2024 Norco Fluid VLT C1 130 Review

Words by Drew Rohde  |  Photos by Cole Gregg, Sean Cochran & Sourpatch

When it came time for us to review the 2024 Norco Fluid VLT eMTB, we approached the test process with excitement and fervor. We’ve been proponents of electric mountain bikes for a number of years now, and while we’ve mostly been on the full-power program, the recent crop of lighter-weight, SL ebikes – or whatever you want to call them – have been earning spots in our regular rotations.

Norco offers the 2024 Fluid VLT in several 140mm options and one 130mm build, which is the top-of-the-line Fluid VLT C1 tested here. Powered by the Bosch Performance Line SX drive unit with a 400Wh battery, the Fluid VLT Carbon offers one of the cleanest looking SL eMTBs, with what many consider to be the pinnacle of mid-power drive units. Looks and features only get you so far, so did the Norco Fluid VLT C1 130 please the crew? Well, as it turns out, it did and it didn’t, so let’s find out where and why.

ABOUT THE 2024 NORCO FLUID VLT C1 130

Depending on your riding intentions, riders can choose between four Fluid VLT models with either 150mm front and 140mm rear travel, or the C1 130 we tested which has 140mm of front travel and 130mm out back. We would have much preferred the longer travel, and more affordable C1 140mm option, but due to timing and availability we received the C1 130mm. Nevertheless, it was a good experience as we’re firm believers in riding things outside your normal comfort zone. We’ll get into what the 130 surprised us with, and where its shortcomings were in the ride review section.

DRIVE UNIT AND ELECTRONICS | The Norco Fluid VLT frame houses a Bosch Performance Line SX drive unit, which is powered by the 400Wh Bosch CompactTube battery. The top tube has their sleek LED display, and the wireless Mini Remote sits on the bars to allow the user to toggle through the power modes.
How Much Power Does the Performance Line SX Have?

Like other mid-power, or SL eMTB drive units, the Performance Line SX is meant to have a smaller profile, consume less power and offer a more natural ride feel. The Performance Line SX produces 55Nm of torque as a result, but can still deliver 600W peak power, which puts it in line with many “full power” drive units if the rider is able to maintain a high cadence.

FRAME AND FEATURES | Regardless of the model selected, the Norco Fluid VLT features a carbon fiber front triangle. Higher spec models also receive a carbon fiber rear end, whereas the more affordable C2 and C3 builds receive an alloy rear end. The Fluid VLT is designed around a mixed wheel setup only, with a 29” wheel up front and smaller 27.5” wheel in the rear. The frame features UDH compatibility for the latest SRAM T-Type drivetrains; custom protection for the chainstays and downtube, and full internal cable routing.

All of the Norco Fluid VLT models receive Norco’s “No Other Way” warranty, which covers the original owner for life against any issues sustained during normal usage.

SUSPENSION | As mentioned, the Norco Fluid VLT is available in builds with either 140mm or 130mm rear travel, mated to a 150mm or 140mm fork respectively. All of these utilize the same Horst Link suspension system.

GEOMETRY | Norco has been a brand at the forefront of size-specific geometry and rider-benefitting features. Their Ride Aligned bike setup guide and fit ethos are emblematic of their dedication to giving the rider the best chance at enjoying the ride as possible. We did an in-depth feature covering the program. But in short, riders can enter their dimensions, weight, riding style and level, and get recommendations for everything from size to tire pressure, bar width, suspension settings and more.

Following some of their other models, the Norco Fluid VLT C line is available in five sizes, which are simply numbered from 1-5. Norco went this route, like many other brands, in hopes of getting riders to really focus on dimensions, instead of just buying another Large because that’s what they’ve ridden for the last decade. Bike geometry has changed dramatically in the last few years, and we’re happy to see the sizing naming structure change with it.

At 5’11-6’1, our crew opted for the Size 3 bike and felt the 477mm reach was a great compromise of stability and playfulness for the trails that we’d likely be putting this shorter travel trail eMTB on.

BUILD SPECS | Fluid VLT C models start at $5,999 and peak at $11,499 for our C1 130. The sticker shock may certainly hit some hard, however the spec is mostly comparable and on-par with other brands.

Suspension spec on the 2024 Fluid VLT C1 130 flies the Rockshox flag proudly with a Pike Ultimate Fork and a 185x50mm Trunnion Deluxe Ultimate rear shock. Turning the Bosch SX drive unit over is a full SRAM XX Eagle T-Type drivetrain, with Praxis Carbon cranks in 165mm length. A nice call by Norco’s spec team. That nice spec choice was quickly overshadowed by the SRAM Level Ultimate Stealth brakes, however. Our entire crew agreed these brakes don’t belong on eBikes, even SL eMTBs.

The Fluid VLT C1 rolls on CrankBrothers Synthesis Carbon Enduro rims laced to Industry Nine 101 hubs. Wrapping these nice wheels was a set of unbelievably wobbly Continental tires. We thought the wheels were damaged in shipping and totally out of true, but as it turned out, the tires had a massive wobble that made them unrideable. We swapped out the Continentals for a set of Schwalbe Tacky Chans and called it good.

How Much Does the Norco Fluid VLT Carbon C1 Weigh? Our Size 3 Fluid VLT C1 130 weighed in at 40lbs without pedals.

RIDING THE NORCO FLUID VLT C1 130

As we mentioned above, while we would have much preferred to have a longer travel Fluid VLT model, the opportunity to ride this 140/130mm bike was still a lot of fun, even if it was a bit abusive at times. We are happy to report that the bike remained impressively intact, despite our repeated floggings – a testament to the durability and engineering done by Norco. If you’re a rider who prioritizes going downhill, or usually rides in knee pads, we’d suggest you follow your gut and go with the 150/140mm version and leave this shorter travel model for the pedalers.

CLIMBING | Over the course of our testing period, we put quite a variety of terrain beneath the Fluid VLT C1. We even did a 15 mile ride with nearly 2,000 feet of climbing with the bike turned off! We were riding with some friends on non-eebs and wanted to match their workout for the ride. We were surprised at the little drag and difference in how the bike rode with the drive unit off.

With the Performance Line SX powered up, this thing climbed even better. The climbing position was very comfortable and the efficiency of the suspension platform combined with the SX drive unit meant we could crawl or speed up anything. Tight switchbacks and techy climbs were also conquered with ease. This bike is fast and agile, rewarding those looking to climb and ride quickly up the trail.

DESCENDING | The speedy nature of the Fluid VLT Carbon carries over on the downhills, sometimes to its own self-sabotage. For example, you may have a particular trail that runs like this: You’ve reached the “Top” of the climb. You’re now on the “boring” part of the trail that sort of meanders and wanders before dipping downhill, and gives you that feeling you’ve been working hard to reach for the last 45 minutes. On the Fluid VLT that flat, boring bit of trail becomes the race course! This bike is a blast on flatter turns and low grade trails, and makes mundane bits of trail a blast to ride fast.

Where this speed and playfulness can bite back is, rather than entering the downhill at a casual rolling pace, you’re amped up, hauling ass and already feeling froggy. You continue yanking off every little rock, root and obstacle you see, however speeds are now picking up even more, the trail begins getting steeper and the hits get more abusive. Suddenly you’re landing a step down into chunder and needing to scrub major speed before a blown-out corner. You grab the terrifyingly underpowered SRAM Level brakes and things instantly get sketchy. Thankfully the frame’s stiffness, capable geometry and our burly tire spec meant that sliding into corners was as equally fun as it was terrifying. Even with just 130mm of travel, our 165-190lb test riders had many panic-brake moments when the bike would not scrub speed fast enough. Combined with the shorter travel, the need to grab the brake levers harder also led to more arm pump and hand fatigue.

Now, we share this story as a bit of a warning, and testament to the bike’s ability to be ridden way above its weight class. We absolutely admit to pushing this bike beyond its intended zone, but that’s also where and how we ride, so we didn’t want to modify our loops just because of the bike we were on. It’s why we would personally buy a longer travel mountain bike, especially the longer travel version of the Fluid VLT.

RIDING THE FLUID VLT C1 130 PROPERLY | We realize that there are tons of riders out there who don’t seek out this type of terrain, and we’re offering them absolutely no positive services right now, so let’s remedy that.

When we took the VLT C1 130 out for more appropriate trail to XC-style rides, we had more fun than usual. Much like our anecdote above, the Fluid VLT C1 130 continued to leave our riders smiling on the lower grade, faster, smoother and tighter bits of trail.

We were struggling to think of a bike that felt as great in the corners. Whether it was long flat turns or linking up fast back to back turns, the Fluid VLT Carbon is a treat to shralp. It had us stopping and re-riding bits of trail we never thought were all that fun on longer travel, bigger bikes.

The Wolf’s Last Word

If you regularly ride shorter travel bikes, want a mid-power eMTB that will give you a ride feeling that’s almost non-electrified and can corner like a dream, the Fluid VLT C1 130 could be a great option. If you regularly put on knee pads and are looking for a lightweight eMTB to shred your local trails, you may want to consider the longer travel 140/150mm option.

Overall the Norco Fluid VLT Carbon C1 is a very fun bike, but as aggressive DH-focused riders, it’s not the right one for us. We just awarded the Norco Range VLT a trophy in our eMTB Shootout as The Best Downhiller’s eMTB, so we’re definitely fans of the VLT line. We just realize that we’re probably not the ideal consumer for this category of bike and believe that the 140/150mm version would have been a bit more welcome by our testers…Although we would have probably still asked for even more travel. Let’s see a Fluid VLT X with 160/150mm of travel. What do y’all say?

Pricing: $11,499
Weight: 40lbs w/o pedals
Website: Norco.com

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