We use the Nomad Carbon C GX Eagle AXS Air Mountain Bike as a versatile long-travel machine that gobbles bike park tech, nails big jump lines with poise, and even tackles a wide range of trail rides. The sixth generation Nomad hangs onto its playful nature with a 27. 5in rear wheel, but all builds now feature a mixed wheel design and 29in front wheel to offer enhanced rollover ability and stability for high-speed tech. 170mm of VPP-powered rear suspension provides plenty of support and traction for double-black terrain, and an updated suspension curve with lower anti-squat limits harshness from square-edge impacts. With a 63. 5-degree headtube angle (low position) the Nomad is essentially a downhill bike that can still pedal--which it does surprisingly well thanks to a steep 77. 6-degree seat tube angle (low position, size large). Another key update is the downtube-integrated Glovebox storage from Santa Cruz, along with their Tool Wallet and Tube Purse that keep our tools secured with additional room for a layer or snack. This build starts out with the Carbon C layup which offers excellent value, and Santa Cruz now utilizes size-specific frame stiffness standards to ensure equal damping characteristics in each size. Other callouts include SRAM's GX Eagle AXS drivetrain that offers instant shifting that really comes in handy for touch-and-go tech trails with challenging features. Race Face ARC 30 Offset wheels find a great balance between durability, compliance, and value. A Fox 38 Float Performance Elite fork up front supplies 170mm of travel and beefy 38mm stanchions for lots of support over rock rolls and compressions. This Nomad is a great option as a long-travel rig used alongside a trail or XC bike, or even as a quiver of one for the downhill-focused rider who still wants the option to do some big days in the saddle. *Due to unprecedented demand in the global supply chain and the bike industry over the last 18 months, material weight and exact components ar...