Dream Build: Santa Cruz Nomad C 650b

BloggingFit

Rick Draper wrote:

Looking forward to seeing it built up :-D

I've just picked up my rotor adapter from my hotel out here in New York.

I'll miss you by a few days in New York, me and my girlfriend come out on the 1st.

The rims shall be 'interesting' to say the least. Came out how I wanted though. Hoping I may get this done by Xmas.

We get back on Thanksgiving so a few days out.

Dick Scruttock

Hope you had a good time in New York?

Any updates on the Nomad?

BloggingFit

Rick Draper wrote:

Hope you had a good time in New York?

Any updates on the Nomad?

NY was good and not changed too much from before and we were in T Shirts for a couple of days. Checked out Sid's which is a pretty cool LBS and sat on a Bronson which reassured me about sizing. Ironically it looks like the Nomad proportions may be almost a perfect fit for me if I compare it's geo to the Bronson and my other bikes but will see for sure soon.

Flight back was a little rough due to the Thanksgiving storms that hit the area but assume it had cleared out when you guys arrived.

No more progress as yet but all bits are ordered and probably available. Just been slow chasing up with Xmas etc and need to get wheels built up plus the weather has been less than inspiring. Ordered some different spokes to the norm, a bit of an experiment and bladed, so was a wait of those to arrive. Hoping to get things rolling at the weekend and next week and then will hit you up about a base tune for the 36 I'm sure now you have had some time with it as I think we're similar weight.

BloggingFit

Sorted stuff out this morning with wheels getting built up this week. Spokes look different from a standard blade, more like a small ziptie in construction and feel light and strong I'm told. That's the fun with experimenting though.

The 36 has had stock issues but hoping to be in this week which will mean a possibly build next Saturday.

Dick Scruttock

Glad it's getting all sorted.

I could have sorted you out with a 36, never thought to say.

poah

BloggingFit wrote:

£40 from a friend at Trek

I'll have one at that price

rockmonkeysc

Very nice, i would love a Nomad. Not in those colours though!

paul.skibum

Slowest build ever.......get it done fella.

BloggingFit

Rick Draper wrote:

Glad it's getting all sorted.

I could have sorted you out with a 36, never thought to say.

Were out all last month but to be honest I didn't follow up either...

BloggingFit

POAH wrote:

BloggingFit wrote:

£40 from a friend at Trek

I'll have one at that price

That's why I have 3, one on each bike

BloggingFit

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Very nice, i would love a Nomad. Not in those colours though!

The black does look really good but my Remedy is close to the stealth look so fancied something very different. Plus something in me days if you get a Nomad it has to be in skate colours.

BloggingFit

paul.skibum wrote:

Slowest build ever.......get it done fella.

Yeah, I know but the plan was to have it ready for Spring riding so with the time of year I was less bothered about getting it done. At least the time has helped to refine the build a little.

rockmonkeysc

BloggingFit wrote:

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Very nice, i would love a Nomad. Not in those colours though!

The black does look really good but my Remedy is close to the stealth look so fancied something very different. Plus something in me days if you get a Nomad it has to be in skate colours.

In what way are they skate colours? My Santa Cruz deck has none of those colours, it's much more subtle.

BloggingFit

RockmonkeySC wrote:

BloggingFit wrote:

RockmonkeySC wrote:

Very nice, i would love a Nomad. Not in those colours though!

The black does look really good but my Remedy is close to the stealth look so fancied something very different. Plus something in me days if you get a Nomad it has to be in skate colours.

In what way are they skate colours? My Santa Cruz deck has none of those colours, it's much more subtle.

As in the general feel and boldness of the scene in general - certainly was in my area anyway. My Deck had a more vibrant look from how I remember it.

rockmonkeysc

You mean early 90's skate deck colours?

BloggingFit

RockmonkeySC wrote:

You mean early 90's skate deck colours?

Thereabouts if you could see through the stickers plastered all over them. Was that not your scene along with bright Mambo T shirts?

BloggingFit

Slowly getting there with the build.



Should hopefully have most of the major bits done today. Wheels should be ready early next and then pretty much there.

Can really see the quality of finish in the XTR kit with lots of attention to detail and any excess weight removed where it can be. The RaceFace kit is also great and the SIXC cranks look huge and chunky.

Interesting looking at the fork construction and I'm going with 2 blue spacers to start with in there. For the Debonair I have gone with 4 spacers.

benpinnick

The build is getting closer. 35mm AM rims built onto DT 240s... 810g for the rear, 680 for the front - 1490g all in for some seriously wide wheels. Not too shabby.

rockmonkeysc

BloggingFit wrote:

RockmonkeySC wrote:

You mean early 90's skate deck colours?

Thereabouts if you could see through the stickers plastered all over them. Was that not your scene along with bright Mambo T shirts?

No. I did have a Santa Cruz board (still got one). I didn't have the mambo shirts, usually a Nirvana or nine Inch Nails t shirt.
Good weight for the wheels. Not sure I would go that wide though unless I was only going to run massive 2.5" Schwalbe tyres.

benpinnick

Sounds cool too...http://youtu.be/G_wGoKw_8sc

BloggingFit

Looking good and impressed with the weight. The spokes must be pretty light. Worth popping by tomorrow evening or leave it till next week?-

BloggingFit

RockmonkeySC wrote:

BloggingFit wrote:

RockmonkeySC wrote:

You mean early 90's skate deck colours?

Thereabouts if you could see through the stickers plastered all over them. Was that not your scene along with bright Mambo T shirts?

No. I did have a Santa Cruz board (still got one). I didn't have the mambo shirts, usually a Nirvana or nine Inch Nails t shirt.
Good weight for the wheels. Not sure I would go that wide though unless I was only going to run massive 2.5" Schwalbe tyres.

There is always the concern of flattening the profile too much so will try out the Minions and see how they feel. It tend to run pretty low pressures anyway so that may lessen the impact in my opinion.

benpinnick

BloggingFit wrote:

Looking good and impressed with the weight. The spokes must be pretty light. Worth popping by tomorrow evening or leave it till next week?-

She'll be ready tomorrow afternoon

BloggingFit

Cool. Shall get off early and get over for 5 ish

BloggingFit

Build is done and looks awesome. Came out how I pictured it which is always a good thing especially as the wheels were a bit of a risk.

A bike thank you goes out to Ben at Bird Cycle Works for his time and patience from letting me initially borrowing some workshop space and ending up doing the build due to time and secretly wanting to do it himself. So again, huge thanks to Ben, Dan and Dave and really appreciated.



Final spec:

Frame: Santa Cruz Nomad C 650b Medium, Invisiframe protection
Fork: Fox 36 Float Fit 170mm
Shock: Rockshox Monarch Debonair Plus RC3
Rims: Light Bicycle Carbon AM 35mm Hookless
Hubs: DTSwiss 240S, 15mm front, 12/142mm rear, both Centre Lock
Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF front, DHR2 rear, 2.3 3C
Headset: Chris King Inset
Stem: RaceFace Atlas 50mm, 35mm clamp
Handlebar: RaceFace SIXC cut to 750mm
Grips: ODI Handsolo
Crankset: RaceFace SIXC 170mm Cranks with Cinch 34t ring
Rear Mech: Shimano XTR 11 Speed
Cassette: Shimano XTR 11 Speed, 11-40t
Chain: Shimano 11 Speed
Shifter: Shimano XTR 11 Speed
Brakes: Shimano XTR Trail, 203mm front, 180mm Rear, Centre Lock
Seatpost: Rockshox Reverb 125mm Drop
Saddle: Bontrager Evoke Carbon

Weight came in at 27.6 lbs without pedals which is pretty impressive for the type of bike. I could have saved even more and got under 27 lbs with a Pike and SRAM cassette but I am a Shimano fan and rally wanted to try out the new 36.

Finish and quality on the components is excellent as should be expected but the XTR kit is especially impressive and you can see the difference in cost between this and XT.

Initial fit on the bike feels very good but need to ride it properly on the trail to be sure. Got basic suspension setup done starting out at 30% sag each end and using Fox base settings on the fork as a starting point. Once I get some riding in I can dial in everything.

Will get some more detailed pictures up over the weekend.

Antm81

That's stunning mate

@lexD

Stunning build, love the wheels how were they done?

Ber Nard

Amazing!

lawman

That looks awesome!

Hob Nob

Seems very light for the build, i'll have to weigh my wife's again, as it's got a fair few lighter parts, but comes out a fair bit heavier.

Or borrow your scales