Santa Cruz Bicycles

Nomad Carbon CC X01 Eagle Coil Mountain Bike - 2021

With all of the confusing terminology about rearward axle paths, progressivity, and aggressive geometry numbers, sometimes its best to go for a gravity-minded shred-sled thats stood the test of time. The Nomad began years ago with enduro roots and as the popularity of 29in sleds brushed other 27.5 wheeled bikes aside, the Nomad stuck around thanks to its ability to shred everything in sight with a playful perspective. This Nomad Carbon CC X01 Eagle Coil build brings you all of the capability you could ever dream of for endless bike park laps, with an impressive pedaling platform to get you up to your favorite alpine descents when you’re in the mood for a spin.

Considering that the recipe for the Nomad V4 was already pretty close to perfect, we're not surprised that Santa Cruz opted to give this 5th generation bike a host of sensible updates instead of a complete overhaul. Like its predecessor, the Nomad V5 rolls on 27.5-inch wheels and boasts 170mm of trail-taming VPP travel. Though the two frames look very similar, the V5 now uses a twin upright swingarm to bolster frame stiffness and durability, and all build kits come with burly 38mm forks for taking on the most technical terrain on the mountain. The bike also sees improved suspension kinematics for a better overall feel on the trail, and it's now compatible with SRAM's Universal Derailleur Hanger to make finding replacement hangers a breeze.

Most of the changes lie in the bike's geometry, the most significant being the move to a 77.5-degree seat tube angle—a near 4-degree increase over the previous Nomad. This gives the bike a more upright pedaling position that makes steep climbs more manageable and provides increased comfort for long-mileage days. Naturally, the bike gets a bit slacker too, moving from a 74.6-degree head tube to 73.7 (in the low position), with longer reach figures to give you that edge when you're sending big lines in unfamiliar terrain. We're also pleased to see size-specific chainstay lengths, with the chainstays growing by about 5mm as you go up in size. This means that riders of any height get the same balanced geometry and predictable handling, regardless of which frame size they ride.

One of the best perks of a Santa Cruz bike is the legendary quality of their carbon frames. This build uses their top-tier CC carbon, manufactured in their exclusive facility to protect the advanced carbon layup techniques they developed. A one-piece layup is used to eliminate overlapping joints, meaning less material is required because there is no need to bond or wrap those joints. This sheds unnecessary weight. Carbon is wrapped seamlessly between tubes for better distribution of loads and impact energy, resulting in a stronger frame. The layup also allows them to integrate full-length carbon tubes for internal cable routing. Routing your cables is simple and quick, no need to fish for cable or use a guideline. Another benefit of Santa Cruz's layup is that they can achieve maximum compaction of the carbon layers. This prevents resin migration, resulting in a strong frame that is almost as smooth on the inside as it is on the outside. The frame is backed by a lifetime warranty to the original owner.

This Nomad build is kitted with performance in mind, as the Fox Factory suspension is among the best in the business which is shown by the DH X2 Factory Coil that provides ultimate small-bump compliance and big-hit absorption. SRAM’s X01 Eagle groupset handles the shifting duties, with an impressive 10-52t range which lets you tackle grueling alpine climbs. The SRAM Code RSC brakes with 200mm rotors are fit for a downhill bike which is completely appropriate for a bike of the Nomad’s capabilities, and will be sure to stop you consistently during a long day at the bike park. Trusty Race Face ARC rims spin on DT Swiss 350 hubs for reliable performance and durable construction incase you gap onto a rock or case a big table top jump. Santa Cruz rounds out this build with trusty Maxxis rubber for precise cornering grip and reliable sidewall construction that’s necessary for a gravity bike of this caliber.

*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.