Skip to main content

Norrona Fjora backpack


This lightweight, brightly-coloured 10l pack sits in Norrona’s Fjora line of mountain biking clothing and equipment. We found it a perfect size for day rides, and could happily stow a selection of food, water, tools, spare layers and a first aid kit inside it. The pack is structured around one main compartment – which includes a pocket for a hydration bladder (not included) – and a smaller outer section designed for carrying tools. Internal organisation of kit is easy, with various different size and shape pockets, and zipped sections. Straps on the outside of the pack keep everything cinched together tightly.

Most of the time we found the flexible back support system very comfortable, due to its ability to conform to our bodies. Unfortunately, this flexibility also meant it bulged uncomfortably when the pack was fully stuffed. The bag is also let down by its narrow waist strap, which is noticeably less comfortable than that used by competitors such as EVOC. On the bike, wide shoulder straps keep the Fjora securely in place without restricting arm movement or clashing with helmets. The lack of bells and whistles on the outside of the pack makes it easy to wipe down during the post-ride clean-up operation.

HIGHS
- Lots of pockets
- Lightweight
- High build quality

LOWS
- Narrow waist strap
- Flexible back support deforms when well stuffed

Lightweight pack with an extensive array of pockets but a few niggles

Price $133


Popular posts from this blog

KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

Cannondale Trail SL 29 SS

The fat aluminium tubes are a constrast to the skinny items seen elsewhere in the test, but this rigid Cannondale uses them to create one of the most old-school - and lightest - rides here.

ENVE M50 29" Wheels

Utah based company ENVE have been making drool-worthy carbon components for some years now. Despite the fact that carbon rims are becoming more and more common on mountain bikes these days, you can guarantee that ENVE wheels will be a talking point when someone is eyeing off a steed. Instantly, the big bold logos on each rim scream "fast", "light" and to some extent, "expensive" The kids call this 'bling'.

NS Bikes Metropolis bike

There aren’t many companies like NS Bikes, whose entire product range is designed around getting rad, ripping corners and boosting jumps. The Polish brand are passionate about freeride and have gained a reputation for building heavy-hitting,wellspecced and reasonably-priced bikes. This latest incarnation of their Metropolis dirt jump rig follows in this vein, with a doublebutted 4130 chromoly frame and an array of reliable kit. The frame mixes MTB and BMXtechnology, using a threaded bottom bracket and Race Face AEfect two-piece crankset in combination with horizontal dropouts and an integrated headset and seat clamp. A Manitou Circus Elite fork gives 100mm of air-sprung travel, with a 20mm front axle to maintain stifness. The Metropolis rolls on 26in NS Fundamental rims, fitted with Kenda Small Block 8 tyres. We reckon the combo of chrome frame and tan-wall rubber looks pretty rad too! The full build weighs a fairly robust 12.13kg , but it should have no problem shrugging of s...

YT Tues downhill bike

The new Tues downhill bike is here – and won a World Cup on its first outing While a number of big brands have launched 29er downhill bikes,YT Industries are sticking with proven 650b wheels – for now, at least. The latest Tues comes in five sizes (S-XXL), with the biggest sporting a reach of 495mm. Head tube and chainstay lengths now vary between sizes, to put the rider in a better position on the bike. The S-L bikes have 435mm stays, while the XL and XXL are a shade longer, at 440mm. Reach is longer than last year on some sizes, including the XL ridden to victory by Aaron Gwin at this year’s openingWorld Cup round.A reachadjust headset can be used to tailor the fit further. YT have also made subtle but significant changes to the suspension. The initial stroke is said to be more sensitive, while there’s more mid-stroke support, to sit the bottom bracket a shade higher when on track.YT have decreased end-stroke progression, by five per cent, to make tackling really big hits th...