As light as an enduro bike, with suspension like a freerider - Santa Cruz surprises with unusual designs.
You wouldn't have believed it a few years ago: a bike that weighs just 14 kilos but has almost 180 millimetres of rear suspension travel. And that's without any unusual lightweight components. But the "Nomad" doesn't just stand out because of its generous travel. Looks are a matter of taste, but with its elegantly curved top tube, the classy anodised finish and the elaborate frame details, the Santa Cruz enduro was already a real eye-catcher at the autumn trade fairs. Does the "Nomad" in the BIKE test live up to its visual promise?
40 per cent uphill, 60 per cent downhill - that's roughly how we would define the range of use of an enduro bike.
So let's get to the essentials first, the downhill characteristics. Test rider Watzke summed it up after the first test ride: "A moving sofa". The suspension, especially the extremely sensitive rear suspension, really irons everything out. You only realise how fast you can ride the "Nomad" when you brake. And yet the bike demands a high level of riding skill. Because the steep steering angles are not to be trifled with. One wrong steering movement and the bike starts to stumble.
The "Nomad" therefore feels really at home on slower trial sections, where you can also manoeuvre it through the tightest of bends. Uphill, you are initially surprised at how light-footed a bike in this category can climb. The riding position, the lowerable fork, the weight - everything speaks in favour of particularly good uphill qualities in this category. Unfortunately, only until you start pedalling in the cradle. This is where the fun stops abruptly. The "Nomad" with its "VPP" rear triangle has such a strong pedal kickback that a smooth pedalling stroke is hardly possible. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable on the small chainring. It's a mystery why the Americans advertise the low drivetrain influence as the main advantage of the "VPP" system.
CONCLUSIONS: The "Nomad" is elegant, light and has extremely long suspension travel. However, the geometry and strong drivetrain influences prevent it from being rated "very good".
* The rating reflects the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price. It is not a summation of the individual points. BIKE judgements: super, very good, good, satisfactory, with weaknesses, unsatisfactory.
