Sizes and Geometry. 24 inches: This wheel size is typically used on kids mountain bikes and is generally suited to users aged 9 to 14. Whether you're riding a carbon CC or C frame, you get exactly the same legendary strength and stiffness because Santa Cruz uses exactly the same manufacturing facility and techniques. The new carbon frame is stiffer and more responsive than the aluminum option according to Santa Cruz representatives, and also 250 grams lighter (size large). Although you probably noticed a few negative points in this review, as we always aim to flush them out with new bikes, theres a lot to love about the 2022 Santa Cruz Chameleon. The Santa Cruz Stigmata is a carbon-framed, internally-routed bike with generous tire clearance and thru-axles. The bike angle remains the same, regardless of the fork. Consider a bike with 2-inches or more of clearance between the top tube and your body when you stand over the bike with your foot flat on the ground. Both have a derailleur hanger, and both are singlespeed compatible. M 55 510 / 165 178cm Full suspension: Full suspension bikes use suspension both in the front fork and the rear of the bike. The new dropout is also much simpler. Speaking of suspension, the Chameleon Reserve SE comes with a Fox 34 Performance fork providing a decent 120mm of travel just the right amount to soften vibrations and swallow up heavy impacts without dampening the ride. This version Chameleon, my 4th in its long history and my 7th Santa Cruz frame, is hands-down, the best I've ridden. Aluminum frames have no give, whatsoever, and its pretty easy to bottom out a 2.5 tire on the rough stuff. We believe travel by bicycle has the power to encourage conservation, inclusivity, and respect for all people and cultures. Santa Cruz states the official tire clearance of the 2022 Chameleon is 29 x 2.6 or 27.5 x 2.8. Click here to check out the Santa Cruz Chameleon mountain bike series. But theyre not without their downsides, Unlike steel, titanium, or aluminum alloy, when a carbon fibre frame breaks it really breaks, with its lack of elongation and natural stretch meaning that what might have been a ding, dent, or bend on another frame will be a race or riding-ending break with carbon fibre. hortico - DESIGN & GARTEN. On top of taking different wheel sizes, the Chameleon will also accept wide tires. Click here to check out the Specialized Fuse Expert 29 mountain bike. SRAM Guide T with Avid Centerline 180mm rotors. His ideal ride includes includes steep rock gardens, sweeping berms, and fast descents followed by a cold beer. Thats the first thing I thought of when I unboxed the new 2022 Santa Cruz Chameleon. A mountain bikes frame is the biggest contributor to the bikes overall weight, strength, longevity, ride quality, andmost importantly, perhapsprice. Matt grew up riding BMX in the UK and has ridden across Europe and the US, and now hes putting those miles to use testing road, mountain, and city bikes for Bicycling. Heres a rundown. Chameleon comes in two different settings and with adjustable chainstays. It went from 415-430 to 425-437mm. If you have a more aggressive riding style, youll love the Race Face Aeffect dropper seat post, stem, and handlebars. Chromoly is made with a combination of chromium and molybdenum alloys and is usually used in more advanced steel mountain bike frames. The Salsa Timberjack XT build goes for $2,099, and their GX build sells for about $2,500. This gives you the flexibility to choose what works for you, as well as what suits your budget. The short rear-end can be slightly uncomfortable because of jarring bumps, especially when for longer rides on rocky terrains. Bike Type: Hardtail Tire Size: 27.5 Size: S - XL Drivetrain: 12 Speed Weight: 27.47 - 28.75 lbs There was never an issue with the front tire hitting it due to the slack front end. It felt quick and very responsive with these tires, and coupled with the chainstays set to a slightly longer position, it seemed to be more stable while climbing, not to mention more comfy. Its also expensive. Ill talk a little more about that later, but lets first look at what has changed with the latest Chameleon. The Chameleon's frame-only price of 950 USD | 1350 CAD is easily justified. Still, the most visible change is the significantly lower standover height, made possible by a 20mm shorter seat tube. My first impression was that this might be the Chameleons best self, for lack of a better way to put it. With my adjustments, perhaps bizarre to some, it's still a party on the trail. For the record, I left the chainstay at the shortest position (325mm) and the Chameleons geometry didnt falter one bit on the descents. Unlike mechanical brakes, most hydraulic systems must be installed by experts and checked regularly. more Disc. (Image credit: Vitus) Vitus Sentier 29 VRX. The latest Chameleon is still an aluminium hardtail designed around relatively short travel fork. This added utility comes in handy if you ever plan to load up and go on a weekend of bikepacking. S 50 55 / 152 165cm Available in four sizes, pricing starts at $1,599 for the frame only, and $3,799 for the Chameleon Carbon C S or S+ (29 or 27.5 wheels). Californian-based Santa Cruz Bicycles has been one of the worlds leading mountain bike manufacturers for several decades now. This review covers everything you need to know about the Santa Cruz Chameleon Carbon build. Why? The bike also features either 27.5+ or 29-inch wheels. This gives them excellent traction and grip in terrain in which it would be impossible to ride other bikes, such as mud, sand, and snow. If throwing a hardtail around on tight trails is your thing, the Specialized Fuse Expert 29 is engineered with low-slung top tubes just for that purpose. Price: 669 (frame only). The Chameleon Carbon uses Santa Cruz's lower-grade C carbon (the brand's higher-grade carbon is designated CC). Riding Type. These bikes are designed for fast travel in rough terrain over longer distances. If you prefer carbon for its lightness, make sure you avoid a cheaply constructed frame, as that can quickly result in uncomfortable rides. Like the Santa Cruz Chameleon, Fuses frame can take both 29ers and 27.5+ wheels and tires. The CHAMELEON S rolls out of the factory on a mullet setup with a small 27.5 inch rear wheel. Das Produkt besteht aus folgenden Komponenten IN THIS AD, YOU LL ALSO FIND THESE OTHER TYPES. Kieran Cunningham is what you might call an adrenaline junkie and has traveled the world looking for his next adventure. The Timberjack v2 aluminum frame is solidly constructed with plenty of cargo mounting options so you can load up and head out for a weekend of bikepacking. The best type of gearing for your needs often comes down to personal preference, and before buying wed highly recommend taking the bike out on a test ride to get a feel for the gearing, particularly if you plan on buying at the higher end of the price scale. Since its founding in 1994, Santa Cruz has blessed mountain bike enthusiasts with a great many high-performing, stylish, and incredibly well-made rides, from long-travel downhill rigs to XC endurance hardtails and some of the most badass trail bikes the market has ever seen. . It can rip rocky singletrack and also be loaded up and taken backpacking making it ideal for backwoods adventures. And while different build kits were offered, the Chamelon frame was only offered in aluminum. It also felt a little wobbly on the steep bits of climb working my way up, as if the larger front wheel was a little unwieldy. Thanks in advance for spreading the word! There are technically three main tire configurations the Chameleon could be set up with: 29-plus(ish) or wide trail, mixed/mullet, or 27.5+, although it could just be a standard 29er, too. 29 & 27.5 mullet spec pictured. It fits me perfectly as a 6'2, 195lb human. Because theres no standardized regulation of bike sizing, do not rely on manufacturer-given sizes when buying your bike but hunt down the particular measurements in the product specs or get into a store to have the bike fitted. As far as specs go, the new Chameleon has about everything you need for a basic, rackless bikepacking setup. Lightweight bike, especially on the carbon frame. 2019. While you might not find such groundbreaking technology on the. The Highball is a faster version of the Chameleon with smaller travel and XC spec. The Chameleon comes into its own on lung-busting climbs and is one of the top performers in this respect of all the bikes we know in its price range, which is particularly impressive given that it weighs in at over 30 pounds. The frame has clearance for up to 700 x 45mm tires or 650b x 2.1". Each dropout features a rocker design so that you can tighten the chain while running a singlespeed or adjust chainstay length when riding geared. Rider. They are also more reliable, provide for faster braking, and offer greater control over the degree of braking force applied. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. We're testing the 29er SE build with custom blue Hope hubs and headset, Santa Cruz Reserve 27 carbon rims (the 27.5+ SE+ gets Reserve 37). Continuing that trend, the Santa Cruz Chameleon just underwent another major permutation that runs deeper than its fresh yellow paint. The S 27+ and S 29 (both $3,800) are the lowest priced builds and feature a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, SRAM Guide T brakes and a RaceFace AR wheelset. Beating the Chameleon through rough and fast descents can be extremely fun. The Santa Cruz Chameleon has been around for a while and has always been one of the most versatile mountain bikes available. The geometry is unique, providing excellent maneuverability upfront even on relatively steep descents something seldom found in hardtails. Durable carbon frame construction with internal cable routing at the front. This makes it suitable for a variety of riding styles, including jumping, backpacking, cross-country, and singletrack. Weight. More after the break. So, there were two sets of dropouts for each wheel size (SS and geared) and a separate singlespeed-specific dropout to be used with 142mm hubs. Click here to check out the Salsa Timberjack GX Eagle 29. How Much Does Santa Cruz Chameleon Weigh? Aluminum is the second lightest and second stiffest mountain bike material after carbon fibre. Why Is The Santa Cruz Chameleon So Expensive? While it is a fantastic choice for descents, the Santa Cruz Chameleon is not the best model for riding on rocky trails because it is a hardtail. All this can be accomplished via two versions of the new swappable dropouts. The capable setup combined with a DUB crankset offers 12 speeds. In this part of the Santa Cruz Chameleon Carbon review, Ill highlight a few other alternatives just in case the model under review doesnt quite sit well with you. Santa Cruz Chameleon: 29er or mixed wheel do-it-all hardtail bike; Santa Cruz Stigmata: . By using our content you agree to our, Clearance for 27.5 x 3.0in or 29 x 2.5in tires, Bottom Bracket Type: English threaded, 73mm, Compatible Components Mechanical, electronic drivetrains, Plus-size tires offer tons of vibration-reduction, Swing-in dropouts 27.5 and 29 availability, Can be run as single-speed without a chain tensioner. Theyre peculiar and fantastic creatures with a contemplative stare and kaleidoscopic coloring of green, bright yellow, and aqua tones that change based on their mood and environment. To achieve that end, Santa Cruz uses a different carbon grade that results in negligible weight gain of 0.6 pounds per frame. But before we go into the nitty-gritty details of the Santa Cruz Chameleon Carbon review, here are a few pros and cons. The steep head angle seems to be the #1 problem for shredders who are used to 120-130mm range capabilities. The Chameleon gets a 130mm RockShox Rekon up front to handle all the technical trails we can find with adjustable rebound and a lockout for extended climbs. Brand New. BAYERN SOUVENIR - I LOVE HRLBACH. Over the years, I've seen them built up as dirt jumpers, singlespeed trail bikes, freeride hardtails, townies, and even straightforward trail bikes (GASP! Incredible agility, stellar climbing ability, and reptilian handling capabilities. We found several of these endemic wonders in the wild near the Rwenzori Mountains and were shown another by a young gentleman outside the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. These days, all but the most basic, budget models of mountain bike use hydraulic disc brakes instead of padded mechanical brakes. Since it was released way back in 97, the Chameleon has always been about adaptation. Buy in monthly payments with Affirm on orders over $50. The overlay on the left shows the former Chameleon in white and the new 2022 model in black. This build features hubs and headset made-in-the-UK by Hope and anodized in a striking shade of blue that matches the frame's graphics. The Santa Cruz Chameleon Review That Youll Love! Steel frames are tough, offer excellent longevity, and are cheaper than most other materials, but in most cases weigh considerably more than aluminum alloy, carbon fibre, or titanium alternatives. The SE 27+ Reserve and SE 29 Reserve builds (both $5,700) get a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, SRAM Guide R brakes, Santa Cruz's Reserve carbon rims, and blue anodized Hope hubs and headset. If you foresee riding only in flatter terrain, then you can get away with buying a bike that has fewer gears. That said, I think the rather high price tag and interesting mix of low-end parts demonstrates the pandemic-driven supply chain challenges bike companies are currently facing. And theres a slightly smaller gap between the internal dropper cable routing ports on the seat tube and downtube, which obstructs the bottom corner of a frame bag a little less than the previous model, for what thats worth. This will please pro trail riders who like to charge singletrack with speed and confidence, knowing they wont be taking on any large drops. Carbon C Frame - A minimal weight gain of approximately 250 - 280 grams (0.6 lbs) for the C frame over the CC due to the different grade of carbon used. That packing technique could also work with a food bag, shelter, or a Nalgene bottle, I believe. While you might not find such groundbreaking technology on the hardtail Chameleon, you wont be left disappointed by the incredible stability and speed of this lightweight trail bike. Climbs are easy with this nimble bike, thanks to the steep seat angle. You can also get a frame-only for $949. In summary, this is what cyclists think. The brakes used on your bike will determine several important factors related to your bikes overall performance and suitability for your needs, most notably control and handling. As you can see, theres plenty of room, even with a pair of well-broken in WTB Rangers, which measure 2.7 according to my calipers. 5.0 19 Reviews. Thats not always the case with other bikes. These models are built around Santa Cruz's aluminum frame combined with a Fox 34 Float Performance front suspension that offers 130mm of travel. That should give the bike more stability and help keep the weight. Santa Cruz Naming Conventions Here's how Santa Cruz names their bikes: AL, C, CC These letters indicate the fame material. When entering the saddle, the CHAMELEON S conveys a balanced seating position. The new carbon Chameleon launches with several build kit optionsall anchored by a SRAM drivetrainwhich are topped by the SE Reserve build that includes the Santa Cruz's Reserve Carbon rims built to blue Hope hubs, and a matching Hope headset. Last but not least, the price point on this bike is very reasonable given that it packs an above-average build kit and offers the kind of performance many mountain bike buyers have paid a heck of a lot more for. Finally, if youre in any doubt whatsoever, do the sensible thing and take the bike out for a test ride or try out a bike with identical measurements to make sure you wont be buying something you cant use. 2020 Santa Cruz Chameleon CARBON S+ Size Large Build Specs 2020 Santa Cruz Chameleon Kit CARBON S+ Weight 12.15kg / 26.79lbs Material Carbon C Wheel Size 27.5+ Fork Fox 34 Performance 130 Rear . Titanium is the rarest of mountain bike frame materials and is used by only a few frame manufacturers, mainly in the XC and light trail category. Choose 27.5-inch wheels if you want to strike a balance between easy handling and tackling tougher terrain. Was fr eine wunderbare Kombination: stabile, hochwertige Qualitt und einfacher Aufbau. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. (R) Shifter: SRAM Eagle GX | 12 Spd. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. MTB Insider Copyright 2022 | A Venture 4th Media company | Privacy Policy | Affiliate Disclosure | FTC Disclosure | About Us. While it might seem a no-brainer to buy a bike with more gears just in case you happen to hit the odd hill or mix up your cycling routes, many riders opt for bikes with fewer gears because doing so helps to keep the weight of their bike to a minimum. Or, perhaps Santa Cruz should offer a singlespeed build option? Trade in. Frame Sizing Show: cm in S 152 165cm M 165 178cm L 178 185cm XL 185 198cm Tech Support FAQs The main benefits of hydraulic disc brakes are that they offer stronger braking with less effort. There are a few other minor details and tweaks on the 2022 Chameleon worth mentioning. Incredible levels of stiffness and strength for pin-point precision and lightning-fast responsiveness on the trail, these alloy bikes behave like their carbon counterparts on the trail, at a price point to get you shredding instead of saving. The new sliding dropouts are a major structural upgrade, too. Creativity in wheel size, gearing and component choice make it the perfect muse for freethinkers and freedom seekers alike. I also really liked how this bike pedaled when loaded up. All of these combine to deliver amazing capability for a wide range of riding styles. The higher-end chainring setup and drivetrain is dependable and offers 12 speeds for quick acceleration. Santa Cruz Bicycles. Creativity in wheel size, gearing and component choice make it the perfect muse for freethinkers and freedom seekers alike. These days, however, bikes with a single chainring and a cassette with up to 11 cogs are becoming increasingly common, mainly owing to the fact that single-chainring models are lighter and easier to use, requiring only one shifter to shuffle through the gears on the cassette. Its an incredibly light material (about half the weight of steel) and excels in vibration dampening, thereby providing a very smooth, forgiving ride on bumpy terrain. Theyre aligned at the bottom bracket for reference. Its versatility means that it is used in several frame types, from extremely agile XC to tough, highly resilient DH frames where strength and durability are essential. Switchable fork maintains the same angle in both plus and 29er builds. All complete bike builds are equipped with a Fox 34 Performance-series fork and a RockShox Reverb dropper post. Taller riders or those with longer legs may find the curved seat tube not quite suitable, but that in itself is the basis for the 415mm chainstay, which is great. Rear Derailleur: SRAM GX Eagle. The original Chameleon got the nickname Tin Lizard, serving as a compatible freeride hardtail and single-speed XC bike but several upgrades have occurred since then. Trek Roscoe is an aluminum 650b with 120mm travel, while the Santa Cruz Chameleon offers a larger variety of set-ups. The old dropout also had an integrated derailleur hanger, whereas the new dropout has a replaceable SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH). Your email address will not be published. Chameleons do this to signal a mate, assert dominance, or regulate body temperature and adapt to a changing environmentthe latter statement is most apropos to the name choice. Add to cart. Your email address will not be published. tail) of the bike. The Chameleon has long been a favorite of aggressive trail riders and represents Santa Cruzs flagship hardtail MTB. At any rate, its nice to have the options, which is what the Chameleon is all about in the first place. The Carbon Chameleon has a Maxxis 29 x 2.3 or 27.5 x 2.8 front and rear tires, depending on whether you choose the 29er or plus mode. Can handle some aggressive trails and fun to roll around town on, especially given the hardtail / light weight . The carbon Chameleon frame is 250 grams lighter than the aluminum frame. A Santa Cruz representative assures us that the adjustments wont affect the ride. Santa Cruz sent us the Chameleon MX to test, because, why not!? $6,995.00. If you know the stack and reach the requirement of your riding positiondone with the help of a bike fitter and a sizing cycle that will provide the accurate measurementsyou can then research new bikes referring to the stack and reach dimensions on a frame sizing chart to find out whether or not the bike will be a good fit before purchasing. If you prioritize durability overweight, in short, then a steel frame is well worth considering. Find Santa Cruz Chameleon in Bikes For Sale. The V9 Chameleon has substantially divergent angles, loud colors, and the super power to transform from a rowdy singlespeed or trail 29er to an ultra-shreddy mixed-wheel mullet bike. The Chameleon has four interchangeable dropouts. The Do-It-All Santa Cruz Chameleon Goes Carbon, Tested: 10 Best Electric Mountain Bikes Right Now. The brand manufactures its bikes using first-rate carbon and aluminum materials together with components from trustworthy companies, such as SRAM. The frame has wide tire clearance for up to 2.6" tires. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The Chameleon is a blank canvas, ready to go in whatever direction your imagination takes it. The main benefits of this style of bike are that they are very easy to maintain and usually a lot cheaper than bikes with suspension. The stack and reach measurements in the large size of the Chameleon are 652mm and 460mm respectively, while the head tube angle is 66.5 degrees, the seat tube angle 73 degrees, and the overall weight without tubes and pedals 30 lbs and 5 oz. Im sure it would have helped to simply lengthen the chainstay, but I was having too much fun otherwise, so I left it alone for a while. It is compatible with both 29 (up to 2.6-inch tires) and 27.5 (up to three-inch tires) wheel sizes, and has adjustable chainstay length, so it can be converted to a single speed. The new Reserve line-up promises to catapult Santa Cruz even further into the limelight as one of the leading mountain bike brands in the world. The benefits of this 12-speed configuration are that it provides a large enough range of gears for any terrain without the need for a front derailleur. As a general rule, these bikes are a good choice for riding a mixture of climbs and descents and use in the region of 120-140mm of suspension with a 67-70 head-tube angle, which makes them better suited to steep climbs and provides better turning ability. Want To Receive Exclusive Offers, Tips & Freebies? Even so, I dont think the pricing is 100% parts-recession based. Weight: 2.3kg (frame) Size: M, L, XL.
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