Norco fluid fs3 2020 or Spez Stumpjumper ST 2019

[MajG]

I want to use bike for trails, singletrack and just social riding.

No racing etc.

 

Both are entry level bikes and i just wanted something comfier.

 

https://www.norco.com/bikes/2020/mountain/trail/fluid-fs-aluminum/fluid-fs-3/

 

https://www.specialized.com/za/en/mens-stumpjumper-st-alloy-29/p/154985?color=&searchText=94718-7202

[DR ◣◢]

Close in spec which makes it a difficult choice.

 

What pulls me towards the Stumpy is the SLX derailleur and the Rockshox fork.

 

Based on my past experiences the SRAM entry level components aren’t the most reliable.

 

The lack of a dropper post on the Specialized can be remedied with something from Lyne components.

[BaGearA]

Spez imo

[WrightJnr]

Having ridden both rear suspension types. I prefer the vertical shock. For me, just rides better overall.

 

But both bikes look great.

 

You sure 120mm travel bike would not be enough? Something like a Scott Spark (non SC) type? You would be surprised what they can handle.

[boxerulez]

Mr Dampf, on 12 Sept 2020 - 10:42 AM, said:

 

Close in spec which makes it a difficult choice.

 

What pulls me towards the Stumpy is the SLX derailleur and the Rockshox fork.

 

Based on my past experiences the SRAM entry level components aren’t the most reliable.

 

The lack of a dropper post on the Specialized can be remedied with something from Lyne components.

I got the FS3 in question the XCR is pretty capable I cant say I have any problems with the bike.

 

No experience with the Spez however but I can tell you I dont regret my fluid at all.

 

Edit:

 

I did have some work with the brakes however. Spongy out the box, had to bleed and bleed and bleed and tap the calipers and hoses and bleed. But this is lazy assemblers because the lines are changed when the internal cabling is routed at Norco from what I gather online.

 

I also changed out to 203/180mm because is am a big boy.

 

I can now report back that the Tektro brakes are sufficient with these upgrades and bleeding.

Edited September 12, 2020 by boxerulez

[madmarc]

Norco = 12 spd - Spez = 11 spd 

 

Being a SRAM purist i'd go with Norco mainly because its 12 spd and it has a dropper post.

 

Yes SX is entry level but so are the Tektro brakes - these can all be upgraded later on but at least you got a 12 spd and the dropper post.

 

The only attraction for me on the spez is the Recon fork over Suntour. 

[keithbe]

You're going to need to test ride them. Only way to know which one to go for; to close to call spec / geometry wise. Fit is king.

[MajG]

Close in spec which makes it a difficult choice.

 

What pulls me towards the Stumpy is the SLX derailleur and the Rockshox fork.

 

Based on my past experiences the SRAM entry level components aren’t the most reliable.

 

The lack of a dropper post on the Specialized can be remedied with something from Lyne components.

This my reasoning too, im pulling towards the spez vasis the rockshox and slx.

 

Having ridden both rear suspension types. I prefer the vertical shock. For me, just rides better overall.

 

But both bikes look great.

 

You sure 120mm travel bike would not be enough? Something like a Scott Spark (non SC) type? You would be surprised what they can handle.

I missed out on a scott spark 920 that i was hoping for, so now i narrowed it down to these two.

 

Thats another factor, vertical or horizontal shock which is comfier?

 

Norco = 12 spd - Spez = 11 spd

 

Being a SRAM purist i'd go with Norco mainly because its 12 spd and it has a dropper post.

 

Yes SX is entry level but so are the Tektro brakes - these can all be upgraded later on but at least you got a 12 spd and the dropper post.

 

The only attraction for me on the spez is the Recon fork over Suntour.

Norco = 12 spd - Spez = 11 spd  Being a SRAM purist i'd go with Norco mainly because its 12 spd and it has a dropper post. Yes SX is entry level but so are the Tektro brakes - these can all be upgraded later on but at least you got a 12 spd and the dropper post. The only attraction for me on the spez is the Recon fork over Suntour.

Defs need to add the dropper post to the spez but the Norco looks abit more aggressive for me and i like that.

 

Spez can get for R25k(2nd hand) Norco is R26500 brand new

 

Im really torn between the two though.

Sram i heard more issues than with SLX.

 

Only crap thing is i cant test ride the Norco as im getting it delivered from JHB

[MajG]

You're going to need to test ride them. Only way to know which one to go for; to close to call spec / geometry wise. Fit is king.

Thats the crappy part, Norco in shop in JHB.

 

Need to go to local Norco lbs to get the fit.

 

Im test the spez out tomorrow

 

Guess the fit and test will be the determining factor.

 

My main concern is suntour on the norco and the sram - but this bikes stance and looks just talks me

 

Spez is just the no dropper and its 2nd hand.

[Chadvdw67]

I would go for the Norco, but I am biased, a friend of mine has that stumpy, it really is not worth the money, the fork is a noodle and super flexy, that 34mm Suntour will be much stiffer and I think a better fork, people see Suntour and think low end budget crap, but their mid to higher end stuff really is not bad

[boxerulez]

Thats the crappy part, Norco in shop in JHB.

 

Need to go to local Norco lbs to get the fit.

 

Im test the spez out tomorrow

 

Guess the fit and test will be the determining factor.

 

My main concern is suntour on the norco and the sram - but this bikes stance and looks just talks me

 

Spez is just the no dropper and its 2nd hand.

Remember warranty only applies to 1st owner, so keep that in mind.

 

Its not a shitty Suntour fork that bud.  The air forks are decent not like the drivel they sell for entry level OEM forks.

[MajG]

Remember warranty only applies to 1st owner, so keep that in mind.

 

Its not a shitty Suntour fork that bud.  The air forks are decent not like the drivel they sell for entry level OEM forks.

Ok let me research these suntours then, could be me just being brand biased

[MajG]

I would go for the Norco, but I am biased, a friend of mine has that stumpy, it really is not worth the money, the fork is a noodle and super flexy, that 34mm Suntour will be much stiffer and I think a better fork, people see Suntour and think low end budget crap, but their mid to higher end stuff really is not bad

And how your buddy find the sram ? Faultless and fluid?

[coppi]

Norco

[Eddy Gordo]

I would go for the Norco, but I am biased, a friend of mine has that stumpy, it really is not worth the money, the fork is a noodle and super flexy, that 34mm Suntour will be much stiffer and I think a better fork, people see Suntour and think low end budget crap, but their mid to higher end stuff really is not bad

Same here, and a buddy f mine has one and he loves it. 

Agree regarding he 34mm chasis vs 32mm. Suntour makes decent forks.

[MajG]

Same here, and a buddy f mine has one and he loves it. 

Agree regarding he 34mm chasis vs 32mm. Suntour makes decent forks.

Just need to test one here in cpt, doesnt seem any cape town stores stock them