Santa Cruz Chamelone Bike 2017 Vs 2018 Review

Get-go IMPRESSIONS

Santa Cruz Chameleon MX

Aluminum Is Authentic

Steel. Every bit a material, it has great qualities for building bicycles, and perhaps the primal amid them is that information technology is the most straightforward to work with. A talented garage welder with minimal tooling tin build a cute machine with fantastic ride qualities and haemorrhage-border geometry. The vast majority of custom frame builders create with steel,* with whatever number of masters also working with titanium, and 1 of the reasons is complete control of their process from tubes to a finished product.

Just the aluminum Chameleon isn't a custom frame from someone's pocket-size shop in FoCo, Frome, or Heriot Bay. And bluntly, the bulk of steel frames out on the trails aren't either. That's not meant to accept abroad from your Bearish, Stooge, or Chromag Stylus. That's not saying that a Kona Honzo ST or Unit isn't a fantastic machine. But earlier readers jump into the comments with tired tropes about how 'Steel Is Existent,' I've owned a off-white few hardtails and ridden a lot more than, and if nosotros're drilling downwardly to the ride of the frame itself, the final generation Chameleon aluminum is ane of the nicer ones I've ridden. For a direct comparison, both generations of Honzo ST frames I owned and loved were notably less compliant.

I attribute that to the try put into the tubing and frame blueprint, like the lack of a chainstay and seatstay bridge which carries forward to this generation of the frame. It's not a custom frame simply that doesn't mean that a heck of a lot of thought wasn't pumped into the blueprint. Add in some very intelligent sliding dropouts, a sub 5-lb (claimed) frame weight, a lifetime warranty, and then compare it to other volume-produced hardtails. The Chameleon's frame-merely price of 950 USD | 1350 CAD is easily justified.

*Shout out to the wonderful works of Frank The Welder who builds in aluminum and steel

I'm excited that Santa Cruz carried over the bridgeless stays which contributed to the excellent ride of the previous generation Chameleon.

The sliding dropouts are even cleaner than the last generation of Chameleon frames. The stay length ranges from 425-437mm on all sizes.

When I say hands justified, I'thousand channeling my experience as well as those of friends and acquaintances who've owned excellent aluminum rigs like Banshee's surprisingly compliant Paradox, Kona's Big Unit (RIP), Santa Cruz's terminal gen Chameleon, Specialized's Fuse, Rocky Mountain's Growler, and and then on. Merely ignore that sanctimonious sh*t shouting 'Steel Is Existent' from the saddle of their Bearish. Call up, the simply award their bikes always won is a 2005 Aureate Toidy from SOPWAMTOS*. I'm merely teasing, I dearest Bearish. The point isn't to dump on steel bikes; it'south a great textile, especially for hardtails. Rather, I want to signal out that in the right easily aluminum is a great selection, and usually lighter as well.

*Social club Of People Who Actually Make Their Own Shit

This is a large Chameleon frame in a fun shade of Playground Yellow (SCB calls information technology "Aureate Xanthous" but c'monday). It's the MX version which is a rad style of saying mullet.

Hot For Mullets

I grinning as I pull the sweet yellowish Chameleon out of the box. Size large. The new geometry, now using a 65° HTA with a 130mm fork, looks skilful on newspaper. The latest from Santa Cruz has an even cleaner version of their excellent sliding dropouts. Oh, it's a mullet. Huh. I wonder if they'll send me the 29er dropouts?

At present, I'grand hot for mullets. I've been plugging 27" wheels into 29er full intermission bikes for years and have no plans to stop. It boosts the fun factor, increases tire clearance for my v'9" frame, and the trade-offs in reduced attack angle and traction are largely equalized by a skilful interruption design and sag. With hardtails, I only have ane previous mullet experience, which was my personal Kona Explosif. I loved the bike, just I chose to go dorsum to a 29" rear wheel for improved climbing functioning and descending comfort with the rigid rear end. Santa Cruz didn't spec especially large rubber, or a tire insert, and then I know I'thousand going to have to run adequately high pressure level in the back due to the EXO tire casing, even with the durability of the latest Race Face AR serial rims.

Cheers to bandy-outs the geometry is the same with a 27 or 29" rear bike with the respective dropouts.

If I was putting downward a deposit on a Chameleon, it would have been the dual 29er version. Running the smaller rear hoop does add together an element of playfulness and differentiation though, and then I'll stick with the MX setup with an insert added to the rear wheel and mayhap a larger volume tire equally there is ample clearance.

It would be interesting to know how the Chameleon 29er sells v. the MX version. Self-assured riders with smoother trails, regular admission to a pump track, or who simply enjoy the acceleration of the smaller wheels, probably brand up a larger percentage of the pedaling population than I think. Santa Cruz makes both options available with no geo or fit penalty for your option.

The Race Face AR30 rims are 6061 aluminum compared to the more durable 6069 aluminum in the ARC30 rims I accept more experience with. For janky trails with an EXO tire, on a hardtail, I think an insert is a must.

The combination of a 29er Maxxis DHF MaxxGrip EXO 2.5" front and 27" Maxxis Aggressor 2.5" rear tires are a thoughtfull attempt at balancing weight, rolling speed, and traction on technical trails.

The Build

This is Santa Cruz's mid-level R build. It'south a massive leap in potential operation over their SRAM SX-equipped D level build for the actress 550 USD. It'due south arguably a amend value than the 800 USD more expensive, SRAM GX-equipped S build. The R features the everyman-level SRAM Guide T brakes and an NX drivetrain with a Play a joke on 34 Rythm fork. There are no real misses in terms of balancing the build. I'd dear to run across a CaneCreek xl headset instead of the 10, only I'thou happy to meet the Descendant cranks over the SX units that ofttimes seem to accompany NX level bikes.

A big portion of the 2950 USD | 3850 CAD price for the Chameleon R is the the frame - which is certainly worthy of significant component upgrades over time. While there are cheaper NX level bikes, the Chameleon frame probably makes information technology a better value. I'll discuss this more in a futurity commodity just for now hither are some spec highlights.

The SRAM MTH 746 rear hub and MTH 716 front end hub are SRAM badged Formula units. They utilise cartridge bearings and are relatively like shooting fish in a barrel to rebuild.

I like the spec choice here over a lot of hubs coming on more than budget-friendly bikes as I call up these are actually worthwhile to lace into fresh hoops should rim harm occur.

I take good news about the Fob Rhythm suspension fork. Information technology'southward okay out of the box but it's a fully serviceable fork that's worthy of a rebuild whenever that time comes. A lowers service and some fresh SKF Low Friction seals will brand it actually okay, or even pretty damn good, depending on your specific needs, especially on the front end of a hardtail where you aren't trying to match its performance up to a rear suspension organization. I'g fighting a bit right now to run it with as little sag as I'd like - to go the fork to ride higher in its travel - while overcoming the stiction out of the box. It is better after a couple of rides and being stored hanging from the front end bike.

The hubs are rebadged Formulas with SRAM logos. They're cartridge-bearing units that are easy enough to service. The front end hub is a front end hub, and for the rear, I'd argue if you take care of it the hub is even worthy of having a fresh rim laced on it in the future versus replacing the whole wheel. The exception is that if, like me, yous honey the experience of a hub that is quick to engage. If this was my cycle I'd be saving for something with less than 5° betwixt choice-ups as my first upgrade.

I exit the compression adjuster broad open up and run the rebound as fast as I tin can without compromising traction.

The colour-matched Fox 34 is a enough strong enough companion for the Chameleon frame and aluminum wheels.

Upgrading to some SKF (or Fox-branded SKF) low-friction seals will transform this Fox Rhythm into some other animal.

Upward at the controls, the Santa Cruz lock-on grips are one of the nicest stock locking options I've put my hands on. These could be worth buying for any lock-on lover, even if they don't own a Santa Cruz, and forth with the WTB Silverado, it'south very hard to fault the stock touchpoints. Anytime all these companies that spec WTB are going to figure out that the Koda is their best all-effectually perch, but I don't want to let that get in the way of praising the good choice they made today.

The 35mm Burgtec bar and stem are potentially a more controversial choice, particularly for anyone planning to utilize their Chameleon for bike packing. They're stiff. And so stiff. And hey, some folks love a super strong cockpit so I can't actually mistake Santa Cruz one mode or another only I'll exist swapping to my own 31.8mm setup for the rest of the review.

The stock lock-on 'House Grips' are actually really comfortable, for lock-ons. The Guide T brakes are very basic but no worse than loftier-end Guides I've ridden.

The 35mm Burgtec cockpit is very potent. Whether that's a pro or con on trails is personal preference. If you're bike packing your Chameleon, I'd recommend something more comfortable.

The Guide T brakes are SRAM'south lowest level Guide units but they perform too as any Guide brake I've used on the trail. Ane item of annotation is that they come with SRAM's MatchMaker clamps instead of the MMX hinged clamps. This doesn't change annihilation well-nigh shifter compatibility; information technology does however open up up some interesting upgrade opportunities. The two-bolt MatchMaker clamp is interchangeable with the clamps on Magura, Formula, and Hope brakes. That means piece of cake swapping of the brakes without having to buy new mounts for the dropper or shifter levers.

The SDG Tellis dropper postal service has plenty of detractors just in my experience it comes downwardly to shitty stock cable and housing. Supervene upon them with good housing and a stainless cablevision every bit soon as they act up.

WTB's Silverado is a adept choice for a stock saddle as is the Volt that may potentialy come with your Chameleon. I think the more univesal Koda would accept been the best choice. There is no Juliana version of this bike.

The Assailant is both a good tire selection for the rear of this wheel and a series of SKUs that Maxxis could simply eliminate from their catalogue. A DHR2 rolls slower simply brings significantly more traction in aggressive downhill scenarios, especially when it'southward wet. A Rekon rolls much faster on gravel or pavement and supplies surprising traction in loose terrain. It can also be a fleck terrifying when the ground is greasy simply no more and so than the Aggressor.

The MaxxGrip 2.five" DHF in front end makes sense as a starting point. I could see some riders swapping for something faster rolling but really no tire spec is going to satisfy anybody on a automobile with this many potential missions. I'1000 fine with the EXO sidewalls front and rear as I recollect this is a bike where folks will desire to run the lightest tire with the best rolling v. grip ratio for their terrain, or if they're planning to pop in an insert.

The 32t chainring pairs well with the 27" rear wheel and lightweight EXO casing tire.

Santa Cruz always does a squeamish job with little details like the chainstay pad and headtube badge.

Sliders

Some manufacturers of premium frames say unmarried-speeders are too pocket-size a market to warrant sliders on their hardtails. I think any version of this statement demonstrates lazy thinking or an utter lack of imagination. F*** single speeders, in that location are more important reasons to have sliders on a do-it-all hardtail. As a prominent instance, what pct of Honzo ST and ESD owners do you lot think single-speed those bikes? Nevertheless I regularly encounter them with the chainstays set up to a diversity of unlike lengths.

The superior sliding dropouts on the Chameleon are role of what makes it a chameleon. Tighten everything up and lower the fork to 110-120mm and pump it around the track. Run them at full length and over-fork the bike and race your buddies on their Enduro rigs. Option a spot in the middle, swap in a rigid fork (or don't), load the bike up with a drove of wheel-packing paraphernalia, and disappear into the wilderness. Min-max a lighter weight build and enter the single speed course at your local 90 Race.

It'southward only 12mm of adjustment you say? I know folks who've flipped frames to add a single centimeter of reach. People who've bought a fresh stem to ditch half that altitude. I've hacked that much off handlebars plenty of times. Would I honey to see frame-size specific chainstays and sliding dropouts? Sure! But in addition to calculation a degree of easy customizability towards your preference - short 5. long - Santa Cruz, or an aftermarket manufacturer, could likewise offering longer options for those of usa who'd prefer a chainstay length closer to say 450mm.

The new sliders are fifty-fifty cleaner looking than the setup on the carbon Chameleon and the last generation aluminum model.

There is a specific version for the MX and 29er setups and, of course, the potential to offer a range of options including longer ones.

Marketing

I don't know that whatsoever marketing campaign will rival the production that Santa Cruz put together for the Carbon Chameleon. It's certainly my all-fourth dimension favourite. Just I think their Five Riders' Rides "Built For Whatsoever" endeavor to showcase the myriad potential uses for the new aluminum rig was a nice departure from typical mount wheel marketing. The campaign does a corking chore of highlighting that whether you're buying a frame or a complete bicycle, the fresh Chameleon is simply a starting bespeak and if y'all take a couple of minutes I'd say it's worth checking out.

Here's that Carbon Chameleon video once more, because it's a cold, wet, rainy fall and this brightens my twenty-four hours:

The Santa Cruz headtube badge is somehow nil special only also a niggling detail that shows they really requite a shit at the same time.

Changeling

The Chameleon doesn't alter colours - it'southward available in two singled-out tones - but it does have the potential to modify personalities. It's not just a hardtail mount bicycle with the potential to do near anything - all bikes are gravel bikes etc - but it has the potential to practice most anything well, depending on the exact build, and it's a solid base for the rider aiming for an ever-evolving mountain wheel experience, or simply bicycling.

That's going to start with the hardest pick of all, which is choosing what size to purchase. I mean, the XL has a 490mm Reach and then anyone alpine had best be planning to employ it as a pump and jump bike. My 5'ix" frame technically belongs on a medium according to their sizing chart merely I have to say this large is, well... information technology would be generous to call it a medium-big when I'thousand sat upon it. It goes to show how important it is to test a cycle if you can, because the Chameleon's static measurements are simply slightly smaller than the large Banshee Titan I reviewed (465mm v. 470mm Reach / 638mm five. 644mm Stack). The Chameleon's attain grows with sag, and the Titan felt a full size larger when continuing on information technology. Weird.

I'1000 keeping an open heed, though. The cycle even so handles well with a longer stalk and the weight balance with the rear wheel kicked out makes it piece of cake to ride on technical trails. Cooper Mr. Shore Country Quinn offered me a case of beer if I could resist unmarried speeding information technology, only information technology strikes me that if I was going to bandy a few parts around on whatsoever bike I review information technology should be the Chameleon. Likewise, is there really anyone reading this who wants to hear me whine more about how awful feeling and noisy pedaling all ShiRAMano 12-spd drivetrains are in the depression gear?

This Playground Yellowish is so sweet that I take to assume it was called past the person who usually specs the colours for the Juliana lineup.

I ride year round and I appreciate a bright, happy bike in the grayness months. Actually, I'll give the mulleted MX version that - it shouts "Allow'S PLAY BIKES!"

If I could alter i thing at the blueprint level, I'd give it the straight seat tube aesthetic information technology deserves and whatsoever crash-land, if any, needed in the chainstay length to brand that happen. More room for bags, more room for bottles, and a more mature look.

I purposely haven't said too much well-nigh how this Chameleon rides. We're yet very much getting acquainted and I don't want Santa Cruz Bicycles thinking they're getting it back soon. I beloved my steel bikes and I sympathize why steel and hardtail are conjoined in many riders' minds but that doesn't change the fact that the Chameleon is a sweet ride with the adaptability to be around a long fourth dimension.

I know I'm going to accept a lot more to say when I showtime typing up the proper review so I'm going to leave the beginning look there. Happy, as always, to answer any questions in the comments. At that place'south much more data on the whole Chameleon lineup at Santa Cruz.

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Source: https://nsmb.com/articles/santa-cruz-chameleon-mx-mountain-bicycle/

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