This is a response to those that were on the edge of buying a Nomad, or had a Bullit. Regardless, I was asked to post a comparison between the two.
Background; me: I'm a 6'-2" 168lb guy that likes all types of mountain biking. I can't stand riding the roads. I ride XC, agressive XC, DH, Trials and Urban. I have been in search of a bike that can do it all on the DH/Freeride scene, but still pedal the thing behind all my XC riders without too much lag. I'm also 34 years old, have worked in bike shops back in the early 90's and know my stuff. With and Engineering degree to boot, I've taken a ton of time to over analyze just about everything about bikes.
Background; Bikes: I went through the early 90's ridged bikes, and eventually bought a SC Bullit in '02. I was wanting to change my game from light-weight XC lycra, to a platform in which I could explore more 'fun' and flow. XC bikes just don't have it (you may argue this to death until you've ridden a long travel bike). I have gone to the dark side and was one of the first riders to believe that a 43lb Bullit with a 888 on the front is a great all mountain ride... until the SC Nomad came along. I also own a Koxx 1065 level boss trials bike, the original specialized M2, an old schwinn townie, and a road bike that someone else rides.
My Requirements: I wanted something that had the std 135mm rear axle, 20mm thru in the front, and an uninterupted seatpost for huge Delta between full XC mode, and DH mode. I can move my seat almost 12 inches. I wanted the 8 inch rotors for those DH days, and serious engagement points for trials moves on the trails from the Hub. I also wanted a reliable bike (yes, this eliminated the Elsworth line I once considered (breakage!)).
I ended up with a Bullit. and then a few years later, the SC Nomad hits the spot with all my requirements, but lighter and more efficient pedaling. I switch out both bikes between 1 of 3 wheelsets (noted below). They've all been tested with all configurations.
The Bikes: (I weighed the complete bike without wheelsets)
SC Bullit: Large Frame (28lbs)
XT drive train, 2 chain rings & a bash gaurd (you don't need the big ring in colorado)
Juicy 7 brakes (8 inch)
Marz 888RC 200mm
SC Nomad: Large Frame (23.25lbs)
XT drive train (just like above)
Juicy 7 brakes
Marz 66SL 170mm
Wheels: I have 3 sets of wheels that move from bike to bike.
-XC wheelset: (10.24 lbs)
-F: Hadley hub, Mavic 317 rims, 2.35 Maxis high roller DH casing 60d tire
-R: Chis King Hub, Mavic 317 rims, 2.35 Tioga DH tire
-All Mtn wheelset: (12.95 lbs)
-F: Onyx hub, Mavic 321XM rims, 2.5 Maxis Minion F, DH casing, 60d tire
-R: Onyx hub (soon to be Hadley 108), Mavic 321XM rims, 2.5 Maxis Minion R, DH casing, 60d tire
-DH Wheelset: (13.61 lbs)
-F: WTB laser hub, wtb laser beam wheels, Maxis 2.7 highroller 40d
-R: Hadley hub, wtb laser beam wheels, Maxis 2.7 highroller 40d
I covered all types of terrain. I built up the XC wheels for the Bullit to push longer days where I was interested in enduro-type rides (30+ miles in the high country). The DH wheels are fascinating. I've often ridden these several times on uphill trails. They may be heavy, but you want to nail the hard techy-uphill-sections, these are for you. They retain your balance, and with a low psi, can stick to just about anything. I use these to make it up a technical trail dabless (no mistakes, or feet down). I built up the All mtn wheelset as a 'tweener'. Typically, the Bullit takes the DH, and the Nomad gets the All mtn wheels. The xc's are reserved for what ever bike I want to throw them on. Both bikes will take all wheels and tires... they've all been tested.
Testing grounds: I live in Golden Colorado. Which means I have 7 parks within 10 minutes of my house. I have access to high country trails, and am only 5 hours from Moab. These test were done either back to back, or side by side (I literally took each bike down the same trail during my test). I used Palmer Park in colorado springs for the side-by-side test. There's just about everything in the park (XC, FR, DH, Hucks, Trials, and uphill).
Climbing:
-The Bullit has a unique pedal feedback that I call the 'buck'. As you pedal, and when you compress the suspension, the chain length extends, thus, the feedback to the pedal is to jerk backwards. It takes a while for you to get used to if you've ridden a 4 bar suspension. When you go through troughs, or small holes that can suck down the 26inch wheel, you'll notice the pedal feedback; it requires extra power to pull through this. The geometry of the Bullit sets is self up for great technical ascending. Once you've gotten over the weight issue, the bike pins the techy stuff with ease. Water bars is where this single pivot platform has rated well. When you approach the water bar, lean back to get the front wheel over the bar, slimply give the pedals a jerk forward, and the back literally jumps up the bar for you! All in all, this bike does go up hill and does it quite well. The weight is a factor, and in some instances, completely unecessary. The Steeper you go, the bike will be harder to push due to heavy frame.
-The Nomad has a VPP approach. Doing the exact same section, I noticed that the Nomad simply crawled over the sections that the bullit would get bogged down it. With the light frame, this bike is a little easier to work when going uphill. The Nomad seems to have a geometry that is even more relaxed than the Bullit. Your butt is further to the rear, and the head angle seems to be a tad slacker. I haven't figured out the balance to this bike yet, but the front drifts more than what I'm used to... making the technical stuff harder. The nomad does wonderfully when trying to pedal kick (its a trials move). I use this to drop larger hucks on low speed sections. It also flip-turns well, making switch backs easy.
Descending:
-I have gotten used to the bullit on the DH over the past 4 years. Everything I learned DH was on that bike. The long travel soaks up a ton of the small and big hits you'll take.
-The Nomad will surprise you. It has a better geometry suited for DH than the bullit. With the slack 7 inch fork on the front and its lower CG, you'll rail the corners, and have better control than the Bullit.
Summary:
Bullit: This thing is positioned to climb, huck, descend and is virtually indestructable. The single pivot is simple, easy to work on, but has its weakness while climbing. Once you master its 'buck', you can use this to your advantage. If you're looking for technical stunt type riding where speed isn't a factor, the Bullit is for you. It will DH just fine, but don't be surprised if others pass you.
Nomad: Santa Cruz nailed the everything bike. The VPP is the best suspension system on the market (yes, its better than the FSR (Specialized) designs and trailing link designs (ellsworth) (more reviews on that later). The lighter weight frame doesn't compromise strength; this is strong! The DH's will blow you away, it rails and sticks to the ground better than ever. The climbing is a bit harder with the super relaxed geometry, but lower the fork, and you're off. If you want a true all-rounder, that ranks high points in all categories, this is the bike for you.
Background; me: I'm a 6'-2" 168lb guy that likes all types of mountain biking. I can't stand riding the roads. I ride XC, agressive XC, DH, Trials and Urban. I have been in search of a bike that can do it all on the DH/Freeride scene, but still pedal the thing behind all my XC riders without too much lag. I'm also 34 years old, have worked in bike shops back in the early 90's and know my stuff. With and Engineering degree to boot, I've taken a ton of time to over analyze just about everything about bikes.
Background; Bikes: I went through the early 90's ridged bikes, and eventually bought a SC Bullit in '02. I was wanting to change my game from light-weight XC lycra, to a platform in which I could explore more 'fun' and flow. XC bikes just don't have it (you may argue this to death until you've ridden a long travel bike). I have gone to the dark side and was one of the first riders to believe that a 43lb Bullit with a 888 on the front is a great all mountain ride... until the SC Nomad came along. I also own a Koxx 1065 level boss trials bike, the original specialized M2, an old schwinn townie, and a road bike that someone else rides.
My Requirements: I wanted something that had the std 135mm rear axle, 20mm thru in the front, and an uninterupted seatpost for huge Delta between full XC mode, and DH mode. I can move my seat almost 12 inches. I wanted the 8 inch rotors for those DH days, and serious engagement points for trials moves on the trails from the Hub. I also wanted a reliable bike (yes, this eliminated the Elsworth line I once considered (breakage!)).
I ended up with a Bullit. and then a few years later, the SC Nomad hits the spot with all my requirements, but lighter and more efficient pedaling. I switch out both bikes between 1 of 3 wheelsets (noted below). They've all been tested with all configurations.
The Bikes: (I weighed the complete bike without wheelsets)
SC Bullit: Large Frame (28lbs)
XT drive train, 2 chain rings & a bash gaurd (you don't need the big ring in colorado)
Juicy 7 brakes (8 inch)
Marz 888RC 200mm
SC Nomad: Large Frame (23.25lbs)
XT drive train (just like above)
Juicy 7 brakes
Marz 66SL 170mm
Wheels: I have 3 sets of wheels that move from bike to bike.
-XC wheelset: (10.24 lbs)
-F: Hadley hub, Mavic 317 rims, 2.35 Maxis high roller DH casing 60d tire
-R: Chis King Hub, Mavic 317 rims, 2.35 Tioga DH tire
-All Mtn wheelset: (12.95 lbs)
-F: Onyx hub, Mavic 321XM rims, 2.5 Maxis Minion F, DH casing, 60d tire
-R: Onyx hub (soon to be Hadley 108), Mavic 321XM rims, 2.5 Maxis Minion R, DH casing, 60d tire
-DH Wheelset: (13.61 lbs)
-F: WTB laser hub, wtb laser beam wheels, Maxis 2.7 highroller 40d
-R: Hadley hub, wtb laser beam wheels, Maxis 2.7 highroller 40d
I covered all types of terrain. I built up the XC wheels for the Bullit to push longer days where I was interested in enduro-type rides (30+ miles in the high country). The DH wheels are fascinating. I've often ridden these several times on uphill trails. They may be heavy, but you want to nail the hard techy-uphill-sections, these are for you. They retain your balance, and with a low psi, can stick to just about anything. I use these to make it up a technical trail dabless (no mistakes, or feet down). I built up the All mtn wheelset as a 'tweener'. Typically, the Bullit takes the DH, and the Nomad gets the All mtn wheels. The xc's are reserved for what ever bike I want to throw them on. Both bikes will take all wheels and tires... they've all been tested.
Testing grounds: I live in Golden Colorado. Which means I have 7 parks within 10 minutes of my house. I have access to high country trails, and am only 5 hours from Moab. These test were done either back to back, or side by side (I literally took each bike down the same trail during my test). I used Palmer Park in colorado springs for the side-by-side test. There's just about everything in the park (XC, FR, DH, Hucks, Trials, and uphill).
Climbing:
-The Bullit has a unique pedal feedback that I call the 'buck'. As you pedal, and when you compress the suspension, the chain length extends, thus, the feedback to the pedal is to jerk backwards. It takes a while for you to get used to if you've ridden a 4 bar suspension. When you go through troughs, or small holes that can suck down the 26inch wheel, you'll notice the pedal feedback; it requires extra power to pull through this. The geometry of the Bullit sets is self up for great technical ascending. Once you've gotten over the weight issue, the bike pins the techy stuff with ease. Water bars is where this single pivot platform has rated well. When you approach the water bar, lean back to get the front wheel over the bar, slimply give the pedals a jerk forward, and the back literally jumps up the bar for you! All in all, this bike does go up hill and does it quite well. The weight is a factor, and in some instances, completely unecessary. The Steeper you go, the bike will be harder to push due to heavy frame.
-The Nomad has a VPP approach. Doing the exact same section, I noticed that the Nomad simply crawled over the sections that the bullit would get bogged down it. With the light frame, this bike is a little easier to work when going uphill. The Nomad seems to have a geometry that is even more relaxed than the Bullit. Your butt is further to the rear, and the head angle seems to be a tad slacker. I haven't figured out the balance to this bike yet, but the front drifts more than what I'm used to... making the technical stuff harder. The nomad does wonderfully when trying to pedal kick (its a trials move). I use this to drop larger hucks on low speed sections. It also flip-turns well, making switch backs easy.
Descending:
-I have gotten used to the bullit on the DH over the past 4 years. Everything I learned DH was on that bike. The long travel soaks up a ton of the small and big hits you'll take.
-The Nomad will surprise you. It has a better geometry suited for DH than the bullit. With the slack 7 inch fork on the front and its lower CG, you'll rail the corners, and have better control than the Bullit.
Summary:
Bullit: This thing is positioned to climb, huck, descend and is virtually indestructable. The single pivot is simple, easy to work on, but has its weakness while climbing. Once you master its 'buck', you can use this to your advantage. If you're looking for technical stunt type riding where speed isn't a factor, the Bullit is for you. It will DH just fine, but don't be surprised if others pass you.
Nomad: Santa Cruz nailed the everything bike. The VPP is the best suspension system on the market (yes, its better than the FSR (Specialized) designs and trailing link designs (ellsworth) (more reviews on that later). The lighter weight frame doesn't compromise strength; this is strong! The DH's will blow you away, it rails and sticks to the ground better than ever. The climbing is a bit harder with the super relaxed geometry, but lower the fork, and you're off. If you want a true all-rounder, that ranks high points in all categories, this is the bike for you.