First Look: Santa Cruz Nomad - Completely Redesigned for 2014 33

Introducing the all-new Santa Cruz Nomad...

Now in its third generation, the full carbon Nomad frame has been completely redesigned to stay ahead of enduro racingโ€™s ever-more DH trajectory. An aggressive 65 degree head angle takes the geometry to Defcon 1 levels of DH readiness, delivering V10 handling at Syndicate speeds. Santa Cruz hasย also added a V10-style upper link, increased VPP travel to 165mm and improved small bump performance.

Nomad Frame Highlights

  • 27.5-inch wheels
  • 165mm VPP suspension
  • Internal routing
  • Full carbon frame and swingarm
  • Single-chain-ring-only design
  • Compatible with 160-180mm fork
  • Molded rubber swingarm and downtube protectors
  • Forged aluminum upper link and lower link
  • Single recessed grease port on lower link
  • Collet axle pivots with angular contact bearings
  • Carbon ISCG-05 tabs
  • 142mm rear axle spacing
  • Threaded bottom bracket
  • Frame weight: 6.2-pounds (2.8kg) and up with Rock Shox Monarch Plus
  • S, M, L, and XL sizes
  • 5 year warranty
  • Lifetime bearings and crash replacement warranty
  • MSRP: $2,999 Frame + Monarch Plus Debonair Shock // $3,250 Frame + Vivid R2C Shock

Frame Details

The new one-by only design also permits a beautifully recessed and protected lower link, resulting in some seriously compact 17.1-inch chainstays. Match that with an inch more reach in the cockpit and youโ€™ve got the ideal set-up for tearing down the side of Chilean stratovolcanoes.

None of that comes at the expense of pedaling ability either. New pivot locations and a steeper seat tube angle place the rider right above the bottom bracket, delivering power to the pedals in liaison stage crushing style.

As ever with Santa Cruz, itโ€™s whatโ€™s on the inside that counts. The internal cable routing is so trick itโ€™s a shame it never sees the light of day. Thin carbon fiber tubes molded into the frame from entry to exit, ensuring completely integrated hassle-free routing every time.

All wrapped up in stealth black or blue/magenta colors with matchy matchy fork and wheel decals, the new Nomad shows just how rad things can get with some single-ring-minded focus.

Geometry

Complete Build Highlights

  • RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air 160mm fork
  • RockShox Monarch Plus Debonair or Vivid Air RC2 shock
  • Complete builds starting at 27.1-pounds (12.3kg)
  • MSRP: $6,599 complete for SRAM X01 build, including Reverb Stealth // $7,999 for SRAM XX1 build

In Action

All photos ยฉ Santa Cruz Bicycles/Gary Perkin

The new Nomad starts shipping April 1, 2014. Visit www.santacruzbikes.com for more details.

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