The Nomad is more bike than the Spot; you'll need more travel in the front and you've got 1.5" more in back-they're not the same. They don't have the same head angle unless you put a short fork on the Nomad=not recommended. For example, I run a 66 SL with 170mm of trail and it's extended all the time-it just fits really well. However, I'm not what you would call a climber buy any means.

The Spot is a great trail bike-it's an excellent all around design. However, it's hard to compete with a VPP bike; they get up and go. If you want a bike you can ride trails with and rip dh runs, the Nomad is the one. But if you want a trail bike only, the Spot might fit the bill.

As for room to grow-the Nomad has as much as you can manage. BTW, I've owned 5-Spots and 6-Packs; great bikes but I'm riding a Nomad.
turtle

 

What Bay Area trails do you ride or plan on riding ?

 

Nomad would be a great bike for taking up to Tahoe and ripping it in Downiville, Toads, etc.

As far as the Bay Area I know a lot of people who ride their Nomads (I use too!) in Rockville, Skeggs, Annadel..shoot even Tamarancho or China Camp (backside).

 

Blt

My suggestion is to put the BLT in first, the Nomad is much bike for what you do, and you don't need so much weight or travel. Like Turtle said "it's hard to compete with a VPP bike" so take Spot and Heckler of the list.
If you want a slacker HA, get a '07 Fox 32 140mm or 36 150mm.

 

I haven't ridden either the Spot or the Nomad, which would be my picks from your list.

I think you're doing the right thing going by geometries rather than whatever rear suspension both have. I think you can do almost everything with a 5-Spot, but probably a Nomad would be an easier to ride bike, at least that's what my uninformed mind tells me.

 

... They don't have the same head angle unless you put a short fork on the Nomad=not recommended.

Yes they have Turtle, in XL size the Nomad is steeper at head angle!!!

paulq, I'm personally coming off a Devinci Banzai which is what I call a hybrid between 5spot and 6pack. My opinion is that the Nomad is both more bike then the 5spot but can be at the same time as much "xcountryish" then the 5spot. The Nomad is a strange animal in a sense. Its geometry and travel suggest freeride, big bike... but the feel of it on tight singletrack is nimble and sweet and climbing it feels very snappy and fast. If I was you, considering that you seem to have the budget necessary for a Nomad, I would get the Nomad with an air shock, build it with light parts and light fork and you'll have a frame that you can expand the possibilities if your riding style changes over time.

 

Well spoken; I totally agree, the Nomad handles well on a variety of trails; get some.

 

Why not a nomad?

Hi Turtle,

Thanks for the quick reply last night.

In the XL size, with an RC2 on the Nomad and a 130mm fork on the Spot they have the same HA. I was actually looking at a Pike 454 on the Spot making the head angle even slacker

I'm not planning on any DH, however you never know

Given, the VPP on the nomad, the comparable HA, the roughly equivalent WB, again I drift back to the Nomad. Build it up light and it looks more and more like a trail bike.

Thanks for the advice!

The Nomad is more bike than the Spot; you'll need more travel in the front and you've got 1.5" more in back-they're not the same. They don't have the same head angle unless you put a short fork on the Nomad=not recommended. For example, I run a 66 SL with 170mm of trail and it's extended all the time-it just fits really well. However, I'm not what you would call a climber buy any means.

The Spot is a great trail bike-it's an excellent all around design. However, it's hard to compete with a VPP bike; they get up and go. If you want a bike you can ride trails with and rip dh runs, the Nomad is the one. But if you want a trail bike only, the Spot might fit the bill.

As for room to grow-the Nomad has as much as you can manage. BTW, I've owned 5-Spots and 6-Packs; great bikes but I'm riding a Nomad.
turtle

 

Wny not a Nomad?

Hi Keen,

China camp, Skeggs, tamarancho. Would like to get out to demo and a trip every now and again to Downieville

What Bay Area trails do you ride or plan on riding ?

 

Hi BanzaiRider,

We are on the same page

I'm thinking about a light-ish build, DHX air, not sure which fork, probably the RC2. Any others you like for a "xcountryish" nomad?

Thanks all of you for the replies...really helped reinforce my thinking.

I'm open to build suggestions for a trail Nomad!

Yes they have Turtle, in XL size the Nomad is steeper at head angle!!!

paulq, I'm personally coming off a Devinci Banzai which is what I call a hybrid between 5spot and 6pack. My opinion is that the Nomad is both more bike then the 5spot but can be at the same time as much "xcountryish" then the 5spot. The Nomad is a strange animal in a sense. Its geometry and travel suggest freeride, big bike... but the feel of it on tight singletrack is nimble and sweet and climbing it feels very snappy and fast. If I was you, considering that you seem to have the budget necessary for a Nomad, I would get the Nomad with an air shock, build it with light parts and light fork and you'll have a frame that you can expand the possibilities if your riding style changes over time.

 

Hi BanzaiRider,

We are on the same page

I'm thinking about a light-ish build, DHX air, not sure which fork, probably the RC2. Any others you like for a "xcountryish" nomad?

Thanks all of you for the replies...really helped reinforce my thinking.

I'm open to build suggestions for a trail Nomad!

For sure don't go installing a 130mm fork on that. Even tough the Nomad's angle seem slack, it rides great in tight trails with a 150mm fork like the Marzo AM1 (that's what I have) or others in that category. You'd better save weight on stuff like the wheels, tires, crank and cockpit then try to install a very light fork. I've never tried the RC2 but I did not have a great experience with the Talas a few years ago so I kind of gave up on Fox air forks. They are good products but expensive and didn't give me the plush feel of coil I look for so much... Have fun shopping and prepare yourself for some real excitement when you hop on the new toy! Cheers.

 

My "trail Nomad"...

I'm thinking about a light-ish build, DHX air, not sure which fork, probably the RC2. Any others you like for a "xcountryish" nomad?

I'm open to build suggestions for a trail Nomad!

Hey there. I did a really XC oriented Nomad build. I'm not very heavy (155-160lbs), smooth on the bike and a recovering weight freeeek. My goal was to get it under 30lbs, which I nailed, barely. I went with some parts that a heavier rider would do well to avoid, namely carbon bars and borderline stoopid-light wheels.

The one exception being the 66SL fork. Its not the heaviest fork on the block but its also not a lightweight either. Loving mine but might try a 90mm stem some day.

My build is as follows:

Medium Polished Nomad frame
Marzo 66SL fork (running @ 150mm)
XT Cranks/BB
XT Ft Derailleur
XO Rear Derailleur
XO Triggers
SRAM 99 hollowpin chain
Avid Juicy Carbons w/round rotors; 160 rear, 185(?) front
Thompson Masterpiece post
Thompson X4 70mm stem (swapped after fitting w/90mm)
Race Face Next carbon low rise bar
King ISO 32h rear hub
Marzo 20mm front hub
Velocity VXC Disc rims
DT spokes ("Revolution" very light)
Goodridge lines
Flite saddle
Nokian 2.35 kevlar bead
cheap shite grips
= 29.96lbs.

 

Wow...revolutions?

Hey there. I did a really XC oriented Nomad build. I'm not very heavy (155-160lbs), smooth on the bike and a recovering weight freeeek. My goal was to get it under 30lbs, which I nailed, barely. I went with some parts that a heavier rider would do well to avoid, namely carbon bars and borderline stoopid-light wheels.

The one exception being the 66SL fork. Its not the heaviest fork on the block but its also not a lightweight either. Loving mine but might try a 90mm stem some day.

My build is as follows:

Medium Polished Nomad frame
Marzo 66SL fork (running @ 150mm)
XT Cranks/BB
XT Ft Derailleur
XO Rear Derailleur
XO Triggers
SRAM 99 hollowpin chain
Avid Juicy Carbons w/round rotors; 160 rear, 185(?) front
Thompson Masterpiece post
Thompson X4 70mm stem (swapped after fitting w/90mm)
Race Face Next carbon low rise bar
King ISO 32h rear hub
Marzo 20mm front hub
Velocity VXC Disc rims
DT spokes ("Revolution" very light)
Goodridge lines
Flite saddle
Nokian 2.35 kevlar bead
cheap shite grips
= 29.96lbs.

LOL!...Benja, now I'm seeing where some of your weight reduction came from. Aren't revolution spokes something like 15/17 double butted? How are you getting those to last on your Nomad? I killed a set of those on a Superlight in a month. I like your build except for those spokes.

 

An experiment...

LOL!...Benja, now I'm seeing where some of your weight reduction came from. Aren't revolution spokes something like 15/17 double butted? How are you getting those to last on your Nomad? I killed a set of those on a Superlight in a month. I like your build except for those spokes.

Well, these wheels were an experiment all around, with the exception of the King hub. In trying to keep the overall weight under 30lbs, I wanted to focus on the rolling weight, where it would make the most difference. I waffled a little on going with the crazy light spokes but in the end I wanted push it.

They have been holding up well although I am keeping a close eye on them and have had to true things up a bit. Keep in mind that this build was for a "long legged" XC/All Mountain ride. I'm not a "freerider" and don't plan on going too deep down that road. I weigh under 160lbs and I'm not hucking 6'+ stuff.

The Velocity rims were the other side of the gamble. They are very narrow and don't really accomodate tubeless conversions well. But they are incredibly well made (perfectly flat out of the box,) and the wheels were built up amazingly straight. Regardless, I'm most likely going to be building up a slightly burlier set of wheels with wider rims in the future.

 

Yeah, maybe 2 wheelsets.

Well, these wheels were an experiment all around, with the exception of the King hub. In trying to keep the overall weight under 30lbs, I wanted to focus on the rolling weight, where it would make the most difference. I waffled a little on going with the crazy light spokes but in the end I wanted push it.

They have been holding up well although I am keeping a close eye on them and have had to true things up a bit. Keep in mind that this build was for a "long legged" XC/All Mountain ride. I'm not a "freerider" and don't plan on going too deep down that road. I weigh under 160lbs and I'm not hucking 6'+ stuff.

The Velocity rims were the other side of the gamble. They are very narrow and don't really accomodate tubeless conversions well. But they are incredibly well made (perfectly flat out of the box,) and the wheels were built up amazingly straight. Regardless, I'm most likely going to be building up a slightly burlier set of wheels with wider rims in the future.

Depending on your riding area types, having a crazy light wheelset for more buff terrain is probably not a bad idea. You mention not being a freerider. I can tell you that I'm certainly not a real freerider either. However, I think the more you ride that bike, you're going to find yourself doing more things than you thought you'd do. I had ridden Bullits for several years, and I'm a decent rider in gnarly terrain conditions. But when I got this Nomad, getting more air, hitting bigger drops, and picking gnarlier lines has gotten much easier. The bike takes you to another level. Good luck with yours.

 

I think the more you ride that bike, you're going to find yourself doing more things than you thought you'd do.

Thats why I got it.

When you've been riding long enough you know what kind of breakage to expect from parts. Will I taco this wheelset? Maybe. Break some spokes? Likely.

Am I going to be buying new wheels regardless of what I do to these? DEFINITELY.
:thumbsup:

 

Paulq, have you looked at the Yeti 575?
I know this is the SC forum, but from your desription, the 575 sounds like it would be a good fit.

 

MS MSP,

I've looked at the Yeti. I've ridden a spot and loved it, never demo'd a 575, only parking lot. Nice bike but (forgetting price) why a 575 over a 5Spot (or for that matter a Nomad)?

Thanks!
Paul

 

MS MSP,

I've looked at the Yeti. I've ridden a spot and loved it, never demo'd a 575, only parking lot. Nice bike but (forgetting price) why a 575 over a 5Spot (or for that matter a Nomad)?

Thanks!
Paul

well if price is not an issue, by all means get a Nomad.
Just a suggestion based on what you were looking for.
FWIW, it sounds like you have already made your decision to get a Nomad, enjoy our bike! :thumbsup: