2020 Norco Fluid FS 1 24 Review

The Norco Fluid FS 1 24 is a full-suspension mountain bike for kids with 24 inch wheels and a brand spanking new design for 2020. Norco made some excellent design changes to make this bike even better. The four-bar suspension system is the most notable change. Additionally, Norco slackened the head tube angle and made the seat tube angle steeper. All in all, the Fluid FS 1 24 is an aggressive bike with a standover height of 22.4 inches.

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As of now, you can get this bike and others direct from Norco. Norco has developed an online buy-direct program or a “click-and-collect” system. When you purchase a bike online from Norco, it’s shipped to your local Norco dealer. Once your dealer has assembled the bike- you pick it up! Here are details on how it works.

Who Is The Norco Fluid FS 1 Built For? 

We highly recommend this bike for many disciplines of mtb riding. The Fluid FS1 is great for enduro, downhill, intermediate to advanced technical trails, bike parks, shuttle laps, dirt jumping, and all-mountain riding. However, it’s not an optimal 24 inch wheel kids’ bike for XC races. Norco offers the Fluid HT specifically for cross-country riding and racing, The Fluid HT is a fab 24-inch wheel hardtail.

The Norco Fluid FS 1 24 At A Glance 

A Little More About The 2020 Norco Fluid 24

Let’s get into the weeds! The new Fluid 24 gives us a lot to talk about! It is has a lot of features seen on full-size adult bikes. Here’s a run-down of its primary attributes.

The Norco Fluid FS 1 24 ships with the utra-super-cool youth SDG Jr. Pro component package. This package includes a kid-sized saddle, grips, pedals and bars. This accessory package is also available as an a-la-carte item. In addition, it comes in in several bright color options: black, blue, green and pink from Amazon | Competitive Cyclist | Jenson USA

Surprisingly, the Norco Fluid FS 1 24 even has a chain guide! Off the top of my head, I don’t recall seeing this on any other kid’s bike.

Norco Fluid 24 FS 1 Geometry

Norco designed this bike specifically for kids who weigh less than 90 lbs and in the 9-12 age group. Get out the tape measure and see if your grom is a good fit for this all-mountain and bike park shredder.

Click the image above to enlarge it

Riding the Norco Fluid 24 FS 1

Our test riders railed the berms, stomped the tech, and sent the Norco Fluid 24 through the air. In short, they put this bike through its paces.

Each of our girl and boy riders were experienced gravity racers. Certainly, their parents took care to set up the bike properly. In this situation, the adjustment for each child included: cockpit set up, adjusting the air pressure in the suspension and tires, as well as seatpost height. Each rider felt comfortable and confident on the bike after proper set up.

Big jumps and black-diamond technical terrain call for Full face helmets, protective gear, and advanced skills.

A confident mountain biker on the right bike can effectively corner through loose turns. The kid-sized Maxxis DHR and DHF on the Fluid are excellent. This pairing is a favorite on adult-sized bikes as well.

Both of our pre-teens enjoyed the ergonomics of the SDG Components on the bikes, especially the handlebars and grips. Bars are meant to be cut! When you get your Norco Fluid 24, be sure to cut the bars so your young mountain biker is custom fit to the bike. This fine tuning will allow your womp rat to maneuver the bike with confidence.

Pedaling this bike is just good, honest work. Our riders’ geometries optimally fit the crank length on this bike.

One of our riders has an older model Fluid. He immediately fell in love with the Manitou air fork on our demo.

Norco Has Improved Upon The Already More-Than-Capable Fluid 24

Certainly, kids’ full-suspension mountain bikes are getting sophisticated. And not just because more companies are making them. In this case, Norco used its years of experience to make the Fluid even better. To summarize, Norco totally revamped the Fluid’s frame and suspension makeup to ensure kids have an optimal experience. What’s more, the additional SDG package, tried-and-true brakes and drivetrain provides a wonderful mountain bike for pre-teens who love to shred. We recommend this bike without reservation.

Does your kid need a slightly bigger bike?

Norco recently introduced the Sight Youth 27.5. Norco designed this all mountain 27.5 mountain bike to help groms take their riding to the next level. The Sight Youth 27.5 will fit a 4’9” – 5’2” rider. To emphasize Norco deliberately tuned this bike for lighter riders. The youth tune includes lighter springs and shock damping curves. This bike provides 140mm rear and 150mm front travel for a more forgiving ride under lighter riders.

About Norco 

Norco is a Canadian company. They strive to create progressive bicycle designs that maximize performance. In addition Norco selects components to complement their designs and meet their own high expectations for ride quality. Each Norco bicycle must pass stringent standards for performance, aesthetic and quality. Norco’s goal is to create bicycles that inspire confidence in everyone who rides them. What’s more, they hope that that everyone who throws their leg over a Norco bicycle will be in a better position to realize their full potential. Check out Norco’s website for more info.

Shout-out! 📸 Thanks to Salt Lake City photographer Steve Lloyd for supplying a couple of photos. Follow him on Instagram @stevelloydphoto