The bottom bracket also got lower, which may or may not be favorable in your preferred geometric formula. In my opinion, the geometry is a huge improvement over its predecessor’s, with a slacker front end coming in at 65º (versus 67.2º), +/- 10mm of extended reach per size, an increase of +/-10mm of stack, and an increase in seat tube angle across the size run. Within those options, lie three build kit tiers: the SX Eagle, RockShox Recon RL-equipped D (reviewed here $2399), the NX Eagle and Fox Rhythm 34-equipped R ($2949), and the top-tier GX Eagle, FOX 34 Float Performance-equipped S build, topping out at a whopping $3749. For starters, it now comes in two wheel configurations: 29er as shown here, or “MX” mullet with a 27.5 rear wheel and 29er front. Back then, my main critiques were that I thought it could use a bit more travel up front, improved stack/reach numbers, and a bit slacker front end to really elevate it to a proper quiver-killing, do-it-all hardtail.įor my full thoughts on the V1 Chameleon, you can read all about it in our archives.įor 2022, the team at Santa Cruz updated the Chameleon with all the above and more. In this iteration, the production Chameleon had a retail of $2,399 for NX Eagle, a 120mm Fox Rhythm Float 34, and other in-line spec parts. To summarize, what I really liked about the V1 Chameleon was its flickibility, relatively light chassis, colors, stance, and the build kit I got to ride. It’s not often a big brand like Santa Cruz puts this much thought into one of its lowest-tier bikes. This gives bikes like the Chameleon an identity crisis, which I actually enjoy. Hardtails, in general, are often put on the backburner with mountain bike brands as they’re just not as popular as bigger, full-suspension bikes and the Chameleon is an even odder lizard in the Santa Cruz quiver in that it’s neither an XC race machine nor a fully-built rowdy hardtail, equipped to tackle proper all-mountain terrain. The super compact frame had the looks of a dirt jumper but the geometry was a tad behind where modern hardtails were situated at the time. For starters, the bike’s aesthetic and stance fits somewhere in between a DJ and a hardtail. V1 of the new Chameleon had a lot going for it and a few pitfalls. Which one is worth your money? Read on below to find out…įor all intents and purposes, I’ll be referring to the 2018 Chameleon as V1 here, and yes, I’m aware the Chameleon has been around for a lot longer than that – the 2022 frame is Santa Cruz’s 8th Chameleon model – but the last iteration feels like a completely new bike and a total departure compared to the Chameleon of the early 2000s, so let’s move past that previous phenotype for this review… Fast forward three years and I’ve had the new and improved 2022 Chameleon model under my butt for a few weeks now, have taken it on similar terrain as I did in Los Angeles with its predecessor, and have a few thoughts about the two models. Much like its namesake, the Chameleon really stood out from the crowd of other production hardtails on the market, making it a proper icon in the world of hardtail mountain bikes. The 2022 Santa Cruz Bicycles Chameleon 29erīack in 2018, I reviewed the Santa Cruz Chameleon in the 27.5+ platform with a tricked-out build spec thanks to Hope Tech.
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