Santa Cruz Nomad: suspension setup & specs
The Santa Cruz Nomad is an enduro bike with 170 mm of fork travel and 170 mm at the rear. Below you will find all 5 current builds with fork, shock and shock size, plus SAG values in millimetres and a tyre pressure table.
Calculate the setup for your Santa Cruz Nomad →
All builds
Fork, shock, shock size (eye-to-eye length × stroke) and rear travel, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 29 / 29" / 27.5" (Mullet).
| Build | Fork | Shock | Shock size | Rear travel | Weight | RRP | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deore 2027 | RockShox Zeb Base, 170mm (170 mm) | RockShox Super Deluxe Select | 230x65 | 170 mm | 16.2 kg | €5,299 | Setup → |
| 90 2027 | RockShox Zeb Select, 170mm (170 mm) | RockShox Super Deluxe Select | 230x65 | 170 mm | 15.9 kg | €6,299 | Setup → |
| GX AXS 2027 | RockShox Zeb Select+, 170mm (170 mm) | RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ | 230x65 | 170 mm | 15.6 kg | €7,499 | Setup → |
| XT Di2 Coil 2027 | Fox 38 Float Factory, Grip X2, 170mm (170 mm) | Fox DHX2 Factory | 230x65 | 170 mm | 15.7 kg | €8,299 | Setup → |
| X0 AXS RSV Coil 2027 | Fox 38 Float Factory, Grip X2, 170mm (170 mm) | Fox DHX2 Factory | 230x65 | 170 mm | 15.3 kg | €10,199 | Setup → |
How it compares
170 mm at the fork almost exactly matches the 170 mm median of the 41 bikes in the “enduro bike” category in our database. Travel is the same front and rear at 170 mm each. On travel, it slots in between the Santa Cruz Hightower and the Santa Cruz V10 in the Santa Cruz range. The frame is made of carbon.
At 15.3 kg (X0 AXS RSV Coil 2027 build), the weight is close to the category median of 15.7 kg. Within the range, weight varies by 0.8 kg. The starting price of €5,299 (Deore 2027) is roughly in line with the category median (€4,750). For the X0 AXS RSV Coil 2027 build, Santa Cruz asks €10,199. For suspension, Santa Cruz combines components from FOX and RockShox. In total, 4 different forks are used, from the RockShox Zeb Base, 170mm to the Fox 38 Float Factory, Grip X2, 170mm. With the Fox DHX2 Factory, the XT Di2 Coil 2027 build has a coil shock – here the spring rate determines SAG. Depending on build or size, the wheels are 29 / 29" / 27.5" (Mullet).
Setup notes for this spec
- Fork (RockShox Zeb Base, 170mm): air goes in through the valve on top of the left leg. After every change, compress the fork firmly a few times before measuring SAG.
- Rebound: on FOX and RockShox suspension the rebound adjuster is red. Always count clicks from fully closed (clockwise to the stop) so you can return to any setting.
- Coil spring (Fox DHX2 Factory): if SAG is off, only a different spring rate will fix it. Preload should just keep the spring from rattling; more preload makes the shock less supple.
- Shock (RockShox Super Deluxe Select): get on the bike in your normal riding position, step off carefully and read the O-ring. Always cycle the shock a few times after pumping.
Target SAG for the Santa Cruz Nomad
SAG is the share of travel your weight already uses in the riding position. The table gives it straight in millimetres – read the O-ring on the stanchion and on the shock shaft and adjust the air pressure until it matches. Any figures from Santa Cruz take priority.
170 mm fork, 65.0 mm shock stroke (all builds)
| Riding style | Fork SAG | Shock SAG |
|---|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 29 mm | 24 % = 15.6 mm on the shock shaft |
| Trail | 20 % = 34 mm | 28 % = 18.2 mm on the shock shaft |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 37 mm | 30 % = 19.5 mm on the shock shaft |
| Bike park | 20 % = 34 mm | 27 % = 17.6 mm on the shock shaft |
How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.
Tyre pressure starting values
For 2.40″ wide tyres, tubeless with a trail casing. With an inner tube about 0.2 bar (2.9 psi) more, with an insert about 0.1 bar (1.5 psi) less. Stock tyres: Maxxis High Roller, 29"x2.4", 3C MaxxGrip, EXO+ / Maxxis Minion DHR II 27.5"x2.4", 3C MaxxTerra, Double Down.
| Ready-to-ride weight | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 1.43 bar (21 psi) | 1.63 bar (24 psi) |
| 70 kg | 1.55 bar (22 psi) | 1.75 bar (25 psi) |
| 80 kg | 1.67 bar (24 psi) | 1.87 bar (27 psi) |
| 90 kg | 1.79 bar (26 psi) | 1.99 bar (29 psi) |
| 100 kg | 1.91 bar (28 psi) | 2.11 bar (31 psi) |
| 110 kg | 2.03 bar (29 psi) | 2.23 bar (32 psi) |
| 120 kg | 2.15 bar (31 psi) | 2.35 bar (34 psi) |
Air pressure in the fork and shock
The sticker on the fork (or on the shock) and the manufacturers’ setup charts give you a first pressure. Our calculator is more precise and suggests rebound too – always check the result via SAG.