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    Bike choice

    Hi,

    I’m purchasing my first Full Suspension mountain bike. I’m mainly looking at doing some downhill jumps but a decent bit of trail and xc as well.

    I’ve narrowed down my options based on price point and local availability but would be open to other suggestions. What do you guys think would be the best option between these two bikes? I’ve heard the chisel is a bit lighter but the Fluid maybe higher quality.

    Bonus points to Norco for being Canadian 🇨🇦

    by Kagaminey_Rin02

    View 20 Comments

    20 Comments

    1. chrisf110 on

      If you can go and test ride these, I would. They will fit and feel very differently. I bought a fluid fs last year and find myself wanting an xc bike now. The fluid is a phenomenal bike, just not what I want exactly.

    2. Stiller_Winter on

      Chisel is XC race bike, Norco is all mountain. They have different fork travel, purpose and are not really comparable.
      P.S. If you want jump, it goes more to enduro direction with bigger travel than Norco.

    5. cantyouseeimblind on

      Fluid is one of the best all purpose bikes out there. It will be friendly on the flats and can handle the more aggressive terrain you throw at it.

    6. MrMuggs on

      The fluid is a trail bike and what you are saying in your request seems more trail oriented. If you want to race XC get an XC bike otherwise trail is the best bike for 90% of MTB riders.

    7. Pitiful_Resource_493 on

      Here is another bike at a great price right now:

      [https://www.treefortbikes.com/Salsa-Horsethief-SLX-Bike-29-Carbon?srsltid=AfmBOor1eUCebxRbiuu_rXe5fG8KlmMESS-JJjJ5H10ahHawW3-kYhOO](https://www.treefortbikes.com/Salsa-Horsethief-SLX-Bike-29-Carbon?srsltid=AfmBOor1eUCebxRbiuu_rXe5fG8KlmMESS-JJjJ5H10ahHawW3-kYhOO)

      It has 120 rear travel and 140 travel fork so it is a more trail leaning/”Downcountry” bike – you may want a bit more suspension depending on how big of jumps/drops you are interested in.

    8. DrShakaBrah on

      Was looking at similar bikes as you. Jensen is selling a Kona process cr 134 at a similar price point. Got mine coming Wednesday so can’t vouch on it yet but stoked!

    9. Only-Equivalent-4791 on

      If you’re doing multiple types of riding get the fluid. Trail bikes can cover most everything.

      Just don’t send it off massive drops or anything

    10. venomenon824 on

      If you are focusing on dh and jumps with some trail I would go bigger in the norco lineup. Go Sight.

    12. beachguy82 on

      Here’s a different opinion.

      At least in my area, both of these bikes are available on marketplace for less than half price of new. Have you considered getting a second hand bike?

      That’s always my way of getting high quality bikes for less.

    13. PieSuch2231 on

      I just bought a Devinci Troy (2024) off Evo.com for $2,000. They just had a generation change with the troy so you can find the gen 4 troy for good deals. It’s a great bike and its Canadian! Worth a look, 150mm travel in front and 140mm in rear.

    14. ecobb91 on

      Do you want an XC race bike or a trail bike? If you value downhill fun get the fluid. If you want a fast XC bike get the chisel.

      Based on your post you want the fluid.

    16. Haveland on

      Both from the same bike shop?

      IF not and if you can’t decide I’d maybe go on which shop you like the more. I know it says crazy but having a relationship with your local bike shop goes a long way.

      If the same shop then go fluid!

    18. ToffeeFiveOh on

      I have briefly ridden both – The chisel would be noticeably lighter for sure, and it would be more efficient on XC portions of trail, but not more *fun* than the Norco. The Fluid is one of the best all-purpose bikes (when you factor in affordability), and will allow you to access all the different types of riding, at a higher level of comfort. I love XC but I would without question make my first bike a trail bike and the Fluid is a fantastic pick in that category.

    19. cbelter83 on

      I have a fluid a1 I increased the rear travel to 141mm and my fork to 160mm for this season last season I rode it 130/150. It’s a fun do most bike.

    20. BoomGoesTheFirework_ on

      I believe the Chisel is an XC race bike. The fluid is more of a trail bike that will be much better suited for jumps, tech and flow trails, and everything else. In other words: the fluid is a great Jack of All trades that should be solid at everything but not great at any one thing (with a bit more emphasis on climbing than descending); the chisel is a bike that wants to go far and fast and will be an absolute rocket uphill at the detriment to almost everything else. It is not made for jump lines and if you break the frame on bigger jumps, you will likely void the warranty.

      All that being said, “jumps” is a bit vague. The Fluid would be a terrible choice for the Whistler pro line, but would be well suited for local trail riding including a lot of techy black and double black diamonds and modest jump lines like you’d find on a blue or easier black diamond run.

      What’s your experience level? Where are you riding? How big of jumps are we actually talking about?

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