Intense 6.6 vs. Santa Cruz Nomad

Thoughts? Experiences?
I want that bike that does it all... all mountain, good climber, good descender, tough enough to huck.

I read on the MTBreviews that the Intense's rear end is flexy. With the VPP, has similar design though...

Also, the 6.6 has a steeper head angle (68.5) versus the Nomad's (67)...

Anybody got some good info, opinions?

 

6.6 - too flexy.. I have one... climbs good.. steep HA? doesn't really bother me.. It has a High BB also... anyone here knows if a bolt thru rear axle will reduce the flex?

Nomad - Have not tried one.. :?:

 

Yes, a a bolt-on rear axle will reduce flex.

To the OP, are you buying the frame new? If so, have you seen the new Intense Tracer? It replaces the 6.6.

 

Check out the 2009 Intense Tracer. It has 6 inches of travel, updated VPP, angular contact bearings, grease ports for every pivot, and it's light. The one we built with a Lyric is 30 lbs. The geo on the Tracer is pretty low and slack, which I dig.

 

+1 on the Tracer VP, I love mine!!!!

 

Not sure on the Tuff Enuff To Huck for the Tracer, but everything else it does good. The Knolly Endorphine has about the stiffest rear you can find, beats the Tracer in everything except maybe climbing.... if you really want "I want that bike that does it all... all mountain" the Knolly beats them both. I rode them back-to-back at Interbike, set-up alike.


scott

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Can't forget..if you love bikes that hump, grab the Nomad

 

I really love my 6.6. It's not super stiff, but if your unders 200lb it should be fine. The bike feels great in the rough, climbs great. There should be some great deals on the used market since the Tracer VP came out. I picked mine up used for a very nice price.

 

Reign X anyone?



6.7" of travel
67 degree HA (the 2009's are 68, I believe)

The 2009 XO model comes stock with with a Joplin seat post. I've seen some built as light as 31 lbs. Most come in around 33-37lbs stock though. You can also built it up heavy for freeride. It's quite the versatile machine. It can handle anything from trail riding to freeriding and even some DH.

I'm also pretty damn sure you can get the complete bike for a little more than what it would cost for the Santa Cruz or the Intense Frame alone.

Ask Bryguy how he likes his.

 

the 6.6 is really 68.5 HA? that brutal for that much travel.
you could get a reign for 1/2 the cost and have a 67 degree HA.

 

Thanks for all the feedback...
that Tracer VP looks pretty sweet.

Now I wonder, will the 6.6 be in the 2009 line-up with the return of the Uzzi VPX?
EDIT: 2wheel_lee's post mentioned it's replacing the 6.6....

Seems a tight squeeze to put the 6.6 between the Tracer and Uzzi.

Now, I just need to know if the new Tracer is as flexy as last year's 6.6.

Looks like Singletrack mag will have a full review in the Nov issue.

Kind of leaning the way of the Tracer VP now.

 

Does it replace the 6.6 or 5.5?
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Surf City Cyclery has a medium Tracer VP in Works-Red built up with XT and those Industry Nine wheels that looks awesome. Couple frames on the wall, too. www.surfcitycyclery.com

 

Both. The 5.5 and 6.6 are gone for 2009.

 

nomad

 

So then its Tracer> SlopeStyle> Uzzi........

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damn! that makes my 6. a vintage :lol: either way, its a really great bike for an all around..

I have setup my 6. with a 160mm fork with a regular headset (not zero stack) and sagged my rear at 30% to slacken some more and lower my BB although it is still on the high side... it works just fine for my skill in riding 8-[

 

If I were to get a 6" travel bike, I would get either the new Nomad or the Intense Slope Style (or Tracer if you want a less aggressive bike). Demo both.

 

If you're interested in a Large Slopestyle, I have a frame that's been used 8 times or so for sale.

 

I'm pretty much tiny with a fat head... would need a small. Thanks tho.

Out of curiosity, why are you parting with it?