2022 Santa Cruz Chameleon Review

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  • čas přidán 14. 06. 2024
  • Last month, Santa Cruz launched the ninth iteration of their Chameleon, which has been around since the '90s. Though the modern-day version looks quite different, it maintains its original purpose as an adaptable hardtail that's ready for nearly anything. In this video review, Neil shares his thoughts on the Chameleon's riding characteristics, build spec, and much more...
    Outline:
    Intro: 0:00
    Support and subscribe: 0:43
    Understanding the frame: 1:18
    Sizing: 1:59
    Frame highlights: 2:34
    Aluminum thoughts: 3:46
    New dropouts: 4:46
    Geometry: 5:35
    Bikepacking: 7:31
    Build kit: 8:56
    Wrap up: 11:30
    Mentioned and Related Links:
    LOGAN'S REVIEW: bikepacking.com/bikes/2022-sa...
    SALSA TIMBERJACK VIDEO: • 2021 Salsa Timberjack ...
    Do you enjoy our videos, routes, and articles? Help sustain this resource by joining the Bikepacking Collective: bikepacking.com/join/?...
    #bikepacking #pedalfurther
    -------------
    Hosted by Neil Beltchenko ( / neil_beltchenko )
    Music by Ben Weaver (benweaver.net)
    More at bikepacking.com
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Komentáře • 81

  • @carni6319
    @carni6319 Před 2 lety +5

    Good stuff, in line with several other reviews. I think I'm going with the Specialized Fuse Comp 29. Cheaper and I was able to ride it. Thanks for the great content.

  • @BIKEPACKINGcom
    @BIKEPACKINGcom  Před 2 lety +3

    Do you enjoy our videos, routes, and articles? Help sustain this resource by joining the Bikepacking Collective: bikepacking.com/join/?

  • @outbackwack368
    @outbackwack368 Před 2 lety

    Thanks! The harshness is real... several other CZcamsr's found the same thing compared to the last version. Unfortunate... All these bike aspects (and cost) keep me coming back to my current Intense Primer full-sus at 27 pounds as ridden. I just wish it had a bigger triangle for bags :-(

  • @douglaspedersen3355
    @douglaspedersen3355 Před 2 lety +1

    As a 220lb 6’2” ss rider, I love my alu highlander. My weight makes aluminum a good choice always. I was interested in getting the chameleon for bike packing due to the ability to add 27.5 + tires (I’m rubbing at times with 29x2.4) with extra bottle mounts. This newer chameleon takes away the bottle mount advantage, but I can’t decide if I should just keep my highball .

  • @TheDavidjakeson
    @TheDavidjakeson Před 2 lety +1

    Nice video of all the trails around my house!

  • @Runhikeandbike
    @Runhikeandbike Před 2 lety +1

    Can't wait! Jealous! Ugh... I ordered mine in July. Delivery... maybe in Dec... Please already! :) Thanks for the review! :)

  • @travischapman6763
    @travischapman6763 Před 2 lety +9

    Whoa! Sram hub called out!! 😂😂

    • @travischapman6763
      @travischapman6763 Před 2 lety

      Does a similarly priced shimano perform any better or is just annoying that a bike at this expense has a cheap hub no matter the brand?

  • @ruffrydazz2032
    @ruffrydazz2032 Před 2 lety +6

    I owned the previous iteration of this bike and I've had a chance to demo this version. All in all, I found both versions to perform best when either loaded or descending at high speed. This is not a nimble bike, it's a charger. It needs to be pushed to get the most out of it. I felt the new version is perhaps a hair too long and slack for it's own good to the point where it can feel sluggish at speeds lower than "likely death". As for bikepacking, neither version plays well with bags. If your set up isn't dialed, you will likely need to supplement with a small backpack.
    All that being said, it's an incredibly well made bike. Yes, the component package isn't great but these frames will survive a nuclear blast. Fantastic build quality, you get what you pay for.

    • @Monkeyseemonkey79
      @Monkeyseemonkey79 Před rokem

      Is it great build quality? The welds look like a Walmart bike.

    • @pubplays368
      @pubplays368 Před 11 měsíci +1

      @@Monkeyseemonkey79yes. They’re amazing build quality. The welds are much larger and uniformed than any cheap Walmart bike. The aluminum is also heat treated and cryogenically treated after the welds are made. Similar to the difference between a quality hunting knife and a gas station folder.

  • @jsey12
    @jsey12 Před 2 lety +1

    Great review! I’m sure you have been asked this question, and I know it’s a really difficult one,but if you could only afford one do it all bike what would it be?

    • @BIKEPACKINGcom
      @BIKEPACKINGcom  Před 2 lety +5

      Tough question, I'm a huge fan of full-sus trail bikes, they are so capable and most of them climb really well and it's a great bike to have not just for bikepacking, but likely what you do most which are day rides. But, I think the best answer to your question would be a titanium hardtail, they are expensive but so comfortable, work great for bikepacking/trail riding and can work as your gravel bike too!

  • @stevenbrier5802
    @stevenbrier5802 Před 2 lety +1

    where can i get a bag like the one you had made?? i have the same bike and would love it.

  • @benboo6351
    @benboo6351 Před 2 lety +1

    Loaded and obvious question... how does this compare to the Kona Honzo?

  • @dadbod4life
    @dadbod4life Před rokem

    I just ordered one, in size large. Im the same height as you and weigh 200 pounds. I think ill love it.

  • @dansartin
    @dansartin Před 2 lety

    I've been riding the 3rd gen Chameleon (2006) exclusively for the last 10 years. It's been a blast, but it's time for a change. Just ordered this new one, should be here next month. Can't wait to see what all the fuss is about with these bigger wheels and updated geo.

    • @fengcarlos
      @fengcarlos Před 2 lety

      Did you get it? How is it?

    • @dansartin
      @dansartin Před 2 lety

      @@fengcarlos I did! Bike finally showed up in early March. It's been awesome. Took a couple weeks to get used to the larger wheel size. Way more confident on the downhills. Bike climbs really well too. Super happy with it.

    • @fengcarlos
      @fengcarlos Před 2 lety

      @@dansartin Great. Are you running mullet setup?

    • @dansartin
      @dansartin Před 2 lety +1

      @@fengcarlos I am. I figured that after riding 26" bike for so many years, the mullet would give me some of that agility that I'm used to. Cool thing is that I can always swap to a full 29" setup in the future if I ever want to try something new. I'm digging the mixed wheelsize so far.

  • @3299MAX
    @3299MAX Před 2 lety +1

    Guys tell who have this bike in size XL. Do you feel good? I’m 191cm and wanna know are this bike in XL frame is good for me. Thanks)

  • @davidross8233
    @davidross8233 Před 2 lety +3

    This bike makes so much more sense for most people than a gravel bike. I have two gravel bikes and I recently realized that I don’t get it.

    • @LAFooFrmLA
      @LAFooFrmLA Před rokem

      I'm in between DSX FS and a Chameleon. Can you elaborate? Thanks!

  • @Savagez77
    @Savagez77 Před 2 lety +1

    What’s that frame pack called?

  • @mattdelcomyn8012
    @mattdelcomyn8012 Před 2 lety +2

    Great review Neil!! Too bad a lot of theses cool “big” brand HT bikes are so overbuilt.

    • @EloEast
      @EloEast Před 2 lety

      I find it as a positive. I have the 2018 version that I crashed more times that I can count (including some pretty harsh encounters with trees) and this thing took it all like a champ. Love it.

    • @mattdelcomyn8012
      @mattdelcomyn8012 Před 2 lety

      @@EloEast I understand the value of durability. All manufacturers are required to pass baseline durability tests. But if you've ever ridden a bike that's built with thin wall, or small diameter tubing, and designed to work as a spring with the rider, you will never go back. The benefits of lightweight and efficient energy transfer are unbelievable. You feel as good at the end of a LONG ride as you do at the beginning.

  • @123moof
    @123moof Před 2 lety +4

    $3k for lower-end components and an aluminum frame. a Thrd of the price seems to be for the Santa Cruz decal. Given the weight and the price it seems that a better ride and better components could be gotten for the same price,

  • @hardmtnbiker
    @hardmtnbiker Před 2 lety +3

    I’m not sure if anyone has noticed this fact about the new HT frames available. They’re slacker and have more reach and shorter stays than many of the 130mm forked full suspension bikes. The other fact with these new HT’s is many have adjustable drop outs, perfect for SS or for just making a more playful or more stable bike.

  • @mlentz8421
    @mlentz8421 Před 2 lety

    What would you say is your most balanced hardtail for bikepacking?

    • @enriquejaimes3368
      @enriquejaimes3368 Před 2 lety +2

      Timberjack

    • @beltchenko
      @beltchenko Před 2 lety +1

      Out of the bikes I have pedaled, it's hard not to say the Timberjack. Check out my thoughts here...czcams.com/video/ukar_k6-KWs/video.html

    • @coreygolphenee9633
      @coreygolphenee9633 Před 2 lety

      Timberjack or Karate monkey

  • @amanandamalamute
    @amanandamalamute Před měsícem

    what bag is that you have on the frame please?

    • @BIKEPACKINGcom
      @BIKEPACKINGcom  Před měsícem +1

      Custom frame bag from Rock Geist. rockgeist.com/

  • @JakeLuke308
    @JakeLuke308 Před 2 lety +4

    Solid review. Until I learn otherwise I will stick with my Trek Stache 9.7. The most fun and capable bike I have.

  • @Exx
    @Exx Před 2 lety

    I tried to buy one of these a month ago and was told by every shop that I could contact that they were sold out all the way through '22.

    • @BIKEPACKINGcom
      @BIKEPACKINGcom  Před 2 lety

      I just did a quick search and see some in stock, where are you located?

    • @Exx
      @Exx Před 2 lety

      North Bay area; I bought a spesh fuse a few weeks ago, but I'm curious if you do manage to turn up some special cache of chameleons

  • @monesabsolut
    @monesabsolut Před rokem +1

    I am 5’11” what size bike for me?

    • @wardwillis9127
      @wardwillis9127 Před rokem +1

      I'm the same height, I weigh 175, short legs, long torso, and I love riding fast on my local trails that feature steep climbs and eye popping downhills. I went medium. It's playful, poppy, and also....has some of the rough spots mentioned in this and just about every other review of this bike - lil heavy, poor rear hub engagement. That said, the more I ride it, the more I love it!

  • @rrbb3135
    @rrbb3135 Před 2 lety

    How much it?

  • @marksandoval5361
    @marksandoval5361 Před 2 lety +1

    I don't think mullets make sense for hardtails unless you're less tall and need that smaller rear wheel to get a reasonable fit. I prefer hardtails with wide low-pressure 29x2.6-2.8 tires to soften the ride and improve roll-over. If the bike will fit 29x2.6-2.8 tires that's a big Plus. I also think that the geo isn't quite right. I would have like to have seen a 76* STA. Doing so would vastly improve the climbing capability and also increase the wheelbase. A size large bike should have about a 1230mm wheelbase to be adequately progressive. The Chameleon is stupid expensive for what you get.

    • @cyrusdolph2339
      @cyrusdolph2339 Před 2 lety +1

      Norco Torrent has your 76 degree seat tube angle. Paired with a 64 degree head tube angle, not-too-long reach, and the ability to run 29 x 2.6, it does a lot of things really well for me. Gut lucky 4 months ago. Just walked into a bike shop to buy sealant and there she was...in my size!

    • @bikemike1118
      @bikemike1118 Před 11 měsíci

      ⁠@@cyrusdolph2339this Norco geometry sounds to me like having the handlebars right in front of your balls 😂.
      This cannot be right for a geo!

  • @tonyparkin3379
    @tonyparkin3379 Před 2 lety

    $2700 for cheapest in UK.
    Which would get me a Ribble HT titanium with pike fork and hope fortus wheelset.

  • @koreanmtnbiker2931
    @koreanmtnbiker2931 Před 2 lety

    Rear dropout is just another genius idea for Santa Cruz to make money on. Instead of making the frame take 27 and 29er wheel. Giving a rider a choice is a good thing but at a cost is not.

  • @shaymtbrider7244
    @shaymtbrider7244 Před rokem

    My bike is 1258 mm wheel base

  • @law844
    @law844 Před 5 měsíci

    I wish they hadn’t slacked it out so much. I would prefer 67.5 But I like chill terrain.

  • @rafaeldegiacomoaraujo8778

    I'm sure the bike brands are having a very hard time with the pandemic :P

    • @BIKEPACKINGcom
      @BIKEPACKINGcom  Před 2 lety +2

      Right, they are doing well, just a struggle to source parts at the moment.

  • @91F2Z
    @91F2Z Před 2 lety +2

    Good, honest review. While I appreciate your softening of the weak points of the bike, let me translate: Bike is heavy, harsh junk. What genius at Santa Cruz thought this up?

  • @bartmullin8018
    @bartmullin8018 Před 2 lety

    Have Surly's Steel version (2018 Karate Monkey) sans the suspension; suspension and bikepacking loads equals diminished suspension performance.... The steel isn't as harsh and the frames are less flashy color wise; also, wouldn't be caught dead riding said color (!). Do like the rear-wheel dropouts but, wonder what the maintainence factor is and how securely they stay bolted. The bike industry loves using cyclists as their R&D staff instead of doing the R&D themselves much of the time...

    • @hammertime7740
      @hammertime7740 Před rokem

      Yep, rigid Steele or Titanium for bikepacking all the way.

  • @josephfarrugia2350
    @josephfarrugia2350 Před rokem

    Funny you (Neil in the video) should mention this grame as harsh; when reviewers way more experienced in testing hardtails than you (WAY more) will ever be found it quite compliant.

    • @pedalingnowhere
      @pedalingnowhere Před rokem +1

      Wow, you (guy in the comments) are really confident in who you believe on the interwebs. First off, learn how to spell 'frame'. Second, this frame is harsh as fuck. I've tried and reviewed about 30 hardtails over the last decade, so I'd say I have some experience and can honestly say that this is one of the harshest frames I've ridden.Third, considering Neil has a ridiculous number of long-distance rides (and route course records) under his belt-many of which are on hardtails-I trust what he has to say. Maybe you should asses why you believe who you believe in bike media.

    • @josephfarrugia2350
      @josephfarrugia2350 Před rokem

      @@pedalingnowhere dude. Triggered much? 30 hardtails in the last decade? 10 years? That means you are in no position to comment on the latest hardtails at all. Maybe you should take a moment to reflect on your lack of insight in the matter, let alone ability to compare recent hardtails with modern geometry.

  • @sureshbabu-zf8ew
    @sureshbabu-zf8ew Před 10 měsíci

    Great bike , rides smooth czcams.com/users/postUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L I added a bigger spring loaded seat to it . Takes a bit of adjusting cables to get brakes and shifting to perfect . I've owned quite a few bikes in the past that were absolutely uncomfortable to ride and they always ended up as garage wall decor . I'm not seeing that with this one. It's pretty light I've only ridden it a few miles but I like it . As for the pedals falling off in the other reviews , the pedal arms are aluminum along with the pedal studs look to be also . I would not overtighten them. I can see it would be very easy to overtighten them and strip the threads right off . All in all I think it's pretty good quality besides the aluminum pedal thing

  • @bikemike1118
    @bikemike1118 Před 11 měsíci

    I think the previous Chameleon versions had the better geometry!
    And I was rubbing my eyes in disbelief what Santa Cruz has done to the Chameleon… typical case of „improving“ and renewing stuff for no reason but for marketing reasons or for the sake of bringing something „new“ to the market. In this case: BAD IDEA

  • @mountaincruiser817
    @mountaincruiser817 Před 2 lety +1

    When you think of it a hardtail should have a 29r rear wheel and 27.5 front. You have your suspension fork to help you roll over stuff but the back has nothing. And not even mentioning that your weight is also over the rear wheel that makes it even harder to role over chunk. :-p

    • @PebusGalacticus
      @PebusGalacticus Před 2 lety +2

      wat i don't think a reverse mullet bike would work very well. in fact, there's a video of someone riding one and they say it was terrifying to try and descend with it. if anything hardtails want plus-sized tires.

    • @cyrusdolph2339
      @cyrusdolph2339 Před 2 lety

      @@PebusGalacticus Doddy, at Gmbn did that reverse mullet ride, but he used a 26-inch wheel. With the correct fork length, and using a 27.5 wheel front/29 x 2.6 rear, you could have something interesting and potentially great. On the right frame

  • @PedroDVC
    @PedroDVC Před rokem

    Bigger is not always better...

  • @koreanmtnbiker2931
    @koreanmtnbiker2931 Před 2 lety +2

    Any hardtail ride down on chunky, rocky Mountain♢♢, you will feel it all over your body. I don't care what people say how capable a hardtail is. A hardtail is not meant for ♢♢chunky, rocky down all mountain. Just because its capable does not mean its the best. I have ht and full susp bike. And yes! Overpriced for the NAME brand.

  • @Volkmannx
    @Volkmannx Před 2 lety

    This ain't no bike packing bike - what are you talking about?

  • @jpalmer1967
    @jpalmer1967 Před 2 lety +2

    It has a chain. Boo.
    Bring on the belt drives or you're living in 1997. Seriously, chain drives are for girls & Shimano calls it's customers "suckers". More moving parts than a space shuttle! LOL. Wake up folks & get a belt drive.

    • @cjohnson3836
      @cjohnson3836 Před 2 lety +9

      Are you day drinking?

    • @jpalmer1967
      @jpalmer1967 Před 2 lety

      @@cjohnson3836 Always. But that's not the point. Chain drives are yesterday, you just don't know it yet...

    • @jeffdunn890
      @jeffdunn890 Před 2 lety

      @@jpalmer1967 I love mine! And not having to clean the chain, f***ing priceless!

    • @cyrusdolph2339
      @cyrusdolph2339 Před 2 lety

      Pinion 12-speed gearbox And that belt drive. That's the future for sure. Once they can lighten up the gearbox just a tad, we'll start seeing more complete bikes sold with that setup. It'll be pricey at first but once the major players start competing in that category, I'm diving into that pool immediately!

    • @cjohnson3836
      @cjohnson3836 Před 2 lety

      @@cyrusdolph2339 Gearboxes are a niche product. Yall need to realize that bikepacking is a very small minority of people who ride bikes. And gearboxes are only optimal for lazy bikepackers. Their performance is not on par with traditional drive trains and so they will not be the favorite for day rides. You know, 99% of the riding people do. Particularly fatal is the poor engagement angle.