I am thinking about buying a Megatower Coil (or a Nomad Coil) to complement my CC 5010. Advantage of the Nomad - wheels could be swapped or taken as spares from the 5010, ideal for road trips to 7stanes. However all reviews point to the Megatower which I’m hoping to test ride next week. The C with Reserve wheels costs the same as a CC X01 with stock wheels - any views on which way to go?
why would you need a nomad/megatower and a 5010?
genuine question btw
why would you need a nomad/megatower and a 5010?
They are quite different bikes perhaps?
It's a good way to go - polarise the 2 bikes that bit. I'd go 29 for that reason.
C S Reserve kit is popular for a very good reason, CC X01 gets you the suspension upgrades if that appeals, along with the drivetrain/brake upgrades. If you're a rim destroyer, Reserve makes a lot of sense.
why would you need a nomad/megatower and a 5010?
I used my Nomad for bike parks/big mountains and uplifts, then the 5010 for less aggro trails/longer rides
Def try them both, The MT more of an out and out enduro race bike, and needs to be ridden as such, the nomad is more of a bike park play bike, from what I hear, so test ride!
Depends, what sort of bike do you want?
I'f you want a big wheeled, long travel, trail smashing (Megatower style) enduro race bike, which would probably make sense given having the 5010 already, I would pick that style of bike over the Nomad.
But then I wouldn't pick the Megatower. It wouldn't even make it on the short list 🙂
I wasn't that impressed with the Megatower I borrowed (Reserve build: 36's, reserve wheels, super delux rt3). Didn't feel like an enduro bike, more a long legged, slightly porky trail bike. A different build kit may help (Lyriks, ali wheels, coil shock (or more time to get the air setup)).
Stumpy Evo would be my choice if I was replacing my enduro.
Hob Nob
But then I wouldn’t pick the Megatower. It wouldn’t even make it on the short list 🙂
Curious as to why not? Is SC geometry still lagging behind?
Curious as to why not? Is SC geometry still lagging behind?
Few reasons really.
Same reason as above, it felt like a bloody big trail bike, not a race bike. I haven't spent a huge amount of time on one (few hours) but not impressed, especially given the cost. But then it's had a fair number of mediocre reviews, so not sure what I was expecting?
Having ridden bikes exclusively with steep seat angles recently, it felt like a big step backwards. On paper, the virtual SA looks good, but a short seat tube & a slack actual SA means if you are tall, it's horribly slack.
Given how good the SB130 is i've been on for a while, i'd pick the 150 over it without hesitating. Well, other than the customer service side of things!
Nomad.
It just seems a more purposeful bike, megatower seems to be leaning to the Jack of all trades side, and you have a 5010 for that.
I’ve had a number of very special bikes over the years, from Merlin Mountain, through a couple of Spec Enduro SWorks, a Turner Flux (proper 4 bars version) then a pair of Intenses, an EVP 55 and a 66. I like the VPP having experienced the benefits it brings in gloopy mud and climbs while still being ok on rocky descents. Arguably the 4 bars were more active in the descents but imo the Intenses were the better overall bikes. Intense have gone to direct sales, and I wanted to avoid push-fit BBs, so Santa Cruz seemed the logical alternative. The 5010 is fantastic, the 27+ tyres brilliant on climbs and gravelly descents, but 130mm may be a little shy for bigger, rockier descents on moorland and at bike centres. The Megatower reviews seem pretty good and bigger wheels make sense on rocky descents (although I wish the Nomad could take 27+). I’m a little nervous about the shock routing through the downtube - the FSR shocks used be trashed in the winter despite regular servicing of the can and, like the SC, they had those naff mini mud guards. But a coil option should be safer, available on both the Nomad CC and the Megatower C and CC. To the question “why do I need a Nomad/ Megatower and a 5010”, I have no answer but “n+1”! Need is second to desire, n is currently 9, but only because I can’t bring myself to skip the Turner and Intenses as I embark on a 27.5/29” journey; they may be 10 years old but they are still bling!
I’ve had a number of very special bikes over the years, from Merlin Mountain, through a couple of Spec Enduro SWorks, a Turner Flux (proper 4 bars version) then a pair of Intenses, an EVP 55 and a 66. I like the VPP having experienced the benefits it brings in gloopy mud and climbs while still being ok on rocky descents. Arguably the 4 bars were more active in the descents but imo the Intenses were the better overall bikes. Intense have gone to direct sales, and I wanted to avoid push-fit BBs, so Santa Cruz seemed the logical alternative. The 5010 is fantastic, the 27+ tyres brilliant on climbs and gravelly descents, but 130mm may be a little shy for bigger, rockier descents on moorland and at bike centres. The Megatower reviews seem pretty good and bigger wheels make sense on rocky descents (although I wish the Nomad could take 27+). I’m a little nervous about the shock routing through the seat-tube – the FSR shocks used to be trashed in the winter despite regular servicing of the can and, like the SC, they had those naff mini mud guards. But a coil option should be safer, available on both the Nomad CC and the Megatower C and CC. To the question “why do I need a Nomad/ Megatower and a 5010”, I have no answer but “n+1”! Need is second to desire, n is currently 9, but only because I can’t bring myself to skip the Turner and Intenses as I embark on a 27.5/29” journey; they may be 10 years old but they are still bling!
I have a nomad. Its an amazingly capable bike and it can definitely ride stuff I cannot.
It pedals ok too, you might not want to ride the 5010 after owning one.
The Megatower reviews seem pretty good and bigger wheels make sense on rocky descents (although I wish the Nomad could take 27+)
Why do bigger wheels make more sense on Rocky descents?
And if rocky descents is your measure, I would swerve plus tyres anaw.
If you actually look at some of the reviews of the megatower a lot of them say that the suspension isn't that great, and that there are better options out there - Scott Ransom for example. But it does sound like you wouldn't consider another brand beyond Santa Cruz.
Also you definitely do not need a megatower or a nomad to do any of the 7stanes trails, well overbiked for that sort of thing. Seen someone going down the blue route at Gt on a whyte G-170 the other week and I'm still laughing at it...
Why laugh at someone on a G-170?
What does it matter to you what they're riding? I'm sure they're having just as much fun as you are. I ride the blues at BPW on a 170mm travel bike and I know you could do them on a hardtail, but I'm having a laugh so what the hell.
Wasn't laughing at the fact it was a G-170 but at the fact that someone was using it for going down what is effectively a smooth trail with little in the way of bumps. Was just raising the point that it may be unwise for the OP to go for such a large bike on relatively tame trails, its like using a lamborghini to do your daily commute, the car's potential is wasted, same with bikes. Being overbiked takes the fun out of trails since you always have more fun when you're closer to the limits of the bike.
Good to know that you're having a laugh...so am I!
Nice dilemma! Have a V2 5010 and V4 Nomad and have ridden the MT. All great bikes but preferred the Nomad over the MT as it was a bit more lively. I do swap wheels tyres between the 5010 and Nomad so it is convenient from that point of view. Problem is the Nomad is such a laugh it has got me addicted to seeking out and riding more challenging trails. I think there is a bit too much of a gap between the two bikes capability and now riding the 5010 less and less so I was considering stripping down the 5010 and buying a Bronson frame and building it up as a more capable trail bike. Instead I’ve now bought a complete Canyon Spectral 9.0 from the Canyon outlet (apparently with signs of wear although I couldn’t find it) instead for less than a Bronson frame and the kit is bloody phenomenal. It’s a very capable fun trail bike. Selling the 5010 now!
So, my only MTB is my Bronson, do I have to buy a new one to pootle down a blue with my daughter?.
Or am I only allowed to ride the techy bits? 🤔🤣