I own a Nomad as my personal bike and have spent a considerable amount of time on both the Nomad and the new Bronson. From my experience, the new Bronson performs better for enduro riding, even with only 150mm of rear travel. It tracks the ground more effectively. However, if you frequently encounter larger compressions such as jumps, drops, and g-outs, the Nomad offers more comfort due to its longer travel. To put it simply, the Bronson is more of a trail/enduro bike, while the Nomad leans towards freeride/enduro.[Tom]
I loved my 2016 Bronson it was the quintessential quiver killer at the moment but then I discovered I liked recent Giant's maestro designs better 😮 who would have thought. Can't wait to ride the new Bronson, dunno when that will happen but... *Edit I climb & descent faster on a mullet bike, so I ate the pill, might be related to not having lots of legs and arms for my height 😅
The Megatower still holds its place, the dual 29er wheels provide a distinct and different ride characteristic. Taller riders and racers, in particular, will appreciate what the Megatower offers. [Tom]
Wireless only is not an improvement. All these changes and its still no a significant improvement from my ‘21 stumpy evo which continues to hold its own
I like it, but I also hate it too. Sounds strange, I know, but I prefer choice. I do, however, like the idea of clean the lines with no gear routing, so as the reviewer said, it’s only on the CC frame, so if you do want cables, the C gives you that choice. There’s not a great deal in the frame weights between CC and C anyway.
I'd stay at 160mm . I didn't find I was running out of travel, I'd just like something a bit stiffer and more stable. Also going to 170mm fork would change the geo slightly. The geo felt pretty much spot on and I wouldn't want to change that. [Tom]
@@MrDavecore777 I'm 75kg. The 36 and Lyrik forks are both excellent choices for the majority of riding the Bronson is designed for. However, a stiffer fork could be more suitable for riders tackling rougher enduro terrain, bike parks, or even occasional downhill laps-definitely within this bike’s capability. Ultimately, the choice often comes down to personal preference. For more details, check out the full written review, where we go into this topic in greater depth. [Tom]
Thanks Tom for your comment on staying with the 160 mm fork. I do a lot of hardtails and make mullets out of them so I know how changing fork length changes geo. With the Bronson at 64.2 hta I wouldn’t want to push that anymore, it would start to take away from that all a rounder aspect. Great insightful review. I was in the market for a v4 on sale or used but you have me maybe waiting for the first sale on the v5.
Hands down one of the best reviews to the bronson 5. Thanks alot! Got one ordered :)
Really good review, covered this so well.
Agreed, Tom is killing it on the bike reviews!
Great insight.. It sound like quite a bike! Hopefully more wireless mech options will come to market
Nice! How about Vala review next?
We've got one arriving shortly - stay tuned to the Flow MTB website for our review on that one! [Wil]
if you added a 36 or zeb, would you bump the front travel to 170mm?
I'd stick with 160mm. The stiffness from a burlier fork could be beneficial, I didn't feel like the bike needed more travel. [Tom]
Can you make a review of Polygon siskiu d7 please 😮
Would be curious on a comparison with nomad
I own a Nomad as my personal bike and have spent a considerable amount of time on both the Nomad and the new Bronson. From my experience, the new Bronson performs better for enduro riding, even with only 150mm of rear travel. It tracks the ground more effectively. However, if you frequently encounter larger compressions such as jumps, drops, and g-outs, the Nomad offers more comfort due to its longer travel. To put it simply, the Bronson is more of a trail/enduro bike, while the Nomad leans towards freeride/enduro.[Tom]
All things being equal, how does this bike compare to the Santa Cruz Nomad v6?
I loved my 2016 Bronson it was the quintessential quiver killer at the moment but then I discovered I liked recent Giant's maestro designs better 😮 who would have thought.
Can't wait to ride the new Bronson, dunno when that will happen but...
*Edit I climb & descent faster on a mullet bike, so I ate the pill, might be related to not having lots of legs and arms for my height 😅
Interestingly where does this now leave the Megatower?
The Megatower still holds its place, the dual 29er wheels provide a distinct and different ride characteristic. Taller riders and racers, in particular, will appreciate what the Megatower offers. [Tom]
Wireless only is not an improvement. All these changes and its still no a significant improvement from my ‘21 stumpy evo which continues to hold its own
I had electric shifting - went back to mechanical. Performs the same IMO and no hassle of charging batteries and always carrying a charger.
I like it, but I also hate it too. Sounds strange, I know, but I prefer choice. I do, however, like the idea of clean the lines with no gear routing, so as the reviewer said, it’s only on the CC frame, so if you do want cables, the C gives you that choice. There’s not a great deal in the frame weights between CC and C anyway.
Would you run this at 170mm with the burlier fork? Thanks
I'd stay at 160mm . I didn't find I was running out of travel, I'd just like something a bit stiffer and more stable. Also going to 170mm fork would change the geo slightly. The geo felt pretty much spot on and I wouldn't want to change that. [Tom]
@ thanks Tom, what is your weight? I find at 160 the lyrik or 36 tend to be quite stiff
@@MrDavecore777 I'm 75kg. The 36 and Lyrik forks are both excellent choices for the majority of riding the Bronson is designed for. However, a stiffer fork could be more suitable for riders tackling rougher enduro terrain, bike parks, or even occasional downhill laps-definitely within this bike’s capability. Ultimately, the choice often comes down to personal preference. For more details, check out the full written review, where we go into this topic in greater depth. [Tom]
Thanks Tom for your comment on staying with the 160 mm fork. I do a lot of hardtails and make mullets out of them so I know how changing fork length changes geo. With the Bronson at 64.2 hta I wouldn’t want to push that anymore, it would start to take away from that all a rounder aspect. Great insightful review. I was in the market for a v4 on sale or used but you have me maybe waiting for the first sale on the v5.