Santa Cruz Nomad V6 Review // The porridge is just right

[@toHelluRide]

It’s because of this review that the nomad is top of my list for 2024.

[@gaperkook]

I love that you filmed the Nomad riding actual chunky terrain. Too often I see bike reviewers riding blue flow trails while reviewing enduro bikes 😄

[@MTBJonnie]

Lol yeah man that never made sense to me either.

[@cberg9480]

Awesome review. I most parts for a new build and debating between the Specialized Enduro and now the Nomad! Really good review and what I wanted to hear.

[@MTBJonnie]

I've owned both. That Enduro is shockingly relevant given it's age I just think this nomad is a little more refined.

[@cberg9480]

@@MTBJonnie In your opinion for having owned both. Any advantage in going with the Nomad? I test road the Specialized which for riding in my area did well on the technical climbs I order to head down.

[@MTBJonnie]

@@cberg9480 I think the nomad is a more intuitive jumper and free rider but the specialized def climbs better. Specialized maybe a hair faster descending too. Can’t go wrong with either

[@cberg9480]

@@MTBJonnie thanks for the insight!

[@Chance.B]

Love the reviews man, keep it up!

[@MTBJonnie]

Thanks man means a lot to hear that.

[@danielberube4142]

Thanks Jon, you really helped make my choice between the Mega2 and Nomad6, thanks for those honest reviews and real world non bias impressions!!! Ride safe

[@MTBJonnie]

Hey glad I could help!

[@destinationdenvercolorado]

Excellent video and VERY informative, love your perspective and insight!!

[@Tequila628]

TRP DHR EVO bro! High five! ✋ Thanks for another quality review.

[@MTBJonnie]

Thanks, homie! You running these too?

[@Tequila628]

@@MTBJonnie yeah, best brake out there in terms of modulation, power and consistency.

[@colinbucknell2970]

Great video! I broke my V1 frame and SC kindly warrantied it for me so am just weighing up going with the V2 or the Nomad V6 (have to buy a new rear wheel) and have been struggling to get a good review/comparison of both bikes, so this was awesome!

[@MTBJonnie]

Glad this could help!

[@Cevirus93]

very good quality reviews. I really like it!

[@MTBJonnie]

Thank you!

[@johnnnewmex]

I have a Megatower V2 and it climbs like a beast. I find it very maneuverable and easy to handle. And I agree the Nukeproof Mega is not a "fun" bike. It is definitely more a get to the bottom as fast as possible bike.

[@mikeyp3694]

Great video. I have a V4 Bronson with a coil and inserts weighing in at 34lbs and change....somehow the extra weight seems to be a bit more planted and fun....not really looking to shed too many grams going forward. I've done big days on it and it just climbs well enough to not be much of an issue of any kind. Plus the descents are so good.

[@MTBJonnie]

I feel like one of those weird guys saying something is higher quality and feels better because it’s heavy. I’m just getting old but it’s how I feel. I think I’ve just ridden to many bikes that prioritized weight savings at the cost of ride quality.

[@flaminghotcheetos91]

Cool to see Ore Chute. That trail is no freaking joke.

[@MTBJonnie]

It is proper that’s for sure.

[@aussieinspainmtb7516]

Loving the channel and reviews would love to see your thoughts on some of Transition bikes keep more videos coming👍🏼

[@MTBJonnie]

Thanks dude! Trying to line some fun stuff up here shortly.

[@JoseLopez-sq3gx]

Excellent review !

[@joehoeper4648]

How are you feeling about this bike now? Would love to see a king term review

[@rileygillis284]

Great video! Sounds like I need to try the mullet

[@MTBJonnie]

Thanks homie! Yeah I have been kinda bucking it, especially after my time on the 5010, but I’m turning into a convert.

[@KingerUTube]

You should look into the WeAreOne Arrival 170mm - MX and UDH update on latest rear triangle. Amazing pedaler, really poppy and handles significant descents. (Vancouver / Squamish / Whistler)

[@MTBJonnie]

Yeah they sound fun. If I can get my hands on a demo for a couple weeks I will.

[@2wheelfish]

Thanks for this, you’re timing is good. Now go find that HD6 lol.

[@MTBJonnie]

I think that will be a very solid direct comparison. Looking forward to throwing a leg over one

[@letsgoletsgoletsgoletsgoletsgo]

i bought a nomad 5 frame on discount at my local shop , and then the shop was selling the nomad 6 a week later ..my size ON DISCOUNT!#$@%$% but i gonna say i really enjoy the oxblood color on the 5 more than anything

[@MTBJonnie]

Gotta agree with you that may be their best color on any bike ever.

[@TheCureThatKillz]

I live in Utah County UT and I picked up the Nomad V6 a few months ago. I’m really enjoying it but I’m not sure if it’s the bike for me for the local trails I ride around here most. I’m having a really hard time feeling comfortable on it and I’m not exactly sure why that is. I wanted a bike that was super playful that could also smash through the chunk. I was eyeing the Evil Wreckoning V3 LS until I saw this in a local shop and now I’m wondering more and more about that Wreckoning.

[@Pozitivi]

Nice bike indeed

[@toHelluRide]

Follow up question. How is rear the rear and under braking? Does it stay active or does it stand up? Again. Great reviews. Getting ready to pull the trigger on a nomad for this season.

[@MTBJonnie]

There’s a little brake jack when going really hard and grabbing a handful of brake. That’s when I remember to let the damn brakes go and hit the catch berm instead.

[@VISIONPROquito]

Love them

[@jessehill3780]

I’ve had the v2, v4, v5 and now v6 and all have been great but I think the v6 is pushing it about as far as it can go before it becomes “too big” a bike. I honestly only wanted an MX version v4/v5 (those ride nearly identical in terms of suspension) where they’re almost like bigger trail bikes when climbing. On the flip side you’re right the v6 is noticeably faster going down (thing hauls) but riding v5 to v6 back to back you do notice the weight increase (it’s gotten heavy compared to previous years and I’m not necessarily sure why it needed such an increase) accompanied by the reduced anti squat and it’s noticeably less sprightly than previous generations. Now all that said it really does what it’s supposed to which is make it up the hill just to blast down and that it does without a doubt and I’m much faster on it than the previous v4/v5 I’m just saying anymore more than where it’s currently at and I don’t see it being a one bike option anymore. As a one bike I have an air shock and coil for it and it’s made me sell my dh bike and all others because it is as you say still playful enough to have fun on less aggressive trails and also aggressive enough for the rowdy trails so it really does work as a one bike and even more so with two shocks to tweak its behavior one way or the other.

[@surfcam101]

Hi, what length stem did you run with this build? Awesome review thank you.

[@MTBJonnie]

@@surfcam101 thanks for the line! I believe I was on a 42mm stem for this guy. Miss this bike all the time

[@andremtb480]

Do you feel like the Nomad is easier to weight the front wheel? One complaint I had with the Mega V2 is that it felt like I really had to lean over the front to keep grip. In my mind I kind of attributed it to a longer wheelbase but now I'm not so sure.

[@MTBJonnie]

Yes! I definitely don’t have to get my chest right over my stem on the nomad like I did with the mega.

[@auricschiller]

Did you buy both Nomad and Megatower just for comparison or are you trying to decide between which to keep? Would love to see an Ibis HD6 review from you!

[@MTBJonnie]

I sold my Mega, which I had since last august, after my first ride on the nomad. If I can get my hands on that new HD6 for a month or so I’ll write one up. I’m going to borrow a Commencal Meta V5 next 👀 Thanks for watching!

[@matiasjorgejalil4090]

Hi! I have the same bike, I like it so much. How tall are you?? I bought an XL frame too, I feel it a little big, but it´s much more stable than my L size Nukeproof Mega 290.

[@MTBJonnie]

Howdy! I’m 6 foot 1 inches and I wouldn’t want it any bigger that’s for sure. But also the reach on the L would be too short for me.

[@matiasjorgejalil4090]

@@MTBJonnie Thank you!! I´m 5.9 but I like more the XL size, my Mega was L with a 47.5 cm reach and I felt it short, the wheelbase too.

[@MTBJonnie]

@@matiasjorgejalil4090 very interesting choices lol!

[@ryanshout8652]

Have you gotten a chance to ride bike park on the Nomad?

[@coastqr5123]

Could you please compare it to the Intense Tracer S and Propain Tyee? They all have VPP style suspension and the Tyee can be mullet or 29, while the Tracer S is mullet only. Thanks!

[@MTBJonnie]

I’ll certainly ask those companies to see if they’d let me demo. Once the channel gains more traction I’ll have some pull but it is tough right now getting ahold of these bikes.

[@coastqr5123]

@@MTBJonnie Cool thanks! I am debating between those, currently riding a Cannondale Jekyll but want something more playful that climbs better. I found a new Intense Tracer S for under $6k so I might go for that.

[@MTBJonnie]

@@coastqr5123 nice find I’d probably jump at that deal!

[@chrispalanca1250]

just pull the trigger on v6 gx axs after this video. im jut curious on how it compares to stumpjumper evo. 7400$ after 40 % off just thought it has better spec compare to nomad.

[@danielray1558]

Any comparisons to the Bronson?

[@MTBJonnie]

Unfortunately I never rode the latest Bronson so can’t speak to that.

[@Caleb.person]

Let’s get a trestle day for science then 👀

[@MTBJonnie]

For science! 🤝

[@NB-ski]

What was the weight difference between the Megatower and mega? Lighter than the nomad?

[@MTBJonnie]

Mega was lighter than megatower and nomad heavier than both. But the nomad is set up burly with a coil. Call me crazy but I’m into the weight. Ride quality is dream like.

[@NB-ski]

@@MTBJonnie how do you have your 38 on the nomad setup? got this bike this spring (your review definitely help!) and still tweaking my suspension setup.

[@MTBJonnie]

@@NB-ski congrats on the bike! I had the grip 2 fairly open with only 2-5 clicks of low speed compression. High speed was wide open. For rebound I used the mid setting as recommended by fox based on psi.

[@NB-ski]

Thanks man. Love the bike. Stock (2) tokens?

[@MTBJonnie]

@@NB-ski stock 2 tokens yessir. I could see using more tokens and no damping.

[@jacobkomar576]

Have you tried a large size?

[@MTBJonnie]

I have really long legs so the seat goes way too high. Fit on the XL is a lot better for me personally.

[@cliffordrichardc]

bronson maybe also good

[@MTBJonnie]

Definitely more of an all rounder. I tend to gravitate to bikes on the ends of the spectrum rather than in the middle but I would love to throw a leg over one.