Norco Fluid VLT C1 140 Review

Bosch is the major motor manufacturer in the EMTB world, alongside Shimano - and it's no surprise, as the SX shows. The developers at Bosch are entering the race with their first Light Motor, the Performance SX. With 55 Nm of torque, the unit sits squarely between Fazua's Ride 60 and TQ's HPR 50. However, it delivers similar power values to the popular Full-Power sibling, the Powermotor CX, with up to 600 watts of assistance. However, the Bosch SX only delivers this power at a very high cadence. To feel the full power, one must pedal at a sporty 100 revolutions per minute. The startup behavior remains harmonious. The entire motor control is very natural. While in operation, the Performance SX is quieter than the Powermotor CX, but still louder than the sometimes whisper-quiet competition from Fazua or TQ. When descending, Bosch has managed to reduce rattling compared to the CX model, although it remains noticeably audible with the SX. The short range unfortunately limits the tour radius quite significantly.

Even the most treacherous downhill runs are effortlessly handled by the high-end Fox chassis. Setup-Nerds can squeeze out the maximum performance from the chassis thanks to the many setting options. Thanks to the solid power, the SRAM brakes can be counted on in the upper class segment. With four pistons , Norco won't take any chances in that area. At the drive components and the remaining parts, Norco uses very good parts. When it comes to the geometry, Norco does not go completely crazy. The head tube angle and reach values were chosen with care. The result: A balanced riding behaviour with a good combination of playfulness and straight-line stability. Due to the short chainstays , when climbing steep sections, it requires active weight shifting to prevent the front wheel from lifting. On the scale, the Fluid VLT C1 140 makes a good figure with 19,3 kg. Most All Mountains are significantly heavier.