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Today’s Deals2026 Santa Cruz
Nomad 70
A 29″ / 27.5″ carbon frame full suspension enduro bike with modest components.
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Manufacturer Price
$5,149| Weight | 35.9 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Suspension | Full, 170 / 170mm |
| Fork | RockShox ZEB |
| Shock | Fox Float X Performance |
| Wheels | 29″ / 27.5″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | SRAM |
| Brakes | SRAM DB8 Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
Apr 2026
A few weeks ago Santa Cruz dropped the latest—its seventh—edition of the long-running Nomad series. I started getting time on that bike on launch day, so it’s time to weigh in with my initial review. This review will be a two-parter, with the first installment covering the bike in its (mostly) stock form. Then I’ll stray further from god, and run a second piece discussing how the bike rides with more fiddling and component swaps down the road. Santa Cruz Nomad Details, Travel: 170 mm (rear) 170 mm (front), Wheel Size: Mixed, Size Tested: Large, Build Tested: GX AXS, Head Tube Angle: 63.3-63.6, Measured weight: 34.81 lbs, 15.79 kg, MSRP: $7,300
Lightweight CC carbon frame
Slick cable routing
Excellent Glovebox storage with secure latch
Lifetime bearing replacement program
Efficient pedaling and good climbing
Quick, engaged, and efficient on mellower trails
Capable on steep, technical descents
Predictable jumping platform
Good spec choices (Zeb, Super Deluxe, Reserve wheels, MaxxGrip tires)
Flip chip difficult to access
Limited seatpost insertion depth (cannot fit a 225mm dropper)
Grips and saddle are personal preference issues
Apr 2026 · Travis Reill
Santa Cruz refined its latest version of the Nomad with geometry tweaks, routing for mechanical drivetrains, and CC carbon across all builds
Apr 2026 · Lars Engmann
Santa Cruz Nomad 2027 on test: 170 mm of travel, VPP rear suspension, revised geometry and refined details – and our ride impressions from Wales.
Quiet, high-quality overall package
Sensitive, superbly tuned suspension
Excellent composure with impressive agility
Well-thought-out detail improvements
Noticeably improved climbing performance
Rebound adjustment on the shock is very hard to reach
Front tire casing not quite up to enduro use
Apr 2026
The biggest little bike from Santa Cruz bicycles got a revamp
Best pedalling long-travel bike
Excellent VPP pedaling efficiency
Improved carbon layup for better ride feel and lighter chassis
Slightly slacker headtube (63.3°) and steeper seat tube (77.4°)
New colorway (Miami Vice) is gorgeous
Glovebox with secure door
Lifetime bearing and hardware replacement program
Top-notch cable routing
High build quality and frame options (CC carbon only)
Fox 38 and DHX2 suspension perform well
SRAM Maven brakes are powerful
180mm dropper feels short; 210mm would be better
Rebound knob on DHX2 hard to reach due to rear fender
Some may want a 30T chainring instead of 32T
Anti-squat reduced from V6, but still pedals well
High Roller front tire does not roll fast (but grips well)
Apr 2026 · Mike Kazimer
The new Nomad's a little lighter and a little more compliant than before.
Apr 2026 · April 15, 2026
Often dubbed ‘a party on 2 wheels’ the legendary Santa Cruz Nomad has been a fan favourite the world over, and now the brand is upping the ante with an all-new 7th generation of this iconic trail ripper. Watch and read up on our take!
Aug 2023 · Ron Koch
In addition to its 29/27.5-inch, mixed-wheel (“mullet”) setup, there are geometry updates, suspension tweaks and in-frame storage.
Mar 2023 · Ian Collins
Over this past Winter, I spent a fair amount of time scheming up a new dream build for Spring. Last year I converted a Specialized Enduro into a mullet setup with WRP’s link, but this year I’ll be aboard my first dedicated mullet – a Santa Cruz Nomad version 6. The last time I owned a Santa Cruz was in 1999 on a bright red Bullet, which was my first “downhill” bike. Needless to say, some things have changed since then. Last year I tested the new Bronson and was very impressed with its greatly improved suspension. Right after my
| Frame | Carbon C MX 170mm Travel VPP™ Tire Clearance: 2.5" Colors: Gloss Coral (Nomad 2026); Matte Black (Nomad 2026) |
|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox Zeb Base, 170mm Travel: 170mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | FOX Float X Performance, 230x65 Travel: 170mm |
| Bottom Bracket | SRAM DUB 73mm MTB Wide BB |
| Headset | Cane Creek 10 IS Integrated Headset |
| Stem | OneUp Enduro Stem, 42mm |
| Handlebar | Burgtec Alloy Bar |
| Saddle | SDG Bel-Air V3, Steel |
| Seatpost | SDG Tellis Dropper, 31.6 Type: Dropper |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM 70 Eagle T-Type, 12spd |
|---|---|
| Crank | SRAM 70 Eagle DUB T-Type Crankset, 32t |
| Shifters | SRAM 90 Eagle T-Type, 12spd |
| Cassette | SRAM XS 1270 Eagle T-Type, 10-52t |
| Chain | SRAM 70 Eagle T-Type, Flattop, 12spd |
| Chain Guide | E.13 TRS Race SL, ISCG05 |
| Brakes | SRAM DB8 Type: SRAM DB8 Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Front: Reserve 30|TR AL, Rear: Reserve 30|HD AL |
|---|---|
| Front Hub | Front: SRAM MTH 716, 15x110, 6-Bolt, 32h, Rear: SRAM MTH 746, 12x148, HG, 6-Bolt, 32h |
| Rear Hub | Front: SRAM MTH 716, 15x110, 6-Bolt, 32h, Rear: SRAM MTH 746, 12x148, HG, 6-Bolt, 32h |
| Tires | Front: Maxxis Assegai 29"x2.5", 3C MaxxGrip, EXO+, Rear: Maxxis Minion DHR II 27.5"x2.4", 3C MaxxTerra, Double Down |
| Disc Rotors | Front: SRAM Centerline, 200mm, Rear: SRAM Centerline, 200mm |
First added March 31
Last updated April 11
Not listed for 57 days