2025 Santa Cruz Megatower vs 2027 Santa Cruz Nomad
The L is the Santa Cruz Nomad size closest to your L Santa Cruz Megatower. We match frame stack and reach. This is a geometry comparison, not a fit recommendation; stem, spacers, handlebars and saddle setup also affect your riding position.
What changes on the Santa Cruz Nomad
Compared with the Santa Cruz Megatower in L, the Santa Cruz Nomad in L places the top of the head tube 5 mm higher and about as far forward, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 10 mm longer, which can contribute to stability at speed.
- Frame stack
- +5 mm
- Higher front end
- Frame reach
- ±0 mm
- About the same reach
- Wheelbase
- +10 mm
- Longer: steadier at speed
- Head angle
- −0.2°
- About the same head angle
- Chainstays
- +4 mm
- Longer: more planted
The two frames
Only the Santa Cruz Megatower is drawn. The Santa Cruz Nomad numbers we have for size L are missing the seat angle.
Geometry side by side
| Measurement | Santa Cruz Megatower L | Santa Cruz Nomad L | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 475 | 475 | ±0 mm |
| Stack | 638 | 643 | +5 mm |
| Head tube angle | 63.8 | 63.6 | −0.2° |
| Seat tube angle | 77.8 | not listed | |
| Effective top tube | 613 | 604 | −9 mm |
| Chainstay length | 440 | 444 | +4 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1266 | 1276 | +10 mm |
| BB drop | 26.5 | not listed | |
| BB height | 346 | 346 | ±0 mm |
| Standover | 723 | not listed | |
| Seat tube length | 430 | 420 | −10 mm |
| Head tube length | 115 | 120 | +5 mm |
Differences are the Santa Cruz Nomad minus the Santa Cruz Megatower. Full charts: 2025 Santa Cruz Megatower, 2027 Santa Cruz Nomad.
Where each sits in its class
Santa Cruz MegatowerSanta Cruz Nomad
Each bike is ranked against the other trail bikes on Quiver, on frame geometry alone. Not your hand position or ride feel.
What each ships with
The stock build of each bike's first listed trim. Parts that match are dimmed.
| Part | Santa Cruz MegatowerGX AXS | Santa Cruz Nomad90 |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Santa Cruz Megatower | not listed |
| Fork | Fox 38 Float Performance Elite | RockShox Zeb Select |
| Rear shock | Fox FLOAT X Performance Elite | RockShox Super Deluxe Select |
| Shifter | SRAM Pod Controller | SRAM 90 Eagle Transmission |
| Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission | SRAM 90 Eagle Transmission |
| Cassette | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission |
| Crankset | SRAM GX Eagle DUB Transmission | SRAM 90 Eagle DUB Transmission |
| Chainring | SRAM GX Eagle | not listed |
| Bottom bracket | SRAM DUB | SRAM DUB |
| Tire | Maxxis Assegai, Maxxis Minion DHR II | Maxxis High Roller, Maxxis Minion DHR II |
| Hub | DT Swiss 370 | DT Swiss 370 |
| Rim | Reserve 30|SL AL 6069, Reserve 30|HD | Reserve 30|TR AL, Reserve 30|HD AL |
| Brake | SRAM Maven Stealth Bronze | SRAM Maven Base |
| Rotor | SRAM HS2 | SRAM HS2 |
| Handlebar | Santa Cruz 35 Carbon Bar | not listed |
| Stem | Burgtec Enduro MK3 | OneUp Components Enduro Stem |
| Grips | Santa Cruz House | not listed |
| Headset | Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated Headset | Cane Creek 50 IS Integrated Headset |
| Dropper post | OneUp Components Dropper Post | OneUp Components Dropper Post |
| Saddle | SDG Bel Air V3 | SDG Bel-Air V3 Lux-Alloy |
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