Santa Cruz revamps the ever popular Nomad!

Jul 14, 2008
by Tyler Maine  
Source: Santa Cruz Bikes

Oh, no, not another bike from Santa Cruz...

Following in the footsteps of the Blur LT's redesign earlier this year, the Nomad is the latest recipient of SCB's next generation VPP.The Cliff Notes for this redesign are as follows:

- Revised links and VPP shock rates
- Grease ports in lower link
- Carbon fiber upper link
- All-new link hardware
- Shorter chainstays
- Redesigned front triangle
- ISCG 05 mount

The "why" of this requires a little more explanation:

The VPP revision results in a flatter shock rate, meaning a less dramatic falling rate at the beginning of travel, and less of a rising rate near bottom-out. The instant center of the rear suspension now sits lower than before, and the new design has less chain growth than the old one. These elements make the new bike pedal and climb more efficiently than before. The geometry of the bike still ensures excellent stability, but the suspension feels more lively and the new Nomad feels more snappy and responsive everywhere.

The new linkage design features 15mm diameter alloy axles bolting directly into the frame that are locked in place with ultra-trick collet heads. These control preload on the angular contact bearings in the lower link, which are in turn easily lubed up via the grease ports in the link. Each frame comes with a grease gun.

photo

The upper link is molded carbon fiber. These changes result in vastly improved weather resistance, longer intervals between servicing, much easier user serviceability (lower link can be removed without having to take the cranks off), and improved chassis rigidity.

photo

Changing from the old clamshell welded top tube design to a triple butted 6000 series aluminum front triangle allowed the engineers to increase strength and stiffness in the front end, incorporate ISCG 05 chainguide mounts and increase head tube diameter to 1.5", yet at the same time reduce frame weight by a third of a pound over the previous model. Frame weight for a large size powder coated Nomad running a RockShox Monarch 3.3 is 6.9 pounds. Smaller frames will weigh less, as will anodized frames.

photo

The old Nomad defied easy categorization. It spanned the gap between heavy duty long travel trail riding and aggressive terrain high performance abuse and found friends at either end of the spectrum. This redesign muddies attempts to pigeonhole the bike even further.
It's lighter and more responsive, but at the same time stronger and more stable. The territory that the Nomad calls home has grown in size.

photo

Geometry chart attached is based around a 545mm axle to crown fork length


Available late October, in the following colors - black, white, red, yellow, lime green, liquid blue, ano green and ano slate. The new Nomad will be shown at both Eurobike and Interbike, and there will be a whole raft of them available for test rides at the Interbike On- Dirt demo.

photo

www.santacruzmtb.com

Author Info:
brule avatar

Member since Mar 27, 2001
3,581 articles

87 Comments
  • 16 3
 looks like santa cruz has done it again. theyve taken a killer bike and made it just that much better. cant wait to see what they do with the vp-free
  • 1 0
 No kidding, I holding out on getting a new ride for that very reason.
  • 1 2
 yep that v10 gives you a reason to wait. Im just stoked to see it.
  • 0 0
 The VP-Free is going to be a lightweight DH race machine akin to the Intense Socom.
  • 12 0
 Looks good, but I would think maybe the grease nipples seem a bit exposed to possible damage both from mud,water etc as well as impact?
  • 1 1
 They are replaceable if in the unlikely event you do smash them up
  • 1 0
 grease nipples. lol.
  • 15 2
 Looks dope!
  • 7 1
 love that bike so much, and i like how they toned down the curved toptube A LOT..
  • 13 1
 dammit i just got a new nomad and now i want this one.
  • 4 1
 Haha that sucks mattdawg... I bought a Heckler just before Santa Cruz came out with a build kit that had basically my same spec only cheaper... That seems to be the way things go with Santa Cruz :p
  • 15 1
 hahaha specialized tries so hard to make their bikes super curvy and SC goes in the complete opposite direction...and pulls it off in a spectacularly graceful way.
  • 1 0
 ya I see what you mean xltrider. the very first time I saw a specialized demo i was like what the fuck is that its ugly as hell. specialized is still tight but santacruz owns. V10 nomad and jackle are all sick but dont try and look to hard core. this new one is the shit I like it.
  • 10 3
 Let's see the new VP-Free!
  • 3 2
 good call
  • 5 1
 Isn't it the V-8?

This thing looks amazing too.
  • 4 2
 Yah I have heard there is no vp-free, but rather a toned down version of the v-10 called the v-8....can't wait.
  • 0 0
 I hope the price is toned down a little too cuz santacruz is tight but spendy its well worth it though.
  • 5 0
 Yah this bike looks awesome, if it's as strong as the last Nomads then this thing looks way better, like this new thinner looking frame design over the last beefier one.
  • 2 0
 my view on the Santa Cruz producing a bike overseas is that it kinda kills the "soul" of a santa cruz. You ever seen the lil tickets they come with with the welders signature on them. The man/woman who spent their time hand welding your frame takes pride in their work to send you an autographed certificate of authenticity, I dunno about some of you guys but, that makes me proud to ride a santa cruz, and shit I dont even own one, 2 of my buddies do...
  • 3 2
 Good looking bike, the grease fittings look like they will get shit all over them but at least theyre there for servicing, better than not having them. The slick hydroformed tubes look like the NOMAD may be made in Taiwan now. Oh well, I guess Santa Cruz found it cheaper to get it made there. NOT like our canadian friends who still made Rocky Mountain and Cove in canuck-land.
  • 0 0
 not very many....
  • 3 0
 santa cruz says they are moving all their production back to the U.S.
  • 0 0
 theyve already got the nomad jackle and possibly v10 being made in portland OR. Its kinda cool cause all the cool bike shops all have a ton of santacruz. p-town is my home so its awsome.
  • 5 0
 i wanna see the ano green model
  • 1 0
 i don't know, i ride my bike every day(vpfree) and i don't need to maintain it that much, it's just the average stuff like cleaning the chain, cleaning seals and such. Never have had a problem with the pivots or anything, and no problems at all with them painting into the threads so parts don't fit properly. I think you just don't wash your bike maybe, or store it properly, it's been 2 years and no problems with pivots yet. I live in a very dry place too which might help to keep moistuer out, but dust is EVERYWHERE! in my opinion, compared to other bikes, santacruz are the shit.
  • 1 0
 the bike looks amazing....I really wish Santa Cruz would start using some of their paint-job skills similar to there race and team bikes on standard production.....even in limited numbers would be great. I'm a little bored with plain frames (even though this nomad pops).
  • 1 1
 I thought it was supposed to be the vpfree coming out first, i had no idea they were working on the nomad too. It's crazy what they are doing, their bikes are amazing as is and they are making them that much better. I think they have big changes in the vpfree because the stopped the production completely this year.
  • 3 2
 What's wrong about a bike/frame made in Taiwan. Can you really tell where the bike was made if no one told you? Are you really want to pay additional $1K to get the same bike made in North America?
  • 1 0
 Hello, I'm from the future. Today every bike is made in Taiwan.
  • 5 4
 Just my opinion, but it looks more XC now. I understand their using stronger metals, new designs, but for me having something a little thicker and beefy under me gives me a lil more confedence. IMHO.
  • 0 0
 that bike is beautiful. but i had a chance to ride one, a 6.6 and a spec enduro (not sl) in the same day. for the money and warranty the enduro rode 95 percent of those bikes. pedaled a little better, but didnt sail over the rocky stuff as well.
  • 1 0
 Yea but Rocky is manufacturing their flatline in Taiwan now, son. Didnt you read about that? New frame looks sick can't wait to see the new V-8 VP- free incarnation.
  • 1 1
 Rocky Mountain is in taiwan now? Ok...damn! is COVE still made in Canada? I also hear some buzz about Intense moving operations in taiwan because easton is moving there as well.
  • 3 2
 okay, so what's wrong with it being made in taiwan?? i'm sure it will be just as good, and cheaper for them to make it there. They probably won't sell them any cheaper though which is plain retarded. I think bike prices will rise too, about 20% i heard, because of the oil price, it effects almost everything for bikes.
  • 2 1
 There is nothing wrong with bikes made in Taiwan , Taiwan and the whole of the far east LEAD the way in maufacturing and producion of many many products and they can do it cheaper and faster and to higher tolerances
  • 1 5
flag diz-or-die (Jul 15, 2008 at 10:37) (Below Threshold)
 so when you crack your head open because a "made in taiwan" frame breaks, are you going to go to the cheapest fastest doctor to get your brain fixed? i doubt it!

maybe just me, but i want a bike that i know someone took their time on and ensured quality instead of quantity.

quantity, thats all it is to the companies who have their bikes made over there; cheaper + faster = Quantity = more profit. at least if its a taiwan frame make the bike more affordable
  • 2 1
 well tits, i just bought an 08 nomad a few months ago. this changes look pretty sweet though, especially the ISCG mount. but it's ok because i still absolutely love my nomad
  • 3 0
 i liked the old one better!
  • 0 0
 flag LukeLikesBikes (1 days ago) (Below Threshold) show comment
I really hope this new Nomad is still handmade over here

sticker on the seat tube says: MADE IN USA ---

does that mean it's made in Chiawan? hope not
  • 2 0
 nice, much more sleek and nice clean lines
  • 5 3
 I LIKE THE NEW ONE A LOT MORE
  • 1 0
 I like the 2018 one a lot more too
  • 3 0
 the new color is killer!
  • 0 0
 just ripped the derailer off my 04 Bullit. Looking to get a new frame now. Should I wait for the vpp or go w/ the Bullit? Shame they don't polish anything anymore...
  • 0 1
 derailleur
  • 1 0
 Lookin good... diggin the real clean lines.
  • 1 0
 OMG !!! that´s so sweet ...
  • 2 2
 i think it looks more like the new blur lt then the old nomad but i guess its still pretty sweet
  • 1 0
 looks alot more refined!...good thing they tweaked the shock rates
  • 1 1
 It's a killer but from what I see it will not be offered as a standard color.
  • 1 0
 I really hope this new Nomad is still handmade over here
  • 1 0
 le quitaron la curvita sexy
  • 1 0
 man i prefered the nomad with the masive curv on the top tube :-(
  • 0 0
 img src=http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/5024/pbpic2244952eg1.jpg>

when this one cracks, I think I'll get a Nomad
  • 1 0
 i want that bike!!!! de otro color jejej
  • 2 1
 Makes me wanna ride real bad...
  • 1 0
 i saw mark weirs...its so sick
  • 1 0
 That's damn nice... I'd like to have one
  • 1 0
 This bike has great lines... I can't wait to see it in October.
  • 2 5
 Between the creaking pivots, the torsional sloppiness and the paint overspray that makes the hardware fit poorly, I think Santa Cruz is way overrated. My VP Free was weak and needed more maintenance than any other bike I have owned - same with my other VP Free buds, plus anyone I know with a V10. At least they are starting to improve their leverage ratio profiles. I guess looking curvy seems to be more important than actually performing well.
  • 0 0
 i dont like it ...its not my style i prefer the beefyer bikes like the vp free
  • 1 2
 The one point five headtube looks Steve Martins Nose in Roxanne. Just not right.
  • 0 0
 almost as sick as the bike on todays POD lol
  • 1 0
 blurmad
  • 1 1
 awesome mtb santa cruz make smooth bikes. love how the toptube curves.
  • 0 0
 cant wait im considering one. is it better then a bullit???
  • 0 0
 for climbing and trail riding it's much better due to the vpp suspension. the bullit is only single pivot. for freeride/dh ill assume the nomad is still better because it's a newer design, but the bullit has been around a lot longer and refined quite a bit. for sure if you ever want to pedal up anything get the nomad.
  • 0 0
 wonder what they did with a VP FREE, still I could never afford it Frown
  • 1 1
 *the changes...

whoops
  • 0 0
 it´s a very nice bike
  • 0 1
 ok never mind i looked closer at the pics and this thing is DOPE!!!
  • 0 0
 its on my shopping list
  • 0 1
 I got one at the shop -- you can't have it!!!! muu haa haa haa
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