![]() When setting up a new bike, it can be difficult to find your sweetspot immediately. Norco’s Ride Aligned system makes dialling in the rear shock simple. ![]() I’m hoping it’ll fit like a glove and help me learn a thing or two along the way. The 480mm reach is my preferred number and the Horst-link suspension is not a million miles away from what I’ve been riding on my own bikes. It’s not too out there, but with enough gnar factor to get me into and out of trouble when I’m pushing my limits. On paper, the geometry looks right up my street. A bike such as the Fluid, that I can ride all day but use to build my confidence on more technical steeper, drop and jump-filled trails should be just the ticket. The rest of the team are a good notch or two (or more!) ahead of me in the talent stakes. Since starting at BikeRadar, though, I’ve been keen to progress my riding to a higher level. They’re my comfort zone, where I can push my skillset without feeling over- or under-biked. Kai Eves / Our MediaĪs a rider who loves big natural rides and a trail-centre thrashing, I always gravitate to shorter- or mid-travel bikes. The Fluid was at home on the Lake District’s rock-strewn descents. Tyres: Vittoria Mazza Trail G2.0 29X2.4in (f) and Vittoria Martello Trail G2.0 29X2.35in (r).Wheelset: Stan’s No Tubes Flow S2 on Bear Pawls hubs.Cranks: SRAM Descendant 6K DUB cranks (1×12).Fork: RockShox Pike Select+, 140mm (5.51in) travel.Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select+, 210x50mm.Frame: Carbon fibre main triangle, aluminium stays, 130mm (5.12in) travel.Weight: 14.7kg (32.41lb), L size without pedals.It’s nice to see Norco fitting one of a proper length right out of the box. I’ve ridden too many bikes that come with droppers that just don’t get out of the way enough. I am very glad to see a 200mm dropper post on the bike. We’ll see how my posterior acquaints itself with the Alpaca. Likewise, I haven’t spent a sustained period on a Fizik saddle since the days of the much-loved but long-forgotten Gobi. The last time I rode some of its MTB treads they had Geax (its former MTB sister brand) on the sidewalls. I’ve used Vittoria’s Corsa and Terreno tyres on the road and gravel in recent years, but the brand’s mountain bike rubber is less familiar. The Martello rear tyre has impressed more than the Mazza up-front.
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