Santa Cruz Nomad 4 CC XX1 Review

The newest version of the Santa Cruz Nomad is following in big footsteps. The predecessor was extremely popular, above all because of its versatility. The new version has gained a significant portion of downhill performance, but is it at the cost of versatility?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The Crème de la Crème – Nine high-end enduro bikes of 2018 in comparison

**Santa Cruz Nomad XX1**
170/170 mm (f/r) | 13.39 kg | € 9,899

Every time you look at the Santa Cruz Nomad, you’ll find something new that you just love the bike for. The internally routed cables run through special casings – no more rattling. The brake cable runs along the outside, the bottom bracket is threaded, and a shuttle-pad protects the down tube during transport on pickups; it’s every biker’s dream. Everything about the bike radiates quality workmanship, which is underlined by the fact that Santa Cruz gives a lifetime warranty on the frame and the bearings. Santa Cruz offers the Nomad as an aluminium version as well as two different carbon variants. The top CC version we tested saves a few grams of weight, but is identical to the less expensive C version regarding durability and geometry. With a price tag of € 9,899, their top-of-the-range model is not a bargain, but you get only the finest components. A SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrain and the Reserve Carbon wheels are top-notch… even the 2.5″ MAXXIS Minion DHF front tire excited us.

**Helmet** Giro Montaro | **Glasses** Oakley Radar PRIZM Trail | **Jersey** IXS VIBE 6.1 | **Knee pads** Sweet Protection Bearsuit | **Shoes** ION Rascal

Good, better, Santa Cruz! The Nomad won us over with its first-class workmanship, brilliant handling, and a lifetime warranty!

Of course, the Nomad, like all other Santa Cruz bikes, has a VPP rear linkage. For maximum downhill performance, however, Santa Cruz relies on a linkage design similar to their V10 downhill bike, which gives the rear a much more sensitive response. Nevertheless, the rear suspension works very efficiently. Even without lockable platform damping the bike hardly bobs, and thanks to the steep seat tube angle, going uphill is less of a chore. Only in tight technical sections does the Nomad require a bit more physical effort to keep the front wheel tracking.
However, climbing is only a means to an end with this bike. What was the Nomad built for? For maximum speed and fun going downhill! And here the Santa Cruz’s linkage comes into its own, simply absorbing blows while still offering a lot of feedback and support. On fast and hard trails, the bike is in its element and blew us away with an enormous amount of stability. It’s also striking how quiet the bike is. In tight sections and at low speeds, however, the Nomad requires engaged riding style to achieve a good balance between the wheels. If you do not actively shift your weight forward, you will keep on going straight ahead when in fact you’d like to turn. Flat trails bore the new Nomad.

The Santa Cruz Nomad 4 CC XX1 in detail

Fork RockShox Lyrik RCT3 170 mm
Rear shock RockShox Super Deluxe RCT 170 mm
Brakes SRAM Code RSC 200/180 mm
Drivetrain SRAM XX1 Eagle
Seatpost RockShox Reverb Stealth 150 mm
Stem Race Face Turbin R 50 mm
Handlebar Santa Cruz Carbon Bar 800 mm
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF 2.5″
Wheelset Santa Cruz Reserve 30 Carbon
Weight 13.39 kg
Price € 9,899

Mithilfe eines Flip-Chips lassen sich die fahrdynamischen Eigenschaften des Santa Cruz Nomad 4 CC XX1 beeinflussen. — **Extreme**
Even in the high setting, the Nomad is a downhill monster. The low setup is especially suitable for bike park days.

**Success**
Carbon wheels often have the problem of being too stiff and therefore uncomfortable. With their Reserve wheels, however, Santa Cruz has achieved a very good compromise between stiffness and flex.

**Protected**
With the new linkage, the damper sits far down in the frame, which noticeably lowers the centre of gravity. To protect the shock from flying debris, Santa Cruz has developed its own small fender.

**Convenient**
The fact that the guys from Santa Cruz also do a lot of tinkering on their bikes themselves becomes clear when looking at how the brake line is routed. Anyone who has ever changed the rear brake will be pleased with the external routing.

The geometry of the Santa Cruz Nomad

Size	XS	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	375 mm	390 mm	420 mm	450 mm	480 mm
Top tube	540 mm	573 mm	596 mm	619 mm	653 mm
Head tube	90 mm	100 mm	110 mm	120 mm	130 mm
Head angle	65°	65°	65°	65°	65°
Seat angle	74.5°	74.5°	74.5°	74.5°	74.5°
Chainstays	430 mm	430 mm	430 mm	430 mm	430 mm
BB High	344 mm	344 mm	344 mm	344 mm	344 mm
Wheelbase	1134 mm	1168 mm	1192 mm	1217 mm	1251 mm
Reach	390 mm	420 mm	440 mm	460 mm	490 mm
Stack	584 mm	593 mm	602 mm	611 mm	620 mm

Das Santa Cruz Nomad 4 CC XX1 im Gelände.

Conclusion

The new Santa Cruz Nomad needs it rough! With its plush suspension and the downhill-oriented geometry, it craves ever harder trails and higher speeds. Its climbing performance is solid, though it’s not quite as versatile as its predecessor: flow-trails bore this bike.

Strengths

+ demanding terrain doesn’t slow it down
+ super-quiet – no rattling here!
+ lifetime warranty on frame and bearings

Weaknesses

– easier trails bore the bike
– requires an engaged riding style to ensure optimal weight distribution

Uphill
Downhill
Stability
Agility
Value for money

For more info head to: santacruzbicycles.com

The test fleet

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The Crème de la Crème – Nine high-end enduro bikes of 2018 in comparison

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Words: Photos: Christoph Bayer, Valentin Rühl