2026 MTB Tech Rumors and Innovation - Longer and Slacker

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sethimus
Posts
870
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9/20/2014
Location
CH
4/11/2026 3:21am
On the latest Kavenz prototype video it was hidden and mentioned "you probably know more next week".

On the latest Kavenz prototype video it was hidden and mentioned "you probably know more next week".

monday

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4/11/2026 12:08pm
Evil96 wrote:

The only problem is that it’s as heavy as a Meta v5 

nskerb wrote:

It isn’t though?

Evil96 wrote:

Same shock, same weight frame and other components, same with the forks.. if something is 200gr not more

Super fun and playful bike, not light tho 

5
monarchmason
Posts
283
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5/24/2022
Location
Nevada City, CA US
4/11/2026 1:07pm Edited Date/Time 4/11/2026 1:09pm

Norco Optic A and Sight A

a man in a suit and tie says you gotta pump those numbers up

17
4/11/2026 2:14pm

Lol, my 39 lb Sight+3 lb lead are laughing at these lightweights

2
AgrAde
Posts
196
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5/21/2015
Location
AL US
4/11/2026 6:35pm

My carbon Optic with XT, air springs and no inserts is 8lb heavier than the first Tempo build I clicked on in the bike checks section. Lol.

6
alannz
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1/26/2025
Location
California, CA US
4/12/2026 1:02am

There is definitely a new Nomad coming, it's just that the shock review is not correlated.  New Nomad looks good for sure. 

Looks like the new Nomad is coming Tuesday!

IMG 5887 0IMG 5888.jpeg?VersionId=HUwnwoEV9Mgp hnLJ9d6K B.Yd
23
Znarf
Posts
18
Joined
4/30/2013
Location
DE
4/12/2026 1:30am

Looks like mechanical cable routing is back - if that  is a CC frame. (Fingers crossed)

15
alannz
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48
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1/26/2025
Location
California, CA US
4/12/2026 2:34am Edited Date/Time 4/12/2026 2:35am
Znarf wrote:

Looks like mechanical cable routing is back - if that  is a CC frame. (Fingers crossed)

Good eye! The build kit seems CC level. 

They’ve also added an accessory mount underneath the top tube. I wonder if they are keeping the glovebox too 🤔

4
1
Znarf
Posts
18
Joined
4/30/2013
Location
DE
4/12/2026 2:36am
Znarf wrote:

Looks like mechanical cable routing is back - if that  is a CC frame. (Fingers crossed)

alannz wrote:
Good eye! The build kit seems CC level. They’ve also added an accessory mount underneath the top tube. I wonder if they are keeping the glovebox too...

Good eye! The build kit seems CC level. 

They’ve also added an accessory mount underneath the top tube. I wonder if they are keeping the glovebox too 🤔

The glovebox can be seen in the picture. There’s the black ridge on the upper side of the downtube.

Bikepacking-Nomad.


I’d love to fit a 29“ wheel…

10
4/12/2026 2:59am
Znarf wrote:

Looks like mechanical cable routing is back - if that  is a CC frame. (Fingers crossed)

alannz wrote:
Good eye! The build kit seems CC level. They’ve also added an accessory mount underneath the top tube. I wonder if they are keeping the glovebox too...

Good eye! The build kit seems CC level. 

They’ve also added an accessory mount underneath the top tube. I wonder if they are keeping the glovebox too 🤔

Znarf wrote:

The glovebox can be seen in the picture. There’s the black ridge on the upper side of the downtube.

Bikepacking-Nomad.


I’d love to fit a 29“ wheel…

…nope therefore you have the Megatower

1
2
Primoz
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4519
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8/1/2009
Location
SI
4/12/2026 3:42am

Isn't the Megatower supposedly gone?

7
Znarf
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18
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4/30/2013
Location
DE
4/12/2026 5:18am

I‘ve been told from a source I think is credible that there will be no Megatower V3 this season.

6
TheFBI
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44
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5/20/2024
Location
London GB
4/12/2026 6:18am

There is definitely a new Nomad coming, it's just that the shock review is not correlated.  New Nomad looks good for sure. 

alannz wrote:
Looks like the new Nomad is coming Tuesday!

Looks like the new Nomad is coming Tuesday!

IMG 5887 0IMG 5888.jpeg?VersionId=HUwnwoEV9Mgp hnLJ9d6K B.Yd

Interesting that they describe it as "aggressive all-mountain" rather than just enduro. Wonder if it's become a bit of a dirty word since the professional side of racing has effectively collapsed and brands want to paint their bikes as more all-round performers 

8
krabo83
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713
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12/26/2017
Location
AT
4/12/2026 7:16am

There is definitely a new Nomad coming, it's just that the shock review is not correlated.  New Nomad looks good for sure. 

alannz wrote:
Looks like the new Nomad is coming Tuesday!

Looks like the new Nomad is coming Tuesday!

IMG 5887 0IMG 5888.jpeg?VersionId=HUwnwoEV9Mgp hnLJ9d6K B.Yd

is that the same launch color as the nomad 3? that miami vice colorway was fire 😍

11
monarchmason
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Location
Nevada City, CA US
4/12/2026 7:40am
krabo83 wrote:

is that the same launch color as the nomad 3? that miami vice colorway was fire 😍

I think I was a teenager when that color way came out and thought “why?” It was not as bad as the pink and yellow Bronson. But man as an adult, and seeing the industry with such a bland pallet, I like this. 

1
SilentG
Posts
38
Joined
8/5/2019
Location
Prescott, AZ US
4/12/2026 9:33am

There is definitely a new Nomad coming, it's just that the shock review is not correlated.  New Nomad looks good for sure. 

alannz wrote:
Looks like the new Nomad is coming Tuesday!

Looks like the new Nomad is coming Tuesday!

IMG 5887 0IMG 5888.jpeg?VersionId=HUwnwoEV9Mgp hnLJ9d6K B.Yd
krabo83 wrote:

is that the same launch color as the nomad 3? that miami vice colorway was fire 😍

Colorblind guy here so take this with a grain of salt but very similar, maybe same, as Nomad 3:

image 668

 

Life is too short for bland ass colorways for my two cents.

22
jsray
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5/20/2017
Location
Gilbert, AZ US
4/12/2026 9:34am Edited Date/Time 4/12/2026 9:35am

The other nomad color?

Edit: maybe just an unpainted frame sent out for testing


IMG 5563

2
sethimus
Posts
870
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9/20/2014
Location
CH
4/12/2026 11:08am
9
owl-x
Posts
846
Joined
3/23/2016
Location
Shell Beach, CA US
4/12/2026 11:41am

I’ll be forever baffled by how much bike dudes will talk about colors / graphics when there’s so little real estate on a bike to really do anything. 

At any rate: in issues of Santa Cruz, always get the Nomad! 

2
2
4/12/2026 1:03pm
jsray wrote:
The other nomad color?Edit: maybe just an unpainted frame sent out for testing

The other nomad color?

Edit: maybe just an unpainted frame sent out for testing


IMG 5563

That's 100% not the second colour.

2
4/12/2026 1:39pm
jsray wrote:
The other nomad color?Edit: maybe just an unpainted frame sent out for testing

The other nomad color?

Edit: maybe just an unpainted frame sent out for testing


IMG 5563

That's 100% not the second colour.

thank god. 

1
AndehM
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599
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5/7/2018
Location
El Granada, CA US
4/12/2026 1:55pm
owl-x wrote:
I’ll be forever baffled by how much bike dudes will talk about colors / graphics when there’s so little real estate on a bike to really...

I’ll be forever baffled by how much bike dudes will talk about colors / graphics when there’s so little real estate on a bike to really do anything. 

At any rate: in issues of Santa Cruz, always get the Nomad! 

As someone who's owned several Santa Cruz bikes (including Nomad 3 & 6), I'd say the Bronson is a safer bet for most people.  Especially the current one (v5) which can basically be transformed into a Nomad with different stroke shock and longer fork.  I liked my Nomad but LOVE my Bronson 5.  Its just more fun more of the time.

3
1
owl-x
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Location
Shell Beach, CA US
4/12/2026 2:45pm

Incorrect!

1
7
rugbyred
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126
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4/29/2012
Location
CA
4/12/2026 4:39pm
sethimus wrote:

Nice find. They haven’t updated their website with the details. 

2
4/12/2026 4:48pm
sethimus wrote:
rugbyred wrote:

Nice find. They haven’t updated their website with the details. 

Details coming tomorrow 

2
DServy
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233
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5/28/2015
Location
Jackson, WY US
4/12/2026 4:50pm
sethimus wrote:

Ahh yes, the seal friction of air with the weight of coil. Didn’t cane creek already do this?

12
Kusa
Posts
274
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6/25/2010
Location
CH
4/12/2026 5:03pm Edited Date/Time 4/12/2026 5:11pm

It is me or the glovebox door is positioned a bit out of the frame perhaps creating a bigger opening? Or the down tube is slimmer but there is added room to make the glovebox usable. 


image 666

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