The all new NOMAD

Redman

Redman

iMTB Rockstah
my18_hero_nomad_sand_xx1_web.png


https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-US/nomad


It's a good thing I have no business buying this rig.
 
Pretty cool looking bike, but that wasn't the only announcement... Lifetime warranty on carbon wheels. :eek:

"Lifetime. No gimmicks. Not limited. If you do actually manage to break our rim while out riding, we'll replace it for free. And probably high five you in the process! If it gets run over by a truck we'll help you out with a low cost accidental 'crash replacement', because life's too short to argue. We know riding time's too precious to keep you waiting, so we'll do our best to sort you out fast."

https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-US/reserve-wheels
 
Sidebar:

This appears to be a graphic turning point for SC. Understated product ID on rims; frame colors that are not obnoxious or ugly, and not paired with logotype colors that, in combo, induce wretching.

A random forum user altered the glamour shot of an SC bike awhile back, and damned if that tan/coffee color and a dark, muted blue were not two renditions he produced. They both looked very nice. I would not be the least surprised if someone at SC got an eye of that and woke up.
 
Faust29 said:
Pretty cool looking bike, but that wasn't the only announcement... Lifetime warranty on carbon wheels. :eek:

"Lifetime. No gimmicks. Not limited. If you do actually manage to break our rim while out riding, we'll replace it for free. And probably high five you in the process! If it gets run over by a truck we'll help you out with a low cost accidental 'crash replacement', because life's too short to argue. We know riding time's too precious to keep you waiting, so we'll do our best to sort you out fast."

https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-US/reserve-wheels
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Which the tester on PinkBike broke on the first day.

"There was one small snafu that happened after only a few shuttle runs on the Nomad — I cracked the rear rim. Yes, that brand new Santa Cruz Reserve carbon rim met its untimely demise when I came up a foot short on a stepdown, smacking the rear wheel squarely into one of the cedar logs that formed the backside of the landing. Time to make use of that lifetime warranty and 24-hour turnaround... The incident was fully user error, and I'm sure that there would have been some sort of damage even if I'd been on an aluminum rim. Santa Cruz has since sent out a replacement, and I'll be putting this one to the test over the coming months in order to see how it holds up. "
 
I hope they don't do the split frame deal with all their frames. Looks fugly to me. Don't mind the Tan color....they have offered it before.

I think it there are going to be a whole lotta people riding a bike way overkill for 85% of the trails....just because it says Nomad. It's basically a mini V10. Maybe if I spent a bunch of time at the bike parks it may make more sense.

I think the upcoming Hightower LT will be the clear winner.
 
I guess it is what a lot of people were asking for...

The N3 was marketed as a Enduro race killer. The N4 is no longer even being pushed that way. The article I read said it was overkill for most EWS courses....but it is so much more than a trail bike. Maybe they finally replaced the VP-Free. Or who else remembers a bike that SC made similar to this that only survived a few years......Driver 8.
 
mtnbikej said:
I think it there are going to be a whole lotta people riding a bike way overkill for 85% of the trails....just because it says Nomad.
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Yup. But new Nomad or not there are already a whole lotta people on bikes that are way overkill for the trails they actually ride....everyone wants to think they're an enduro superstar these days even if they really only ride xc.

This really shouldn't be a surprise, look around at all the people driving bro-dozer trucks or lifted 4x4s who never take them on anything harder than graded fire roads.
 
Years ago I really really wanted a Nomad. I went out of my way to rent one in Downieville while on a trip to Sacramento. Finally I got to actually ride a Nomad!
That thing went downhill like a mule deer. It handled everything in its way...except the climbs. It climbed like a blue tick hound. Which means it didn't climb very well. I doubt 170 mm will translate into a versatile trail bike for most riders.
I wouldn't be surprised to see them all over the local trails soon, being walked around switchbacks and pushed uphill.
 
The new Tracer at 165 and the new Nomad at 170 seem to be missing the market of guys/gals who can afford them. I think the Bronson is right in the pocket for most "real" mt. bikers who aren't addicted to climbing or pretending to be a DH whiz - but like to do both. Too bad Intense no longer has a bike in the mix. From what I've read and heard from others, the Recluse is too "poppy and playful" and allegedly gets nervous in fast rough stuff, and the new Tracer is just like what I read about the new Nomad - a sluggish climber with stable DH manners.
 
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MCB2K said:
So all the pontificating about it's performance is pure conjecture at this point?!?! :stop:
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Industry reviewers have taken some laps on it and have written reviews. No need to be defensive here, even SC admits it's not a sprightly climber. And why would it be? It's a mini DH bike to replace the VP Free and distance itself from the Bronson - arguably the best bike in the category (27.5 all-mountain trail). N4 looks to be a badass bike, but probably serious overkill for most who can actually afford to buy it.
 
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mike said:
Looks pricey – and not particularly engaging to me. Another reason why we see ten-thousand-dollar-plus mountain bikes. We gotta pay for this ridiculous sh!t.
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How much did they charge you for your share of the marketing production costs? That commerical was pretty good, and if it generates curiosity in a product, it is money pretty well spent.
 
riiz said:
How much did they charge you for your share of the marketing production costs? That commerical was pretty good, and if it generates curiosity in a product, it is money pretty well spent.
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As subjective an assessment as it gets but thanks for the comment. Speaking of subjective: I was bored from the beginning and actually couldn't make it through that overpriced, silly fanfare, and it generated exactly zero curiosity in me about the product. But I'm an old man, so prolly not the target market. If my old lady ends up with a Juliana, it'll be one somebody else took the showroom hit on.
 
rossage said:
Years ago I really really wanted a Nomad. I went out of my way to rent one in Downieville while on a trip to Sacramento. Finally I got to actually ride a Nomad!
That thing went downhill like a mule deer. It handled everything in its way...except the climbs. It climbed like a blue tick hound. Which means it didn't climb very well. I doubt 170 mm will translate into a versatile trail bike for most riders.
I wouldn't be surprised to see them all over the local trails soon, being walked around switchbacks and pushed uphill.
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That was the big turn off for me when I demo'd an N3. $10,500 bike and it bobs like a Wal-Mart special up the climbs, even when seated.
 
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