Norco fluid fs3 2020 or Spez Stumpjumper ST 2019

[boxerulez]

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

I had to drive 300km for mine... Coimbra Cycles in PE has stock, I think thats the shortest drive from you where you will find one as Cycles United are the only agents for them from my understanding.

 

Quinton there sorted me out.

[Vetseun]

Norco. Because it starts with an N.

[MajG]

I had to drive 300km for mine... Coimbra Cycles in PE has stock, I think thats the shortest drive from you where you will find one as Cycles United are the only agents for them from my understanding.

Quinton there sorted me out.

No way am i riding CPT to PLZ to test out a bike lol, same issue will be with warranty claims as it will involve shipping cost etc.

 

I love how Norco looks and read up and watched endless clips on that bike, excellent besides for the crappy brakes which R2k brake upgrade will fix.

 

Otherwise for practicality - Giant stance , Stumpie or Scott spark range as all local available here

[Me rida my bicycle]

No way am i riding CPT to PLZ to test out a bike lol, same issue will be with warranty claims as it will involve shipping cost etc.

I love how Norco looks and read up and watched endless clips on that bike, excellent besides for the crappy brakes which R2k brake upgrade will fix.

Otherwise for practicality - Giant stance , Stumpie or Scott spark range as all local available here

I like the new Giant Stance 29er it would be my choice. Looks great, rides lekker and warranty claims are painless. The Spark in that budget will weigh more than the moon. I had the 2019 Spark 940 and yes it was a capable bike fun bike but the suspension bobs to much so for every hill you have to lock it out which beats the point of a dual suspension for me.

[PhilipV]

No way am i riding CPT to PLZ to test out a bike lol, same issue will be with warranty claims as it will involve shipping cost etc.

 

I love how Norco looks and read up and watched endless clips on that bike, excellent besides for the crappy brakes which R2k brake upgrade will fix.

 

Otherwise for practicality - Giant stance , Stumpie or Scott spark range as all local available here

100% agreed. That point alone will disqualify Norco for me.

[MajG]

I like the new Giant Stance 29er it would be my choice. Looks great, rides lekker and warranty claims are painless. The Spark in that budget will weigh more than the moon. I had the 2019 Spark 940 and yes it was a capable bike fun bike but the suspension bobs to much so for every hill you have to lock it out which beats the point of a dual suspension for me.

Seems the stumpjumper approx 14kg , scott spark 900 approx 13kg and giant stance 2 is 13.6

 

Well more homework and test rides for me

[MajG]

100% agreed. That point alone will disqualify Norco for me.

Sadly yes

[PhilipV]

Seems the stumpjumper approx 14kg , scott spark 900 approx 13kg and giant stance 2 is 13.6

 

Well more homework and test rides for me

I will take a heavier bike that rides better over a lighter bike that handles like a dog.

But I haven't ridden either of those options so I can't advise you.

[madmarc]

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

 

Ooops I didnt pick that up - 34 versus 32 - I'm def for the Norco

 

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

 

Like i said i'm biased against Shitmano - But I've built and setup numerous bikes with SRAM SX; NX; GX - If its setup correct you should not have any issues with it. I've also read about the failures on numerous forums, especially with NX RD and when you dig into the details most of the reports are after the bike was worked on - The SRAM cage needs to be assembled correctly if it was stripped and the B screw needs to be adjusted perfectly with the gauge provided as well as the upper and lower limit screws.

 

On top if you say the Norco is brand new and the Spez is used then consider the warranty - At least with the Norco you have recourse for the warranty period if something does fall apart

[MajG]

Ooops I didnt pick that up - 34 versus 32 - I'm def for the Norco

 

 

 

Like i said i'm biased against Shitmano - But I've built and setup numerous bikes with SRAM SX; NX; GX - If its setup correct you should not have any issues with it. I've also read about the failures on numerous forums, especially with NX RD and when you dig into the details most of the reports are after the bike was worked on - The SRAM cage needs to be assembled correctly if it was stripped and the B screw needs to be adjusted perfectly with the gauge provided as well as the upper and lower limit screws.

 

On top if you say the Norco is brand new and the Spez is used then consider the warranty - At least with the Norco you have recourse for the warranty period if something does fall apart

Warranty will have peace of mind but im 750km away from the closest norco dealer, but guess R1500 courier fees both ways be cheaper than broken R15k frame.

[Chadvdw67]

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

My buddy has the Stump jumper, he likes his bike, nothing has gone seriously wrong on it, I Just personally don't see the value in them, and I also owned a Specialized. I now have a Norco Fluid FS1, which is why I admit to being biased...

 

The other bikes being recommended

 

Giant Stance I don't like because it has QR rear axle. Not a major thing, but I would want through axles.

 

Scott Spark 900 is a XC bike, and the 2020 970 and 960 also have a QR rear axles.

 

Merida 120 400 is also a good option, ticks all boxes in my opinion

 

The Stump Jumper is a good bike, but under forked

 

My first choice would be the Fluid FS3, just because I am a Norco fan boy ???? second choice the Merida 120 400, 3rd would be the Spez.

[Eddy Gordo]

Op, dont worry too much about warranty. You will find some bike companies will find excuses as to why they wont honour you warranty. Get something you like, even if its more and not listed in what you first posted.

Then have your bike insured. Then do the regular maintenance and suspension and pivot services when they are due.

[boxerulez]

Warranty will have peace of mind but im 750km away from the closest norco dealer, but guess R1500 courier fees both ways be cheaper than broken R15k frame.

You should ring up the agents and see how they will handle a warranty issue if it arises.   They may have a friendly LBS close to you on thier payroll that handles their CTN customers although they don't stock the brand.

[MajG]

My buddy has the Stump jumper, he likes his bike, nothing has gone seriously wrong on it, I Just personally don't see the value in them, and I also owned a Specialized. I now have a Norco Fluid FS1, which is why I admit to being biased...

The other bikes being recommended

Giant Stance I don't like because it has QR rear axle. Not a major thing, but I would want through axles.

Scott Spark 900 is a XC bike, and the 2020 970 and 960 also have a QR rear axles.

Merida 120 400 is also a good option, ticks all boxes in my opinion

The Stump Jumper is a good bike, but under forked

My first choice would be the Fluid FS3, just because I am a Norco fan boy second choice the Merida 120 400, 3rd would be the Spez.

Another contender, merida 120. Eish, been researching so much already but will have to do my homework.

Norco still looks hitter than all the others tho

[MajG]

You should ring up the agents and see how they will handle a warranty issue if it arises.   They may have a friendly LBS close to you on thier payroll that handles their CTN customers although they don't stock the brand.

I will do exactly that, maybe get them to commit on paper to one free courier if any issues do arise.

[Jewbacca]

I will do exactly that, maybe get them to commit on paper to one free courier if any issues do arise.

Also, shop around... I have shipped bikes all over the country for no more than R400 each way....