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Nomad Thoughts? Bike Dilemna

kickstand

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
I am having a bike dilemna.

I live in the flat lands, my 5010 130mm travel trail bike is a touch overkill for my local trails, and a bit under gunned when I travel out of state. I chose it with the intention of giving an enduro or two a try, but haven't gotten to that point yet.

My v-10 is well a v-10. It's great for bike parks and DH racing.

i was considering, highball, this would be more practical at home, more practical for the XC races near my house I like to hit up when I can't travel to a DH race etc.

I am also considering replacing my V-10 with a Nomad, it seems that people can really thrash the nomad and it's not like I didn't get beat by a guy on a Bronson a few weeks back when he raced it after blowing the fork on his v-10.

I thought if it was really necessary I could go all Aaron gwin at Pietermaritzburg a few years back and throw a Coil shock and my float 40 on the nomad for DH racing, single crown and air shock for normal trail riding and the occasional enduro thing.....would I be vastly disappointed with a highball/nomad stable vs the 5010/v-10 stable?
 
djjohnr

djjohnr

Turbo Monkey
Apr 21, 2002
3,014
1,707
Northern California
I use a Knolly Delirium as my DH bike with a 180mm fork and a 64.25 degree head angle. I can attack everything at Mammoth the same way that I did on my last full DH bike without issue, although I get beat up faster. I've tried my friend's Nomads a few times and the geometry/setup doesn't feel as confidence inspiring. If your favorite thing at a resort is steep natural tech I'd go with something a little bigger, maybe the new Uzzi? If on the other hand you prefer flow trails the Nomad will probably be fine.
 
manhattanprjkt83

manhattanprjkt83

Rusty Trombone
Jul 10, 2003
9,646
1,216
Nilbog
For what it's worth I sold my DH bike prior to last season and replaced it with a Nomad. At this point I have about 2 seasons on it as my primary lift assist rig. I just got back from 9 days riding whistler and the surrounding trails, it def isn't a full DH bike but I can say it didn't hold me back...All depends on your skill and ability to choose good lines, we def tend towards the garbo/tech trails as A-Line really isn't my thing...The great part about the nomad is I ride it on more burly trail rides as well...Sometimes I'll swap tires etc depending on what I'll be riding...

Another tip on the nomad, get a coil shock for it...Replaced the Vivid Air on mine w/ a FOX X2 SLS Coil, major improvement...
 
kickstand

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
I prefer tech to flow, but enjoy both.

Skill level = Cat 1. 30-39. Not exactly sure how else to quantify. I hit most if not all features on race courses for ESC, GES and Pro GRT races I have competed in recently. Typically finish at the bottom, of the top half of my category.
 
manhattanprjkt83

manhattanprjkt83

Rusty Trombone
Jul 10, 2003
9,646
1,216
Nilbog
I think it will be an adjustment for sure, might take you a while to feel truly solid but it will come...That is what happened with me and I feel great on the thing now...
 
lobsterCT

lobsterCT

Monkey
Jun 23, 2015
278
414
Another monkey here with a coil nomad. I don't use it for DH*, but the coil made a nice improvement if you can stomach the weight. I disliked the monarch the bike came with when paired with the weird leverage curve of the nomad.

*I would like to use the nomad on some of the smoother "jump" trails at the DH mountains I go to, but I don't have enough racks on the car at this point and always take the Jedi instead.
 
manhattanprjkt83

manhattanprjkt83

Rusty Trombone
Jul 10, 2003
9,646
1,216
Nilbog
lobsterCT said:
Another monkey here with a coil nomad. I don't use it for DH*, but the coil made a nice improvement if you can stomach the weight. I disliked the monarch the bike came with when paired with the weird leverage curve of the nomad.

*I would like to use the nomad on some of the smoother "jump" trails at the DH mountains I go to, but I don't have enough racks on the car at this point and always take the Jedi instead.
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Just a heads up that new fox w/ an SLS isnt much heavier than a Vivid Air, I think 90 some grams is what I found.
 
jonKranked

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,884
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media blackout
definitely test ride before you buy if this is going to replace something.

some thoughts:

-it will beat you up quicker (already meantioned)
-less forgiving in the rough / need to pick better lines
-would recommend having 2 wheel sets for it (one DH one trail) so you're not trashing the trail wheels. also makes it easier since you'd just be swapping wheels out (so each one can have dedicated tires / rotors / cassette). Note: if i get rid of my DH bike, i will be doing this for my spitfire, and likely a coil shock
-if you're racing, you might find yourself more on the edge/limit of control than on a DH bike. Not sure how competitive you are with racing
 
kickstand

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
jonKranked said:
definitely test ride before you buy if this is going to replace something.

some thoughts:

-it will beat you up quicker (already meantioned)
-less forgiving in the rough / need to pick better lines
-would recommend having 2 wheel sets for it (one DH one trail) so you're not trashing the trail wheels. also makes it easier since you'd just be swapping wheels out (so each one can have dedicated tires / rotors / cassette). Note: if i get rid of my DH bike, i will be doing this for my spitfire, and likely a coil shock
-if you're racing, you might find yourself more on the edge/limit of control than on a DH bike. Not sure how competitive you are with racing
one other thing to consider, how often do you travel to ride places where your DH bike is total overkill?
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1. FIgured that much, but see part about potentially tossing the 40 out front for DH races, may help to preserve the hands?
2. Noted, probably my biggest concerns when racing, not concerned when freeriding as I can just slow down.
3. I have similar set up already for DH bike (complete set for dry and complete set for wet) Thought was DH tires and heavy duty wheels, lightweight tires and wheels. Might end up just going this route on the 5010 if the nomad/highball thing seems silly, which it is starting to based on this thread and other conversations.
4. I am somewhat competitive, but I do a fair amount of DH races each year and don't want to go and race with out trying to win. I want to win, but I also don't throw a hissy fit when I don't finish well.
5. I usually do about 3-5 road trips per year that are not DH races where I don't take my DH Bike, the only place I take my DH bike is to races or bike parks. Otherwise I take my 5010, in this highball/nomad scenario I would likely take the nomad to most of these places, about half of them the highball would be better than the nomad, and the other half would likely be more fun on nomad.
 
F

fwp

Monkey
Jun 5, 2013
410
400
With the high cost and time commitment of racing, Why not have the bike that gives you the best chance to win?
A Nomad over a V10 would be self sabotage.
Buy a Bronson to trail ride and race enduro.
 
kickstand

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
Bronson/5010 was my debate last spring when I ordered the 5010, after owning 2 generations of the 5010 I can say with confidence the Bronson wouldn't be an enjoyable trail bike for my local riding.

Ideally I think I'd go highball, bronson/nomad, v-10, but I'm not dentist rich.
 
Toshi

Toshi

Harbinger of Doom
Oct 23, 2001
38,264
7,706
I have two things to add:

1) My 5010 is a fun trail bike out here in Colorado. Move. :D

2) It's spelled "dilemma." No N in there.
 
F

fwp

Monkey
Jun 5, 2013
410
400
kickstand said:
Bronson/5010 was my debate last spring when I ordered the 5010, after owning 2 generations of the 5010 I can say with confidence the Bronson wouldn't be an enjoyable trail bike for my local riding.

Ideally I think I'd go highball, bronson/nomad, v-10, but I'm not dentist rich.
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Just a V10 and a 5010, wish I had your problems
 
kickstand

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
jonKranked said:
lots of good trail bikes these days at non-dentist budgets. open to bikes other than SC?
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My 5010 is a great trail bike I really like it, I just don't think it's up to the task of getting the shit kicked out of it at bike parks for some of the ESC Enduro races that are held on the same weekends as DH races, and it's a bit much for the 2-3 XC races I do per year locally........but I'm starting to think a beefy wheelset is enough to make it work and not be upset about destroying my day to day wheels.

Not open to other bikes not SC, because: 1. I like SC bikes and the customer support. 2. They sponsor the team I ride with.
 
kickstand

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
Toshi said:
I have two things to add:

1) My 5010 is a fun trail bike out here in Colorado. Move. :D

2) It's spelled "dilemma." No N in there.
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My 5010 is a fun trail bike everywhere I have taken it as well. What got me thinking was at the ESC race at Blue, I was doing the DH, and I rode some of the enduro course on my V10 while I was there to and kept thinking there was no way in hell I would want to put my 5010 through that abuse, I was mainly concerned about the beating the wheelset would take.

I think a beefy wheelset for the 5010 might be the best course of action.
 
canadmos

canadmos

Cake Tease
May 29, 2011
20,454
19,453
Canaderp
jonKranked said:
Note: if i get rid of my DH bike, i will be doing this for my spitfire, and likely a coil shock
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I wouldn't do that. As much as I love my Spitfire, it really kicks the shit out of you over real DH stuff. Bromont was doable on it, but my legs were cooked after a few trails.
 
jonKranked

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,884
24,467
media blackout
canadmos said:
I wouldn't do that. As much as I love my Spitfire, it really kicks the shit out of you over real DH stuff. Bromont was doable on it, but my legs were cooked after a few trails.
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only "real" DH stuff from me is 3+ hours. the one mountain under 90 minutes from here i could use it no problem on all but 2 or 3 trails
 
Huck Banzai

Huck Banzai

Turbo Monkey
May 8, 2005
2,523
23
Transitory
I think you have the right bikes, just need to play with setup, especially tires and wheels. Unless you find the SOLO(!!!) too heavy, a little shock setup could also mitigate the overkill status, plus its nice to have something there when you decide to 'ride out of band' -- I have occasionally been cruising some enduro trails on my v10cc because 35lbs....
 
OGRipper

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,650
1,121
NORCAL is the hizzle
Why you no N+1?

From what I'm hearing, a Highball, Bronson, and V10 is the quiver you really need. (Not want. Need.) :D
The highball and V10 bookend things nicely, shouldn't be much explanation needed there. So the only real question is which trail bike to fill the middle space. The Bronson will be a little more versatile than either a 5010 or nomad and it does pretty damn good as an all-rounder, especially built on the lighter ($$$) side. But since you already have a 5010 you could keep that and maybe beef up the wheels and tires a bit if/when needed. When you look at it that way, all you need now is a highball.
 
kickstand

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
For the current budget I'm thinking the beefed up "enduro" wheelset, and faster rolling XC tires for current wheelset is the way to go.

I like the Highball, Bronson, V-10 idea too....but that's not likely. But probably the most versatile 3 bike quiver.

I'd love to N+1, but I've already got 4 bikes in total (Fat bike and DJ also), wife has two bikes (5010/v-10), then there's the kids.....so N+1 isn't really an option currently...but it's only a few years now until the kids are off to college and on their own :D
 
kickstand

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
schwaaa31 said:
I'm a big fan of having the right bike for the right job. I could ride my 160mm trail bike on the DH trails, but it sure as hell wouldn't be as my fun as my DH bike. For me.
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Me either...This thread has walked me off the ledge and for that I am thankful.
 
C

CraigS

Monkey
Oct 13, 2012
123
11
upstate ny (518)
I built up a Highball 29er last spring.
It was super light, quick and efficient as hell. Fun to ride on smooth trails. But as soon as it got a little ruff it beat the snot out of me. It became a chore to ride it.
I built up a Tallboy3 two months ago, sold the Highball last month. It was just to damn stiff.
Still have my V10 for park days. Don't think I will ever change that.
Just my 2 cents.

And no, I'm not a dentist. I'm 46, live in a small crummy apartment, drive a cheap car and save all my pennies for bike stuff.
Priorities man, priorities.
 
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C

ChrisKring

Turbo Monkey
Jan 30, 2002
2,399
6
Grand Haven, MI
I don't remember if you were there when I traded my v10 for Luke's Hightower. Wow, that bike was awesome. I kept up with the crew all on dh bikes down ninja bob, ball-n-jack, powerline. My hands got jackhammered on ball-n-jack but otherwise it was fast.

Anyway, stop overthinking this. V10 for dh racing. You need the best for racing. For trail riding, ride whatever is the most fun. My Bronson is way fun. I'm not racing anyone. Just riding up the hills and bombing the downhills.
 
kickstand

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
ChrisKring said:
I don't remember if you were there when I traded my v10 for Luke's Hightower. Wow, that bike was awesome. I kept up with the crew all on dh bikes down ninja bob, ball-n-jack, powerline. My hands got jackhammered on ball-n-jack but otherwise it was fast.

Anyway, stop overthinking this. V10 for dh racing. You need the best for racing. For trail riding, ride whatever is the most fun. My Bronson is way fun. I'm not racing anyone. Just riding up the hills and bombing the downhills.
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I'm not sure I even know who luke is, but no, I don't believe I was there that day....but I have to overthink these things, it's how I get through the workdays!

Where are you guys staying for Marquette race?
 
C

ChrisKring

Turbo Monkey
Jan 30, 2002
2,399
6
Grand Haven, MI
kickstand said:
I'm not sure I even know who luke is, but no, I don't believe I was there that day....but I have to overthink these things, it's how I get through the workdays!

Where are you guys staying for Marquette race?
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At snowshoe. You were there.

Staying in Gwinn. Every hotel in maquette is sold out or $400 since it's some stupid parents weekend for NMU students.
 
kickstand

kickstand

Turbo Monkey
Sep 18, 2009
3,441
392
Fenton, MI
We haven't booked anything yet, might just toss up a tent.

I was an NMU student, I wonder if I can put in a good word and get myself a dorm room for the weekend lol.

I was banking on being able to grab a room at the settle inn, which is dumpy, but clean, and right on the trails by econo foods.....just checked and they are all booked too ...
 
jonKranked

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,884
24,467
media blackout
kickstand said:
For the current budget I'm thinking the beefed up "enduro" wheelset, and faster rolling XC tires for current wheelset is the way to go.

I like the Highball, Bronson, V-10 idea too....but that's not likely. But probably the most versatile 3 bike quiver.

I'd love to N+1, but I've already got 4 bikes in total (Fat bike and DJ also), wife has two bikes (5010/v-10), then there's the kids.....so N+1 isn't really an option currently...but it's only a few years now until the kids are off to college and on their own :D
Click to expand...
tell your kid to get a job? :D
 
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