To Nomad or Not to Nomad? That is the question ...

[mullarks]

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Here is the story, I am thinking about getting an SC Nomad for a while now and want to make sure I had all my bases cover before I take the plunge. I am currently riding a base model Commencal Meta, which is has been an awesome bike to learn on but I am starting to think it is time to step it up a notch. I have demo'd a Blur LT and Nomad and I was really impressed by the Nomad. It was pretty amazing. So are there any drawbacks to the Nomad that I am not aware of (other than the fact that it is freakin expensive, a new Nomad w/ the X9 kit, dhx coil and a Lyrik solo for $3600) Any other bikes that I should demo before I make the call? I considered the Specialized Enduro SL but I am afraid of the proprietary components and the IH 6 Point (too heavy and lesser components for the same cost as the Nomad.) Let me know what you think....[/SIZE][/FONT]

[Jordansrealm]

I am also looking into this frame setup for my next bike. I am riding a Spec FSR Stumpy and I do love the bike but I am looking to get a little "more" bike soon enough. I was looking at the Nomad, Turner 5spot and Turner RFX and maybe the Ironhorse MKIII.

I am leaning towards the Nomad based on everything I hear about them. Do you mind me asking where you demo'd the bike? I cannot seem to find one to demo anywhere!

Thanks

[Winston]

Go for it. I have lots of happy friends riding Nomads.

They all went DHX Coil sooner or later. (One had lots of issues with a DHX air.)

Most are running 170/180 mm forks.

Good luck!

[tkblazer]

i would first look at the trails you ride and if they even warrant such a bike. Are you riding past your current bikes ability or do you just want to get a new bike?

[CalEpic]

I would demo as many bikes as you can before spending that much money.

Turner RFX
Iron Horse 6 point
Giant Reign
Kona Coiler
Intense 6.6
Ventana Terremoto
Chumba Evo

Everyone has an opinion but ride them all and buy what feels right. I wouldn't overly stress on weight if you think you'll be riding gnarlier trails. It's not like you'll be an XC racer up the hills on a 6+" bike regardless of the weight.

[cjwally]

You really don't like that bike do ya? When we rode you mentioned not liking that frame... I would take a look at what terrain you are riding and make a decision based on that... I think that you may be happier in the long run with a blur lt. The blur is still a great bike.... Less travel, but it will be lighter and climb better... By no means am I downing the Nomad. I have been going back and forth between a 6" 26er or a 4"-5" 29er... Both are great bikes... Stay away from the IH... I would check out some more options first.... If you are really stuck on the 6" bike thing. Check out the Intense 6.6. I have heard that the head angle is a little steeper compared to the Nomad giving it a quicker type handling... Good luck.

Keep us posted on your decision.

Be super positively sure before you spend that much money.....

[mullarks]

Originally Posted by Jordansrealm

I am also looking into this frame setup for my next bike. I am riding a Spec FSR Stumpy and I do love the bike but I am looking to get a little "more" bike soon enough. I was looking at the Nomad, Turner 5spot and Turner RFX and maybe the Ironhorse MKIII.

I am leaning towards the Nomad based on everything I hear about them. Do you mind me asking where you demo'd the bike? I cannot seem to find one to demo anywhere!

Thanks

The Bike Co. put on a SC demo a little while back and I rode it there. Talk to Kevin, he might be able to set you up.

TK: Not riding above my current bikes abilities as of yet, but I want a fram that fits me a little bit better along with better drivetrain and brakes. So if I am going to do a bunch of upgrades I figured get them in a package deal with a new bike that I am going to keep for a long time. Also with the Nomad over the BLT because for about 1.5 lbs. extra you get another inch of travel. Also trying to get one bike to do it all for the next few years and getting something that works on what I am riding now but will also work for what I am riding 2 years from now.

Craig: Haha, I like the bike but there are some little things that bug me about it. Wish it had a better drivetrain, brakes, the top tube is short, high standover, not all that light, bobs when pedaling staindg, etc. Its a good bike, but I want a great bike. So I figure I will sack up now and get something that will last a few years. And like I said for 1.5 lbs extra why not get the Nomad over the BLT? I am not a climbing monster like yourself, but I can still make it up stuff. =)

[Sprockethead]

Jordan,

If you go on Thurs Loop ride, you can check out my Nomad. I've got a Lg frame with DHX-A and Fox 36Talas. I really like the bike, but I may be looking at a coil shock in the near future.

As for "Things you should know". After 2 years, I had the bearings replaced since SC was sending them out for free. I'm pretty sure my original bearings were fine, but since I was going to tear the rear apart, why not replace them with new bearings? You'll have to anti-seize the pivot bolts when you service the rear. Once you do that, you can pretty much forget about it.

I love the bike, it been nothing buy joy to ride....except when riding 30+ miles on the Pain Divide.

[Jordansrealm]

Originally Posted by Sprockethead

Jordan,

If you go on Thurs Loop ride, you can check out my Nomad. I've got a Lg frame with DHX-A and Fox 36Talas. I really like the bike, but I may be looking at a coil shock in the near future.

As for "Things you should know". After 2 years, I had the bearings replaced since SC was sending them out for free. I'm pretty sure my original bearings were fine, but since I was going to tear the rear apart, why not replace them with new bearings? You'll have to anti-seize the pivot bolts when you service the rear. Once you do that, you can pretty much forget about it.

I love the bike, it been nothing buy joy to ride....except when riding 30+ miles on the Pain Divide.

I will be there for sure on Thursday so I will look for you. What color is your Nomad so I can look for you? Thank you! I keep hearing good things about the bike especially how great at climbing it is considering its a big travel bike as well. I enjoy the ride of my FSR its great climbing and light but going down its not as fun as I would like and clearance on the rear tire is limited for another much larger than a 2.1.

[ride hard]

If you haven't demoed a sx trail or a coiler deluxe try those 2 both are nice bikes

[guero]

everyone is offering great advice. just try to ride as many as you can to see what feels best. i sold my heckler and got a coiler deluxe. the coiler comes in around 37 pounds (heckler was 32) and it kinda makes longer climbs more tedious, but the downhills are sweet. i've never ridden VPP but, i do like the kona's faux bar and it feels better than the traditional non-vpp single pivot set up of my old heckler.

you had mentioned earlier that you want a bike that didnt bob when you stood up and pedalled, im not too sure if any 6 inches travel bikes will have zero bob when standing up and mashing.

good luck and keep us in the loop with the quest.

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by mullarks

TK: Not riding above my bikes current abilities as of yet, but I want a fram that fits me a little bit better along with better drivetrain and brakes. So if I am going to do a bunch of upgrades I figured get them in a package deal with a new bike that I am going to keep for a long time. Also with the Nomad over the BLT because for about 1.5 lbs. extra you get another inch of travel. Also trying to get one bike to do it all for the next few years and getting something that works on what I am riding now but will also work for what I am riding 2 years from now.

makes sense to me... if you like, you can take a spin on my reign... the new Reign x is more like a nomad in geometry, components and intended use.

[dstepper]

Never been on the bike, but I know some riders that do some amazing things on that bike. I have also watched a friend stop three times during a ride to tighten loose pivots.

My thought. I took my 23lbs Singlespeed to SART Sunday and after 19 miles I was not feeling the ride at all. A month earlier on my 34 lbs 5-Spot I was worked. Point is, I would not have a heavy bike as my only bike. On trails like SART, on a light bike..up out of saddle..one two kicks and you are up the other side. On a heavy long travel bike, shift down, if you stand to pedal most the energy gets sucked up by the travel.

If you are getting a bigger bike, keep your old bike.

Dean

[J_Sims]

Originally Posted by dstepper

.

My thought. I took my 23lbs Singlespeed to SART Sunday and after 19 miles I was not feeling the ride at all. A month earlier on my 34 lbs 5-Spot I was worked. Point is, I would not have a heavy bike as my only bike. On trails like SART, on a light bike..up out of saddle..one two kicks and you are up the other side. On a heavy long travel bike, shift down, if you stand to pedal most the energy gets sucked up by the travel.

If you are getting a bigger bike, keep your old bike.

Dean

[cjwally]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

makes sense to me... if you like, you can take a spin on my reign... the new Reign x is more like a nomad in geometry, components and intended use.

I heard really good things about the giant reign... The one I saw was all black with a lyrick up front... Sweet bike. Not too heavy either.

[~ Pakiha ~]

I've heard some pretty amazing things about the improvements to the DHX shock that'll be on the 08 model that may be worth waiting for (eg: LOCKOUT) aside from the Nomad have you tried the Rocky Mountain Slayer SXC lineup?? if you're looking for a 6 inch machine might as well play the field a bit.

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by cjwally

I heard really good things about the giant reign... The one I saw was all black with a lyrick up front... Sweet bike. Not too heavy either.

i must be doing something wrong... mine's a solid 35 lbs

[mullarks]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Never been on the bike, but I know some riders that do some amazing things on that bike. I have also watched a friend stop three times during a ride to tighten loose pivots.

My thought. I took my 23lbs Singlespeed to SART Sunday and after 19 miles I was not feeling the ride at all. A month earlier on my 34 lbs 5-Spot I was worked. Point is, I would not have a heavy bike as my only bike. On trails like SART, on a light bike..up out of saddle..one two kicks and you are up the other side. On a heavy long travel bike, shift down, if you stand to pedal most the energy gets sucked up by the travel.

If you are getting a bigger bike, keep your old bike.

Dean

Probably going to sell the current bike cause it's about the same weight as the new Nomad would be except it's a single pivot with 5" of travel. If they were completely different I would keep it but in this case it is kind of redundant.

Originally Posted by guero

everyone is offering great advice. just try to ride as many as you can to see what feels best. i sold my heckler and got a coiler deluxe. the coiler comes in around 37 pounds (heckler was 32) and it kinda makes longer climbs more tedious, but the downhills are sweet. i've never ridden VPP but, i do like the kona's faux bar and it feels better than the traditional non-vpp single pivot set up of my old heckler.

you had mentioned earlier that you want a bike that didnt bob when you stood up and pedalled, im not too sure if any 6 inches travel bikes will have zero bob when standing up and mashing.

good luck and keep us in the loop with the quest.

The Nomad doesn't really bob, I was impressed with how well it climbed and how well the back tire stayed stuck to the ground climbing.

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

I would demo as many bikes as you can before spending that much money.

Turner RFX
Iron Horse 6 point
Giant Reign
Kona Coiler
Intense 6.6
Ventana Terremoto
Chumba Evo

Everyone has an opinion but ride them all and buy what feels right. I wouldn't overly stress on weight if you think you'll be riding gnarlier trails. It's not like you'll be an XC racer up the hills on a 6+" bike regardless of the weight.

good point in theory, but not possible for all but a few lucky souls. no way to demo all bikes you are considering speced to how you would spec it with the opportunity to ride it on the trails you would like to ride the bike on.

just buy an Ibex....i hear they are the best bike for the $

[doublewide]

Nomad! I love mine. Go see Sherry @ the Switchback, they done me good.