Nomad: A person with no fixed residence who roams about; a wanderer.

A feeling we all shared when the on board van Sat Nav gave up the ghost.  With no sense of direction and the sketchy directions from Google map we eventually arrived at Stainburn Forest. Our objective was to test ride the all new Santa Cruz Nomad, apt really as we had just had our very own long travel.  Organised by the UK importers, Jungle Products LTD, we were met by a bevy of Santa Cruz’s newest and finest 2009 rigs.  Amongst them sat two Syndicate team bikes to, dominated by the legend Steve Peat’s V10.  Little did we know that the man himself was present and would be riding with us also….gulp!! 

A quick change and we chose what beast to ride for the day.  I was on the aptly named “Yellow Monster.” A medium frame Nomad, specked with Rock Shox Lyrik 2 step air on the front, the new Monarch 3.3 on the rear and a somewhat non standard spec Joplin seat post.  After a few alterations to pressures we were on the way.  Straight away the weight difference of the new Nomad is evident, tipping the scales at a mere 31.10lbs; this bike is surprisingly light for its 6 inches of plush travel.  The Monarch shock takes a while to get used to as it feels like nothing I have ridden before.  You could be mistaken in even thinking that it isn’t working right but you are soon reassured on the trail that all is good.  A few laps of Stainburn forest and the bike was starting to come alive.  The technical features of Stainburns black trail really put all 6 inches of travel to the test.  The cockpit was a little cramped for uphill blasts, mainly due to a 50mm stem, but it certainly came into its own on the descents. 

This is what Santa Cruz has to say about it: 

“Freshly redesigned, reaping the benefits of next generation VPP technology, the all-new Nomad further messes up the boundaries between trail riding and gravity performance. 160mm rear travel meets 1.5" head tube and ISCG05 chain guide mounts in a lightweight but aggressive aluminium frame. Newly revised shock rates, grease ports in the lower link, carbon fibre upper link, 15mm diameter pivot axles rolling on angular contact bearings are part of the plush, stable, flex free design. So, what is it? A heavy-duty trail bike? The new all-mountain contender? Freeride lite? Yes.”

(Click image for slideshow)

Overall the bike handled all that was thrown at it effectively.  Like the originally Nomad though, it feels more at home on the descents than on the climbs.  However the boundary between the two is no longer a huge gaping chasm as the lighter weight certainly plays a part in its ability to climb.

Big thanks to all at Jungle for a great days riding and the opportunity to ride the Nomad in a perfect location for a bike of this nature.  Also to the Man himself, Steve Peat, for keeping us on our toes cruising on our tails throughout the day and to E & T for letting us all out of the asylum at once!

Chris
Sales Guy