Santa Cruz Bicycles

Nomad Carbon CC XX1 Eagle Complete Mountain Bike - 2017

If you're located in a mountainous region where trails are especially ragged and rough, we're guessing you've spotted the Nomad with its aggressive geometry, slackened front end, and candy-colored paint job commanding attention as it screams down the trail. However, before you pigeonhole it as a one-trick pony destined for only the burliest trails and steepest descents, listen up. Although the Santa Cruz Nomad Carbon CC Eagle XX1 Complete Mountain Bike leads its respective class when the going gets rough, ragged, and especially steep, it's a surprisingly balanced rig that dispels the notion that a 6.5-inch enduro bike has to be an unwieldy beast that doesn't climb well or caters only to experts with legit downhill skills.

Its surprisingly versatility and refined trail manners come in part from its 165 millimeters of Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) Suspension, which is incredibly plush and forgiving on blistering-fast downhills, yet pleasingly efficient when you're pedaling uphill to do it all again. To be frank, the VPP Suspension allows the Nomad to flat out rip, even across stretches of brutal rocks and notoriously technical terrain that would normally make you dismount in shame. And although we won't tell you the Nomad will beat Lycra-clad XC riders on the way up, it'll eagerly hang with bikes packing an inch less travel without the wallowing rear end of other enduro sleds. And although it's efficient at climbing, the Rockshox Monarch Plus RC3 Debonair helps control the rear end further with its firmer trail setting and near lock-out for hammering up smooth trails and fire roads.

This particular Nomad enjoys the weight savings of its Carbon CC frame, which shaves approximately 280 grams (that's 9.8 ounces for those not metric-savvy) from the lower spec'd carbon. You'll be pleasantly surprised to know it's every bit as strong and stiff as the heavier carbon lay-up when you're rallying across jagged rock gardens and descending at speeds usually associated with full-on downhill bikes. Not only is it every bit as stiff and strong, but its relaxed geometry with a 65 degree head tube angle, slightly longer 170-millimeter fork (increase of 10 millimeters from last year), and low-slung 13.4 inch bottom bracket keeps you glued to the trail and confidently crushing over anything in sight.

As a pure enduro rig, the Nomad spec'd with anything but a one-by drivetrain would be nonsensical. Realizing this, Santa Cruz upgraded this Nomad with the newest XX1 Eagle 12-speed drivetrain with a massive 10-50 tooth cassette helping you get uphill without the need for a pesky front derailleur. And even though modern one-by drivetrains no longer require a chainguide to keep the thing from falling off, it's nice to see Santa Cruz included an E13 TRS+ 1x Guide for extra security on jarring descents. Other notable upgrades include Race Face ARC 30 wheels laced to Industry Nine Torch Hubs with near-instantaneous engagement for getting over trail impediments standing in your way.