If you're looking for a cross country speed demon we suggest turning away, but if you've got your eyes set on an all-out enduro party machine, Santa Cruz's Nomad S Mountain Bike is built to fulfill your dreams. This gravity-oriented sled isn't afraid of charging hard, thanks to its slacked out geometry and deep travel, but the VPP suspension in the rear is there to offer you a solution when lift access or shuttle laps aren't an option. Gaps, roots, rocks, and ladders are where the Nomad is most at home, and its lower-link centered VPP keeps your weight centered and low for control when things get really hairy. The build kit and aluminum frame extend offer you serious durability, as well as affordability, bringing the price to ride down to a more palatable level for self-sponsored flow artists. The previous Nomad was aimed squarely at enduro domination, but the newest generation is less of a dedicated race bike and more of a gravity rig that you can actually pedal uphill without struggling like other long-travel sleds. Think of it as a freeride bike for riders who want to lap the resort park and shuttle downhill laps, then pedal along backcountry epics the very next day. The 65-degree head tube angle (in high setting) and longer reach keep things calm and comfortable while partying hard, but the steeper 75-degree seat tube angle puts you in an optimal pedaling position without struggling to shift your weight forward on steep climbs. The flip-chip integrated into the swingarm provides the ability to fine-tune its geometry to your exact riding preferences and local terrain. Keep it in the high setting for a more efficient pedaling platform on rides with a mix of blistering descents and steep climbs. Conversely, you can switch it to the low setting for an even slacker geometry (head tube of 64. 6 degrees) that's purely aimed on downhill laps at the resort and shuttle runs up the pass where climbing isn't an issue. Ultimately, its adjustable geometry lends the abili...