for newer riders, since it can easily withstand some of the less-than-smooth landings and ghost-rider escapes that inevitably accompany a sharp learning curve. It also proved itself ready to tackle entry-level DH racing, dirt jumping, biker cross, and, the nemesis of all dual suspension bikes, climbing. Even urban/street riding, a known bike thrasher, was no match for this bike.
click on images to enlarge
The ride is lively, yet solid enough that doing your average drop won’t faze it. The Fluid's manoeuverability and agility approach that of a hardtail, while offering the high-speed control and comfort only dual suspension can provide.
Norco let me keep the Fluid for five months to see how it would hold up over the long run. Once again, I was impressed. After the initial component changes, I only needed to replace the pedals due to wear. I was a bit disappointed with how badly scarred and scratched the paint looked by the end of the test period, but in comparison to the overall quality, it’s a minor cosmetic complaint.Down the Road
As you can see, this rider feels that Norco has struck gold in designing the
VPS Fluid. But, I’m not sure if it will stay that way. Next year Norco plans
to bring out three different versions of the Fluid ranging in price from approx.
$1700 to $3400. All three are slated to be lighter and less aggressive for the
all-around biker.
I would still like to see at least one of the Fluid designs stay aggressive and ‘overbuilt’, since the original idea was to provide a burly shore bike for shorter riders like myself. As well, the benefits of beefier components and a sturdier frame will never be lost on newer riders.
However, Norco has defended their decision to lighten up the Fluid because of a new compact monocoque design that is rumoured to be in the works. The new designs will supposedly have lower standover than the old VPS line while still being geared towards DH and heavier freeriding. Unfortunately, there is really no way to see if these bikes can take the place of the Fluid until we ride them when they are unveiled in 2003.
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The Verdict
Overall, I loved the unique design and responsiveness of this bike. I was blown
away by its versatility. Not only did it attack DH and Shore trails, it was
excellent for dirt jumping and urban/street riding. It also climbs remarkably
well for a full suspension bike, due to the sturdy 4-bar linkage design.
Any rider that is looking for the confidence to take their skills to the next level can benefit from the unique frame design, nimble feel, and increased standover that the Fluid has to offer. If you are the kind of rider that wants to be able to attack any type of freeriding terrain but don’t have the cash to dump into a full quiver of bikes, the Fluid is a winning choice. Very few dual suspension bikes on the market can compete with the quality of bike Norco is providing at that price.
Trisha Petrella
Gidget@nsmb.com
Photos: Cam McRae
Rider: Trisha Petrella
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