Summary of Reviews
We have read all expert and user reviews on the Santa Cruz Nomad. In summary, this is what cyclists think.
15 reasons to buy
- Experts agree that, with 170mm of travel in both the rear and front, the Nomad is a versatile long-travel mountain bike.
- Santa Cruz offers the Nomad set up with a coil shock, in addition to builds that use an air shock.
- Test riders found they were positioned in a comfortable and central riding position on the Nomad. This helped them to maintain traction on steep climbs.
- Santa Cruz provides riders with a lifetime warranty on the Nomad’s carbon frame and bearings.
- The well-tuned, lower-link VPP suspension with 170mm of rear travel, allows riders of the Nomad to descend with confidence.
- Experts were impressed with how well the Nomad handled big hits. During their tests, harsh bottom-outs were rare.
- With modern geometry and 27.5” wheels, the bike excels at going off jumps and riding the high lines as it accelerates through berms.
- The Nomad is nimble and reactive for bike-park style tricks.
- The bike’s cables are internally routed and quiet.
- The flip-chip adjustment on the shock mount allows riders to adjust the bike’s geometry by 0.3 degrees.
- The Nomad utilizes a SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger. This makes it easy to replace when derailleur issues arise.
- Rubber protectors help prevent the Nomad’s chainstays and downtube from being damaged on the trail.
- The Nomad fits a wide range of riders. It is available in sizes small through extra-large.
- The bike's threaded bottom bracket is easy to maintain.
- 200mm brake rotors assure riders with reliable stopping power.
3 reasons not to buy
- The Santa Cruz Nomad is expensive.
- Santa Cruz does not give riders an aluminum frame option for the Nomad.
- Test riders agree that the bike takes more physical effort to overcome technical climbs, than would a 29er.
Bottom line
The Santa Cruz Nomad is a well-built, high-quality carbon mountain bike with 27.5” wheels and 170mm of travel in both the front and rear. The bike accelerates through corners and excels at descents. Testers were pleased to find the bike available with either a coil or air shock. The bike uses a lower link VPP suspension set up. The bike may be expensive, but it comes with a lifetime warranty on both the frame and bearings.BikeRide finds and shows you the best prices of the bikes you want to buy. Prices constantly change and it’s impossible to compare them all yourself.
We search for prices on over 120 bike retailers to guarantee that we find the lowest prices – to save you time and money.
It’s a promise we stand behind: If you find a lower price on a bike elsewhere, we will sell it to you for 10% less. For example, if you find a bike for $480 that we have listed at $500, we will offer you to buy it for $432 through BikeRide. The bike must be the same color and size, sold in the US and not include the use of a coupon.
If you find a lower price, email us at [email protected] with documentation of the price. We’re committed to making sure that the cost of a bike does not keep you from cycling!
Facts
Expert Reviews
90/100 based on 1 rated expert reviewReview – 2021 Santa Cruz Nomad – Go Anywhere, Do Anything
Field Test: 2021 Santa Cruz Nomad – The Same But Different
Santa Cruz Nomad CC X01 RSV First Ride Review
The New Santa Cruz Nomad V5 The Shredder’s Shedder
2021 Santa Cruz Nomad | First Look and Weight
Santa Cruz Nomad CC X01 RSV (2021) First Ride Review
Introducing the 2021 Santa Cruz Nomad XO1
Santa Cruz Nomad CC 5 2021 in Review – 27.5″ Ain’t Dead!
Rankings
Best Freeride Bikes
Bike Comparison
Forum Discussions
-
10 hours ago