Norco Announces New Carbon Fluid VLT eMTB

Mar 20, 2024
by Norco Bicycles  

PRESS RELEASE: Norco Bicycles

In a year when many bike brands have slowed their pace, we continue to innovate and push the boundaries of bike design. Today, we're pleased to release the completely reimagined Carbon Fluid VLT E-MTB, now available at dealers and for order online at norco.com. Featuring a Bosch motor, a complete carbon frame, and updated geometry with a top-shelf component spec, the all-new Fluid VLT is a lightweight package that looks, feels, and rides exactly like you want it to.

“Our entire product team worked together to develop a lightweight E-MTB that climbs incredibly well and still maintains trail bike confidence and playfulness on the descents,” said Rachael DeVisser, Product Developer at Norco. “The Fluid VLT is a bike anyone can enjoy.”


2024 Fluid VLT

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The Fluid VLT is powered by the Bosch Performance Line SX wireless ecosystem, which offers intuitive pedal-assist, sheds significant weight, and delivers a seamless rider experience. The motor is a Bosch PL SX, powered by a Bosch 400wh battery. Paired with the Bosch e-Bike Flow App, riders can easily fine-tune their ride experience to optimize assistance levels and monitor battery range.

Norco is offering the Fluid VLT in a sub-40 lb 130 model with a 140mm fork and 130mm rear shock and a more aggressive 140 model with 150mm up front and 140mm in the back. Both the 130 and the 140 run a mixed wheel combination. Multiple build options help meet a variety of budgets.


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Norco Factory Team rider Lucas Cruz has spent significant time aboard the new Fluid VLT and had this to say:

“The Fluid VLT is a blast to ride. Since it’s so lightweight the power kicks in hard! This bike really takes after its name; it’s such a fluid transition between e-bike accessibility and pedal bike playfulness.”

With Norco’s Ride Aligned™ setup guide, riders can easily adjust their bike fit and suspension tune.


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2024 Fluid VLT lineup
The 2024 Fluid VLT range includes two travel sizes, and five different specs.

Norco.com

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech eMTB Press Releases Trail Bikes Norco Norco Fluid


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97 Comments
  • 95 15
 It's funny how 95% of the hate that ebikes had about 3 years ago to the point people were stating that they were going to abandon Pinkbike has turned into "Where can I find the accurate weight on this ebike". LOL! What a difference it makes when people actually try something instead of putting it down without ever even sitting on an ebike.
  • 57 95
flag kookseverywhere FL (Mar 20, 2024 at 14:21) (Below Threshold)
 You've been conditioned by marketing to think e-bikes are cool. The only reason this has been inserted as part of our sport is so brands can sell a $10,000 mtb. In reality, its the gateway that is introducing other forms of motorized traffic into our trail systems and is symptomatic of an instant gratification culture.
  • 21 9
 @kookseverywhere: I agree with both of these statements. Now what?
  • 67 6
 @kookseverywhere: I was super skeptical about how cool and fun riding my e-bike was. Good to know that it is just a byproduct of being conditioned by marketing and that I'm not actually having fun.
  • 19 10
 @kookseverywhere: Wow, you are so wise. Is it hard being so much better than everyone else? By the way, I didn't see your name on the race results sheet. Wouldn't Mum let you out to ride your pedal bike?
  • 12 0
 @kookseverywhere: Name checks out... so do you fashion your own tinfoil hats, or do you buy them by the gross on Temu? 'Cause I gotta tell you, that place is a real snake den.
  • 23 51
flag kookseverywhere FL (Mar 20, 2024 at 16:32) (Below Threshold)
 @zarban: No one drives a motorboat and tells people they went kayaking. There's a disconnect in mtb though and its all marketing to get you to buy more expensive bikes that have shitty batteries that need to be replaced often. I'm sure you have fun on your electric bike, but don't lie to yourself and say you're mountain biking.
  • 4 0
 Bullshit. They just realized nothing was going to stop the industry from pushing ebikes
  • 10 39
flag DJ21111111 FL (Mar 20, 2024 at 21:13) (Below Threshold)
 I thought this was MTB website, not an electric dirt bike publication!!!
  • 20 7
 @kookseverywhere: what a load of shit.
  • 15 0
 @kookseverywhere: thinking in black and white will get you nowhere with people or generally anywhere. Dictating to someone what they classify their own personal pursuits probably has more to do with your own problems that your perceived ones about them.
  • 18 3
 @kookseverywhere: This is a take brought to you by the mind of a child.
  • 5 1
 @kookseverywhere: I honestly think you have a point, though I really don't care. If it makes people happy, then that is great... I have ridden ebikes, and I didn't think it gave me the same gratification as my mountain bikes. But each on their own. Just wish the enormous uptake in traffic in the woods wouldn't fk up the trails so much... but I guess no choice.
  • 6 6
 I've said it before and I'm about to say it again. I got an ebike and didn't enjoy it like I do riding my MTB. Didn't like the weight. Didn't like the loss of accomplishment. Didn't like a battery dictating my ride time. So after trying one I still didn't like it and I doubt I'm the only one.
  • 6 0
 @kookseverywhere: Having ridden a Mountain Bike, a Pedal Assist (E-bike) and a motorcycle, This is most definitely not the gateway nor is it a symptom of an instant gratification culture. There is a huge gap between Pedal Assist bikes and Motorcycles. And having tried them, I still prefer the Mountain bike. E-bikes are cool, but not for me.
  • 13 5
 @kookseverywhere: "DH isn't mountainbiking, cause they shuttle up the hill"
/s

Only difference between eMTB and DH is the shuttle is on the bike.
  • 8 1
 @kookseverywhere: I haven't been conditioned to like ebikes because of marketing. I know I like them because I ride one 50 days a year and love it.
  • 1 0
 @skjlg: says the person regularly frequenting a site where people obsess about silly kids toys like bicycles
  • 49 5
 Another ebike release that claims to be lightweight, but fail to mention the actual weight.
  • 5 1
 C1 130 is 18.1 kilo....that's pretty darn light. The rest of them are between 19.3 to 20.3 kilo.
  • 8 1
 Another website shows top model at 39.9lbs, C2 at 44lbs and C3 at 44.7lbs
  • 42 0
 Another release that shows a dark bike underexposed on a dark background. LET US SEE THE DUMB BIKE.
  • 15 0
 www.vitalmtb.com/news/press-release/norco-launches-sub-40-pound-fluid-vlt-e-mtb

Vital describes the weights of all the models.
  • 2 1
 Maybe "lightweight" is a reference to the category so they figure that's enough? Lightweight vs. Full Power so some such thing.
  • 2 1
 @SpecSRAM: MY KENEVO SL IS 21.3KG. ALL BIKE WEIGHTS ARE A SHAM!
  • 3 0
 I weighed the 140 C1 and it was 41lbs exactly
  • 29 7
 Going High Pivot on short travel trail bikes but not the ebike makes no sense to me.
  • 9 0
 the fluid is not a HP platform. all other fluid have a regular suspension format.
  • 4 0
 The non high pivot fluid is offered alongside the sight and optic. We will see what happens with norcos other ebike releases. The absurd blowout pricing on sights and ranges suggest norco has something else in the pipeline.
  • 12 0
 Because high pivot on short travel trail bikes doesn’t make a lot of sense in the first place Smile
  • 1 0
 FWIW An E-bike will place a lot of stress on that upper idler that will require more frame material to support it. Larger bearings and 18-20t idler pulley would also be needed to be reliable. Not practical on most ebikes that are trying to stay under a specific weight.
  • 3 0
 @j-t-g: coming in April...
  • 2 0
 Go discuss this with your local Norco dealer lol.
  • 1 0
 @NorthEasternDownhiller: Why do you think that?
  • 3 1
 @onawalk: have you ridden one? Slightly improved suspension performance is cool but more maintenance and drag is notable. In the long run, you get used to the suspension performance increase and so it effectively goes away… but the increased noise, needing to lube your chain every big climb, and feeling like you’re in worse shape than your friends because you drivetrain is 2% less efficient… that gets old. Been through it. It’s neat but will not stick around.
  • 3 0
 @NorthEasternDownhiller: those are all issues that vanish with a motor lol
  • 1 0
 Sure but in the long run, the bike that has more power and less weight and goes a good distance will win. An idler goes against your ability to make that happen. It’s fine for now, just saying it will go away again, just like how idlers went away 15 years ago. It’s a shiny object. Don’t get me wrong I like my idler bikes, but they aren’t a better overall platform to live with.
  • 4 0
 @NorthEasternDownhiller: Yep, I've got time on a Druid V1, New Norco Optic, Balfa BB7, and am waiting on a Druid V2 to arrive....
For me, increased performance on a short travel bike is great, I love short travel bikes in rough terrain. I like the "push", and increased liveliness of a short travel bike, but inevitably end up riding things that are more spicy than intended, so that bottomless feel comes in handy.

People who complain about increased maintenance of an idler, and then roll around on multi pivot bikes blow my mind, what a silly argument...
I dont hear any noise over gasping for life on the climbs, and my own hooting and hollering on the way down.

Theres no way you can feel 2% effieciency loss, running Assegai, and DHR tires, what nonsense, stop lying to yourself!
  • 10 1
 Bosch is the best motor option for e-bikes atm.. Nice to see more companies getting on board!
  • 5 1
 can confirm bosch is the best
  • 7 1
 I'm not seeing anything about a range extender for this one. I think that's a real difference-maker in the lightweight eMTB market. Trying to squeeze in some after-work laps in an hour or two? On-board battery is probably good enough. Want to go on a big ol' 12 hour epic or keep up with the full power bikes? It'd be cool to just plug in additional watt-hours.
  • 11 0
 There's a 250w extender that will be available and sits where the water bottle goes.
  • 6 0
 @Lando406: Nice! I like it better now.
  • 1 1
 @Lando406: Curious to know if the rex has to be plugged in at the start of a ride, or can be added later if more range is needed. I've heard that Bosch systems don't work this way - the in-frame battery and the rex are discharged simultaneously, which could prove disruptive esp for us nutbars that would likely have more than one rex. (Yes this is an edge case, I get it.)
  • 1 0
 @swansong ProBar makes a good range extender, I recommend the Superfood flavor, it has strawberries.
  • 7 1
 So this "lightweight" ebike with 130mm rear travel and $11,499 is 39.9 lbs and the new Optic non ebike with 125mm rear travel and $9,099 is 33.12 lbs? These weights are getting closer and closer
  • 7 3
 Is no one else stoked to see Conti being spec'd OEM? Second bike this week.

As for the bike, I think this looks great. I'm eeb-curious and this is one of the most appealing I've seen yet.
  • 1 0
 100%
  • 6 0
 Level of integration just gets better with each generation. Kudos
  • 3 0
 Looks sharp! I remain skeptical however about "lightweight" eMTBs as I am about 240# in riding kit. If you're taller/heavier and reading this, consider the impact your mass will have on range.
  • 6 1
 This bike, but with more travel please.
  • 2 0
 New Rockshox fork coming out soon? The fork is blacked out on the C3 model and just specifies "Rockshox Suspension" on the build kit on Norco's website, or they haven't decided what to use on this model.
  • 3 0
 RS Psylo is being reborn
  • 1 0
 Now do a long travel one of these! A 130mm travel bike is the only bike I actually care about the weight/nimbleness of my bike, so eebs are pretty much for all mountain/self shuttle for me. I do see the appeal of this to beginners or dads who want to keep up with their sons though.
  • 2 1
 Unless you're a competitive racer, motor torque and watts shouldnt be the top priority or worry when getting an ebike. These companies push the motor specs but the battery capacity and motor efficiency should be 2nd priority after ride quality and suspension comfort. Ebikes allow you get the same cardio workout, go fast, go far and climb up rediculous trail to get to the good shit so you can rail down it!!
  • 3 0
 Norco finally listened. S3 size is perfect for a 5'10" rider. Kudos. The C2 is on list of want bikes.
  • 2 0
 which now puts the s4(large) in the correct size for 6ft.
  • 3 1
 So to get the full carbon frame, you have to buy all the top tier build kit.
Thats pretty mean. Most brands keep the frame the same…
  • 1 0
 And unless I'm being daft, there's no pricing anyway. Bit of a fail.
  • 1 0
 @chakaping: £9999 for the C1
  • 3 0
 i can't wait to watch the SIGHT VLT and the RANGE VLT with BOSCH and HIGH PIVOT!!
  • 3 0
 If they're blacking out the C3's fork to hide some new RS 35 will be such a let down
  • 1 0
 Press release says Full Carbon frame but specs show Alloy Seat/Chainstays on C2/C3. Cool bike nonetheless
  • 1 0
 Only the C1 has a full carbon frame.
  • 2 0
 Yea thats a bum deal. You pay thousands for a premium bike and can’t only get full carbon with the top tier components.

And I bet they wont do frame only, being an ebike….
  • 2 1
 I like the way NORCO is expanding the line-up, not fully liking the colour options....
  • 1 2
 Not seeing the output of this motor, watts or torque. If it's on the powerful end that seems like a smaller battery. If it's a lower output motor like the trek fuel, then that makes sense.
  • 2 0
 check the bosh SX motor spec
  • 1 0
 Some times she goes, some times she doesnt. Way she goes boys, way she goes.
  • 1 0
 too bad no serious rockshox options....I'm spoiled by the printed sag marks
  • 4 5
 These weak ebikes are weird. KELLYS THESO F100 with 85nm and huge 825wh battery offering both long range and huge power with weight only 20.6kg.
  • 2 0
 *Theos
  • 6 1
 Good for Kelly for having a light ebike but that doesn't help me.
  • 5 0
 how is that helping anyone that wants a light bike with light support?
  • 4 0
 @j-t-g: change your name to Kelly. Problem solved
  • 6 8
 in foil hat theory: another big reason the major players are getting into e-bikes (other than market trends) is the apps .... customer data is VASTLY more valuable than the bikes themselves
  • 2 0
 wait till you hear that you can add iot solutions and sell them after sales services EVERY YEAR
  • 4 0
 I am skeptical of this idea. There was just a story on the nyt about how GM has been selling customers driving habit data to insurance companies - and insurance companies are in turn raising peoples rates if their habits look unsafe. In the case of GM it seems obvious how that data has value to the insurance company because it lets them price risk 'better'. I can't think of a buyer who would see value in data on e bike use. But, I also don't have any connection to the world of data brokers and I am happy to change my mind on this.
  • 1 0
 @czyk123: I was just reading that GM story the other day. Infuriating....
That said, on the bike front, the bike usage data itself is not the big $$. It's all the other data the app itself mines from your phone (location data, other apps, cookies, etc) that most phone apps mine as well.
  • 1 0
 This is why I give SRAM/Rockshox the edge over Fox longterm when it comes to electronic suspension. They own Quarq and have all that Shockwiz data to tune the system to what average joes actually want.
  • 1 0
 Which bit of info is so valuable?
  • 3 3
 Too bad this bike doesn't have a full 29er option, others I'd be seriously interested but as it stands, I'll pass.
  • 1 0
 Mixed wheels make a lot of sense for an e-bike. My mixed ebike is really fun, making me consider building up a 27.5 rear wheel for my mullet compatible normal bike.
  • 1 1
 Another ebike that is exactly the same as 20 others. Not something I would expect from Norco
  • 1 0
 Need more acronyms, thx
  • 1 0
 Very Nice…Well Done!
  • 2 1
 Who cares.
  • 1 0
 Good choice in music.
  • 1 2
 They are giving away their current ebikes, so lets build a new ebike we will have to give away in 1-3 years.
  • 2 5
 DIssapointed no high pivot.
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