The Norco Fluid VLT is the first lightweight e-MTB to come from the Canadian brand. That’s exciting news given how popular Norco’s existing e-MTB range has been over the last few years, and it’s doubly exciting because it’s also one of the first bikes to be built around the brand new Bosch Performance Line SX motor. This lightweight system claims to offer plenty of power while allowing for a slimmer and lightweight frame profile. As such, the Fluid VLT is claimed to weigh as little as 18.1kg in its lightest spec.
An overview of the 2024 Norco Fluid VLT
Designed for all-round trail riding, the Norco Fluid VLT is a lightweight e-MTB that sits in a similar space to the Trek Fuel EXe, the Scott Voltage and the Specialized Levo SL.
Most Fluid VLT models are equipped with a 150mm travel fork and 140mm of rear travel. The exception is the top-end model that drops the travel down by 10mm at each end. This allows Norco to spec lighter duty suspension in order to achieve that impressive 18.1kg claimed weight.
Every Fluid VLT features a mullet wheel setup with a 29in front wheel paired to a 27.5in wheel at the rear. The smaller rear wheel helps Norco to keep the chainstays a lot shorter than its existing dual-29in e-MTB range.
Given its focus on weight, it’s no surprise that Norco has built the Fluid VLT around a carbon fibre mainframe. The two cheapest models utilise an alloy rear end, while the top two models upgrade to carbon for further weight savings.
The new Bosch SX motor
The heart of the Norco Fluid VLT is its new Bosch Performance Line SX motor.
This compact drive unit is claimed to weigh just 2kg, making it one of the lighter mid-drive motors on the market. It produces 55Nm of peak torque, but manages to pump out an astonishing 600W of peak power, which is considerably more than the TQ HPR50 (300W peak power), the Levo SL 1.2 motor (320W peak power) and the Fazua Ride 60 (450W peak power).
Powering the motor is a slim 400Wh Bosch CompactTube battery that’s bolted inside the fully enclosed downtube. This means the battery isn’t designed to be easily removable, so it really needs to charged in situ via the port on the frame.
Norco has integrated the Bosch System Controller into the top tube of the Fluid VLT frame, and there’s a wireless remote next to the left hand grip for changing the assist level.
Geometry & sizing
As with the latest Optic and Sight, the Norco Fluid VLT updates to a new S-sizing concept. Instead of the traditional ‘Small, Medium and Large’ options, you’ve now got S1-S5. This encourages riders to choose the right size based on their preferred reach and stack. However, there is still a recommended height range for each frame size that’ll help you to narrow it down.
Geometry is certainly on the progressive side with a 64.5° head angle and a 76.5-77.5° seat angle. Those angles are for the 150/140mm travel Fluid VLT, so you can expect them to steepen by half a degree on the 140/130mm travel model.
Norco continues to use size-specific rear centre lengths, with the smallest frames featuring a compact 432mm rear centre. The largest S5 size stretches the rear centre up to 444mm.
Norco Fluid VLT price & specs
There are four models in the 2024 Norco Fluid VLT lineup, with prices starting at $8,999 AUD for the C3.
As mentioned above, the top two models get a full carbon frame, while the two cheaper models pair a carbon mainframe to an alloy rear. Otherwise every model is built around the same Bosch Performance Line CX motor and 400Wh battery.
We’ve got a Fluid VLT on the way for testing soon, so keep your eyes peeled to our website for the incoming review!
2024 Norco Fluid VLT C1 130
- Frame | Carbon Fibre, VPS Four-Bar Suspension Design, 130mm Travel
- Fork | RockShox Pike Ultimate, Charger 3 Damper, 44mm Offset, 140mm Travel
- Shock | RockShox Deluxe Ultimate, 185x50mm
- Motor | Bosch Performance Line SX, 55Nm Peak Torque
- Battery | Bosch CompactTube 400Wh
- Wheels | Industry Nine 1/1 Hubs & Crank Brothers Synthesis Carbon Enduro Carbon Rims, Inner Width: 31.5mnm Front & 29.5mm Rear
- Tyres | Continental Kryptotal Trail 2.4in Front & Xynotal Trail 2.4in Rear
- Drivetrain | SRAM XX Eagle AXS Transmission 1×12 w/Praxis Carbon Crankset & 10-52T Cassette
- Brakes | SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth 4-Piston w/180mm Rotors
- Bar | OneUp Carbon, 20mm Rise, 800mm Width
- Stem | Norco SL 6061 Alloy, 40mm Length
- Seatpost | OneUp, 31.6mm Diameter, Travel: 125mm (S1), 150mm (S2), 170mm (S3), 200mm (S4-S5)
- Saddle | Fizik Ridon
- Claimed Weight | 18.1kg
- RRP | $16,999 AUD
2024 Norco Fluid VLT C1 140
- Frame | Carbon Fibre, VPS Four-Bar Suspension Design, 140mm Travel
- Fork | Fox 36, Performance Elite, GRIP2 Damper, 44mm Offset, 150mm Travel
- Shock | Fox Float X2, Performance Elite, 185x55mm
- Motor | Bosch Performance Line SX, 55Nm Peak Torque
- Battery | Bosch CompactTube 400Wh
- Wheels | Crank Brothers Synthesis Alloy Enduro, Inner Width: 31.5mnm Front & 29.5mm Rear
- Tyres | Continental Kryptotal Trail 2.4in Front & Xynotal Trail 2.4in Rear
- Drivetrain | SRAM X0 Eagle AXS Transmission 1×12 w/Praxis Carbon Crankset & 10-52T Cassette
- Brakes | SRAM Code Silver Stealth 4-Piston w/200mm Rotors
- Bar | OneUp Carbon, 20mm Rise, 800mm Width
- Stem | Norco SL 6061 Alloy, 40mm Length
- Seatpost | OneUp, 31.6mm Diameter, Travel: 125mm (S1), 150mm (S2), 170mm (S3), 200mm (S4-S5)
- Saddle | Fizik Ridon
- Claimed Weight | 19.3kg
- RRP | $13,999 AUD
2024 Norco Fluid VLT C2 140
- Frame | Carbon Fibre, VPS Four-Bar Suspension Design, 140mm Travel
- Fork | Fox 36 Rhythm, GRIP Damper, 44mm Offset, 150mm Travel
- Shock | Fox Float X2, Performance Elite, 185x55mm
- Motor | Bosch Performance Line SX, 55Nm Peak Torque
- Battery | Bosch CompactTube 400Wh
- Wheels | Bear Pawls Hubs & WTB KOM Trail Alloy Rims, 30mm Inner Width
- Tyres | Continental Kryptotal Trail 2.4in Front & Xynotal Trail 2.4in Rear
- Drivetrain | SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission 1×12 w/Praxis Alloy Crankset & 10-52T Cassette
- Brakes | TRP Trail EVO 4-Piston w/203mm Rotors
- Bar | 6061 Alloy, 25mm Rise, 800mm Width
- Stem | Norco SL 6061 Alloy, 40mm Length
- Seatpost | TranzX RAD+, 31.6mm Diameter, Travel: 125mm (S1), 150mm (S2), 170mm (S3), 200mm (S4-S5)
- Saddle | Fizik Ridon
- Claimed Weight | 19.9kg
- RRP | $11,499 AUD
2024 Norco Fluid VLT C3 140
- Frame | Carbon Fibre, VPS Four-Bar Suspension Design, 140mm Travel
- Fork | RockShox TBC, 44mm Offset, 150mm Travel
- Shock | RockShox Deluxe Select+, 185x55mm
- Motor | Bosch Performance Line SX, 55Nm Peak Torque
- Battery | Bosch CompactTube 400Wh
- Wheels | Bear Pawls Hubs & WTB ST Tough Alloy Rims, 30mm Inner Width
- Tyres | Continental Kryptotal Trail 2.4in Front & Xynotal Trail 2.4in Rear
- Drivetrain | Shimano Deore 1×12 w/Praxis Alloy Crankset & 10-52T Cassette
- Brakes | TRP Slate EVO 4-Piston w/203mm Rotors
- Bar | 6061 Alloy, 25mm Rise, 800mm Width
- Stem | Norco SL 6061 Alloy, 40mm Length
- Seatpost | TranzX, 31.6mm Diameter, Travel: 125mm (S1), 150mm (S2), 170mm (S3), 200mm (S4-S5)
- Saddle | WTB Volt Med
- Claimed Weight | 20.3kg
- RRP | $8,999 AUD
