Beautiful Bicycle: Jared's Custom Santa Cruz Nomad

In the realm of mountain biking, where agility, endurance, and innovation converge, the Santa Cruz Nomad stands as a beacon of excellence. Renowned for its unrivaled performance on rugged terrains and steep descents. The Nomad embodies the essence of adventure and exploration. From the VPP suspension platform to the mixed wheel setup, and robust frame the bike not only meets, but exceeds the expectations of thrill-seeking riders worldwide. Our resident Contender sender, Jared, took a stock Nomad and customized it just for his needs. Join us as we take a deeper look into what makes this Santa Cruz Nomad special and why Jared decided to spec this out just a bit differently than it came. 

 

Build Highlights

When putting together this Nomad frame, I knew I wanted a bike that could handle anything in sight. Starting with the suspension, I decided on the new RockShox Zeb Ultimate, equipped with the Charger 3.1 RC2 damper with the vibration-killing buttercups. The new Charger 3.1 damper broadens the range of adjustability for riders, allowing me to get traction, control, and comfort to charge all day. RockShox also redesigned the bushings to further reduce friction, improving small bump compliance. 

For the shock I went with the RockShox Vivid Ultimate, with the unmatched tunability and new Touchdown RC2T damper. With improved mid-stroke support and off-the-top suppleness this is the most “coil-like” air spring that RockShox has ever produced. One of the main reasons I opted to go with this shock was the hydraulic bottom out (HBO), with five compression settings that allow the rider to adjust the amount of bottom-out resistance in the last 20% of travel. This shock supplies me with unmatched braking traction, while still staying composed through the big hits. 

While weight was not the biggest priority in building this bike, I opted for the Reserve 30 | HD. With the asymmetrical design, and a 30mm internal rim width these rims are stiff, strong, and reliable while still providing me with the perfect tire profile. Backed by a lifetime warranty, I have the peace of mind that Reserve will have my back if something were to happen. Laced up to the bulletproof DT Swiss 350 hubs, I focused on a reliable hub that still offers great performance. This combo gives me great durability, so I don’t have to worry about those large impacts. For tires, I went with the dependable Maxxis Assegai Double Down MaxxGrip in the front. I have found this tire to be the most predictable in the corners. Out back, there is a Maxxis Minion DHR II Double Down Max Terra that shines under hard braking while helping keep the bike under control. 

The TRP DH-R Evo brakes emerge as a pivotal choice on this build. Embodying a blend of cutting-edge technology and robust performance is crucial for tackling steep and technical descents. Engineered with power, heat management, and durability in mind, these brakes offer exceptional stopping power and modulation, ensuring that I can navigate steep descents and technical trails with ease. The DH-R’s consistent lever feel, ergonomic design, and adjustable lever reach further enhance the comfort and customization, catering to the specific demands of aggressive downhill and enduro riders. The TRPs elevate the Nomad’s capabilities, making them an indispensable component for riders seeking performance and reliability on every trail descent. 

One last piece that is worth highlighting would have to be the Ochain | R active spider. While many may not be familiar with this bit, Ochain is a company out of Italy that work with many riders on the Downhill, and Enduro circuit. This piece allows the chainring to rotate backward, effectively disengaging the transmission from the suspension. This feature greatly reduces pedal kickback, improves suspension performance which translates to better braking performance, and a much quieter bike. The R model in their lineup allows for easy adjustment between the different “degrees of freedom”, or even the option to lockout the system. This piece is right at home on the Nomad, focusing on unrelenting downhills and prioritizing downhill performance.

Wrapping Up

With this custom Nomad, it represents more than just a bike. It embodies personalization and precision tailored to the rider’s specific preferences and terrain demands. With every part meticulously chosen, from the suspension to the brakes and drivetrain. Here at Contender that is just part of what makes the shop special. Whether you want a custom Pro Build, or a stock build we are here to help you through the process. Visit us in person or online to discuss your next bike, or how we can improve your current setup!