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2009 SANTA CRUZ NOMAD PRESS RELEASE
The Cliff Notes for this redesign are as follows:
- Revised links and VPP shock rates
- Grease ports in lower link
- Carbon fiber upper link
- All-new link hardware
- Shorter chainstays
- Redesigned front triangle
- ISCG 05 mount
The "why" of this requires a little more explanation:
The VPP revision results in a flatter shock rate, meaning a less dramatic falling rate at the beginning of travel, and less of a rising rate near bottom-out. The instant center of the rear suspension now sits lower than before, and the new design has less chain growth than the old one. These elements make the new bike pedal and climb more efficiently than before. The geometry of the bike still ensures excellent stability, but the suspension feels more lively and the new Nomad feels more snappy and responsive everywhere.
The new linkage design features 15mm diameter alloy axles bolting directly into the frame that are locked in place with ultra-trick collet heads. These control preload on the angular contact bearings in the lower link, which are in turn easily lubed up via the grease ports in the link. Each frame comes with a grease gun. The upper link is molded carbon fiber. These changes result in vastly improved weather resistance, longer intervals between servicing, much easier user serviceability
(lower link can be removed without having to take the cranks off), and improved chassis rigidity.
Changing from the old clam shell welded top tube design to a triple butted 6000 series aluminum front triangle allowed the engineers to increase strength and stiffness in the front end, incorporate ISCG 05 chain guide mounts and increase head tube diameter to 1.5", yet at the same time
reduce frame weight by a third of a pound over the previous model. Frame weight for a large size powder coated Nomad running a Rock Shox Monarch 3.3 is 6.9 pounds. Smaller frames will weigh less, as will anodized frames.
The old Nomad defied easy categorization. It spanned the gap between heavy duty long travel trail riding and aggressive terrain high performance abuse and found friends at either end of the spectrum.
This redesign muddies attempts to pigeonhole the bike even further. It's lighter and more responsive, but at the same time stronger and more stable. The territory that the Nomad calls home has grown in size...
Available late October, in the following colors - black, white, red, yellow, lime green, liquid blue, ano green and ano slate. The new Nomad will be shown at both Eurobike and Interbike. Geometry chart attached is based around a 545mm axle to crown fork length.
198 THOUGHTS
I have always been a big fan of the Santa Cruz bike line. They have a very loyal following amongst their riders, and that is always a great sign of how a particular brand is doing. There are a lot of riders that love the ride of the Nomad, but aren't too fond of the "squatting dog" look. It appears that SC has take a little bit of that squatting look out of the new frame. I think this it looks incredible and it probably rides as great as it looks.
I can't wait to see one in person and get the chance to ride it.
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- Santa Cruz Nomad Geometry
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- Santa Cruz Nomad HT and TT
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- Santa Cruz Nomad
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- Santa Cruz Nomad VPP Linkage
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- Santa Cruz Nomad
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July 23rd, 2008 at 8:45 am
I like SC bikes as well, but the top tube design on this and the new 575 will essentially rule out these frames to shorter riders like myself. I don’t have that much standover on traditional 5″+ frames, let alone one that has a top tube that bows up! Kudos to SC though for taking a bike that already gets good reviews and making it better.
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I always thought the old Nomad looked cool; like a ‘51 Mercury or similar hotrod. I have never heard the “squatting dog” analogy, but then again most people are full of dog crap anyway. I am sure the new one is swell, but I went with the old one; the pinacle of this version as opposed to the bleeding edge.
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