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The Santa Cruz Nomad GX AXS is laminated from carbon fibre, not just the main frame, no, all of it. And you need carbon to be able to afford this high-end MTB from California. Hence the subtitle "carbon". And the bike in this test is not even the top model!
The Santa Cruz Nomad is highly detailed, elegantly finished and sensibly equipped. All 2023 models have the wheel mix with a 27.5 mm rear wheel to make the bike more agile. Strangely, despite its longer reach (453 mm), the Nomad felt much smaller than the Radon Swoop (reach: 449 mm).
We mention this because both bikes rode very similarly: playful, light, fast, comfortable. The Radon Swoop even had the edge in a direct battle. The rear suspension of the Nomad works more progressively, didn't develop quite as much comfort in rough terrain, but gave a pleasant counter-pressure.
The pop is a joy in slow sections when you struggle to scrape together enough momentum for jumps. While other bikes stick to the ground, the Santa Cruz takes off like an F-18 jet with Tom Cruise at the stick. For the price of just under € 7000, you could almost get two Radons (at least from the 2022 model) - crazy!
In short: The Santa Cruz Nomad scores again in this test with a wide range of use: trail rides work, and you don't have to be afraid of stunts or angry descents.
Conclusion on the Santa Cruz Nomad GX AXS from Team FREERIDE:
The Nomad is an old acquaintance. Even more: a friend! Pleasant geo, super handling, fast and yet playful. With a wide range of uses. And very stylish!
Comment by Lars Scharl, tester and photographer:
I liked the Santa Cruz Nomad just as much as the Radon Swoop. Both bikes offer playful handling and an extremely wide range of use. Because for me, freeriding also means pedalling up the mountain!
Technical data and notes Santa Cruz Nomad GX AXS
Manufacturer information
- Material / Sizes: Carbon / S, M (tested size), L, XL, XXL
- Price / weight without pedals: 6999 Euro / 15.7 kg >> available here
Measurement data
- Front / rear suspension travel: 170 mm / 170 mm
- Rear suspension system: VPP
- Reach: 453 mm
- Stack: 627 mm
- BB drop: -7 mm
Equipment
- Fork / Shock: Fox 38 Float Performance Elite / Rockshox Super DeLuxe Select+
- Cranks / gears: Sram GX Eagle / Sram GX Eagle AXS Brake system Sram Code RS (200 / 200 mm)
- Wheels: eThirteen hub; Race Face ARC 30 HD rim
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai Exo+ 3C MaxxGrip Protec. TR 2.5, Maxxis Minion DHR II Exo+ 3C MaxxTerra Protec. TR 2.4
Park ranking
- Radon
- Santa Cruz
- Norco
DH ranking
- Norco
- Pole
- Giant
FREERIDE ranking
The number (maximum 10 points) reflects the overall impression of the testers and is not an addition of the performance points.
- 10 - Test winner, it couldn't be better
- 9 - Very good. Buy recommendation
- 8 - Good. Solid performance
- 7 - Below average. The product has weaknesses.
- 6 - and less: We can only warn against this!
