Home > Feature Stories

First Look: The All New Santa Cruz Nomad 650B with Updated VPP Linkage (UPDATED!)

37 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

Santa Cruz Nomad 650B TurquoiseOn this date last year, Santa Cruz Bikes launched the Bronson, an all new platform designed entirely around the new wheel size. In that intervening period, the company has launched so many new 650 bikes, updated models, and new brands, that we’ve sort of lost track.

Product launch after product launch we kept our fingers crossed, and now after a long year of waiting, the new Nomad is here. Completely redesigned from the ground up, the new bike promises to look pretty in pink and still offer syndicate world cup stability. Huck past the break to learn all about it…

UPDATED: Q&A with Joe Graney about the new design and overall changes added at bottom of post!

 

Santa Cruz Nomad Interal Cable Routing

The new SC badge replaces the old S-Man Headtube Badge

One of the last hold outs to internal routing, Santa Cruz has finally caved. This is the first model they’ve ever offered (in our recollection) with internal routing. The new Nomad is a 65º headtube angle, single ring, 165mm travel, trail slaying machine.

Over the years, the company has developed a reputation in the service department for being easy to work on, and this new model is no exception to the rule. While some companies have yet to figure out how to do internal routing well, Santa Cruz has made future cable swaps a breeze by molding carbon fiber tubes into each frame from entry to exit. Hurrah!

Santa Cruz 650B Nomad Upper Shock Linkage

Travel has been increased to 165mm in the rear and a V10 style upper link has been added, to improve small bump performance.

The Monarch Plus Debonair (a shock not currently listed on the Rockshox website) will be spec’d on stock frames, but an upgrade to a Vivid Air is available for an additional $251.

Santa Cruz 650B Nomad Internal Cable Routing Ports

A steeper seat tube angle has been added to to keep riders better balanced over the bike when grinding uphill.

Santa Cruz Nomad 650b 1x Only

Up front, you’ll notice they’ve broken free from the front derailleur…

Santa Cruz 650B Nomad Updated VPP Linkage

…which has enabled the engineers to tuck in the lower link and shrink the chainstays by .2″ to 17.1″.

Santa Cruz Nomad 650B Updated Linkage From Below

On the older Nomad and all of the additional VPP models currently offered by Santa Cruz, the lower link protrudes below the BB, and it was not uncommon for owners to complain of rock strikes and paint chips. The new design makes the link less vulnerable, but still houses a grease port and beefy hardware.
Santa Cruz Nomad Interal Cable RoutingSanta Cruz Nomad Interal Cable RoutingSanta Cruz Nomad Interal Cable RoutingSanta Cruz Nomad Interal Cable Routing Santa Cruz 650B Nomad Upper Shock LinkageSanta Cruz 650B Nomad Updated VPP Linkage Santa Cruz Nomad 650B Updated Linkage From Below Wheels
In addition to the tinkled pink and Bahama blue frame, the Nomad will  be available in a black on stealth bomber black paint scheme. Both models will come with color coordinated fork, shock, and wheel decals.

Sharp eyed readers will also notice the Enve Wheels sporting a special “70” badge next to the normal decals. We’re under embargo until April 8th, but you can let your guesses rip in the comments section.

Santa Cruz Nomad 650B Geometry

As part of the redesign, the Nomad has grown an inch in the cockpit…for your pleasure.

Nomad, La Parva, Chile, Iago Garay, Dylan Wolksy, Parvaso,

FEATURES

  • 165mm VPP suspension
  • 27.5” wheels
  • Internal routing
  • New compact lower link and V10-style upper link
  • Full carbon frame and swingarm in S, M, L & XL sizes
  • Single-chain-ring-only design
  • RockShox Pike RCT3 Solo Air160mm fork
  • RockShox Monarch Plus Debonair or Vivid Air RC2 shock
  • USA pricing from $6,599 complete for SRAM X01 build, inc. Reverb Stealth (Updated 4/1)
  • $2,999 frame only
  • Frame weight from 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) with Rock Shox Monarch Plus
  • Complete from 27.1 lbs (12.3kg)

DETAILS

  • Internal routing made from molded carbon tubes: ensures precise and hassle free feeding of rear derailleur and seat post cables.
  • 31.6” seat tube: accommodates 150mm Reverb Stealth seat posts.
  • Bottle cage mounts within front triangle: works with piggyback shock.
  • Molded rubber swingarm and downtube protectors.
  • Forged aluminum upper link and lower link.
  • Single recessed grease port on lower link: feeds all for four bearings.
  • Collet axle pivots: lock in place without pinch bolts.
  • Angular contact bearings on collet pivot axles.
  • Full carbon dropouts and disk mounts.
  • Co-molded aluminum hardware on frame pivots.
  • Carbon ISCG-05 tabs.
  • 142 mm rear axle spacing.
  • Threaded BB: creak-free riding and easy installation.
  • 5 year warranty with lifetime bearings and crash replacement warranty.

We’re headed to the Santa Cruz Factory later today (after some shut eye) and will be posting more details, so please stay tuned.

Q&A WITH JOE GRANEY

BIKERUMOR: Why the change to the lower links forward pivot point? As in, how does this change performance?

JOE: Two significant reasons: Lowering the BB height lowers the BB pivot and lower link. Our goal was to protect the pivot and link from rock strike damage. Secondly, it’s the way to shorten the chainstay length of the bike by moving the BB pivot forward. The link length is similar to other VPP bikes, but its just tucked up and hidden from view. Also, see next answer…

BIKERUMOR: What were the goals when redesigning the VPP suspension?

JOE: There isn’t a real “resdesign” of VPP, more of an adaptation. The goals of this adaptation to this model: Maintain our great pedaling performance, while making small bump performance better, giving better mid-stroke support, and working well with the next generation of downhill oriented air shocks. The travel difference between the Nomad and Bronson (165mm vs 150mm) seems small, but there are distinct differences you’ll understand when you ride both.

BIKERUMOR: With the lower link’s forward pivot now above the BB, it’s looking closer to a DW-link design. What are the key axle path and performance differences between this new design and, say, a Pivot Mach 6?

JOE: The two links on all VPP bikes rotate in counter-clockwise directions, a patented attribute of our suspension technology. Any aesthetic similarities to other suspension systems are not a factor in our design process.

BIKERUMOR: What makes this bike 1x specific? Just the lack of a front derailleur mount, or something else? Why make it 1x only?

JOE: We spent several months on this particular issue. We had mules using lower link driven shocks for different shock rate characteristics, as well as upper link driven mules, and ones tailored to suit coil shocks. We were testing mules as early when the Syndicate were testing with Fox suspension in Italy in January 2012 (there were some “spy shots” of my mule during those tests). Yeah, we took awhile to figure out the rest….

The 1x wasn’t a goal, we tried to make all the of pieces fit, but with the advent of expanded gearing with a 1X system, it no longer felt like a compromise to do that. We continue to use a threaded BB and ISCG05 tabs, which enables users of varied drive trains to fit components fitting a bike for this use.

BIKERUMOR: Are these design changes specific to this bike’s intended use, or will they carry over to the rest of the line?

JOE: We design every bike to fit its intended use. The VPP counter-rotating link configuration is very adaptable, offering varying shock mounting locations, and its ability to tailor shock rates and pedaling behavior to applications from XC to DH. We’d never copy the “look” of pivot placement to another platform for aesthetic purposes.

BIKERUMOR: Why did you do internal routing, which you have eschewed like new standards like pressfit, the plague, and so forth?

JOE: Because it solved a problem. Stealth routing is de facto internal routing, so we extended it to the rear derailleur (RD). The RD cable enters the left side of the DT, and exits the right side. The routing “tubes” for the RD and post are molded in carbon during the one-piece molding process. Its a structural piece of the frame, not a glued in tube. You just push the housing in one end and it comes out the other end (or up the seatube for the post). No rattling of housing, no hassle. Its easier than zip ties actually. The RD cable never rubs the paint on headtube either. Makes it easy to travel with your race bike and to remove the Stealth Reverb quick disconnect as well.
This is a little tweaky, but we spent a (boat)load of time perfecting it. When you use it, you’ll get it. Please don’t just bill it as “internal routing”. Mostly that means a f**king user headache, which we didn’t want to perpetuate.

BIKERUMOR: Thanks Joe!

Photo Creds: Studio images © Santa Cruz Bicycles. Action images © Gary Perkin / Santa Cruz Bicycles.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

37 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
tommy
tommy
9 years ago

LOVE THE BIKE SANTA CRUZ, you guys are on a roll. I love that you use threaded bottom brackets, however is there any possibility of a cheaper full suspension bike, like sub 2 grand? I bet you guys can do it. Oh and how about a cross bike? you guys would get a lot of buyers I bet. Heck, I would also like a santa cruz road bike too. Just throwing it all out there

Steven
Steven
9 years ago

@ tommy

Santa Cruz made a road bike for a few years, it was called the “Roadster”

They also made a cross bike called the “Stigmata”

amnonis
amnonis
9 years ago

any info about these new enve rims?

nsp234
nsp234
9 years ago

– how much travel does that pike have?
– any chance to mount an e-type derailleur?
– i couldn’t ride fast enough to justify the “aqua” color scheme… (nor the enve rims)

Dzmtnrider
Dzmtnrider
9 years ago

So to climb with a Nomad I need a horse, some guides, and an old truck? The bike is already expensive enough. Earn your runs…

Show me how it climbs/descends technical singletrack…

165mm
165mm
9 years ago

@nsp234, REALLY!!!!! Did you read the article or just look at the pretty pictures. The travel is mentioned 3 times. It is the first line of the Features.

gringo
gringo
9 years ago

10 bucks says Dzmtnrider is a Euro and runs remote lockout front and rear.

jake
jake
9 years ago

Those new rims are 70mm wide, it helps to spread the tire foot print out, and gain more traction

Ben
Ben
9 years ago

The Santa Cruz website lists the XO1 build at $6599, not $5899. Under $6K would be a deal in this day and age!

Pete
Pete
9 years ago

That light blue colorway made me feel all funny in my nether region. I want to be on it.

Rick
Rick
9 years ago

Very nicely done, love the colors. Also love standard threaded bottom brackets on SCB’s. PF30 are a joke, we see a few weeks of bearing life here in the Pacific NW. Done with PF30 bb’s.

1x can be a fail in many areas, but seems more companies are embracing it due to shortest possible chain stay lengths.

Steve
Steve
9 years ago

Well done. Yes, thank you for sticking with a standard bottom bracket. The new Nomad looks great! The internal routing looks like a great idea if it is as simple as Joe says.

Ilikeicedtea
Ilikeicedtea
9 years ago

@jake.

I’d be very surprised is those Enve rims are 2.75″ wide.

I saw the 90 series Enve rims on a DH bike. Do you think that they’re 3.5″ wide?

Matt
Matt
9 years ago

I love seeing the new stuff coming out. Thanks SC for killing it and thanks Bike Rumor for reporting on it. It is appreciated.

hoser
hoser
9 years ago

nsp234 was asking about fork travel, not rear wheel travel. I also did not see a mention of fork travel in the article. It’s probably 160, but similar to how Fox does a 170mm Fox 34 for the Scott Genius LT, RockShox might supply a custom fork for this rig, too.

This bike looks very good.

hoser
hoser
9 years ago

My bad, fork travel is listed at 160. Ah!

Ad
Ad
9 years ago

A very badly kept secret is Fox bringing a 160-170mm 27.5 fork to the table. If you freeze frame the video you can see it.

It’s a great looking piece of kit however I’ll keep on waiting for a Tallboy TR with 125mm or thereabouts but all the great features of the Nomad, particularly like the internal routing, very trick and if it comes in that murdered out stealth black to boot, well won’t I be a lucky boy…! 🙂

patrik
patrik
9 years ago

PF30 works as long as you forgo plastic cups and stock bearings. Go King, Wheels or e13 and you’re dialed. Threaded BB is so 1990s.

ccolagio
ccolagio
9 years ago

@ saris mercanti – please ask joe if they plan on doing an aluminum model! please!

Mirwin
Mirwin
9 years ago

I’m betting, like road rims, ’70’ is the rim depth.

Andy
Andy
9 years ago

Other than aesthetically, how is this different from a Bronson again?

K11
K11
9 years ago

nice work santa cruz. keep the threaded bbs coming.

@patrik. the bsa threaded platform is a more stable design when it comes to long
term durability/serviceability.

nsp234
nsp234
9 years ago

sorry I missed the 160mm pike part, but I’m still wondering… that fork looks rather long, and the combination to a longer travel frame would at least pose some questions.

Rgeniec
Rgeniec
9 years ago

Its PINK and its horrible. Imagine trying to sell the Pike later on…sheez

icdesign
icdesign
9 years ago

@AD That’s a fox 36…. Of vourse only a matter of time before the 650b came out.

Sick looking ride.. but I actually need to climb to most of my trails.. I’ll stick with my Range Carbon LE on order!

Mike
Mike
9 years ago

The “70” doesn’t refer to the rim’s width or depth, as it’s nowhere near 70 mm wide or deep.

My first guess, because of the “M70Thirty” was a percentage, maybe in the composite rim material, but after also seeing Enve’s new “M90Ten” downhill rim, there couldn’t be that much (20%) difference in the two carbon mixes.

It’s probably a new way to distinguish between their different 27.5 models besides XC, AM, and DH.

tommy
tommy
9 years ago

@steven, I am talking about bikes i can buy today, not last year or five years ago. Markets are changing rapidly.

Ham-planet
Ham-planet
9 years ago

@tommy
Santa Cruz only make bikes they enjoy riding, and they don’t enjoy riding on the road.

K11
K11
9 years ago

@tommy. a sub 2 grand santa cruz suspension bike will never happen. Santa Cruz is a premium brand, having such a low end offering would degrade the brand. There is a ton of stuff like that from the bicycle brand “giants”, well like Giant.

Northern Doug
Northern Doug
9 years ago

Rob Roskopp is to mountain biking what Steve Jobs was to computers and electronic innovation. Not only is the product visionary and ground breaking but it is done perfectly so it works…..very well. The product is just plain heads and shoulders above the competition. If 1/2 of NA adopted the Roskopp business acumen there would be no shortage of jobs, manufacturing expansion or prosperity. In nature everything is ‘growing’ or it is ‘dying’…..nothing remains the same…….innovate or die!

the dude
the dude
9 years ago

LOL, this is slacker, lower, and a little longer than the DRIVER 8. #ENDURO, aka carbon freeride bikes.

K11
K11
9 years ago

@Northern Doug. i will refrain from using harsh language, to how wrong your comment is.

i ride a santa cruz, so i agree with the fact that it is a great product. my next fs bike will be an Intense. Santa cruz does ALL manufacturing overseas, how is this a good “business acumen” like you put it? Intense manufactures ALL aluminum frames and ALL aluminum machined pieces and parts here in the USA. SO…your idea of “no shortage of jobs, manufacturing expansion or prosperity” is ridiculous unless you live and work in taiwan. I do have respect for Mr Roskopp from back in his skating days(one of the top 25 decks from the 80s), just not his current business model to manufacture EVERYTHING overseas. (it wasn’t always this way, disappointed now)

BTW to those who wine about the color, it is based on his skate deck from the 80s

Bog
Bog
9 years ago

Interesting how they don’t show the dropper post hose come out of the frame anywhere. Cleans up the bike for the photo shoot but not realistic.

esc8engn
esc8engn
9 years ago

all the new tech i love, and none of the new tech i hate.
end-to-end guided internal routing is the only kind of internal that should ever exist.
ISCG + threaded BB = love.

Bobbyduracel
Bobbyduracel
9 years ago

@bog – the dropper cable inserts at the bottom of the “stealth” dropper post, and it’s removeable, so you can quickly thread the cable and then connect it to the post. It exits head tube left.

The fox is absolutely a fox 36 in 26″ bc at the time of the shoot the fox 27.5″ wasn’t available.

Has anyone pedaled this bike UP and DOWN a hill, and then pedaled a Bronson?

I’m up for one of these two bikes, and plan to demo both lots, but I would appreciate feedback.

The SC lineup lately is just amazing. They make solid bikes. In person, all of their models in all of the color schemes stand out and look amazing.

I ride a pink cross frame, and it’s just a plain-no-mistaking-it’s-just-frickin-pink “pink” bike.

Ya know what happens on the trail when I ride it? I fly by and people hardly notice the color :O

Alex
Alex
9 years ago

I’m looking to buy Aluminum Tallboy LT in XL size frame or build . If you are a dealer and want to make quick cash email me ahahac [a-t] gmail dot com

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.