Issue #017, Review - December 13, 2015

Santa Cruz Nomad C X01 2015 Review

The Santa Cruz is the bully of the group, resplendent in murdered-out black; like a Mafia boss, its reputation precedes it. The bike has a lot of hype to live up to!

This article is part of our Enduro Bike Group Test 2015.

The first batch of Nomads to hit the market sold out on name alone, and it always features in the top three “What bike should I buy” choices. You can see where the desirability comes from: it looks like something that should be fired out of a tank. It’s low, mean, and aggressive.

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The Nomad C version is a more "affordable" option than its more expensive brother the CC. — The Nomad C version is a more “affordable” option than its more expensive brother the CC.

The aggressive overtones do not end there. As soon as you sit on the bike, it sinks confidently into its 165mm of VPP travel, the long stroke of the Rockshox Monarch DebonAir RC3 shock indicating that this is a bike that wants to rock and roll. The wide Race Face Respond 785mm bars and long top tube throw you into an attacking position immediately, like injecting adrenaline right into your confidence core. This is a wolf in wolf’s clothing.

We all know that the all-singing and ENVE’ed up Nomad CC commands a very high price, and is certainly the bike of choice for the “I enduro, bro” set. This Nomad C model is a little more affordable, but can you ever say that €7430 is affordable? Sharing the same frame design as its more expensive sibling (though the C version uses a heavier carbon layup, making the complete bike weight 13.69 kg), where had the cost savings been made? There have been no worrying cutbacks in the suspension department – that’s for sure, as the 160mm RockShox Pike RCT3 and matching RockShox Monarch Plus DebonAir shock are both proven performers. Only the Shimano SLX brakes, budget Race Face cranks, and the overly long and basic 60mm Race Face Turbine stem indicate that there have been compromises, looking cheap and out of place on a bike at this price point. The WTB i23 wheelset did not excite any of the testers either but did hold up well to testing. We also have to mention that the sizing is still really small, with a 437.8mm reach in size Large.

Both climbing and descending didn't phase the Nomad. — Both climbing and descending didn’t phase the Nomad.

The 65° head angle indicate that this is a bike that likes to flirt with gravity, and the bottom bracket sits crazy low at a ground-threatening 340mm. An 1195.4mm wheelbase and slack angles were considered revolutionary when the bike launched, but are now commonplace and the Nomad no longer feels like the extreme trail bomber where it made its fame. In fact, hidden under the stealth-bomber looks is a bike of refined manners. What should, on paper, be a lethargic handful is actually a very neat and tidy climber, picking its way effectively over tough passages and technical climbs. The central climbing position maintained traction on the front wheel and the suspension is punchy, supportive, and taut, never feeling wallowy when putting down the gas.

Al though it's the cheaper version of the Nomad it's still very expensive. — Al though it’s the cheaper version of the Nomad it’s still very expensive.

When the trail turns downwards, the Nomad throws those good manners out of the window and becomes a spitting, feral animal. The low and compact riding position allows you to flick the Nomad through tight turns with ease, and it can take crazy direct lines that would normally be terrifying. The low BB allows you to load up the bike in turns, and it rips through berms with style. Even though the plush VPP suspension likes to hug the ground, the Nomad is an easy bike to pick up and is not shy of some air time.

Details

Out of place: The cheap-looking Race Face Turbine Stem feels out of place on the Nomad. At 60mm long it’s also a little on the long side, as many testers would have prefered to see a 50mm stem as standard. — **Out of place:** The cheap-looking Race Face Turbine Stem feels out of place on the Nomad. At 60mm long it’s also a little on the long side, as many testers would have prefered to see a 50mm stem as standard.

More affordable: The single C marks this bike out as the new, lower-cost carbon version. Santa Cruz still offers a top-of-the-line premium CC model using high modulus carbon. The C models use a lower modulus carbon, so to maintain the same strength they have to use more material, thus increasing the weight. — **More affordable:** The single C marks this bike out as the new, lower-cost carbon version. Santa Cruz still offers a top-of-the-line premium CC model using high modulus carbon. The C models use a lower modulus carbon, so to maintain the same strength they have to use more material, thus increasing the weight.

Long travel: The Nomad has 165mm of travel and the VPP suspension platform gives the bike a bottomless feel, floating over big hits with ease. The RockShox Monarch RC3 DebonAir does a great job of filtering out small bumps. — **Long travel:** The Nomad has 165mm of travel and the VPP suspension platform gives the bike a bottomless feel, floating over big hits with ease. The RockShox Monarch RC3 DebonAir does a great job of filtering out small bumps.

Specification: Santa Cruz Nomad C X01 2015

Fork: RockShox Pike RC Solo Air 165mm
Rear Shock: RockShox Monarch Plus RC3 Debonair 160mm
Drivetrain: SRAM X1
Brakes: Shimano SLX
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth
Stem: RaceFace Turbine
Handlebar: Race Face Respond 785mm
Tyres: MAXXIS Highroller II 2,3″
Wheelsize: 27.5″
Rims: WTB ST i23 TCS
Hubs: SRAM MTH
Price: € 7,430

Strengths

High performance handling.
Gorgeous looks.

Weaknesses

Ridiculously expensive.
Pedal strikes.

Conclusion

The Nomad is a good all-rounder, just as happy railing home trails as hitting the Alps for some bike park action. The aggressive, low-slung frame inspires confidence and is easy to unleash on the trail. The Nomad C version offers all the fun of the CC in a much more affordable price tag, but it still charges a huge premium over other brands.

For more information on the Santa Cruz Nomad visit santacruzbicycles.com.