Help me upgrade my Norco
Discussion
Hi folks,
I haven't strayed into the cycling section of the forum before but after a ride out over the weekend, I've realised my 2019 Norco Fluid FS3 is due a few upgrades.
I used to be really into modifying bikes, it's what got me into cars and motorbikes, but I know next to nothing anymore.
This is my bike - https://www.norco.com/bike-archives/2019/fluid-fs-...
Very much an entry level bike but one that can apparently be upgraded to become very capable.
My biggest gripe is the brakes. They're woeful.
I was always a fan of HOPE products and the prices seem reasonable, but I'm not sure if I'd need to upgrade to a 200mm disc and if the calipers would work with my forks / frame without modification?
I've also heard good things about Shimano Deore 4 pots (240mm disc needed I think)?
My second gripe is the gearset. They are slow, constantly skip and gets clogged easily in the mud. Again I've heard good things about Shimano Deore XT here but not sure what I'd need to upgrade the entire system.
Any help or recommendations would be great. I love how the bike rides, but it definitely leaves room for improvement.
I haven't strayed into the cycling section of the forum before but after a ride out over the weekend, I've realised my 2019 Norco Fluid FS3 is due a few upgrades.
I used to be really into modifying bikes, it's what got me into cars and motorbikes, but I know next to nothing anymore.
This is my bike - https://www.norco.com/bike-archives/2019/fluid-fs-...
Very much an entry level bike but one that can apparently be upgraded to become very capable.
My biggest gripe is the brakes. They're woeful.
I was always a fan of HOPE products and the prices seem reasonable, but I'm not sure if I'd need to upgrade to a 200mm disc and if the calipers would work with my forks / frame without modification?
I've also heard good things about Shimano Deore 4 pots (240mm disc needed I think)?
My second gripe is the gearset. They are slow, constantly skip and gets clogged easily in the mud. Again I've heard good things about Shimano Deore XT here but not sure what I'd need to upgrade the entire system.
Any help or recommendations would be great. I love how the bike rides, but it definitely leaves room for improvement.
What size are your current discs? I'm guessing 180/160 or thereabouts from the photo? If you can go to a 200/180 it will stop miles better. I wouldn't bother going bigger than that, and I wouldn't particularly bother with 4 pots unless you find a cheap set. The SLX (2 pot) set I had on my previous Scott Genius stopped extremely well.
By the way, I really like those Goodyear Escape tyres. I had one on the back of my last bike with a Hans Dampf front and it seemed to grip ridiculously well for the rolling speed. My current bike has an Assegai front and DHR2 rear, which feels like treacle in comparison.
By the way, I really like those Goodyear Escape tyres. I had one on the back of my last bike with a Hans Dampf front and it seemed to grip ridiculously well for the rolling speed. My current bike has an Assegai front and DHR2 rear, which feels like treacle in comparison.
witko999 said:
What size are your current discs? I'm guessing 180/160 or thereabouts from the photo? If you can go to a 200/180 it will stop miles better. I wouldn't bother going bigger than that, and I wouldn't particularly bother with 4 pots unless you find a cheap set. The SLX (2 pot) set I had on my previous Scott Genius stopped extremely well.
By the way, I really like those Goodyear Escape tyres. I had one on the back of my last bike with a Hans Dampf front and it seemed to grip ridiculously well for the rolling speed. My current bike has an Assegai front and DHR2 rear, which feels like treacle in comparison.
Currently 180mm front and 160mm rear. Can you just buy rotors separate and do they bolt on without having to modify the caliper? By the way, I really like those Goodyear Escape tyres. I had one on the back of my last bike with a Hans Dampf front and it seemed to grip ridiculously well for the rolling speed. My current bike has an Assegai front and DHR2 rear, which feels like treacle in comparison.
I wonder if my pads are knackered somehow, even though they were crap from new. Because even with the 160 rear, it brakes better than my front.
The tyres are remarkable, excellent grip but they do come close to the swingarm pivot, meaning mud can get clogged up quite easily on a winter ride.
Yes, you can buy discs on their own. You will also need to buy the correct caliper spacers which go between the fork and the caliper to space them out to the diameter of the new disc. So at the front for example, you'd need a 180 to 200 caliper spacer if you bought a 200mm disc.
It's possible that your brake pads are contaminated, but those are pretty small brakes nowadays so won't have massive stopping power.
It's possible that your brake pads are contaminated, but those are pretty small brakes nowadays so won't have massive stopping power.
All I'd add is I'm 122kgs and 2pot don't have enough power for my large weight. I've had Hope X2 and Tech4 and for me the Tech4 is way better. If you're not a fatty then 2poys are great.
Not sure I'd necessarily go XT (I have XT12 speed) my wife has Deore 12 speed and it's great. Maybe SLX might be a good compromise of cost vs performance.
Not sure I'd necessarily go XT (I have XT12 speed) my wife has Deore 12 speed and it's great. Maybe SLX might be a good compromise of cost vs performance.
missing the VR6 said:
All I'd add is I'm 122kgs and 2pot don't have enough power for my large weight. I've had Hope X2 and Tech4 and for me the Tech4 is way better. If you're not a fatty then 2poys are great.
Not sure I'd necessarily go XT (I have XT12 speed) my wife has Deore 12 speed and it's great. Maybe SLX might be a good compromise of cost vs performance.
Thanks for the reply, I'm just under 16st so about 100kg? I've had a look at the Tech 4 too, unfortunately none of my mates ride anymore so I can't test any of these to get a feel for them. Anything is better than the current sNot sure I'd necessarily go XT (I have XT12 speed) my wife has Deore 12 speed and it's great. Maybe SLX might be a good compromise of cost vs performance.
te though. This might get nerdy, and I’m assuming a reasonable budget rather than money no option.
You’ve got SX, with the 11-50 cassette, so I’d go GX derailleur and shifter, with an XO chain. This way you don’t need to mess around with changing the freehub. If you need to go a bit cheaper, then NX derailleur and GX shifter will be very close.
XT is very good, but on par with GX in my opinion (I have both). GX clunkier, XT more refined, GX easier to set up and maintain, XT a little more temperamental.
I also run Tech 4 E4s on all my bikes (it’s an extravagance, but I’m really fussy about brakes). I’ve also owned Tech 4 X2s. The E4s have prolific power and modulation, but are fussy to set up, there’s a very fine line between feeling outstanding, and feeling ok. Once you’ve got them right, they are truly fantastic though.
The X2s have a surprising amount of power for a twin piston calliper, and if my riding was somewhere flatter like Swinley, or more trail centre focused then I’d be happy with them. They’re very easy to set up and the modulation is second to none.
Alternatively the non-series Deore 4 pistons are supposed to be very good on a much lower budget.
You’ve got SX, with the 11-50 cassette, so I’d go GX derailleur and shifter, with an XO chain. This way you don’t need to mess around with changing the freehub. If you need to go a bit cheaper, then NX derailleur and GX shifter will be very close.
XT is very good, but on par with GX in my opinion (I have both). GX clunkier, XT more refined, GX easier to set up and maintain, XT a little more temperamental.
I also run Tech 4 E4s on all my bikes (it’s an extravagance, but I’m really fussy about brakes). I’ve also owned Tech 4 X2s. The E4s have prolific power and modulation, but are fussy to set up, there’s a very fine line between feeling outstanding, and feeling ok. Once you’ve got them right, they are truly fantastic though.
The X2s have a surprising amount of power for a twin piston calliper, and if my riding was somewhere flatter like Swinley, or more trail centre focused then I’d be happy with them. They’re very easy to set up and the modulation is second to none.
Alternatively the non-series Deore 4 pistons are supposed to be very good on a much lower budget.
Yeah your gears are likely just in need of a little fettle, if your chain and cassette are good you could maybe just get away with some new jockey wheels and a re-indexing. That said I know the springs in those Sram mechs can be a weak point so maybe also a new rear mech, stay with Sram and your shifter will be fine.
Brakes, I'll echo what others have said, Deore 4-pots are really good bang for buck. Hope if you want to be a tart but I'm a fan of higher end Magura's (levers are wk on the cheaper ones) and my Hayes Dominions are awesome! I'd suggest making some Shigura's out of some Magura MT-5's and some Deore levers but maybe a step too far.
Suspension, brakes and tyres are the areas I focus my money on most when it comes to bikes. Drivetrain I like to keep simple, cheap and reliable so I run 10spd Microshift Advent on all but one of my bikes.
Brakes, I'll echo what others have said, Deore 4-pots are really good bang for buck. Hope if you want to be a tart but I'm a fan of higher end Magura's (levers are w
k on the cheaper ones) and my Hayes Dominions are awesome! I'd suggest making some Shigura's out of some Magura MT-5's and some Deore levers but maybe a step too far. Suspension, brakes and tyres are the areas I focus my money on most when it comes to bikes. Drivetrain I like to keep simple, cheap and reliable so I run 10spd Microshift Advent on all but one of my bikes.
Deore four pots are cracking brakes for the cash (I paid £140 for the set I had); decent power and easy to bleed / set up. They were a decent step up from two pot Deore brakes I’d run previously / are in use on my wife’s bike.
I’d start with a decent service (new cables etc) before jumping into a new group set.
Servicing (or getting) the suspension serviced / tuned can make a really good improvement too.
I’d start with a decent service (new cables etc) before jumping into a new group set.
Servicing (or getting) the suspension serviced / tuned can make a really good improvement too.
+1 on Deore 4-pot brakes being good performers and excellent value, I put a set on my hardtail last year and apart from the bleed screws being seized (on brand new brakes yes) and mangling the screws to remove them, they are really good. I have 203mm rotors, but depending how big your hills are you might find them fine with 180mm.
I'd agree with others that if your cassette is still in good condition then swapping to a GX derailleur (and maybe GX shifter as well) would be a good improvement over SX.
If things are worn enough to be replacing the whole drivetrain, consider Shimano Deore M5100 - good value wide range 11-speed (11-51t) which fits the same HG freehub driver as your Sram SX cassette.
Personally I'd look to upgrade the Suntour fork to something nicer but still good value like a Marzocchi Z2 or Fox Rhythm 34, you can often find good deals on second hand forks.
I'm not familiar with the X-Fusion rear shock but it might be worth thinking about upgrading that too or at least getting it serviced.
I'd agree with others that if your cassette is still in good condition then swapping to a GX derailleur (and maybe GX shifter as well) would be a good improvement over SX.
If things are worn enough to be replacing the whole drivetrain, consider Shimano Deore M5100 - good value wide range 11-speed (11-51t) which fits the same HG freehub driver as your Sram SX cassette.
Personally I'd look to upgrade the Suntour fork to something nicer but still good value like a Marzocchi Z2 or Fox Rhythm 34, you can often find good deals on second hand forks.
I'm not familiar with the X-Fusion rear shock but it might be worth thinking about upgrading that too or at least getting it serviced.
Discendo Discimus said:
Thanks for the reply, I'm just under 16st so about 100kg? I've had a look at the Tech 4 too, unfortunately none of my mates ride anymore so I can't test any of these to get a feel for them. Anything is better than the current ste though.
If you're in or around West/East Sussex or Kent, you're welcome to try my Hopes. I'd think with your weight 2pots would be OK, I'd go for a 200/203mm rotor up front and 180mm out back. My Hope X2's originally were 180/160mm, swapped to 203/180 and they were better. Mostly out of their depth in the Alps, Wales etc. fine for local stuff.te though. My wife has Deore spec 2pots and they did her fine in the Alps and Andorra last year, granted she's half my weight, but they're pretty good. Especially for buttons.
As others have said, swapping to Shimano group set will cost you a new freehub body at a minimum or a new rear wheel. If you're SX or NX I don't think GX will fit on the rear wheel either. I think they are different freehub bodies too. I'm pretty sure I got caught out by this a couple of years ago when I upgraded my hard tail wheels.
Thanks for all of your replies guys.
Deore 4 pots and 200mm front discs will be my first upgrade (can I stick the 180 from my front wheel onto the back)?
You're right about the gearset, I reckon a good clean up and tune would make the world of difference. It's ok when I'm pottering about, but I live next to the Wyre Forest near Bewdley and over winter it becomes a swamp. I've probably got some ste from last season stuck in the gearset still. Thanks for the offer of trying out your bike but I'm a while away from Kent unfortunately.
Interesting point regarding forks and shocks - The forks I'm quite happy with for now. My skill level doesn't come close to requiring an upgrade but the rear shock is quite basic with no lockout. Due to the geometry of the frame, I don't feel the need to lock it out when climbing but it would be nice to have the option.
Deore 4 pots and 200mm front discs will be my first upgrade (can I stick the 180 from my front wheel onto the back)?
You're right about the gearset, I reckon a good clean up and tune would make the world of difference. It's ok when I'm pottering about, but I live next to the Wyre Forest near Bewdley and over winter it becomes a swamp. I've probably got some s
te from last season stuck in the gearset still. Thanks for the offer of trying out your bike but I'm a while away from Kent unfortunately. Interesting point regarding forks and shocks - The forks I'm quite happy with for now. My skill level doesn't come close to requiring an upgrade but the rear shock is quite basic with no lockout. Due to the geometry of the frame, I don't feel the need to lock it out when climbing but it would be nice to have the option.
missing the VR6 said:
As others have said, swapping to Shimano group set will cost you a new freehub body at a minimum or a new rear wheel. If you're SX or NX I don't think GX will fit on the rear wheel either.
As far as I'm aware...Shimano up to 11-speed and Sram SX / NX cassettes all fit HG freehub body.
Shimano 12-speed cassettes fit microspline freehub.
Sram GX and up cassettes fit XD freehub.
I agree that giving the drivetrain a good clean, lube and tune is the best place to start and could save you a lot of money!
Discendo Discimus said:
Deore 4 pots and 200mm front discs will be my first upgrade (can I stick the 180 from my front wheel onto the back)?
You sure can, just need the right size spacer on the caliper mount.The bigger disc on the front thing is a bit of a fallacy when it comes to MTB though really, the rear brake can often get as much or more heat build-up because you tend to drag it for control more, while the front is more often used in shorter harder bursts with time to cool in between.
GravelBen said:
You sure can, just need the right size spacer on the caliper mount.
The bigger disc on the front thing is a bit of a fallacy when it comes to MTB though really, the rear brake can often get as much or more heat build-up because you tend to drag it for control more, while the front is more often used in shorter harder bursts with time to cool in between.
It's a carry-over from riding a motorbike I think. The bigger disc on the front thing is a bit of a fallacy when it comes to MTB though really, the rear brake can often get as much or more heat build-up because you tend to drag it for control more, while the front is more often used in shorter harder bursts with time to cool in between.
When I was learning to ride a motorbike I was constantly told off for not using the front brake enough, now my brain has done a 180 and whenever I ride my push bikes I use front first followed by rear. Maybe not on trails actually.
Pinkbike is worth a look if you are unfamiliar with it, lots of good priced second hand stuff available. A few examples...
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3761495/
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3813486/
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3809853/
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3694526/
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3761495/
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3813486/
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3809853/
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3694526/
trails said:
Pinkbike is worth a look if you are unfamiliar with it, lots of good priced second hand stuff available. A few examples...
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3761495/
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3813486/
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3809853/
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3694526/
Incredible, thank you!!https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3761495/
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3813486/
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3809853/
https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3694526/
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff