I know there is another thread relating to Nomads at the mo, but didnt want to hijack the thread
I'm looking for a bike to take out to the Alps for the summer and have seen an 07 Nomad which looks like it could do the job. When I went last time I rode the x country trails plus downhill courses and some of the bike parks. I loved the more extreme runs but me and my (4") bike suffered. I would like to have a beefier longer travel bike which I think would be a lot more fun and I could use occasionally at home on short rides(I would keep my shorter travel bike).
Anyway, I really want to know whether the old Nomads are to be avoided - I heard that they were very heavy on bearings? Also I know that the head tube size changed to 1.5 in 08 and wondered on the advantages of this? Also heard some bad things about the Fox DHX air shock? Anything else I should look out for when buying second hand. Also what build would people recommend for a Nomad for the Alps and the sort of riding I mentioned?
All you need to know about owning a SC - http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=8
DHX Air is not good on the older models. The newer model handles air shocks better but still not A1. Bigger head tube = a stronger/stiffer frame/fork.
cheers, will have a look now 🙂
BTW have you ridden an older one?
Had one of the original Nomad's and you're pretty much on the money with your information.
I rode mine in the Alps and the UK and went through a set of bearings every six months or so. (I'm not a big lad either, 11 stone dripping wet). If you're just riding in France or only on 'big' days out they should last a while.
I had a variety of forks on mine. Started with 66SL ATA which didn't work properly from day one, then went with a 2-Step Lyrik which also didn't work from day one, then got a U-turn Lyrik which I didn't like and ended up with an 06 model 66SL. Superb fork but a little heavy for the rest of the build, worked very well in the Alps though. Depending on your brand of choice I'd look at RS Lyrik/Fox 36, although I'd probably go for the coil version of either if you can handle the extra weight.
The main problem (and the main reason for selling it) was the shock, I bought mine with a DHX Air and it was quite simply terrible. Absolutely useless. Swapped it out for DHX Coil and it transformed the bike. Unfortunately, it also made it into a 'mid 30lb' bike rather than an 'around 30lb' bike. If you can handle the extra weight for short rides in the UK you'll be fine. (Especially if you keep your other bike for xc duties).
Can't think of any particular issues that I had or would check for other than the state of the bearings, you can feel the play (a little click) when you lift the seat on a fully built bike. The full bearing kit was (I seem to remember, could be slightly out) about £35 when we had a 2:1 dollar exchange rate. I bought from enduroforkseals.com.
cheers 🙂
Nomad in the alps is a good choice. (I would say that).
I can say that I didn't get along with the older model too much - Not sure why - just didn't seem to work for me.
However the new one is simply fantastic...
Sorry that doesn't really help you there in this instance. I would say that a coil is worth the weight penalty - Pedaled mine up 500m yesterday evening and down again obviously. The dual ply tyres also hindered it going up. But spin and winch up it went.
Tomorrow I'm taking the train up the mountain!
Some advice - budget in a new pro pack from Jungle - bearings, axles etc. The old one did eat bearings I have to say.e
Got an 06 and love it. Bearings were apparently changed before I got it and they have lasted nearly a year no issues. Have no problems with the shock either. It just works. I did have problems with pedal strikes initially so put on 170 cranks and got used to it.
It handles everything. I've done 70km rides on it, raced XC on it, had big Cairngorm days on it and done DH tracks on it. It's probably not the best at anything but if you had to have just one bike...........
