budget Nomad questions.

albertomannil · Apr 6, 2008

The nomad santa cruz sells for 3100$ (relatively budget)

it comes with a domain 302 from rock shox. what travel does the fork have? 160mm? 180mm? U turn??

also, ive heard the nomad stalls a little when pedaling the granny gear, but also that it depends on the rear shock used. how does the bike react on the granny with a Fox Float R?

Thanks!

MaddSquirrel · Apr 6, 2008

I believe it is the Domain 302 with 160mm travel and u-turn. Also, the stalling everyone is talking about is the pedal feedback from the VPP. I do not notice any feed back on the VPP bikes I have ridden nor do I notice feedback on my heckler. I guess I am not as sensitive. As far as I know the feedback is not shock related, but design related so it should not matter which shock.

TNC · Apr 6, 2008

Unless you set up the Float too softly, you shouldn't experience any stalling. I think most people who report this have their sag set up to deep into the travel or they're riding a DHX Air. I ride a lot in the granny where I live, and when the Nomad is set up properly in its rear travel, the bike excells at pedaling over stuff without stalling. I also have two Bullits and know what stalling in slow, rough terrain feels like.

The 302 Domain can be U-Turn, 115-160 or a fixed travel of either 160 or 180. Is there any way you can swing going to the 318? The higher end damper with Motion Control on the 318 is definitely worth the few extra bucks if you can swing it. It would be money well spent if you have the option.

albertomannil · Apr 6, 2008

thanks for all the intel!

nice riding!

A MAN CALLED HORSE · Apr 6, 2008

The Float R has the same problems that everyone complains about regarding the DHX air shock. I had to use way more pressure than SC recommended and still it would bottom out far too easily and rip through it's travel. The coil shock i have now makes the bike feel far more stable and controlled, it even climbs far better because it doesn't compress into it's travel and keeps you over the front more, and obviously it descends better too, and i can take the bike off drops and the coil shock will protect the frame from bottoming too often.

If at all possible, pay the upcharge and get the coil shock. It will be cheaper in the long run.

esquire · Apr 7, 2008

No UT on the Domain 302

MaddSquirrel said:
I believe it is the Domain 302 with 160mm travel and u-turn. Also, the stalling everyone is talking about is the pedal feedback from the VPP. I do not notice any feed back on the VPP bikes I have ridden nor do I notice feedback on my heckler. I guess I am not as sensitive. As far as I know the feedback is not shock related, but design related so it should not matter which shock.

There is no U-turn on the Domain 302 that Santa Cruz uses for their R AM kit on the Nomad, and it is 160mm. Its an OEM, non-U-turn, fork that SC gets from Rockshox. Like the Revelation that comes on the Heckler R AM, no U-turn, even though the Rockshox has U-turn on their website for both Revelation models, the SC versions do not. The Domain 318 does have U-turn, but that comes on the Bullit R FR kit. Perhaps your shop will swap that out for you though, get the 318 from the Bullit.

Built up as the R AM, the Nomad is a bit chunky, with 321 rims and wire bead Kenda tires, but its a great place to start. When replacing things after they break or with a bit more $, go with tires, wheelset, fork first of all, then the other stuff.

TNC · Apr 7, 2008

I don't know, horse...

A MAN CALLED HORSE said:
The Float R has the same problems that everyone complains about regarding the DHX air shock. I had to use way more pressure than SC recommended and still it would bottom out far too easily and rip through it's travel. The coil shock i have now makes the bike feel far more stable and controlled, it even climbs far better because it doesn't compress into it's travel and keeps you over the front more, and obviously it descends better too, and i can take the bike off drops and the coil shock will protect the frame from bottoming too often.

If at all possible, pay the upcharge and get the coil shock. It will be cheaper in the long run.

The Float and other Fox non-piggyback air shocks don't have the aggravated case of the DHXA's super soft mid-stoke. There's noticeably less air volume in a Float/RP, and I think there may even be something different in the compression circuit that makes blowing through the travel on the DHXA even worse. I would agree that just about all air shocks display some mid-stroke softness...with the exception of the Manitou ISX-6...as it's just the nature of an air spring. Basically, however, I'd say the Float and RP are not ideal choices for the Nomad. A longer travel bike almost requires a piggyback design for more tuning capability and bottomout control. Banzairider got his Float PUSH'd, and he reported a surprisingly useable shock, even on the Nomad.

budget Nomad questions.

albertomannil

MaddSquirrel

TNC

albertomannil

A MAN CALLED HORSE

esquire

TNC

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