Issue #032, Review -

Santa Cruz Nomad 4 CC XX1 Review

The newest version of the Santa Cruz Nomad is following in big footsteps. The predecessor was extremely popular, above all because of its versatility. The new version has gained a significant portion of downhill performance, but is it at the cost of versatility?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The Crème de la Crème – Nine high-end enduro bikes of 2018 in comparison

Santa Cruz Nomad XX1
170/170 mm (f/r) | 13.39 kg | € 9,899

Every time you look at the Santa Cruz Nomad, you’ll find something new that you just love the bike for. The internally routed cables run through special casings – no more rattling. The brake cable runs along the outside, the bottom bracket is threaded, and a shuttle-pad protects the down tube during transport on pickups; it’s every biker’s dream. Everything about the bike radiates quality workmanship, which is underlined by the fact that Santa Cruz gives a lifetime warranty on the frame and the bearings. Santa Cruz offers the Nomad as an aluminium version as well as two different carbon variants. The top CC version we tested saves a few grams of weight, but is identical to the less expensive C version regarding durability and geometry. With a price tag of € 9,899, their top-of-the-range model is not a bargain, but you get only the finest components. A SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrain and the Reserve Carbon wheels are top-notch… even the 2.5″ MAXXIS Minion DHF front tire excited us.

Helmet Giro Montaro | Glasses Oakley Radar PRIZM Trail | Jersey IXS VIBE 6.1 | Knee pads Sweet Protection Bearsuit | Shoes ION Rascal

  Good, better, Santa Cruz! The Nomad won us over with its first-class workmanship, brilliant handling, and a lifetime warranty!

Of course, the Nomad, like all other Santa Cruz bikes, has a VPP rear linkage. For maximum downhill performance, however, Santa Cruz relies on a linkage design similar to their V10 downhill bike, which gives the rear a much more sensitive response. Nevertheless, the rear suspension works very efficiently. Even without lockable platform damping the bike hardly bobs, and thanks to the steep seat tube angle, going uphill is less of a chore. Only in tight technical sections does the Nomad require a bit more physical effort to keep the front wheel tracking.
However, climbing is only a means to an end with this bike. What was the Nomad built for? For maximum speed and fun going downhill! And here the Santa Cruz’s linkage comes into its own, simply absorbing blows while still offering a lot of feedback and support. On fast and hard trails, the bike is in its element and blew us away with an enormous amount of stability. It’s also striking how quiet the bike is. In tight sections and at low speeds, however, the Nomad requires engaged riding style to achieve a good balance between the wheels. If you do not actively shift your weight forward, you will keep on going straight ahead when in fact you’d like to turn. Flat trails bore the new Nomad.

The Santa Cruz Nomad 4 CC XX1 in detail

Fork RockShox Lyrik RCT3 170 mm
Rear shock RockShox Super Deluxe RCT 170 mm
Brakes SRAM Code RSC 200/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM XX1 Eagle
Seatpost RockShox Reverb Stealth 150 mm
Stem Race Face Turbin R 50 mm
Handlebar Santa Cruz Carbon Bar 800 mm
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF 2.5″
Wheelset Santa Cruz Reserve 30 Carbon
Weight 13.39 kg
Price € 9,899

Mithilfe eines Flip-Chips lassen sich die fahrdynamischen Eigenschaften des Santa Cruz Nomad 4 CC XX1 beeinflussen.
Extreme
Even in the high setting, the Nomad is a downhill monster. The low setup is especially suitable for bike park days.
Success
Carbon wheels often have the problem of being too stiff and therefore uncomfortable. With their Reserve wheels, however, Santa Cruz has achieved a very good compromise between stiffness and flex.
Protected
With the new linkage, the damper sits far down in the frame, which noticeably lowers the centre of gravity. To protect the shock from flying debris, Santa Cruz has developed its own small fender.
Convenient
The fact that the guys from Santa Cruz also do a lot of tinkering on their bikes themselves becomes clear when looking at how the brake line is routed. Anyone who has ever changed the rear brake will be pleased with the external routing.

The geometry of the Santa Cruz Nomad

Size XS S M L XL
Seat tube 375 mm 390 mm 420 mm 450 mm 480 mm
Top tube 540 mm 573 mm 596 mm 619 mm 653 mm
Head tube 90 mm 100 mm 110 mm 120 mm 130 mm
Head angle 65° 65° 65° 65° 65°
Seat angle 74.5° 74.5° 74.5° 74.5° 74.5°
Chainstays 430 mm 430 mm 430 mm 430 mm 430 mm
BB High 344 mm 344 mm 344 mm 344 mm 344 mm
Wheelbase 1134 mm 1168 mm 1192 mm 1217 mm 1251 mm
Reach 390 mm 420 mm 440 mm 460 mm 490 mm
Stack 584 mm 593 mm 602 mm 611 mm 620 mm
Das Santa Cruz Nomad 4 CC XX1 im Gelände.

Conclusion

The new Santa Cruz Nomad needs it rough! With its plush suspension and the downhill-oriented geometry, it craves ever harder trails and higher speeds. Its climbing performance is solid, though it’s not quite as versatile as its predecessor: flow-trails bore this bike.

Strengths

+ demanding terrain doesn’t slow it down
+ super-quiet – no rattling here!
+ lifetime warranty on frame and bearings

Weaknesses

– easier trails bore the bike
– requires an engaged riding style to ensure optimal weight distribution

Uphill
Downhill
Stability
Agility
Value for money


For more info head to: santacruzbicycles.com

The test fleet

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The Crème de la Crème – Nine high-end enduro bikes of 2018 in comparison

All bikes in test: Cannondale Jekyll 1 | Canyon Strive CF 9.0 | Evil The Wreckoning X01 | Kona Process 153 CR 27,5 | Merida ONE-SIXTY 8000 | Orbea Rallon M-Team | Specialized Enduro 29 Pro | Trek Slash 9.8


This article is from ENDURO issue #032

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