One question we get asked a lot here at Stif - what are the differences between the Santa Cruz Megatower vs The Nomad? While the bikes do seem similar on paper, both being long-travel enduro machines with 170mm forks and built for riding on the biggest, roughest trails, there are some key differences in their design and intentions!

Wheel Setup

The first and most obvious one is wheel size - the Megatower comes in a full 29” setup front and rear. Big 29” wheels roll faster and smooth out trail obstacles, allowing you to go faster over challenging terrain. Grip is also increased with wheel size, due to the bigger tyre contact patch with the ground allowing for more stability and better braking traction. All this adds up to a seriously quick bike - perfect as an enduro race bike, or just bombing bike park trails quicker than your mates!

The new Nomad launched late last year comes in a mixed wheel setup, with a 29” wheel up front and a 27.5” out back. So what does this mean out on the trail? The larger front wheel provides all that stability and traction, while the smaller rear wheel allows for quicker acceleration and added manoeuvrability. The rear wheel is further out of the way while descending, which helps you get lower for more stability. The bike feels super playful and lives for hitting berms and popping lips way faster than you should!

Suspension

Both bikes come with burly 38mm stanchion forks with a massive 170mm travel - enough to get you out of trouble when things get really rough! The Megatower delivers 165mm of rear VPP travel - Santa Cruz's reliable and incredibly engineered suspension system - more than enough to tame the rowdiest trails and is available with both air and coil shock options. A lower leverage curve makes setup easier while delivering a more damped, controlled feel across the travel range.

The Nomad’s rear travel is bumped up slightly to 170mm, and again has both air and coil shock options. One of the big goals for the new Nomad’s suspension platform was to have greater sensitivity, which in turn would improve traction at all speeds. The reduced progression of the linkage means the suspension consistently tracks better throughout the stroke. Both bikes pedal incredibly well, so getting up to the best, highest trails isn't a chore like some other long-travel bikes!

Geometry

Both the Megatower and Nomad have very similar geometry numbers, with the almost-downhill bike territory 63.5º head angle putting that front wheel right out in front of you for the ultimate confidence on the steeps. Both bikes share a properly steep seat tube angle that puts you in the perfect riding position to scale the steepest climbs. This gets progressively steeper as the sizes increase, so everyone sits in the optimal spot whether you ride a small or an XXL bike. The chainstays are a touch longer on the Nomad vs the Megatower, which compensates for the smaller rear wheel. Just like the seat tube angle, chainstay length is also matched to frame size.

Design & Build Kits

The Megatower and Nomad are available in both carbon C and CC frame options. Both are as strong and as stiff as each other and have lifetime warranties, however, CC frames are made with the best materials and production methods while C frames add a little bit of weight and are slightly more affordable. Each frame size also has a specific carbon layup by adding more carbon where it’s necessary on the larger sizes - ensuring everyone gets the same handling and ride feel, regardless of size or stature. Both bikes come with the super useful Glovebox in-frame storage - the perfect spot to store essentials like tools, tubes, gloves or even a small rain jacket. Backpacks be-gone!

The Megatower and Nomad both have a range of spec options to suit all budgets, starting with the reliable C R kit, which comes with Sram NX Eagle and a RockShox Zeb R fork through to the unrivalled Sram X01 Reserve kit with AXS wireless shifting system, Reserve carbon wheels and Fox Factory Grip2 38 fork.

Ride Feel

Both bikes have a plush, bottomless feel and are about as close to a downhill bike that pedals as you will get. The Megatower definitely feels the racier out of the two, riding slightly higher in its rear travel. This extra support means you can really push through turns to generate speed easily. The Megatower distributes your weight more evenly between the front and rear, providing a touch more feedback from the trail and feeling more at home on long, alpine descents.

The Nomad with its super-sensitive suspension sits slightly lower in its travel, which smooths out the trail and provides huge confidence on the steeps. The smaller rear wheel gives the feeling of a higher front end and makes hitting tight switchbacks and huge lips a dream - the bike comes alive in the bike park!

Which Bike Is For Me?

If you are into riding the roughest, steepest terrain then pedalling back to the top, you won’t go far wrong with either the Megatower or the Nomad! If enduro racing is your bag and you are looking for flat-out speed and stability - the Megatower is probably the bike for you. The full 29” setup and slightly sportier suspension platform mean it is one of the best-performing bikes for in-between the tape and beyond. If you are more of a freeride fiend or spend most of your time lapping the bike park, the Nomad with it’s slightly longer travel, more supple suspension feel and more playful smaller rear wheel could be just the ticket. The best way to work out which bike will work best for you is to ride one - we have both bikes in a range of sizes available to demo in our stores, just get in touch for more info!

Interested in a Megatower or Nomad? All 2023 models currently have 20% off RRP! Still unsure if a Megatower or Nomad is the best bike option for you? Give us a shout on the phone, drop an email to sales@stifmtb.com or to head to either of our stores for a brew and a chat! We have a full showroom plus a range of demo bikes in all sizes for you to ride.

The Megatower

The Nomad