The heavily gravity-focused sixth-generation Santa Cruz Nomad is designed to be more versatile than ever. The most obvious change to the new bike is Santa Cruz has ditched its 27.5in front wheel and now uses a mullet-wheel setup, dubbed 'MX'. It features a 29in wheel up front and 27.5in wheel on the back.
The suspension travel remains the same with a trail-smashing 170mm front and rear. However, Santa Cruz has updated the kinematics with the aim of making the Nomad more supple on square-edge hits, improving geometry stability and creating a more consistent feel through the stroke.
With the bigger front wheel come geometry changes. Taking what it learned from its Hightower and Bronson mountain bikes, Santa Cruz claims to have struck a balance between the high-speed stability of a long-travel bike and the agility Nomad riders expect.
Geometry is frame-size specific, with chainstays and effective seat tube angles changing on bigger bikes.
Five sizes are available, and there are 10 build options, with prices starting at £5,499 / $5,649 / €5,799 and topping out at £9,699 / $11,199 / €11,799. There's also a frame-only option for £3,699 / $4,249 / €3,899.
Santa Cruz Nomad 6.0, what's new?
The bike retails the same the 170mm of suspension travel front and back as the outgoing Nomad.
The new bike has been given a 29in front wheel in an attempt to increase the Nomad's versatility. It's available in five frame sizes, from small to extra-extra-large.
The Nomad is available in both Santa Cruz's C and high-spec CC carbon layup options. The latter is said to offer the same strength and stiffness as the C carbon, but for less weight.
As is common on Santa Cruz's carbon frames, each size has a specific carbon layup that influences the frame's stiffness. That means bigger bikes are stiffer than smaller frames, so each size should give a similar ride experience.
The new Nomad uses Santa Cruz's Glovebox internal frame storage. This comes with two internal bags, a tube purse and a tool wallet to keep everything organised.
Frame storage in the down tube enables you to stash your ride essentials. Two internal bags help keep everything organised.
The suspension system is Santa Cruz's tried-and-tested VVP platform with its co-rotating links and lower-link driven shock. However, Santa Cruz has made some updates designed to improve the Nomad's performance.
Firstly, it has lowered the anti-squat over the previous model. This may reduce pedalling efficiency, but it's also intended to minimise harshness over square-edge hits, such as rocks, roots and braking bumps in the trail.
Anti-squat at sag is still claimed to be over 100 per cent. It's great to see Santa Cruz publish its data for how it measures anti-squat – including frame size, gearing and centre of gravity. It would be good if there were an industry standard for this.
The lower starting leverage rate is intended to help better support body weight movements and maintain geometry stability. Also, overall progression has been lowered, which "allowed the suspension to have consistently better tracking qualities throughout the stroke" according to Santa Cruz.
The rear triangle has 180mm post mounts and can accommodate 27.5x2.6in tyres according to Santa Cruz. It also uses the brand's version of the SRAM universal derailleur hanger.
The frame has a high- and low-position flip chip on the lower-link that enables you to fine-tune the geometry.
Santa Cruz keeps things simple with a threaded bottom bracket, and the frame features ISCG05 tabs to attach a chain guide.
New Santa Cruz Nomad geometry
The new Santa Cruz Nomad is available in five sizes, from small to extra-extra-large. Santa Cruz has increased the chainstay lengths for each frame size with the aim of keeping the weight distribution between the wheels more similar for each frame size.
For the high flip-chip setting, reach values start at 430mm for size small and finish at 520mm for extra-extra-large. The corresponding chainstay lengthens from 439mm to 450mm between the small and extra-extra-large frames.
The head tube angle is 63.8 degrees for all frame sizes. However, the effective seat tube angle increases as the frames get bigger to help keep taller riders in a more centred seated pedalling position. These range from 77.2 degrees on the small frame to 77.7 degrees on the extra-extra-large frame, with a peak of 77.9 degrees on the large frame.
Seat tube lengths should allow riders to choose between sizes and range from 380mm to 500mm. The bottom bracket is moderately low at 346mm, with a 27/28mm drop from the front and rear axles.
Swapping the flip chip to the low setting slackens the head tube by 0.3 degrees and effective seat tube angles by around 0.2 degrees. It drops 3mm off the bottom bracket heights and shortens the reach lengths by around 3mm. Chainstay lengths gain nearly a millimetre.
| Santa Cruz Nomad 6 – low setting | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | Medium | Large | Extra-large | Extra-extra-large |
| Reach (mm) | 427.3 | 452.3 | 472.3 | 492.3 | 517.3 |
| Stack (mm) | 618 | 627 | 640 | 658 | 672 |
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 63.5 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 63.5 | 63.5 |
| Seat tube angle (degrees) | 77 | 77.2 | 77.6 | 77.5 | 77.5 |
| Seat tube length (mm) | 380 | 405 | 430 | 460 | 500 |
| BB height (mm) | 343 | 343 | 343 | 343 | 343 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1,209 | 1,240 | 1,270 | 1,302 | 1,337 |
| Chainstay (mm) | 439.8 | 440.8 | 443.8 | 446.8 | 450.9 |
| Top tube (mm) | 577 | 594 | 613 | 638 | 667 |
| Standover (mm) | 705 | 713 | 719 | 717 | 720 |
| Santa Cruz Nomad 6 – high setting | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | Medium | Large | Extra-large | Extra-extra-large |
| Reach (mm) | 430 | 455 | 475 | 495 | 520 |
| Stack (mm) | 616 | 625 | 638 | 656 | 667 |
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 63.8 | 63.8 | 63.8 | 63.8 | 63.8 |
| Seat tube angle (degrees) | 77.2 | 77.4 | 77.9 | 77.8 | 77.7 |
| Seat tube length (mm) | 380 | 405 | 430 | 460 | 500 |
| BB height (mm) | 346 | 346 | 346 | 346 | 346 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1,209 | 1,239 | 1,269 | 1,301 | 1,336 |
| Chainstay (mm) | 439 | 440 | 443 | 446 | 450 |
| Top tube (mm) | 570 | 594 | 612 | 637 | 666 |
| Standover (mm) | 709 | 716 | 723 | 722 | 725 |
Santa Cruz Nomad specs and pricing
The new Nomad comes in four 'drivetrain' models. The two highest-specced bikes with SRAM GX AXS and X01 AXS have an air- or coil-shock choice, plus different wheel options. So, 10 build kits are available. The coil-shock bikes come with Maxxis DoubleDown tyres, while the air-shock bikes use Maxxis EXO+ tyres.
While 10 build kits sounds like a lot, they're easily simplified. The two base models, the Nomad R and Nomad S, use Santa Cruz's C carbon frame, with no options to choose between a coil and an air shock.
The next model is the Nomad GX AXS MX. This also uses the Carbon C frame. There are four models for this drivetrain build kit. All builds use a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock. There are air and coil options.
Both shock options are available with either RaceFace ARC rims or Santa Cruz's Reserve 30 Carbon, both built around Industry 9 hubs 1/1 hubs. That gices four bikes to choose from for this drivetrain group.
The highest-spec Nomad X01 MX bikes use the brand's CC carbon frame. The four models here follow the same pattern as the GX AXS builds. Air- and coil-shock options exist for RaceFace ARC wheels and Santa Cruz Reserve 30 carbon rims.
The coil-shock bikes for the XO1 AXS use a Fox Float DHX2 Factory shock, while the air-shock bikes have a Fox Float X2 Factory shock.
There is also a frame-only option so that you can build a custom bike. This is built with the higher-spec CC carbon and costs £3,699.
Santa Cruz Nomad C R MX
- Frame: Santa Cruz C carbon, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Forks: RockShox Zeb R, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select
- Drivetrain: SRAM NX Eagle (1x12)
- Wheels: RaceFace AR rims, SRAM MTH hubs, Maxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ 29x2.5in WT (f), Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 27.5x2.4in WT (r)
- Brakes: SRAM Guide G2 RE, 200mm rotors
- Seatpost/saddle: SDG Tellis Dropper/WTB Silverado Medium CroMo
- Bars/stem: e13 TRS Base, 800mm/e13 Base, 40mm
- Price: £5,499 / $5,649 / €5,799
Santa Cruz Nomad C S MX
- Frame: Santa Cruz C carbon, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Forks: Fox 38 Performance GRIP, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select+
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle (1x12)
- Wheels: RaceFace AR rims, DT Swiss 370 hubs, Maxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ 29x2.5in WT (f), Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 27.5x2.4in WT (r)
- Brakes: SRAM Code R, 200mm rotors
- Seatpost/saddle: RockShox Reverb Stealth/WTB Silverado Medium CroMo
- Bars/stem: Burgtec RideWide alloy, 800mm/Burgtec Enduro Mk3, 42mm
- Price: £6,599 / $6,799 / €6,799
Santa Cruz Nomad C GX AXS Air MX
- Frame: Santa Cruz C carbon, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Forks: Fox 38 Performance Elite GRIP2, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select+
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX AXS Eagle (1x12)
- Wheels: RaceFace ARC Offset 30 rims, i9 1/1 hubs, Maxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ 29x2.5in WT (f), Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 27.5x2.4in WT (r)
- Brakes: SRAM Code RS, 200mm rotors
- Seatpost/saddle: RockShox Reverb Stealth/WTB Silverado Medium CroMo
- Bars/stem: Santa Cruz Carbon 35, 800mm/Burgtec Enduro Mk3, 42mm
- Price: £7,899 / $8,499 / €7,999
Santa Cruz Nomad C GX AXS Coil MX
- Frame: Santa Cruz C carbon, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Forks: Fox 38 Performance Elite GRIP2, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ Coil
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX AXS Eagle (1x12)
- Wheels: RaceFace ARC Offset 30 rims, i9 1/1 hubs, Maxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip DoubleDown 29x2.5in WT (f), Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra DoubleDown 27.5x2.4in WT (r)
- Brakes: SRAM Code RS, 200mm rotors
- Seatpost/saddle: RockShox Reverb Stealth/WTB Silverado Medium CroMo
- Bars/stem: Santa Cruz Carbon 35, 800mm/Burgtec Enduro Mk3, 42mm
- Price: £7,899 / $8,499 / €7,999
Santa Cruz Nomad C GX AXS Air RSV MX
- Frame: Santa Cruz C carbon, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Forks: Fox 38 Performance Elite GRIP2, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select+
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX AXS Eagle (1x12)
- Wheels: Reserve 30HD rims, i9 1/1 hubs, Maxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ 29x2.5in WT (f), Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 27.5x2.4in WT (r)
- Brakes: SRAM Code RS, 200mm rotors
- Seatpost/saddle: RockShox Reverb Stealth/WTB Silverado Medium CroMo
- Bars/stem: Santa Cruz Carbon 35, 800mm/Burgtec Enduro Mk3, 42mm
- Price: £8,999 / $9,799 / €9,199
Santa Cruz Nomad C GX AXS Coil RSV MX
- Frame: Santa Cruz C carbon, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Forks: Fox 38 Performance Elite GRIP2, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ Coil
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX AXS Eagle (1x12)
- Wheels: Reserve 30HD rims, i9 1/1 hubs, Maxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip DoubleDown 29x2.5in WT (f), Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra DoubleDown 27.5x2.4in WT (r)
- Brakes: SRAM Code RS, 200mm rotors
- Seatpost/saddle: RockShox Reverb Stealth/WTB Silverado Medium CroMo
- Bars/stem: Santa Cruz Carbon 35, 800mm/Burgtec Enduro Mk3, 42mm
- Price: £8,999 / $9,799 / €9,199
Santa Cruz Nomad CC X01 AXS Air MX
- Frame: Santa Cruz CC carbon, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Forks: Fox 38 Factory GRIP2, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Shock: Fox Float X2 Factory
- Drivetrain: SRAM X01 AXS Eagle (1x12)
- Wheels: RaceFace ARC Offset 30 rims, i9 1/1 hubs, Maxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ 29x2.5in WT (f), Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 27.5x2.4in WT (r)
- Brakes: SRAM Code RSC, 200mm rotors
- Seatpost/saddle: RockShox Reverb Stealth/WTB Silverado Medium CroMo
- Bars/stem: Santa Cruz Carbon 35, 800mm/Burgtec Enduro Mk3, 42mm
- Price: £8,399 / $9,299 / €9,199
Santa Cruz Nomad CC X01 AXS Coil MX
- Frame: Santa Cruz CC carbon, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Forks: Fox 38 Factory GRIP2, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Shock: Fox Float DHX2 Factory
- Drivetrain: SRAM X01 AXS Eagle (1x12)
- Wheels: RaceFace ARC Offset 30 rims, i9 1/1 hubs, Maxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip DoubleDown 29x2.5in WT (f), Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra DoubleDown 27.5x2.4in WT (r)
- Brakes: SRAM Code RSC, 200mm rotors
- Seatpost/saddle: RockShox Reverb Stealth/WTB Silverado Medium CroMo
- Bars/stem: Santa Cruz Carbon 35, 800mm/Burgtec Enduro Mk3, 42mm
- Price: £8,399 / $9,299 / €9,199
Santa Cruz Nomad CC X01 AXS RSV Air MX
- Frame: Santa Cruz CC carbon, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Forks: Fox 38 Factory GRIP2, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Shock: Fox Float X2 Factory
- Drivetrain: SRAM X01 AXS Eagle (1x12)
- Wheels: Reserve 30HD rims, i9 1/1 hubs, Maxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip EXO+ 29x2.5in WT (f), Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 27.5x2.4in WT (r)
- Brakes: SRAM Code RSC, 200mm rotors
- Seatpost/saddle: RockShox Reverb Stealth/WTB Silverado Medium CroMo
- Bars/stem: Santa Cruz Carbon 35, 800mm/Burgtec Enduro Mk3, 42mm
- Price: £9,699 / $11,199 / €11,799
Santa Cruz Nomad CC X01 AXS RSV Coil MX
- Frame: Santa Cruz CC carbon, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Forks: Fox 38 Factory GRIP2, 170mm (6.7in) travel
- Shock: Fox Float DHX2 Factory
- Drivetrain: SRAM X01 AXS Eagle (1x12)
- Wheels: Reserve 30HD rims, i9 1/1 hubs, Maxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip DoubleDown 29x2.5in WT (f), Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra DoubleDown 27.5x2.4in WT (r)
- Brakes: SRAM Code RSC, 200mm rotors
- Seatpost/saddle: RockShox Reverb Stealth/WTB Silverado Medium CroMo
- Bars/stem: Santa Cruz Carbon 35, 800mm/Burgtec Enduro Mk3, 42mm
- Price: £9,699 / $11,199 / €11,799
