I know this has been discussed before, but everone has their own wants and needs for their bike. I'm looking for a used Nomad and a new or used Heckler 5.
Background....
I currently have a 04 large Heckler with a Pike, Hope pro II / DT 5.1, XTR, Juicy 7, Thompson straight post & 100mm stem, Easton carbon bars,.....overall nice all mountain bike.
I like to climb as much as bombing DH. I'm 6 ft., 170 lbs., 42 yrs old and comfort is a priority for longer 20 mile + rides. Sometimes on my current bike I find longer rides I feel cramped in the cockpit. I'm not saying I have a problem in the cockpit area, I like my set up fro overall allmountain riding, I just wanted bring this point up.
What benefits would I see moving up to a Nomad from a Heckler?
I know how the old Heckler performs and I’m sure the newer Heckler performs the same or better, but have never ridden a Nomad or any other VPP bike. I also know that the Nomad would be slightly heavier, more maintenance and would have an additional 15mm of travel. I'm not sure if this additional travel is a real benifit the extra weight (under a pound depending on shock) for the little extra travel.
Another thing I have to consider with the Nomad is the cost of a longer travel fork (currently ride a Pike) to match up with the Nomad. Might be around $300. depending on the resale of my old fork.
I have read DHXC is better than the DHXA for the Nomad.
It's hard to find used Nomads with the DHXC, there is more with the DHXA. What would a reasonable price to expect to pay for a good condition Nomad with a DHXA? If I find one with the DHXC what would be a reasonable price to pay for the better performing shock over the DHXA?
There are used Nomads poping up in different places. The question is do you want a frame or complete bike and what are you willing to pay. There are some great deals out there if you are patient.
I like the frame option as it allows me to put the components I want on it. If you are a "buy, ride it, forget it til you ride again" type, with no interest in component research and building bikes then the complete maybe your best option. I have a lot of fun putting the bikes together and searching the web for the right component at the the right price.
As for the difference between the heckler and the Nomad, you are talking about to completely different rear suspensions that behave differently. I have a Nomad and have little time on a Heckler. The Nomad is VPP bike while the heckler is a high single pivot.
Do a search on the two suspension systems they have different pros and cons. It is about more then a travel distance of a few mms.
{QUOTE} What benefits would I see moving up to a Nomad from a Heckler
Sometimes on my current bike I find longer rides I feel cramped in the cockpit. I'm not saying I have a problem in the cockpit area
Is that your only complaint with the Heckler ? Sounds like just a fit issue. I sure had more complaints when I was looking for an upgrade. I rode my Heckler as a trail bike and didn't care for it's medicore pedalling and bottom-o-rama rear suspansion (mega falling rate) Spent some time on the Nomad and Blur LT - BLT won. Nomad would have sufficed but a coil rear and 170-180mm fork made better sense than an air rear & 140-150mm fork. My take is the Nomad is AM w/ FR capability, the BLT is a solid trail bike.
Uh, huh, huh...he said "cockpit" Hahahuhaha. I say look at the numbers; the wheelbase, top tube length, geometry angles. The Nomad matched to the Heckler is slightly longer and more slack. This could certainly be more comfortable if you are looking to stretch out. I am short and stubby so the Heckler feels perfect to me, but I can see where yr coming from. Suspension-wise they are totally different feeling. I don't necessarily think either is better; just different. I say get the Nomad frame with whatever shock and then add parts and upgrades as you go including the DHXC and a new front end. On that note, if you wanna take the ride feel to whole different level get a Cane Creek Double Barrel shock and a Lyrik U-turn (or Totem if yr a real tough guy). You will be blown away!! I would suggest this combo for the Heckler too though as that is what I am running; Amazing!!!! :devil:
Yeah there is no doubt the Nomad is a beauty if I lived up north I'd buy one in a heartbeat. That was my reasoning for going with the Heckler because being in the south I don't need all the travel the Nomad has.........and also the Heckler comes with a built in bottle opener!!!!! Now that's hard to beat.
So what do you think? Is there a difference between the Nomad and Heckler cockpit? Are you happy with the switch? I am in the same boat, I have a 2005 ano black Heckler decked out, but am wondering about the switch to the Nomad, my situation is that I am right on the edge of sizing, top end of medium, bottom end of large; so wondering if changing to Nomad in Medium with change the cockpt.
So what do you think? Is there a difference between the Nomad and Heckler cockpit? Are you happy with the switch? I am in the same boat, I have a 2005 ano black Heckler decked out, but am wondering about the switch to the Nomad, my situation is that I am right on the edge of sizing, top end of medium, bottom end of large; so wondering if changing to Nomad in Medium with change the cockpt.
I have realy ridden it yet other than a short spin around the house. I'm still waiting on a shorter stem (70 mm) and my shock is out getting Pushed, that's due back in a next week or the week after.
Well I can tell you a few things. I felt sitting on the bike in my trainer with the same stem
(100 mm) it was a little longer (not much). I also felt I needed to slide my seat back a bit to make it feel right pedaling, not sure why, probably geometry difference of the two bikes. With moving the seat back a little bit and the 1/2" longer TT, there is a need for a shorter stem. The 100 mm stem would have been comfortable for a lazy fireroad ride, but who buys a Nomad for that type of riding.
I'm not sure sliding the seat back and 70 mm will put me back where I was on the Heckler (cock pit size), I beleive it will be slightly shorter maybe 10 mm. From what I have read, riders like the shorter stems and it doesn't hurt the climbing. We all know shorter is better for DH and aggressive trail riding, that's why I bought the Nomad.
Once I get it on the trail, do some climbing and DH, my current adjustments could all change. This is what I just felt spinning on the trainer.
As for the size I say if you ride a large Heckler get a large Nomad, unless you run a super short stem on you Heckler, then you might be able to go with a Med. with a longer stem. It all depends on what you like and the intended use of the bike.
Aww, Jeff...you've probably got 3 feet of snow on the ground there in Pa. You're not riding anywhere...LOL! Wow...already gone for a PUSH mod...you'll love it.
Aww, Jeff...you've probably got 3 feet of snow on the ground there in Pa. You're not riding anywhere...LOL! Wow...already gone for a PUSH mod...you'll love it.
Oh, you are good, I thought I was a Fast times fan. I have to get the movie.
Thanks, The best thing I like about it so far is the price or build cost. Once I get to ride it I'm sure I will like it all. I'm pretty excited as everyone is when you get a new ride.
The rear derailuer was easy (if I did it right). Bolt it up, cable and minor adjustment.
There isn't a standard b- tension screw/stop. There is two pins or stops that rest against the dropout where the b- tension screw would normally hit. When you bolt it up, there is some play between the two pins, I just let it down and use the bottom pin as a stop vs. pulling it up a little to the top pin and tighten.
I need my stem, I bought from a seller off the classifieds that advertised "any size Thompson for $60. shipped". It's been almost two weeks since paypal payment and nothing yet, they said by the end of this week, still nothing. The thing is the ad has expired and I don't even know his username on MTBR. Very limited with his email responses when I rattle his chain.
Received my shock today from Push, so it's complete.
Just took a little ride around the house, I like the feel of the 70 mm and the high rise bars, it seems like the bike will be comfortable to ride. The 400 lb. spring Push recommened give me 20mm of sag (no gear) measuring eye to eye on the shock, that's just shy of 30% sag so I'm good. The rebound seems to be on the slow side even all the way out, I guess I will just trust that Push know what they are doing with the Nomad suspension design and just ride it. The Push card for initial set up said to run the rebound 7 clicks from full, 130# in the boost can't remember what the propedal setting was.
I weighed it again on the trusty bath scale and was surprised to see only 32 lbs. I don't trust that scale, but it gives me an idea that is a pretty decent build.
It's in the 20's here and we have 4 to 8 inches of snow on the way so I won't be hitting the trail tris weekend.
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