Santa Cruz Bicycles

Nomad Carbon C GX Eagle AXS Coil Mountain Bike

Slotted as the most gravity-oriented bike from Santa Cruz besides their downhill race bike, the Nomad Carbon C GX Eagle AXS Coil Mountain Bike holds nothing back for bike park days and rides with lots of descending. The sixth generation Nomad maintains its playful reputation with a 27.5in rear wheel, although all builds are now spec’d with a 29in front wheel for enhanced rollover capabilities and added traction that we really appreciate in gnarly terrain. 170mm of VPP travel in the rear is ultra-supportive for pro-lines and burly features, plus Santa Cruz revamped the leverage curve with lower anti-squat to limit harshness from square-edge impacts. We’re big fans of the Glovebox feature, which provides a storage compartment under the water bottle cage where we can stash the included Tool Wallet and Tube Purse, along with a spare layer. The Nomad’s geo chart has a handful of figures—like the 63.5-degree head tube angle (low position)—that resemble the geo numbers for downhill bikes, which ensure ultimate stability at speed. Thanks to the steep 77.6-degree seat tube angle (low position, size large) and the ever-supportive nature of VPP suspension, the Nomad also climbs like a champ when we’re in the mood for a spin.

This build utilizes the value-oriented Carbon C layup from Santa Cruz which delivers a responsive ride feel that’s also super durable. A 170mm Fox 38 fork is paired with a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ Coil shock to provide a plush ride feel that absorbs high-speed chatter and holds traction in loose corners. We appreciate the GX Eagle AXS drivetrain that’s spec’d on this build because it offers instant shifting with minimal maintenance thanks to the cable-free design. Race Face ARC Offset 30 rims find the sweet spot between durability and vibration damping, and beefy Maxxis tires with DoubleDown casing deliver excellent flat resistance and grippy traction. We’d recommend this build as a quiver of one for the rider who wants to hit the bike park and get some pedaling in as well, or as a downhill-oriented addition to a trail or XC bike for a well-rounded quiver.

*Due to unprecedented demand in the global supply chain and the bike industry over the last 18 months, material weight and exact components are subject to change. We are working diligently to keep tech specs updated, and any adjustments will be minor. If you have any questions, reach out to a Gearhead by chatting online or calling 1-888-276-7130.