since richard cunningham joined pb, i don't take their reviews seriously at all. i'm not surprised that they gave the nod to the nomad. not knocking it at all, but their advertising budget is 10000 times what knolly's is. pinkbike with rc at the helm is about generating advertiser dollars.
get out and demo some bikes. asking on a consumer bike site will get you people's opinions on "their" bikes. only you can decide what is best for you. narrow down your choices for sure off of recommendations, but for the money bikes cost now, get out and demo your final two or three choices